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Arsenal 2024/25 Season Preview – Fixtures, Transfers, Potential XI, Prediction

Arsenal 2024/25 Season Preview – Fixtures, Transfers, Potential XI, Prediction

After two seasons of playing catch-up to Manchester City, Arsenal are more determined than ever to claim the top spot in the 2024/25 Premier League season, aiming to overthrow the reigning champions.

Arsenal’s upward trajectory under Mikel Arteta’s leadership has been commendable, culminating in consecutive title challenges, but they’ve turned up empty-handed each time.

Last season was particularly gut-wrenching for Arteta’s troops.

They came tantalisingly close to ending their 21-year title drought, but they just could not get over the line. Once again, they settled for the runners-up spot, just two points behind champions Man City.

Many will point to March’s goalless draw against the champions at the Etihad Stadium as the defining moment of Arsenal’s season.

Man City were far from their best in the box-office showdown, but Arteta’s side couldn’t shake off their conservative approach and go for the jugular.

They played it safe until the last minute, preferring to secure a point rather than lose three, but it came back to haunt them at the end of the season.

Arsenal also suffered a drop in form towards the end of last year, winning just one of their final five Premier League games.

They lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in Birmingham but responded with a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

However, they failed to build on that victory, playing out a 1-1 draw against fellow title contenders Liverpool before falling to consecutive defeats against capital foes West Ham United and Fulham.

While the Gunners began 2024 with renewed vigour, winning their opening eight games of the year, it wasn’t enough to dethrone the seemingly invincible Man City, who secured their fourth consecutive league title.

Despite suffering consecutive heartbreaks, Arsenal fans are buzzing for the new season, and there’s an air of optimism that they could be third-time lucky in 2024/25.

Die-hard fans are already snapping up tickets on Seatsnet.com, the go-to ticket marketplace for securing their place in the stands and cheering on their team.

Meanwhile, Arteta must be wondering what he must do to topple his mentor next season. With that in mind, here’s our Arsenal season preview for 2024/25.

Arsenal fixtures – Arteta’s side must navigate a tough start

The Premier League curtain rises for Arsenal with a home clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.

In the event of an opening-day victory, celebrations might be short-lived as Arteta’s men face a brutal run of fixtures immediately following.

After taking on Gary O’Neil’s Wolves, Arsenal embark on a daunting away trip to Aston Villa, followed by a North London derby showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.

The cherry on top of this mean-looking run of fixtures is a visit to the reigning champions, Man City. This daunting schedule is enough to send shivers down the spines of the Arsenal fans.

However, a more optimistic perspective reveals a golden opportunity for Arteta. Successfully navigating this gauntlet of formidable opponents would be a monumental confidence boost for the squad.

If Arsenal can emerge from this brutal quintet of matches with a healthy points tally, not only would it silence doubters, but it would also lay a solid foundation for a potential title charge.

A win over Man City would be a massive statement of intent from the Gunners.

Last season’s goalless draw at the Etihad ultimately proved costly in the title race, and Arteta’s men will be determined not to repeat that outcome.

If Arsenal are serious about winning the title at the third time of asking, they must do everything in their power to beat the Cityzens home and away.

It may be too early in the season to tag their first meeting a title decider, but it could be a crucial defining moment that gauges Arsenal’s readiness to become Premier League champions.

Transfer business

Arsenal have had a quiet summer transfer window thus far. Their only major transaction is making David Raya’s initial loan move permanent in a deal worth around £27 million.

Despite the lack of activity, Arteta wants to reinforce every department of the squad, including signing a goalkeeper to cover for Raya, with Aaron Ramsdale expected to leave the club this summer.

The Gunners are close to completing a move for Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori.

The deal could see Jakub Kiwior heading in the opposite direction, albeit in a separate transaction, although Juventus are also interested in the Polish defender.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, with Thomas Partey facing an uncertain future at the Emirates.

The injury-prone Ghanaian international has one year left on his contract, and Arsenal are open to selling him amid interest from Italy and the Saudi Pro League.

There are also talks of adding a wide player to the squad to cover for Bukayo Saka, who has been the lynchpin of Arsenal’s title challenge for the past two seasons.

Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have failed to deliver the goods up top, so Arsenal could enter the market for a prolific striker, even though Kai Havertz picked up the slack last term.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres have been identified as potential targets, but Arsenal are moving at a snail’s pace so far, so it remains to be seen how their summer window pans out.

How Arsenal could line-up in 2024/25

Raya will remain Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice, with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko lining up ahead of the Spanish shot-stopper.

If Arsenal are successful in their quest to sign Merino, the Spaniard will likely replace Partey in midfield and could establish a dynamic partnership with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal cannot afford to head into the new season without a prolific striker, but with their search for a centre-forward on the back burner, Kai Havertz is set to lead the line once again.

He will be flanked by the dynamic duo of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

4-3-3: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Merino, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka.

Another title challenge on the cards?

Fresh off a thrilling title race where they fell narrowly short, Arsenal are positioned to be Man City’s closest challengers once again.

Arteta is convinced his team are closer than ever to becoming champions, but Arsenal’s transfer business so far doesn’t reflect his optimism.

Despite their burning desire to topple the champions, the Gunners need to bolster their squad with quality additions if they’re to stand a chance.

However, domestic cup competitions could offer a more attainable route to silverware and appease the Emirates faithful.

Arsenal will also be keen to erase the bitter taste of a quarter-final exit in the Champions League, but the new format could be a major stumbling block.

Balancing their Premier League aspirations, domestic cups, and European ambition will be a tactical tightrope walk for Arteta.

Without a squad boasting serious depth, the season could unfold with the Gunners experiencing a familiar sense of heartbreak and disappointment.

Predicted finish: 2nd

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