After another campaign filled with near-misses but fueled by bold ambition, Arsenal now face the critical question: where should their priorities lie as they prepare for a new season under Mikel Arteta? We spoke to Jack Abela of LondonWorld to explore Arsenal’s evolving transfer plans, the areas under the microscope, and whether Arteta’s side can finally bridge the gap to claim the Premier League title with this current group of players.
00:00After another campaign filled with near misses but fuelled by bold ambition,
00:08Arsenal now face the critical question, where should their priorities lie as they prepare for a new season under Mikel Arteta?
00:17The Gunners have established a distinct identity, a dynamic, high-intensity style driven by young, eager core.
00:24The challenge is clear, how do they go one step further and finally turn promise into trophies?
00:31Fitness and squad rotation remain key concerns.
00:34Last season's title challenge was disrupted by injuries to vital players at crucial moments,
00:40revealing a thinness in depth when it mattered most.
00:43How will Arsenal address this vulnerability to sustain a push on multiple fronts, Premier League and Champions League,
00:51without risking player burnout?
00:52This summer's approach isn't about a complete overhaul, but about sharpening a contender into a true champion,
01:00with belief fully strong within the club.
01:03Every decision in the transfer window will be made with careful intent.
01:07We caught up with Jacobello of London World to explore Arsenal's evolving transfer plans,
01:13the areas under microscrope and whether Arteta's side can finally bridge the gap
01:18to claim the Premier League title with this current group of players.
01:22Yeah, I mean, if you look at the title race throughout the season,
01:28obviously now the race for Champions League, the race for Europe is incredibly tight.
01:32But in terms of the top two, you have to look back on this season and think it was a massive opportunity.
01:38You had Manchester City who just won four titles on the bounce and they suddenly dropped off.
01:43They've had a terrible season by their standards.
01:45No one else was really challenging. Yes, Liverpool have done a great job.
01:49But Arsenal, as you say, they won 28 games last campaign, only 18 in 36 games this season.
01:56That's just not enough.
01:57And you feel that they did have that same form last season, they'd have probably stormed to the title.
02:02Yeah, I mean, Arsenal finished on 89 points last year.
02:05I think Liverpool can get a maximum of 89 points if they win their last two games.
02:10Arteta's talked about that and about how timing is crucial.
02:13I think Arsenal, over the last three seasons, have the second most points.
02:18Liverpool have the third.
02:19And, you know, Liverpool have won the title this year and Arsenal, you know, have ended up with none.
02:26And I don't think Arsenal's squad is big enough.
02:29You know, you look at the bench, some of the games, I mean, the options that they bring on you.
02:35He's looking at 17-year-old Ethan Neri or Raheem Sterling, who just has done nothing this season.
02:41The squad isn't big enough.
02:43And then there's also the mental fatigue.
02:45You know, how much does it take out of you to compete for the league two years in a row and come up short?
02:51You know, that physical and mental fatigue, I think this season has really come to fruition.
02:56And they have looked leggy, you know, physically and mentally, as I say.
03:04And whether they just need a break this summer, you know, there's no international tournament.
03:09They're not in the Club World Cup.
03:10I think they need a real break.
03:12I think they need a real strong summer.
03:14They need to sign a centre-forward and hopefully they can come back.
03:18Because the narrative in the media now as well, which is only going to continue, is how long can Arsenal go without a trophy before Mikel Arteta is deemed a failed manager?
03:32I don't think that's a strong sense within the Arsenal fan base, to be honest.
03:36But that narrative will grow.
03:38And, you know, football, we're at an elite level with Arsenal.
03:42And, you know, those questions should be asked at some point.
03:45So it will be interesting to see how it develops for sure.
03:49But, yeah, as you say, if Arsenal had the form they had last season, yeah, they'd definitely be with a shout.
03:55But I think that mental and physical fatigue has just caught up within this campaign.
03:59I still get the sense maybe they would think that that's not enough.
04:02But what it would do would be give this kind of squad affirmation and confirmation that they can win things.
04:11And I think that's what's really important is for this squad right now.
04:15Because, truthfully, you know, Arteta's FA Cup that he won, it wasn't his squad.
04:19There were no players that are in this current squad.
04:22So this squad needs to win a trophy, whether that's a domestic cup.
04:26They need to win something so that they can, you know, believe in themselves and go that extra mile and take home the big prizes like the Premier League or the Champions League next season.
04:40But definitely something needs to give for sure.
