Arsenal – Premier League 2023-24 Season Preview

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have gone from strength to strength in the Premier League over the past three seasons and will be looking to go all the way in 2023/24 and win the league title. The Gunners took a major step in the league last season, leading the pack for the majority of the campaign, but wilted in the title run-in with untimely results against West Ham, Southampton, and Manchester City to finish second behind Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Gunners have put their faith in Mikel Arteta by reinvesting heavily in the squad in the summer, but only time will tell whether the Gunners make the final jump and end their 20-year title drought this season.

Summer Dealings

Arsenal have shown their ambition in the off-season by spending £208 million on three new acquisitions. The arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham for a club-record £105 million was a major statement of intent from the North Londoners, with Arsenal staving off competition from Bayern Munich and Manchester City to sign the England midfielder.

The Gunners also added versatile defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax to improve their strength in depth in defence, while Kai Havertz joined from London rivals Chelsea for a fee worth £65 million.

Player to watch out for: Kai Havertz

Although Kai Havertz failed to live up to his price tag and expectations at Chelsea, the German could be a transformative signing for the Gunners. Havertz’s versatility and ability to play different positions could aid Arsenal’s evolution for next season, while the 24-year-old adds an increased goal threat for the Gunners from midfield.

Probable XI

Despite the rumours of the impending arrival of David Raya from Brentford, Aaron Ramsdale is expected to hold the number one jersey at the Emirates Stadium for the upcoming campaign.

In defence, Ben White will reprise his role at right-back for the second-consecutive season, while William Saliba joins Gabriel to form one of the strongest centre-back pairings in the league. With first-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko injured, summer signing Jurrien Timber is likely to start on that side after his impressive display in the Community Shield against Manchester City.

Further upfield, Thomas Partey will anchor Arsenal’s midfield alongside skipper Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, who will occupy the Granit Xhaka role on the left of the three. Arsenal’s dynamic, young wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are shoe-ins to start on either flank, but the identity of the Gunner’s starting centre-forward is less clear.

With Gabriel Jesus injured, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz will be battling for a starting spot. Nketiah and Trossard impressed at various stages last season as the striker, but Havertz could get the nod after jumping ahead of the queue to start the Community Shield Final up top.

Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli