Arsenal's aggressive transfer strategy and rising academy stars fuel 2025 title hopes

After watching three consecutive Premier League titles slip through their fingers, Arsenal have opened their wallet wide in the close season, completing early moves to ensure squad depth does not derail their championship dreams again.

Having finished second in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, Arsenal failed to build on that momentum in the transfer market last summer. In came midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, defender Cristhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke, ’keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and striker Viktor Gyokeres—the final piece of the puzzle.

Arsenal scored only 69 goals in the league last term, a massive drop from the 91 they netted the season before.

Sporting’s Sweden striker Gyokeres, meanwhile, found the net an eye-watering 54 times in all competitions last term to become the hottest target in the transfer market. “I was extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we’ve been,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “So far, we are very happy with what we have achieved. Make sure that at the end of the window, we continue to be super happy.

Tactical shift
Gyokeres’s arrival also suggests a potential tactical shift in Arsenal’s style, with the striker poles apart from how Havertz operates when leading the line.

While the German constantly drops deep, Gyokeres’s natural habitat is in the final third and his direct style might force Arsenal to get the ball upfield faster. Spaniard Zubimendi’s mobility, his deeplying playmaking skills and defensive nous will give Arsenal’s midfield a measure of steel while also controlling the tempo. Norgaard’s tactical awareness and versatility makes him a welcome addition while the Dane also brings Premier League and leadership experience having captained Brentford.

Academy gems
While the big-money signings grab the headlines, Arsenal’s famed academy continues producing gems. Last season heralded the arrival of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly on the big stage as the teenagers played a fearless and refreshing brand of football. Now, one more teenager is knocking on the door—15-year-old Max Dowman, who Arteta described as special.

Arteta has succeeded in making Arsenal contenders but he must now take the final step to lift silverware and squad depth can no longer be an excuse as they hunt for a first trophy since winning the FA Cup five years ago.