Premier League team guide: Arsenal in the spotlight

Arsenal enter the 2023-24 season with renewed ambition after a positive showing last time out.

The Gunners have spent big in the transfer market as they bid to compete on multiple fronts and bridge the gap to Treble winners Manchester City.

But much will depend on how the new faces settle in at the Emirates — and whether other Premier League rivals make a move following their rebuilds. 

Last season: Second

After missing out on Champions League football in 2021-22, Arsenal secured a place on Europe's biggest stage with their best finish in seven years and an impressive 26 wins from 38.

However, collecting the Premier League's silver medal ultimately proved to be bittersweet for supporters as City pipped them to the crown by five points.

The Gunners fell short in the title race despite sitting top of the table for 248 days, setting a new record for most time spent at the summit without going on to lift the trophy.

Their two defeats to City in February and April proved to be very costly indeed.

But it was still a campaign of progress for Arteta's men, with young attacking trio Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scoring 44 league goals between them.

New faces

Arsenal have added crucial depth to a squad that struggled with major absentees last term — William Saliba in particular.

First through the door at the Emirates was Kai Havertz, who arrived from London rivals Chelsea for a reported fee of £65million.

Versatile defender Jurrien Timber was snapped up from Ajax, with the Dutchman able to offer Arteta quality cover at both right-back and centre-back.

Midfield lynchpin Declan Rice was then signed from West Ham in a £105m deal, making him the second most expensive British footballer in history after Jude Bellingham.

And 22-year-old striker Folarin Balogun returned to North London after a successful loan spell at Reims where he scored 21 Ligue 1 goals in 37 appearances.

One to watch: Emile Smith Rowe

Emile Smith Rowe's 2022-23 season was hampered by a series of niggling injuries.

The 22-year-old Hale End graduate made 12 appearances in the Premier League — all from the bench — and failed to score a goal after bagging 10 the previous campaign.

But after helping England win the European Under-21 Championship this summer, a fully fit Smith Rowe looks ready to challenge Martinelli for the left-wing spot in Arsenal's XI.

The Croydon-born maestro can also cover Odegaard's position on the right-hand side of the midfield three.

With games set to come thick and fast for the Gunners and increased squad rotation required, Smith Rowe can remind the world of his unquestionable talent.

The boss: Mikel Arteta

Arteta will be entering his fourth full season in charge of the Gunners, with his project seemingly moving in the right direction.

The 41-year-old was named as Unai Emery's permanent successor in December 2019 after excelling as Pep Guardiola's assistant at City.

He won the FA Cup in his first season, before guiding the North Londoners to the Community Shield two months later.

The onus will now be on Arteta to deliver more silverware in 2023-24 following a summer of lavish spending.

If the Spaniard can guide the club to a first Premier League title since the famous Invincibles or a maiden Champions League triumph, he will enter the pantheon of great Arsenal managers.

                                                                               Information correct as of July 31, 2023