Arsenal are on track to win the Premier League and have already reached the Champions League final, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners likely to be even stronger next season
Arsenal team group photo during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 semi-final second leg vs. Atletico Madrid (Image: Getty)
Arsenal continue their form with a monumental win against Atletico Madrid. The home side won 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and sealing their place in the tournament final for the first time since 2006, marking one of the most unforgettable nights in the club’s history.
The match builds on the exciting atmosphere from last weekend’s 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League. The performances of each player and the contribution of the fans suggest all is well for Mikel Arteta’s side as they look to make history with four games remaining in the two major competitions.
Three wins from three league games will seal their first title since 2004, while the club will have the chance to lift the European trophy for the first time in its history in Budapest later this month.
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Looking back at both the highs and improvements throughout what was undoubtedly a successful season, Mirror Football now looks at how Arteta should line up next season, with a fully fit squad and new signings secured.
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Goalkeeper – David Raya
The Spaniard has quietly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. Raya brings composure even when the opposition is under high pressure and has the ability to accurately distribute both short plays and long shots. This season, he made some breathtaking acrobatic saves in key moments en route to a well-deserved third straight Premier League Golden Glove award. He continues to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Right-back – Julian Timber
No one should overlook how exceptional Timber has performed, especially in the first half of the season, despite his health issues over the past month or so. He remained one of the strongest one-on-one defenders in the team and was an integral part of the backline, not allowing a shot on target in several games. Although his performance declined slightly after Christmas due to fatigue, the Dutchman remains one of the best players in the country in this position.
Center backs – William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both world class (Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
Saliba and Gabriel have rightly cemented their place as the best central defensive partnership in European football in recent years. Saliba does his job so effortlessly that his defensive contribution is almost imperceptible, while Gabriel is the heart of the backline, asserting himself with crunchy tackles and towering headers. Arsenal would like to keep this duo around for years to come, but silverware is the only thing stopping them from gaining the kind of name recognition and acclaim enjoyed by Steve Bould and Tony Adams.
Left back – Riccardo Calafioli
There are good reasons for Arteta to stick with the Italian despite his continued injury problems. When fit, Calafioli is a real gem, equally adept as a predatory left-back, a burly centre-half or a technical presence drifting through the middle. Piero Hincapie may provide a slight upgrade defensively, but Calafioli’s attacking prowess makes him the undisputed first choice on the left wing.
Central midfielders – Declan Rice and Miles Lewis-Skelly
Declan Rice and Miles Lewis-Skelly complement each other perfectly (Image: Getty)
Arsenal’s midfield balance has been unstable for most of the season. As the season progressed, it became clear that despite his defensive qualities, Martin Zvimendi, who arrived for £51 million in the summer, was not the number six many had expected. The Spaniard is at his best when smashing attacks all over the pitch or ghosting unmarked into the opposition box, but he is not Arsenal’s answer to Rodri when it comes to controlling the tempo of the game or passing passes down the line.
So, paired with Rice, who has an incredible engine and is consistent on the ball but doesn’t seem to be looking to play a penetrating ball, the Gunners have often been short-changed in the middle of the park this season. However, Arteta seems to have recognized over the last two games that he needs a player who can provide more progressive passes and be more confident when dealing with opposition midfielders. That person is Lewis Skelly. He was brought on late in both games against Fulham and Atlético, making his first appearance for the first team in midfield in two of the most pressured games of the season, and was praised for his superb display.
No.10 – Eberechi Eze
Eze’s game-changing qualities became more apparent throughout the season. In addition to his ability to weave through defenders, he has added extra tenacity to his play in the press. Given that he is one of the only players who can dribble through low blocks and create overloads, he is an invaluable asset to Arsenal’s side. Eze’s natural instinct to find the net is another invaluable asset, as evidenced in key moments this season.
Martin Odegaard should no longer be locked into Arsenal’s starting lineup (Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
With Eze’s arrival, Arsenal will need to appoint a new captain, given that the struggling Martin Odegaard will have to be moved to the substitute bench. While Saka is currently the vice-captain, Rice has played a role in leading the team on and off the field at key moments during his absence this season. Therefore, it makes sense to entrust the midfield dynamo with the permanent captaincy from now on.
Right Wing – Bukayo Saka
Saka’s performances this season may not have reached the heights that everyone expected, but the Arsenal fan favorite has shown in recent games exactly how effective he can be when fully fit. His game time will need to be managed carefully from now on as Achilles problems continue to plague the winger. Still, he’s one of the best in the business when it comes to decision-making, almost always making the right pass or picking the perfect moment to embarrass his marker.
Victor Gokeres and Bukayo Saka develop chemistry (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Striker – Victor Gokeres
Conversations surrounding Gokeres have been echoing throughout the season. There is little question that his hold-up play and technical ability have at times fallen short of expectations. However, everything seems to have clicked for the Swede in recent weeks, with him performing like the No. 9 Arsenal supporters have been looking for for years.
His performance against Atletico was arguably his best in an Arsenal shirt. Gokeres ran through the channels, put pressure on opponents, linked up with his teammates and was a threat to defenders with his formidable shooting ability. Naturally, there are still matches where Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino’s technical skills make them better options. However, from the perspective of a striker who plays every week, Gokeres deserves more opportunities to be in the starting lineup.
Left Wing – Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola is the missing ingredient to take Arsenal to the next level (Image: Getty Images)
One area that Arsenal could clearly improve on this summer is on the left wing. Gabriel Martinelli scored an important goal in the Champions League and Leandro Trossard has shown glimpses of his form all season. But neither player is a true world-class option. Arsenal need a winger with Martinelli’s blistering speed but also Trossard’s technique.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Barcola, who is valued at around £60m by Transfermarkt, is therefore the most suitable candidate. The Frenchman is destructive on the counter-attack, but can also break low blocks and boasts fluid dribbling and great off-the-ball movement. He is reportedly open to a summer move and Arsenal should do everything in their power to bring him to N5, given that manager Luis Enrique prefers a wider range of other options. Barcola’s inconsistent playing time has hampered his form this season, but his true quality was evident last season, when he scored 44 goals in 64 appearances.
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