In their pursuit of Premier League glory, Arsenal has meticulously followed a blueprint for recovering from a near-miss season. Displaying both assertiveness in the transfer window and ingenuity in squad structuring, Mikel Arteta's side appears poised to progress further in the upcoming 2023-24 season. While it remains uncertain whether this will propel them into contention with the world's finest team, there's no doubt that Arsenal has refrained from complacency.
Previously accustomed to rummaging through the remnants of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Arsenal now confidently competes with Europe's elite clubs and secures their desired players. The names of Bayern Munich and other prestigious clubs must be echoing with exasperation as Arsenal's name continues to resonate throughout a summer marked by signings like Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and David Raya, all captivated by the allure of Emirates Stadium.
This quartet of acquisitions promises to significantly bolster Arteta's pool of talent. Amidst discussions about Arsenal faltering in their title push last season, injuries to key positions were the decisive blow. When William Saliba was sidelined, the defense, which was already unsteady, managed just two clean sheets in their last 11 league games. Fitness concerns for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey during the spring months disrupted Arsenal's control over matches.
Arteta conceded, "At the level that we want [we don't have the depth]. We didn't have the capacity to do that as well with the Europa League so it's part of that evolution." However, that argument no longer holds true. Zinchenko and Partey might find themselves fighting for a spot in the starting XI as Timber, Rice, and Havertz showcased impressive performances in the Community Shield. Similar competition will arise between Aaron Ramsdale and Raya.
Arteta now boasts a plethora of options across the pitch. Build-up from the back could involve Zinchenko inverting from left back, Ben White surging down the right, Timber adapting from either flank, or any of the defenders stepping up from center back. On challenging away fixtures, a midfield duo of Partey and Rice would provide robustness, while Jorginho, Havertz, and Martin Odegaard could infuse creativity if needed. With Gabriel Jesus returning injured from the World Cup, Arsenal's attack options were limited, relying on Eddie Nketiah. Presently, the competition for the focal point in Arsenal's attack includes England under-21s top scorer Nketiah, Havertz, and Leandro Trossard.
Last season, a core group of slightly over a dozen players appeared capable of clinching the league for Arsenal. They exhibited excellence playing in a specific style, comparable to any team in Europe. Presently, Arteta possesses the means to outmaneuver opponents in various styles.
"It's not A, B, depending on how you want to look at it," Arteta stated during preseason. "We are looking at options—we are training different options—but also, sometimes, you have to leave players on the training ground to see, because sometimes when they train with each other they give you a lot of information."
With a few minor adjustments on the fringes, such as additional support for Bukayo Saka on the right flank, Arsenal stands in an optimal position to build upon last season's progress. While it's possible that their efforts may go unrewarded—especially if City maintains their springtime brilliance—achieving second place would hardly be a disappointment. Should the world's top team falter, Arteta has at his disposal all the necessary tools to seize the opportunity.
