June 2024
Eleven Gunners head to the Euros, with two more representing Brazil at Copa America. David Raya returns with a winners medal after Spain defeat England in the final, where Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both start for the Three Lions.
Twenty-two players are released, including Mohamed Elneny and Cédric Soares as expected. While it was strongly suggested that Edu was prepared to trigger Benjamin Šeško’s release clause, the striker signs a new deal with RB Leipzig during the tournament. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyökeres announces his intention to remain in Portugal for another year to aid his development.
July 2024
Concern grows among Gooners as the focus appears to shift towards slashing the wage bill. A frustrating pattern under Mikel Arteta continues, players are loaned out while their value drops. Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga leave on season-long loans. Lazio do have an obligation to buy Tavares, subject to performance clauses.
As agreed with Brentford, Raya’s move is made permanent, while Riccardo Calafiori is secured for what looks like good value at £33.6 million.
August 2024
Speculation intensifies over the club’s pursuit of a striker, with names like Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen linked right up to deadline day. In reality, Arsenal focus on raising funds. Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah are all sold. Meanwhile, the habit of loaning out players who cannot be sold continues, Reiss Nelson and Fábio Vieira leave on temporary deals.
After a prolonged saga, Mikel Merino finally signs. Pedro Neto arrives on loan, a move that raises eyebrows as he is cup-tied in the League Cup. An 11th-hour loan for Raheem Sterling divides opinion.
The much-needed striker never arrives, but Kai Havertz starts the season well, scoring in two of the first three games. A mature win at Villa Park shows promise, but a draw with Brighton sparks debate after Rice is sent off for delaying a restart, a talking point that refuses to go away.
September 2024
Arteta signs a new contract but quickly receives bad news: Martin Ødegaard is injured while on international duty. Havertz and Leandro Trossard fill in as No. 10s. Arsenal grind out results at the Etihad, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and in Europe, even without their captain, opting for a more conservative style.
Despite ongoing debate about Rice’s red card, Trossard is sent off for the same offence at the Etihad, prompting fans to question officiating consistency. Arsenal come seconds away from a landmark defensive display before John Stones equalises. A decade ago, this is a match Arsenal would have lost.
Ethan Nwaneri scores his first two senior goals in the Carabao Cup.
Tactical frustrations and European hope
October 2024
Following the international break, Arsenal go a full month without a league win. Arteta comes under fire for his ultra-defensive approach after William Saliba’s red card against Bournemouth. His side essentially settle for a goalless draw.
A lifeless display at Newcastle stirs echoes of Arsenal’s more passive past. At the San Siro, possession feels sterile, sideways passing with little threat.
November 2024
Arsenal look much improved when Ødegaard returns against Chelsea, though a 1–1 draw leaves them nine points behind Liverpool.
A five-goal blitz at the London Stadium, followed by a strong showing in Portugal, marks the best week of the season. Edu departs as Sporting Director, reportedly taking on a bigger role overseeing clubs owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
December 2024
Arsenal close the gap on Liverpool, but only due to a postponed Merseyside Derby. Points are dropped against Fulham and Everton, despite the Toffees playing with ten men.
Lack of cutting edge becomes evident, making Gabriel Jesus’s return to form well-timed. The Brazilian bags five goals across two matches against Crystal Palace.
News breaks that Bukayo Saka requires surgery on a hamstring issue. The January window cannot come soon enough.
2025 awaits The Arsenal
January 2025
Further evidence that Arsenal’s attack lacks bite emerges in Cup ties against Newcastle and Manchester United, where multiple chances are wasted, Havertz the main culprit.
Jesus is ruled out for the season. Arteta admits the squad needs reinforcements. Links emerge with numerous forwards. A supposed rejected bid for Ollie Watkins divides opinion. Many fans view it as a transparent attempt to appear active without real intent, yet some are convinced the owners genuinely tried. Incredibly, the ploy works.
Elsewhere, Myles Lewis-Skelly sees red at Wolves in a controversial moment that reignites accusations of bias in officiating. Arsenal qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, finishing third in the new-format table.
February 2025
Arsenal hit Manchester City for five. Skelly celebrates his goal with Haaland’s meditation pose, referencing the striker’s earlier jibe to “be humble”, a message some Gooners clearly ignore.
However, the mood is quickly dampened as the club fail to back Arteta in the transfer market. Soon after, Martinelli is injured and Havertz is ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Arteta tries to stay positive, speaking about “internal solutions.” One of those turns out to be Merino playing as a makeshift striker. Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fail to score in three of the next four matches and fall 13 points behind Liverpool by early March.
The title race is essentially over before spring.
March 2025
Despite domestic struggles, Arsenal thrash PSV 7–1 in Europe. Skelly avoids a second yellow for a clear foul, no conspiracy theories this time.
He earns an international call-up and scores on debut at Wembley.
April 2025
It becomes clear that Arsenal’s season now hinges on Europe. While Arteta avoids saying it outright, his team selections speak volumes, Saka’s minutes are carefully managed to ensure availability for ties against Real Madrid and PSG.
Liverpool officially seal the title. Arsenal, meanwhile, are grateful that the chasing pack are not more consistent.
Rice’s two free kicks against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals produce one of the best European moments at the Emirates. His individual display at the Bernabéu is even better.
However, the semi-final against PSG is a letdown. Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal at the Emirates silences the crowd. PSG dominate the opening half-hour, and it feels like a relief Arsenal are still in the tie.
May 2025
Bournemouth beat Arsenal at the Emirates for the first time in their history, but most attention is on Europe.
At this level, small margins separate triumph and failure. While PSG scored early in London, Arsenal dominate the early stages in Paris but fail to convert. They eventually fall 3–1 on aggregate.
Arteta bizarrely insists Arsenal were the best team left in the tournament. He is visibly more frustrated after a spirited 2–2 draw at Anfield, suggesting the pressure is wearing him down.
He returns from a short break looking refreshed and oversees a strong win against Newcastle that all but confirms another second-place finish.
Your thoughts on our ‘not quite there yet’ season Gooners?
Dan Smith
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It’s been a weird anticlimactic season.
Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong for us.
The real pressure on Arteta will start next season..
A nice detailed review by Dan, however what matters is the end and how much money we earned/profit. Forget trophies, we earned well. We are top 2 in England for the third consecutive year and top 4 in UCL. Ange won the EL, that tiny cup which we didn’t care much when we had the opportunity. We need to tie Mikel to a long contract so that we can continue the phases. I’m eagerly waiting for phase 6 / next season to unfold and I’ll prepare my excuses in the coming summer. Nothing went wrong for us, we finished strong. Let’s call that an achievement. We tried Merino as a CF, it worked better than Gabby. We tried Skelly and Ethan, both shined. So what more do you expect from Mikel? It’s unfair to ask for something that’s beyond his caliber to deliver
Cheers mate
@Shoba Reality.
Are you alright mate?😊
His sarcasm shines through!
The Shoba Reality Show,
Your sarcasm has me laughing every time, Keep up the good work.
A lot of what you say is sarcasm, but never the less some of it is actually true.
And I agree with some of your views. But your sarcasm just adds a bit of much needed humour as well. 😂👍😉👏
I find it a bit snarky TBH Derek.
Jax,
In these uncertain days that we now live in, it’s good to see a bit of humour. You’ve just got to laugh, or you’ll cry. I know which one I prefer.🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Go on Jax, give it a go. You’ll feel better for it. 😉👍
I will know if he is a serious coach by September 1st, the end of the summer transfer window.
I think that if you’re dissatisfied at the end of the transfer window, then you should hold Berta to account rather than Arteta.
Don’t worry people, we’re now into phase 6. And with the new dream team of Bertha and Arteta at the helm what can possibly go wrong.
When the two of them collaborate and sign these world beater’s that we’re being constantly told about, the League is nailed on for next season surely.
Don’t forget trust the process guys, trust the process.
The trophy’s🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 are coming, honest! I don’t know in what century there coming, but there coming, Honest! 😂🤣👍😉
Why don’t you just use your great football knowledge to recommend to The Kroenke’s the new manager and Director of Football you think is better suited to take us to the next level from here?
🙏🙏🤞🤞
There isn’t mate
I would advise the Koronke Family to sell the club to someone who has ambition
I disagree. Since getting majority control the Kroenkes have invested plenty. I think the reason we didn’t invest in January was because the option was Ollie Watkins. Watkins isn’t a top 4 striker. The arrival of Rashford pushed him onto the bench and actually upturned villas fortunes. Watkins has missed the most clear cut chances and one on ones since the start of last season. If we blast Havertz for missing sitters whilst actually contributing to the build up god knows how we would react to Watkins missing them and not contributing to the build up.
Approx 15 million net spend in the last 3 windows
I rather judge them since 2007
That tells me nothing will change
Why would it ?
Dan
I will have to take your word for it on the net spend
I have seen certain figure thrown around from £750m to £1b and this was
Hard to know what to believe
I do know that for 15 plus years they failed back the manager or the manager wanted to do it a different way. We will never know
They seemed to start to throw money at it as soon as josh got on board but now you are saying it seems all smoke and mirrors and no money has really been spent
Well think of last summer mate
Was that owners who went out of their way to do everything to follow on from the season before ?
Brought Merino , Calafiori and Raya
But then got money back in Ramsdale , Eddie , Smith Rowe
So then January comes , the manager asks for help and our ambitious owners do …..nothing
So why would that now change ?
Now you to come to mention it
, that.makes sense.
So question
So Who do we blame for a season without trophies. If then as per various comments on here the manager gets the blame , which he should as has to be part of it as well as the players and now the owners are part of it as well.
Maybe when we quote spent figures we should also take in to account sales money coming in.
Really enlightened by the last few transfer windows activities
Thank you
But Dan. I just don’t understand anymore. You are saying that the Kroenke’s have not shown ambition. But on the other hand we have people on here that can’t stop going on about how “Arteta has been backed to the hilt in the region of £1 billion since he became coach and manager”.
That’s ones of the most common Catchphrases from a certain section of members on here (The Usual Suspects). They can’t stop going on about how Arteta has been backed and has spent £500 million, £700 million, £800 million or £1 billion etc depending on the over sensationalistic mood they are in at any given juncture. That figure keeps changing everyday depending on who, at what time and what place.
You know the old “Arteta is a Chequebook manager” catchphrase that we are now accustomed to.
So you can’t then turn around and say that The Kroenke’s have not shown any ambition in terms of spending.
Right? 🤞🤞🫣
@Dan.
Like who?
Dan kit and HH
@liam.
Those are two of the top football brains / analysts on here (Just Arsenal)… The Creme de la creme. 👌
You got me there, I can’t argue with your suggestion here.
👍👏
Goonster,
For me it’s not so much that the Kroenke’s haven’t backed Arteta, for me it’s the way he’s spent that backing to a large extent.
His obsession with Left Backs, or should I say inverted Left Backs. His constant failure to see the need for a striker for three seasons. His constant square pegs in round holes obsession.
Are just three examples.
And as for your question about who we should have as the Manager and the Director of football, how about giving the Manager’s job to Ken1945, and the Director of football to Grandad. Two of the stalwarts of the Just Arsenal forum. 😁😉👍
Just out of curiosity, why do you call them obsessions and not preferences?
Onyango,
I don’t know really, but either way is fine with me to be honest.
You have convinced yourself that Arteta is obsessed with inverted leftbacks.
It seems like you grew up on the good old 4-4-2 (launch it into the mixer) kind of football. 😊
Every manager has their own system / style. Just because the inverted system is alien to many does not mean it’s a scary thing. You seem to be the ones so obsessed with pointing out “Inverted Fullback” all the time.
It’s just simple psychology. Once we horn in on something then our brains will start looking for that thing all the time. I think that’s what has happened to you and a few others on here. You have convinced yourselves that the inverted leftback / fullbacks are a problem, so now all you do is focus on it at all times even when it’s got nothing to do with anything.
Back in the day many fans on here used to say that Arteta was obsessed with Power, Control and that he was an obsessive Authoritarian / Dictator. 😊
Last summer it was: “Arteta is obsessed with CB’s.
Another one is: “Arteta is obsessed with Chelsea rejects..
Another one is: “Arteta is obsessed with Defending.
Now it’s: “Arteta is obsessed with Possession football”.
Etc..
And if all managers played the same style and system then wouldn’t that become so damn boring and predictable?
Also, can’t the same thing be said about each and every manager? Pep is obsessed with possession football.
Wenger was criticised for being obsessed with small players. Obsessed with midfielders. Obsessed with attacking football. Etc.
Once you focus on something you will start seeing it all the time because your brain will be looking everywhere for it..
😊
Goonster,
I’ve not convinced myself of anything, while playing the inverted left back has it’s place, so does playing the more conventional left back does to.
I know that we all hear that we’ve got to move with the times, and while I agree with that to a point. Some times the old ways are still the good ways. there’s nothing wrong with being old fashioned sometimes.
But if the old playing ways were still feasible or better then why do you think that most managers have moved away from them?
It’s because they became very predictable and easy to combat. Because if they were still preferable and still produced results then most managers / football world would be using them.
These things are not Black and White. Every manager tries to find ways to take advantage of their opponents weaknesses / weak points. It’s about watching and analysing your opponents style / system and try to find ways to exploit their weak points.
The old traditional fullbacks that run in straight lines hoping to get to the byline and whip those balls into the box are a dead or dying breed. Now fullbacks have got to be a bit more intelligent in their play.
Same as CB and Goal Keepers, they are expected to at least be able to pass or play from the back. No more John Terry’s. Now it’s the likes of Van Dijk, Saliba, Dean Huijsen, Calafiori, Timber, etc. Even our own Gabriel Magalhaes who used to be so nervous with the ball at his feet has been forced to adapt playing from the back. And that has made him even a more fierce CB.
No more David Seaman types of oñd school keepers today.
Goal keepers are now also required to be better footballers, they are expected be able to play from the back, be able to use their feet more.
That’s what any kind of evolution works. What as fashionable in the 1970’s is not so much today.
We just have to be a bit more comfortable with a bit of change. 😊🤞👍
Oh look at you 2
That’s so cute 🥰
When did you 2 become a thing? ,the tough guy and the soppy one .
Love it .
Dan Kit,
What two are you talking about.👍
Tough guy Liam and soppy goonster
I appreciate that Dan I am quite tough. You’re starting to grow on me 😘😘😘
Goonster is JA legendary twat no surprise there but the other poor guy is really starved for attention.
@HH
Why are you so upset sweetheart?
Aren’t you one of the Top Top football minds / Analysts on here?
I have enjoyed your very informative, deep dives and intelligent takes during this whole Arteta era. You have dropped many banger predictions and claims throughout.
Hence why I think that You, Dan Kit etc are absolute gladiators in football analysis on “Just Arsenal”.
🤓
I wasn’t aware I was upset. How did you deduce that Sherlock gnome?
Top mind isn’t a phrase I would use to describe HH 😂😂😂 his incoherent ramblings and the over use of the word substandard actually make Dan kit tolerable with his Arteta hate. Unless he’s trying to convince everyone that Tavares is Lionel Messi of Lbs
Yes, the Emirates cup, top 4 trophy, Anfield comeback cup, etc, etc
Let’s take some bets here, I reckon that trophy will come in phase 26;)
Kia,
Phase 26! That’s a bit optimistic isn’t it. 😂🤣😉👍
We have a manager who can’t rotate,can’t substitute can’t make a tactical change from one game to the other depending on the opponent. This manager can only function when a specific starting 11 is fit and available.He plays specific players until they can’t play no more.Some players have become so comfortable underperfoming because after all they will definitely be on the team sheet the following match day.
We love this team, we want to enjoy success and I know we can do better.Therefore Arteta should stop with his excuses,improve and perform. Simple.
And yet remarkably this manager earned a second place finish 3 years in a row.
And yet he says not to accept 2nd , that’s it is not good enough
The owners say that is not success
It depends Sue , each to their own, if your happy with that
Not at all Dan. I always want Arsenal to win. Not suggesting that I’m happy to be second year on year but it’s easy to be scornful when the fact is in the last 8 years only 2 teams have won the league. It’s a difficult nut to crack. No doubt in my mind that Arteta is under serious pressure to win something next season and so he should.
Forget the jargon of phases and processes. Those words had their place at the beginning but 6 years in, it’s time to take the next step.
I wonder who the winners will be next season?
Good synopsis. The season for Arsenal and Arteta was full of myriad of excuses yet a successful team and manager should rise above them to beat those downsides. Too early exit from FA Cup at home to arch rival after extra time was unacceptable. Carabao Cup SF losing home and away to a recent day rival was a disaster. Relying too much on Havertz yet losing him in expensive excursionary training session was despairing. We boasted toppling Real Madrid only to lose home and away to ‘minnows’ PSG who we beat earlier 2-0 in the league phase which is still incomprehensible. PSG were the weakest team of all the semi finalists with no UCL title. What Arteta and players promis before the matches and what we saw afterwards mostly did not align. They often said expect special things but we found out them ordinary and business as usual. Bosses can not hide behind the excuses because all teams who won trophies this season also had similar setbacks of their own Palace Spurs Newcastle.
London this season has become the capital city of trophies with Palace and Spurs already doing and the inevitable one with Chelsea to complete the streak next week. Who else didn’t do his share despite huge anticipation? ARSENAL!!!!!! Thank you Arteta.
I really didn’t even think about that!
I’m just glad I don’t live in London (or England!). If Chelsea win, Gunners there will never hear the end of it. Noise from every corner.
Regarding Spuds winning Europa, I’m not too phased because ultimately we were too good to be in that competition.
It’s like Wealdstone FC getting up in our faces for winning the National League.
I’m a Wealdstone supporter, as well as a gooner,now living on the South Coast after living in Wealdstone for the early part of my life, would love to see them win the National League but sadly don’t think it will happen.
Marty, you’re not the Wealdstone Raider are you ? 😉
Haha no, he’s quite a celebrity among non league fans, all good publicity for the club.
Back in the late 70s I went to Wealdstone when they played Barnet in the Southern league – if memory serves me correctly. Time flies
Saw Jimmy Greaves playing for Barnet at Wealdstone around that time, 70’s or 80’s if memory serves me right…
SueP,
You were around in the seventies’, and here’s me thinking you were only 21. 😉👍🍷
Yes our Kia you put it right ‘noise from every corner’. If Arsenal Women against the odds beat the mighty Barca tomorrow Saturday in Lisbon UCL final and bring home the trophy, I fear it would amplify more the men’s bottle job and adds a new louder noise from inside. My intention here in fact is for every Gooner to pay attention to this final match and witness first hand the perseverance of Arsenal Women. Good luck Renee Slegers and her team!