The Premier League returns in just over a month, and clubs are already gearing up for what promises to be another thrilling campaign. The fixture list has been released, allowing teams and supporters alike to start plotting their paths through the upcoming season. For Arsenal, this marks another opportunity to end their long wait for the title and finally get over the line after a string of near misses.
Mikel Arteta’s side has finished second in each of the last three seasons, and the most recent campaign was particularly painful. With Manchester City faltering under pressure and Liverpool lifting the title under new management, many had tipped the Gunners as favourites to seize the moment. Yet, despite moments of brilliance, inconsistency ultimately cost them the crown.
A Season of Redemption
Arsenal are determined to bounce back and go one better in the 2025–26 season. The squad has matured under Arteta’s leadership, and there is renewed optimism that the team can string together the kind of consistent form required to compete across the entire campaign. Fans will hope that lessons learned from previous disappointments can now be applied in a sustained title challenge.
The Gunners are expected to strengthen key areas of the squad before the window closes, and Arteta has already spoken about the hunger within the group. With new signings set to arrive and experienced players returning fully fit, Arsenal could be well placed to mount another strong push for the Premier League title.
Ferdinand Backs City and Liverpool
However, not everyone is convinced Arsenal are true contenders. Rio Ferdinand has given his early prediction for the title race and does not believe the Gunners will be able to sustain a serious challenge. Speaking to The Sun, he said:
“It’s only going to be between Liverpool and Man City next season. Arsenal might kick up a fuss for a couple of months – six months maybe – [but nothing more].”
While Ferdinand is entitled to his view, football is played on the pitch. Arsenal must let their football do the talking and prove the doubters wrong by making a statement from the very first matchday.
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Funny how people make predictions without a clue of what players will be in squads.
If Isak joined Arsenal would Ferdinand view Arsenal as champions elect – who knows, who cares
Until the window closes it is a pointless guessing game, with maybe only half a jigsaw in place.
Because he’s not joining Arsenal
Rio was a great center back but he is a muppet as a pundit. Let’s wait until the window closes, maybe then I will agree with him, but til then shut up.
So if Arsenal don’t win title will you admit he’s correct?
No, because when the transfer window closes l may be of the same opinion, but before then it’s a narrative punt.
Or hes looking at Arsenal recent windows like January and believes as a club we lack the ambition to take that next step
Buying January is risky and you seldom get the best players as they are soo expensive. You generally get rejects
Even with the squad Arsenal have right now they can still challenge for epl if we are lucky with injuries imo.
Can’t win it though
Need a goal scorer
It’s hard to disagree with Ferdinand because as great as Arteta manages our squad, he is also guilty of mismanagement at times and that costs us…
Clearly nobody knows, although everyone, including Rio, is entitled to speculate. After all, it happens in posts on this site all the time (some of it more “incredible” than Rio’s forecast).
All the leading contenders are (or, hopefully, will be in Arsenal’s case) strengthening their squads so it could be a close-run race between several teams this time around. I can’t help thinking though that circumstances are unlikely to be so favourable for Arsenal as they were against City in those two consecutive seasons. We’ll see though.
His opinion of course.
It’s up to Arteta to prove he can do better, for the luck that assists a title win to be with us, and the right mix of new signings to gel with the current squad to produce decent football and glory
It’s not too much to ask for
For now, one can see why he thinks that, we have not addressed our biggest needs yet and Liverpool and City have taken care of their business quickly and efficiently.
And I am not sure either Sesko or Gyokeres will make us that much better, since I have to first see if MA knows how to use these guys. Especially with Gyokeres he won’t be as effective, IMO, if he is asked to drift out of the center as often as Havertz does.
Stop judging Arsenal buys or non-buys by the rumours. They do what they must do in private, and then we get the announcements almost as a group. I await the final product and then judge.
Stop judging Arsenal buys or non-buys by the rumours. They do what they must do in private, and then we get the announcements almost as a group. I await the final product and then judge. I think that they are going to get the right players and they have been on it for a while. The others announce their buys as they complete
Liverpool and City have better managers, end of.
Honestly speaking 🗣️, with the acquisitions to the squad so far compared to other title contenders,,, it’s obvious that arsenal is not a serious team to reckon with come next season,, Rio made this prediction last season, so what can you say here…