They came so close last season. The number of wins were tied, the goal difference was the same, but after the final match of the 2023/24 season, two points separated Arsenal FC from eventual champions Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s men had pushed Pep Guardiola’s troops the whole way, but ultimately fell just short in their quest for a first Premier League title since the invincible 2003/04 season. 

Despite the fact the current season is only in its infancy, there is already enough to suggest that Arteta’s men will once again challenge for the crown and ultimately put a stop to the Manchester City juggernaut. Guardiola’s men have won the previous four titles and six in the last seven Premier League editions. However, a mixture of extra grit, better depth in squad, and the loss of an influential player for Manchester City have made Arsenal an even stronger force this season, perhaps a title winning one.

Smart Summer Transfers

The injury to William Saliba was one of the key reasons Arsenal were pegged back by Manchester City in the 2022/23 title race, while Arteta’s lack of meaningful rotation was potentially the downfall last season. This campaign however, despite losing a number of fringe players, there is an argument that Arsenal’s squad depth is stronger as they do battle on four different fronts, including in an expanded, revamped Champions League format. Squad players such as Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny, Cédric Soares, Reiss Nelson, and backup goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale were either sold, released, or loaned out, with Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, and Raheem Sterling considered the only significant additions. 

While the squad might be slightly smaller, the quality of the players brought in should make any decision to rotate players much easier for Arteta. Calafiori can play across the back four, even at right back, a position he was forced into for the second half against Paris Saint-Germain after Jurrien Timber was forced off at half time through injury. 

Like Calafiori, Merino is also versatile and can cover a variety of roles in the midfield. The former Newcastle United player joins the club off the back of a successful Euros campaign, contributing the winning goal in extra time in the quarter final win against Germany on the way to Spain beating England in the final. Merino and Calafiori come off breakthrough summers, while many will already know the experience and prowess possessed by Raheem Sterling.

While Arsenal lost players, they have been replaced with quality, supplemented by emerging youth talents such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have already made impacts in the Premier League this season. Jurrien Timber also feels like a new signing after missing most of last season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Arsenal show a different side

The odds for the Premier League title had firmly been stacked in the Manchester City corner. Their experience and know-how, with a fully rested Erling Haaland, gives sports books plenty of reason to back Guardiola’s men. However, Cloudbet’s sportsbook is one of many providers that have nudged Arsenal ahead of City as favorites to lift the title next May. While the odds are still close, and could change throughout the season, it is Arteta’s men who have the edge in the betting markets.

The injury to influential midfielder Rodri is seen as one of the main reasons why many are now favoring Arsenal. The Manchester City midfield lynchpin has been critical to City’s past success, with the team’s win rate dropping to 55.6% without him, compared to 76% with him in the team. In fact, Rodri has only tasted defeat 19 times in a staggering 174 Premier League appearances for the Cityzens. 

However, another reason sports books are confident about backing Arsenal is the added grit the team has added to their performances so far this season. Arsenal have had to deal with a key injury of their own, after captain Martin Ødegaard suffered an ankle injury while away on international duty with Norway. Besides from a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, when they played most of the second half with ten men after Declan Rice’s controversial red card, the Gunners have dealt admirably without Ødegaard. 

This has mainly been because of the added steel they have displayed in defense. In wins against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur and PSG, as well as in the gut-wrenching draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal showed grit and determination and a willingness to defend to get results out of all those matches against top opposition. While their attacking flair and patience was on full display in the last gasp win over Leicester City, it is the compactness at the back that could be the difference this season. If Arteta’s charges can maintain this and use the squad depth to keep key players fresh, there could be another name inscribed on the Premier League trophy next year.