Arsenal go into the first break of the 2024/25 campaign unbeaten but still have a long way to go if they are to wrest the Premier League title from reigning champions Manchester City.
2-0 wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa before a controversial 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion rounded off the Gunners’ opening three games, while a trip to neighboring rivals Tottenham Hotspur awaits when the club season resumes.
But how to have of Arsenal did you see the first moments of the season? And who should fans look out for this year?
Here are five things we learned about the title challengers in August.
Before the summer transfer window even opened, Arsenal were linked with almost every striker on the planet. Last season they received a lot of criticism for their lack of a complete striker – someone who can get into the right place at the right time and score goals.
On walks Kai Havertz. Of course, the German star didn’t start his Arsenal career as a number nine, but if it’s goals the club need, he’s proven time and time again that he’s their man.
Havertz has already found the back of the net twice this season, putting Arsenal ahead during Saturday’s tense clash with Brighton. He has shown his quality and reliability – he will score for Mikel Arteta’s side if given the chance.
While a new striker may not have arrived in north London this summer, an exit a little closer to home could be the key to all of Arsenal’s worries.
Whether you think Declan Rice’s sending-off against Brighton was justified or not, the fact remains that his one-match ban covers the North London derby, which is bad news.
With Fabio Vieira flying out to spend the season on loan at Porto and Emile Smith Rowe leaving for Fulham, Arsenal have just three senior midfielders available for the upcoming battle: Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Martin Odegaard.
There are definitely problems in midfield at the Emirates at the moment, which isn’t helped by the fact that new signing Mikel Merino was badly injured in training and is out for several weeks. Arsenal have been caught in the middle of the pitch recently, losing possession and allowing opponents to outplay them when the pressure is on.
Arteta will have plenty to think about when he travels to Tottenham after the break – does he trust the characters left in midfield?
Mikel Arteta looks set to play Partey this season, but is it really the best decision for the team?
His athleticism has certainly deteriorated and his ability to keep possession has already been tested in Arsenal’s opening games. Partey is not clicking in the midfield at all and is actually bringing more problems than positives for the team.
While previous seasons had caused fans to worry about Partey’s fitness, this season suggests he may be a liability, especially if Arteta is so insistent on playing him.
Of course, Rice’s red card and Merino’s injury have made midfield selection tricky, but it’s time to ask, is Partey good enough for a title-chasing team?
Arsenal’s controversial decision to start David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale last year received plenty of backlash at the time, but the former Brentford man has proven to be an integral part of the Gunners’ system.
Their defense is by far one of their strongest assets, with William Saliba and Gabriel in particular destroying any attacking threat. But his efforts are strongly supported by Raya between the posts.
He made a stunning save to deny Yankuba Minteh in the Brighton clash and made a stunning dive to deny Ollie Watkins from taking the lead in Villa’s win.
His presence is immeasurable, and if Arsenal are to win the league this season, they will rely on this man to save the day.
Following England’s Euro 2024 campaign, Bukayo Saka he has started the season in the best possible way, at the heart of all Arsenal’s attacking play.
He is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in the world at the moment, and without a doubt the best at Arteta’s disposal. In just three games, he has already provided a goal and three assists, ensuring he is in the right place at the right time to create magic for Arsenal.
He’s hungry for success, that’s for sure. This is going to be a huge season for Saka, and if he can finish the campaign with silverware, it may mark the best season of his career to date.
