The team with the “best squad” in the Premier League, according to Jamie Carragher, Arsenal’s time to end more than 20 years of hurt could finally be here.
Reigning champions Liverpool – in the midst of a three-game losing run across all fronts – have yet to find their feet this season, while not even Erling Haaland can help Manchester City recapture their former magic.
The sense of now or never for Mikel Arteta may be a touch of hyperbole, although the Spaniard does appear to have all the tools at his disposal to be able to steer the Gunners to title glory.
With two and in some cases three genuine options in each position, following an effective summer of recruitment, the north Londoners are now a force to be reckoned with again.
Boasting the division’s meanest defence – with just three goals conceded – Arteta’s men also only rank behind Man City for goals scored (14 vs 15).
This side certainly isn’t perfect, however, with there those waiting in the wings who could perhaps take them to even greater heights.
Latest on Arsenal’s injury situation
The sight of captain Martin Odegaard trudging off against West Ham United last time out has sadly become a familiar one, with the playmaking Norwegian having been replaced inside 30 minutes on three separate occasions this season.
That knee issue could see the former Real Madrid man sidelined for a significant period, adding further frustration for Arteta after losing new signing Noni Madueke to his own spell on the sidelines last month.
Madueke’s bright start to the campaign was halted by his own knee-related setback late in September, with the England international facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines.
That has seen the fleet-footed winger join another ex-Chelsea man, Kai Havertz, on the treatment table, with the German yet to be seen this season after undergoing knee surgery ahead of the start of the new campaign.
Absent for much of 2024/25 too, albeit while netting 15 times in all competitions, Havertz is expected to make his return at some stage in November, with Arteta currently limited with regard to Viktor Gyokeres alternatives through the middle.
It will be an interesting debate as to who the Arsenal boss will favour to lead the line upon Havertz’s return to action, with Carragher predicting that it will be the latter man – instead of Gyokeres – who gets the nod for “the biggest games”.
Fellow absentee, Gabriel Jesus, hardly factors into the equation with regard to the competition in the number nine role, although might the Brazilian prove to be the perfect solution on the left flank?
Why Arsenal’s forgotten man can soon explode
Cast your mind back to August 2022, as a new-look Arsenal side secured a richly-deserved 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Turning out in that eye-catching pink kit, the long awaited debut of William Saliba was no doubt the headline act, although Jesus’ own first Gunners outing more than caught the attention.
In truth, the former Manchester City man was simply “electric” on the day, as noted by Gary Neville at the time, putting in a “magical” first performance following his £45m switch from the Etihad.
Unfortunately, such displays have been few and far between, with Jesus repeatedly struck down by injury in the years since, scoring just 26 goals in 96 games in all – albeit while contributing a further 20 assists.
Injury has no doubt played its part, although perhaps Arteta has yet to get the best out of him, with much of the forward’s best work under Pep Guardiola having come from the flanks.
Indeed, the man previously lauded as a “game-changer” by Alan Shearer recorded 14 goals and assists in just 20 games as a right-winger in Manchester, as well as ten goal involvements in 19 games off the left, as per Transfermarkt.
It is in that latter role where the 28-year-old could well find a home for himself this season, with neither Leandro Trossard nor Gabriel Martinelli yet to properly cement that starting berth, while Eberechi Eze is likely to take up Odegaard’s role more centrally.
Games (starts)
26 (24)
Goals
11
Mins per goal
189
Big chances missed
16
Assists
6
Big chances created
6
Key passes*
1.2
Pass accuracy*
82%
Successful dribbles*
1.7
Now back on the grass as he steps up his recovery from his ACL blow, Jesus’ return may not come in the immediate future, although he could well prove to be like a new signing for Arteta as the season progresses.
A man with 149 goals and 73 assists in 415 career games at senior level, the 64-cap Brazil international is too good a talent to write off just yet, even if reports suggest that he could be moved on in January.
Fleet of foot and a relentless presser at his best, Jesus still ranks among the top 6% of European forwards for successful take-ons per 90, as well as in the top 3% for tackles made per 90, as FBref, emphasising just what an asset he can be both in and out of possession.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
While many at Arsenal may be enthralled by the new faces such as Eze, Gyokeres and Madueke, it would be no surprise if Jesus was able to explode back onto the scene when back fit and firing again.