When Mikel Arteta took over the helm at Arsenal, he unveiled a five‑stage roadmap designed to lift the club from a period of turmoil to sustained greatness. The final stage, step five, is all about establishing a lasting dynasty. The first four phases were essentially about restoring the club to the glory days of the Arsène Wenger era—winning major trophies again and re‑establishing Arsenal as a force in English football. Having reclaimed the Premier League title this season, Arteta’s focus has now shifted to a goal that even Wenger never achieved: defending the top‑flight crown and creating a modern‑day dynasty.
No Arsenal side has successfully retained a league title since the Gunners won three in a row, culminating in 1935. Even Wenger’s celebrated "Invincibles" of 2003–04 and his double‑winning squads in 1998 and 2002 failed to follow up with an immediate title defence. Arteta repeatedly stresses the historic nature of a back‑to‑back triumph in his pre‑match talks, using the prospect of making history as a powerful motivational tool for his players over the coming nine months.
However, the ambition to become a dynasty extends beyond simply winning consecutive championships. Despite entering the campaign as England’s champions and being tipped by many pundits to repeat the feat, Arsenal still have clear areas that require improvement from the previous season. The team’s defensive solidity and set‑piece proficiency were outstanding, yet their attacking efficiency left room for growth. A more potent, less predictable offense could turn a good season into a great one.
Last season’s celebrations—countless parties outside the Emirates and across the globe—masked a disappointing performance in the Champions League final. Arsenal took the lead against Paris Saint‑Germain but failed to register a single shot on target during the remaining 114 minutes, ultimately losing the match. The game highlighted a lingering predictability in Arsenal’s attacking play; while the defence was rock‑solid, the side struggled to create and convert chances from open play. That pattern was not isolated to the final.
Throughout the campaign, Arsenal excelled in defensive metrics and set‑piece situations, but their open‑play attacking numbers lagged behind the league’s top three teams. The statistics were respectable, yet they underscored a clear need for more creativity and goal‑scoring variety. The early signs of progress came in the Community Shield, where Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 3–0.
All three goals were scored from open play, and the team did not rely on a single set‑piece opportunity. This performance suggested that the squad could become more dynamic offensively, but the summer transfer window raised questions about whether that improvement would be sustained and where the additional firepower would originate.
The market was active, but not all targets materialised. Morgan Rogers was initially identified as the prime attacking recruit, only for Chelsea to outbid Arsenal with a £117 million offer for the Aston Villa forward. A subsequent pursuit of Vinícius Júnior generated excitement, yet Real Madrid’s decision to keep the Brazilian ended that pursuit. The first outfield signing, Christos Tzolis, arrived as a younger, direct replacement for Leandro Trossard, but beyond him Arsenal entered the season with the same attacking personnel that finished the previous campaign.
Arsenal still have the option to reinforce the squad before the window closes. The late‑season acquisition of Eberechi Eze last year demonstrated that late arrivals can still make decisive contributions to a title run. This season, however, the opening fixtures pit Arsenal against strong opponents such as Aston Villa and Chelsea, meaning any lingering attacking deficiencies will be exposed early. Arteta has been clear that transfers alone will not solve all of Arsenal’s challenges.
"We will go from strength to strength," he said during pre‑season, emphasizing the need to develop existing players as well as explore the market. The midfield and attacking signings of the previous summer—Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Eze—delivered solid, if not spectacular, performances. None of them started in the Champions League final, as Arteta preferred more familiar options.
If those forward players can raise their game, Arsenal could unlock a higher level of attacking output. The issue is not solely about scoring; it also concerns chance creation. Martin Ødegaard, the team’s chief creator, started only 14 league matches last season but still posted the third‑highest chance‑creation rate per 90 minutes in the Premier League.
More minutes for the Norwegian could significantly boost Arsenal’s offensive numbers. Arteta praised Ødegaard after the Community Shield win, noting his hunger to prove himself and his importance to the team’s attacking identity. Another potential catalyst is Bruno Guimarães, Arsenal’s second‑most expensive signing, who arrived from Newcastle. While primarily known for his defensive tenacity, Guimarães ranked among the top ten players for breaking opposition lines with incisive passes last season.
Arteta highlighted his timing, intuition, and goal‑scoring instincts, suggesting that a regular partnership between Guimarães and Ødegaard could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack. Arteta also hinted at a shift in the team’s philosophy.
When questioned about being a "defending" champion, he corrected the narrative, stating that Arsenal are "attacking" another Premier League title. This suggests a more expansive, proactive style may be on the horizon, driven by a rejuvenated Ødegaard and the influx of new talent like Guimarães and Tzolis.
Defensive concerns remain, however. Centre‑back William Saliba has been sidelined with a back injury, depriving Arsenal of a key component of their previously impenetrable back line.
Saliba is often described as a "Rolls Royce" defender for his speed and ability to neutralise counter‑attacks. While Gabriel remains a top‑class defender and Jurrien Timber works to regain full fitness, the squad will also rely on the experience of Ben White, who has struggled with injuries, and the upcoming arrival of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa. These factors could mean Arsenal cannot count on defensive superiority alone in the early stages of the season.
Nevertheless, Arsenal should not forget they start the campaign as reigning English champions and went unbeaten in regular time during last season’s Champions League run. They were already a high‑quality side before the summer and have added depth, even if the additions have not yet matched the club’s ambitions.
Importantly, Arsenal are the only club among the traditional "Big Six" not undergoing a managerial overhaul or a major squad rebuild. Their continuity offers a platform for evolution rather than revolution. The challenge now is to translate that stability into a more adventurous, attacking brand of football that can sustain a dynasty. In summary, step five of Arteta’s plan hinges on three pillars: defending the Premier League title, enhancing attacking creativity and efficiency, and navigating the inevitable injuries and squad rotation with depth and tactical flexibility.
If the Gunners can improve their open‑play output, keep key players like Ødegaard fit, integrate new signings effectively, and mitigate defensive absences, they stand a realistic chance of forging a modern dynasty that rivals the historic achievements of the past.