Second again, again, again… and again?

Published by

Jack McRae

on

15th Aug 2025

_{^{Pressure is on Mikel Arteta to deliver silverware this season. Photograph: WIkimedia Commons/Prime Video AU & NZ}}

It is difficult to know how to feel about Arsenal. After being burned by three consecutive second-place finishes, I was hesitant to once again throw myself into the fire of excitement and hopefulness. Especially in the knowledge that each time it has ultimately preceded the Gunners succumbing to mental frailty and collapsing in spectacularly disappointing fashion. I still have an undeniably apathetic feeling towards the thought of another season of ‘maybes’, ‘almosts’ and ‘nearlys’.

Then comes the big-money centre-forward with a trademark celebration, the TikTok edits of a new-look attack set to 90s hip-hop beats and analysis of why the Premier League champions are actually more vulnerable despite their £300m outlay, and you get sucked back into that fire.

Despite the massive and bizarre external demands that Mikel Arteta must deliver major silverware this season or face the sack, this season Arsenal probably have less expectation on them to be crowned champions than in recent previous years.

After their runaway success last season and a number of superb signings, Liverpool are deservedly the standout favourites for the title. Manchester City are still a force, ended last year strongly and have the Ballon d’Or winner returning. Chelsea are the best team in the world, apparently.

I think because last season fell so flat, so quickly, Arsenal will be able to kick off against Manchester United on Sunday without the heartache and what-ifs shrouding the players’ minds. Losing the title when you are eight points clear and then losing it the following season by a solitary point is far likelier to leave scars than a season written off by Christmas owing to countless injuries.

*_{^{Martin Zubimendi offers Arsenal much needed poise in midfield. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons/Chensiyuan}}*

Adding six players to the squad before pre-season marks a significant change in approach too. Arteta was able to start his strongest and probably favourite line-up for the rest of the season against Athletic Club – I would imagine the exact same team will line up at Old Trafford.

The two big-money signings Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi answer the clamour for a new number nine and offer a necessary calming influence to the middle of the park, respectively. Noni Madueke, Christian Nørgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga offer Premier League-proven strength in depth. Cristhian Mosquera has looked impressive in pre-season and will have time to settle behind William Saliba and Gabriel.

There is a lot to be positive about around north London. Arsenal can go into almost every game knowing that they are the better team and will walk away with three points. They could even recapture the swagger and feeling of the first title charge in 2022/23 – but they will have to start well.

Arsenal fans are perpetually on the edge of meltdown and, used to things falling apart very quickly, will no doubt once again be capable of over-reactive and irrational hysteria. A refereeing cock-up can lead to fans screaming conspiracy, an inevitable Benjamin Šeško goal will put Andrea Berta’s head on a spike and the sensible management of 15-year-old Max Dowman’s minutes will have Arteta painted as a King Herod-esque youth killer.

Arsenal’s opening games are not simple, with trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St. James’ Park coming amid home fixtures against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. Stumble at these first hurdles and dejection at the prospect of yet another spluttering season will seep into the Emirates.

Yet, with a strong start, I and the Gunners faithful may well once again begin to enter that horrible state of anguish: hope.

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