How Could Arsenal Line Up for the 25/26 Season

🔴 How Could Arsenal Line Up for the 25/26 Season?

by Matthew Humeniuk

After falling just short for a third consecutive season, Mikel Arteta is now under more pressure than ever to finally deliver major silverware. A spirited Champions League campaign ended at the hands of eventual winners PSG, but progress has been made — and reinforcements are arriving.

With three signings confirmed and Noni Madueke all but official, here’s how Arsenal could shape up in the new campaign.

🧠 Probable First XI (4-3-3)

GK: David Raya
RB: Jurrien Timber
CB: William Saliba
CB: Gabriel Magalhães
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly
DM: Martin Zubimendi
CM: Declan Rice
CM: Martin Ødegaard (C)
RW: Bukayo Saka
CF: Viktor Gyökeres
LW: Noni Madueke

💬 Zubimendi’s arrival unlocks more balance in midfield, while Madueke adds raw pace and unpredictability despite his lack of experience off the left. Gyökeres is the headline striker target — and Arsenal are moving fast.

🔁 Possible Alternative XI

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga
RB: Ben White
CB: Cristhian Mosquera
CB: Jakub Kiwior
LB: Riccardo Calafiori
DM: Christian Nørgaard
CM: Mikel Merino
CM: Ethan Nwaneri
RW: Gabriel Jesus
CF: Kai Havertz
LW: Gabriel Martinelli

🧪 Plenty of depth and rotation options here. Expect Arteta to experiment in the cups and lower-intensity league games, especially with youngsters like Nwaneri and Max Dowman pushing hard to assert themselves like Myles Lewis-Skelly did last season

⚔️ Competition for Places: No Guarantees in Arteta’s Arsenal

One thing is becoming crystal clear — this will not be a team of nailed-on starters. Mikel Arteta is building a squad where no player can take their place for granted, and nowhere is that more obvious than up front.

If Arsenal do land Viktor Gyökeres, there will be huge competition between him and Kai Havertz to lead the line. Gyökeres is a classic, aggressive No. 9 — a relentless presser with a striker’s instinct. But Havertz, who started last season strongly, is still hugely valued by Arteta for his intelligence, work rate, and link-up play.

Don’t forget — Arteta pushed hard for Havertz and has defended him consistently, even through rocky form. The German’s ability to float between midfield and attack gives Arsenal unique fluidity in certain matchups. Expect to see both used often, sometimes even together in hybrid systems.

But it’s not just the striker role. Every area of the pitch is up for grabs.

·       Madueke vs. Martinelli on the left.

·       Nørgaard vs. Zubimendi depending on game state.

·       Mosquera, Calafiori and Kiwior all pushing for starts at the back.

·       Even Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s undroppable starboy, may be rested more often due to Madueke’s arrival and the return of Gabriel Jesus from injury. Ethan Nwaneri’s game time on the right further supports the likelihood of rests for Saka.

Arteta is building a rotation-ready squad that can fight across four competitions — Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup — without burning out key players – which has been the Gunners’ downfall in recent years.

📈 The message is clear: train well, perform, and you play. Regardless of age or stature.

✅ Confirmed Incomings

• Kepa Arrizabalaga – £5m
  Backup with bags of experience and a calm head. Solid upgrade on Neto’s role last season.
• Martin Zubimendi – £55m
  Arteta’s long-standing midfield priority. Brings intelligence, composure and Spanish technical excellence to the No. 6 role.
• Christian Nørgaard – £10m
  A seasoned Premier League operator. Adds cover, steel and tactical flexibility to the base of midfield.
• Noni Madueke – £52m (pending medical)
  Explosive, powerful and direct. Madueke offers something different — particularly useful against deep blocks or in transition-heavy matches.

🔁 Probable Outgoings

• Oleksandr Zinchenko
  With injuries and defensive lapses becoming a concern, it looks like the spirited Ukrainian’s Arsenal chapter is closing.
• Leandro Trossard
  Could be moved on if Arsenal secure another left-sided attacker. Madueke’s arrival complicates his role.
• Albert Sambi Lokonga
  Almost certain to leave — Merino literally inherited his squad number last summer.
• Reiss Nelson
  A permanent exit looks likely for the Hale End graduate.
• Karl Hein

A permanent exit is also likely for the Estonian after impressing on loan at Valladolid.

🔍 Rumoured Incomings

🎯 Viktor Gyökeres – £67m

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Sporting Lisbon, having reportedly agreed personal terms with the Swedish striker. The 27-year-old bagged 54 goals last season — a physical, hard-running No. 9 who could lead the line with real presence.

⚡ Eberechi Eze – £65m

The Gunners remain keen on the Crystal Palace star. While his £68m release clause is steep, Arsenal are working on a structured deal to lower the upfront cost. Eze would add flair, 1v1 ability, and cover across the attacking midfield zones, and also help to fulfil the homegrown-nation quota, as would Madueke.

🔒 Cristhian Mosquera – £20m

Talks with Valencia have slowed, but Arsenal remain very interested in the 21-year-old Spanish centre-back. His blend of pace, strength and composure suits Arteta’s back line perfectly.

🪄 Rodrygo – £75m

Real Madrid are reportedly open to selling the Brazilian after their Club World Cup humiliation at the hands of PSG. However, David Ornstein has suggested that Arsenal would need to make a major outgoing sale to fund this move.

🔚 Final Thoughts

The window is still open, but Arsenal have already laid key foundations for another serious run at silverware. A new-look midfield is taking shape, and with a marquee No. 9 on the way, expectations will only rise.

Questions loom as to the role of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli should Arsenal indeed secure Noni Madueke, and target Ebere Eze and Rodrygo. One would wonder whether Arsenal will pay Gabriel Jesus’ hefty wages for much longer considering the talented Brazilian’s unfortunate injury history.

One thing is clear; the divisive Kroenke’s are backing Arteta and the club’s transfer activity provides material for hope for Arsenal fans. With a deeper, more versatile squad, Arsenal have the tools to finally end the drought. But with expectation comes pressure. Anything less than a trophy will feel like another step sideways.