Amid all the turmoil at various other clubs throughout the Premier League, Arsenal continue to sit pretty at the top end of the table and in a superb position to retain their title.
Mikel Arteta has been the architect of the Gunners’ rise up England’s top-flight and are now firmly the most complete side across all areas in the division to date.
Eight games into the new term and their tally of seven wins has them joint top with Manchester City, who are now all but certain to receive a huge sanction for their financial breaches.
However, despite the efforts of the manager, the hierarchy also deserve huge credit for their work, which has no doubt pushed them closer to retaining their title.
Why Arsenal’s recruitment has strengthened their title grip
Despite securing their first title in a generation last time around, the Arsenal board made it clear that they weren’t going to rest on their laurels during the summer window.
Bruno Guimarães was just one of the additions made during the recent summer window, subsequently arriving from Newcastle United for a reported £75m.
The Brazilian was seen as the perfect player to add further quality to Arteta’s midfield, and it’s safe to say he’s already done exactly that during his first two months in North London.
Whilst he’s only started two games since his big-money move, the 28-year-old has already netted twice – including the winner in the 2-1 triumph over Leeds United.
Guimaraes wasn’t the only proven Premier League star to make the move to the Emirates during the off-season, as centre-back Ezri Konsa arrived from Aston Villa for £51m.
Like the Brazilian, his experience in such a division has made him a valuable member of the senior ranks, with the Englishman providing cover for the injured William Saliba since his arrival.
His goal against Everton on Saturday was his first for the club, and his remarkable defensive efforts have helped secure needed clean sheets against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
Why big-money Arsenal flop looks finished under Arteta
Whilst the recruitment has allowed for additional success on the field, it’s hampered the progress of multiple players who once appeared to be regular starters for Arsenal.
Eberechi Eze is a player who has certainly struggled for consistency over recent times due to the sheer quality of the players currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Englishman has only started two games this term, and was dragged off at the break after one of his starts at Forest, with Arteta seemingly trusting other players in his position.
Doubt has since been cast over the 28-year-old’s future at the Emirates, with the same being said about fellow midfielder Martín Zubimendi after his own struggles.
After a lengthy pursuit to secure his signature, Arsenal finally landed his services last summer, splashing out a reported £60m to sign the Spaniard from Real Sociedad.
He was seen as the perfect midfielder to strengthen the core of Arteta’s side, and even managed to start all but four of the club’s league matches during the title-winning campaign.
The 27-year-old popped up in key moments for the Gunners, none more so than against Forest, as his unlikely double secured a vital three points on home soil.
However, the 2026/27 campaign has seen a huge decline in minutes for the big-money man, as Arteta seemingly prefers other options over him at the heart of the side.
Left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly has started more games than Zubimendi in the Premier League this campaign, with the manager deciding to utilise the defender in a midfield role.
Mikel Merino even started the triumph over Everton on Saturday afternoon, which has pushed the Spaniard even further down the manager’s current thinking.
Given the selections this season, the likes of Declan Rice, Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly and now Merino are seen as players who are ahead of the £60m man in the pecking order.
PL mins for Arsenal midfielders (2026/27) | |
|---|---|
Player | Tally |
Declan Rice | 674 |
Martin Odegaard | 651 |
Myles Lewis-Skelly | 404 |
Bruno Guimaraes | 239 |
Eberechi Eze | 220 |
Mikel Merino | 174 |
Marrtin Zubimendi | 99 |
Such selections have seen the 27-year-old feature for just 99 minutes in the top-flight this campaign – the lowest figure out of any current midfielder in the manager’s squad.
Even during his limited minutes, Zubimendi has failed to impress, as seen at the weekend as he came out second best in 100% of his duels during his 10-minute showing.
As a result, the club must now be contemplating a potential sale of the former Real Sociedad man, with the player clearly one who’s no longer favoured by his compatriot.
Offloading him may be seen as somewhat controversial, but it’s vital the club protect their investment and recoup as much of the transfer fee as possible.
Source: www.footballfancast.com
