Over the past three seasons, Arsenal have come close to winning the Premier League title, a 20-year run under manager Mikel Arteta.
The last time the Gunners achieved title glory was back in 2004, with a generation of supporters unable to personally experience the heights they had previously achieved.
In recent years, the club has shown signs of ending such a long wait, but they have not been able to cross the line and finish the season in first place.
Arteta’s side have finished second in each of the last three seasons, but will be hoping to do even better this time around, with the class backing him with more than £200m worth of new signings.
However, one of the players already in the Emirates ranks could offer a solution to the problems that have recently prevented them from jumping over the final hurdle, despite heavy spending from the board.
Why Saka was able to lead Arsenal to title glory in the 25/26 season
Winger Bukayo Saka has been an important member of Arsenal’s squad in recent years, even cementing his place as a regular starter under Arteta.
The Englishman showed his worth by rising through the ranks of the academy and has since reached unthinkable heights at a club seeking title glory.
The 24-year-old has since made 270 top-flight appearances for the Gunners, scoring 144 goals and assists in the process, giving him an average of 0.53 goals per 90 goals.
He missed most of last season with injury, making just 37 appearances in all competitions, but that didn’t stop him from contributing a total of 25 goals.
Although such figures were not enough for Arteta to somehow win a silver medal, a return to full fitness for the 2025/26 season would only increase the club’s chances of success.
His emergence from the youth ranks highlights the great work done by all staff behind the scenes and could potentially enable players to emulate his success at the Emirates.
Arsenal star player who is already a Saka-type player
In recent months, Arsenal fans have found a new reason to be excited. Despite being only 15 years old, teenager Max Daumann has made his mark in the first team.
He made his first appearance for the Gunners in the 5-0 win over Leeds United at the Emirates, and although he played just under 30 minutes, he still made a huge impact.
The youngster won a penalty late in the game, giving Victor Gokeres the chance to score his second goal for the club, already showing that he is capable of tormenting opponents despite his young age.
There is no denying that Dauman has a big future at the club given his immediate impact in north London, but it is vital that Arteta and Co. live up to the expectations placed on him.
However, the path from being in the academy to making it to the first team is not so easy for other players, and Eberechi Eze is one player who has proven that in recent years.
He spent the early part of his career in the youth ranks before being released and making a name for himself with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The Gunners then signed him in a deal worth £67.5m this summer, with the hope that he could become as important as Saka in the near future.
Described as a “remarkable magic” by manager Paul Hall, Eze has clear similarities to the aforementioned star, with the attacker already rivaling his compatriot.
In his first eight games since returning to North London, the 27-year-old has already shown his creativity, registering two assists in his first five Premier League games.
Eberechi Eze – Arsenal statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Eze | arsenal rank |
shot | 2.8 | 1st place |
shot on target | 1.13 | 1st place |
Shooting on target % | 46.2% | 5th place |
progressive path | 5.23 | 8th place |
The action that creates the shot | 3.83 | 3rd place |
Action to set goals | 0.68 | 4th place |
dribbling success | 1.3 | 3rd place |
Take-on success rate | 61.5% | 1st place |
Statistics by FBref | ||
However, Eze has also shown that he can play a starring role in his own right, having already scored his first goal for the club in the recent Carabao Cup match against Port Vale.
Both traits have made Saka a real fan favorite in North London, and the winger will no doubt be key to any success the club can achieve this season.
As for the summer signing, he could follow suit if he continues his excellent start at the Emirates, and could then add another dimension to Arteta’s already strong front line.
