Arsenal enter the new Premier League season as reigning champions and the bookmakers' favourites to retain their title, having finally ended a 22-year wait for domestic glory last term. The celebrations that followed their triumph, capped by a penalty shootout defeat in the Champions League final in Budapest, have stretched deep into the summer, though the mood at the Emirates has been tempered by fitness concerns surrounding several key players following their World Cup exertions.
Mikel Arteta's side have moved decisively in the transfer market to strengthen a squad many already consider the deepest in English football. The marquee addition is Bruno Guimarães, signed from Newcastle United, a move designed in part to ease the burden on Declan Rice, who played through significant pain in his hamstring and lower back for much of last season. The versatile Brazilian midfielder, who can operate as a deep-lying playmaker or a more combative box-to-box presence, joins a midfield already boasting Martín Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino.
Arsenal have also brought in Greece international forward Christos Tzolis as a replacement for Leandro Trossard on the left flank, a signing regarded as shrewd business. Vinícius Júnior, who had been linked with a move from Real Madrid, opted to remain in Spain, leaving supporters hopeful that sporting director Andrea Berta might yet deliver a marquee attacking addition before the transfer window shuts, particularly given Bukayo Saka's recurring fitness issues.
Defensively, the picture is complicated by an injury to William Saliba, whose back problem will keep him out for an as-yet-undetermined period. Arsenal conceded 27 goals in the league last season and will need to cope without one of their most influential defenders, even as they push to bring in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa. The club's dominance from set pieces, an area where only three Premier League sides posted a better expected-goals difference than Arsenal last season, will also come under closer scrutiny after officials were instructed to crack down on grappling at set plays this season, following controversy surrounding Arsenal's win at West Ham in May.
History suggests retaining the title will not be straightforward. Arsenal have not defended the league championship since 1935, when they won three in a row. Nonetheless, with a squad reinforced across midfield and attack, they remain well placed to mount a serious defense of their crown.
Off the pitch, co-owner Stan Kroenke continues to back the club financially, having invested more than £1.5billion in players since taking majority control in 2011. Plans are underway for a possible expansion of the Emirates Stadium beyond 70,000 capacity, a project that could cost as much as £500million, with discussions already open with original stadium architects Populous. The club has also refreshed its commercial partnerships, ending its sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda in favor of a deal with HR firm Deel, while extending its long-running agreement with Emirates until 2033. Josh Kroenke, who serves as co-chair alongside his father, said there would be