Arsenal assumed to have difference-maker signing ‘in the bag’ for next season
Arsenal will be capable of challenging Liverpool next season despite doubts over Mikel Arteta, according to Martin Keown.
The Gunners have fallen 15 points behind their Premier League title rivals following the 1-1 draw with Man United on Sunday 9 March, only securing a point through Declan Rice‘s second-half equaliser.
Arteta’s side falling down further behind the Reds has not just come from nothing.
Bukayo Saka has been sidelined since December, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz joining him on the treatment table over the last couple of months, prompting supporters to push for a big-money forward signing during the winter transfer window.
Sadly, for the hopeful supporters, that move never came to fruition, even after Arsenal attempted a late bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, a bid which was swiftly rejected.
While Arteta will need to accept defeat in this season’s league title race, Keown has turned his attentions to a re-stocked Gunners squad going again next term.
Mikel Arteta waiting for Arsenal stars to return ahead of next season
Speaking live on talkSPORT [10 March, 10:36am], Keown said of what was lacking at Old Trafford: “Arsenal couldn’t break down their opponents [Man United], simple as that.
“One assumes that player is already bought now, and actually in the bag ahead of next season.
“Then, everyone comes back from injury and Arsenal are even more powerful. Even then, Liverpool are worthy champions, an array of talent in the final third, and Man City will come back.”
| Arsenal player | Injury (Sidelined since) |
| Bukayo Saka | Hamstring (December 2024) |
| Kai Havertz | Hamstring (February 2025) |
| Gabriel Jesus | Cruciate ligament (January 2025) |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Knee (October 2024) |
Andrea Berta ready to bring Premier League title to Arsenal
Football Insider Verdict
The Gunners have been without a sporting director since Edu’s departure in November, having left after five years at the Emirates Stadium, and Andrea Berta could now be set for a move to Arsenal [The Times].
The former Atletico Madrid chief helped recruit the likes of Jan Oblak, David Villa and Antoine Griezmann for the La Liga giants, and fans will be excited for him to bring something similar to England.
Once all of Arteta’s stars return from injury, there is no reason why the Gunners cannot be fighting at the very top of the Premier League table, and Berta might be able to find the final piece of the puzzle.
Many fans would have hoped for the key addition to arrive during the winter window, but having gone empty-handed in January the pressure is now on to get it right this summer.
Mikel Merino has been playing out of position in the striker position since Havertz’s injury, and until that can be addressed, Arsenal will always have one piece missing in their quest for their first league title since 2004.