Arsenal predictions 2024/25: Premier League finish, top goalscorer and season preview

Arsenal will continue their bid to dethrone perennial Premier League champions Manchester City in the 2024/25 season.

After some early seasons filled with uninspiring finishes in the top flight, Mikel Arteta has overseen a remarkable improvement in all areas, cultivating a squad capable of challenging the best both in England and Europe.

The 2020 FA Cup remains the only major piece of silverware the Gunners have picked up under the Spaniard, but can they finally finish top of the pile in the Premier League and go further in the Champions League this season?

Here's 90min's season preview of Arsenal's 2024/25 campaign.

Arsenal's performance in the last five seasons

Considering he had a squad of ageing and overpaid stars when he replaced Unai Emery in 2019, Arteta has done brilliantly to secure progression season upon season during his stint at the Emirates Stadium.

Two eighth-place finishes were followed by fifth in 2021/22, only just missing out on Champions League qualification, but over the last two years Arsenal have established themselves as the biggest threat to City.

Arsenal 2024/25 squad numbers

There hasn't been too much change during the off-season regarding Arsenal's shirt numbers for the 2024/25 campaign.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori has the 33 jersey, but the sale of Emile Smith Rowe has opened a vacancy for the number 10 shirt. If a new attacker is drafted into the squad, they could claim those iconic digits.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has traded the 35 shirt for 17, the number he wears for Ukraine. The versatile full-back has succeeded Cedric Soares following the veteran defender's exit earlier this summer.

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

Arsenal summer transfers

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Out

Arsenal 2024/25 kits

Arsenal's home shirt features a noticeable change in terms of design, removing the full shield crest and replacing it with the club's trademark cannon. A red base is accompanied by white panels on the side and shoulders; the latter of which feature adidas' striking three stripes.

The away kit was a collaboration between Arsenal and British African group Labrum London, featuring a black base and vibrant red, green and white markings for the club's badge and other sponsors. African patterns also flow from the armpit down the sides and onto the shorts.

Home kit

Away kit

Third kit

Arsenal predicted top goalscorer

There's been no dominant force in the Arsenal scoring charts over the past couple of seasons, with the Gunners boasting an array of regular scorers.

Bukayo Saka can be relied upon for a double-digit haul, while Gabriel Martinelli was prolific two seasons ago. Both Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz were productive to end 2023/24.

Gabriel Jesus has shown glimpses in pre-season that he may be returning to his spriteliest form, but the Brazilian is unlikely to top Arsenal's scoring charts given his inefficiency in front of goal. Saka, on the contrary, continues to develop in the final third and should he again avoid a lengthy absence, the winger is poised to once again enjoy a prosperous scoring campaign.

Jesus could get the nod up top and force Havertz into a midfield role, but the German will be expected to play frequently in the frontline and his emergence last season stands him in good stead for year two. Expect Havertz to challenge Saka for leading scorer honours, and we could see captain Martin Odegaard replicate his scoring figures from 2022/23 (15 Premier League goals) with the club's summer arrivals potentially alleviating his build-up responsibilities.

Arsenal predicted Premier League finish

The Gunners have the mere task of leapfrogging Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to claim their first league title since the Invincibles of 2003/04. Arteta's men have pushed the Cityzens in back-to-back campaigns, and they'll surely be there or thereabouts in 2024/25.

Arsenal will control the vast majority of their matches and remain capable of blowing teams away through secure possession play and supreme work without the ball. Their stout core remains intact, and we shouldn't expect any sort of drop-off with Arteta well aware of the potential for stagnation. The Spaniard will continue to subtly evolve his side tactically, but can they improve on last season's stellar performance?

The club has worked quietly in the summer window, with Arteta's strong starting XI required just a couple more pieces to finish the jigsaw. However, as it stands, Arsenal lack the devastating forward talent to usurp City and claim their crown. They'll once again be the closest competitors at the summit, but the league title will continue to elude them.