Arsenal
Arsenal FC: How Can They Build From This?
After a promising start to the Premier League campaign which promised so much, Arsenal were yet again left for fight for fourth place towards the end of the campaign. Even before the start of the season, there were those who had high hopes for Arsenal. One of the main reasons for that was that this season marked the dawn of a new era for Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs. And although Arsenal didn’t have the best squad in the world, they had one thing the other three clubs didn’t, continuity.
However you saw it Arsenal started the season with unusually high hopes. Hopes that got even higher, with the club record signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. The signing of the German marked the dawn of something new for the Gunners who had gone eight years without a trophy. Although they lost their opening home game, they didn’t lost another game at the Emirates for the rest of the season.
Giroud was in amazing touch and behind him, the likes of Ramsey and Ozil were having a field day and Arsenal made the most of their attractive attacking play. While Arsenal have always been renowned for their attacking play, the partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker blossomed into one of the best in the League and the club started keeping clean sheets as well.
At one point, Arsenal were running away with the League and then tragedy struck. Ramsey, who had been their player of the season so far got injured. Ozil suffered a blip in form and Giroud, their only world-class center forward lost his supporting acts and was left to forage alone up front. Although he didn’t get injured, leading the line on his own without any break, started to take its toll on the Frenchman, whose form also started to wane.
But, Arsenal didn’t lose hope and they still somehow managed to keep winning. But, they came into the business end of the season without several key players and it showed. After having lost just thrice until the month of January, Arsenal lost four times in the next two months and were in the middle of their worst patch of form which saw them take just 9 points from nine games from the first week of February to the first week of April.
A run that all but ended their hopes of a League title and put them in a precarious state going into the final five games. Although Arsenal finished the season on a five-game winning streak and ensured fourth place, a season which promised so much ended with a disappointing fourth place yet again. Their FA Cup win over Hull at least took some weight off their shoulders and a good summer transfer window will mean that Arsenal will be back again, challenging on all fronts next season.
Best Moment
For all of their good performances in the League, it was in the Cup competition that Arsenal put in their performance of the season. Saturday night’s win over Hull in the FA Cup final finally got the monkey off Arsene Wenger’s back and displayed the character and commitment of this Arsenal side. 2-0 down inside 10 minutes, the Gunners never lost hope and in the end were richly rewarded with an extra-time win thanks to a goal scored by who else, but their player of the season, Aaron Ramsey.
Worst moment
In season that saw yet more big game blues for Arsenal, their worst moment was also their heaviest league defeat of their campaign. Going into a crucial away clash with Chelsea, Arsenal had won just two of their previous five games. Although their morale was low going, it got even worse just minutes into the game as Chelsea came out all guns blazing and spoilt Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game in charge of the club.
Going into the game, the Gunners had the joint-best defense in the League, but came out with a 6-0 defeat that all but ended their title aspirations. On a day that was supposed to be a celebration for Wenger, it turned out to be one of his darkest days in charge of the club, with the media and some sections of the fans, calling for his head.
Areas to improve
They needed a world class center forward to support Giroud and a replacement for the outgoing Bacary Sagna. Couple more reinforcements in both central defense and midfield would do the club no harm at all. On the back of a successful season that saw them claim their first trophy in nine years, some astute signings in both defense and attack will be the order of the day and someone like Loic Remy and Serge Aurier would be perfect for the club.
Verdict
On the back of a successful season that saw them qualify for the Champions League yet again and win their first trophy in nine years, Arsenal are certainly on the right track for next season. A couple of key signings in both defense and attack, coupled with replacements for any outgoing player will mean that the Gunners will be up there yet again challenging for the title.
Rating
7/10
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Star Katie McCabe Attracting NWSL Interest as Contract Expires This Summer With High Impact Player Rule Making Move Financially Viable
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal. Several NWSL sides have shown ongoing interest for the past 18 months, fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. Having tasted Champions League triumph last summer, she wants to compete at the top level and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes. Arsenal face losing one of their most recognizable figures unless they act quickly.
Ten Arsenal Stars Out of Contract
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a staggering number of senior players out of contract this summer including Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Laia Codina, Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Manuela Zinsberger.
This list is frankly ridiculous for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward, and Arsenal cannot afford to lose multiple stars simultaneously.
High Impact Player Rule Changes Game
The introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule in July is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe. The rule allows NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for high impact players, making moves for European stars like McCabe financially viable.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal. Whether her future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest stories to watch as summer approaches.
Also read: What Is The NWSL High Impact Player Rule and Who Could Be The First To Benefit From It?
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
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