Arsenal 2023/24 Premier League Season Review
Arsenal, for the second season in a row, put up a title challenge, aiming to keep Manchester City from winning the trophy yet again.
However, also for the second season, the Gunners fell short, though they came closer than in the 2022/23 season. One can see the progress that Arsenal have made under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, and we are certain that Gunners’ fans will be hoping to go one better next season.
While the disappointment of missing out on the EPL crown surely stings now, we believe that this was a campaign where Arsenal have done well, and will live long in the memory as a good season. One reason is because they have won 28 league games, which is the most in a single campaign since 1930/31.
In this Arsenal season review article we will have a look at how this latest title push came together.
Individual Performances
There were plenty of success stories among the Arsenal squad this season.
After many fans were puzzled as to why the Emirates outfit splashed north of £60 million for Kai Havertz, after a mixed spell at Chelsea, he proved his worth in the latter part of this season and ended it with 14 goals in all competitions.
David Raya won the Golden Glove award, keeping the most clean sheets among EPL goalkeepers. After a somewhat shaky start to his Emirates spell, he brought assurance to the defence and was also able to showcase his footwork, proving Arteta right in his insistence to bring the Brentford goalie in.
At the back, Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba were tremendous, playing a big part in the best defence in the league, only conceding 29 EPL goals – 5 fewer than City.
Bukayo Saka had another great campaign, with 16 Premier League goals (and 20 in all competitions), making us forget that he is still only 22 years old.
And then there’s the midfield. We could almost see the proverbial strings Martin Ødegaard, the Gunners’ captain, has been pulling, dictating the pace and direction of almost every attack. Declan Rice, an absolute Rolls Royce of a midfielder, proving to everyone exactly why Arsenal decided it was a good idea to spend £105 million to bring him in from West Ham.
The Manager
Mikel Arteta managed to improve on the previous season’s points total for the 4th year in a row, ensuring that his team’s progress does not have to be judged just on intangible factors.
Missing out on the title with 89 points is no longer an anomaly in the Premier League nowadays, as Liverpool can also attest to coming short with even more points in years past.
But the way Arteta managed to fire up his players after last season’s late collapse, and guided them to be (objectively) better this season is absolutely admirable. Now he will look at next season as make-or-break for this exciting Arsenal team.
He has one year left on his contract but wants to stay on, saying in a BBC interview that he feels “loved and respected at this club”.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal will be aiming to do their transfer business early in the window, in order to have the majority of the squad available for the pre-season tour in the United States.
A striker and a goalkeeper are surely at the top of the shopping list for the Gunners, as they seem to be linked with anyone and everyone.
If they can get everyone they want, and manage to blend them in quickly, there is a big chance that 2024/25 could bring them the Premier League glory they crave so much.