Arsenal lost out on the Premier League title for the third consecutive season after Liverpool were crowned winners for the 2024-25 campaign last weekend.
The Gunners have plenty of work to do as they look to challenge for the title again next season, having last won it in 2004.
The finished 2022-23 with 84 points following 26 wins, six draws and six defeats, improving on the record with 89 points – 28 wins, five draws and five defeats – last season.
They are currently on 67 points this term with four games remaining following 18 wins, 13 draws and three defeats.
Their impressive run in the Champions League is the only positive from this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be desperate to win the title in 2025-26, and here are three things that must be done for that to happen.
Buy a number nine
Having a top striker this season could have made all the difference for the Gunners in the Premier League title race this term.
New sporting director Andrea Berta will be eager to rectify that during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres on their radar, while RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is also an option they are monitoring.
However, Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is Arteta’s preferred choice for the centre-forward position.
The Sweden international has bagged 22 goals and six assists in 31 Premier League appearances this term.
He would take the Gunners to the next level, but Newcastle want more than £150 million for him.
Sesko has 12 goals and five assists in 30 Bundesliga games this term and eight goals in 11 appearances across other competitions, while Gyokeres has 52 goals in all competitions.
Signing one of the aforementioned trio could prove to be a huge attacking boost for Arsenal, and they cannot go into another season without signing a new number nine.
Strengthen on the wings
Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers on the planet, but he cannot do it alone for the Gunners.
Another quality option on the left wing will come in handy despite the presence of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Berta has reportedly met with the representatives of Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams ahead of a potential summer deal.
However, the finances involved could make getting a move done tricky.
Other options could be pursued, and Arsenal have to sign another winger if they want to improve their title chances next term.
Beat suitors to Martin Zubimendi
The Gunners are in talks to extend Thomas Partey’s contract beyond this summer, but signing Martin Zubimendi is top of their plans, and they have to get it done.
Losing the Ghana international and Jorginho will be a huge blow, but the arrival of the Spaniard and moving Mikel Merino back to his usual position will help soften the impact of such losses.
Arsenal are convinced they have pipped Real Madrid and other suitors to Zubimendi, but nothing is guaranteed until the player signs on the dotted line.
The Gunners have the needed squad depth at the back and will likely recruit players in the position, depending on what happens this summer.
Strengthening in midfield and attack will be a huge game-changer for them ahead of next season, and they have to get it done if they are serious about becoming Premier League winners next term.
