Early this morning (September 17), Arsenal convincingly defeated Athletic Bilbao right at San Mames in the first round of the Champions League qualifying round. Last season, they reached the semi-finals after defeating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals but stopped against PSG in the top four round with a total score of 1-3.
Winning the Champions League is a very distant story for The Gunners as in the past, they have never raised their title in this playground. However, in the Premier League, things could be easier to control.
In the victory in round 4 of the Premier League, rookie Martin Zubimendi played very well with 2 goals, while Gyokeres continued to score with the 3rd goal of this season.
Gyokeres' goal against Forest was a perfect combination with a pass that devastated the opponent's defense from Eberechi Eze, putting Viktor Gyokeres in a favorable position in the penalty area. The Swedish striker rushed in and finished gently, affirming the difference. It was not just a goal, it was also an affirmation of a new face that could become an missing piece in Mikel Arteta's reconstruction.
Among Arsenal's huge spending this summer, Gyokeres stands out as the most valuable contract. He does not necessarily have a classic striker style, but his calmness and effectiveness in the box promise to turn The Gunners from chasing to a true championship candidate. After just two games at the Emirates, Gyokeres may have dispelled Arsenal's prejudice about wasting chances last season.
Arsenal A and Arsenal B
A notable detail is that Arsenal entered the match against Nottingham without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and even Declan Rice on the bench. However, that absence has hardly worried fans. When Martin Odegaard left the pitch due to a shoulder injury, Ethan Nwaneri, despite only 18 years old, immediately took charge of the midfield with incredible maturity. While Saliba was absent, Cristhian Mosquera made a smooth replacement.
This rotation shows the effective transfer philosophy of Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. Arsenal have not " put their money through the window" as Zubimendi has been assessed by Rodri as the successor to his position in the Spanish national team. Madueke, with a transfer fee of £50 million, has proven himself to be no less dangerous than Gabriel Martinelli. As for the Eze deal, it was no different from a robbery committed by Arsenal right in front of Tottenham.
Is the depth of the force enough for the championship race?
The biggest question is still whether this heavy investment is enough to get Arsenal to the top? After finishing as Premier League runners-up for 3 consecutive seasons, Arteta will have no excuse if he fails again. The arrival of Alexander Isak and a series of other quality new players at Liverpool has many people worried that The Kop could break through to a new level.
The match against Nottingham Forest did not say much as this is a weak opponent. Now, only matches against top opponents can truly prove Arsenal's strength in the Premier League. There is depth in the matter, but what fans have been waiting for for more than 2 decades is still the Premier League title.
Promising signal
So far, the signs are still very positive for Arsenal. The "Gunners" have scored 8 goals in 2 home matches and have not conceded despite missing many key players. The audience left the Emirates with applause for newcomers like Madueke or Eze, who compensated for Saka's void. Nwaneri also made a strong impression, to the point that people wondered if Odegaard was sure to start when he returned.
Arsenal have completely changed their look by no longer relying on a few individuals, they have built a team thick enough to maintain a long race. The Gunners' summer of 2025 can be considered a turning point transfer period. They have invested intelligently, bringing in both quality and potential faces, creating healthy competition internally. From being fragile and vulnerable, Arsenal now have a squad strong enough to fight with endurance.
Mikel Arteta has the best cards in hand and the Emirates is boiling in confidence. Now, the solution lies in the tough journey ahead, where all the praise is only valid when Arsenal raise the Premier League or Champions League at the end of this season.
