For the first time in 22 years, Arsenal entered the Premier League season as defending champions. The challenge ahead for them is very clear: proving that last season's championship was not the peak, but the starting point for a period of sustainable success.
Expectations for Arsenal are even greater after a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the English Super Cup match. Although the results of the Community Shield need to be viewed cautiously, because only one of the last 15 teams to win this tournament continues to win the Premier League in the same season, Arsenal's performance still brings many positive signs.
The 3-0 victory over Man City is the first time a team has won with a 3-goal difference in the Community Shield since Arsenal defeated this opponent with the same score in 2014. In Enzo Maresca's first official match as Man City head coach, Arsenal showed more sharpness, cohesion and stability.
Stability is one of the reasons "The Gunners" are highly rated in the championship race this season. While many opponents have to change coaches, reorganize squads or do both, Arsenal enters the season with a clear identity and a team built over many years.
Is stability a big advantage?
This season will be the first season since the Premier League was born in 1992 without the presence of coaches who shaped the modern era of the league such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola.
Last summer, the Premier League witnessed a rare level of change on the coaching bench. Up to 9 clubs entered the season with new coaches, the highest number in the highest league in England since the 1946-1947 season.
In the group of championship candidates, besides Arsenal, only Michael Carrick of Manchester United and Unai Emery of Aston Villa have been present before the summer of 2026. However, Opta still assesses both as candidates with lower competitiveness than Arsenal, with 6.2% and 4.8% chances of winning the championship respectively.
Mikel Arteta is the coach with the longest tenure in the Premier League today. Arsenal has persistently pursued the Spanish strategist for 6 years of rebuilding and was finally rewarded with the championship last season.
Is Arsenal ready for a new challenge?
Although based only on one match, the squad that defeated Man City in the Community Shield shows that Arsenal is ready for another competitive season. Up to 74% of Arsenal's total minutes of play in that match belonged to players who are considered at their peak performance, from 24 to 29 years old. David Raya is the only player over 30 years old to start.
This is a noteworthy factor as The Gunners prepare to enter a season with a tight schedule. They not only have to defend the Premier League title but also continue to compete in the cup and Champions League arenas.
In the context that many big opponents are undergoing changes both on the field and at the top level, Arsenal possesses a significant advantage in stability. They do not need to start over but can continue to develop the system that Arteta has built for many years.
If stability continues to promote its value, Arsenal has reason to believe that last season's championship is not the peak of the Arteta era. This may just be the first step in a longer cycle of success.
