Premier League predictions for the new season inevitably start with Arsenal, because Mikel Arteta's team are trying to do something the club has not managed since 1935: defend a top-flight title. Arsenal last won three league titles in a row that year, and no side in the club's history has successfully backed up a championship since then.
That alone gives this campaign a different feel. Arteta has already taken Arsenal from crisis to contention with a five-step plan, and the next step is obvious: turn a title win into the start of a run, not a one-off. The manager has spoken about creating a dynasty, and the ambition is clear enough. The question is whether the squad's biggest weakness can be solved quickly enough to make that realistic.
The issue Arsenal still have to fix
Last season showed both sides of Arsenal's profile. They won the Premier League, and their defensive record remained strong. Set-pieces were also a major strength. But in open play, the attack was not among the league's top three for key attacking metrics, and that is where the concern sits heading into a title defence.
That weakness was visible in key moments. In the Champions League final, Arsenal went 114 minutes after taking the lead against Paris Saint-Germain without producing a shot on target. Then in the Community Shield, they beat Manchester City 3-0 and scored three times from open play while creating no set-piece chance. The contrast shows why this debate matters: Arsenal can still win big games, but their open-play efficiency remains the area that could decide whether they stay on top.
Summer moves raise the stakes
The transfer window did not fully remove those doubts. Arsenal targeted Morgan Rogers, their pursuit of Vinicius Junior ended, and Christos Tzolis arrived as the first outfield signing. That sequence suggests the club were active, but it also leaves open the question of whether enough was done to raise the attacking ceiling.
For Arsenal, the prediction is straightforward but cautious. They have the structure, the manager, and the defensive base to challenge again. What they still need is a sharper open-play attack. If that improves, back-to-back titles become possible for the first time in nearly a century. If it does not, the 1930s drought will remain intact for another season.
