2024–25 Arsenal F.C. season

The 2024–25 season is Arsenal Football Club's 33rd season in the Premier League, their 99th consecutive season in the top flight of English football, and 108th season in the top flight overall.^[1][2] In addition to the domestic league, Arsenal is also participating in this season's editions of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League, the latter of which is their 39th European campaign. The season covers the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

The 2023–24 campaign was a record-breaking season for Arsenal.^[3] They kicked off their campaign by winning the FA Community Shield for the 17th time in their history.^[4]

The Gunners were the third-youngest team in the 2023–24 Premier League with an average starting age of 25 years and 158 days.^[5] They scored 91 goals in the Premier League, their highest-ever total in the competition. It was the most they had netted in a league campaign since 1952–53.^[6] Arteta's side conceded just 29 goals in the Premier League – five fewer than the second-lowest team. This was Arsenal's best defensive record for 20 years. They finished with a goal difference of +62 in the division, their highest-ever total in the competition's history. The Gunners kept 18 clean sheets (7 at home, 11 on the road) in the league, five more than the second-highest sides.^[3]

Arsenal won 28 Premier League games in the 2023–24 season, their highest tally in a top-flight campaign since 1970–71. The Gunners picked up 89 points, the second-highest total in their history.^[3] However, this was still not enough to win the Premier League title. Arteta's side ended their season as runners-up – the third-best second-placed team in the competition's history – two points behind champions Manchester City.^[7]

After a six-year absence, Arsenal started their 20th UEFA Champions League campaign since the 1992–93 season in September 2023. They finished the group stage as winners of Group B, with the highest goal difference of any team (+12).^[8] The Gunners progressed to the quarter-final of the Champions League for the first time since 2009–10, ending a run of seven consecutive last-16 eliminations in the competition.^[3] Their first Champions League campaign in seven years finished in the last eight, after a 3–2 aggregate loss to German side Bayern Munich.

The UEFA Euro 2024 took place in Germany from 14 June to 14 July. Ten Arsenal players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in squads for the tournament: Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka (England), William Saliba (France), Kai Havertz (Germany), Jorginho (Italy), Jakub Kiwior (Poland), David Raya (Spain), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine).^[9] Raya became a Euro 2024 winner as Spain beat England in the final.^[10]

Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli were named in Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América, which was held in the United States from 20 June to 14 July.^[11] Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals on 6 July.

On 24 June, Arsenal announced that Estonian goalkeeper and academy graduate Karl Hein had signed a new contract.^[12][13]

It was reported on 15 July that the first-team players who hadn't been away on international duty at Euro 2024 or Copa América were back to the London Colney training ground for pre-season training.^[14]

On 21 July, manager Arteta named an initial 26-man squad – including twelve academy players – for the trip to the United States where they would play three friendlies.^[15]

Three days later, Arsenal faced Premier League side Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Fábio Vieira gave the Gunners a first-half lead with a volley. The Cherries equalised through a deflected Antoine Semenyo effort in the second half. Following the game, a pre-planned penalty shootout took place, which saw Arteta's side triumph 5–4 with Kiwior netting the winning spot-kick after Hein made two saves.^[16][17]

On 27 July, the Gunners took on Premier League club Manchester United at SoFi Stadium, the home of the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams which is also owned by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. Rasmus Højlund gave United an early lead. Gabriel Jesus levelled for Arteta's side with a close-range finish. Substitute Martinelli scored a late goal, helping Arsenal win 2–1. In the post-match penalty shootout, United won 4–3 following misses from Havertz and Kiwior.^[18][19]

Arsenal played their third and final game of the 10-day USA tour against Premier League side Liverpool at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 31 July. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Fábio Carvalho gave Liverpool a 2–0 lead. The Gunners pulled one back through Havertz's close-range shot, but they were unable to find an equaliser. The match ended in defeat for Arsenal. After the game, Arteta's team flew back to London overnight.^[20][21][22]

On 6 August, the club confirmed that Zinchenko would wear the number 17 shirt, moving from his previous number 35.^[23]

The Gunners continued their preparations for the new season with a 4–1 win over reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium on 7 August. Former Arsenal vice-captain Granit Xhaka, who spent seven years in north London before departing for Leverkusen in summer 2023,^[24] was greeted with a "welcome back" message on the big screen ahead of kick-off. Zinchenko, Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all scored in the first half. Havertz then added a fourth after half-time. Xabi Alonso's side claimed a late consolation through Adam Hložek.^[25][26]

Arsenal finished their pre-season campaign by beating Ligue 1 side Lyon 2–0 to claim the 2024 Emirates Cup on 11 August. Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães both scored from Rice corners in the first half. New signing Riccardo Calafiori made his non-competitive debut for the Gunners as a substitute in the 64th minute.^[27][28]

The Premier League summer transfer window runs from 14 June to 30 August 2024.^[29] Arsenal announced on 3 June that they were to release 22 players,^[30] two of whom, Mohamed Elneny and Cédric Soares, made 161 and 64 appearances for the Gunners' first-team in all competitions respectively.

On 4 July, the club confirmed that they had completed the permanent signing of 28-year-old Spanish goalkeeper and reigning Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya from Premier League side Brentford on a long-term deal after the Spaniard's initial loan spell with the Gunners in 2023–24.^[31] The transfer fee was reported to be £27 million.^[32] He is the fifteenth player from Spain to represent Arsenal's first team.^[33]

On 15 July, the Gunners announced the departures of two first-team players: Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga joined La Liga club Sevilla on a season-long loan,^[34] and Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares joined Serie A side Lazio on a one-year loan.^[35]

Arsenal confirmed on 29 July that 22-year-old Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori had joined the club on a long-term contract from Serie A side Bologna,^[36] for a reported fee of an initial £33.6 million (€40 million), which could reach £42 million (€50 million) with add-ons.^[37] He would wear the number 33 shirt,^[36] and would be the fourth Italian to feature for the Gunners in competitive action.^[38]

On 2 August, the club announced that English midfielder and academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe, who had made 115 first-team appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, joined Premier League side Fulham on a permanent transfer.^[39] The fee was reported to be an initial £27 million, potentially rising to £34 million in add-ons.^[40]

The Gunners confirmed on 13 August that Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein had joined La Liga side Real Valladolid on a one-year loan.^[41]

On 27 August, Arsenal announced that 28-year-old Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino had joined the club from La Liga side Real Sociedad on a long-term contract.^[42] The transfer fee was reported to be an initial £27.4 million (€32.5 million), with a further £4.2 million (€5 million) in add-ons.^[43] He would take the number 23 shirt,^[42] and would be the sixteenth Spaniard to play for Arsenal's first team.^[44]

On 28 August, the club confirmed the loan departure of Portuguese midfielder Fábio Vieira to Primeira Liga side Porto until the end of the season.^[45]

On English transfer deadline day, 30 August, Arsenal announced that the club had signed 35-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan from Premier League side Bournemouth. He would take the number 32 shirt.^[46] On the night 29-year-old English forward Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on a one-year loan from Premier League club Chelsea after a deal sheet was submitted to allow his move to go through beyond the transfer deadline.^[47] He would wear the number 30 shirt.^[48]

On the same day, the Gunners confirmed the departures of three first-team players: English Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joined Premier League side Southampton on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of £18 million with £7 million in add-ons.^[49][50] English striker and academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, who had made 168 first-team appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, joined Premier League club Crystal Palace on a permanent deal.^[51] The fee was reported to be an initial £25 million, potentially rising to £30 million in add-ons.^[52] English forward and academy graduate Reiss Nelson joined Premier League side Fulham on a season-long loan.^[53]

After the summer transfer window closed, there were twenty-two players in the first-team squad: two goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, and five forwards. Six other first-team players were out on loan.^[54]

Arteta's side kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on 17 August. Havertz headed in a 25th-minute opener from Saka's cross before the roles were reversed on 74 minutes as Saka picked up Havertz's pass and rifled into the near post. Arsenal goalkeeper Raya made two vital saves to keep out Jørgen Strand Larsen's close-range header and Pablo Sarabia's first-time volley.^[55][56] The result meant that the Gunners had scored in each of their last 34 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, the longest scoring streak against an opponent in the club's history.^[57]

On 24 August, Arsenal played their first away game of the season against Aston Villa, the only side to complete the league double over the Gunners in the previous campaign. The hosts thought they had taken the lead on 54 minutes when Amadou Onana's deflected shot looped up onto the crossbar, with the rebound falling for an unmarked Ollie Watkins to head home from close range, only for Arsenal goalkeeper Raya to get off the ground to make a stunning one-handed stop,^[59][58][60] which would later win August 2024's Premier League Save of the Month award.^[61] Substitute Trossard broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, sweeping home with his first touch. Partey scored his first away goal in the Premier League on 77 minutes with a long-range effort. Two minutes later, manager Arteta sent on new signing Calafiori for his Gunners debut. In the 84th minute, Saliba made a last-ditch tackle to help deny Villa's Jacob Ramsey.^[59][60] The 2–0 win meant that Arsenal had won their first two games in a top-flight campaign without conceding for the third time in their history, after previously doing so in 1924–25 and 1971–72.^[58]

On 30 August, Arsenal announced that new recruit Mikel Merino, who joined the club just three days prior, suffered a shoulder injury in his first training session with the team. He would be out of action for a few weeks.^[62] Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu were also out injured.^[62]

A day later, the Gunners played at home against Brighton & Hove Albion. Arteta was forced to name four academy players on the bench because deadline-day signings Neto and Raheem Sterling were not registered in time to play in this match and there were no other fit senior players up until that point.^[63] Arsenal controlled the first half and took the lead in the 38th minute as Havertz lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper from outside of the box.^[64][65] But the game completely changed four minutes into the second half when Rice was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh, after the midfielder received a controversial second yellow card for "delaying" Joël Veltman's free-kick near the touchline deep in Brighton's half.^[64][65] Upon replay, it was clear that the ball was rolling before Rice nudging it away, so it would not have been a legal free-kick.^[66][64][67] Unlike Rice, Brighton's João Pedro who booted the ball far away after it had gone out near the half-way line in the first half, wasn't penalised, or even spoken to, by referee Kavanagh.^[66][64][67] The visitors equalised on 58 minutes as Pedro tucked home the rebound after Raya saved Yankuba Minteh's shot. 10-man Arsenal fought hard to prevent conceding another goal and the game ended 1–1.^[64][65]

Twelve Arsenal first-team players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in September: Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil), Rice and Saka (England), Saliba (France), Partey (as Ghana's captain),^[68][69] Havertz (Germany), Calafiori (Italy), Jurriën Timber (Netherlands), Martin Ødegaard (as Norway's captain), Kiwior (Poland), Raya (Spain), and Zinchenko (Ukraine).^[70]

On 4 September, the club submitted their 2024–25 Champions League squad for the league phase of the competition. Twenty-two first-team players and young goalkeeper Tommy Setford who joined Arsenal's academy from Dutch side Ajax in July 2024,^[71] were registered on the Squad List A.^[72] Nine days later, the club confirmed that 22 first-team players and 48 under-21 players were registered on the 2024–25 Premier League Squad List for the first half of the season.^[73]

Arsenal announced on 12 September that manager Arteta had signed a new contract with the club,^[74] reportedly keeping him at Emirates Stadium until 2027.^[75] A day later, Arsenal confirmed that Ødegaard suffered an ankle injury during Norway's game against Austria on 9 September, and Calafiori also returned from Italy duty with a calf injury.^[76]

The Gunners continued their Premier League campaign with a North London derby away against Tottenham Hotspur on 15 September.^[78] Arteta faced a sudden lack of midfield options and was forced to name five academy players on the bench, because six first-team players were injured and Rice was suspended up until that point.^[79] In the 64th minute, Gabriel Magalhães netted the only goal of the game with a header from Saka's corner, becoming the fourth Arsenal player to score 10+ headed goals in the Premier League.^[77] New loan signing Sterling made his debut for Arsenal as a substitute on 80 minutes.^[78] The 1–0 win meant that the Gunners had won six consecutive Premier League away matches for the first time since 2013, and they had won three consecutive away North London derbies for the first time since 1988. The result sent them back to the second of the Premier League table.^[77]

Arsenal opened their 2024–25 Champions League campaign in Bergamo, Italy, facing the previous season's Europa League champions Atalanta on 19 September. In the 48th minute with the score at 0–0, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Partey had fouled Éderson. However, Raya made a brilliant double save to keep out Mateo Retegui's attempt and follow-up header.^[80] He became the fourth Arsenal goalkeeper to save a penalty in the Champions League, after Richard Wright, Jens Lehmann and Łukasz Fabiański.^[81] The game ended goalless.^[80]

The Gunners played their third consecutive away game in seven days against Manchester City on 22 September. Erling Haaland opened the scoring early on for the hosts. Arteta's side drew level with a long-range stunner scored by Calafiori, then took the lead through a Gabriel Magalhães header. However in the final seconds of the first half, Trossard was given a controversial second yellow card for "kicking the ball away and delaying a restart" by referee Michael Oliver.^[82][83] It was later revealed by broadcaster Sky Sports that there was just 0.84 seconds between Oliver's whistle and Trossard kicking the ball way.^[84][85] 10-man Arsenal battled hard in the second half until the eighth minute of stoppage time when John Stones latched onto a rebound and netted an equaliser for the hosts.^[83] The game also saw academy player Myles Lewis-Skelly made his senior debut for the Gunners as a substitute in the second half.^[82]

Arsenal's 2024–25 EFL Cup campaign began in the third round against League One side Bolton Wanderers at home on 25 September.^[86] Arteta opted to rest several first-team players and chose a youthful line-up with an average age of 23 years and 87 days – the youngest starting XI the Spaniard has named in his near-five-year spell as Gunners boss.^[87] With number one stopper Raya and 18-year-old understudy Tommy Setford injured and summer loan signing Neto cup-tied,^[88] Arteta called on Arsenal's fourth choice Jack Porter, who at 16 years and 72 days became the youngest goalkeeper to play for Arsenal's first team,^[89] and the youngest player to start an Arsenal first-team match.^[87] Another debutant Josh Nichols also received his first start.^[87] Rice put the Gunners ahead on 16 minutes. Ethan Nwaneri scored his first two senior goals for Arsenal in the 37th and 49th minute respectively.^[86] Aaron Collins pulled one back for Bolton on 53 minutes. Sterling netted his first Arsenal goal in the 64th minute.^[88] Defender Maldini Kacurri made his senior debut as a substitute for Calafiori in the 70th minute, becoming the first Albanian national to represent Arsenal's first team in the club's history.^[87] Havertz wrapped up the scoring on 77 minutes.^[86] Winger Ismeal Kabia received his debut in the 81st minute,^[87] coming off the bench to replace Sterling. The 5–1 result advanced Arsenal to the next round.^[88]

There are twenty-two players in the first-team squad: two goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, and five forwards. Six other first-team players are out on loan.

Notes:

• Squad numbers last updated on 3 September 2024.^{[54][104][105]}
• Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may change their FIFA nationalities after the 2024–25 season, and may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
• Player^* – Player who joined Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player^† – Player who departed Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.^[106][73]
• Player (CT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "club-trained player" criteria.^[107][108]
• Player (AT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "association-trained player" criteria.^[107][108]

Notes:

• Last updated on 31 August 2024.^[54]
• Excludes players who are loaned out.

Note: Squad numbers last updated on 3 September 2024.^[54]

The following Arsenal Academy players made appearances for the club's first team during the season.

Notes:

• Squad numbers last updated on 25 September 2024.^[104][105]
• Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may change their FIFA nationalities after the 2024–25 season, and may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
• Player^* – Player who joined Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player^† – Player who departed Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player (U21) – Player who was registered by Arsenal as an Under-21 Player on the 2024–25 Premier League Squad List.^[106][73]
• Player (ListA) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League Squad List A.^[105][72]
• Player (ListB) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League Squad List B.^[105]

The following Arsenal players signed their first or new professional contracts with the club.

The following players from Arsenal's first team, under-21s and under-18s squads were released by the club.

The following players joined Arsenal permanently and signed professional contracts with the club.

Total expenditure:   £88.8 million (excluding potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures)

Total income:   £76.7 million (excluding potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures)

The following players joined Arsenal on loan and signed professional contracts with the club.

Total expenditure:   £0.0 million (excluding purchase options and additional fees)

• Date^‡ – Loan was originally scheduled to last to until end of the season but was curtailed.

Total income:   £0.0 million (excluding undisclosed figures)

Note: All loan fees included. All potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures excluded.

Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Fly Emirates / Sleeve sponsor: Visit Rwanda

This is Adidas's sixth year supplying Arsenal kit, having taken over from Puma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season.^[309][310]

• Home: The club revealed their new home kit for the 2024–25 season on 16 May 2024. The kit uses Arsenal's traditional colours of red and white. The shirt has a red body and white sleeves with blue stripes on the collar and shoulders, and is complemented by white shorts and red socks. Red shorts may be used in some away games when there will be a colour clash with the home team's kit. This is the first time the club's iconic cannon has featured outside the crest on the home shirt since 1989–90.^[311] The kit was launched alongside a film named The Year of the Cannon.^[312]
• Away: On 18 July, the Gunners released their new away kit, which honours the connection between the club, north London, and Africa, recognising Arsenal's African players and supporters. The shirt has a black base with red-and-green stripes on the collar and shoulders, and is combined with black shorts and black socks. A white zig-zag graphic runs down the arms and flanks of the torso.^[313] White shorts or socks may be used in some away games when there will be a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched with an accompanying video named From Africa to Arsenal and back again 🌍.^[314]
• Third: The new third kit was revealed on 12 August. The shirt has an aqua blue coloured base with a lilac purple fade along the front. The collar and shoulder also contain navy blue stripes. The shirt is partnered with navy shorts and socks.^[315] Aqua shorts and/or socks may be used in some away games when there will be a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched alongside a film named Arsenal. An Original. Always. 💜💙.^[316]
• Goalkeeper: The new goalkeeper kits are based on Adidas's goalkeeper template for the season.

As of 1 Oct 2024

On 23 February 2024, Arsenal announced that they would travel to the United States in July to play friendlies against fellow Premier League sides Manchester United and Liverpool.^[319] Two home friendlies were then announced in June, versus reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Ligue 1 side Lyon.^[320] A third and final friendly in the United States was confirmed in July, against Bournemouth, another Premier League side.^[321]

Last updated: 1 Oct 2024
Source: Soccerway

Updated to match(es) played on 30 September 2024. Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs^[322]

The league fixtures were announced on 18 June 2024.^[323] A selection of fixtures were rescheduled for live TV coverage in the UK, or due to clashing with domestic or European cup competitions.

As a Premier League side, Arsenal will enter the FA Cup in the third round in January 2025.

The Gunners entered the EFL Cup in the third round as one of the Premier League teams participating in UEFA competitions. They were drawn against League One side Bolton Wanderers at home^[325] and then away to Championship side Preston North End.^[326]

Arsenal's UEFA club coefficient was 72.000 points at the end of the previous campaign.^[327] They were in Pot 2 for the league phase draw, which was held on 29 August 2024.^[328] Arsenal were randomly drawn to play Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan from Pot 1, Shakhtar Donetsk and Atalanta from Pot 2, Dinamo Zagreb and Sporting CP from Pot 3, and finally Monaco and debutants Girona from Pot 4.^[329]

Updated to match(es) played on 2 October 2024. Source: UEFA^[330]
Rules for classification: League phase tiebreakers

Last updated: 1 Oct 2024.
Source: UEFA

Updated to match(es) played on 1 Oct 2024. Source: UEFA
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

The following twenty-six players made appearances for Arsenal's first team during the season.

Includes all competitions for senior teams.^[331] Players with no appearances not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

The following ten players scored for Arsenal's first team during the season.

Includes all competitions for senior teams.^[331] The list is sorted by squad number when season-total goals are equal. Players with no goals not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

The following seven players registered assists for Arsenal's first team during the season.

Includes all competitions for senior teams.^[331] The list is sorted by squad number when season-total assists are equal. Players with no assists not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

Includes all competitions for senior teams.^[331] The list is sorted by red cards, then yellow cards (and by squad number when total cards are equal). Players with no cards not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

Includes all competitions for senior teams.^[331] The list is sorted by squad number when season-total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in square brackets represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in square brackets is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no appearances not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by squad number when season-total number of games where a player started as captain are equal. Players with no games started as captain not included in the list.

As of 1 Oct 2024

The following fourteen Arsenal players (excluding players who departed the club permanently or on loan) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures during the season.

The list is sorted by national team and player, respectively. Players with no senior national team call-ups not included in the list.

As of 10 Sep 2024

The winner of the award was chosen via a poll on the club's official website.