The key factors that saw Arsenal win Premier League title

Arsenal boast the meanest backline in the league, conceding 26 goals – seven fewer than Manchester City – while keeping 19 clean sheets.

Arsenal fans celebrate near the Emirates Stadium. Pic: Jeff Moore/PA Wire.

RECRUITMENT 

Arsenal bankrolled their support for Mikel Arteta by spending more than £250m in signing eight new players last summer. Spearheaded by new sporting director Andrea Berta, Viktor Gyokeres became the club’s marque signing, and although he has faced criticism along the way, his return of 21 goals has answered the need for a prolific scorer. Eberechi Eze’s provided moments of magic, while Martin Zubimendi has, until very recently, been a permanent fixture in midfield. Christian Mosquera, a snip at £13million, and loan signing Piero Hincapie have enforced Arsenal’s already impressive backline. Declan Rice’s arrival from West Ham for a club-record fee of £100m in 2023 has proved invaluable.

MENTALITY 

After finishing runners-up for the past three seasons, and without a trophy since 2020, Arsenal’s mental strength has faced a stern examination. After they lost the Carabao Cup final to City, and were then eliminated from the FA Cup by Southampton, before surrendering their lead of the Premier League, Arteta’s men were accused of “bottling” their trophy aspirations. A City fan goaded their rivals by ‘drinking’ out of an Arsenal-branded bottle, while the taunts on social media were even louder. But Arsenal’s players were able to block out the external noise and have the last laugh.

DEFENCE 

Arsenal boast the meanest backline in the league, conceding 26 goals – seven fewer than City – while keeping 19 clean sheets. David Raya’s arrival from Brentford to replace Aaron Ramsdale went down like a damp squib at the time. But Raya has taken Arsenal to another level by producing a number of match-winning saves to cement his status as one of the world’s very best stoppers. Gabriel and William Saliba are developing as one of the finest centre-back pairings the league has seen. The arrival of defence coach Gabriel Heinze last summer has clearly had the desired impact. Arsenal’s ill-discipline also cost them last season. But they have not received a single red card so far.

SET-PIECES 

Under the stewardship of Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have become the set-piece masters. Kai Havertz’s winning goal against Burnley was their record-extending 18th from a corner in the league this season – accounting for 26% of their 69 strikes – with a further five goals coming from free-kicks. Arsenal have scored only 41 times from open play, which will be the lowest by a Premier League winner, unless they can put five past Crystal Palace to match Leicester’s 2016 tally of 46, on the final day.

STADIUM 

After taking the job, Arteta made transforming the Emirates Stadium and re-connecting a disillusioned fanbase one of his top priorities. Arteta was integral in introducing Islington-born Louis Dunford’s song, “The Angel”, better known as “North London Forever,” as the club’s pre-game anthem. Originally sneered at, it has unified the supporters and become part of the club’s DNA. Rice described the atmosphere in Arsenal’s recent semi-final win against Atletico Madrid as the greatest ever in the Emirates’ 20-year history.

TRUST THE PROCESS 

Arteta’s lack of silverware and obscure methods – whether by using a lightbulb to motivate his side, blaring “You’ll Never Walk Alone” out in training ahead of a trip to Anfield, or tasking his players to hold pens in a bizarre drill – has leant itself to criticism. So too, his side’s over-reliance on set-pieces, and his touchline antics. But the proof is in the pudding, and 2,342 days after landing the job, Arteta has finally overseen Arsenal’s first title in 22 years. And with a Champions League final against Paris St Germain on May 30, Arteta could make history by becoming the first Arsenal manager to deliver on Europe’s grandest stage. The Spaniard’s contract is due to expire in 2027 but an extension this summer is a formality.