Arsenal’s 2024/25 Squad Ranked

Arsenal are still searching for their first Premier League crown since lifting the title in the 2003/04 season under the capable stewardship of Arsene Wenger. Unai Emery was the first chief to replace the Frenchman in May 2018 but ultimately failed to pull up trees after 78 games in charge.

Winger-turned-boss Freddie Ljungberg endured a tumultuous stint spanning six outings (one win, three draws and two losses) and then came along Mikel Arteta, who has been in charge ever since, having been positioned in the dugout on north of 250 occasions.

Constantly bashed for his lack of silverware in north London, the transformative effect that Arteta has had on Arsenal since his arrival is something that the fans will never forget – but what about the squad at his disposal?

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From the likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and the like, all senior players have been placed into one of six following categories – Must Keep; Useful to Have in the Squad; Talented Youngster; The Jury is Still Out; Listen to Offers and Get Rid.

Ranking factors

Players have been ranked based on the following factors:

• General quality and what they bring to the current outfit.
• Longevity and future potential.
• Are they good value for money based on current performances?

Must Keep

Saka, Odegaard and Saliba among Arteta’s go-to men

Given that Arsenal are now considered to be prosperous in their title-challenging era, there are plenty of names that Arteta and his entourage need to tie down to long-term contracts. Starting with London-born Saka, the young Englishman has become one of the Premier League’s poster boys – with his journey from youngster to first team regular being one that will forever be ingrained in the club’s mythology.

Declan Rice and William Saliba are equally important to the capital club’s pusruit of silverware. Positioned in the heart of the defence and at the fulcrum of midfield, respectively, their importance is often felt in their absence. Should they remain put, they both have the potential to become bonafide club legends.

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David Raya, ever since spending a six-month loan spell at the Emirates Stadium in 2023/24, has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and deserves to put on the gloves for the club until he decides not to.

Having played every minute of Arsenal’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign thus far, Raya puts together a compelling case for being one of Arteta’s most important assets. Dislodging Aaron Ramsdale from his No.1 spot was the first step, and now he’s one of the first names on the team sheet.

At the back, Gabriel Magalhaes is often overshadowed by Saliba’s brilliance, but is one of the league’s best defenders in his own right. A player who has proven his worth in such a short space of time is Jurrien Timber, a versatile defender who possesses a lovely combination of technical and tactical understanding. The Dutchman can play anywhere along the back line and is technically brilliant – he’s a must keep.

Arsenal’s lack of bite in Martin Odegaard’s absence just attests to how pivotal the Norwegian magician is to how Arteta wants to set up. A cog in the heart of the Gunners’ midfield trio, Odegaard is rightfully regarded as one of the best players in the English top tier and should be rewarded with everything he asks for.

Useful to Have in the Squad

White, Trossard and Havertz have futures in north London

Albeit on loan, Neto has experience aplenty and it would therefore be worthy for Arteta and his entourage to place their faith in the seasoned Brazilian to be their back-up to Raya, for the foreseeable future. He’s now 35 but – for now, at least – keeping ahold of his services would be wise.

Ben White, once a bright prospect at Brighton & Hove Albion, was signed for a fee of £50 million in the summer of 2021 and has, since signing, provided a solid presence in the back line – he, therefore, deserves to stay.

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Solely based off his impact from the substitutes bench, there is plenty of merit behind holding onto Leandro Trossard’s services, especially given that Arsenal spent – relative to the current market – very little on his signature. Jorginho, too.

Something that has been discussed around the red side of north London for some time is that they do not have a serviceable marksman at their disposal. Formerly of Chelsea and signed by the Gunners in the summer of 2023, whether Kai Havertz has the potential to fill that void is unclear, but his versatility is certainly important.

Talented Youngster

Arsenal boast future prospects in Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly

Hale End has become renowned throughout Premier League circles for its making and development of some of the greatest stars in the English top flight, including Tony Adams, Bukayo Saka and Ashley Cole – but Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the latest names to emerge from their academy ranks.

The former has endeared himself to the Emirates faithful with some memorable performances, albeit largely from the bench, and will certainly cement himself as a key figure in the senior set-up in the very near future. As could Lewis-Skelly, 18, who has featured ten times for the Arsenal first team across all competitions this season and he’s secured starlet status after his performance against Monaco in the Champions League.

The Jury is Still Out

Summer additions are yet to secure first team spots

Through no fault of their own, the club’s summer acquisitions of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori are yet to prove themselves as worthy members of the squad – but, of course, time will tell. The club went against their ethos of signing up-and-coming talents and secured the 28-year-old from Real Sociedad, and he’s endured a mixed start to life in the capital.

Thus far, the Pamplona-born central midfielder has played 13 times, equating to 586 minutes of action, since making the summer switch. His gangly limbs make him a tough player to mark out of the game, but whether he was the optimal target for the Gunners remains uncertain.

Calafiori, on the other hand, is of a much younger age profile and, out of the two, has more of a chance of succeeding at the three-time Premier League champions. Defensively astute and comfortable further afield, the Italian – who was also scouted by Liverpool and West Ham United in the summer – has all the tools to become a regular for Arteta and Co.

Listen to Offers

Partey, Tomiyasu and Martinelli all face uncertain futures

This category is dedicated to those who are not dead cert on the transfer list come January – and potentially, in the summer – but for those who are on the periphery of the squad and would not be an awful miss if the club were to part ways with them in the near future.

Thomas Partey’s future looks bleak after the addition of the aforementioned Merino – and has been in and out of Arteta’s senior plans since joining from Atletico Madrid. The midfield destroyer has been a decent signing, having made just shy of a century-and-a-half of appearances, but given he’s among Arsenal’s highest-earning players, getting him off the wage bill could free up financial space for incomings.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has featured just once for the Gunners this term, has somewhat become a forgotten figure at the club following Timber’s return from injury. Still just 26 years of age and evidently capable, selling the 42-cap Japan international could benefit all parties.

A sudden downturn in performance levels after once being an all-crucial figure to Arteta’s title aspirations has seen Gabriel Martinelli’s status at the club come under fire. Arsenal have been looking to bolster their attacking options for some time now – and he could be used as a makeweight in any potential deals.

Get Rid

Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling

Despite the Scot being a beloved figure among the club’s fanbase, it’s probably time to wave goodbye to Kieran Tierney. He’s struggled to find game time, exacerbated by defensive reinforcements in the summer, after returning from his Real Sociedad loan, and perhaps it’s time to make a permanent exit.

The same can be said for Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko whom, more often than not, are warming the bench rather than on the pitch. The latter arrived from the four-in-a-row Premier League champions Manchester City with the hope of bringing a steely, serial-winning attitude, but his poor decision-making has ousted him as a forgettable addition.

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Gabriel Jesus, too, has doubtlessly run his course at the club. The 64-cap Brazil international is not a potent goalscorer nor is he a constant threat like he used to be when he first joined the north Londoners. It’s time to move on for the betterment of all parties involved.

Raheem Sterling is set to return to Chelsea at the end of the term, having only signed a one-year loan deal in the summer, but whether he’s performed to the extent that a permanent deal should be rolled out in front of him is another question. Albeit recognised as one of the greatest English attackers of all time, he’s no doubt underperformed and his wages make him an unattractive prospect.

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 12/12/24