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 five following categories – Must Keep; Good Squad Players; 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, Rice 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 pursuit 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.

Finally, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence from talented youngster to starting left-back has been extraordinarily quick and also very well-deserved. Yes there are still some of the odd rash moments from the young man, but he’s only going to get better and his influence will only grow.

Good squad player

White, Trossard and Havertz have futures in north London

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 and if not for Timber, would still be the atarting right-back – he, therefore, deserves to stay.

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The likes of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier have recently fallen down the pecking order

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.

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.

Thomas Partey’s future looked bleak after the addition of Mikel Merino, while he has also been in and out of Arteta’s senior plans since joining from Atletico Madrid. The midfield destroyer has been a decent signing and his importance has grown of late. With his contract up in the summer, it may be smart of Arsenal to at least renew him for a little while longer.

Fans were a little tired of Gabriel Martinelli at the start of the season, with the general consensus being that he hasn’t kicked on quite as much as he should have. The second half of the campaign has proven that the Brazilian has more of a future than first anticipated.

Captain Martin Odegaard had been one of the best players at the club, but his drop-off this term has supporters believing that his role should be decreased and a new signing should take his place. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Merino’s ability as a makeshift striker has given him more impetus, having previously been seen as a fairly average addition in the summer.

Finally, you can argue that Ethan Nwaneri could be in must keep given how much potential he seems to have. However, his current role is more of a rotational option for when one of the attackers is injured and needs a rest. Best believe, though, this could quickly change.

The Jury is Still Out

Summer addition Calafiori has still got time to prove doubters wrong

Through no fault of his own, the club’s summer acquisition Riccardo Calafiori is yet to prove themselves as a worthy member of the squad – but, of course, time will tell.

Calafiori, is still a young player who has plenty of chances 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 has popped up with goals in big moments too. His injury record is a concern, but he’s not been a total bust just yet.

Listen to Offers

Jorginho and Tomiyasu face uncertain futures

This category is dedicated to those who are not dead cert on the transfer list 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. The seasoned Jorginho may have come third in the 2021 Ballon d’Or rankings, but the Italian maestro has lost a yard of pace and that’s evident. Let’s be frank, Arsenal would not be lost without him and it seems increasingly unlikely the club will exercise the option they have on his contract.

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.

Jakub Kiwior would have likely found himself in the get-rid category had it not been for how well he has done replacing the injured Gabriel in recent weeks. While it still feels as though his long-term future is away from the Emirates, his stock and valuation have certainly risen.

Get Rid

Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling

Despite the Scot being a beloved figure among the club’s fanbase, it’s come time to wave goodbye to Kieran Tierney. He’s struggled to find game time, and has agreed to rejoin Celtic when his contract expires, so we know this is a done deal. It is also unlikely that Neto returns following his loan spell from Bournemouth, as he has played just once.

The same can be said for Oleksandr Zinchenko who, more often than not, is warming the bench rather than on the pitch. The Ukranian 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. With an ACL injury halting any hopes of a comeback, 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, and given that fans have called him Arteta’s worst ever signing, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for him.

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 02/05/25