Introduction:

It feels like forever since I last sat down to write. In truth, I’m still riding the high from Switzerland — the trip of a lifetime. To be in that stadium, to watch my country bring football home (or keep it here!) for the second time in a row, was beyond words.

I know not all Gooners here are England fans, so that’s the last I’ll say about it…for now. Because it’s time to swap the national team scarf for the Arsenal one. The signings, the rumours, the reflections, the predictions — they’re all waiting.

The 25/26 season is coming at us fast, and I’m ready. More than ready.

Reflections from Last Season:

Remember when we went to Lisbon and won the Champions League?Yeah, me neither…

Last season was chaos in the best and worst ways. If you’d told me after that 5–2 loss to Bayern that we’d be sitting here now — Renée Slegers as our manager, Champions of Europe, and Chloe Kelly, Taylor Hinds, and Olivia Smith all signed — I’d have laughed you out of the room.

But here we are. And seriously, what Slegers has brought is more than silverware — she’s given this squad a foundation. A launch pad. Something to build on, not just to maintain, but to push further.

We go into every season dreaming of the quadruple: the league, the FA Cup at Wembley, another Champions League run. Those ambitions aren’t changing. The real question now is how we get there.

In the league last season, our biggest stumbles came in the biggest games — the opposite of the Jonas Eidevall era. Two losses to Chelsea, plus those costly late-season blunders. But truthfully, we lost the league much earlier. In a season this short, drop points early and it’s almost impossible to claw them back — especially when Chelsea are lurking. This year, we need a real title race, not the one-sided chases of recent years.

For that, Arsenal will need depth, versatility, and options — exactly what I’ll get into in the next section. They’ll also need to start fast, and with the new signings, a sharp pre-season will be key.

And then there’s the small matter of retaining the Champions League. Possible? Absolutely. Easy? Not when you’re trying to compete across every front.

If you’d asked me last August about my aspirations, the Champions League barely made the list. I just wanted an FA Cup run and that wall of red at Wembley. But cup competitions didn’t fall our way — something Slegers has to improve on this year. With a squad more tailored to her vision, that feels more than possible.

Transfer Window:

The permanent signing of Chloe Kelly was no surprise — but that doesn’t make it any less significant. For years, Arsenal have been searching for a winger to make a real impact. With Mariona Caldentey operating more in midfield, Kelly’s arrival last season felt like a revelation. Securing her long-term was essential, and Arsenal got it done.

Then came the shock. A million-pound bid for 21-year-old Olivia Smith popped up on my phone, and I couldn’t stop smiling. She was exactly the type of signing I wanted — because one winger alone wasn’t enough if Arsenal were serious about competing across all fronts. Smith brings pace, directness, and a long runway for growth.

Striker was another talking point. Before the Euros, I kept going back and forth: was it even necessary with Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius likely staying? Then there’s Michelle Agyemang — someone I’ve always seen as a future star here. The whispers say she might go to Brighton on loan, which would be great for her development, but I can’t help but feel there’s a role for her now. Depth matters. Different options matter. And with injuries always lurking, maybe her time comes sooner than expected.

Taylor Hinds was a surprise — and the perfect example of the ripple effect from winning the Champions League. Everyone knows how highly I rate Emily Fox, but no one should expect her to play every minute at right-back. With Laura Wienroither leaving, we needed cover. Enter Hinds: experienced in the WSL, a former Arsenal academy player, and capable of playing anywhere across the back line — even stepping into midfield when needed. This is exactly the kind of signing that says: your role matters here, even if you’re not a guaranteed starter.

A goalkeeper was another must-have, and I actually thought it should be prioritised over a midfielder. Anneke Borbe ticks every box — she knows her place in the squad, but she’s good enough to be trusted if Daphne van Domselaar is unavailable. Across a long season with games coming thick and fast, I expect her to be Slegers’ second choice and a safe pair of hands when called upon. I can’t wait to see her debut.

Looking Ahead to 2025/26:

There’s still plenty to unpack before the new campaign kicks off — who starts, who leaves, and what roles each player will take on. Here are my early thoughts on the key areas, though I suspect this might need a follow-up piece as the season draws closer.

Goalkeepers

For now, there’s no sign of Manu Zinsberger moving on, so it looks like she’ll remain as Arsenal’s third-choice option. Naomi Williams, meanwhile, seems a likely candidate for a loan spell to continue her development.

Defenders

I don’t expect any further changes here. Katie Reid appears to be part of Renee Slegers’ senior plans, so a loan seems unlikely. I did wonder if Laia Codina might move this summer, but Arsenal clearly value her as depth, and she looks set to stay.

Midfielders

This is where things get really interesting — and crowded. Kyra Cooney-Cross and Victoria Pelova are both exceptional talents. Mariona Caldentey has shone in a deeper role, Kim Little thrived last season, and Frida Maanum (now a Ballon d’Or nominee and fresh off a contract extension) remains one of the most underrated players in the squad.

Laila Harbert’s absence from pre-season is curious — as Tim Stillman tweeted, it’s something worth keeping an eye on. With a busier fixture list, I hope Cooney-Cross gets a clear role in the rotation. Lia Walti should stay but may see reduced minutes, and Slegers could look to manage Kim Little’s workload more closely. Many fans wanted a dedicated defensive midfielder this summer, but I think that can wait until January. Rosa Kafaji’s loan move feels right for her development — I didn’t see her playing a major part this season.

Forwards

The main talking point here is Beth Mead. As I’ve said before, I’d love her to stay — at least for this season — because Arsenal need depth and versatility from the bench. She still has so much to offer. I’m also curious to see how Slegers views Chloe Kelly: is she a guaranteed starter, or an impact player from the bench? Her game-changing performances at the Euros proved she can thrive in either role.

Closing Thoughts:

As we head into the 2025/26 season, I can’t help but feel excited for what’s ahead. Arsenal have strengthened in the right areas, built real depth, and set themselves up to compete on every front. There will be challenges, of course - injuries, tough games, the pressure of defending trophies - but that’s part of what makes following this club so thrilling. The season starts now, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.