Arteta's Arsenal: Title Pressure Ramping Up Already?
- Christian Paris
- Sep 27
- 5 min read
Heading into the 2025/26 Premier League season, it appeared the pressure on Arsenal under Mikel Arteta was at its all-time high, though that has been swiftly topped five league games in.
When the schedule was announced, it was widely agreed that the Gunners had a testing start to their season, though it feels the rope for excuses has run out.
Following a summer of heavy backing, Arteta’s admirable work at the Emirates Stadium since his arrival midway through the 19/20 campaign now requires a crowning moment – silverware.
It has become a confusing period in North London. Arteta has built a formidable squad from desperate foundations and has established Arsenal as frankly one of the best sides in Europe, but with such improvement, pressure has naturally followed.
Three wins, a draw, and a defeat, the latter two results coming against Manchester City and at Anfield on the surface does not sound like disaster after five games, but is it enough?
It has been a waiting game for Arsenal, who have bided their time in the hunt for a first league title in over two decades, though the completion of their progress under Arteta requires this Arsenal group to take that all important step.
The 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the end of August was their first to a ‘big six’ side in over two years, and on first viewing it does not warrant serious concern, but the pattern of that game and more recently in the 1-1 draw with Man City has outlined a larger pattern for the Gunners.
A Patient Approach...or too Cautious?
Records show since Arsenal first staked their claim for the title under Arteta in 22/23 they are only bettered by Pep Guardiola’s City for points and goals scored, whilst establishing a phenomenal defensive resilience in the English topflight, so why has Arsenal’s style received such stern criticism?
For one, the Gunners are a threat again. It can simply be put down to the fact that a squad entirely capable of winning the Premier League, are yet to show they are.
All the statistics prove it. Arteta has established a commendable spirit and connection at the Emirates, and it has translated onto the pitch tenfold. They stormed out of the blocks in 2022, in enthralling fashion.
They were so smooth, so slick. The likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were electric with summer arrival Gabriel Jesus in between. Martin Odegaard had his finest campaign in red and white, whilst William Saliba and Gabriel formed a fearsome defensive partnership that remains in 2025.
It came crashing down in crunch time though, where know-how and experience was sorely missing, whilst serial winners Man City rolled Arsenal over at the Etihad in April 2023 to in effect decide the title.
That result remains directly significant to the present day. Arteta recognised his team’s naive approach, where they were front-footed and aggressive, but exposed to the brilliance and ruthlessness of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
Since there has been a visible switch in Arsenal’s approach, particularly in those heavyweight contests. It yet remains to be seen whether Arteta can strike the right balance.
A 0-0 stalemate in the following trip to the Etihad was met with some applause for the defensive stubbornness Arsenal showed, but questions on their lack of courage in forward positions.
That campaign saw arguably Arteta’s greatest iteration of Arsenal. The huge money signing of Declan Rice brought immense quality and leadership, Kai Havertz added great versatility and intelligence, but still, they fell just short.
Meanwhile those two signings alone signified a major change, and a view into Arteta’s thinking. Expansive football failed; therefore, pragmatism must work.
A disrupted 24/25 meant Arsenal never truly got the ball rolling in respect of a title bid, a season that saw eventual champions Liverpool claim the league with relative ease, though it reinforced the pressure that the Gunners are now facing.
Not a Question of Quality, rather Mindset for Arsenal
So, what exactly are Arsenal missing? On the surface, for now at least, nothing. Arteta has been heavily backed with an almost €300m transfer boost, and now there are no excuses to be made.
The Gunners arguably have the best squad in the Premier League, Noni Madueke introduced to offset Saka’s absence, and Viktor Gyokeres has been brought in to evict any cries for a goalscorer. A midfield revamp has seen Thomas Partey replaced with Martin Zubimendi, whilst Christian Norgaard in from Brentford has reinforced Arsenal’s options in the middle of the park.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta was not shy to add to an already dominant backline, with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie brought in. Arsenal have depth all over the pitch.
So, why do doubts still remain just five games into the new season? Ultimately, pressure is mounting. Arteta must prove he can lead this group to the promised land, and certain signs are more troubling than encouraging.
Arsenal almost always seem to be holding their punches, most noticeably against their title rivals, whether it be Liverpool or Man City in recent seasons.
They are not lacking quality. This early in the campaign Arsenal should be attempting to lay down a marker, a statement. Leave a bruise. But instead, the Gunners have been hesitant to put true pressure on, to release the handbrake.
It is now or never for Arteta, but it points to a mindset issue that must be addressed. Pronto.
A tentative first 45 against City was another reminder. Despite all their qualities, this Arsenal group are yielding, and it comes from the manager.
A midfield of Mikel Merino, Zubimendi and Rice is good, but wrong for such a significant meeting. It not only sent a positive message to City, but an internal one to his players. Arteta was not prepared to be the aggressor, at least immediately.
Ebere Eze was acquired precisely for these moments. To be a spark, a creator in times of need. Though Arteta preferred a steadier approach with Merino, which ultimately cost the Gunners the three points, but Eze’s creativity was staring his boss in the face when his cutely clipped pass to find Martinelli in injury-time helped rescue a point.
Luckily for Arsenal, we are still yet to scratch the surface of the new season, and yet they are already trailing by five points at the summit. They must seize the initiative. This cautious mentality will not be enough, it has been preceded, and Arteta must recognise the moment.
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