Last updated on August 30, 2025
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Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard have left fans slightly worried.
Image credit: B/R Football
Arsenal couldn’t have asked for a brighter beginning to the new Premier League season.
Two wins from two—first a gritty 1-0 victory away at Manchester United, then a thumping 5-0 win over Leeds at the Emirates.
New signing Viktor Gyökeres wasted no time announcing himself with two goals, while 15-year-old Max Dowman stole hearts by winning a late penalty on his debut.
The only dampener? Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, which left fans slightly worried after such a perfect day.
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Table of Contents
Liverpool, the defending champions, are also off to a perfect start.
They also boast two wins from two, scoring freely in the process.
They edged Bournemouth 4-2 on opening day and squeezed past Newcastle 3-2 with a stoppage-time winner.
Like Arsenal, they’ve leaned on new arrivals and trusted academy talent—Hugo Ekitike scoring on debut and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha grabbing a stoppage-time winner against Newcastle.
Both clubs are showing a mix of fresh faces and fearless youngsters making their mark.
But while both teams sit on six points, there’s a difference—Arsenal have kept it tight at the back with two clean sheets, while Liverpool have already conceded four goals.
That little detail makes Arsenal’s perfect start feel even more convincing.
For years, the title race has circled around Liverpool and Manchester City.
Now Arsenal are stepping up again, sharper, deeper, and hungrier than before.
The big question is simple: could this finally be the year the Gunners turn belief into a title?
The Benchmark — Liverpool and City
For the past few years, the Premier League has had two clear benchmarks.
Liverpool, who lifted the title last season, and Manchester City, who have dominated much of the last decade under Pep Guardiola.
Every other team has been measured against these two giants.
Liverpool remain as fierce as ever.
Arne Slot’s men may have shifted slightly in style since Jürgen Klopp, but the outcome is the same—they’re still relentless, attacking with energy and refusing to give in.
They’ve started this campaign with back-to-back wins, scoring goals for fun.
The only catch? They’ve looked shaky at the back, conceding in both matches.
City, on the other hand, still carry the weight of their legacy but no longer look untouchable.
An aging core and recent slip-ups, like their loss to Spurs, suggest that the machine isn’t running as smoothly as it once did.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain dangerous, but the aura of invincibility has started to fade.
And that’s where Arsenal come in.
Their opening two games haven’t just been about winning—they’ve shown control, confidence, and defensive strength.
Two clean sheets, a ruthless attack, and young players stepping up with no fear.
It feels less like the Arsenal of old chasing shadows, and more like a side ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Liverpool and City.
Arsenal vs. The Two Titans
| Aspect | Liverpool | Man City | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Form | 2 wins, goals flowing | Mixed, shaky start | 2 wins, 2 clean sheets |
| Style | High press, sharp | Possession, yet blunt | Pressing + depth |
| Perception | Champions, strong | Aura fading | Serious contenders |
Arsenal are no longer just the plucky underdogs chasing the top two.
Their early form suggests they belong in the same conversation, with a real chance to turn this season into something special.
Why This Year Could Be Different
Last season slipped away, not because Arsenal didn’t have quality, but because they simply couldn’t stay healthy.
Too many big names—like Jesus, Partey, Saka, and Havertz—missed match after match, and the squad depth couldn’t hold.
It felt like the title slipped through their fingers due to fatigue and forced rotation.
This year already looks different.
Granted, even in the bright 5–0 win over Leeds, Arsenal lost Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Martin Ødegaard (shoulder), a cruel reminder of how fragile momentum can be.
But there’s cautious optimism: Saka seems set for a few weeks out—not months—while Ødegaard’s inclusion in Norway’s squad hints he might return soon.
The real change? Arteta now has more reliable replacements—Eze, Madueke, Zubimendi, Nwaneri—offering reassurance that the engine won’t stall when stars are down.
Arteta’s Tactical Evolution
Arteta isn’t just rolling the same playbook—he’s tuning it.
The team’s pressing is sharper, midfield control tighter, even without Ødegaard’s usual magic.
Zubimendi anchors, Rice sweeps, and the system adapts between a compact 4-3-3 and dynamic 4-4-2. It’s smarter, not just intense.
This system-level strength is crucial now.
If the team remains tactically tight and mentally flexible, they can withstand the inevitable disruptions of a long season.
Leadership Deepens Across the Squad
Without Saka and Ødegaard, others are stepping up.
Squad Depth ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FeebYN6Uws
— Arsenal Team (@_ArsenalTeam) August 27, 2025
Rice is already the squad’s beating heart—steady, powerful, dependable.
Meanwhile, new additions like Eze bring flair and versatility, offering different angles when traditional leaders are sidelined.
Arsenal’s depth and culture of shared leadership mean this doesn’t feel like a setback; it’s a test—and one they now look equipped to face.
| Factor | Why Arsenal Could Be Stronger |
|---|---|
| Squad depth | Saka and Ødegaard are currently injured and miss some games—but ready backups (Eze, Madueke, Zubimendi, Nwaneri) reduce the risk of a collapse. |
| Tactical adaptability | Arteta’s system can switch shapes (4-3-3 / 4-4-2) and keep pressing and midfield control even when key players are out. |
| Collective leadership | With Rice steadying the middle and others stepping up, leadership is spreading across the squad rather than resting on one or two stars. |
Arsenal no longer feel like a team fragile in the face of setbacks.
They’ve built the structure to absorb knocks—and maybe, just maybe, that resilience will be their biggest advantage this season.
The Big Tests Ahead
Arsenal face some of their toughest early tests: first at Anfield against the champions Liverpool on August 31.
Then Manchester City at the Emirates not long after, and later a showdown with Tottenham in the north London derby.
These matches will set the tone. Lose momentum here, and it slips fast; win or hold strong, and belief blooms.
A title charge isn’t won in a starting sprint—it’s about keeping pace.
The Premier League season spans 33 weekends and five midweeks, designed to give players breathing room but still punchy enough to test depth.
Arsenal must reproduce their best football week after week—no flashes, real sustainability.
Fixture Congestion & Injuries: Real Hurdles
With Champions League and domestic cups on the docket, fixtures pile up.
The Premier League recently sounded a warning that fans should expect short-notice changes, as more English clubs compete on multiple fronts than ever before.
To add to that, Arsenal’s injury list is growing: Saka is out again, Ødegaard is a doubt, and Havertz is a fitness concern too.
That means not just grit, but smart rotation and ruthless planning, or they risk burning out.
Big Tests Ahead – At a Glance
| Challenge | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Liverpool & Man City Clashes | Title-defining matches; can Arsenal compete with the very best? |
| North London Derby vs Spurs | Always high stakes; a slip could swing momentum. |
| Consistency Over 38 Games | Avoiding costly slip-ups against mid-to-lower table teams. |
| Injuries & Fixture Congestion | Europe + domestic cups test squad depth, especially without Saka/Ødegaard fit. |
Arsenal need to be more than just fast starters—they must prove they can thrive when the grind begins.
In a season built on depth and adaptability, these early big tests could be the clearest signs of where the title race is heading.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s perfect start has lit a spark of belief again.
For the first time in years, fans can genuinely dream of seeing their team go toe-to-toe with Liverpool and City.
The football is sharp, the squad feels stronger, and the mentality looks different.
Still, the season is long. Injuries, tough runs of fixtures, and the usual pressure will test them.
If Arsenal can hold their nerve and keep that ruthless edge, this might just be their best shot in 20 years.
