In the past two campaigns, Arsenal’s progress and consistency were badly interrupted by injuries to some of their most influential stars. Key figures like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz all spent crucial stretches on the sidelines. Each absence left a significant hole in the team, forcing Mikel Arteta to shuffle his lineups and rely on less experienced players in decisive moments. Those setbacks not only disrupted the Gunners’ rhythm but also played a part in derailing their push for silverware.
Now, the injury curse has returned, striking the team yet again as the new season unfolds. Just as Arsenal appeared ready to build on their recent progress, early knocks have already threatened to unsettle the squad. Supporters, who have witnessed this scenario too many times before, could be forgiven for feeling anxious about whether history will repeat itself. However, unlike previous years, the team’s depth and resilience are starting to look much stronger.
Arteta and the club’s recruitment team have carefully built a “new-look” Arsenal—one that isn’t entirely dependent on a handful of names to carry the load. The squad now boasts a mix of experienced leaders, versatile performers, and hungry young talents who are capable of stepping up when needed. This evolution means that while losing big players still hurts, the team has greater capacity to adapt, rotate, and maintain momentum. Early signs suggest that this Arsenal may be better equipped to handle adversity, keeping their ambitions alive even in the face of setbacks.
