2025–26 Arsenal F.C. season

The 2025–26 season is Arsenal Football Club's 34th season in the Premier League, their 100th consecutive season in the top flight of English football, becoming the first team to spend 100 seasons straight in the English top flight, and 109th season in the top flight overall.^[1][2] In addition to the domestic league, Arsenal are also participating in this season's editions of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League, the latter of which is their 40th European campaign. The season covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 24 May 2026.

Arsenal's 2024–25 campaign was heavily affected by injuries and suspensions.^[3][4][5] The club did not sign any player in the winter transfer window, after sporting director Edu Gaspar suddenly resigned midway through the season.^[3][5]

The Gunners won twenty Premier League games in 2024–25, which was eight less than the previous campaign. They dropped 21 points from winning positions in the competition that season, their joint-worst record in a single campaign.^[6] Arsenal lost four Premier League matches that campaign – one less than the previous season. That represented their lowest loss total in a top-flight campaign since 2007–08.^[7] For a second consecutive season, they held the division's best defensive record, conceding a league-low 34 times.^[7] Arteta's side finished as Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive campaign, becoming the first club to achieve this twice in English top flight history after also doing so between 1999 and 2001.

Arsenal started their 21st Champions League season since 1992–93 in September 2024. They finished third in the league phase in January 2025 and bypassed February's play-off round to go straight to the last 16.^[8] The Gunners completed a 5–1 aggregate triumph over the reigning Champions League champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2008–09.^[9] After a 3–1 aggregate loss to French side Paris Saint-Germain, Arteta's side were eliminated from the Champions League at the semi-final stage.^[10]

On 6 June and 26 June respectively, the club announced new long-term contracts for Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães^[11][12] and Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.^[13][14] Gabriel, at the time of signing the contract, was the leading Premier League goalscorer amongst defenders since his debut in 2020;^[11] Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough season, becoming the youngest starter for the club in the UEFA Champions League for 13 years.^[13] On 8 August, Arsenal announced the long-term contract renewal of another Academy graduate in Ethan Nwaneri. At the time of his renewal, he remained Arsenal's youngest ever appearance maker at the age of 15 years and 181 days and left a big impression on the first team last season with nine goals in all competitions.^[15][16]

On 8 July, Arsenal announced the appointment of former Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze as a first team assistant coach,^[17] replacing Carlos Cuesta who departed the club to become the Head Coach of Serie A side Parma on 19 June.^[18] Heinze and Arteta were previously teammates at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2001–02 season.^[19]

Arsenal took part in the Singapore Festival of Football between 23 and 27 July, which consisted of matches against European heavyweights AC Milan and fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in the National Stadium of Singapore. Against the Italian side a first-time cross from Jakub Kiwior, that was tapped in at the back post by Bukayo Saka 8 minutes into the second half, was enough to secure a narrow 1–0 win. In the subsequent mandatory penalty shoot-out, three saves from debutant Kepa were not enough to stop Arsenal losing the shootout 6–5, with misses from captain Martin Ødegaard, Reiss Nelson, Kiwior and academy centre-back Marli Salmon.^[20] The Gunners then made it back-to-back wins as they ran out as 3–2 victors over Newcastle United. A goal from Mikel Merino and an own goal from Alex Murphy two minutes later, overturned a 6th-minute opener from Anthony Elanga inside the first 35 minutes of the match. A shot from distance was enough for Jacob Murphy to draw the Tyneside club level partway through the second half, before a powerful run from 15-year-old Max Dowman drew a penalty for a push from Joelinton. Ødegaard made no mistake from the spot 6 minutes from time and sealed the one-goal victory.^[21]

Arsenal's Asian Tour then saw the squad travel to Hong Kong to play the first North London derby outside of the UK in the history of the rivalry.^[22] On the stroke of half-time, Lewis-Skelly was dispossessed by Pape Matar Sarr in a crowded midfield. David Raya, who had played the initial pass to Lewis-Skelly, was consequently caught high up the pitch, thus allowing Sarr to execute a well-taken long-range lob.^[23] Despite taking 16 shots on the night, Arsenal were unable to overturn the deficit as Tottenham secured the 1–0 victory, thus condemning The Gunners to their first loss of pre-season.^[24]

The club's pre-season schedule was then rounded off with two home friendlies against Spanish sides Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.^[25] The first of these friendlies resulted in a second consecutive single-goal loss as goals from Christian Nørgaard, his first for the club, and Ødegaard from the spot, following another penalty-earning action from Dowman, were not enough to overturn the deficit created by goals from former Gunner Nicolas Pépé, youngster Karl Etta Eyong and former North London rival Arnaut Danjuma. Following their 3–2 win, The Yellow Submarine also ran out 4–3 winners in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, as despite yet another shoot-out save from Kepa, misses from Merino, Gabriel Magalhães and debutant Madueke proved crucial.^[26] The Emirates Cup fixture against Athletic Bilbao, which occurred eight days before the club's Premier League opener at Old Trafford, then resulted in The Gunners running out as comfortable 3–0 winners.^[27] New signings Zubimendi and Gyökeres combined for the opening goal, as the Swedish striker planted a header into the far side of the goal following a first-time cross from the Spaniard. Incisive football then saw Gabriel Martinelli put through on goal and set up Saka for a calm side foot finish into an unguarded net. Kai Havertz rounded off the scoring with a powerful run and an accomplished left foot strike, low and across the goalkeeper.^[28] The subsequent penalty shootout saw Raya make one save and Arsenal score six of their seven penalties to win 6–5. The Player of the Match, Zubimendi, scored the decisive winning penalty.^[29]

The Premier League summer transfer window ran from 1 June to 10 June (due to an exceptional registration period mandated by FIFA for the Club World Cup), and then between 16 June and 1 September 2025.^[30]

Arsenal confirmed on 4 June that they were to release twenty players,^[31] two of whom, Kieran Tierney and Jorginho, had made 144 and 79 appearances for the Gunners' first team in all competitions respectively.

On 5 June, the club confirmed that Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares, who had spent the entire previous season on loan with Serie A side Lazio, joined the Italian team on a permanent transfer,^[32] for a previously agreed fee reported to be €9 million (£7.6 million).^[33] It was then confirmed four days later that another loan had been made permanent as Brazilian forward Marquinhos, who had been on loan at Série A side Cruzeiro since January 2025, joined the Brazilian club in a permanent transfer for a reported fee of £3 million.^[34][35]

On 1 July, the club confirmed that they had completed their first signing of the summer (and under new Sporting Director Andrea Berta) as 30-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from London rivals Chelsea on a long-term deal.^[36] The goalkeeper had spent the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid (where he won La Liga, the Supercopa de España and the UEFA Champions League) and Bournemouth. Arsenal activated a £5 million release clause in his Chelsea contract to complete the deal.^[37] Kepa became the seventeenth Spaniard to play for the club and remained, at the time of his signing, the most expensive goalkeeper ever purchased, after his £72 million move to Chelsea in 2018.^[38]

On 4 July, the club confirmed that a mutual agreement had been reached to terminate the contract of Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu twelve months early after injuries had limited the defender's availability on the pitch in the past two seasons. Tomiyasu made 84 appearances at the club and was awarded the club's Player of the Month in both September 2021 and October 2023.^[39]

On 6 July, the club confirmed their second signing of the summer window as 26-year-old Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi joined from Basque side Real Sociedad on a long-term deal.^[40] Arsenal agreed to pay €5 million above the stipulated release clause in Zubimendi's contract to enable the transfer fee to be paid in multiple instalments, thus bringing the total figure up to €65 million (£55.8 million).^[41] Zubimendi had connections to multiple club personnel at the time of joining, having been born in the same city and played for the same youth club as manager Mikel Arteta, whilst also having made appearances alongside Raya, Ødegaard and Merino (169 with the latter) at club and international level.^[42]

Just four days later the club confirmed their third summer signing as 31-year-old Danish midfielder Christian Nørgaard joined from fellow Premier League and London club Brentford on a long-term contract.^[43] The deal for the Bees' captain was concluded for an initial fee of £10 million with potential performance related add-ons totalling £2 million.^[44] As was the case for the two previous signings of the summer, Nørgaard joined forces with a former teammate, having played alongside Raya for four years at Brentford.^[45]

The club's fourth signing, and second from Chelsea, of the summer window was confirmed on 18 July, as 23-year-old English forward Noni Madueke joined on a long-term contract.^[46] The Gunners agreed to pay an initial fee of £48.5 million, rising to £52 million with potential add-ons.^[47] Whilst the signing was not initially deemed popular by sections of the fanbase,^[48] manager Mikel Arteta lauded the signing of "one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League".^[46]

On 24 July, the club confirmed their fifth signing of the summer window as 21-year-old Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera joined from La Liga side Valencia on a long-term deal.^[49] The deal was concluded for a total package reported to be under €20 million, consisting of an initial fee of €15 million (£13 million).^[50] Mosquera arrived in North London with experience beyond his years; since becoming the youngest centre back in Valencia's history at the time of his debut, he had gone on to be an almost ever-present feature of their defence for the past two seasons.^[51]

Just two days later, Arsenal confirmed their sixth signing of the summer window at 27-year-old Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres joined from Portuguese side Sporting on a long-term deal.^[52] After protracted negotiations, the deal was concluded for an initial fee of €63.5 million (£55 million) plus an additional €10 million (£8.7 million) in potential add-ons.^[53] Over the course of his two years at Sporting, Gyökeres became one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, netting 97 times in 102 games, winning the Title and Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons.^[54] Such was the profile of his signing that demand for Gyokeres' number 14 shirt exceeded that of any signing in the club's history, breaking sales records and momentarily crashing the club's official website.^[55]

The club's outgoings (aside from contract expirations and terminations) began on 22 August, as Karl Hein departed for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a season-long loan.^[56] It was the Estonian's third separate loan away from the club since joining in 2018.

As the transfer window neared its conclusion, Arsenal announced their seventh signing on 23 August, as former Academy graduate Eberechi Eze re-joined the club following his release at the age of 13.^[57] Eze signed from fellow London club Crystal Palace on a long-term contract for an initial fee of £60 million plus an additional £7.5 million in potential add-ons (which, at that time, represented the club's third largest total-package purchase in their history).^[58] Having joined the club on the back of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur agreeing a deal for the player, whilst also echoing the move of club legend Ian Wright from South to North London, Eze was heavily revered by the fanbase during his unveiling to the Emirates crowd prior to kick off in the first home game of the season against Leeds United.^[59]

In what proved to be a very busy deadline day, the club announced the departures of six players starting with Albert Sambi Lokonga joining German side Hamburger SV in a permanent deal, having spent much of his four years at the club away on loan.^[60] Jakub Kiwior departed in a loan deal to Portuguese side Porto which included a €2 million (£1.7 million) loan fee, an obligation to make the move permanent for a total package worth €22 million (£19 million) inclusive of add-ons, plus a payment of €2 million (£1.7 million) if Kiwior secures a move away from Porto in the future.^[61] Kiwior made 68 appearances across two and a half years at the club and was a notable member of the defence that went to the UEFA Champions League Semi finals in the previous season.^[62] Two long-standing members of the squad, having each made 90+ appearances for the club, then departed on loan as Oleksandr Zinchenko^[63] and Reiss Nelson joined Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively. Nelson had graduated from the club's academy and had been at the club for 17 years at the time of his departure.^[64] Lastly, Fábio Vieira joined Lokonga as he made a loan move to Hamburger SV,^[65] with an option to make the move permanent,^[66] and Academy player Lucas Nygaard make the loan switch to Danish 2nd Division side Brabrand.^[67]

Compensating for Kiwior's loan move to Porto, the club then announced their eighth and final signing of the summer window, as Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié joined in a season-long loan move from Bayer Leverkusen.^[68] The deal included an option to make the move permanent for a total package of €52 million (£45 million).^[69] Hincapié played a crucial part in Leverkusen's Invincible run to the League and Cup double in the 2023–24 season, and upon his signing, became the first Ecuadorian in history to represent the club.^[70]

Arsenal began the Premier League season with a 0–1 away win against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.^[72] Riccardo Calafiori scored the match's only goal with a close-range header, converting Declan Rice's inswinging corner after United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to deal with it.^[73] This result extended Arsenal's unbeaten run against Manchester United in the Premier League to six games, the last defeat coming on 4 September 2022.^[74]

On 23 August 2025, Arsenal secured their first home victory of the season, defeating newly promoted Leeds United 5–0 at the Emirates Stadium.^[75] Jurrien Timber scored twice, both from corner situations, and also provided an assist for Saka, who finished with a strike from his weaker foot. In the second half, summer signing Gyökeres scored his first goal for the club, making a brilliant solo run past multiple Leeds defenders before slotting home a through ball from Calafiori into the near bottom corner. The game saw Max Dowman make his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute for Arsenal in the 64th minute of their match, becoming the second youngest player in the league's history at 15 years and 235 days, behind only fellow teammate Nwaneri.^[76] He won a penalty for his team in the third minute of stoppage time, with Gyokeres converting it for his brace.^[77]

Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 0–1 to Liverpool at Anfield on 31 August.^[78] With an injury-hit squad, Mikel Arteta started Merino and Madueke as replacements for the unavailable Ødegaard and Saka.^[79] Arsenal suffered an early setback four minutes into the match, with Saliba leaving the field due to injury and being replaced by summer signing Mosquera.^[80] Both sides struggled to create chances until Dominik Szoboszlai scored a 30-yard free-kick in the final ten minutes.^[81] The result ended Arsenal's 22-game unbeaten streak against Top Six opposition, a run that had begun on 2 May 2023. ^[82]

Arsenal had an injury-hit August, with Havertz, Saka, Ødegaard, and Saliba all sustaining injuries during these matches, sidelining them for weeks or, in some cases, months. ^[83]

Fifteen Arsenal players, excluding those out on loan, were called up to their national senior squads for international fixtures in September: Rice, Madueke, Lewis-Skelly and Eze (England); Raya, Zubimendi and Merino (Spain); Gabriel Magalhães and Martinelli (Brazil); Gyökeres (Sweden); Trossard (Belgium); Calafiori (Italy); Timber (Netherlands); Ødegaard (Norway, captain); and Hincapié (Ecuador).^[84]

On 13 September, returning from the international break, Arsenal secured their third league win with a 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Zubimendi scoring his first brace in top-flight football, Gyökeres netting his third goal in four league games, and Raya making his 100th appearance for the club.^[86] On 16 September 2025, Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with a 0–2 away win against Athletic Bilbao.^[87]

On 21 September, Arsenal played Manchester City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.^[88] Erling Haaland gave City an early lead from a counter-attack, but Arsenal equalised late on when substitute Martinelli lobbed Gianluigi Donnarumma after a pass from Eze.^[89] The match ended 1–1, with Mikel Arteta becoming the first manager to avoid defeat in five consecutive league games against Pep Guardiola.^[90]

Arsenal began their 2025–26 EFL Cup campaign in the third round with a 0–2 away win against League One side Port Vale on 24 September.^[91] The match marked Kepa's competitive debut for the club, with Eze also scoring his first goal for Arsenal. ^[92]

On 29 September, Arsenal secured a 1–2 away win against Newcastle United in the Premier League, moving into second place and closing the gap to leaders Liverpool to two points. ^[93] Newcastle opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Nick Woltemade headed in a cross from Sandro Tonali past Raya, with Gabriel Magalhães partially at fault for failing to challenge effectively.^[94] In the 84th minute, Merino headed in a cross from Rice to level the scores, before Gabriel Magalhães scored a stoppage-time header from a corner to secure a win for Arsenal, redeeming himself for his earlier involvement in Newcastle's opener.^[95] With the win, Arsenal put an end to their three-game losing streak at St James’ Park.^[96]

On 1 October, Arsenal began the month with a 2–0 home win against Olympiacos in the Champions League.^[97] Martinelli opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a tap-in after Gyökeres's effort struck the post, before Saka sealed the victory in second-half stoppage time with a low finish between the legs of Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.^[98] On 4 October, the Gunners welcomed fellow London side West Ham United to the Emirates. Rice opened the scoring in the 38th minute against his former club, following a saved Eze shot. In the 66th minute, Arsenal were awarded a penalty as Hammers defender Malick Diouf hauled Timber down in the box. Saka successfully converted, giving the Gunners a comfortable two goal cushion with half an hour to play. West Ham could not find a breakthrough throughout the remainder of the match, as Arsenal became the league leaders with 18 points heading into the second international break of the season.^[99]

Fifteen Arsenal players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in October: Rice, Saka, Lewis-Skelly and Eze (England); Raya, Zubimendi and Merino (Spain); Gabriel Magalhães and Martinelli (Brazil); Gyökeres (Sweden); Trossard (Belgium); Calafiori (Italy); Timber (Netherlands); Saliba (France); and Nørgaard (Denmark).^[100]

With the conclusion of the international break, Arsenal traveled to Craven Cottage on 18 October to face Fulham in the league. A goal from Leandro Trossard in the second period gave the Gunners a 1–0 victory.^[101] On 21 October, Arsenal returned to the Emirates, hosting Spanish La Liga giants Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Goals from Gabriel, Martinelli, and a brace from Gyökeres handed the Gunners a 4–0 win over the visitors. This triumph meant Arsenal had amassed 9 points from a possible 9 in the league phase, placing them fourth in the league standings.^[102]

On 26 October, Arsenal faced Crystal Palace at the Emirates for their second London Derby in eight days. In a relatively tame match, Eze netted the only goal, against his former club. The result meant the Gunners were now four points clear of second position Bournemouth in the league, coming after slip-ups from Manchester City and title-defenders Liverpool.^[103] Arsenal followed their success against Palace with a 2–0 home defeat of Brighton in the Carabao Cup, with goals from Nwaneri and Saka sending them into the Quarter-Finals of the tournament. Arteta rotated the squad heavily, handing out first competitive starts to Hale End products Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous, along with new signing Hincapié. The Gunners were later drawn to Crystal Palace for the Quarter-Finals of the cup, whom they had defeated three days prior.^[104]

The Gunners started the month with a 0–2 away win against newly promoted side Burnley on 1 November, with two headers in the first half from Gyökeres and Rice. Trossard made his 100th appearance in the league for Arsenal, having already done so at Brighton & Hove Albion.^[105]

On 4 November, Arteta's men made the trip to Czechia for their Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague. The Gunners proved to be too strong for the Czech First League champions, and courtesy of a Merino brace and Saka penalty, came away with a 3–0 victory, shooting them up to 2nd place in the league standings. This success marked the first time Arsenal had kept eight clean sheets in a row in all competitions since 1903, and the first time Arteta had won ten in a row in his managerial career. Hale End products Dowman and Harriman-Annous came on in the second half, with the former becoming the youngest Champions League player in history at 15 years and 308 days old.^[106]

Following their triumph in Prague, Arsenal traveled to the Stadium of Light for their league match against 4th-placed Sunderland. Their newly promoted opponents were captained by former Gunner Granit Xhaka, whom had departed the North London side two years prior for Bayer Leverkusen. The hosts gained a 1–0 lead heading into the interval, with a Dan Ballard finish past Raya in the 36th minute. In the second half, the Gunners returned to the pitch with a renewed energy, finding the back of the net twice in twenty minutes owing to strikes from Saka and Trossard. However, despite having seemingly completing the turnaround, the visitors were unable to hold on to their advantage as Sunderland substitute Brian Brobbey equalised in stoppage time with an overhead kick. The 2–2 draw ended Arsenal's winning run and reduced their lead on 2nd-placed Manchester City to four points, heading into the third and final international break of the year.^[107]

Thirteen Arsenal players (excluding players who were loaned out) joined up with their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in October: Rice, Saka, and Eze (England); Raya, Zubimendi and Merino (Spain); Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil); Trossard (Belgium); Calafiori (Italy); Timber (Netherlands); Saliba (France); Nørgaard (Denmark); and Hincapié (Ecuador).^[108]

On 23 November, the Gunners continued their Premier League campaign with a North London derby at home against Tottenham Hotspur. With Gabriel Magalhães out injured, Arteta handed summer recruit Hincapié his first league start. In the 36th minute, Trossard gave the hosts a 1–0 advantage with a turn and shot inside the box. This was followed by a second goal from a right-footed Eze shot shortly before the interval. At the start of the second half, Eze doubled up to make it three for the Gunners, finishing into the bottom-corner of Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's net. In the 54th minute, opposing striker Richarlison beat Raya from long range to reduce the deficit to two, but Arsenal's three-goal advantage was restored as Eze netted his third of the night, rounding off his first career hat-trick and a 4–1 pounding of the visitors.^[109]

Arsenal hosted reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in a blockbuster Champions League league phase fixture on 26 November. Both sides were even on twelve points in the league standings heading into the match, with four wins apiece. Arteta made two adjustments to the squad that had defeated Tottenham Hotspur three days prior, replacing Hincapié with Mosquera at centre-back, and Calafiori with Lewis-Skelly at left-back. After a period of relatively cagey opening exchanges, the Gunners took the lead as Timber nodded in Saka's corner from close range. However, succeeding a wasted Eze opportunity to double the lead, Bayern youngster Lennart Karl equalised at the other end to level the score 1–1. Following the break, Arsenal began churning out chances, with Saka, Merino, Mosquera, and Rice all squandering attempts to retake the advantage. Finally, in the 69th minute, subtitutes Calafiori and Madueke combined to provide the breakthrough for the Gunners, with the former assisting the latter's first goal for the club. Another of Arteta's changes, Martinelli, also made an impact, as he made a run to receive Eze's lofted pass, before beating Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer near the halfway line and finishing into an empty net to complete the 3–1 victory. This success placed Arsenal top of the league phase standings, and dealt Bayern's first defeat of the season.^[110]

On 30 November, the Gunners crossed the capital to face 3rd-placed Chelsea away at the Stamford Bridge. After a goalless first half that saw Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo sent off for a challenge on Merino, Trevor Chalobah gave the hosts the lead with a header past Raya in the 48th minute. The visitors responded eleven minutes later, with Merino nodding in a Saka cross for the equaliser. Arteta's side were unable to find a winner for the remainder of the half and were forced to settle with a 1–1 stalemate, with 2nd position Manchester City shortening the gap between them to five points.^[111]

The Gunners began the month with a home match against Brentford on 3 December. White and Ødegaard were named in the starting XI together for the first time since 17 August, when both started the opening fixture of the campaign against Manchester United. Merino gave the hosts an early lead, heading in a cross from White in the 11th minute. In second-half stoppage time, substitute Saka sealed the victory with a shot off Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher. The 2–0 result was Arsenal's fourth consecutive league win at the Emirates, their longest run of successive home league wins since a string of 5 triumphs in April 2024.^[112]

On 6 December, Arsenal traveled to Villa Park to face 3rd position Aston Villa in the league. In the 36th minute, Matty Cash broke the deadlock in favor of Villa, striking between the legs of Raya. Arteta made two changes during the break, with Trossard and Gyökeres replacing Eze and Merino. The former made an immediate impact, finishing a Saka cross to equalise on 52 minutes. However, Arteta's men were unable to find a crucial second goal, and Emiliano Buendía scored the winner for the hosts in the 4th minute of injury time. The defeat ended the visitors' 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions.^[113]

The Gunners returned to the Champions League on 10 December, away to Club Brugge. In the 24th minute, Madueke recovered possession just inside the Brugge half, and netted a spectacular goal into the top-right corner from 25 yards out. Late on in the first half, Raya made several crucial saves to deny the hosts an equaliser. Arteta's side had the dream start after the interval, with Zubimendi finding an unmarked Madueke to score a second for the visitors. Martinelli followed suit in the 55th minute, curling in a stunner from outside the box. This goal made the Brazilian the first ever Arsenal player to score goals in five consecutive Champions League appearances. Gabriel Jesus came on just after the hour, making his competitive return after 332 days out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. At 16 years and 103 days, Marli Salmon became the second-youngest Englishman in Champions League history, making his debut in the closing stages of the second half. The match ended 3–0.^[114]

On 13 December, the Gunners welcomed Wolves to the Emirates in a top-against-bottom league matchup. The visitors were able to frustrate Arteta's men, whom were unable to find the back of the net in the first half. The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute, with a Saka corner ricocheting off the post, onto the back of Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, and into the goal. Wolves began to pressure the hosts after the opener, culminating in a 90th minute headed finish from Tolu Arokodare. The away side's jubilation would be short lived, however, as Saka forced in an own goal once again, this time his delivery striking opposing defender Yerson Mosquera and finding the target. The 2–1 victory meant that Arsenal retained their 2-point gap at the top of the league summit.^[115]

Note: Age as of 21 December 2025.

Notes:

• Squad numbers last updated on 1 September 2025. Age and contract details as of 21 December 2025.
• Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may change their FIFA nationalities after the 2025–26 season, and may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
• Player^* – Player who joined Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player^† – Player who departed Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player^{^} – Player who was registered to Arsenal's U21s or U18s squad but appeared for the first team during the season.
• Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.^[130][131]
• Player (CT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "club-trained player" criteria.^[132][133]
• Player (AT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "association-trained player" criteria.^[132][133]

Note: Squad numbers last updated on 23 August 2025.^[265]

On 4 July 2025, Under-21s Head Coach Mehmet Ali departed the club to take up an Assistant coaching role at Brentford.^[275] Whilst it was initially on an interim basis, Max Porter subsequently replaced Ali on a permanent basis on 15 August 2025. Ken Gillard became his assistant coach.^[276]

On 19 September, the club announced a number of changes at Board level, which included the departure of Executive Vice-chair Tim Lewis and the promotion of Richard Garlick from Managing Director to Chief Executive Officer. Members of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly, long-term KSE advisor, Dave Steiner, and film producer and director, Ben Winston, a season ticket holder at Arsenal for over 30 years, all joined the Board as Non-Executive Directors.^[283] The departure of Lewis, who has advised the KSE group since 2007 (including around the incremental purchase of Arsenal Football Club) and held a position at Arsenal since 2020 (thus steering the club through the financial peril of the COVID-19 pandemic), was seen as a shock move.^[284]

The following Arsenal players signed their first or new professional contracts with the club.

The following players from Arsenal's first team, under-21s and under-18s squads were released by the club.

Note: Excludes players who joined Arsenal on loan in the previous season and returned to their parent clubs this season.

The following players joined Arsenal permanently and signed professional contracts with the club.

Total expenditure: £249.0 million (excluding potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures)

The following players departed Arsenal permanently and signed professional contracts with another club.

Total income: £13.2 million (excluding potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures)

The following players joined Arsenal on loan and signed professional contracts with the club.

Total expenditure: £0.0 million (excluding purchase options and additional fees)

The following players departed Arsenal on loan and signed professional contracts with another club.

Total income: £1.7 million (excluding undisclosed figures)

Note: All loan fees included. All potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures excluded.

Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Fly Emirates / Sleeve sponsor: Visit Rwanda

This is Adidas's seventh year supplying Arsenal kit, having taken over from Puma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season.^[335][336]

• Home: The club revealed their new home kit for the 2025–26 season on 15 May 2025. The kit uses Arsenal's traditional colours of red and white. The shirt has a red body and white sleeves and is complemented by white shorts and red socks. Red shorts may be used in some away games when there will be a colour clash with the home team's kit. Taken from the "Victoria Concordia Crescit" club crest, first used in the 1949–50 season, the gothic "A" of "Arsenal" is repeated across the body of the shirt.^[337] The kit was launched alongside a film named The pulse of our club.^[338]
• Away: On 21 July, the Gunners released their new away kit, which is a tribute to the ability of the club's supporters to energise the players in to feeling "100ft tall", stand out and own the moment.^[339] The shirt has a dark navy base with a lighter-navy lighting bolt pattern, a signature away-kit design that was inspired by the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse lightning bolt.^[340] The kit is complemented by navy shorts and socks, whereby metallic grey shorts will be used in the away games in which there are a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched with an accompanying video named Ready for new heights.^[341]
• Third: On 4 August, the club released their new third kit, which is inspired by the 20th anniversary of Arsenal's final season at the "iconic" Highbury Stadium.^[342] The shirt has a white base with off-white details that echo the stadium's distinctive art deco architecture. It also features a polo collar with dark red and gold stripes.^[343] The kit is complemented by dark red shorts and white socks, whereby white shorts will be used in the away games in which there are a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched with an accompanying video named A tribute to elegance, art and style.^[344]
• Goalkeeper: The new goalkeeper kits are based on Adidas's goalkeeper template for the season.

On 31 March 2025, Arsenal announced that they would travel to Hong Kong for the first time since 2012 to partake in the first North London derby on international soil in the history of the fixture. The match took place in the recently opened Kai Tak Sports Park on 31 July.^[345][22] On 11 April, Arsenal announced that they would be travelling to Singapore for the first time since 2018 to play matches against Italian side AC Milan and fellow Premier League side Newcastle United. The matches took place on 23 and 27 July respectively at the National Stadium, and finalised the club's three-match Asian pre-season schedule.^[346] On 5 July 2025, Arsenal announced that the concluding fixtures of the pre-season schedule would feature an Emirates Cup game against Athletic Bilbao on 9 August 2025 and a friendly three days earlier against fellow Spanish side Villareal, both at the Emirates Stadium.^[25]

The league fixtures were announced on 18 June 2025.^[348] A selection of fixtures will be rescheduled for live TV coverage in the UK, or due to clashing with domestic or European cup competitions.