Dream Arsenal XI in 2025-26 season as Mikel Arteta lands three big-money transfers

Dream Arsenal XI in 2025-26 season as Mikel Arteta lands three big-money transfers

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal could still end the 2024-25 season as Champions League winners but the club are braced for a busy first summer with Andrea Berta in charge of transfers

Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta (L) is starting to get to

Arsenal’s faint hopes of a 2024-25 league title continue to fade with each win for rivals Liverpool, but there are reasons for optimism going into next season. Andrea Berta has officially been confirmed as the Gunners’ new sporting director, and is making progress on transfer targets.

Mikel Arteta’s side remain on course to finish second, but a gap of 12 points to the league leaders may be too much for them to make up with just eight games remaining. There’s still hope of a run to Champions League glory, but a quarter-final meeting Real Madrid isas tough as they come.

As we look ahead to the summer, attacking areas look like being the biggest priority for Berta. His predecessor Edu oversaw close to £100million in spending last summer – incouding a permanent deal for former loanee David Raya – but without signing a forward on a permenant deal

That could well change this time around, and some familiar names have come up once more. According to The Guardian, Berta has already met with Felix Tainta, the agent for Spain forward Nico Williams.

READ MORE: Andrea Berta told first job is to convince Arsenal star club can win trophies – or watch him leaveREAD MORE: 11 Arsenal stars facing transfer exit as Andrea Berta bids to bolster spending power

Athletic Club star Williams was linked after his performances for Spain at Euro 2024, but has remained in Bilbao for another season.

He isn’t the only big name being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, though, and Mirror Football has taken a look at how Arsenal could look if they enjoy a dream summer in the transfer market.

Goalkeeper and defence

Personnel-wise, Arsenal seem well-stocked in defence. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s development this season has arguably been ahead of schedule, and the versatile England international may well continue as a starting full-back next term.

With Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel forming the remainder of what has become Arteta’s preferred back four in front of Raya – and the likes of Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori both more-than-competent alternatives, things look promising. However, injury concerns could yet prompt some investment.

Arsenal defender Gabriel picked up ah injury against Fulham

Calafiori was injured on the international break, and Takahiro Tomiyasu’s injury hell shows few signs of ending, while Gabriel was forced off early against Fulham on Tuesday. “Gabi felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is,” Arteta said of the Brazilian, while the player’s wife Gabrielle has given a further update.

Midfield

Williams isn’t the only La Liga star on Arsenal’s radar. The same Guardian report suggests the Gunners are set to win the race for Martin Zubimendi, who was close to joining Liverpool last summer.

Martin Zubimendi in action for Spain

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Real Sociedad star Zubimendi would likely become the deepest member of Arsenal’s midfield three, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both expected to leave when their contracts expire this summer. Mikel Merino will also be able to drop deeper after being forced to deputise up front, while defender Calafiori has also expressed an interest in developing into someone who can play behind Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

“There are many things that I still don’t know how to do. Among these is the desire to learn to play in as many roles as possible,” Calafiori told Italian outlet Rivista Undici e Cronache during the international break. “For now, I feel like I know how to play two, I would also like to learn a third: midfielder. It is a role that has always fascinated me.”

Attack

Arsenal are expected to return for Nico Williams in the summer

If Arsenal sign Williams, the Spaniard is expected to become the first-choice winger on the left. Gabriel Martinelli has occupied the role when fit this season, with Leandro Trossard another option, but Raheem Sterling is not expected to stick around after a stop-start loan from Chelsea.

Bukayo Saka made a scoring return against Fulham, while the third member of the front three could well be Viktor Gyokeres. The Sweden international is considered a more ‘realistic’ option than compatriot Alexander Isak, The Guardian notes, though Benjamin Sesko remains another option.

Of course, the question here is what happens to Kai Havertz if the Gunners sign Williams *and* Gyokeres. It could be the case that Arteta moves the German deeper and plays him as one of two eights, but much may also depend on how quickly he gets back to his best after surgery.

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How Arsenal could line up in the 2025-26 season

Before any of that, though, there’s still plenty to play for this season. Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to North London on April 8, and record signing Rice remains optimistic.

“We can go down in history books at this club and we have been presented with a lovely chance against Real Madrid, one of the best teams in the world. So, yes, exciting times,” the England star said.

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“It’s been tough this year, but there’s still some positivity that can come out of it. So, stick with us, keep believing and I think good things are going to happen for this club.”