Arsenal’s ambitious summer recruitment drive has failed to convince several high-profile pundits that the club can finally end its two-decade wait for a Premier League title, with former England stars Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer predicting another near miss. The Gunners, runners-up in each of the past three campaigns under Mikel Arteta, have secured striker Viktor Gyokeres and midfield reinforcements Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, alongside defenders Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera. However, doubts persist about whether the squad has the depth to dethrone reigning champions Manchester City.
Lineker and Shearer, who collectively scored over 500 career goals, expressed skepticism about Arsenal’s title credentials during recent media appearances. Their concerns were echoed by ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who warned on The Rest Is Football podcast that injuries could quickly expose familiar weaknesses. “I still don’t know if it’s enough to get them over the line,” Richards said. “One or two injuries, and they’re back to the same as last season. Challenging, but not champions.”
Arteta’s side led the league for much of the 2022–23 season before fading in the final weeks, a pattern repeated in their most recent campaign. While Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting Lisbon addresses last term’s reliance on midfielder Kai Havertz as a makeshift forward, questions linger about defensive solidity. New recruits Zubimendi and Norgaard are expected to bolster midfield options, but departures of experienced players like Mohamed Elneny leave little margin for error.
Analysts point to Manchester City’s proven ability to perform under pressure as a key differentiator. Pep Guardiola’s team has secured six titles in seven years, often overtaking Arsenal in decisive late-season runs. The North London club last lifted the trophy in 2004 during Arsène Wenger’s “Invincibles” campaign, a fact fueling both fans’ hopes and the weight of expectation.
Despite the pessimism from some quarters, Arsenal’s summer activity signals intent. The €55 million acquisition of Gyokeres follows his 43-goal season in Portugal, while Zubimendi’s composure in possession could help control tight matches. Madueke and Mosquera add versatility across the backline, though neither has extensive Premier League experience.
With the season set to begin in August, the coming months will test whether Arteta’s rebuild can convert gradual progress into silverware. For now, the consensus among critics suggests Arsenal remains a step behind Europe’s elite—a narrative the club will aim to rewrite as it seeks to prove its revival is complete.
