Arsenal are looking like a serious title contender. The question every fan and pundit keeps asking is simple: can they sustain this run all the way to the finish line? To answer that, we need to look back at what the Gunners built in 2024/25, what that season’s numbers tell us about the squad’s strengths and weaknesses, and how recent form and additions position them for a long campaign.
Below I use Arsenal’s 2024/25 season statistics as a foundation and then connect those lessons to the club’s current trajectory.
1) What the 2024/25 season proved: attacking power and squad depth
Arsenal’s 2024/25 campaign was notable for its firepower and the depth of goalscoring across the squad. Across all competitions they scored heavily (triple-digit totals in combined goals), and several players contributed consistently rather than relying on a single marksman. That balance gives Arsenal options in rotation and lessens the risk if one forward is injured or drops form. For context, Arsenal scored 112 goals in all competitions in 2024/25 and registered a very healthy goals haul in the Champions League too.
Why this matters: teams that share the goals burden are better placed to survive long campaigns — opponents can’t simply nullify one player and walk away with a favorable result.
Arsenal title contenders 2025
2) Defence: the step forward that changed the narrative
One of Arsenal’s biggest improvements in 2024/25 was a more consistent defensive performance. The club’s overall defensive numbers that season (domestically they conceded 34 Premier League goals across 38 games) show that the team were no longer as vulnerable at the back as in some previous years. Clean sheets and defensive discipline were increasingly a part of Mikel Arteta’s blueprint.
A sturdy defence matters for title runs — it converts tight draws into wins and protects leads when squads are tired. Arsenal’s 2024/25 defensive foundation is a clear positive when judging whether they can sustain a challenge.
3) Recent form: translating last season’s gains into October momentum
Fast forward to the present run: Arsenal have produced an impressive winning streak and have shown near-impenetrable defensive form in recent weeks — a sequence that includes multiple clean sheets and low shots on target conceded. Early season numbers show only a handful of goals conceded and several consecutive wins across competitions, suggesting the 2024/25 defensive progress has carried over. Reports and match data from this month highlight the team’s cohesion and the value of squad depth in rotation.
That “hot streak” does more than put points on the board — it builds confidence, strengthens belief in Arteta’s tactics and helps players hit form at the same time.
Liverpool are in a dip in form now, Chelsea are not consistent, coupled with a defensive crisis, Manchester City lack consistency, and coupled with injury to their number one striker, Erling Haaland, Arsenal need to capitalize and win the Premier League title this season. Bbcnews
4) Tactics & identity: why Arsenal look sustainable
Arsenal’s tactical identity under Arteta — intense, possession-oriented pressing combined with quick transitions — has matured since 2024/25. The team now has:
- Better defensive organisation from the back, limiting clear shots and forcing low xG chances.
- Multiple midfield and forward options who can interchange and create overloads.
- Squad players who can step in without a major drop in quality.
This tactical coherence is important in long seasons. When injuries and fatigue appear, the identity allows substitutes and rotation players to slot in without confusing the overall game plan. That continuity is a huge advantage for maintaining form.
5) The numbers that matter — a quick snapshot
(Using season and recent stats to ground the analysis)
- 2024/25 (season): 112 goals in all competitions; 34 PL goals conceded—evidence of firepower + improved defence.
- Recent run: multiple consecutive clean sheets and single-goal wins that show defensive solidity and game management. Contemporary reports emphasise the defensive record (very few shots on target conceded across several matches).
- Squad depth: summer investment and rotation options were highlighted as a factor in maintaining performance across competitions. Players beyond the starting XI delivered meaningful minutes.
Taken together, these figures describe a team that improved in both attack and defence — a classic hallmark of a side built to challenge across a full season.
6) Risks that could derail the momentum
No analysis is complete without the downside. Here are the main risks Arsenal must manage:
- Injury to key players — losing a central defender or pivot midfielder could force tactical reshuffles; the 2024/25 depth helped but high-intensity seasons create knocks. (Historical trend.)
- Fixture congestion / fatigue — competing in domestic and European competitions requires rotation; if the rotation plan fails or the quality gap between starters and subs is exposed, results can wobble.
- Complacency and streak-ending defeats — long winning runs inevitably end; how a team responds to the first setback reveals true title-contender character.
- Opponents adapting — as teams study Arsenal’s patterns, they may develop specific counters; Arsenal must continue tactical evolution.
These are not unique to Arsenal, but they are realistic checks on any sustained title push.
7) Can they keep it going? The verdict
Based on the 2024/25 foundation and present evidence, Arsenal look well-placed to sustain a title challenge — but it’s not guaranteed.
Why yes:
- 2024/25 showed they can score heavily while tightening up defensively, giving balance.
- Recent streaks and the club’s depth indicate that rotation and workload are manageable — a crucial factor in multi-front campaigns.
- Tactical identity is consistent; players understand their roles, which supports continuity even when personnel change.
Why cautious:
- Injuries, fixture pile-ups, and the pressure of the race can bite — and rivals like Man City, Liverpool and others remain dangerous. Arsenal must keep improving to stay ahead of opponents who will adapt to their style.
Bottom line: Arsenal are genuinely title contenders on the evidence of 2024/25 and current form, Arsenal title contenders 2025. If they preserve defensive discipline, manage their squad smartly, and maintain the scoring balance that came through in 2024/25, they have every right to remain hopeful. But the margin for error at the top is thin — so the next months will test whether the Gunners can turn a strong start and a great season prior into eventual silverware.
8) What to watch in the coming weeks
If you want to judge Arsenal’s staying power in real time, keep an eye on:
- Injury list and minutes played for core defenders and midfielders. (Loss here hurts.)
- Rotation results — how well bench players perform when starters are rested.
- Defence vs. top opponents — do they keep clean sheets or at least limit xG against the best?
- Head-to-head clashes with direct rivals — those six-pointer fixtures often decide title races.
If Arsenal continue to tick these boxes, then Arsenal are title contenders in 2025. The finish line is within reach.