Arsenal start this season as Premier League champions after ending their long wait last term, and they do it with the awkward detail that this is their first title defence since 2004-05. They finished top on 85 points, and they also went 8-0 in the Champions League group or league phase, with only 4 goals conceded across those eight games.
Arsenal's recent level
That European run is the cleanest sign of how strong Arsenal were across last season. Finishing top of the league on 85 points was not a narrow title win, and 4 goals against in 8 Champions League matches shows a side that was hard to break down when they were in rhythm.
Mikel Arteta believes the club have added more personality too. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said Bruno Guimaraes is a "warrior with a tremendous quality" who can help the team "go to the next level". The names around the squad matter less than the fact Arsenal are trying to keep the core together while still asking for more.
The warning signs around the defence
The biggest problem is William Saliba's absence. He is set to miss an extended period after suffering a back injury at the World Cup, and that is a real hit to a defence that carried a lot of last season's control.
History also offers a blunt warning. Before Pep Guardiola's arrival, the Premier League trophy changed hands in each of the eight seasons before his first title win in 2017-18. Only Manchester City have made sustained title defence look routine in the modern league, and even that has not made back-to-back success ordinary.
Andros Townsend summed up the psychological side on BBC, saying: "The last two times Liverpool have won the title the next season they have not been able to replicate it." The point is less about Liverpool specifically than about how hard it is to stay sharp after the release of winning.
Arsenal still have the strongest base in the race, but they are not walking into an easy title defence. The next few league months will show whether last season's 85-point level holds with Saliba out, and with City still in the mix.
FAQ
Can Arsenal defend the Premier League title this season?
Arsenal have the base to try, but the warning signs are real. They begin this campaign as defending champions for the first time since 2004-05, after finishing top last season on 85 points. William Saliba is set to miss an extended period, and Manchester City remain a live rival after finishing second in 2025.
Why is Arsenal's title defence being treated as difficult?
Because Premier League title defences are rare and the current challenge is not just about Arsenal. Before Pep Guardiola's arrival, the trophy changed hands in each of the eight seasons before his first title win in 2017-18. Arsenal also have Saliba out for an extended period after a back injury at the World Cup.
How much does William Saliba's injury affect Arsenal?
Saliba's absence weakens the defensive base of a side that conceded only 4 goals in 8 Champions League games last season. Arsenal were excellent in Europe and finished top of the Premier League on 85 points, but losing a key defender for an extended period makes the league defence less straightforward.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
