Background Arsenal's 2024–25 campaign was heavily affected by injuries and suspensions. The club did not sign any player in the winter transfer window, after sporting director
Edu Gaspar suddenly resigned midway through the season. 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. For a second consecutive season, they held the division's best defensive record, conceding a league-low 34 times. 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. 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.
Pre-season On 6 June and 26 June respectively, the club announced new long-term contracts for Brazilian defender
Gabriel Magalhães and
Academy graduate
Myles Lewis-Skelly. Gabriel, at the time of signing the contract, was the leading Premier League goalscorer amongst defenders since his debut in 2020; On 8 July, Arsenal announced the appointment of former Argentinian defender
Gabriel Heinze as a first team assistant coach, replacing
Carlos Cuesta who departed the club to become the Head Coach of
Serie A side
Parma on 19 June. Heinze and Arteta were previously teammates at
Paris Saint-Germain in the
2001–02 season. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. The club's pre-season schedule was then rounded off with two
home friendlies against
Spanish sides
Villarreal and
Athletic Bilbao. 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. 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. 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. 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.
First team transfers (summer transfer window) 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. Arsenal confirmed on 4 June that they were to release twenty players, 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. 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. 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. 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. manager Mikel Arteta lauded the signing of "one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League". 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. 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. 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. 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.
August {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 Arsenal began the
Premier League season with a 0–1 away win against rivals
Manchester United at
Old Trafford.
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. 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. On 23 August 2025, Arsenal secured their first home victory of the season, defeating newly promoted
Leeds United 5–0 at the
Emirates Stadium.
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 teammate Nwaneri. He won a penalty for his team in the third minute of stoppage time, with Gyokeres converting it for his brace. Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 0–1 to
Liverpool at
Anfield on 31 August. With an injury-hit squad, Mikel Arteta started Merino and Madueke as replacements for the unavailable Ødegaard and Saka. 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. Both sides struggled to create chances until
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a 30-yard free-kick in the final ten minutes. The result ended Arsenal's 22-game unbeaten streak against Top Six opposition, a run that had begun on 2 May 2023. 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.
September 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). {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 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. On 16 September 2025, Arsenal began their
Champions League campaign with a 0–2 away win against
Athletic Bilbao. On 21 September, Arsenal played
Manchester City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.
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. The match ended 1–1, with
Mikel Arteta becoming the first manager to avoid defeat in five consecutive league games against
Pep Guardiola. 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. The match marked Kepa's competitive debut for the club, with Eze also scoring his first goal for Arsenal. 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. 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. 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.
October {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 Arsenal began the month with a 2–0 home win against
Olympiacos in the Champions League on 1 October. 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. 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. 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). 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 half gave the Gunners a 1–0 victory. On 21 October, Arsenal returned to the Emirates to host 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. On 26 October, Arsenal played 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. 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 beaten three days prior.
November {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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.
December {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 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. 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. 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. 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. Arteta's men followed this success with a trip to
Hill Dickinson Stadium, the new home of 10th-placed
Everton. A handball from opposing defender
Jake O'Brien inside the box handed Arsenal a 27th-minute penalty, which was powerfully dispatched by Gyökeres. In the second half, Trossard was fed a through pass by Rice and unleashed a potent shot onto the post. The visitors missed many key chances to double their lead, but saw out a crucial triumph to remain ahead of 2nd position Manchester City. On 23 December, the Gunners returned to the Emirates to face Crystal Palace in the quarter-final round of the Carabao Cup. Arteta posted a rotated lineup, opting for a frontline of Martinelli, Jesus, and Madueke. Arsenal gradually built up pressure following the opening stages of the match, with Martinelli, Calafiori, Jesus, Timber, and Madueke all exchanging chances. Palace keeper
Walter Benítez made several key saves to deny the hosts the advantage. The South London visitors emerged a different side after the break, as opposing manager
Oliver Glasner chose to bring on
Justin Devenny and
Nathaniel Clyne in place of first-half strugglers
Edward Nketiah and
Jaydee Canvot. These changes certainly helped the
Eagles, whom were able to prevent any Arsenal breakthrough for a greater period of the second half. In the 80th minute, the Gunners would finally break this resistance, forcing an own goal from a corner through opposing defender
Maxence Lacroix. However, deep into stoppage time, Palace captain
Marc Guehi was able to equalise with a close-range finish, forcing a penalty shootout. The ensuring shootout was of high quality, with both teams' first seven spot-kicks finding the back of the net. Saliba successfully beat Benitez for Arsenal's eighth, but Lacroix's attempt was palmed away by Arrizabalaga, sending Arteta's men to a second consecutive Carabao Cup semi-final, where they would play London
rivals Chelsea. Arsenal returned to league action with a 2–1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion on 27 December. A first-half strike from Ødegaard and an own goal by
Georginio Rutter gave Arteta's side a comftorable two-goal advantage before the hour mark, but the visitors rebounded, scoring through Paraguayan
Diego Gómez in the 64th minute. The
Seagulls unsuccessfully pushed for an equaliser, with
Yankuba Minteh's curling shot saved by Raya and
Mats Wieffer's header missing the target. The Gunners were able to see another win out, securing a pivotal three points in the title race. The Gunners finished 2025 with their second match of the month against 3rd position Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins missed several golden opportunities to put the visiting side ahead, leaving the scoreline level at 0–0 heading into the break. On 48 minutes, Gabriel found the opener, pouncing on an error from former teammate
Emiliano Martínez to nod home a Saka corner. At 52 minutes, Zubimendi was sent through by Ødegaard, tucking a slick outside-the-boot finish past Martínez to find a second for the hosts. Trossard then turned the two goal advantage into three, unleashing from 20 yards to find the bottom-right corner. Substitute Jesus added a fourth goal, his first since 1 January, latching onto a Trossard ball in the 78th minute before turning it into the net. In stoppage time, Watkins netted a consolation from close range, as Villa's winning run was put to an end by a rampant Arsenal.
January {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 Arsenal began 2026 with a trip to the South Coast to face
Bournemouth on 3 January. Wingers Saka and Trossard were rotated out in favor of Madueke and Martinelli, who were entrused to service Gyökeres in the center. On 10 minutes, a lapse in concentration from Gabriel saw the Brazilian centre-half play a square pass straight to
Evanilson, who calmly dispatched it past an out-of-position Raya. The Gunners would not be trailing for long, however, as a ricocheted Martinelli shot from a Madueke cross fell kindly to Gabriel, who redeemed himself with a first-time volley into the left side of the net. In the 54th minute, Ødegaard laid off Rice near the edge of the box, who scored to give the visitors the lead. Substitute Saka was then fed by Ødegaard, with the former cutting the ball back to Rice to score a third and his second of the night. The hosts responded with a stunner from
Eli Junior Kroupi, which set up a tense ending in which Arteta's side pulled through to secure another critical three points in the league. On 8 January, the Gunners played reigning champions Liverpool at home. The hosts had the better of the first half, but were short of a cutting edge and failed to score. Arsenal were unable to carry the same momentum into the second period with Liverpool grew into control. The match ended goalless. On 11 January, Arsenal began their
2025–26 FA Cup campaign in the third round, facing
EFL Championship side
Portsmouth away.
Colby Bishop gave the home side a shock lead early on with a close-range finish past Arrizabalaga, but Arsenal were quick to respond, forcing an own goal by
Andre Dozzell. The visitors gradually swept aside Pompey through a Martinelli hattrick, despite a Madueke missed penalty. The 1–4 result propelled Arsenal to the fourth round of the competition, where they would be drawn to
EFL League One side
Wigan Athletic. Arteta's men crossed the capital to face
rivals Chelsea for the
EFL Cup semi-final first leg on 14 January. White's header gave the Gunners an early advantage, an advantage doubled by Gyökeres's tap-in on 49 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back for the home side shortly after, striking between the legs of Arrizabalaga. Zubimendi restored the two-goal cushion with a composed finish in the 71st minute, before Garnacho struck again to end the tie 2–3 in favor of the visitors heading into the second leg on 3 February. Three days later, Arsenal faced Nottingham Forest away at the
City Ground in the league. Neither side could find a breakthrough heading into the interval, with Martinelli shooting beyond the far post in what was the best chance of the half. In the 65th minute,
Matz Sels denied Saka in a superb save to keep the tie level, before the Gunners had a penalty chalked off after a
Ola Aina handball. The result condemned Arteta's side to consecutive 0–0 draws in the league, a first since the
2012–13 season. Arsenal played their fourth away game in ten days with a trip to
San Siro to face Italian
Serie A giants
Inter Milan in the Champions League, a rematch of the
previous season's meeting between the two sides. Arteta made seven changes to the starting lineup from December's clash with Club Brugge, notably handing Jesus his first Champions League start of the season. The decision paid off quickly, as the Brazilian centre-forward nodded in a scuffed Timber shot in the 10th minute past
Yann Sommer in the Inter goal. However, the preceding season's finalists would not be brushed aside so easily, with
Petar Sucic finding the top-right corner on 18 minutes to equalise. The Gunners quickly responded to this setback, as an unmarked Trossard headed in dangerously from a Saka corner for Jesus to net his second of the night. Both teams exchanged numerous chances but neither side could find the back of the net for the remainer of the half. The game looked to be headed towards a nervy ending until Gyökeres sealed the victory with a long-ranged attempt in the 84th minute, sending the visitors through automatic qualification to the
Round of 16. On 25 January, Arsenal hosted 6th position Manchester United in the league, the reverse of the fixture between the two sides on Matchweek 1. Having made his first Champions League XI of the season in midweek, Jesus was entrusted to start his first Premier League match in 386 days. The Gunners dominated the early proceedings, with Zubimendi's header drawing a fine save by
Senne Lammens. A
Lisandro Martínez own goal just before the half hour gave the home side a deserved advantage, although it was quickly canceled out through a
Bryan Mbeumo finish following a Zubimendi giveaway. On 50th minutes, United had the lead as
Patrick Dorgu's volley struck the woodwork and beat Raya, surviving a VAR check after. This forced a rare quadruple substitution from Arteta, who brought on White, Eze, Merino and Gyökeres in place of Hincapié, Ødegaard, Zubimendi, and Jesus. Merino repaid his manager in kind, netting a scrappy equaliser from point-blank range in the 84th minute. The hosts would only be briefly level, however, as
Matheus Cunha dispatched an inch-perfect strike from outside the penalty area. The 2–3 defeat meant Arsenal were winless in three consecutive league games, had suffered their first competitive home loss of the campaign, and had conceded three goals in a match for the first time since a 4–3 win away at
Luton Town during the
2023–24 season. On 28 January, the Gunners played host to Kazakh club
FC Kairat in the final matchweek of the Champions League league phase. With a Round of 16 spot already secured and a pivotal league match against Leeds United upcoming, Arteta opted to rotate the starting lineup. On 3 minutes, Gyökeres splashed the ball into the bottom-corner to put the home side in front, assisted by injury-returnee Kai Havertz. Kairat answered just four minutes later, with Calafiori's shirt pull on
Jorginho inside the penalty area setting up the Portuguese striker's equaliser from the spot. Havertz then contributed again, cracking a left-footed shot past
Temirlan Anarbekov in the away goal. Martinelli added a third with a close-ranged finish in the 36th minute. Late into the second half, Arteta handed academy product
Brando Bailey-Joseph a competitive debut, substituting the 17-year-old on in place of goalscorer Gyökeres. Kairat netted a consolation in stoppage time through
Ricardinho, as Arsenal completed a flawless Champions League league phase, topping the 36-team table with 8 wins out of 8 matches. Arsenal closed January with a 0–4 success away at Leeds United, their fifth away win in all competitions in the month. Goals from Zubimendi, Madueke, Gyökeres and Jesus ended the visitors' 3-match winless streak, while restoring their 7-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
February {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 Arsenal returned to the Emirates to face Chelsea for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie on 3 February. A goalless first half saw Hincapié's top-corner shot palmed away by
Robert Sánchez before an
Enzo Fernandez attempt was dealt with through Arizzabalaga. Already leading 3–2 on aggregate, Arteta's men defended resolutely in the second period to quell any fightback from the
Blues. Former Chelsea man Havertz was then brought on, finishing a superb Rice cross deep into stoppage time to send the home support into jubilation, and his team to the
competition final at
Wembley Stadium on 22 March. On 7 January, Arsenal welcomed 8th-placed Sunderland to the Emirates for a pivotal match in the league title race. Havertz came close to opening the scores within thirty seconds with an off-target header, and was then involved at the other end with a potential goal-preventing block on Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey's shot. Zubimendi gave the hosts a much-needed breakthrough on 42 minutes, striking perfectly beyond opposing goalkeeper
Robin Roefs at the near post. Although trailing and without the momentum heading into the second half, it was
Régis Le Bris's
Black Cats who emerged the brighter side following the break.
Chemsdine Talbi's effort was turned away by Raya, while Gabriel was forced into a sliding challenge on
Trai Hume shortly after. The Gunners were able to reassert their dominance, though, as Gyökeres was put on with half an hour remaining and quickly scored to advance the game beyond the visitors' reach. The Swedish striker then netted again in injury time, opening Arsenal's advantage at the top of the table to nine points, ahead of Manchester City's clash with Liverpool. The Gunners continued the month with a trip to the
Gtech Community Stadium to play Brentford on 12 February. Following an unsatisfactory first half performance which saw Raya make a stunning stop on
Igor Thiago's header, the visitors came out of the interval with increased urgency. Madueke soon found an opener, heading against
Caoimhín Kelleher's momentum in the Brentford goal. The hosts were level just 10 minutes later, with
Keane Lewis-Potter finding the back of the net from a
Michael Kayode long throw-in. Neither team found a cutting edge in the remainder of the match, as Arteta's side had their nine-point lead at the top of the table cut to four. Arsenal followed through on all fronts, hosting League One club
Wigan Athletic in midweek for their tie in the FA Cup fourth round on 15 February. A first-half blitz which included a
Jack Hunt own goal and goals from Madueke, Martinelli, and Jesus, sent Arteta's men into the fifth round of the competition. 16-year-old Hale End product
Marli Salmon made his home debut during the match, replacing Saliba just after the hour mark. Arsenal were later drawn to another League One club for the fifth round,
Mansfield Town. On 18 February, Arsenal traveled to the West Midlands to face bottom of the table Wolves at the
Molineux Stadium. In the fourth minute, Saka latched onto a perfect Rice cross, heading between the legs of
José Sá to give the visitors an early advantage. The Gunners had two on 56 minutes, as Gabriel fed Hincapié who turned it high into the opposition net.
Rob Edwards's men weren't done yet, however, as Spaniard
Hugo Bueno lashed a top-corner screamer just five minutes later to halve the deficit. Deep into stoppage time, Raya spilled a cross which
Tom Edozie collected. The 19-year-old debutant fired on the volley and was denied by the woodwork, only for a deflection off a desperate Calafiori to turn the ball back in past the goal line. The match ended 2–2. Arsenal succeeded this setback with a North London Derby away against Tottenham Hotspur on 22 February. Arteta opted for two attacking changes from the Wolves draw four days prior, with Eze and Trossard coming in for Ødegaard and Madueke. The Gunners began the game with intent, with both Saliba and Gyökeres squandering great chances. But they soon had a deserved lead as Saka squeezed past
Djed Spence on the byline, firing a dangerous ball near the six-yard box which was converted by Eze. Tottenham responded quickly with
Randal Kolo Muani pouncing on a complacent Rice and beating Raya on 34 minutes. The second half began with communication problems involving match officials, but it was Gyökeres who caused the biggest problems for the hosts once the interval got underway. The Swede took a touch from Timber's early cross before tucking an outstanding finish home to beat a flailing
Guglielmo Vicario. Two became three with a scramble inside the Spurs penalty area, as flick-ons, blocks, and ricochets settled the ball nicely for Eze who made it five goals in two matches against Arsenal's North London rivals via a cool finish into an empty net. Gyökeres sealed the victory and another brace in added time, bending into the top-right corner to send his triumphant side five points clear at the league summit.
March {{football squad on pitch|align=right|flag_template=flagg2 The Gunners kicked off a busy March with a home match against Chelsea, the two sides' fourth meeting of the season. Arteta's men emerged unchanged from their previous outing against Tottenham on 22 February, with no game for both sides during the midweek. The hosts started brightly and scored through Saliba, breaking the deadlock early on just like they had one week prior. Corresponding to the Spurs game, Arsenal shot themselves in the foot again as Hincapié flicked on
Reece James's corner into his own net to draw the game in first half stoppage time. Chelsea opened the second half with immense dominace, with the equaliser sucking the life out of the Emirates crowd and the home team. But just as the Gunners seemed to be losing their footing on the match, Timber nodded in a pinpoint Rice corner, securing a precious 2–1 lead.
Pedro Neto was then shown a second a second yellow card for a sliding challenge on Martinelli, as Arsenal survived a late wave of pressure to secure all three points. Arsenal played Brighton at a packed
Amex Stadium on 4 March. Marking his 300th appearance for club, Saka's 9th minute goal allowed the visitors some early breathing space, as they sustained wave after wave of Brighton attacks. The
Seagulls were looking likely to equalise, before the introductions of Havertz, Trossard, and Calafiori around the hour mark helped the Gunners secure another vital three points. Arteta's men then traveled away to
Mansfield Town on 7 March for the FA Cup 5th Round. A much-changed Arsenal side from the midweek fielded the likes of 16-year-olds Dowman and Salmon playing in an unusual 3-4-3 formation. Madueke and Martinelli, the only survivors from Wednesday's league clash, combined as the latter set up the former's superb first-time, outside-the-area finish. But just 5 minutes after halftime, Mansfield were level as
Will Evans raced past Mosquera before beating Arizzabalaga at his near post. Substitute Eze then found himself in space on 66 minutes, striking into the top-right corner with immense power to send the Gunners to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since their winning run in 2020. On 11 March, Arsenal travelled to Germany to face
Bundesliga side
Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League
round of 16 first leg. On 19 minutes, Martinelli was fed by Gyökeres inside the box, with the Brazilian smashing his attempt off the crossbar. Hincapié, playing against his parent club, followed suit through a shot straight at Leverkusen goalkeeper
Janis Blaswich, who made a routine stop on the powerful effort. The home side took the lead shortly after the restart, as an unmarked
Robert Andrich headed home from a corner, bypassing a napping Arsenal defence. The visitors ramped up the urgency following this setback, with Arteta sending Madueke and Havertz into the fray to change the momentum. Soon enough, these changes came to fruition as the England international drew a penalty in the 86th minute. Havertz dispatched the spot-kick, leveling the tie against his boyhood club heading into the second leg at the Emirates. Arsenal returned to the Emirates to play 8th position Everton on 14 March. After a back-and-forth first hour which saw Everton winger
Dwight McNeil denied by the post and an acrobatic block from Calafiori, Martinelli and Gyökeres were introduced to freshen things up in attack on 61 minutes. Dowman and Hincapié were brought on ten minutes later. In the 89th minute, the subs combined as Dowman supplied Hincapié a phenomenal cross, with the Ecuadorian defender chesting it down for Gyökeres to poke into an open goal. Deep into stoppage time, Dowman had his goal as the teenage sensation floored two defenders on a quick counter following a corner, carrying the ball sixty-five yards to finish into an empty net. This goal meant that at just 16 years and 73 days, the
Hale End product had become the
youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, eclipsing
James Vaughan's record by over half a year. The 2–0 win massively boosted the home side's title bid, propelling them ten points above a faltering Manchester City, who would draw away at West Ham United the following day. Arsenal hosted Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on 17 March. Heading into the leg tied on aggregate with the German outfit, Arteta deployed a strong starting XI with only Timber missing out from injury. Gabriel, Trossard, and Saka squandered key chances early on, but these rued opportunities would be canceled out through a stunning top-corner volley on the turn by Eze. However, Arsenal's number 10 wouldn't be the only one to net a screamer in the match, as in the 74th minute, fellow countryman Rice controlled the ball nicely near the edge of the area before rolling an inch-perfect finish inside of the post. Late into the match, Raya added another stop to his growing catalogue of great saves, tipping away
Christian Kofane's stretched effort on 87 minutes. Having completed a 3–1 aggregate defeat of Leverkusen, Arteta's men could now look forward to their third Champions League quarter-final in a row, where they would play
Sporting CP. On 22 March, Arsenal traveled to
Wembley Stadium to take on Manchester City in the
2026 EFL Cup final. The match was Arsenal's first major cup final under Arteta since the
2020 FA Cup final, and a repeat of the
2018 EFL Cup final where City beat Arsene Wenger's Gunners 3–0. Timber and Eze were the only major absentees for Arsenal, who were both out injured. Arteta also opted to play Arizzabalaga in goal instead of the usual Raya. Arsenal started the match the brighter of the two sides, with Zubimendi sending Havertz through on goal in the sixth minute, only for the German to fire straight at City goalkeeper
James Trafford. As the game continued, however, Pep Guardiola's side enjoyed the greater share of possession, pinning Arteta's men in their own half.
Erling Haaland squandered a great chance on the cusp of halftime, heading over under great pressure from White and Hincapié. After the break, City began wave after wave of relentless attacks, with
Antoine Semenyo and
Rodri both firing wide. But just before the hour mark, the Sky Blue had their lead through
Nico O'Reilly, who headed into an empty net after goalkeeper Arrizabalaga spilled a cross. The young left-back soon doubled the advantage, as he lost his marker, Saka, before receiving
Matheus Nunes's cross and heading home again. Arteta's substitutions failed to spark a comeback, though Calafiori and Jesus both struck the woodwork late on. City's 2–0 triumph saw their name engraved onto the trophy for the ninth time, and a record fifth time for manager Pep Guardiola. It was Arsenal's first loss in seven meetings against the Manchester club since a 4–1 thrashing in April 2023. The defeat also ended hopes of an unprecedented quadruple for the Gunners, heading into the fourth and final international break of the campaign. Thirteen Arsenal players (excluding loaned out players) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in March: Martinelli (Brazil), Nørgaard (Denmark), Hincapié (Ecuador), Madueke, Saka, Rice, and White (England), Havertz (Germany), Calafiori (Italy), Mosquera, Zubimendi, and Raya (Spain), and Gyökeres (Sweden). ==First team==