Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, are poised to fortify their squad this summer in a bid to finally clinch the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City. Last season, the Gunners narrowly missed out, finishing just two points behind the reigning champions despite an impressive run after the New Year. Manchester City held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium in March, and two weeks later, a shock defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, with late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins, derailed the north Londoners' title hopes.
Despite winning every other Premier League match in 2024, including victories over Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United, Arsenal fell short as City claimed their fourth successive title. This season, Pep Guardiola faces the challenge of defending his crown, potentially without key players Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia.
Ederson, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until 2026, played 33 Premier League matches last season, securing 13 clean sheets and contributing significantly to the team's formidable defensive record. Since joining Manchester City from Benfica in 2017, Ederson has established himself as one of the world's premier goalkeepers.
However, reports from ESPN suggest that Saudi club Al Ittihad is keen on acquiring his services. If City were to lose Ederson, it could provide a significant advantage to Arsenal in the title race, potentially shifting the balance of power in the Premier League.