The main topic in town is how Arsenal lost the UEFA Champions League but football fans need to look past that and realize Arsenal had an incredible season.
For most clubs, winning the Premier League after a 22-year wait would automatically make a season unforgettable. Yet Arsenal’s 2025/26 campaign feels significant for reasons that go beyond simply lifting the trophy.
Mikel Arteta’s side not only ended one of the longest title droughts in English football but also established themselves as one of Europe’s most complete teams.
Although their season ultimately ended in heartbreak with a penalty shootout defeat to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, Arsenal’s performances throughout the campaign suggest that this may only be the beginning of a new era at the Emirates Stadium.
The Best Defence in Europe
Every great title-winning team is built on a strong defensive foundation, and Arsenal’s backline was arguably the most reliable in European football this season.
Led by the commanding partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel, Arsenal consistently frustrated opponents both domestically and in Europe. The Gunners finished with the best defensive record in the Champions League and were among the Premier League’s stingiest sides throughout the campaign, conceding only 27 goals (the least) in the Premier League.
In an era dominated by attacking football, Arsenal showed that defensive excellence remains the cornerstone of championship-winning teams.
Masters of the Set Piece
Few teams in world football were as dangerous from dead-ball situations as Arsenal this season.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover once again proved his immense value as Arsenal turned corners into one of their most potent attacking weapons. Opponents often knew exactly what was coming, yet still struggled to stop it.
They scored a total of 28 goals from set-piece in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal in the Premier League this season:
🥇 Most points (85)
🥇 Most wins (26)
🥇 Most goal difference (+44)
🥇 Most clean sheets (19)
🥇 Most clean sheets in a row (4)
🥇 Most set-piece goals (23)
🥇 Most headed goals (16)
🥇 Most WhoScored MOTM awards (29)
🥇 Fewest losses… pic.twitter.com/ffVOH728Eg— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 24, 2026
Whether it was Gabriel attacking the near post, Saliba arriving late in the box, or clever blocking routines creating space, Arsenal repeatedly punished teams from corners. Their ability to score from set pieces provided a crucial advantage during tight matches. In games where open-play opportunities were limited, Arsenal always had another route to goal.
It became one of the defining characteristics of their title-winning season and a major reason they consistently found ways to secure victories.
Goals Across Every Competition
While Arsenal’s defensive record received much of the attention, their attack was equally effective.
The Gunners scored heavily across all competitions, with goals coming from multiple areas of the squad. Kai Havertz enjoyed another productive campaign, Bukayo Saka continued to deliver in big moments, Gabriel Martinelli rediscovered consistency, while Declan Rice added important goals from midfield.
One of Arsenal’s greatest strengths was that they were never overly dependent on a single player.
Unlike some rivals who relied heavily on one superstar striker, Arsenal spread the attacking burden across the squad. This unpredictability made them difficult to defend against and allowed them to maintain their level even when key players were unavailable.
Their attacking variety was a major factor behind both their Premier League triumph and their deep Champions League run.
Unbeaten in the Champions League
The cruelest part of Arsenal’s season is that they may be remembered by some for losing the Champions League final rather than the remarkable journey that took them there.
Despite failing to lift the trophy, Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the entire Champions League campaign. That achievement alone demonstrates the level they reached this season.
They navigated difficult knockout ties, showed tactical maturity away from home, and repeatedly proved capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Even against PSG in Budapest, Arsenal pushed the defending champions all the way to penalties after 120 fiercely contested minutes.
The final result hurt, but the overall campaign confirmed Arsenal’s status as one of the continent’s strongest teams.
Arteta’s Greatest Achievement
When Arteta took charge in 2019, Arsenal were drifting far from the standards expected of the club.
🔴🏴 Arsenal Champions League record before/with Mikel Arteta.
🇪🇸 Before Arteta (2018–2019):
2018 – Did not qualify ❌
2019- not qualify ❌🇪🇸 With Arteta (2020–26):
2020- not qualify❌
2021- not qualify❌
2022- not qualify❌
2023- Quarter-finals📈
2024- Quarter… see below pic.twitter.com/Uy2UtuUi5Q— Klay (@UtdKlay) May 30, 2026
The Spaniard inherited a fractured squad, a disconnected fanbase, and a team lacking clear identity. Six-and-a-half years later, he has transformed Arsenal into Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.
Perhaps his greatest achievement has been creating a team that combines technical quality, tactical discipline, resilience, and belief. The culture inside the club has changed dramatically. Players now expect to compete for major trophies rather than merely qualify for them.
That shift in mentality could prove even more valuable than the silverware itself.
Why 2026/27 Could Be Even Better
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Arsenal’s season is that their core remains relatively young. Saka, Saliba, Rice, Martinelli, Timber, Havertz, and many others are either entering or approaching their prime years. The majority of the squad should continue improving.
The club is also expected to strengthen during the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting Arsenal are targeting additions in midfield, defence, and attack.
Winning the Premier League removes one psychological barrier. Reaching the Champions League final removes another. This team now knows it can compete with anyone.
A Season That Could Launch an Era
The disappointment of losing the Champions League final should not overshadow what Arsenal accomplished in 2025/26.
A first Premier League title since 2004, the best defence in Europe, devastating effectiveness from set pieces, goals throughout the squad, and an unbeaten run to the Champions League final represent the hallmarks of an elite team.
For Arsenal supporters, the season delivered long-awaited glory. For the rest of English and European football, it delivered a warning.
The Gunners are no longer a team hoping to challenge for trophies. They are now a team expected to win them and if Arteta continues to build on the foundations established this season, 2025/26 may eventually be remembered not as the peak of Arsenal’s resurgence, but as the beginning of a dominant new chapter.
