They didn’t do it the easy way. Nor did they do it the most elegant way. But history won’t remember that.
History will remember the 2025/26 season as the campaign that Arsenal finally ended 22 years of hurt by winning the Premier League title.
Now they’re at the mountain’s peak. And they’re aiming to stay there.
Just ask Liverpool about how dramatic the descent can be. Arsenal aren’t looking to follow suit anytime soon. Instead, Mikel Arteta is looking to take one final leaf out of Pep Guardiola’s book and take his squad to a whole new level this summer.
The Guardiola blueprint
When Manchester City reached the top of English football, they didn’t sit back and admire their work. The only reason they found to reflect was to find flaws.
It was robotic. But it created unrivalled history.
They refused to age with Sergio Aguero, welcoming Erling Haaland instead. They found the perfect time to show Fernandinho the door just when Rodri was ready. They did the same with Raheem Sterling.
Ruthless. And it’s why they etched themselves an incredible Premier League legacy.
Now Arsenal can follow suit by spending big on upgrades this summer. Starting with a winger.
‘Arsenal make Kvaratskhelia top target’
According to The Guardian, Arsenal have made Khvicha Kvaratskhelia their top target ahead of next season. They’re dreaming of welcoming the Paris Saint Germain star.
He won’t come cheap. A reported £150m.
But the Gunners have every reason to back Arteta in full this summer. They’ll have the chance to scout the Georgian star for themselves in the Champions League final.
PSG are not expected to entertain offers. That won’t stop those in north London from trying.
Why Kvaratskhelia could be even better than Saka
It shouldn’t be every summer. But every now and then, a player emerges that is worth every single penny.
Declan Rice was one of them when he arrived for a club record £105m. He’s since arguably become Arsenal’s most important player.
Now, three years later, Kvaratskhelia falls under that same category.
The PSG star has taken the Champions League by storm this season, putting both Chelsea and Liverpool to the sword. Arsenal could be next later this month.
The Gunners could do without a first hand experience of his quality in Budapest. But it would certainly convince club chiefs to smash their transfer record.
If those in north London thought Bukayo Saka was talented, they’ll be blown away by Kvaratskhelia.
The numbers that matter
Stat Saka Kvaratskhelia
Games 31 47
Goals 7 19
Assists 7 10
Take ons 64 76
Twenty nine goal involvements to Saka’s 14. A significantly superior season.
The PSG star would end any hope for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left hand side. He’d complete Arsenal’s frontline.
On paper, a trio of Kvaratskhelia, Viktor Gyokeres and Saka would be one of the best in Europe. Any concern that Arsenal aren’t up to scratch in open play would be over.
‘A signing fit for champions’
The £150m star is a signing fit for champions. Fit for a successful title defence.
Ask any Premier League rival and they’ll say Arsenal’s biggest weakness comes from how one dimensional they can be in attack. Kvaratskhelia would add a whole new dimension.
Spotting another weakness would suddenly become a whole lot tougher. It certainly wouldn’t be mentality. The Gunners have climbed the mountain at long last. They’ve been there and done it. They know how to win a Premier League title.
The bottom line
Arsenal are champions. Now they want to stay champions.
Kvaratskhelia would be a statement. A £150m declaration that this isn’t a one off. That Arteta has learned from Guardiola’s ruthless playbook.
PSG don’t want to sell. But Arsenal have money, momentum and a Champions League final to scout their target.
If Andrea Berta has the chance to push on and welcome a player of Kvaratskhelia’s quality, Arsenal could quickly become unstoppable.
The title is won. The rebuild has already begun.
