How Arsenal could line-up next season with five outrageous signings after axing five first-team players

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta head into the 2025/26 campaign knowing they must win silverware, and to do this may be set to welcome some top talent to the club this summer.

Arsenal’s 2024/25 campaign did not play out as Arteta and the Gunners’ supporters may have hoped.

The North London club finished second in the Premier League, ten points behind champions Liverpool, and reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the FA Cup third round, as well as losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final four.

Next season will be Arteta’s sixth in charge, and so far, he has just one trophy - the 2019/20 FA Cup - to show for his efforts.

New sporting director Andrea Berta will, no doubt, bring fresh ideas and optimism to the Emirates, and has already made some huge calls in his short time at Arsenal.

On Wednesday (June 4), the Gunners released their retained list, which confirmed the departure of five first-team players.

Arsenal may look to bolster their squad this summer (Credit:Getty)

Midfielder Jorginho, left-back Kieran Tierney, and forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji have been released, while winger Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto will return to their parent clubs after season-long loan spells.

Arsenal also explained how “discussions are ongoing, and once matters are finalised between all parties, we will communicate in due course”, with regards to Thomas Partey’s future.

So, how could Arsenal line up and who could sign ahead of the 2025/26 campaign?

Viktor Gyokeres

Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a potential move to Arsenal for some time.

During the 2024/25 campaign, he produced 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 games, so there’s no doubt that he knows where the net is.

However, his age could prove to be an issue and the reason why Arsenal favour the signing of 22-year-old Benjamin Sesko instead.

The Sweden international will cost at least £67m according to The Guardian.

Benjamin Sesko

Sesko, 22, like Gyokeres, has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, although it was suggested that he chose to stay at RB Leipzig last summer due to it being unclear whether he’d be Arteta’s first-choice striker ahead of Kai Havertz.

The Slovenian, who scored 13 Bundesliga goals in 2024/25, is also attracting the interest of Liverpool. The forward is expected to cost more than £70m as per Sky Sports.

Martin Zubimendi

Central midfielder Zubimendi, 26, seemed nailed on to sign for Arsenal until earlier this week.

On May 28, BBC Sport reported that “Zubimendi has a reported £51m release clause, with all payment structures between Sociedad and Arsenal already agreed”, although he has since spoken to the Spanish press.

"Of course, there are options, but it's true that it looks like it's going to be a different, long summer, and I don't know how it's going to end," Zubimendi told Radio Nacional earlier this week.

"Right now, thinking about it isn't my priority. I'm here with the national team, which is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will."

Like with most Spain-based talent, Real Madrid are also thought to be interested.

Leroy Sane

Sane, 29, boasts Premier League experience from his time at Manchester City and is still a top operator.

The German international has spent the past five seasons at Bayern Munich but is out of contract at the end of June.

The 29-year-old would, no doubt, provide quality back-up for Bukayo Saka on the right wing or competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

Nico Williams

Williams, 22, has attracted the interest of both Arsenal and Barcelona in recent weeks.

However, as things stand, a summer transfer now looks unlikely.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, “Nico Williams has begun initial talks to renew his Athletic Bilbao contract. Parties discussing a salary pushing €10m, and the release clause could increase should a deal be agreed. Not yet a guarantee. Suitors like Arsenal and Chelsea see value in Williams’ current €58m clause, and he remains on their radar, but overall cost of the transfer (wage and agent fees) make it expensive”.

Of course, there is a world where the negotiations fall through, and Arsenal will likely be one of the clubs set to pounce if this occurs.

Arsenal starting XI prediction:

Of the potential transfers mentioned, Sesko and Zubimendi seem the most likely players to arrive this summer.

Sane's potential move is a complex one, but the situation may be helped by the fact that he will become a free agent at the end of the month.

So, what could Arsenal's starting XI look like next season?

David Raya will likely start behind a solid back four made up of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Predicted Arsenal 2025/26 starting XI (Credit:LineUpBuilder.com)

Zubimendi would take up the holding role in midfield, allowing Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to bomb forward, helping Sesko or Gyokeres, depending on who Arsenal go for.

Star man Saka will start on the right, while Sane could get the nod ahead of Martinelli on the left flank, if he arrives at the club.