The 2024/25 season will represent Mikel Arteta’s fifth trophy as Arsenal’s head coach and so far, he has just one major trophy to his name. The 2024/25 season, though, is set to offer a potentially greater chance than will ever arrive again, for the Spaniard to secure a major title.

Across August and September, the Gunners began the season well as they navigated tough fixtures in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The only real slip-up in the league was at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and draws away to Manchester City and Atalanta represented resilient displays domestically and on the continent.

Arsenal have now made it clear that they will be serious competitors for the Premier League title and in Europe again, and several factors mean they are positioned particularly well to win at least one of the two massive honours.

Rodri’s Injury

The season-ending injury that Rodri suffered against Arsenal in September could influence the title race significantly. The favourites Manchester City who are offered at 13/10 in English Premier League bets to win their fifth in a row have lost their most important player.

Arsenal, who are narrow 6/4 outsiders in the Premier League title odds, are set for likely the only season in which they will face what is typically a dominant City side without a natural defensive midfielder – and arguably the world’s best at that.

The Spanish midfielder has scored winning goals and has generally been crucial in head-to-head showdowns with Arsenal in the past. However, he has typically been even more important across the wider season. Rodri is a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s setup as helps to win the ball back quickly and offers an unrivalled level of composure and control in possession.

Without him, City could be prone to conceding more goals in defensive transition and that could lead to them not reaching as high a points total as they may have managed this campaign. A repeat of last year’s 89-point tally for Arteta’s side could be enough to finally deliver the title.

In Europe, City are also one of the favourites and one of the biggest hurdles to potential North London success, which means Rodri’s ligament injury absence could provide a huge opportunity on that stage too.

Arsenal Are Playing Well Despite Lacking Key Players

Another factor to suggest Arteta’s greatest chance at one of the most significant trophies will arrive this season, is that his squad is producing top performances despite lacking key players.

The Spaniard had to set up without his captain Martin Odegaard and new signing Mikel Merino for the likes of the North London derby and the trip to the Etihad Stadium, yet Arsenal still looked immensely strong, maintained their principles and managed to earn crucial points.

While the 2024/25 team so far has looked similar to last year’s defensively strong unit that also scored goals at will, they could perhaps go up another level when the key duo return from their layoffs.

Ultimately, the early season signs suggest that Arsenal have yet to show their best despite maintaining pace in the title race and showing strength in Europe. Pep Guardiola’s side, however, is almost certain to regress at least slightly without Rodri.

The door may be open for Arsenal to win at least one of either the league or the UCL if they can replicate last year’s impressive form – this level of opportunity will surely not arise again.