Arsenal

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Moments after Arsenal's exit from the Champions League in early May, a familiar post-mortem was unfolding online.

But once the tactical analysis had been dealt with, a louder, more divisive argument appeared.

Should manager Mikel Arteta be sacked?

Those who dared to say "yes" were immediately dismissed as "online fans". This has become a loaded label given to those accused of chasing engagement and clicks, and who typically do not attend games.

Being an "online fan" in 2025 is seen as lacking in nuance and context. In contrast, fans who actually attend match days are measured, knowledgeable and unwavering in their support for the club and manager.

Why is this happening?

The most obvious representation of any fanbase is those that shout the loudest online, and Arsenal's fans punch far above their weight in global online influence. The fanbase is routinely cited in vox pops and across social media as "the most annoying".

It makes sense then that fans are keen to distance themselves from those who have earned them such an unwanted title. The separation of online and those who attend matches is a natural outcome.

But for the millions of global fans who cannot attend Emirates Stadium, and the thousands who enter the ballot unsuccessfully for tickets each game, this is an unfair oversimplification.

Given the game's global popularity, the majority of fans can only ever be "online". Those who are lucky enough to attend games watch exactly the same 90 minutes as those getting up in the middle of the night to support their team.

This digital division is also bleeding into the real world. A banner unfurled by Liverpool fans when the two sides faced each other earlier this month showed a picture of Arteta dressed as a bridesmaid, a direct reference to an online meme that Arsenal are "always the bridesmaid, never the bride".

Again this was dismissed as being the work of "online" fans desperate for attention, rather than just a playful message to a title rival. In 2025 fan culture, we have conflated being online with being overly interested in the zeitgeist and a preference for exaggeration.

This tension between the physical and digital is not unique to Arsenal but few clubs embody it so vividly.

With the transfer window opening next month, this division between fans is surely set to widen over the summer, as fans debate potential signings. But with no matches to attend, at least everyone will become an "online fan", albeit only until August.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

We asked our Arsenal fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Declan Rice

Rice's two free-kicks against Real Madrid were at the centre of a memorable night for Arsenal, but his performance in the return leg, and his consistency across the season has been outstanding. When Arsenal fans sing "we got him half price", in reference to his £105m transfer fee, they are absolutely right.

Bukayo Saka

Despite missing three months of the season, Saka still has the highest goal contributions of the whole Arsenal squad, with six goals and 11 assists in Premier League. The reception he received when he returned from injury against Fulham in April shows how much the fans and the team adore him.

Jurrien Timber

Timber missed nearly all of last season having ruptured his ACL on his Premier League debut. This term, although not often in the headlines, he has been brilliantly consistent and reliable for Arsenal, and showed his class in keeping Vinicius Junior quiet over two legs against Real Madrid.

Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel's three headed goals, including the winner in the North London derby, were crucial while Arsenal struggled for attacking fluidity. Already a formidable presence in defence, his injury has been a devastating blow for the Gunners, who will be desperate for him to be ready for the start of the next season.

Honorable mentions

At 18, Myles Lewis-Skelly has progressed from making his senior debut in September, to being a consistent starter six months later. Arsenal have a potential superstar on their hands.

Mikel Merino, at the height of Arsenal's injury crisis, was asked to play up front in an unfamiliar position. His double at Leicester will be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans for years.

Pick your 2024-25 Arsenal player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you whether you would swap Arsenal's season for Tottenham's given they have won the Europa League.

Here are some of your comments:

Jonathon: Levels! It is all about levels. Although trophies are the ultimate goal, as an Arsenal fan I'd rather be competing at a higher level for the big, but harder to win prizes than playing at a lower level competing for second-tier prizes.

Nick: Asking to swap Arsenal's season for Spurs is sort of similar to asking to swap Arsenal's for Leeds. The competition Spurs won is a lower tier competition to the one Arsenal compete in. In winning the Europa, Spurs now get a seat at the same table as Arsenal but that's it.

Adam: I thought this was a very easy question to answer as an Arsenal season ticket holder. I would not swap it. Basically because to finish second means I've enjoyed 80 percent of the games I've watched. I've walked away from the stadium generally happy. However, when I see the numbers, it makes me step back and think. Spurs fans have been distraught since October. Every weekend must have been a new low. But with those lows means the high they have now is super high. Tough one!

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find and follow your club

Jan: Spurs have been an embarrassment this year. You could say by winning a trophy they have had a better season, but Arsenal reached a Champions League semi-final and finished second again so I would say Arsenal are better off.

Mark: Spurs have won a trophy but let's be honest the Europa League is now a tinpot competition and in no way as prestigious as the Uefa Cup success back in the 80's. With the top five teams of most major leagues going in to the Champions League, it has left the Europa as an incredibly weak competition. Arsenal may not have won anything but they went close in the Champions League against the cream of Europe and will finish second in the league. That's a far greater achievement than winning a trophy where Spurs never faced a single top side.

James: 100% no, I wouldn't swap our season. Arsenal are a couple of signings away from major trophies. They've shown they can dig deep if necessary. Ending up 17th in the league with so many losses is a telling sign of where Spurs currently are as a club.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June) and friendly against Senegal (10 June).

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen all miss out, but Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah have been selected.

Would you swap Arsenal's season for Tottenham's...?

It may seem an outrageous question but it is one that has got us talking at BBC Sport.

Spurs have had a dreadful domestic campaign but, by lifting the Europa League trophy they also claimed a spot in next season's Champions League, just like Arsenal.

Given the Gunners are essentially certain to finish second but have won no silverware for the fifth straight season, it seemed a pertinent topic to consider.

Both sides have secured a place in Europe's biggest competition next season, but as a fan, which journey would you prefer?

Let us know what you think

Viktor Gyokeres' uncle says the 26-year-old striker made a decision, during a family dinner, to snub Arsenal and Manchester United this summer to stay at Sporting. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before the final game of the Premier League season on Sunday against Southampton (kick-off 16:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta said: "He had surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle. He has been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks." Arteta hopes the defender will be back for pre-season. He added that William Saliba will be out for a few weeks.

• Arteta said he would want Thomas Partey to stay. On the midfielder, he added: "Consistency-wise this has been his best season. The way he's played, performed, his availability has been exceptional. He is a really important player for us."

• On the pressure to win a trophy next season: "The biggest thing is and using the word pride, is that we have brought the club into a position that next season 'you have to win a major trophy'. That means that everybody believes that we have the level, that we have shown the consistency, and we are an elite team in this country and in Europe and if you don't do that, then what's going to happen? So, for me that's the biggest statement - that Arsenal is there."

• Arteta continued: "We all feel the same way, that we feel that we are capable of winning the Premier League. It's not just a dream or it's not just something you want to do. It's do we have everything that is needed? Even if you do, there is a lot of things that are going to play a part to win."

• On signing a striker: "What is clear as well with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line, that we need the goal threat. We need the firepower out there."

• He congratulated Tottenham on winning the Europa League and was asked who has had a better season, stating: "I don't like to compare with other teams. I need to analyse my team, that's my job."

Arsenal are exploring a move for 24-year-old Brazil forward Rodrygo, who could leave Real Madrid this summer. (Sky Germany, external)

Viktor Gyokeres has told Sporting team-mates he is unsure where he will be playing next year, with the 26-year-old Sweden forward linked with Arsenal and Manchester United. (Canal 11, via Star, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chelsea are understood to have opened talks with Ajax over a potential transfer for 19-year-old Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato, who is also a target for Arsenal and Liverpool. (Caughtoffside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Before Sunday's crucial game at the Emirates, Arsenal's record against Newcastle this season had been dreadful. Not only had they lost three times, they had failed to score in all three fixtures. The games themselves had been one-sided. For the first 45 minutes on Sunday, it looked to be a similar story.

David Raya had other ideas. Making multiple crucial saves to deny Newcastle, including a magnificent double save to thwart Dan Burn and then Sven Botman in the 18th minute, he single-handedly (pun-intended) kept Arsenal in the game.

Curiously, there have been rumbles from some fans that his kicking and distribution over the past few fixtures have put Arsenal under unnecessary pressure. Two errant kicks early in the first half on Sunday were perhaps evidence of a slight drop in Raya's excellent standards, but his performance throughout the rest of the game won him a deserved man of the match.

As the transfer window beckons, it is worth remembering how Raya came to be Arsenal's goalkeeper. This is only his second full season with the Gunners since he was brought in to replace Aaron Ramsdale at the start of last season. Some called it ruthless, but manager Mikel Arteta clearly wanted an upgrade on an already very good goalkeeper.

Raya's performance on Sunday serves not only as a reminder that Arsenal have a world-class keeper as their number one, but that it was through ruthless and emotionless decision making that got him there. It is this type of attitude fans will be hoping the club displays when it assesses where else on the pitch they will need to upgrade this summer.

The Spaniard is now one clean sheet from securing back-to-back Golden Gloves. It might not be the trophy Arsenal fans wanted, but you simply cannot overestimate the value of a goalkeeper like Raya.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Jurrien Timber is set to have a minor operation on his ankle but according to the club, no date has been set yet for the procedure to take place.

Timber has been one of the standout performers at Arsenal this season and has made 48 appearances.

The 23-year-old missed the majority of the 2023-24 season with an anterior cruciate injury but this season his availability has been a big boost to Mikel Arteta, whose squad has been plagued with injuries to key players.

Timber has not featured in the past three Premier League games and last played against Crystal Palace on 23 April.

Arsenal secured their place in next season's Champions League after beating Newcastle on Sunday and finish their league season at Southampton on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether Mikel Arteta will be under pressure next season to win trophies and in particular, the Premier League. Lower down this page, you'll note BBC Sport pundit Clinton Morrison explained Arteta will be facing scrutiny.

Here are some of your comments:

Jack: Everyone outside the club can say Arteta is under pressure all they like. The fact is, the club doesn't think he's to blame for not winning the Premier League this season and neither do the vast majority of fans. There's another level of investment required to take the final step. But the fact that everyone universally agrees Arsenal have been undone by their lack of a clinical striker and then simultaneously claims that it's Arteta who's holding the club back, is just logically incomprehensible.

Norman: Of course, he will be under pressure, but then so will 19 other Premier League managers. Expectations at Arsenal will always be high, but pressure is a privilege.

John: I disagree Mikel Arteta will be under pressure next season. Injuries have cost us dearly, however being patient and getting the right players in during the summer will pay dividends for next season. Buy wisely in the summer and this team have the ability to win trophies for many a year.

Vince: Without a doubt. With just one FA Cup to show for £600m spent on players, his return on equity is desperately poor to say the least, even if we have finished second three times in succession. Take the Olympics for instance, a country with one gold medal is ranked above another with any number of silver or bronze medals but no gold. It's the same here. Win the title or a big cup and Arteta is a made man. Nothing else will do.

James: All managers are under pressure - there's no difference because it's Arsenal. Arteta has done magnificently over the years. I don't know who you call in to take us further, as in a manager replacement. Some silly red cards and injuries ruined us this year but with stronger backing from the board to get the key forward(s) in then let's see how we go.

Robert: Arteta is obviously under pressure. However it makes no sense to fire him. Who else is there? He has given us great moments and should be offered a longer contract to finish the job. I have been a fan for 60+ years. I've seen managers from Bertie Mee to George Graham. Let's keep the faith.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's Premier League match against Southampton

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Lachlan: Perfect way to end the season at home! Newcastle normally have a way of beating us but today we showed we can win games and I was mightily impressed with Kiwior. He hasn't put a foot wrong since he came in for Gabriel!

Phil: Another game of two halves but we needed that win. Not only to effectively secure second, but to finally finish above City (could be useful to know we can next year) and because we have played three sub-par games against this Newcastle side without a win. We are still too passive on the ball though. We let the game happen to us rather than taking action more. Summer very much needed.

Terry: A hard-fought win, fully deserved, but sloppy passing at times. Raya made good on his mistakes and Declan scored a real match winner. Fortunately Newcastle could not finish in the final third but that was due to determined defending by the home side. Look forward to good summer signings to put Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Newcastle fans

John: Both sides were dreadful. Newcastle had the majority of the chances in the first half with a depleted squad. Isak, despite misfiring of late, would have been far more of a threat than past-it Wilson. Arsenal were poor too, though. A dull watch all round.

Sandra: I think in the first half we were unlucky not to score. We missed Isak. We seemed to stop trying when they scored. However it says a lot that the man of the match was their goalkeeper. Callum Wilson was out of his depth, and it took Gordon a while to settle too. Fingers crossed we can get it right against Everton and win to finish third in the League.

Adam: First half was exceptional minus a goal (or three). Second half we faded and were punished for our profligacy. Would have been lovely to have won the quadruple over Arsenal and be lying second, but wasn't meant to be I guess.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Mikel Arteta be under pressure at the beginning of next season?

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison believes so after Arsenal came up short in this campaign and their wait goes on for a first domestic title in over 20 years.

"This was their best opportunity," said Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "If you look at the points they have got over recent seasons then you can see they have been nowhere near good enough this season.

"They have been pushing Manchester City right to the wire, but not this season. I credit Liverpool because they have been consistent but I think this campaign was a great opportunity or Arsenal.

"I know they have had injuries but every club has. For me, I say it every time I am asked and I just do not see how you can win the Premier League without a number nine.

"That is what Arsenal need and that is probably what they will strengthen in the summer. But for me, Mikel Arteta is under pressure at the start of next season.

"The club will back him this summer and allow him to sign players but he needs to start winning trophies and in particular the Premier League.

"They are the 'nearly club' at the moment, so they need to be better."

Do you agree? Is Arteta under pressure early next season? Tell us

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Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown says it's not just down to Mikel Arteta to respond to the club's near misses in the right way, responsibility also lies with the players.

He told Match of the Day 2: "Being the bridesmaid so often is the worst feeling in football and it takes a special group to come back from having that happen repeatedly, and win. I was lucky because I was part of a special group of players at Arsenal, but we still had to work on it.

"In the summer of 2001, Arsene Wenger brought in a psychologist who said to us that we were second best because the statistics proved we were. We weren't very happy about that, but then he told us that he did not believe that the statistics were telling the truth.

"He looked around the dressing room and said we have got World Cup winners in here, and you have all won trophies in the past. His message was that there was more under the bonnet, we just needed to find it.

"It was a clever move by Wenger and the parallels in Arsenal's current position means it is something Arteta could try too, but it can't all come from the manager - it is down to the players to respond in the right way.

"We did not make big changes to our squad that won nothing in 2001 to do the Double the following season. Sol Campbell arrived and Wenger told myself and Tony Adams that Sol would always play and one of us would be alongside him, but our only other major signing was Everton striker Francis Jeffers.

"I don't think this Arsenal squad needs an overhaul either, but the question always seems to come back to what they need to do to win trophies after finishing empty-handed again. The answer is usually a new player in a certain position, like a centre-forward this summer for example.

"I do think Arteta needs to strengthen in a few areas but I think what they really need to be successful is the mindset I mentioned above - so, a really strong group that has got such a burning desire to win that it hurts them to the core when they don't."

Read more from Keown on Arteta and Arsenal

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

Saturday 17th May

FA Cup final: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City - 5 LIVE

Sunday 18th May

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest - 5 LIVE

Brentford 2-3 Fulham – SPORTS EXTRA 2

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 5 LIVE