Arsenal

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta can be very happy in the way that his side got their season up and running with a win over Wolves.

The Gunners started the game very well and Kai Havertz goal which gave them the lead at half time had everyone inside the stadium feeling like the match was just a continuatio of the last campaign where they came so close to the title.

Bukayo Saka, who along with Havertz, got a goal and an assist was excellent and Arteta felt as though his team could have taken more chances in the first period to avoid a nervy 30 minutes in the second half before Saka's goal secured the points.

"Especially the beginning of the match and in the first half where we were really good, really aggressive a lot of purpose to attack, very fats, a lot threat in the box.

"We should have scored two or three and then the game would have been different. in the second half moments where we became a bit sloppy."

Arteta spoke about how Kai Havertz continues to impress him in the number nine role for Arsenal and scored a traditonal strikers header.

The Arsenal manager was also asked if he is surprised that teams allow Saka to cut in on his left foot as they know how lethal he can be but he used the comparison saying that everyone knows Messi wants to get on his left foot but they cannot stop him.

Arteta seems in good spirits ahead of what will likely be an intense and long campaign for Arsenal and spoke towards the end of his press conference about how he hopes the team are a long way from their best.

Steven Sutcliffe
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It took Kai Havertz until the 30 September to score for Arsenal during his first campaign at the club last season.

This term, it took him just 25 minutes to get up and running.

And with no sign of a new central striker being added to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s squad it could prove to be a positive development in Arsenal’s quest to win the Premier League after finishing as runners-up in the previous two seasons.

The Gunners closed a five-point gap to two to Manchester City over those years. If the German international can weigh in with a heavier contribution than the 13 top-flight goals he delivered last year, Arsenal’s hopes of silverware will surely be buoyed.

And on this evidence there are signs his relationship with Saka, Arsenal’s top scorer in the previous campaign, is one that could flourish, with the England winger laying on the opening goal and then seeing Havertz repay the favour in the second half to put Wolves to the sword.

Image source, Getty Images

Kai Havertz has both scored and assisted in five different Premier League games in 2024, the most by an Arsenal player in a single calendar year since Robin van Persie in 2011 (six times).

His opener for Arsenal was his 33rd Premier League goal with only Ilkay Gundogan (44) netting more among German players (Mesut Ozil also 33).

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after victory against Wolves: "It is what we wanted and we got the win and we are really happy with that."

On Bukayo Saka: "We know his quality and Kai's quality as well. They are really important for us and we trust them and we know they can decided games in a moment."

On Mikel Arteta: "He is a really nice guy. Everyone loves him and we are just lucky to play under him. You guys can see how we play from the outside. We are just happy to have him as our manager."

On a title charge for the Gunners: "This is the most difficult league in the world and we know how hard it is to play against City. We have to go game by game."

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta spoke to BBC Sport after Arsenal's victory against Wolves: "At 1-0 it was not enough. We had enough chances in the first half to finish the game but we didn't. Overall very happy.

"Kai Havertz was involved in a lot of positive actions, he scored a great goal. He is in a good place.

"We should have opened the gap in terms of the scoreline much earlier."

On incoming players: "The market is open, it is a possibility."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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What did you make of it, Wolves supporters?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for Arsenal v Wolves on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Many people are tipping Arsenal to win the Premier League and in some ways I understand why, but their title hopes really come down to what Manchester City do, and if they dip or not.

Mikel Arteta's side can not do much more than last season, when they took the title race to the final day, but they really need to start well. I think they will.

Wolves were another team who faded badly in the final few weeks of last season but their manager, Gary O'Neil, still exceeded expectations after taking charge only days before it started.

He has got some work to do on his squad because they still need to replace Pedro Neto and Max Kilman, who both left in the summer, and this is a tough game for them to kick off with.

Liam's prediction: 2-1

A few people seem to think it is going to be Arsenal's year this year, but I can never see past Manchester City.

Like City, Arsenal might be missing a few players who are just back in training after the Euros but they should win this one.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Manchester City are favourites for the Premier League, but traditionally slow starters, with injury concerns and players only recently returning after the European Championship.

Are they lagging behind fellow title contenders Arsenal before a ball has even been kicked?

Former City midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show why Arsenal's continuity will stand them in good stead for another title push and why he believes "at this moment" they are in a better position.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta was in good spirits as he spoke at his first news conference of the new season, one in which Arsenal are expecting to mount another title challenge.

The Gunners boss started with the good news that Jurrien Timber is fit for Saturday's game against Wolves.

Timber had a tough start to life at Emirates Stadium, picking up a knee injury in the opening match of last season and was out until the final fixture.

Arteta says the Gunners were "really short in numbers" in defence last season and is one of the reasons they have added Riccardo Calafiori to their squad.

The team had a gathering following the final game of last season in central London, with owner Josh Kroenke and family and friends where the players said "they want more" for this campaign.

Arteta says his team are "desperate to play" the opener against Wolves and that his side have looked "sharp".

Arsenal only missed out on the title by two points and a positive start against Wolves could really set the tone.

On the eve of the 2024-25 Premier League season, we asked 30 BBC TV and radio pundits to pick their top four, with explanations for their selections.

Eleven of the 30 selected Arsenal as their title winners.

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott: "This year is the best chance that Arsenal have ever had. They have obviously strengthened their squad by signing Riccardo Calafiori but they have also strengthened mentally really, in terms of how robust and prepared they are going into the season, because of the mistakes they have made in the past.

"I think one where Mikel Arteta would have particularly learnt a lot was playing away at City when Arsenal got a draw last season. Each and every single point counts now, so he is going to have to adapt and I feel like they are ready to adapt into a different level this year, playing against teams when they need to win.

"I feel like Mikel has learned from the last two seasons and this could well be his year."

Ex-England international Sue Smith: "It's so difficult to pick between Arsenal and Manchester City but I just think Arsenal have had another year of experience. Their young players will have learnt a lot from the past few seasons, and they have just pushed City to the final day - they didn't do much wrong last year, and I think they can do it this time.

"Last summer's signings were a success, especially Declan Rice who was outstanding. David Raya and Kai Havertz had their doubters but showed how important they were.

"This time, adding Riccardo Calafiori, who can play left-back, will strengthen there and give cover at centre-back, and having Jurrien Timber fit again will be like a new signing."

Ex-Everton midfielder Leon Osman: "I'm going for Arsenal to win the Premier League this season. They have been consistently good for the past few seasons and I'd expect that to remain the same. Adding players in problem positions has added even better balance to the squad and I think this may just be their year."

Who did our pundits pick as their Premier League top four? Read more here

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport Journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta spoke about what it will take to go one step further and win the Premier League this year. He said they need to "break more of those records again and win more points" and added: "With the level we are competing with and every season is getting harder, we are going to have to improve again, that's for sure."

• Asked whether they need to be "perfect", he said: "I don't know what perfect is but it has to be very close to the numbers we have seen in recent years."

• The Arsenal boss said his team have looked sharp and ready to go in pre-season: "We have been missing the competition for many weeks - too long for us. We are so willing to start, really enthusiastic about it. We had a really challenging pre-season but managed to adapt and it was a great challenge for everybody. The team has looked really sharp, looked at it and desperate to play."

• Arteta refused to comment about Mikel Merino, who Arsenal have been linked with, but on the transfer window still being open he said: "Before the season we had two objectives. The main one was to make sure that we are very much in love with our players and find ways to improve them because that's the main thing and there are certain opportunities in the market to improve the squad. We have to look at that, that's what we are trying to do."

• When asked if Arsenal need to sign a striker, Arteta said they "have great strikers already".

• Arteta confirmed Jurrien Timber is fit and available and added that Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are not ready yet to feature.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The pre-season preparations are finished and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to speak at his first pre-match news conference of the Premier League season.

The Gunners have finished in second place for the past two seasons, but last season felt like a big step in the challenge to topple Manchester City as they took the title race to the final day.

Arteta is an intense character and he will always be looking for a way to make up the small percentages that make all the difference over a long campaign.

We have seen the innovative way he delivers team talks on Amazon's All or Nothing documentary and there have been reports that he hired pickpockets to make sure the team are alert at all times.

The squad is also continuing to evolve. Arteta has brought in Riccardo Calafiori as he continues to build a physically imposing and defensively resilient team.

Arsenal are also in talks with Real Sociedad for Mikel Merino, but a traditional number nine is still not in the building, so it will be interesting to hear if Arteta thinks they need one.

On the latest episode of the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast, former Premier League midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Petit discussed this season's contenders for the title.

On Manchester City, Fabregas said: "Can they do it? Of course they can do it in terms of the quality they've got. They have an outstanding team. I still think Arsenal will be the team to look out for in the Premier League this year once again to fight with City."

Petit added: "I'm not saying that City are not ready to win five titles in a row, but that's going to be very difficult for them to retain the crown.

"For me, this is so important for Arsenal and [Mikel] Arteta this season, and especially for the players. If you want your players to follow you, to get confidence in you, you need get silverware. It's been like this for the past two or three years and I think they need to win something this season."

Listen to the full episode here on BBC Sounds

We asked you to tell us one thing that has been going under the radar at Arsenal as the Premier League campaign is about to begin. What's that one thing nobody is talking about but should be?

Here are some of your comments:

Romzo: Saka will break down if he continuously plays 90% of games. It is just not sustainable.

Robert: Why hasn't Arteta signed a new contract? How can you expect new players to commit to the club if the manager hasn't?

Will: Even though it's clear that Arsenal need a back up for Saka, a lot of our transfer links have been for left wingers. Is this a sign that Martinelli may be surplus to requirements?

Zeb: The one thing that no one is mentioning about Arsenal is that if Pep leaves the League after this season, Mikel may be very tempted to go to City.

Paul: Everyone is talking about how Arsenal need a striker even though last season we scored 91 goals, only five behind Manchester City and they have a striker. Getting a striker is not a problem. I think we need a holding midfielder to replace Partey to partner with Rice and Odegaard.

Tope: Nobody is talking about the leanness of the Arsenal squad. I understand that it's not about assembling about 41 footballers, giving them an insane contract length of 10 years like some club! Nevertheless, with the uncertainty over the future of Nketiah and Nelson, this leanness of the squad becomes a more serious cause for concern.