Size of Arsenal’s Premier League task laid bare as Man City show their hand

Arsenal will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the 2024/25 season as the team look to again challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title come the end of the season.

What unfolds over the next eight or so months is still to be seen. Twists and turns are expected as with any season, but come May, Arsenal will be hoping it’s them lifting the trophy after just missing out for the last two years.

The Gunners have come up against Pep Guardiola’s Man City juggernaut, who have now won an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row and are going for number five this year.

Arsenal are expected to be as close as ever to City. Mikel Arteta has strengthened his side in the transfer window, making David Raya’s move permanent and bringing in Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. Arsenal are also closing in on a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

But it’s a move that City are about to make in the market that lays out the size of the task ahead of Arsenal this season. Guardiola’s side have brought in just one new player in Savinho this summer, but are closing in on bringing Ilkay Gundogan back to the club, just one year after his exit.

The German left City to join Barcelona on a free transfer last summer after spending seven years with the club. But Barcelona’s financial problems mean they let him go on a free transfer as they look to trim their wage bill.

So, a return to the Etihad Stadium is now on the cards. Gundogan is set to sign on a free transfer, putting pen to paper on a one-year deal with the option of a second.

During his first spell at City he played 304 times, scoring 60 goals and providing 38 assists. The fact that the club are able to sign a player of that quality for nothing, despite him being 33, shows the good work that Arsenal will have to do in the transfer window to keep up.

Gundogan is said to have turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to complete the move back to the Etihad Stadium. It shows the pull that the side have for players, and that’s something that Arsenal must compete with.