2023–24 Arsenal F.C. season

2023–24 Arsenal F.C. season
The 2023–24 season is Arsenal Football Club's 32nd season in the Premier League, their 98th consecutive season in the top flight of English football, and 107th season in the top flight overall. In addition to the domestic league, Arsenal will also participate in this season's editions of the FA Cup, EFL Cup, FA Community Shield and UEFA Champions League, returning to the premier European competition after a six-year absence. The season covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Review
Background
The 2022–23 campaign was a breakthrough season for Arsenal. Their primary goal at the start of the campaign was to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. At the halfway stage of the league season, the Gunners recorded their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with 16 wins, two draws, one loss and 50 points from the first 19 games. Arsenal led the league for a long time, but ultimately their challenge collapsed, as they collected just twelve points from their final nine matches (three wins, three draws and three losses). Mikel Arteta's side finished second in the Premier League, returning to Champions League football for the first time since the 2016–17 season.
Arsenal were the second-youngest team in the 2022–23 Premier League with an average starting age of 25 years and 52 days, eleven days older than relegated Southampton, and two years and 201 days younger than champions Manchester City. Four first-team players who were aged 24 or under on 1 July 2022 – Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka – signed new long-term contracts with the club during the campaign.
Pre-season
It was reported on 3 July 2023 that some first-team players who were not in action for their respective countries since the end of the last campaign were back to the London Colney training ground for pre-season training.
Arsenal announced on 6 July that English forward and academy graduate Reiss Nelson had signed a new long-term contract. On the same day it was confirmed that first-team assistant coach Steve Round, who joined Arteta's coaching staff in December 2019, left the club by mutual agreement.
On 7 July, the Gunners announced that French defender William Saliba had penned a new long-term contract, and would wear the number 2 shirt from the 2023–24 season, having previously worn the number 12. On the same day, it was reported that Arsenal's head of sports medicine and performance, Dr Gary O'Driscoll who joined the north London side in 2009, would depart the club in late summer 2023.
Two days later, Arteta's side travelled to Germany for a mini training camp at Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach. Three academy players – Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Reuell Walters – were with the first-team squad.
The Gunners faced 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg at Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg on 13 July. Saliba recovered from a back injury that had ruled him out of Arsenal's final eleven matches of the last campaign to return to the starting line-up. Saka scored a goal on 7 minutes; but the Gunners were unable to double the lead, and an own goal from Jorginho in the second half ensured that the hosts claimed a 1–1 draw. The game also saw new signing and Germany international Kai Havertz make his non-competitive debut for Arsenal as a substitute at the break. They returned to England on the next day.
On 16 July, manager Arteta named a 29-man squad for the trip to the United States where they would play three more friendlies. The 18-year-old forward Amario Cozier-Duberry was the only academy player to travel with the first team to the US.
Three days later, Arsenal faced Major League Soccer's All-Stars at Audi Field in Washington. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring on 5 minutes with a chip over the goalkeeper. The Gunners doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute as Leandro Trossard launched home a blast from 20 yards. Two minutes after the restart, Jorginho scored a third from the penalty spot. New signings Declan Rice and Jurriën Timber made their non-competitive debuts for the club on 65 minutes. With 6 minutes remaining, Martinelli netted a fourth after being played through by captain Martin Ødegaard. Havertz collected a cross at the back post and lashed home a volley in the 89th minute, making the score 5–0.
The Gunners took on Premier League side Manchester United at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on 22 July. Bruno Fernandes scored for United on 30 minutes with a long-range effort, although Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale could have done better. United's lead was doubled in the 37th minute as Jadon Sancho pounced on Gabriel Magalhães' missed clearance, raced goalwards and finished past Ramsdale. The friendly also featured a post-match penalty shootout. The Gunners lost that too after Fábio Vieira skied his effort over the crossbar.
On 26 July, the club played their third and final game of the 10-day USA tour against La Liga side Barcelona at SoFi Stadium, the home of the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams which is also owned by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. Barcelona took the lead on 7 minutes through Robert Lewandowski tucking in the rebound from Raphinha's shot. Saka levelled for the Gunners in the 13th minute with a close-range finish. Arsenal were awarded a penalty on 21 minutes, but Saka side-footed his effort wide of the right-hand post. Barcelona retook the lead through a deflected Raphinha free-kick in the 34th minute. Arteta's side drew level again on 43 minutes as Ødegaard's header was diverted home by Havertz. Trossard put the Gunners ahead in the 55th minute with a left-footed strike, then added his second with a first-time finish on 78 minutes. Ferran Torres pulled one back for Barcelona on 88 minutes. Just a minute later, Vieira curled a shot from 25 yards into the top left corner, helping the Gunners win 5–3. Arteta's team flew back to London straight after the game.
On 28 July, Arsenal unveiled a bronze statue of legendary former manager Arsène Wenger outside the North Bank Stand of Emirates Stadium. The statue, created by sculptor Jim Guy, is 3.5 metres (11 feet 6 inches) high, and depicts Wenger lifting the Premier League trophy. He joined five other Arsenal legends with statues outside the stadium: Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Herbert Chapman, Ken Friar and Thierry Henry.
The Gunners finished their pre-season campaign by beating Ligue 1 side Monaco 5–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw at home to claim the 2023 Emirates Cup on 2 August. Youssouf Fofana scored for the visitors after the half-hour mark. Arsenal levelled in the 43rd minute when Eddie Nketiah converted a Martinelli corner at the back post. There were no further goals in the second half, and the game went to a penalty shootout. Gabriel Magalhães netted the winning spot-kick after Ramsdale saved Takumi Minamino's effort. In the post-match press conference, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus had "some discomfort" in his right knee for the past few weeks and had undergone surgery to the knee. He would be out for a few weeks.
First-team transfers (summer transfer window)
The English football summer transfer window ran from 14 June to 1 September 2023. The Gunners confirmed on 16 June that they were to release thirteen players, one of whom, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, had made 132 appearances for Arsenal's first-team in all competitions.
Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer on 28 June with 24-year-old Germany international Kai Havertz joining the club on a long-term contract from Premier League side Chelsea, for a reported fee of £62 million plus £3 million in add-ons. He would wear the number 29 shirt, and would be the twelfth German player to play for Arsenal's first team. Having graduated from Bayer Leverkusen's youth academy in 2016, Havertz made his senior debut with the club at the same year, becoming the club's youngest-ever debutant in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 126 days. He also became their youngest-ever goalscorer in the league in 2017. With the ability to play in several attacking positions, Havertz had made 139 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and providing 15 assists, including hitting the winner in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final. As of June 2023, Havertz had netted 13 goals in 37 appearances for his country.
On 30 June, the Gunners confirmed that Spanish defender Pablo Marí, who had spent the entire last season on loan with Serie A side Monza, joined the Italian team on a permanent transfer, for a previously agreed fee reported to be €7 million (£6 million).
It was announced on 6 July that Swiss midfielder and Arsenal's vice-captain Granit Xhaka, who had made 297 appearances in all competitions and won two FA Cups with the club, joined Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of €25 million (£21.4 million).
On 14 July, the Gunners confirmed that they had signed 22-year-old Dutch defender Jurriën Timber from Eredivisie side Ajax. The transfer fee was reported to be worth an initial £34.3 million (€40 million), which could rise to £38.6 million (€45 million) with add-ons. He was assigned the number 12 shirt, and would be the eighth Dutch player to feature for Arsenal's first team. Timber is a graduate of Ajax Youth Academy, making his debut for the first team in 2020. A versatile defender, he was capable of playing both as a centre-back and as a right-back during his time with the Dutch side. Timber had made 121 senior appearances for Ajax in all competitions, winning two league titles and a Dutch Cup. He had 15 caps for the Netherlands and started four of their matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Timber has been an Arsenal fan since he was a child.
Arsenal announced on 15 July that 24-year-old English midfielder Declan Rice had joined the club from Premier League side West Ham United on a long-term contract, and would wear the number 41 shirt. It was reported that the transfer fee was an initial £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons, breaking Arsenal's transfer record fee paid for a player by £33 million, and making him the most expensive English player – the initial fee equalling the previous record held by Jack Grealish. Born and raised in London, Rice joined West Ham United's academy in 2014 following his release from Chelsea's academy. He had made 245 senior appearances for the Hammers in all competitions since making his debut in 2017. Rice was appointed as club captain in May 2022, then led West Ham United to the Europa Conference League title in June 2023, and was named the tournament's Player of the Season by UEFA. As of July 2023, he had made 43 appearances for England.
The departures of three first-team players were announced afterwards. On 3 August, the Gunners confirmed that American defender Auston Trusty had joined Premier League side Sheffield United on a permanent deal for a reported fee of £5 million. Six days later, the club announced that American goalkeeper Matt Turner had joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest on a permanent transfer for a fee reported to be £10 million. It was confirmed on 12 August that Brazilian forward Marquinhos had joined Ligue 1 side Nantes on a one-year loan.
Arsenal confirmed on 15 August that the club had signed 27-year-old Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brentford with the option to make the move permanent in summer 2024. The initial loan fee was reported to be £3 million, and activating the option would be for a further £27 million. He would take the number 22 shirt. Born in Barcelona, Raya began his career in his native Spain and combined goalkeeping with playing as an outfield player in futsal. He later played youth football for a local club Cornellà, before moving to England in 2012 when he signed for Blackburn Rovers as an academy player. After making 108 senior appearances for Rovers, Raya joined then Championship side Brentford in 2019. He was a key part of the team that was promoted to the Premier League in 2021. With the passing ability to play out from the back, Raya made 161 appearances for the Bees in all competitions. He played in all 38 of their Premier League games last season, keeping 11 clean sheets. Raya made his international debut for Spain in 2022, and was in both their 2022 World Cup squad and the one that won the 2023 UEFA Nations League final.
The Gunners continued their summer exodus after signing four players. On 18 August, the club announced the loan departure of Icelandic goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson to Championship side Cardiff City. Nine days later, Arsenal confirmed that Scottish defender Kieran Tierney had joined La Liga side Real Sociedad on loan for the 2023–24 season; the loan fee was reported to be around £1.2 million (€1.4 million). The departure of American striker and Arsenal academy graduate Folarin Balogun to Ligue 1 side Monaco was announced on 30 August. It was reported that the transfer fee was an initial €30 million (£25.8 million) plus €10 million (£8.6 million) in add-ons, and the terms of the deal included a 17.5% sell-on clause for Arsenal.
On English transfer deadline day, 1 September, four first-team players departed the club. Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan with the option to make the move permanent in summer 2024; the initial loan fee was reported to be £1 million, and activating the option would be for a further £12 million. English goalkeeper and academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo joined League Two side Wrexham on loan for the 2023–24 season. English defender Rob Holding, who had made 162 first-team appearances in all competitions and won two FA Cups with the club, joined Premier League side Crystal Palace on a permanent transfer, for a reported fee of £1 million with £2.5 million in add-ons. Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga joined Premier League side Luton Town on a one-year loan.
On 9 September, Arsenal confirmed that Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pépé had departed the club following the termination of his contract.
After the summer transfer window closed, there were twenty-five players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and six forwards. Six other first-team players were out on loan.
August
Arsenal kicked off their season by taking part in the FA Community Shield for the 24th time in their history, against Treble-winners Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on 6 August. New signings Havertz, Rice and Timber made their competitive debuts for the Gunners. City's Cole Palmer broke the deadlock on 77 minutes, curling a shot into the top far corner. Trossard equalised for Arsenal in the 11th minute of stoppage time when his shot deflected into the back of the net. The game ended 1–1 in normal time and went straight to a penalty shootout. The Gunners prevailed 4–1 from the spot with Vieira scoring the winning penalty, after Kevin De Bruyne's drive hit the crossbar and Rodri's attempt was saved by Ramsdale. This was Arsenal's 17th Community Shield win, making them the second-most successful club in the competition. The result meant that Arteta's side ended an eight-match losing run in all competitions against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, beating them for the first time since July 2020.
Six days later, the Gunners played their first home game of the season against Nottingham Forest and former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, who had signed with Forest two days before the start of the Premier League campaign. Nketiah opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a slightly deflected shot assisted by Martinelli. Arteta's side doubled their lead on 32 minutes when Saka cut inside and arrowed a long-range screamer into the top left corner. In the 82nd minute, Taiwo Awoniyi pulled a goal back for the visitors from a counter-attack. The game also saw Premier League debutant Timber limp off the pitch with a injury on 50 minutes. Arsenal confirmed on 16 August that Timber had sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He would undergo surgery in the coming days. The club did not give a timeframe for his absence.
Arsenal continued their campaign with a London derby away against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 21 August. Before the game, the team paid tribute to the injured Timber, as skipper Ødegaard held up a shirt for the team photo, which read "J. Timber 12" on the back. Ødegaard stroked home a spot-kick in the 53rd minute, after Nketiah was brought down by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone inside the box. Takehiro Tomiyasu was controversially sent off by referee David Coote on 67 minutes for two quick bookable offences – the first yellow was for delaying a throw-in, and the second was harshly awarded for a minor foul on Palace's Jordan Ayew in midfield. Despite playing the final half-hour with ten men, Arteta's side claimed a hard-fought 1–0 victory. The win clocked up the Gunners' 200th Premier League away clean sheet, making them the third side to do so.
On 26 August, Arteta's team played at home against Fulham and former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Gabriel Jesus recovered from his knee injury to be named in a matchday squad for the first time; and Saka made his 83rd consecutive Premier League appearance for the Gunners, breaking the club record in the competition set by Paul Merson between 1995 and 1997. Arteta's side fell behind after just 57 seconds, as Andreas Pereira raced onto Saka's loose pass and fired in a curling shot from 25 yards, with goalkeeper Ramsdale out of position. This meant that Arsenal had conceded inside the first minute in three of their last nine Premier League games at home (vs Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham), becoming the first team in Premier League history to concede a first-minute goal three times in a single calendar year. Saka atoned for his earlier error by scoring a penalty on 70 minutes, after substitute Vieira was fouled by Kenny Tete inside the box. Moments later, substitute Nketiah tucked home a Vieira cross to put the hosts ahead. After blocking off Nketiah on a counter, Calvin Bassey was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 83rd minute. Fulham's João Palhinha scored the equaliser from a corner on 87 minutes, making the score 2–2.
The draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage was made on 31 August. Arsenal were drawn into Group B, alongside last season's Europa League champions Sevilla, Eredivisie runners-up PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 runners-up Lens.
The Gunners' performances in August led to several monthly award nominations. After leading Arsenal to two wins and a draw from their three Premier League games of the month, Arteta was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month. Saka's strike against Nottingham Forest was shortlisted for Premier League Goal of the Month. Rice was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for August, and Saka's strike against Nottingham Forest was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.
September
Ahead of the first international break of the season, Arsenal played at home against rivals Manchester United on 3 September. The visitors took the lead on 27 minutes as Christian Eriksen intercepted a Havertz pass deep in United territory, burst forwards and slid a pass through for Marcus Rashford, who cut inside to beat Ramsdale at his far post with a curling strike. Rashford's goal meant that Arsenal had conceded from the first shot they had faced in seven Premier League matches in 2023 – the most of any team in this period. Arteta's side responded in the 28th minute with a flowing move that ended with captain Ødegaard sweeping home from Martinelli's cutback. In the 59th minute, the Gunners were awarded a penalty for a foul by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Havertz, but the decision was overturned after referee Anthony Taylor checked the pitchside monitor. The visitors thought they had retaken the lead on 88 minutes when Alejandro Garnacho finished off a swift counter-attack, but a VAR check showed Gabriel Magalhães' sudden halting of his run was enough to catch Garnacho offside. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Rice controlled a Saka corner at the far post and slammed home his first Arsenal goal to send Emirates wild. This goal on 95 minutes and 43 seconds was the latest winning goal ever scored in a Premier League fixture between the two rivals. Five minutes later, Vieira sprung forward on the counter, fed Gabriel Jesus and the Brazilian ran through on goal, cut away from a sliding Diogo Dalot and slotted the ball past goalkeeper André Onana, sealing a 3–1 victory. This was the first time the Gunners had won three consecutive home league games against the Red Devils since May 1991. In the post-match presser, Arteta confirmed that Thomas Partey had picked up an injury in training before the game and would be out for weeks.
Sixteen Arsenal first-team players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in September: Trossard (Belgium), Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhães and Martinelli (Brazil), Nketiah, Ramsdale, Rice and Saka (England), Karl Hein (Estonia), Saliba (France), Havertz (Germany), Tomiyasu (Japan), Ødegaard (as Norway's captain), Jakub Kiwior (Poland), Raya (Spain), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine). This was the first time for Nketiah to be called up to the England senior team. Gabriel Magalhães made his senior debut for Brazil on 8 September 2023.
On 14 September, Arsenal announced that their CEO Vinai Venkatesham, who joined the club in 2010 and had been in the chief executive role over the past three seasons, would leave his position in summer 2024.
Following the season's first international break, the Gunners continued their Premier League campaign on 17 September, facing 18th-placed Everton away at Goodison Park. Debutant David Raya, who joined on loan from Premier League side Brentford a month ago, started in goal and kept his first clean sheet for Arsenal in a 1–0 win. Martinelli looked to have scored on 19 minutes, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up. Moments after, Martinelli limped off with an injury and was replaced by Trossard. In the 69th minute, Trossard fired a first-time finish in off the post from Saka's cutback following a short corner. The result saw the Gunners' five-game winless run at Goodison Park in the Premier League come to an end.
After a six-year absence, Arsenal started their 20th Champions League campaign since the 1992–93 season as they played at home on Wednesday, 20 September in their opening Group B match against last season's Eredivisie runners-up PSV Eindhoven, which had been unbeaten in 26 games in all competitions before the match. Mohamed Elneny, who was the only player left from the Gunners' 2016–17 Champions League squad, was back on the bench for the first time since a serious knee injury in January 2023. Six of Arsenal's starting eleven – Raya, Rice, Saka, Saliba, Trossard and Ben White – made their debuts in the competition on a rain-soaked night. The hosts took the lead on 8 minutes through Saka tucking in the rebound from Ødegaard's shot. In the 20th minute, Gabriel Jesus led a counter-attack and played in Saka, who crossed for Trossard to fire into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box. Eighteen minutes later, Trossard advanced on the left and crossed for Gabriel Jesus at the back post to blast the ball into the top left corner. Ødegaard rounded off the scoring in the 70th minute with a 20-yard strike into the bottom right corner. The 4–0 victory marked Arteta's first Champions League game in charge.
On 22 September, the club announced that captain Ødegaard had signed a new long-term contract.
Two days later, Arsenal faced local rivals Tottenham Hotspur at home in the first North London derby of the season. Already missing Timber to a long-term knee problem, the Gunners were also without Partey and had lost Martinelli and Trossard to injuries in a week before the game. In the 26th minute, Saka's shot was deflected into his own goal by Spurs defender Cristian Romero. On 38 minutes Raya produced a diving save to deny Brennan Johnson. The visitors levelled through Son Heung-min in the 42nd minute. It continued a run of early-season injuries for Arteta's side, as Rice was forced off with a back issue and was replaced by Jorginho at half-time. Arsenal retook the lead on 54 minutes when Saka converted a penalty down the middle of the goal, after Romero had handled White's close-range shot. Tottenham drew level again in the 55th minute as Jorginho was caught in possession by James Maddison, who slipped a pass into Son to finish past Raya. The game ended 2–2.
On 27 September, Arsenal entered the EFL Cup in the third round, facing Premier League side Brentford away at Brentford Community Stadium. Jorginho started as the Gunners' captain for the first time; Emile Smith Rowe made his 100th senior appearance for Arsenal, and his first start for the club in 16 months; while Academy forward Charles Sagoe Jr. was handed a first-team debut. Nelson netted the only goal of the game in the 8th minute to clinch victory for the Gunners. The 1–0 result advanced them to the next round, in which they were drawn away to West Ham United.
Arsenal headed to the south coast of England on 30 September, facing 17th-placed Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium. Saka opened the scoring on 17 minutes, nodding in the rebound from Gabriel Jesus' effort. Arteta's side doubled their lead in the 44th minute through Ødegaard's penalty, after Max Aarons had fouled Nketiah inside the box. The Gunners got another spot-kick early into the second half after Ødegaard had been brought down by Ryan Christie. This time Havertz was handed the ball by regular taker Saka to strike his first Arsenal goal on 53 minutes. White headed home from Ødegaard's free-kick in stoppage time, making it 4–0. This was the fourth time the Gunners had won their opening three away games in a top-flight campaign, and was the first time they had done so without conceding a single goal in their history. The win moved Arsenal to within one point of leaders Manchester City.
The Gunners' performances in September led to several monthly award nominations. After extending Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season with three wins and a draw in the month, Arteta was shortlisted for Premier League Manager of the Month. Trossard's finish against Everton was nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month. Raya's vital save to deny Tottenham's Brennan Johnson was included on the shortlist for the Premier League Save of the Month award. Saka was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for September, and Rice's strike against Manchester United was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.
October
Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season with a 2–1 loss to Ligue 1 side Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the Champions League on Tuesday, 3 October, after being late arriving to northern France on Monday night with their flight delayed by around five hours due to bad weather. In the 14th minute, Saka seized upon Adrien Thomasson's loose pass and quickly set up Gabriel Jesus to rifle home and put the Gunners ahead. Eleven minutes later, Raya's pass to Tomiyasu was intercepted, and the ball eventually fell for Thomasson, who unleashed a curling first-time strike past the Arsenal goalkeeper. It was the first away goal the Gunners had conceded in all competitions this campaign. Arteta's side suffered a major blow on 34 minutes when Saka went off injured with a muscular problem. Elye Wahi completed the turnaround for the hosts in the 69th minute as he fired a first-time finish into the bottom left corner.
Ahead of the second international break of the season, Arteta's men faced 1st-placed Manchester City at home on 8 October, for the fifth time in 2023. Saka was not included in the matchday squad after picking up an injury in France five days prior; it ended his club-record run of 87 consecutive Premier League appearances that was also the longest active run in the competition. In the 28th minute, City's Mateo Kovačić chopped Ødegaard down from behind, his studs colliding with the Norwegian's right ankle. Referee Michael Oliver deemed it worthy of only a yellow and the video assistant referee concurred with Oliver's original on-field decision. Within minutes Kovačić then made a similar late tackle from behind on Rice, catching the Englishman on the ankle with his studs. But Oliver did not further punish the Croatia midfielder, allowing him to stay on. Arteta introduced Martinelli for the second half and sent on Havertz, Partey and Tomiyasu in the 75th minute. All four replacements contributed to the Gunners' winning goal in the 86th minute, as Partey's lofted ball found Tomiyasu, who took on a striker's role by nodding it down to Havertz. The German then laid it off to Martinelli, whose first-time shot deflected off City's Nathan Aké, wrong-footing goalkeeper Ederson. The 1–0 victory meant that it was the first time Arsenal had beaten Manchester City in the Premier League since December 2015, after a run of fifteen league games without a win, losing each of the last twelve in a row. It also meant that Arteta had finally ended his personal run of seven straight league losses against City's Guardiola since he took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, and Arteta had beaten all 24 teams he had faced as a manager in the Premier League up until that point. The result moved Arsenal above City in the table and put them level on points with Tottenham at the top. This was their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign since 2007–08, with six wins and two draws. Speaking on Match Officials: Mic'd Up – a programme that dissected refereeing decisions in the Premier League on 10 October, referees' chief Howard Webb said City midfielder Kovačić should have been sent off during the match.
Fourteen Arsenal first-team players (excluding players who were loaned out) joined up with their respective senior national teams for international fixtures in October: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil), Elneny (Egypt), Nketiah, Ramsdale and Rice (England), Hein (Estonia), Havertz (Germany), Partey (as Ghana's captain), Tomiyasu (Japan), Ødegaard (as Norway's captain), Kiwior (Poland), Raya (Spain), and Zinchenko (as Ukraine's captain). Gabriel Magalhães scored his first senior goal for Brazil on 12 October. Nketiah made his senior debut for England on 13 October 2023.
The Gunners returned to action after the international break with a game against 11th-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 21 October. Both teams' performances were influenced by the driving rain and sticky pitch. The hosts went ahead from the penalty spot through Cole Palmer in the 15th minute, after the VAR adjudged that Saliba had handled the ball inside the box. Chelsea doubled their lead on 48 minutes as Mykhailo Mudryk's mishit cross lobbed goalkeeper Raya. In the 77th minute, Rice pounced on a loose pass from goalkeeper Robert Sánchez to curl a first-time effort into the unguarded net. Coming from 36.6 yards out, this goal was the longest range goal scored by an Arsenal player in the Premier League since 2006–07. Seven minutes later, substitute Trossard tucked in a cross from Saka at the back post, making the score 2–2. This was the first time since March 2021 that the Gunners avoided defeat in a Premier League away game in which they had trailed by two or more goals.
Three days later, Arsenal made the trip to Spain for the third Champions League group match against La Liga side and Europa League holders Sevilla at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The deadlock was broken in the final seconds of first-half stoppage time when Arsenal's three Brazilian Gabriels linked up to produce an impressive goal. Gabriel Magalhães made the clearance to Gabriel Jesus, who brought down a high looping ball, then pulled off a Cruyff turn to lose two Sevilla midfielders, and played a defence-splitting pass into the path of Martinelli. The latter raced 50 yards, then rounded the goalkeeper to slot into the empty net, marking his Champions League debut. Arteta's side doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute, as Rice intercepted the clearance and drove forward before passing to Gabriel Jesus, who cut inside and curled a shot into the top right corner from a narrow angle, becoming the second player to score in his first three Champions League games for Arsenal, after Marouane Chamakh in 2010. The hosts pulled one back in the 58 minute through Nemanja Gudelj's header from a corner. The Gunners suffered a late blow as Gabriel Jesus limping off with a hamstring injury, but they held firm to secure a 2–1 victory that moved them back to the top of Group B at the halfway stage. This was the second time Arsenal had scored at least twice in a Champions League away game against a Spanish side, after a 3–2 win against Celta de Vigo in February 2004; and it was the first time they had won an away game against a Spanish side in the competition since February 2006 (1–0 v Real Madrid).
On 28 October, Arteta's side played at home against newly promoted Sheffield United. Saka started as Arsenal's captain for the first time, while Smith Rowe made his first Premier League start since May 2022. The Gunners took the lead on 28 minutes when Nketiah converted Rice's low cross in the box. In the 50th minute, visiting goalkeeper Wes Foderingham flapped at a Saka corner with the ball dropping to Nketiah, who slammed in a half-volley from close range. Eight minutes later Nketiah completed his first Premier League hat-trick with a long-range effort driven into the top corner after collecting a Smith Rowe pass, becoming the first Englishman to hit a Premier League hat-trick for Arsenal since Theo Walcott against West Bromwich Albion in May 2015. Vieira scored a fourth from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee adjudged Oliver Norwood to have fouled him inside the box. Tomiyasu rounded off the scoring in stoppage time by poking home his first goal for the club following a corner. The 5–0 win meant that Arteta's side had kept consecutive home clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since December 2021. The result extended their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign since 2007–08 to ten games.
First team
First-team coaching staff
Notes:
Carlos Cuesta is the first-team Individual Development Coach.
Steve Round left his position of Assistant Coach by mutual agreement in July 2023.
First-team squad
As of 28 October 2023, there were twenty-five players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and six forwards. Six other first-team players were out on loan.
Notes:
Squad numbers last updated on 9 September 2023.
Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Player* – Player who joined Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
Player† – Player who departed Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.
Player (CT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "club-trained player" criteria.
Player (AT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "association-trained player" criteria.
Player (U21) – Player who was registered by Arsenal as an Under-21 Player on the 2023–24 Premier League Squad List.
Player (ListB) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League Squad List B.
Squad number changes
Notes:
Squad numbers last updated on 15 August 2023.
The list is sorted by new squad number.
Player* – Player who joined Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
Player† – Player who departed Arsenal permanently or on loan during the season.
Academy
Academy coaching staff
Academy players
As of 28 October 2023, four Arsenal Academy players featured in a first-team matchday squad during the season.
Notes:
Squad numbers last updated on 27 September 2023.
Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.
Player (CT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "club-trained player" criteria.
Player (AT) – Player who fulfils UEFA's "association-trained player" criteria.
Player (U21) – Player who was registered by Arsenal as an Under-21 Player on the 2023–24 Premier League Squad List.
Player (ListB) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League Squad List B.
Board and management team
Contracts and transfers
New contracts
The following Arsenal players signed their first or new professional contracts with the club.
Released
The following players from Arsenal's first team, under-21s and under-18s squads were released by the club.
Transfers in
Total expenditure: £196.3 million (excluding potential add-ons and bonuses)
Transfers out
Total income: £69.2 million (excluding potential add-ons and undisclosed figures)
Loans in
Total expenditure: £3.0 million (excluding further fees)
Loans out
Total income: £2.2 million (excluding undisclosed figures)
Overall transfer activity
Note: All loan fees included. All potential add-ons, bonuses and undisclosed figures excluded.
Kits
Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Fly Emirates / Sleeve sponsor: Visit Rwanda
Kit information
This is Adidas's fifth year supplying Arsenal kit, having taken over from Puma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season. On 2 August 2023, Arsenal and Emirates announced that they had extended their partnership to 2028 – the longest-running front-of-shirt sponsorship in Premier League history.
Home: The club confirmed on 26 May 2023 that their new home kit for the 2023–24 season would debut in the final home game of the 2022–23 season. The home kit uses Arsenal's traditional colours of red and white. The shirt has a red body and white sleeves, and is complemented by white shorts and white socks. Red shorts were used in some away games when there was a colour clash with the home team's kit. The new kit pays tribute to the 20th anniversary of the 2003–04 Invincibles season, as the Gunners' crest, Adidas' logo and three stripes feature in gold, while a lightning bolt pattern appears on the socks.
Away: The new men's team away kit was revealed on 18 July, during the club's US tour. The shirt features black lines inspired by the map of Islington, Arsenal's home borough. A yellow base colour is complemented by light blue accents on the collars and sleeves. The shirt is partnered with black shorts and yellow socks. Yellow shorts may be used in some away games when there will be a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched with an accompanying video that shows a fictional radio station set deep within Emirates Stadium broadcasting "Islington's finest to the world". The kit debuted in the 2023 Major League Soccer All-Star Game on July 19.
Third: On 18 August, the Gunners unveiled their new third kit, which pays homage to their green and navy-blue away kit from the 1982–83 season. The shirt has a green base with navy shoulders and a simple off-white cannon badge at chest, and is combined with navy shorts and green socks. White socks were used in some away games when there was a colour clash with the home team's kit. The kit was launched alongside a film that "brings continental style to the streets of Islington". The kit debuted in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League group stage match against French side Lens on 3 October. A lifestyle version of the shirt was released on 12 September.
Goalkeeper: The new goalkeeper kits are based on Adidas's goalkeeper template for the season.
Kit usage
Pre-season and friendlies
On 21 March 2023, Arsenal announced that they would travel to the United States in July to compete against the MLS All-Stars, lead by D.C. United head coach Wayne Rooney. On 28 April, a further US tour friendly was confirmed against Manchester United in New Jersey in July. On 12 May, Arsenal announced their third and final pre-season fixture in the US this summer, against Barcelona at SoFi Stadium, the home to the National Football League (NFL)'s Los Angeles Rams which is also owned by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. The Gunners confirmed on 8 June that they would travel to Germany to face 1. FC Nürnberg as part of a pre-season training camp at the Adidas headquarters in July, before heading to the US. A day later, the club announced the return of the Emirates Cup with Monaco confirmed as opponents.
Friendlies
MLS All-Star Game
Emirates Cup
Competitions
Overall record
FA Community Shield
Arsenal, as Premier League runners-up in the previous season, played against Manchester City in the 2023 FA Community Shield, who themselves won the league and FA Cup double.
Premier League
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
The league fixtures were announced on 15 June 2023.
FA Cup
As a Premier League side, Arsenal will enter the FA Cup in the third round in January 2024.
EFL Cup
The Gunners entered the EFL Cup in the third round as one of the Premier League teams participating in UEFA competitions. They were drawn away to fellow Premier League sides Brentford and West Ham United in the third and fourth round respectively.
UEFA Champions League
Group stage
Arsenal's UEFA club coefficient was 76.000 points at the end of the last campaign. They were in Pot 2 for the group stage draw, which was held on 31 August 2023. Arsenal were drawn into Group B alongside Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.
Statistics
0===Appearances===
Twenty-seven players made their appearances for Arsenal's first team during the season.
Includes all competitions for senior teams.
Goals
The following twelve players scored for Arsenal's first team during the season.
Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by squad number when season-total goals are equal. Players with no goals not included in the list.
Hat-tricks
Includes all competitions for senior teams. Players with no hat-tricks not included in the list.
Assists
The following twelve players registered their assists for Arsenal's first team during the season.
Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by squad number when season-total assists are equal. Players with no assists not included in the list.
Disciplinary record
Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by red cards, then yellow cards (and by squad number when total cards are equal). Players with no cards not included in the list.
Clean sheets
Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by squad number when season-total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.
Captains
Includes all competitions for senior teams. The list is sorted by squad number when season-total number of games where a player started as captain are equal. Players with no games started as captain not included in the list.
International call-ups
The following nineteen Arsenal players (excluding players who departed the club permanently or on loan) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures during the season.
The list is sorted by national team and player, respectively. Players with no senior national team call-ups not included in the list.
Awards and nominations
Monthly awards
Arsenal Player of the Month
The winner of the award was chosen via a poll on the club's official website.
Arsenal Goal of the Month
The winner of the award was chosen from goals scored by men's, women's and academy teams via a poll on the club's official website.
Premier League Manager of the Month
The winner of the award was chosen by a combination of an online public vote and a panel of experts.
As manager of Arsenal, Arteta has six awards in total, the joint-9th highest awards a single manager has received since its inception in August 1993.
Premier League Goal of the Month
The winner of the award was chosen by a combination of an online public vote and a panel of experts.
Premier League Save of the Month
The winner of the award was chosen by a combination of an online public vote and a panel of experts.
Milestones
Players
Debuts
The following players made their competitive debuts for Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
100th appearances
The following players made their 100th appearances for Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
First goals
The following players scored their first goals for Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
First assists
The following player registered his first assist for Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
First clean sheets
The following goalkeeper kept his first clean sheet for Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
First starts as captain
The following players made their first starts as captain of Arsenal's first team during the campaign.
Injuries
The following first-team players were unavailable for at least 30 days after suffering an injury during the campaign. The list is arranged chronologically by date of the last game which the player was available before suffering an injury.
References
Sources
Arsenal F.C. seasons
Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal
Arsenal
Arsenal