Arsenal secured their Champions League qualification thanks to a victory over Newcastle United yesterday, with Declan Rice’s wonder strike making the difference between the two sides.
The Gunners are preparing for a huge summer of recruitment, desperate to go one better than the second place to which they have been resigned to the last three seasons.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  |
36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| 2 |  |
37 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 67 | 33 | 34 | 71 |
The North London side reached the Champions League semi-finals this season for the first time since 2009, dispatching holders Real Madrid thanks to Declan Rice’s stunning free-kick double. In the end, European success wasn’t meant to be, as PSG broke Arsenal hearts in the semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side haven’t been able to hold a candle to Liverpool this year, with the Reds romping to their 20th league title, leaving the competition in their dust. The Gunners have dropped 21 points from winning positions, a worrying statistic which shows why Arsenal won’t be crowned champions.
In order to bring in some new talent, Arteta is willing to part ways with some of the side’s existing stars.
A number of players may have made their last appearance at the Emirates Stadium in an Arsenal shirt, somewhat signalling the end of an era in North London.
Kieran Tierney
Tierney’s Arsenal exit has been known for a while, ever since falling behind in the left-back pecking order due to Arteta’s specific demands for the role.
He spent last season on loan with Spanish side Real Sociedad, and only remained at the Emirates Stadium this term due to an injury preventing Arsenal from selling him on.
However, the full-back has featured more than most might’ve expected this year, regularly coming off the bench to help the Gunners see out a game.
The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances in all competitions and was given a standing ovation by the Emirates Stadium when brought on yesterday, making for a rather emotional scene.
The reception highlights how dear the Arsenal fans hold Tierney, due to his spirited and hard-working performances over the years.
Celtic have already confirmed that the Scotland international will return to the Hoops this summer, six years after leaving for North London.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey’s Arsenal future is currently up in the air, but as of right now, the midfielder has made his last appearance at the Emirates Stadium as a Gunners player.
The 31-year-old joined the North London club in 2020 and has been a midfield stalwart ever since.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have opened talks with Partey and his representatives over a new deal before the current terms expire at the end of the season.
The report states that Partey is seeking a two-year contract extension to remain at the Emirates Stadium and would apparently also be open to a one-year deal with the option of a further year.
It has also been claimed that Partey is happy to stay with Arsenal, but is apparently prepared to assess options that arrive from other clubs if an agreement is not reached with the Gunners.
Time will tell where the Ghanaian ends up next season. It seems like both parties are keen to make a deal happen, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Partey back in a red shirt next season.
Jorginho
Joining from Chelsea back in 2023, Jorginho has brought a calm and experienced head to the Gunners’ midfield over the past few years and has proven to be an extremely valuable member of Arteta’s squad.
Never one blessed with physical attributes, Jorginho’s ability to mix it with the high-speed nature of the Premier League may have diminished, which will see him leave the division at the end of this season.
His technical attributes have always made him an important player; however, with pundits such as Andy Townsend naming Jorginho as ‘very clever’.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed via X that Brazilian side Flamengo have agreed a pre-contract with the midfielder, with Jorginho signing a three-year deal.
A Champions League and European Championship winner, Jorginho has made his last appearance at the Emirates Stadium in an Arsenal shirt, and despite not winning any trophies with the Gunners, he will be remembered fondly in North London.
His strike from range, which deflected off Emi Martinez in Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa will live on in the Gunners’ folklore for a long time.
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