How Can Arsenal Close the Gap On Liverpool?

Another season. Another “so close, yet so far” moment for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side has grown tremendously over the past few years, flirting with the title, building a young and fearless core, and establishing a real identity on the pitch. 

But despite all that progress, they still finished a dozen points behind a Liverpool side that looks even scarier heading into next season. So, here’s the question every Gooner is asking: What will it take to finally leap over Liverpool and bring the Premier League trophy back to the red side of North London?

Liverpool Getting Even Stronger

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Liverpool. Under new Manager Arne Slot, they haven’t missed a beat. They’ve doubled down. Their transfer activity has been ruthless and efficient. They’ve almost locked in Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, a young, direct, and aggressive fullback who fits Slot’s pressing style perfectly and is visually the long-term replacement for club legend Andy Robertson.

On the right, the imminent announcement of Jeremie Frimpong will be any day now. One of the most explosive wing-backs in Europe. His pace, end product, and energy will cause nightmares for every Premier League winger and fullback next season. A perfect replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The cherry on top? Florian Wirtz. The German prodigy is very close to signing for the Reds, and a deal is expected to be completed in the next few days. Wirtz rejected Manchester City and Bayern Munich and chose Liverpool. That says a lot.

Wirtz brings elite vision, technical finesse, and the kind of positional intelligence that can break low blocks, something Liverpool occasionally struggled with last season. When you add these three to an already potent squad, you don’t just get depth, you get options. Tactical variety. Hunger. Arne Slot is looking further ahead in the transfer window, and rumors say Alexander Isak might be the next target. 

So… What Does Arsenal Need To Do?

First off, let’s not forget that Arsenal isn’t miles behind. They’ve been second for three years running now. This is not a rebuild job. This is about small margins. Smart tweaks that would help them finally cross the finishing line.  Word is, Arsenal’s ready to spend big, over €200 million this summer. And that’s the right move.

Viktor Gyökeres is one of the most serious names being discussed. The Swedish striker scored goals for fun at Sporting Lisbon, and more importantly, he’s a bully. Strong, mobile, and sharp in transition, exactly the type of No.9 that can thrive in England and give Arsenal a more direct threat when Plan A isn’t working.

Benjamin Sesko is another player being discussed. The RB Leipzig young forward is one of the most promising strikers in Europe and has a bright future ahead of him. Mikel Arteta feels the 21-year-old can solve their long-standing issues up top and improve Arsenal significantly. 

In midfield, Martin Zubimendi feels like a no-brainer. With Thomas Partey likely heading out and Jorginho no longer a long-term option, Zubimendi brings composure, passing range, and the ability to control games. Arsenal missed this when Declan Rice was pushed further forward. However, as per Fabrizio Romano, a deal for the Spaniard is imminent. 

Then there’s Rodrygo, the electric winger from Real Madrid. If Arteta wants more unpredictability down the flanks, especially when Martinelli isn’t at it, Rodrygo could offer that X-factor. Nico Williams is a cheaper alternative to the Brazilian, and if Arsenal manage to get their hands on any of these, it’ll boost their attacking prowess to a massive extent. 

Let’s not forget the potential addition of Joan Garcia, who could be a solid backup in goal behind Raya, especially with the uncertainty around Ramsdale’s future. The goal with these signings isn’t just depth, it’s about raising the floor and the ceiling of this squad. Arsenal needs a squad that can rotate without falling off a cliff. Liverpool has that now. City always has. Arsenal needs to join that party.

It’s Not Just About Signings

Transfers grab headlines, but Arsenal also has to grow internally. Tactically and mentally. Last season, Arsenal fell short in the big moments again. Whether it was fatigue, injuries, lack of squad rotation, or just nerves, Arteta has to learn to manage the second half of a season better. That means trusting his bench more, rotating smarter, and finding different ways to win.

Arteta’s system is effective, but it’s also rigid. When it works, it looks like poetry, and Arsenal is the best team on the planet. When it doesn’t, it’s predictable. Liverpool under Arne Slot is going to be tactically flexible. City always is. Arsenal has to adapt because variety is how you survive a 38-game war.

Let’s also give credit to the youth movement. Players like Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have become genuine world-class stars. But the emergence of names like Ethan Nwaneri, Miles Lewis Kelly, and Max Dowman shows there’s still more coming through the pipeline. These are the types of players who can play 15-20 games a season and ease the load on the first XI.

Don’t Sleep On City, Either

While Liverpool is the current benchmark, let’s not kid ourselves, Manchester City isn’t just going to fade away. Pep Guardiola endured his most frustrating season in years, with no trophies, a final loss, and a third-place finish that felt almost surreal. That won’t happen again. You can bet your house on City coming back angry, probably with a couple of frightening signings of their own. Arsenal can’t afford to just focus on catching Liverpool. They’ve got to keep one eye on the blue machine from Manchester, too.

Final Thoughts

This summer feels like a crossroads moment for Arsenal. They’ve built something special, but the hard part comes: maintaining it, evolving it, and finally finishing the job. Liverpool has reloaded. City will reload. If Arsenal want to be more than runners-up again and not be trophyless for the sixth year running, they need to get this summer right. 

The margin for error is razor thin, but the ambition is there, the foundation is strong, and the hunger in that dressing room is real. Arsenal doesn’t need a miracle; they just need to be better. They need to be smarter with their squad, bolder in the transfer market, and sharper in the big moments.