2026-27 season preview: Arsenal

What will success look like for Arsenal this season?

Another step forward in the Champions League. Coach Mikel Arteta needs to capture the biggest title in Europe to cement his Arsenal side's place in history. Winning the Premier League a second time would be great—and his team looks well-equipped to do it—but his focus will be on Europe for 2026-27.

Which players have arrived?

Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie excelled at Arsenal last season while on loan from Bayer Leverkusen and earned himself a full-time transfer to London this summer. He's a versatile left-footed defender who is equally comfortable in the center of defense or on the left wing. With starting center back William Saliba nursing a serious back injury, Hincapie could become a major part of Arsenal's back line in the opening weeks of the season.

The other new face in North London is Greek attacker Christos Tzolis, who arrived from Club Brugge this summer on an eight-figure fee. He's a flexible forward who can play as a striker or an inverted winger depending on the formation. Tzolis managed a whopping 40 goal contributions—17 goals and 23 assists—with Club Brugge last season and should help Arsenal improve its goalscoring form.

Arsenal also (finally) signed Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimares from Newcastle on a multi-year deal. He'll partner with team fixtures Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the center of the park.

Which players have departed?

The big loss is Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard, who quietly moved to Turkish club Besiktas in the wake of the 2026 World Cup. He'll be dearly missed. While Trossard never quite got the plaudits he deserved from the Arsenal faithful, he was the team's unsung hero throughout much of the past three seasons, serving as a super-sub when Brazilian attacker Gabriel Martinelli was in form and a reliable starter when he wasn't.

Tzolis should serve as Trossard's direct replacement, but sacrificing the reliability of Trossard for the potential of Tzolis is a big gamble for Arsenal. 

Which players might come or go in the next few weeks?

Arsenal youth product Myles Lewis-Skelly looks likely to leave for Chelsea in the coming days. While he is superfluous to Arteta's requirements, it does feel like a waste to let a solid academy player like him strengthen one of Arsenal's direct rivals.

Arsenal will kick off its Premier League season on Friday, Aug. 21 against newly-promoted Coventry City.