Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, defying predictions that their midfield was on the verge of breakdown. Last season, Declan Rice was worked to the bone, playing 4,456 minutes in all competitions, which showed at points during the World Cup when the midfielder’s body looked on the verge of breaking down. The Guardian's preseason analysis had warned that Arsenal needed high-quality reinforcements in the centre of the pitch so Rice could occasionally rest, noting that Christian Nørgaard struggled to get on to the park under Mikel Arteta, who seemingly did not trust the former Brentford captain.
But under Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta, the club delivered on a number of signings in the first transfer window. Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived. The new signings strengthened the squad, and Arteta guided Arsenal to their first title in 22 years and a first Champions League final since 2006.
“Arsenal won first Premier League title in 22 years despite midfield concerns.”
Manchester United, meanwhile, took a different path. After finishing 15th the previous season, expectations were impressively low. Ruben Amorim was given time on the training ground with no European distraction, but he never got his ideas across and was sacked in January. Michael Carrick took over, and United picked up 29 more points than the previous season, an upward swing entirely due to Carrick and his coaching staff.
Elsewhere, Manchester City pushed Arsenal all the way but missed out on the title in the final week, though they won the League Cup and FA Cup in Pep Guardiola's final campaign. Aston Villa, after four straight top-seven finishes and a Europa League win, need more depth and are interested in signing Pervis Estupiñán from Milan. Bournemouth require a statement signing at right-back to allow the 35-year-old Adam Smith to rest. Brentford could do with an upgrade at left-back, where Rico Henry has made four errors leading to shots.
For Arsenal, the title is a vindication of a summer of spending and faith in Arteta. For United, the mid-season change proves that sometimes a reset is the swiftest route to recovery. For the rest, the transfer window remains open and the gaps are clear.