SBOTOP: Mikel Arteta Confident Arsenal’s Growing Squad Depth Can Fuel Champions League Title Ambitions

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that the Gunners’ increasingly deep and versatile squad could be the key to sustaining their charge for silverware on multiple fronts this season — including a long-awaited run at the Champions League title. After years of rebuilding, Arsenal now find themselves not only competing among Europe’s elite once more but also possessing the balance, tactical maturity, and player depth required to challenge for football’s biggest prizes.

As Arteta continues to shape his team into one capable of matching Europe’s best, he insists that the evolution of his squad — both in quality and mentality — has transformed Arsenal from hopeful contenders into genuine threats.

“If we want to be successful at the very top level, we need a squad that can compete every three days — with the same intensity, the same hunger,” Arteta said in a recent interview. “Now, I believe we’re closer to that than we’ve ever been.”

From Rebuild to Real Contenders

When Arteta first arrived at Arsenal in December 2019, the club was adrift — a shadow of the once-dominant force that had graced the Champions League for nearly two decades under Arsène Wenger. Years of inconsistency, disjointed recruitment, and managerial turnover had eroded both the team’s confidence and identity.

Fast forward nearly five years, and the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal from the ground up — instilling a clear playing philosophy, demanding higher standards, and cultivating a winning mentality that has reignited belief across the fanbase.

After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season, Arsenal returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2017. The significance of that return was not lost on anyone at the club, particularly Arteta, who experienced European nights at the Emirates as both a player and now as a manager.

“It’s where Arsenal belongs,” he said. “This club has too much history and ambition to be away from this competition. But being back is only the first step. We want to stay here and compete to win it.”

That ambition — to win, not just participate — has been a driving force behind Arsenal’s recent recruitment strategy and tactical evolution.

Building a Squad for the Demands of Europe

Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have spent the past three transfer windows constructing a squad capable of handling the dual pressures of domestic and European competition. The emphasis has been on versatility, depth, and mentality — players who can adapt, rotate, and thrive across different systems and challenges.

The arrival of players like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber has added both technical quality and tactical flexibility. Meanwhile, retaining the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Ødegaard ensures that the core of Arsenal’s young, dynamic attack remains intact.

For Arteta, this blend of youth and experience is precisely what makes the current squad unique.

“It’s not just about numbers,” he explained. “It’s about having different profiles, different solutions. Every player brings something distinct — and that allows us to approach games in multiple ways. In Europe, that adaptability is crucial.”

The Arsenal manager has made no secret of his admiration for clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid — teams that have dominated Europe through depth, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience. For Arsenal to join that conversation, he believes, they must develop those same traits.

Rotation and Competition for Places

One of the clearest signs of Arsenal’s progression this season has been their ability to rotate effectively without a significant drop in quality.

In previous years, injuries to key players like Saka or Thomas Partey would have severely disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm. Now, with options like Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, and Rice capable of stepping in, Arteta can manage workloads more strategically.

The internal competition has also raised performance levels across the board.

“You can see it every day in training,” said captain Martin Ødegaard. “Everyone is pushing each other. If you don’t perform, someone else is ready to take your place. That mentality keeps us sharp.”

Arteta, known for his meticulous preparation, views this competitive edge as fundamental to success.

“The best teams in the world train like they play,” he noted. “You need intensity in every session, and competition creates that. When players know they must earn their place, standards rise naturally.”

This balance — maintaining harmony while fostering healthy competition — has been one of Arteta’s most impressive achievements as a coach. His man-management, once questioned early in his tenure, has evolved alongside the squad itself.

Defensive Solidity The Foundation of Belief

While much of Arsenal’s recent praise has focused on their vibrant attacking play, their defensive improvement has been equally pivotal.

Since the start of last season, the Gunners have developed one of the Premier League’s most organized and aggressive defensive units. William Saliba’s emergence, alongside the consistency of Gabriel Magalhães, has given Arsenal a formidable central partnership, while full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White provide both defensive cover and creative thrust.

In Europe, where tactical discipline and composure are paramount, this defensive structure could prove decisive.

“Defending well is about control,” Arteta explained. “It’s not just about stopping goals — it’s about dictating where the game is played. If we can control transitions, control tempo, we control the match.”

Arsenal’s ability to press effectively, recover shape quickly, and defend as a unit has allowed them to compete with — and often outthink — top European opposition.

Midfield Mastery The Heart of Arsenal’s Ambition

Perhaps the most transformative element of Arsenal’s evolution has been the midfield. The addition of Declan Rice has elevated the team’s balance, energy, and authority in central areas.

Rice, whose £100 million move from West Ham broke Arsenal’s transfer record, has justified his price tag with commanding performances. His ability to shield the defense, dictate tempo, and drive forward has given Arteta the tactical freedom to tweak formations without losing stability.

Alongside him, Ødegaard continues to orchestrate attacks with intelligence and creativity, while Havertz offers fluidity and physicality — particularly in games requiring late surges into the box.

“Midfield is where everything happens,” said Arteta. “It’s where you win or lose control. Having players who can dominate that area gives you the foundation to compete with the best.”

In Europe, where possession battles are often decisive, Arsenal’s midfield versatility — capable of morphing between a double pivot, box midfield, or diamond — could be their greatest weapon.