The long wait is over. Now Arsenal have to do it again.
After years of near misses, Mikel Arteta finally delivered the Premier League title last season, but defending it brings a different kind of pressure.
Arsenal have strengthened again this summer, although injuries to key players and familiar questions over their attack provide some early concerns.
Can they become the first Arsenal side ever to retain the Premier League? ESPN makes its predictions for the 2026-27 season.
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Top scorer
After missing significant chunks of the previous two seasons with injury, Kai Havertz goes into this one in good shape and is well-rested given Germany's early World Cup exit.
When fit, he has been Arteta's first-choice forward and Viktor Gyökeres will help ease his workload.
Breakout player
The obvious answer here is Max Dowman. As the regular first-teamers build up their fitness following their World Cup exertions, Dowman is likely to be entrusted with more game-time at the start of the season. He has featured prominently in preseason and looked sharp on the right-wing.
Marli Salmon is the other 16-year-old in the Arsenal squad, and has caught the eye in preseason. William Saliba's long-term injury could open the door for him in the early rounds of the cup competitions.
Who is it a make or break season for?
Martin Ødegaard. It's a strange thing to say about a title-winning captain but the Norwegian's place in the Arsenal squad isn't ironclad in the way it used to be. Injuries have had a role to play here, as has been the move to a slightly deeper role that has reduced his attacking output.
Bruno Guimarães' arrival only increases the level of competition in midfield. Arteta has shown his ruthless side in previous years, and another middling season for Ødegaard could raise serious questions about his future at the club.
What would be a success?
Anything less than winning the title will be deemed a failure. While last season's Premier League was the culmination of a long journey, it can also be the launchpad on which future success will be built. That has certainly been the messaging from Arteta and his players this summer.
The Spaniard has built a reputation as a strong motivator and he'll undoubtedly be drumming into this squad the fact that they can become the first Arsenal team in history to retain the Premier League.
Biggest concern?
Saliba's injury could leave Arsenal defensively exposed in the first half of the season. The France international's partnership with Gabriel Magalhães was the foundation on which their title success was built last season, and there isn't another centre-back of equal quality at the club right now.
Jurriën Timber's injury means Arsenal will begin the season with half their first-choice backline sidelined.
Christos Tzolis has impressed in preseason but Arsenal still need an upgrade on the left wing. The lack of firepower nearly cost Arsenal the title last season, and going into the new campaign with largely the same frontline will worry Arteta.
Prediction
First. Arsenal finally got over the line last season and there is little reason to think they won't be the team to beat again.
Manchester City are adjusting to life after Pep Guardiola, while Liverpool and Chelsea have new managers and Manchester United are back juggling Premier League and Champions League football. Arsenal, meanwhile, have the continuity of Arteta and a squad that knows exactly what it takes to win the title.
