2022–23 Arsenal F.C. season

On 20 December 2019, Arsenal appointed former club captain Mikel Arteta – who was 37 years old then and had never managed before – as the new head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[3][4][5] The 2019–20 season had been defined by a three-month lull between March and June, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and when it returned, it was behind closed doors.[6][7] The Gunners finished the league season in eighth place – far from a European qualification spot; but they earned a record-extending 14th FA Cup win on 1 August 2020, helping them qualify for next season's Europa League, and making Arteta the first person to win the FA Cup as both captain and coach of the club.[8]

The 2020–21 season was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as lots of domestic and European games were played behind closed doors. After Arsenal triumphed in the 2020 FA Community Shield, Arteta's title was changed to manager.[9][10] On 26 December 2020, the Gunners recorded an important victory at home to end their seven-game run without a win in the Premier League and relieve the pressure on Arteta.[11] On 18 April 2021, Arsenal were announced as a founding club of the breakaway European competition The Super League; they withdrew from the competition two days later amid near-universal condemnation.[12] The Gunners finished the season in eighth place once again, this time not qualifying for a European competition for the first time in 25 years.[13][14]

The 2021–22 season, which was documented in the Amazon Prime Video series All or Nothing: Arsenal,[15][16] was a rollercoaster season for the Gunners.[17][18] With their three consecutive defeats to open the Premier League campaign, the club dropped to 20th, sitting at the bottom of the table, which was their worst start to a season for 67 years.[19][20] Since then, a new look Arsenal started to emerge, with several academy graduates and new signings making a major impact.[21] In fact, the Gunners were the youngest team in the 2021–22 Premier League with an average starting age of 24 years and 308 days – more than a whole year younger than the next team.[22][23] Arteta's Arsenal rebuild on and off the pitch began to take shape in this season,[24][25] with the Gunners moving into the top four for several times between December 2021 and May 2022. On 6 May 2022, the club announced that the Spaniard had signed a new contract to the end of the 2024–25 campaign.[26][27] Arsenal finished the league season in fifth place, narrowly missing out on Champions League football.[28][29]

Arsenal captain Ødegaard (left) with Everton captain Jordan Pickford (right) ahead of Arsenal's pre-season friendly with Everton

It was reported on 29 June 2022 that the first-team players who were not in action for their respective countries since the end of the last campaign were back to the London Colney training ground for pre-season training.[30]

On 4 July, the Gunners travelled to Germany for a mini training camp at Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach.[31][32] Five academy players – Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand, Charlie Patino, Matt Smith, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters – were with the first-team squad.[33]

Four days later, Arsenal faced 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg at Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg. New signings Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos and Matt Turner made their non-competitive debuts for the club in a 5–3 win.[34] They returned to England on the next day.

On 11 July, Arsenal confirmed that the internationals who were in action for their respective countries in June were all back to London Colney.[35] Two days later, manager Arteta named a 33-man squad for the trip to the United States where they would play three more friendlies. The 17-year-old defender Reuell Walters was the only academy player to travel with the first team to the US.[36]

The Gunners faced fellow Premier League side Everton at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on 16 July. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both scored one goal in the first half, helping the team win 2–0.[37] Four days later, Arsenal took on Major League Soccer side Orlando City at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Gunners won 3–1 with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the opener, Eddie Nketiah scoring the second, and Reiss Nelson scoring the third.[38]

On 23 July, the club played their third and final game of the USA tour – also the final game of the 2022 Florida Cup series – against Premier League side Chelsea at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. New signing Oleksandr Zinchenko made his non-competitive debut for Arsenal. In the 15th minute, Gabriel Jesus put the Gunners ahead with his fourth goal of pre-season. On 36 minutes, Martin Ødegaard added a further goal by sliding his shot low into the net. Saka scored the third shortly after the hour mark. Albert Sambi Lokonga headed in a cross from Cédric Soares at the far post in the closing stages, making the score 4–0. Arsenal ended the 10-day trip to America with winning the Florida Cup.[39]

The Gunners finished their pre-season campaign by thrashing La Liga side Sevilla 6–0 to claim the 2022 Emirates Cup on 30 July. The match saw four goals in the opening 20 minutes, courtesy of braces from Saka and Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian completing his treble on 77 minutes before Nketiah netted in the final minute.[40]

Before the start of the game against Sevilla, Arsenal announced that Ødegaard was named their new men's first-team captain.[41][42]

Saliba with Marseille in January 2022

Last season, French centre-back William Saliba spent a year on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1.[43] During his time with Marseille, Saliba made 52 appearances in all competitions, and helped the club to second in the league, whilst also reaching the semi-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League season. Saliba was named as Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and was awarded a position in the Team of the Year.[44][45] He also won his first caps for France.[46][47] In early June 2022, Saliba confirmed he would return to north London from his Marseille loan spell.[47] He would wear the number 12 shirt from the 2022–23 season.

On 19 May 2022, three days before the last game of the 2021–22 season, Arsenal announced that Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos joined Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart in a permanent transfer.[48] On 24 May, the club confirmed that Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny had signed a new contract.[49] On 10 June, Arsenal announced that they were to release nine players, two of whom, Alexandre Lacazette and Nketiah, made men's first-team appearances for the Gunners.[50] Eight days later, the club confirmed English striker and academy graduate Nketiah signed a new long-term contract, and would wear the number 14 shirt from the 2022–23 season, having previously worn the number 30.[51] The departure of French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi to Ligue 1 side Marseille was announced on 1 July.[52][53] Two weeks later, the Gunners confirmed American defender Auston Trusty joined EFL Championship side Birmingham City F.C. on a season-long loan.[54]

Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer transfer window on 10 June, with 19-year-old Brazilian forward Marquinhos joining the club on a long-term contract from Série A side São Paulo.[55][56] Eleven days later, the club announced the signing of 22-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fábio Vieira from Primeira Liga side Porto. He was given the number 21 shirt.[57]

On 27 June, the Gunners confirmed that 28-year-old American goalkeeper Matt Turner had joined the club from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, and would wear the number 30 shirt.[58][59] As of June 2022, Turner had made 18 appearances for the United States.[58][59] He wore the number one shirt and played every game as USA won the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup as hosts, keeping five clean sheets in the tournament, and earning the Golden Glove award.[60][61] He was also honoured as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021.[62] Turner has been an Arsenal fan since his teenage years.[59][63]

Jesus with Manchester City in 2018

Zinchenko playing for Manchester City in 2018

In July 2022, the Gunners announced two signings of notable players from fellow Premier League side Manchester City, where Arteta spent three years and a half at as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola before returning to Arsenal as head coach.[64][4] On 4 July, 25-year-old Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal on a long-term contract, and was assigned the number 9 shirt.[65][66] With the ability to play in several attacking positions, he is one of the leading strikers in the Premier League during his six seasons in Manchester City.[65][67] On 22 July, 25-year-old Ukrainian left-sided player and Arsenal supporter Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is comfortable operating in midfield and defence, joined the club on a long-term contract,[68][69][70] and would wear the number 35 shirt. Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko had both won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup and a number of EFL Cups as Manchester City players.[65][68] Manager Arteta believed that Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko would help bring a winning mentality to the young squad.[67][71]

The Gunners continued their summer exodus after signing five players. In late July, the club announced the loan departures of English goalkeeper and academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo and Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares to League Two side Crewe Alexandra and Ligue 1 side Marseille respectively.[72][73]

On 2 August, Arsenal announced German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who had made 125 appearances for the club in all competitions, joined fellow Premier League side Fulham in a permanent transfer.[74][75] On the next day, the Gunners confirmed English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale took the number one shirt, moving from his previous number 32 following Leno's move to Fulham.[76]

The departures of five first-team players were announced afterwards, as English forward and academy graduate Folarin Balogun joined Ligue 1 side Reims on a one-year loan,[77] Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira completed his transfer to Süper Lig side Galatasaray,[78] Spanish defender Pablo Marí joined Serie A side A.C. Monza on a one-year loan deal,[79] Icelandic goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson joined Süper Lig side Alanyaspor on loan for the 2022–23 season,[80] and Ivorian winger Nicolas Pépé joined Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on a season-long loan.[81]

On transfer deadline day, 1 September, two first-team players departed the club. English midfielder and academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined fellow Premier League side Southampton on a one-year loan.[82] Spanish defender and academy graduate Héctor Bellerín, who had made 239 first-team appearances in all competitions and won three FA Cups with the club, joined La Liga side Barcelona in a permanent transfer.[83]

After the summer transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and six forwards.[84]

Just like the 2021–22 season, the Gunners began their campaign with a London derby away in the Premier League's first fixture on Friday, 5 August 2022,[85][86] facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, managed by former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. Returning loanee Saliba and new signings Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko made their competitive debuts for the team, and new recruit Turner was named on the bench in a 2–0 win.[87] Martinelli opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header assisted by Zinchenko, becoming the first Brazilian to net a season-opening goal of a Premier League campaign.[88][89][90] In the 85th minute, Saka's cross was deflected home by Marc Guéhi to ensure Arteta registered his 50th league victory,[89] making him the second-quickest manager to reach 50 top-flight wins for Arsenal after Arsène Wenger.[90][91]

Eight days later, the club played their first home match of the season against Leicester City.[92] Gabriel Jesus netted twice in the first half on his home debut, becoming the first player to score more than once on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal.[93] The visitors were awarded a penalty before half-time when striker Jamie Vardy and goalkeeper Ramsdale collided in the box, but the decision was overturned after referee Darren England checked the pitchside monitor.[94][95] Despite a Saliba own goal in the 53rd minute, Granit Xhaka scored just two minutes later. Moments after James Maddison scored for the Foxes, Martinelli netted in the 75th minute, making the score 4–2.[93][94][95]

It was reported on 15 August that manager Arteta appointed Xhaka and Gabriel Jesus as the team's vice-captains to support skipper Ødegaard.[96]

On 20 August, Arsenal continued their Premier League campaign, facing newly promoted Bournemouth away at Dean Court. Summer signing Vieira was named among the substitutes for the first time.[97] Ødegaard netted twice within the opening 11 minutes. Saliba scored with a left-footed curled shot from the edge of the box to the top right corner in the 54th minute, becoming the youngest Frenchman to score a Premier League goal for the Gunners since Samir Nasri in November 2008 vs Manchester United,[98] and sealing a 3–0 victory. The win vaulted them to the top of the Premier League for the first time since 17 January 2016 against Stoke City,[99][100] and ensured it was the first time Arsenal had won their opening three fixtures since the 2004–05 season.[101][102] Saka became the second youngest player to play 100 times for the club in the Premier League, behind Cesc Fàbregas.[98][103]

On 26 August, the draw for the Europa League group stage was made. Arsenal were drawn in Group A, along with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt and Swiss champions Zürich.[104]

A day later, the Gunners played at home against newly promoted Fulham and former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno,[105] who had signed with the Cottagers three days before the start of the Premier League season. Kieran Tierney and Elneny made their first Premier League starts of the season, because Zinchenko had suffered a slight sprain to his knee in training, and Thomas Partey had suffered a tight thigh before this game; new signing Marquinhos was on the bench for the first time.[106] In the 56th minute, Gabriel Magalhães hesitated to pick a pass and lost possession on the edge of his own box to allow Aleksandar Mitrović to put Fulham ahead. Eight minutes later, Ødegaard equalised with a deflected strike from Saka's pass. In the 85th minute, a Martinelli corner caused havoc in a congested box and Gabriel Magalhães redeemed himself with a scrambled finish from close range, making the score 2–1.[107][108] The win marked Arteta's 100th Premier League game in charge, and ensured it was the third time the club had won each of their first four games of a Premier League season, after 2003–04 and 2004–05. It was also the first time Arsenal conceded the first goal in the second half of a Premier League match and managed to come back and win since 26 December 2013 against West Ham United.[107][109]

It was reported on 30 August that midfielder Elneny suffered a significant injury in the match against Fulham.[110] He would be out for two months.[111]

Arsenal's last match of the month was against 15th-placed Aston Villa and former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez at home on 31 August.[112] Albert Sambi Lokonga was handed his first start of the season as he replaced the injured Elneny.[113] In the 30th minute, Gabriel Jesus put his side in front by sweeping a low effort past Villa's Martínez after he had fumbled Xhaka's deflected shot. The visitors found an equaliser directly from Douglas Luiz's corner in the 74th minute, as goalkeeper Ramsdale protested that he was impeded by Boubacar Kamara. The Gunners regained their lead with Martinelli turning in Saka's pinpoint cross just three minutes later.[114][115][116] The 2–1 victory was Arsenal's 200th Premier League win since the club moved to Emirates Stadium from Highbury back in 2006.[114][117] It was the fourth time Arsenal had started a top-flight season with a run of five wins, after 1930–31, 1947–48 and 2004–05.[118][119] Arteta became the 11th manager to have won the first five games of a Premier League season, after Kevin Keegan, Carlo Ancelotti, Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Alan Curbishley, José Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini, Pep Guardiola, Maurizio Sarri, and Jürgen Klopp.[120]

Arsenal's performances in August led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After guiding the Gunners to wins in all five of their Premier League matches of the month, Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month, winning the award for the third time following his previous successes in September 2021 and March 2022.[121][122] Gabriel Jesus and Ødegaard, who both scored three goals in August, were nominated for Premier League Player of the Month.[123][124] Gabriel Jesus' chip against Leicester City and Saliba's strike against Bournemouth were both shortlisted for Premier League Goal of the Month.[125][126] Gabriel Jesus and Ødegaard were also nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[127] Gabriel Jesus was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for August,[128] and Saliba's strike against Bournemouth was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[129]

The club started September with a 1–3 defeat at Old Trafford to rivals Manchester United on 4 September,[130] seeing their five-game winning start to the Premier League season come to an end. Zinchenko returnd to the starting line-up, while Arsenal's first two defensive midfielders – Partey and Elneny – were still injured.[131] In the 12th minute, Martinelli raced goalwards and finished past goalkeeper David de Gea, however video assistant referee Lee Mason suggested that referee Paul Tierney should check for a foul on Christian Eriksen by Ødegaard in the build-up to the goal, and he changed his on-field decision. In the 35th minute, Antony scored for the hosts. Saka levelled for the Gunners on the hour mark, ending his 10-game goal drought dating back to May. Marcus Rashford then netted twice in the 66th and 75th minute, helping the hosts to victory.[132][133][134] Despite the loss, Arsenal remained top of the table.[133] The game also saw new signing Vieira make his competitive debut for the team as a substitute in the 74th minute.[132][133] It was reported on 21 December 2022 that Martinelli's disallowed opener was one of the six incorrect VAR interventions in the first part of the Premier League season before the break for the World Cup.[135][136]

After missing out on continental action last term, the Gunners began their fifth Europa League campaign on 8 September with a trip to Switzerland in a group stage match against Zürich,[137] the reigning Swiss Super League champions. This was the first time the two teams played each other in a European game.[104] New signings Marquinhos and Turner made their competitive debuts, and fellow new recruit Vieira got his full debut in a 2–1 win. In the 16th minute, Arsenal took the lead through Marquinhos converting from Nketiah's cutback. Zürich equalised in the 44th minute courtesy of Mirlind Kryeziu's penalty after Nketiah fouled Fidan Aliti inside the box.[138][139][140] At half-time, the news broke of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,[141] and Arsenal's players returned to the field wearing black armbands in respect, while a minute's silence was held before the start of the second half.[138][140] In the 62nd minute, Nketiah atoned for his earlier error by heading the deciding goal at the far post from Marquinho's cross,[138][139] becoming the fifth Englishman to score in three consecutive starts in the Europa League.[142] The winner prompted a muted response from players on the pitch as well as manager Arteta, who also wore a black armband, on the sidelines in light of the news from Buckingham Palace.[140]

Arsenal's home fixture against Everton, which was originally due to be played on 11 September, was postponed two days beforehand along with the entire weekend's English football league programme,[143][144][145] as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[141][146] The Europa League group stage match between Arsenal and Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, originally scheduled to be played on 15 September, was postponed due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.[147][148] It was announced on 14 September that the league match between Arsenal and Manchester City, which was originally scheduled for 19 October, was postponed to accommodate Arsenal's rearranged Europa League fixture against PSV Eindhoven, following discussions between UEFA, the Premier League and relevant clubs.[149][150][151]

Ahead of the first international break of the season, the Gunners faced 8th-placed Brentford away at Brentford Community Stadium on 18 September.[152] Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a rendition of the national anthem "God Save the King".[153][154] In the 17th minute, Saliba opened the scoring with a header from Saka's corner. Eleven minutes later, Gabriel Jesus doubled Arsenal's advantage with another header from Xhaka's chip. In the 49th minute, Vieira collected a Saka pass in space outside the Brentford box and unleashed a strike that crashed in off the post, marking his first Premier League start, and sealing a 3–0 win.[155] Nketiah made his 100th appearance for the team as a substitute in the 78th minute.[153] As a schoolboy midfielder at the age of 15 years and 181 days, Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to replace Vieira in second-half stoppage time. He became the youngest player to ever appear in the Premier League[155] – breaking the record previously held by Harvey Elliott,[154][156] and the all-time English top-flight record held since August 1964 by former Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Forster, by three days.[157][158] He also became Arsenal's youngest-ever player in any competition, breaking the previous record of 16 years and 177 days, set by Cesc Fàbregas in the 2003–04 League Cup.[158][159] In the post-match presser, manager Arteta explained that they had to name Nwaneri and two other under-21 players on the bench because the first team had several injuries, especially the injury of midfielder Ødegaard, and a "gut feeling" was behind his decision to send Nwaneri on.[160][161]

Ten Arsenal first-team players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in September: Ramsdale and Saka (England), Karl Hein (Estonia), Saliba (France), Partey (Ghana), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan), Ødegaard (as Norway's captain), Tierney (Scotland), Xhaka (as Switzerland's captain), and Turner (United States).[162][163]

On 29 September, Arsenal announced that academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe had undergone surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his groin. He would return to full training in December.[164][165]

Gabriel Jesus's impressive form was recognised with a nomination for September's PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month.[166] Xhaka was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for September,[167] and Vieira's strike against Brentford was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[168]

October 2022 was a gruelling month for Arsenal. They played five Premier League matches and four Europa League matches in 29 days, including two home games against Tottenham and Liverpool, and two games away to Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

On 1 October, following the international break, it was North London derby day in the league as the club played at home to 3rd-placed Tottenham.[169] Partey opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a right-footed curled shot from 25 yards assisted by Ben White. It was the first time Partey scored from outside the box for Arsenal, with what was his 65th attempt in all competitions.[170][171] Spurs equalised in the 31st minute courtesy of Harry Kane's penalty after Gabriel Magalhães fouled Richarlison inside the box.[172] In the 49th minute, Gabriel Jesus capitalised on a mix-up between goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and defender Cristian Romero to put the Gunners in front from close range shortly after Lloris spilled a Saka shot. On 62 minutes, Emerson Royal's reckless foul tackle from behind on Martinelli prompted referee Anthony Taylor to produce a straight red card.[172] Five minutes later, Xhaka drilled a low shot past Lloris from the centre of the box, making the score 3–1. The win kept Arsenal on top of the Premier League table, and meant that it was the first time the club had won each of their last three Premier League home games against Tottenham since September 2013.[170][171]

The Gunners resumed their Europa League campaign on 6 October with a home game against Bodø/Glimt,[173] the defending Eliteserien champions. This was the first time the two teams met in a European competition.[104] American goalkeeper Turner made his home debut and kept his first clean sheet for Arsenal in a 3–0 win.[174] Nketiah netted on his fourth Europa League start in a row by tapping home the rebound from Tierney's strike in the 23rd minute.[175] Four minutes later, Vieira crossed for Rob Holding at the back post to head in a second.[174] On 84 minutes, Gabriel Jesus danced past several defenders in the box to tee up Vieira to fire into the net.[175][176] The win put the Gunners top of their Europa League group by two points over PSV Eindhoven with a game in hand.[176]

On 9 October, the club played their third consecutive home match of the month against 9th-placed Liverpool,[177] a team that Arsenal had only won one of their last 14 Premier League matches against since the 2015–16 season and had failed to score in their past six meetings with in all competitions.[178][179] The Gunners took the lead after just 58 seconds when captain Ødegaard slipped the ball through three defenders to Martinelli and he tucked the ball home.[180] Liverpool equalised through Darwin Núñez in the 34th minute.[181] At the end of the first half, Arsenal reclaimed the lead, with Saka tucking in Martinelli's low pass through the six-yard box at the back post from a swift counter.[179] Liverpool again got back on terms through substitute Roberto Firmino in the 53rd minute. After Gabriel Jesus was fouled by Thiago inside the box, Saka scored the deciding goal from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, making the score 3–2,[181] and sealing the Gunners' first win over Liverpool since July 2020.[178] This was the fourth time Arsenal had won at least eight of their first nine league matches in a top-flight campaign, after 1947–48, 2004–05 and 2007–08.[180]

Four days later, the Gunners travelled to Bodø, Norway – a town located just north of the Arctic Circle – to face Eliteserien side Bodø/Glimt.[182] The game took place on an artificial pitch at Aspmyra Stadion, where the Norwegian team had won each of their last 14 home matches in European competition.[183][184][185] On 24 minutes, Saka's toe-poked effort was blocked by a defender, the rebound bounced off his face and past the goalkeeper. It was the only goal of the game, and the Gunners won 1–0.[183][184][185]

Arsenal continued their Premier League campaign on 16 October, facing 14th-placed Leeds United away at Elland Road. The game saw goalkeeper Ramsdale produce a man of the match display as the Gunners won 1–0.[186] In a unique start to the game, a power cut outside the stadium after 60 seconds forced a 40-minute suspension,[187] because referee Chris Kavanagh found that he lost communication with VAR, which would play a crucial role when the match eventually resumed.[188] Once they got going again, Saka scored the winning goal from a tight angle in the 35th minute, assisted by Ødegaard.[189] After a VAR check, Leeds were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute when Saliba was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box, but striker Patrick Bamford dragged his effort wide of Ramsdale's left-hand post.[187][188][189] In stoppage time, referee Kavanagh sent off defender Gabriel Magalhães for kicking out at Bamford and awarded the hosts a second penalty after discussing with his assistant, but both decisions were overturned after Kavanagh was suggested by VAR to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.[187][188][189] This was the club's best start to a top-flight campaign as the Gunners had won nine of their first ten league games for the first time ever.[189] The result also moved Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League.[187][188]

On 20 October, the Gunners played the postponed Europa League match at home to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven,[190] which finished as runners-up in the 2021–22 Eredivisie. On 70 minutes, Xhaka drove a right-footed effort into the bottom left corner from Tomiyasu's right-wing cross,[191] helping the hosts to a third straight 1–0 victory. The win marked Tierney's 100th appearance for the team,[192] and ensured Arsenal qualified for the Europa League knockout stage with two group games to spare.[193]

On the next day, the club announced that Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães had signed a new long-term contract.[194][195]

Arsenal headed to the south coast of England on 23 October, facing 14th-placed Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.[196] In the 11th minute, Xhaka put his side ahead with a right-footed strike from White's cross.[197] But the Gunners were unable to add a second goal, and the hosts found a leveller through Stuart Armstrong on 65 minutes.[198] It ended Arsenal's eight-game winning run, and was also their first draw in 28 Premier League matches since January 2022.[199]

On 27 October, the Gunners travelled to the Netherlands to face Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven at Philips Stadion.[200] After a tight first-half finished goalless, Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong both scored one goal in an eight-minute period, sealing a 2–0 win for the hosts, and ending Arsenal's four-game winning run in the Europa League.[201] This was the first time the Gunners suffered an away defeat in the group stage of the Europa League since November 2017.[202][203] The game also saw Martinelli make his 100th appearance for the team in all competitions,[201] and Xhaka make his 50th Europa League appearance, becoming the second Swiss player to reach this milestone.[204]

Arsenal's ninth and last match of the month was against newly promoted Nottingham Forest at home on 30 October.[205] Before the start of the game, the team paid tribute to their on-loan defender Pablo Marí, who was recovering after being stabbed in an Italian supermarket on 27 October.[206][207] The players did the same by holding up a shirt with Mari's name on it after Martinelli opened the scoring with a diving header.[206][208] Before the half hour mark, Saka was forced off with an injury and was replaced by academy graduate Nelson, who netted twice in the early stages of the second half,[209] becoming the first Englishman to score a brace as a substitute for the Gunners in a Premier League game.[208] Partey added the fourth with a long-range strike before an Ødegaard shot made it 5–0.[209][210] The victory was Arsenal's 300th at Emirates Stadium since the club moved from Highbury in 2006.[210] The win also marked Xhaka's 200th Premier League appearance for the team, and kept them on top of the table.[211]

The Gunners' performances in October led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After leading Arsenal to four wins and a draw from their five Premier League games of the month, Arteta was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month.[212][213] Xhaka, who scored two goals for the team in October, was shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month.[214][215] Partey's long-range effort against Tottenham was nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award.[216][217] Xhaka was also nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[218] Xhaka was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for October,[219] and Partey's strike against Tottenham was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[220]

On 3 November, the Gunners hosted Swiss side Zürich at Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group game.[221] Gabriel Jesus started as Arsenal's captain for the first time,[221] and Elneny made his return from a hamstring injury after two months out.[111][222] In the 17th minute, Tierney scored the only goal of the game with a left-footed shot from 20 yards to the bottom right corner, helping the team win 1–0.[111][223] The victory meant that the Gunners had finished top of their group in all five of their participations in the UEFA Europa League.[222] This was the first time Arsenal had kept a clean sheet in all three of their home group-stage games in a single European campaign since the 2008–09 season.[222] They would go straight into the Europa League round of 16 in March 2023, skipping the knockout play-off round in February.[111][222]

Arsenal went on to face rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 6 November,[224] a match that saw manager Arteta reach 150 games in all competitions – the same number of appearances he made for the Gunners as a player.[225] Zinchenko was back in the starting line-up after missing nine games with a calf injury.[225][226] Gabriel Magalhães's close-range finish from Saka's corner in the 63rd minute earned the visitors a 1–0 win.[227][228] This was Arteta's 87th victory in charge of Arsenal – more than any of his predecessors, including George Graham and Wenger, over the equivalent period.[225]

Three days later, the Gunners entered the EFL Cup in the third round, facing Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at home.[229] The 20-year-old Estonia international keeper and academy graduate Karl Hein made his competitive debut for the first team and started in goal,[229][230] becoming the fourth Estonian to start for a Premier League side.[231] Arsenal took the lead through Nketiah's 20th-minute strike after Nelson's run from the halfway line.[232] The Seagulls equalised on 27 minutes courtesy of Danny Welbeck's penalty after Hein slipped and tripped him inside the box.[229] Two counter-attacking goals from Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey in the second half saw the visitors win 3–1 and end the Gunners' 12-match winning run at home.[232] This was the second time in 20 seasons that Arsenal had failed to progress past the third round of the EFL Cup (formerly League Cup).[230]

On 12 November, Arteta's side played their last game before the 44-day World Cup break against 19th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers away at Molineux Stadium.[233] In the 54th minute, captain Ødegaard tapped Vieira's cross in from close range.[234][235] On 75 minutes, the Norwegian drilled in the rebound after Martinelli's low effort was denied by the goalkeeper, making the score 2–0.[236] The win moved Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, the biggest lead they had at the top of the league since December 2013.[234][235] The Gunners would be top on Christmas Day for the first time since 2007.[234][236]

On 18 November, the club appointed Edu Gaspar, a member of "The Invincibles" team of the 2003–04 Arsenal season who re-joined the Gunners as technical director from the Brazilian Football Confederation in July 2019, as their first-ever sporting director.[237][238]

It was reported on 28 November that the first-team players who were not in action for their respective countries were back to London Colney for mid-season friendlies in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and London.[239]

Saka playing for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup took place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December. Ten Arsenal players were named in squads for the tournament: Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli (Brazil),[240][241] Ramsdale, Saka and White (England),[242][243] Saliba (France),[244][245] Partey (Ghana),[246][247] Tomiyasu (Japan),[248][249] Xhaka (as Switzerland's captain),[250][251] and Turner (United States).[252][253]

The group stage of the competition was played from 20 November to 2 December. Six Arsenal players made their World Cup debuts for their respective countries: Saka,[254] Turner,[255] Tomiyasu,[256] Partey,[257] Martinelli,[258] and Saliba.[259]

On 21 November, Saka scored a brace in England's first group game, becoming the youngest player to score more than one goal in his first World Cup game since German Franz Beckenbauer in 1966.[260][261]

Turner, who wore the USA's number one shirt and started in goal during the tournament, kept two clean sheets in three group games, becoming the first US goalkeeper to record multiple clean sheets in one edition of the FIFA World Cup since 1930.[262][263]

On 2 December, Partey saw his World Cup campaign come to an end after Ghana were eliminated at the group stage.[264] The other Arsenal players would remain for the knockout stage which would be played from 3 to 18 December.

However, only Saliba reached the final week of the competition, while the others were eliminated either in the round of 16 or quarter-finals. Saliba's France were defeated in the World Cup final on 18 December.[265]

On 4 December, manager Arteta named a 27-man squad – including thirteen academy players – for the trip to the United Arab Emirates, where they would play two friendlies in the Dubai Super Cup.[266]

Two days later, Arsenal confirmed that striker Gabriel Jesus had undergone surgery to his right knee after suffering an injury during Brazil's World Cup group stage match against Cameroon on 2 December. The club did not give any timescale on his return.[267][268]

The Gunners faced Ligue 1 side Lyon at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on 8 December. Gabriel Magalhães, Nketiah and Vieira each scored one goal in the first half, helping the team win 3–0. The friendly also featured a post-match penalty shootout and Arsenal earned an extra point by edging that 2–1, with young goalkeeper Karl Hein making four saves out of five.[269]

Arteta's side played their second and final game of the Dubai tour against Serie A side Milan at Al Maktoum Stadium on 13 December. The Gunners won 2–1 with Ødegaard scoring the opener and Nelson scoring the second. Hein made a save in the post-match penalty shootout as Arsenal triumphed 4–3 and earned a bonus point. This ensured that the Gunners claimed the Dubai Super Cup with eight points.[270]

After flying back to England, Arsenal hosted Serie A side Juventus for their final friendly during the World Cup break at Emirates Stadium on 17 December. A Xhaka own goal and a strike from Samuel Iling-Junior snatched victory for the Italian team. The game also saw Nelson limp off with a muscle injury in the 22nd minute.[271]

The Gunners' first action after the World Cup was a Boxing Day fixture at home against 16th-placed West Ham United and former Arsenal goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański.[272] The Hammers took the lead on 27 minutes when Jarrod Bowen was judged to have been fouled inside the box by Saliba, allowing Saïd Benrahma to smash a penalty down the middle.[273] Arteta's side were awarded a penalty for handball in first-half stoppage time, but the decision was overturned after referee Michael Oliver checked the pitchside monitor.[274] In the 53rd minute, Saka scored the equaliser from close range after collecting Ødegaard's scuffed shot.[275] Just five minutes later, Martinelli fired a low left-footed shot past Fabiański from a narrow angle, assisted by Xhaka.[274] On 69 minutes, Ødegaard's pass picked out Nketiah, who led the line in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, and the striker spun in the box before shooting into the bottom left corner.[275] The 3–1 win marked the three-year anniversary of Arteta's first game as Arsenal manager.[273] Former Gunners boss Wenger, who spent 22 years in north London, returned to Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving the club in May 2018. He watched the game from the directors' box and heard his name sang by the home crowd.[273][274][275]

On New Year's Eve, Arsenal travelled to the south coast of England to play their final game of 2022 – also the last Premier League fixture of the year – against 7th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion,[276] who knocked them out of the EFL Cup via a 3–1 victory at Emirates Stadium in November. Before kick-off, there was a minute's applause in tribute to Brazilian football legend Pelé, who died on 29 December, at the age of 82.[277][278] After just 66 seconds, Saka latched onto a rebound from Martinelli's shot to tuck the ball home.[279] It was Arsenal's earliest away goal in the Premier League since May 2013, when Theo Walcott scored after 20 seconds versus Queens Park Rangers.[280] In the 39th minute, skipper Ødegaard put his side 2–0 ahead with a curled shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.[281] On 47 minutes, Nketiah poked the ball in from close range after Brighton's goalkeeper Robert Sánchez spilled Martinelli's shot from a tight angle.[279] In the 65th minute, Kaoru Mitoma pulled one back and reduced the deficit for the Seagulls.[280] Just 6 minutes later, Ødegaard whipped a pass into space for Martinelli to race through and fire between Sánchez's legs to score a goal, restoring the three-goal advantage for the Gunners.[281] On 77 minutes, Saliba was casual on the edge of his own box, allowing Evan Ferguson his chance to pull another goal back.[279] Brighton's Mitoma looked to have scored again with stoppage-time to come, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.[280] The 4–2 victory took Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.[279] They became the fifth team in English top-flight history to pick up as many as 43 points from the first 16 games in a season.[280]

The Gunners' performances in November and December led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After guiding Arsenal to four wins from four Premier League games either side of the World Cup, Arteta picked up his second Premier League Manager of the Month award of the campaign, winning the award for the fourth time since December 2019.[282][283] Ødegaard and Saka were shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month,[284][285] which was won by Ødegaard. He became the first Arsenal player to win the award since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in September 2019.[286][287] It was also the first time since March 2015 the club scooped both awards, when manager Arsène Wenger and striker Olivier Giroud were the recipients.[283] Nketiah's strike against West Ham United was nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award.[288][289] Ødegaard and Saka were also nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[290] White and Saka were voted as the club's Player of the Month for November and December, respectively.[291][292] Nketiah's strike against West Ham United was voted as December's Arsenal Goal of the Month.[293]

Arteta's side would face a tough January before reaching the Premier League campaign's midpoint, with 5th-placed Tottenham Hotspur and 4th-placed Manchester United to follow after 3rd-placed Newcastle United.

Arsenal started 2023 with a home game against Newcastle on 3 January,[294] hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table. However, neither team was able to break the deadlock and the game finished 0–0.[295][296][297] This was the first time the Gunners failed to score in a Premier League match since May 2022.[295] It was also the first time they failed to win at home in the Premier League since April 2022.[296]

On 9 January, the Gunners entered the FA Cup in the third round, facing League One side Oxford United away at Kassam Stadium.[298] In the 63rd minute, Elneny opened the scoring with a header from Vieira's free-kick.[299] On 70 minutes, Vieira claimed another assist when he threaded a pass into the path of Nketiah, who raced through the backline, rounded the goalkeeper and slid the ball home.[300] In the 75th minute, Smith Rowe came off the bench to make his first appearance since September following groin surgery.[299] A minute later, Nketiah added his second goal of the night with a chip over the keeper from Martinelli's pass.[298] The 3–0 result advanced them to the next round, in which they were drawn away to Manchester City on the final weekend of January.[300]

Two days later, the club unveiled eight new pieces of artwork that would adorn the exterior of Emirates Stadium: Victoria Concordia Crescit, Remember Who You Are, Invincible, Come To See The Arsenal, Eighteen Eighty-Six, We All Follow The Arsenal, Future Brilliance, and Found a Place Where We Belong.[301][302][303]

On 15 January, Arsenal faced rivals Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the second North London derby of the season.[304] In the 14th minute, Saka's cross was deflected home by Spurs goalkeeper Lloris.[305] On 36 minutes, Ødegaard doubled Arsenal's lead with a long-range strike assisted by Saka.[306] Spurs did create chances and moments of anxiety for the visitors, especially in the second half; but they could not find a way past Arsenal keeper Ramsdale, who produced a man of the match display with seven saves, including a vital stop with his foot to deny Ryan Sessegnon on 52 minutes, helping his side record the first clean sheet in North London derbies since Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019.[307] The 2–0 win was the Gunners' first Premier League victory at Spurs' stadium since March 2014, and secured their first league double over Tottenham since the 2013–14 season.[306][307] The result moved Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.[305]

An incident occurred at the final whistle after the Gunners won away at their nearest rivals. Live television footage showed keeper Ramsdale went to retrieve his water bottle when a Spurs supporter jumped onto the advertising hoarding behind the goal and kicked the England international in the back.[308][309][310] Ramsdale was led away from the area after the Spurs fan scurried away through the stands.[308][309] "Violence towards players is completely unacceptable," the Professional Footballers' Association said in a statement. "Players have a right to be safe in their place of work. When a player is attacked, we expect the laws and regulations that are in place to protect players to be properly enforced."[311] England's national governing body, the Football Association, said they "strongly condemn" the incident of "wholly unacceptable behaviour".[312] A statement from the Premier League said: "There is no place in football for acts of violence, and under no circumstance should players be attacked or fear for their safety at games."[313] On 17 January, the Metropolitan Police said a man was charged after the incident.[314][315][316][317] A month later, a 35-year-old man from East London pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in West London to assault by beating, going onto an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile onto a football playing area.[318][319][320] The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "He was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, £100 compensation to the victim, costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114. He would also be subject to a four-year football banning order."[321]

On 22 January, Arsenal played at home to rivals Manchester United,[322] the only team that had beaten them in the Premier League this season so far. The Gunners' first-choice centre-back pairing Gabriel Magalhães and Saliba, and winger Saka were treading a disciplinary tightrope, because they had each received four bookings of the Premier League season before this game. A booking in this match would rule them out for the upcoming league game. The suspension threshold would rise to ten bookings after this game.[323] New signing Leandro Trossard was among the substitutes after completing his transfer;[324] and new recruit Jakub Kiwior was present at Emirates Stadium, even though his arrival at the club was not yet announced.[325] In the 17th minute, Rashford gave United the lead with a long-range strike.[326] Seven minutes later, the Gunners levelled through Nketiah, whose header from Xhaka's cross made it 18 goals in his last 26 starts for the club.[324] On 53 minutes, Saka cut in from the right and arrowed a long-range screamer across goalkeeper David de Gea into the far corner of the net,[327] becoming the third Arsenal player to have scored in three Premier League games in a row against Manchester United, after Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry.[323] But the visitors were back on level terms six minutes later as Lisandro Martínez looped a header into the net.[326] As the game entered the final ten minutes, the Gunners kept putting United under pressure. Trossard came on for his debut to bolster the attack, and was involved in the 90th-minute winner.[327] After the ball bounced around in the area, it fell to Nketiah who poked home from close range and sent the Emirates crowd into raptures.[324][326] This was Nketiah's 13th goal in his last 13 starts at Emirates Stadium,[327] making him the first Arsenal player to score two goals in a Premier League game against United since Alexis Sánchez in October 2015.[324] The 3–2 victory extended the Gunners' unbeaten home record against United to five league games and league record this season to 13 matches,[324] and put them a five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.[326] Arsenal had 50 points from 19 games at the halfway stage of the league season – their best start to a top-flight campaign – 15 more than they had at the same stage last season.[328][329]

The Gunners headed to Manchester City on 27 January for their first meeting of the season with Guardiola's side at Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round.[330] New recruit Trossard was handed his first Arsenal start, and Kiwior was named on the bench following his signing with the club earlier in the week.[330] In the 64th minute, Nathan Aké scored the only goal of the tight game with a low shot, helping the hosts win 1–0.[331] The defeat meant that Arteta's side had exited the EFL Cup and FA Cup in the early stages, and would concentrate on the Premier League, as well as the Europa League, which would return in March.[332]

On 31 January, the club announced that midfielder Elneny had undergone surgery to his right knee after suffering a significant injury in a training session. He would be out for an extended period of time.[333][334]

Arsenal's performances in January led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After leading the Gunners to two wins and a draw from their Premier League games against three teams vying for a place in the top four, Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month for the third time this season – the fifth time since December 2019.[335][336] He was the first manager to win the award in successive months since Manchester City's Guardiola did so in November and December 2021. Arteta also became the first Arsenal manager to win the award three times in a single campaign, which was the first time that had happened in the league since Liverpool's Klopp won five in the 2019–20 season.[335][336] Saka was shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month,[337][338] and his long-range screamer against Manchester United was nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award.[339][340] Ramsdale's vital save to deny Tottenham's Ryan Sessegnon was included on the shortlist for Premier League Save of the Month,[341] making him the first Arsenal goalkeeper to be nominated for the award since its inception during the 2022–23 season.[342] Saka was also shortlisted for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[343] Zinchenko was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for January,[344] and Saka's strike against Manchester United was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[345]

Trossard playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022

On 16 January, the club confirmed English goalkeeper and academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo was recalled from his loan at League Two side Crewe Alexandra and joined Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz on loan for the remainder of the season.[346]

Arsenal announced their first signing of the winter transfer window on 20 January with 28-year-old Belgian forward Leandro Trossard joining the club on a long-term contract from fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. He would wear the number 19 shirt.[347][348] With the ability to play in several attacking positions, Trossard scored seven goals in sixteen Premier League games for Brighton this season. He also made three appearances for Belgium at the 2022 World Cup.[347][348]

On 23 January, the club confirmed that they had signed 22-year-old Polish defender Jakub Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia. He would wear the number 15 shirt.[349][350] A versatile defender, Kiwior was capable of playing both as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder during his time with the Italian side.[351][352][353] As of December 2022, he had won nine caps for Poland and started all four of their matches at the 2022 World Cup.[349][350]

Jorginho with Chelsea in 2019

On transfer deadline day, 31 January, the Gunners announced that 31-year-old Italian midfielder Jorginho had joined the club from Premier League side Chelsea and would wear the number 20 shirt.[354][355] Jorginho had made 143 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, winning the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the club. Capped 46 times, he was part of the Italy squad which won UEFA Euro 2020.[354][355] In 2021, he was named UEFA Men's Player of the Year and placed third in the Ballon d'Or.[356][357]

The departures of two first-team players were announced on the same day, as Brazilian forward Marquinhos joined EFL Championship side Norwich City on loan for the remainder of the season,[358] and Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga joined fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace on loan until June 2023.[359]

On 1 February, Arsenal confirmed that Portuguese defender Cédric Soares had joined Premier League side Fulham on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.[360]

After the winter transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and six forwards.[361]

On 3 February, the club announced that Brazilian forward Martinelli had penned a new long-term contract.[362][363]

Arteta's side continued their Premier League campaign on 4 February with an away game against 19th-placed Everton,[364] a team that appointed Sean Dyche as their new manager five days ago.[365][366] This was the first time the Gunners named the same starting XI in five consecutive league games since May 2015.[367] In the 59th minute, deadline-day signing Jorginho made his debut for the team as a substitute.[365] Just a minute later, James Tarkowski netted the only goal of the match to clinch victory for the hosts.[367] This was Arsenal's second Premier League defeat of the season and their first in the last 14 games.[366] Despite the loss, the Gunners remained top of the table by five points with a game in hand.[368]

On Saturday, 11 February, Arsenal played at home against 7th-placed Brentford.[369] With the game still goalless on the hour mark, manager Arteta turned to his bench, bringing on winter signing Trossard.[370] Within five minutes the Belgian forward converted a low Saka cross at the far post, netting his first goal for the club.[371] In the 74th minute, Ivan Toney nodded in Christian Nørgaard's cross from close range for the visitors.[372] The goal was eventually awarded by the video assistant referee Lee Mason after he spent two minutes 26 seconds checking[373][374] whether Brentford's Ethan Pinnock had blocked Gabriel Magalhães from Mathias Jensen's free-kick when in an offside position.[375][376][377] However, Mason failed to identify Brentford's Nørgaard, who assisted the goal, was offside before making the crucial cross for Toney to score, and it later emerged that no lines had been drawn to check for a possible offside.[378][376][379] The Gunners had to try to break down the Brentford defensive block once again, but they couldn't find a way through.[370] This was the first time Arsenal failed to win a Premier League home game in which they scored first since 1 January 2022.[371] The 1–1 draw left them to settle for a three-point advantage over Manchester City with a game in hand. In the post-match presser, Arteta said, "different rules" were applied for Toney's Brentford equaliser.[380][381] On the same day, Brighton & Hove Albion had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside in their draw at Crystal Palace, because the offside line was wrongly drawn by the video assistant referee.[378][382][383]

On Sunday, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – the body responsible for match officials in English professional football – said in a statement:[382][384][385] "PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday. Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL."[386][387] It was not the first time a controversial VAR call had contributed towards the Gunners dropping points this season. In fact, it had happened on four separate occasions so far:[375] Martinelli's goal was disallowed after VAR check at Manchester United on 4 September;[135][136] Gabriel Jesus was denied a penalty at Southampton on 23 October; at least one penalty was denied at the Emirates against Newcastle United on 3 January; and Ivan Toney's Brentford goal stood after VAR check on 11 February.[375] PGMOL confirmed on 17 February that Lee Mason had left the organisation by mutual consent.[388][389][374]

On 15 February, Arteta's side played the postponed Premier League match at home to 2nd-placed and reigning champions Manchester City.[390] Gabriel Magalhães made his 100th appearance for the club in all competitions, and new recruit Jorginho got his full debut as he replaced Partey, who had suffered a muscular injury before this game.[391] In the 24th minute, Tomiyasu left his backpass short for goalkeeper Ramsdale, allowing City's Kevin De Bruyne to nip in and lob the ball into an unguarded net.[392] The Gunners drew level on 42 minutes through a Saka penalty after City goalkeeper Ederson fouled Nketiah inside the box.[393] Guardiola's side were also awarded a penalty on 57 minutes, but the decision was overturned for offside by VAR.[394] In the 72nd minute, a loose pass by Gabriel Magalhães was hoovered up by City, and they rapidly worked the ball out to Jack Grealish, whose low shot took a deflection off Tomiyasu on its way into the net.[392] The visitors added a third on 82 minutes when Erling Haaland fired a low finish into the far corner.[393] The 1–3 defeat saw Arsenal's unbeaten home record come to an end after 14 league games,[395] and meant that the Gunners had lost their last 11 Premier League games against Manchester City since the 2017–18 season, their longest losing run against an opponent in their league history.[394] After the match, Arsenal swapped places with City at the top of the table on goal difference with a game in hand.[393]

The Gunners travelled to Villa Park on 18 February to play against 11th-placed Aston Villa,[396] managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who took charge of the team in November 2022,[397] and was facing his former club for the first time in the Premier League. In a six-goal thriller Arteta's side twice came from behind to win the match, while scoring twice in the stoppage time.[398][399] On five minutes, Ollie Watkins put the hosts ahead with a counter-attacking goal. In the 16th minute, White's cross from the right was half cleared, and Saka smashed the bouncing ball into the net beyond former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.[400] Fifteen minutes later, Villa restored the lead through Philippe Coutinho's strike.[398] On the hour, Zinchenko collected an Ødegaard pass in space outside the box and fired in at the near post for his first Arsenal goal[400] – indeed his first Premier League goal from 92 games in six seasons.[399] In the 82nd minute, Ramsdale made a vital save to keep Arsenal in the game by tipping of recently subbed in, Leon Bailey's effort on to the bar.[399] In stoppage time, Jorginho's long-range shot came off the crossbar and bounced in off goalkeeper Martínez's head to put the Gunners ahead.[399] Martínez then went up the other end for a late Villa corner, and was caught out on the break when Arsenal cleared to Vieira who released Martinelli to walk it home.[399][400] The dramatic 4–2 victory ended the Gunners' run of three Premier League games without a win, and took them two points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand.[399]

On 21 February, Arsenal confirmed that Egyptian midfielder Elneny, who underwent surgery to his right knee in January,[333][334] had extended his contract with the club until June 2024.[401][402]

The Gunners' last match of the month was against 14th-placed Leicester City at King Power Stadium on 25 February.[403] Zinchenko started as Arsenal's captain for the first time as a mark of respect in the week of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of his homeland Ukraine;[404] and Trossard led the line as a false nine, because Nketiah had picked up a knock before the game and Gabriel Jesus continued his recovery from injury.[405] On 26 minutes, Saka's corner was punched away by Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward, and Xhaka collected the ball and played a pass to Trossard who curled a shot from outside the box into the top corner.[406] However, the goal was disallowed by referee Craig Pawson following a VAR review for a foul on keeper Ward by White.[404] In the opening minute of the second half, Trossard pulled wide and fed a nutmeg pass to Martinelli who bursted into the box and stroked the ball into the far corner.[405] This was the 200th goal the Gunners had scored in the Premier League under Arteta.[407] The 1–0 win was Arsenal's 10th away win in the Premier League this season – the fastest they had reached 10 away victories in any league campaign in their history (13 matches) – more than in the whole of last season.[406][407] Goalkeeper Ramsdale recorded his eighth clean sheet in a Premier League away game this season, the most by any Arsenal keeper since Jens Lehmann had kept eight in the unbeaten 2003–04 season.[407] After the game, Arteta said, "Today we wanted to win for him [Zinchenko], for his loved ones, and for all the Ukrainian people that I think has inspired the world with that fighting spirit and with the togetherness they showed as a country. If we can add some happiness today to them and reflecting on who Alex [Zinchenko] is for us, it was a good opportunity, so I'm delighted to dedicate that win to them."[408]

Though Arteta's side wobbled in February, some players were still recognised with monthly award nominations. Ramsdale's vital save to deny Aston Villa's Leon Bailey was shortlisted for February's Premier League Save of the Month,[409][410] making him the first Arsenal goalkeeper to be nominated for the award in successive months since its inception during the 2022–23 season. Saka was nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[411] Zinchenko was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for February,[412] and his strike against Aston Villa was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[413]

On 1 March, the Gunners played the postponed Premier League match at home to 18th-placed Everton,[414] who beat them 1–0 at Goodison Park just over three weeks ago. Five minutes before half-time, Zinchenko – a left-back only in name in this game – provided a through ball from the right-hand side of midfield to Saka who spun past Everton's defender and fired a right-footed shot past his international colleague Jordan Pickford from a narrow angle.[415][416] The goal was Saka's 50th goal involvement (goal or assist) in the Premier League. At 21 years and 177 days, he became the sixth-youngest player to reach the milestone in the competition,[415][416] and the youngest Arsenal player since Cesc Fàbregas achieved it in April 2008.[417][418] Saka also became the first Arsenal player – the eighth player in Premier League history – to score 10 or more goals in multiple Premier League seasons before turning 22.[418] In first-half stoppage time, Everton's Idrissa Gueye was caught dawdling on the ball, Saka nicked it off his toe and immediately played in Martinelli who raced through and slotted the ball past Pickford.[419] The goal was initially ruled out for offside by the linesman's flag, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.[415][419] This meant that both Saka and Martinelli netted their 10th Premier League goals of the season, and Arsenal became the first team to have two players reach double figures for goals this campaign.[415][418] The Gunners added a third on 71 minutes when Ødegaard tucked home a Trossard cutback.[419] In the 80th minute, Martinelli scored his second goal of the night by tapping Nketiah's cross in from close range.[419] Ramsdale made a double save in second-half stoppage time, helping the hosts win 4–0.[415] This was Arsenal's 100th league victory against Everton, making the Gunners the first team in English league history to register 100 wins against a specific opponent.[415][416] The result moved them five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and ensured it was the third time the club had picked up at least 60 points from the first 25 games in a single Premier League campaign, after 2003–04 and 2007–08.[420][421]

Three days later, Arteta's side played at home against 19th-placed Bournemouth,[422] a match that saw the Gunners fall behind after just nine seconds and come back from two goals down with half an hour left to beat the Cherries 3–2 with a stunning 97th-minute winner from substitute Nelson.[423][424][425] Vieira made his second Premier League start for the club after replacing Xhaka;[424] and this was the first time since January 1986 that Arsenal named a starting line-up without a single player to have made a competitive appearance under Wenger, who was in charge of the Gunners from 1996 to 2018.[426][427] Bournemouth took a surprise lead after just 9.11 seconds through Philip Billing from a preconceived kick-off routine.[424][428] It was the second-quickest goal scored in the Premier League era.[423] In the 20th minute, Ramsdale made a vital save to deny Dango Ouattara as the visitors countered from an Arsenal corner.[423] Two minutes later, Trossard was forced off with an injury and was replaced by academy graduate Smith Rowe.[429] This meant that Arsenal's first three centre-forwards – Gabriel Jesus, Nketiah and Trossard – were all injured at the moment, and Martinelli had to play up top, in a role he had never been in this season.[424] On 57 minutes, the hosts fell further behind to Marcos Senesi's header from a corner.[423] In the 62nd minute, A Saka corner was cleared to Smith Rowe, and he headed back into the six-yard box for Partey to tap home at the back post.[424] On 69 minutes, academy graduate Nelson made his third Premier League appearance of the season as he came off the bench to replace Smith Rowe.[428][430] Just a minute later, Nelson sent in a curling cross for defender White, who drove it goalwards and over the line before Bournemouth keeper Neto pushed it away, with the goal-line technology confirming the ball had completely crossed the line.[423] It was White's first Arsenal goal since he joined the club in 2021 and his first Premier League goal from 94 games.[429] With referee Chris Kavanagh set to blow the final whistle in the 7th minute of stoppage time, an Ødegaard corner was cleared as far as Nelson, who chested it down and smashed a left-footed shot through a crowd of bodies and past visiting goalkeeper.[423][424][425] The goal sparked bedlam on the pitch and the Arsenal bench, and sent Emirates Stadium into ecstasy.[431][430][429] Nelson's last-gasp stunner (96:57) was the Gunners' second-latest 90th-minute winner on record in the Premier League (since 2006–07), after Alexis Sánchez's penalty against Burnley in January 2017 (97:14).[424] Arteta's side had netted three 90th-minute winners in the Premier League this campaign, the joint-most 90th-minute winners Arsenal had scored in a single season in the competition.[429] This was the first time in Premier League history that a team scored a 90th-minute winning goal after having gone behind in the first minute since August 2007.[432] It was also the first time the Gunners had won a Premier League game in which they trailed by two or more goals since February 2012.[424]

On 9 March, Arsenal travelled to Lisbon, Portugal to face Sporting CP in the Europa League last-16 first leg.[433] Winter signing Kiwior made his debut for the first team in a 2–2 draw.[434] The Gunners took the lead in the 22nd minute when Saliba headed home from Vieira's corner.[435] Twelve minutes later, the hosts levelled in almost identical fashion when Gonçalo Inácio nodded in from a corner.[436] On 55 minutes, Paulinho tapped in from close range to put Sporting ahead.[435] Arsenal equalised in the 62nd minute when Xhaka's attempted through ball deflected off Hidemasa Morita and into his own net.[436] The result ensured the Gunners would start on level terms when the two teams meet in the return leg at Emirates Stadium On 16 March.[434]

Arteta's side continued their Premier League campaign on 12 March, facing 7th-placed Fulham and former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno away at Craven Cottage.[437] Trossard started as a false nine, and Gabriel Jesus was included in the Gunners' matchday squad for the first time since November 2022 following his knee injury.[438] In the 16th minute, Martinelli's shot was parried by Leno into Antonee Robinson, and the ball ended up in the back of the Fulham net.[439] But after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.[440] Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a header from Trossard's corner.[438] Arteta's side doubled the lead with a counter-attacking goal in the 26th minute when Xhaka took Saliba's sweeping pass from Arsenal's penalty area, dribbled the ball forward a few paces and fed it to Trossard, who crossed for Martinelli to head home at the far post.[439] The Gunners added a third in first-half stoppage time as Ødegaard tucked home from Trossard's chip,[440] making him the first player in Premier League history to assist three goals in the first half of an away game.[438][441] On 77 minutes, Gabriel Jesus made his first Arsenal appearance in four months to replace Trossard.[439] The 3–0 win was Arteta's 100th victory in all competitions as Gunners boss (including two wins that were secured on penalty shootout),[439][442] making him the ninth Arsenal manager to reach the milestone,[443] and ensuring the Gunners became the first team in English Football League history to win five consecutive London derbies away from home without conceding a single goal.[444][445] Arteta's side had won 27 matches in all competitions so far this season, already more than in the whole of the last campaign.[443]

Arsenal's fine form during the season was recognised at the 2023 London Football Awards, which took place on 13 March. Ødegaard picked up the Premier League Player of the Year award, Saka won the Men's Young Player of the Year award, Ramsdale received the Goalkeeper of the Year award, and Arteta was named Manager of the Year.[446][447][448]

On 15 March, the club announced that Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh Kroenke had been appointed as co-chairs whilst Tim Lewis had become executive vice-chair in a boardroom restructure.[1][2]

A week after the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 match, the Gunners hosted Sporting CP in the second leg on 16 March.[449] In the 7th minute, Tomiyasu limped off with a injury and was replaced by White.[450] On 19 minutes, Xhaka tucked in the rebound from Martinelli's shot to put Arsenal ahead.[451] Two minutes later, Saliba was also withdrawn to be replaced by Holding.[452] Pedro Gonçalves levelled for the visitors on 62 minutes with a stunning 46-yard chip from just inside the Gunners' half, catching goalkeeper Ramsdale off his line.[451][452] There were no further goals in regular time and with the away goals rule no longer applying after the 2020–21 UEFA season,[453] both teams headed for the extra thirty minutes.[450] Arsenal had several chances to score in extra-time, but the Portuguese side held out to force the game to penalties, despite Manuel Ugarte receiving a second yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Saka late on.[452] Ødegaard, Saka and Trossard all scored from the penalty spot, but Martinelli's effort was saved by visiting goalkeeper Antonio Adán, and Nuno Santos lashed into the net past Ramsdale to seal a 5–3 win on penalties for Sporting.[451] This was the first penalty shootout the Gunners had competed in at Emirates Stadium, and their 23rd overall in all competitions.[451] The result meant that Arteta's side had exited the Europa League, and domestic league football would be their sole focus for the rest of the season.[450]

Ahead of the last international break of the season, the Gunners played at home on 19 March against 12th-placed Crystal Palace,[454] who sacked manager and former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira two days ago.[455] Holding made his first Premier League start of the season after replacing injured Saliba in the Europa League last-16 second leg match.[456] Martinelli opened the scoring on 28 minutes with a left-footed strike – his sixth goal in six Premier League games – from Saka's right-footed cross,[457] making Saka the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League this campaign, and the first Arsenal player to do so since Alexis Sánchez in 2016–17.[456] In the 43rd minute, White fed a pass to Saka who fired a low shot past teenage goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.[455] Xhaka made it three for the hosts on 55 minutes with a close-range finish from Trossard's assist.[457] Eight minutes later, Palace's Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back from close range following a corner.[455] Saka restored Arsenal's three-goal advantage on 74 minutes with a strike from substitute Tierney's pull-back.[456] In the 86th minute, Kiwior made his home and Premier League debut as a substitute.[454] The 4–1 victory extended the Gunners' winning streak to six in the Premier League for the first time this season, and put them an eight-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with City having a game in hand.[455] Arteta's side had won 22 Premier League games so far this season – Arsenal's most-ever wins in their first 28 matches of a league campaign – as many as they managed in the whole of last term.[456] With 10 league games to go, the Gunners had notched up 69 points to reach their same points tally as last season.[458] This was the first time since 2004 that the club had won four consecutive Premier League matches by scoring at least three goals in each of them.[457] The Gunners became the first side in English Football League history to win nine London derbies in a single league campaign.[459]

On 21 March, Arsenal confirmed that defender Tomiyasu, who had suffered a significant injury in the match against Sporting five days ago, had undergone surgery to his right knee. He became the fourth Arsenal first-team player to undergo surgery after suffering an injury in this season, after Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, and Elneny. Tomiyasu would miss the rest of the season.[460][461]

Twelve Arsenal first-team players (excluding players who were loaned out) were named in their respective countries' senior squads for international fixtures in March: Trossard (Belgium), Ramsdale and Saka (England), Hein (Estonia), Partey (Ghana), Jorginho (Italy), Ødegaard (as Norway's captain), Kiwior (Poland), Tierney (Scotland), Xhaka (as Switzerland's captain), Zinchenko (as Ukraine's captain), and Turner (United States).[462]

The Gunners' performances in March led to several Premier League monthly award nominations. After leading Arsenal to four wins from four Premier League games, Arteta picked up his fourth Premier League Manager of the Month award of the season,[463] becoming the third manager in Premier League history to do so in a single campaign, after Guardiola in 2017–18 and Klopp in 2019–20.[464] Arteta had won the award six times since he took charge of the Gunners in December 2019 – the joint-ninth in the all-time standings.[465] Saka and Trossard were shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Month,[466][467] which was won by Saka for the first time in his career.[468][469] Nelson's last-gasp strike against Bournemouth was nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award.[470][471] Ramsdale's vital save to deny Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara won the Premier League Save of the Month award, making him the first Arsenal goalkeeper to claim the award since its inception during the 2022–23 season.[472][473] Martinelli and Saka were included on the shortlist for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month award.[474] Trossard was voted as Arsenal's Player of the Month for March,[475] and Nelson's strike against Bournemouth was voted as the club's Goal of the Month.[476]

Arteta's side returned to action after the international break with a game against 14th-placed Leeds United at home on 1 April.[477] Before kick-off, both teams paid tribute to former Arsenal and Leeds player David Rocastle, who passed away on 31 March 2001, aged 33.[478] The Gunners took the lead in the 35th minute as Gabriel Jesus was tripped by Luke Ayling inside the box, and the Brazilian tucked the ball down the middle from 12 yards to register his first Arsenal goal since 1 October.[479] The hosts doubled their lead on 47 minutes when Martinelli's low cross found the former Leeds defender White, who rushed forwards and crashed his effort into the net from close range.[480] Eight minutes later, Gabriel Jesus netted his second goal of the afternoon by poking in Trossard's cross.[478] In the 76th minute, Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back for the visitors via a deflection off Zinchenko.[479] Xhaka restored the Gunners' three-goal lead on 84 minutes with a header from Ødegaard's delivery, making the score 4–1.[480] The victory was Arteta's 100th victory in all competitions as Arsenal manager (excluding two wins that were secured on penalty shootout).[478] This was the first time the Gunners had recorded seven straight Premier League wins under the Spaniard.[480] It was also the first time Arsenal had won three consecutive league games by a margin of three or more goals since October 2015.[479]

The Gunners headed to Anfield to take on Liverpool on 9 April.[481] In the 8th minute, Saka attempted to swap passes with Ødegaard, but the return ball came off Virgil van Dijk and into the path of Martinelli, who prodded home past goalkeeper Alisson to put the visitors ahead.[482] It was Martinelli's 25th goal in the Premier League, making him the second South American player – along with teammate Gabriel Jesus – to score 25 or more goals in the competition before turning 22.[482] Martinelli added an assist on 28 minutes with a delivery for Gabriel Jesus to head home.[483] The hosts pulled one back through Mohamed Salah on 42 minutes.[484] Klopp's side were awarded a penalty by referee Paul Tierney in the 52nd minute when Holding was deemed to have brought down Diogo Jota inside the box, but Salah dragged his effort wide of Ramsdale's right-hand post.[483] Ramsdale made a vital stop to deny Núñez on 81 minutes when the Liverpool's forward was through on goal.[484] In the 87th minute, Firmino nodded in Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross from close range for Liverpool.[482] In stoppage time, Ramsdale produced a flying fingertip save to deny Salah's deflected curling shot, then kept out Ibrahima Konaté's effort from point-blank range.[484] The 2–2 draw meant that Arsenal remained winless in ten visits to Anfield in the Premier League since 2012, and the Gunners' seven-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end.[483] Arsenal's lead at the top of the league was cut to six points over Manchester City who still had a game in hand.[484]

On 16 April, Arteta's side crossed the capital to face 14th-placed West Ham United at London Stadium.[485] Tierney made his first Premier League start in 2023 as he replaced Zinchenko who had suffered a tight groin before this game.[486] In the 7th minute, Gabriel Jesus scored his fourth goal in three matches by tapping White's low cross in from close range.[487] Three minutes later, Martinelli crossed for Ødegaard at the back post to volley in a second.[488] After Partey lost possession on the edge of his own box to Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhães brought Lucas Paquetá down inside the box, Benrahma pulled one back for the Hammers from the penalty spot on 33 minutes.[489] Arsenal were awarded a penalty themselves in the 50th minute for Michail Antonio's handball, but Saka side-footed his effort wide of the left-hand post.[487] The hosts equalised on 54 minutes through Bowen's finish.[488] This was the first time the Gunners had given up a two-goal lead in consecutive Premier League games.[490] The 2–2 draw left Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League, having played one game more.[489]

Five days later, the Gunners played at home against 20th-placed Southampton.[491] White and Zinchenko both made their 100th Premier League appearances,[492] and Vieira replaced Xhaka who missed the game through illness.[493] Saints took a surprise lead after just 28 seconds, when Ramsdale attempted a short pass to Zinchenko who was near the penalty arc as two Southampton players – Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott – converged in an co-ordinated press, but the Arsenal keeper didn't spot Alcaraz, and the latter pounced and fired the ball into the bottom corner.[493][494] This meant that Arteta's side had conceded the two fastest goals at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this campaign, the other being Philip Billing's strike after 9.11 seconds for Bournemouth on 4 March.[493] The visitors doubled their advantage in the 14th minute as Walcott haunted his former club with a low finish.[495] Zinchenko then tried to rally his teammates by calling an inquest among all 11 Arsenal players in the centre circle.[493] Martinelli got one back for the Gunners on 20 minutes by scoring his 15th league goal of the season, equalling Roberto Firmino's record for Brazilians in a Premier League campaign.[492] Duje Ćaleta-Car restored Southampton's two-goal cushion on 66 minutes with a header from a corner.[494] In the 88th minute, Ødegaard played a one-two with White and curled a shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner.[495] Two minutes later, Saka tucked home the rebound from a Nelson shot, making the score 3–3.[494] This was a third successive Premier League draw for the Gunners, moving them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, though Guardiola's side had two games in hand.[493]

The Premier League's top two went head-to-head on 26 April as Arteta's side travelled to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City in the match that would have a huge bearing on who would win the title.[496] Saliba remained out with a back injury,[497] and Xhaka recovered from his illness to return to the starting line-up.[498] Ødegaard made his 100th appearance for the team in all competitions.[499] Kevin De Bruyne broke the deadlock on 7 minutes, rushing onto Erling Haaland's pass before arrowing a low shot past Ramsdale.[500] The hosts doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through John Stones' header from De Bruyne's free-kick. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.[497] Nine minutes after the restart, De Bruyne latched onto a loose pass by Ødegaard and found Haaland, who fed it back to the Belgian for his second of the night.[500] The Gunners pulled one back in the 86th minute when Trossard received the ball from Jorginho and played a pass to Holding, who lashed an effort past City goalkeeper Ederson.[498] Haaland netted in second-half stoppage time, sealing a 4–1 win for the hosts, and ending Arsenal's ten-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.[500] The defeat extended the Gunners' longest losing run against an opponent in their league history, as Arsenal had lost their last 12 Premier League games against City, losing by an aggregate score of 5–33.[498] The Gunners were the first side to concede at least two goals in four consecutive top-flight games in which they started the day top since Manchester United in December 1966, and they were also the first side to go four straight Premier League matches winless when starting the day top since themselves in March 2008.[498][500][501] After the match, their lead at the top of the league was cut to two points over Guardiola's side who had two games in hand and a superior goal difference.[497] Despite the loss, Arteta's side mathematically qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League after six-year absence.[498]

Though the Gunners' performances dropped significantly in April, some players were still recognised with monthly award nominations. Ramsdale's vital save to deny Liverpool's Salah won the Premier League Save of the Month award, making him the first Arsenal goalkeeper to receive the award back to back.[502][503]

The club started May with a 3–1 win over 12th-placed Chelsea at home on 2 May,[504] seeing their four-game winless run come to an end. Manager Arteta made three changes to his side from their defeat to Manchester City, bringing in January singings Kiwior who was handed his first Premier League start, Jorginho and Trossard for Holding, Partey and Martinelli, respectively.[505][506] The Gunners dominated the first half, with Ødegaard netting twice from Xhaka low crosses in the 18th and 31st minute, and Gabriel Jesus firing in the rebound of Xhaka's blocked shot on 34 minutes.[507] This meant that Arsenal became the first team to have three players (Saka, Martinelli and Ødegaard) to reach at least 20 goals and assists combined in the Premier League this campaign,[508][509] and it was the second time the club had four players (Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard and Gabriel Jesus) reach double figures for goals in a Premier League season, after 2012–13.[510] Noni Madueke pulled one back for the visitors in the 65th minute.[507] The result secured the Gunners' third Premier League double over Chelsea since the 2019–20 season, their fourth in total;[506] and ensured it was the first time since February 2004 that Arsenal had won three consecutive Premier League games against the Blues.[510] The club had gone unbeaten in their 12 London derbies this Premier League campaign (won ten and drew two), the first time they had not lost any in a single season since 2004–05. This was their 150th London derby victory in the Premier League, making Arsenal the first side to reach this number in the competition.[509][511]

After the game, the club condemned the "dangerous and totally unacceptable" behaviour of a man for shining a laser in the face of Chelsea player Mykhailo Mudryk. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a 21-year-old man was arrested after the incident.[512][513]

The Gunners headed to the north east of England on 7 May facing 3rd-placed Newcastle United at St James' Park.[514] In the 7th minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty for Kiwior's handball, but the decision was overturned after referee Chris Kavanagh was suggested by VAR to review the incident which showed the ball hit the defender's leg and then went over his arm.[515] On 14 minutes, Jorginho pulled a short ball across towards skipper Ødegaard, who drilled a low shot from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.[516] This was the first time Arsenal had two players (Martinelli and Ødegaard) score 15 or more goals in a single Premier League campaign.[517][518] Arteta's side doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Martinelli's cross was poked into his own net by Newcastle defender Fabian Schär.[516] The 2–0 win meant that Arsenal became the third different side after Liverpool and Manchester City to take home three points from a Premier League game at St James' Park since Eddie Howe's appointment as manager 18 months ago.[515] Ramsdale made a number of saves in the match, including a reflex save from a close-range header by Schär on 49 minutes, becoming the third different goalkeeper to keep ten away clean sheets in a Premier League season, after Chelsea's Petr Čech and Manchester City's Ederson.[515] The Gunners had 81 points from 35 Premier League matches this campaign, a point behind leaders Manchester City who still had a game in hand;[515][517] but it was enough to ensure Arteta's side mathematically secured a top-two league finish – their best finish since 2016.[519]

On 14 May, Arsenal played at home to 7th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.[520] Saliba remained out with his back issue, while Tierney replaced the injured Zinchenko.[521] Arteta was forced into an early change, as Martinelli was chopped down by a tackle from Moisés Caicedo, and was replaced by former Brighton player Trossard in the 20th minute.[522] Julio Enciso gave the Seagulls the lead with a close-range header on 51 minutes.[523] The visitors added a second in the 86th minute when Deniz Undav punished Trossard's loose pass by lobbing Ramsdale.[521] Pervis Estupiñán netted in the 6th minute of stoppage time, sealing a 3–0 win for Brighton.[523] This was the second time Arsenal were beaten at the Emirates in the league this campaign,[522] and was the third time they failed to score in a Premier League game this season.[523] The Gunners had conceded 25 goals at home in the Premier League this campaign, their joint-most in a single season.[521] In the post-match presser, Arteta said, "Today we have to apologise because the performance that we had in the second half is not acceptable."[521]

Ødegaard and Saka, who had both hit career-highs for goals scored this season, were nominated for the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Year award on 16 May.[524][525]

Position	Name	Nationality	Year appointed	Last club/team	References
Manager	Mikel Arteta	Spain	2019	Manchester City (as assistant coach)	[64][4][10]
Assistant Coaches	Albert Stuivenberg	Netherlands	2019	Wales (as assistant manager)	[526][527][528]
	Steve Round	England	2019	Aston Villa (as Director of Football)	[526][527][529]
	Miguel Molina	Spain	2020	Atlético Madrid	[530][531][532]
	Carlos Cuesta*	Spain	2020	Juventus	[530][531][533]
	Nicolas Jover	France	2021	Manchester City (as set-piece coach)	[534][535][536]
Goalkeeping Coach	Iñaki Caña	Spain	2019	Brentford (as goalkeeping coach)	[526][527][537]

Notes:

• ^* – Individual Development Coach

Notes:

• Players and squad numbers last updated on 31 January 2023.[361][84]
• Appearances and goals last updated on 14 May 2023, including all competitions for senior teams.
• Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
• Player^* – Player who joined the club permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player^† – Player who departed the club permanently or on loan during the season.
• Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.[538][539]
• Player (U21) – Player who was registered by Arsenal as an Under-21 Player on the 2022–23 Premier League Squad List.[538][539]
• Player (ListB) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League Squad List B.[540][541]

No.	Player	Nat.	Position(s)	Date of birth (Age)	Year signed	Signed from	Transfer fee	Apps.	Goals	Ref.
Goalkeepers
1	Aaron Ramsdale (HG)	ENG	GK	(1998-05-14) 14 May 1998	2021	Sheffield United	£24m[542]	76	0	[543][544]
30	Matt Turner*	USA	GK	(1994-06-24) 24 June 1994	2022	New England Revolution	Undisclosed[59]	7	0	[545][546]
31	Karl Hein (HG, U21, ListB)	EST	GK	(2002-04-13) 13 April 2002	2019	Arsenal Academy	N/A	1	0	[547][548]
Defenders
3	Kieran Tierney	SCO	LB / LWB	(1997-06-05) 5 June 1997	2019	Celtic	£25m[549]	121	5	[550][551]
4	Ben White (HG)	ENG	RB / CB	(1997-10-08) 8 October 1997	2021	Brighton & Hove Albion	£50m[552]	81	2	[553][554]
6	Gabriel Magalhães	BRA	CB	(1997-12-19) 19 December 1997	2020	Lille	£23.14m[555]	116	11	[556][557]
12	William Saliba (HG, U21)	FRA	CB	(2001-03-24) 24 March 2001	2019	Saint-Étienne	£27m[558]	33	3	[559][560]
15	Jakub Kiwior*	POL	CB	(2000-02-15) 15 February 2000	2023	Spezia	£17.6m[350]	6	0	[561][562]
16	Rob Holding (HG)	ENG	CB	(1995-09-20) 20 September 1995	2016	Bolton Wanderers	£2m[563]	162	5	[564][565]
18	Takehiro Tomiyasu	JPN	RB / LB	(1998-11-05) 5 November 1998	2021	Bologna	£16m[566]	53	0	[567][568]
35	Oleksandr Zinchenko*	UKR	LB / LM	(1996-12-15) 15 December 1996	2022	Manchester City	£30m[70]	33	1	[569][570]
Midfielders
5	Thomas Partey	GHA	DM / CM	(1993-06-13) 13 June 1993	2020	Atlético Madrid	£45.3m[571]	97	5	[572][573]
8	Martin Ødegaard (captain)[41]	NOR	AM / CM	(1998-12-17) 17 December 1998	2021	Real Madrid	£30m[542]	103	24	[574][575]
20	Jorginho*	ITA	DM / CM	(1991-12-20) 20 December 1991	2023	Chelsea	£12m[355]	14	0	[576][577]
21	Fábio Vieira*	POR	AM	(2000-05-30) 30 May 2000	2022	Porto	£29.9m[578]	31	2	[579][580]
25	Mohamed Elneny	EGY	DM	(1992-07-11) 11 July 1992	2016	Basel	£5m[581]	155	6	[582][583]
34	Granit Xhaka (vice-captain)[96]	SUI	CM	(1992-09-27) 27 September 1992	2016	Borussia Mönchengladbach	£34.5m[584]	295	21	[585][586]
Forwards
7	Bukayo Saka (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	RW	(2001-09-05) 5 September 2001	2018	Arsenal Academy	N/A	177	37	[587][588]
9	Gabriel Jesus* (vice-captain)[96]	BRA	ST	(1997-04-03) 3 April 1997	2022	Manchester City	£45m[66]	31	10	[589][590]
10	Emile Smith Rowe (HG)	ENG	LW / AM	(2000-07-28) 28 July 2000	2018	Arsenal Academy	N/A	95	18	[591][592]
11	Gabriel Martinelli (HG, U21)	BRA	LW / ST	(2001-06-18) 18 June 2001	2019	Ituano	£6m[593]	130	33	[594][595]
14	Eddie Nketiah (HG)	ENG	ST	(1999-05-30) 30 May 1999	2017	Arsenal Academy	N/A	129	32	[596][597]
19	Leandro Trossard*	BEL	LW / ST	(1994-12-04) 4 December 1994	2023	Brighton & Hove Albion	£21m[348]	20	1	[598][599]
24	Reiss Nelson (HG)	ENG	RW	(1999-12-10) 10 December 1999	2017	Arsenal Academy	N/A	65	7	[600][601]
Out on loan
—	Ainsley Maitland-Niles† (HG)	ENG	CM / RB / RWB / LWB	(1997-08-29) 29 August 1997	2014	Arsenal Academy	N/A	132	3	[602][603]
—	Nicolas Pépé†	CIV	RW	(1995-05-29) 29 May 1995	2019	Lille	£72m[604]	112	27	[605][606]
—	Nuno Tavares†	POR	LB / LWB	(2000-01-26) 26 January 2000	2021	Benfica	£8m[607]	28	1	[608][609]
—	Auston Trusty†	USA	CB	(1998-08-12) 12 August 1998	2022	Colorado Rapids	Undisclosed[610]	0	0	[611][612]
13	Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson†	ISL	GK	(1995-02-18) 18 February 1995	2020	Dijon	Undisclosed[613]	6	0	[614][615]
17	Cédric Soares†	POR	RB / RWB	(1991-08-31) 31 August 1991	2020	Southampton	Free[616]	59	2	[617][618]
22	Pablo Marí†	ESP	CB	(1993-08-31) 31 August 1993	2020	Flamengo	£6.8m[616]	22	1	[619][620]
23	Albert Sambi Lokonga†	BEL	CM	(1999-10-22) 22 October 1999	2021	Anderlecht	£17.2m[621]	39	0	[622][623]
26	Folarin Balogun† (HG, U21)	USA	ST	(2001-07-03) 3 July 2001	2020	Arsenal Academy	N/A	10	2	[624][625]
27	Marquinhos*† (U21)	BRA	RW	(2003-04-07) 7 April 2003	2022	São Paulo	Undisclosed[56]	6	1	[626][627]
33	Arthur Okonkwo† (HG, U21)	ENG	GK	(2001-09-09) 9 September 2001	2021	Arsenal Academy	N/A	0	0	[628][629]

Notes:

• Players and squad numbers last updated on 31 January 2023.[361][84]
• The list is sorted by new squad number.

Player	Pos.	Prev. No.	New No.	Previous player to wear number	Notes	Ref.
Aaron Ramsdale	GK	32	1	Bernd Leno (2021–22 season)	Leno departed the club.	[74][76]
Gabriel Jesus	FW	—	9	Alexandre Lacazette (2021–22 season)	Lacazette departed the club.	[50][65]
Gabriel Martinelli		35	11	Lucas Torreira (2021–22 season)	Torreira departed the club.	[78]
William Saliba	DF	—	12	Willian (2020–21 season)	Willian departed the club.	[630]
Eddie Nketiah	FW	30	14	Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2021–22 season)	Aubameyang departed the club.	[631][51]
Jakub Kiwior	DF	—	15	Ainsley Maitland-Niles (2021–22 season)	Maitland-Niles departed the club on loan.	[82][349]
Leandro Trossard	FW	—	19	Nicolas Pépé (2021–22 season)	Pépé departed the club on loan.	[81][347]
Jorginho	MF	—	20	Nuno Tavares (2021–22 season)	Tavares departed the club on loan.	[73][354]
Fábio Vieira		—	21	Calum Chambers (2021–22 season)	Chambers departed the club.	[632][57]
Marquinhos	FW	—	27	Konstantinos Mavropanos (2021–22 season)	Mavropanos departed the club.	[48][55]
Matt Turner	GK	—	30	Eddie Nketiah (2021–22 season)	Nketiah took the number 14 shirt.	[51][58]
Karl Hein		49	31	Sead Kolašinac (2021–22 season)	Kolašinac departed the club.	[633]
Oleksandr Zinchenko	DF	—	35	Gabriel Martinelli (2021–22 season)	Martinelli took the number 11 shirt.	[68]

The following Arsenal Academy players featured in a first-team matchday squad during the 2022–23 season.

Notes:

• Players and squad numbers last updated on 14 May 2023.[640][641]
• Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
• Player (HG) – Player who fulfils the Premier League's "Home Grown Player" criteria.[538][539]
• Player (U21) – Player who was registered by Arsenal as an Under-21 Player on the 2022–23 Premier League Squad List.[538][539]
• Player (ListB) – Player who was registered by Arsenal on the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League Squad List B.[540][541]

Team	No.	Player	Nat.	Pos.	Date of birth (Age)	Games	Notes	Ref.
U21s	41	Mauro Bandeira (HG, U21, ListB)	POR	MF	(2003-11-18) 18 November 2003	1	Signed first professional contract in July 2022.[642]	[433]
	43	Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	FW	(2003-01-04) 4 January 2003	2	Signed first professional contract in July 2021.[643]	[294][298]
	44	Cătălin Cîrjan (HG, U21, ListB)	ROU	MF	(2002-12-01) 1 December 2002	4	Signed first professional contract in December 2019.[644]	[137][173][190][200]
	47	Khayon Edwards (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	FW	(2003-09-12) 12 September 2003	2	Signed first professional contract in May 2022.[645]	[182][190]
	56	James Hillson (HG, U21)	ENG	GK	(2001-01-14) 14 January 2001	3	Signed first professional contract in July 2019.[646]	[221][433][449]
	71	Charles Sagoe Jr (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	FW	(2004-07-24) 24 July 2004	1	Signed first professional contract in July 2022.[647]	[433]
	72	Matt Smith (HG)	ENG	MF	(2000-10-05) 5 October 2000	9	Signed first professional contract in February 2019.[648]	[112][137][152][173][182] [200][221][304][433]
U18s	83	Ethan Nwaneri (HG, schoolboy)	ENG	MF	(2007-03-21) 21 March 2007	1	Unable to get a scholarship until aged 16.[157][158]	[152]
	85	Amario Cozier-Duberry (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	FW	(2005-05-29) 29 May 2005	5	Signed first professional contract in June 2022.[649]	[137][272][364][369][390]
	89	Bradley Ibrahim (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	MF	(2004-10-21) 21 October 2004	2	Signed first professional contract in March 2022.[650]	[182][200]
	96	Lino Sousa (HG, U21)	ENG	DF	(2005-01-15) 15 January 2005	1	Signed first professional contract in January 2022.[651]	[152]
	97	Reuell Walters (HG, U21, ListB)	ENG	DF	(2004-12-16) 16 December 2004	7	Signed first professional contract in February 2022.[652]	[433][454][477][481][485][491][520]

Date	No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Transferred from	Fee	Team	Ref.
1 July 2022	21	MF		Fábio Vieira	Porto	£29.9m	First team	[578]
	27	FW		Marquinhos	São Paulo	Undisclosed		[56]
	30	GK		Matt Turner	New England Revolution			[59]
4 July 2022	9	FW		Gabriel Jesus	Manchester City	£45m		[66]
22 July 2022	35	DF		Oleksandr Zinchenko		£30m		[70]
20 January 2023	19	FW		Leandro Trossard	Brighton & Hove Albion	£21m		[348]
23 January 2023	15	DF		Jakub Kiwior	Spezia	£17.6m		[350]
31 January 2023	20	MF		Jorginho	Chelsea	£12m		[355]

Total expenditure: £155.5 million (excluding add-ons and undisclosed figures)

Date	No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Team	Ref.
23 June 2022	64	DF		Jordi Osei-Tutu	Bochum	Free transfer	Academy	[669]
30 June 2022	39			Daniel Ballard	Sunderland	Undisclosed		[670]
1 July 2022	9	FW		Alexandre Lacazette	Lyon	Released	First team	[50][671]
	27	DF		Konstantinos Mavropanos	VfB Stuttgart	Undisclosed		[48]
	29	MF		Matteo Guendouzi	Marseille	£9m		[53]
	46	DF		Jonathan Dinzeyi	Unattached	Released	Academy	[50]
	56			Joel López	Cultural Leonesa			[50][672]
	57	MF		Jordan McEneff	Derry City			[50]
	81			Luigi Gaspar	Watford			[673]
	84	GK		Remy Mitchell	Swansea City	Free transfer		[674]
4 July 2022	74	DF		Zak Swanson	Portsmouth	Undisclosed		[675]
16 July 2022	52	MF		Omari Hutchinson	Chelsea			[676]
2 August 2022	1	GK		Bernd Leno	Fulham	£8m	First team	[75]
8 August 2022	—	MF		Lucas Torreira	Galatasaray	Undisclosed		[78]
1 September 2022	66			James Olayinka	Cheltenham Town		Academy	[677]
	2	DF		Héctor Bellerín	Barcelona	Free transfer	First team	[83]
19 January 2023	43			Harry Clarke	Ipswich Town	Undisclosed	Academy	[678]

Total income: £17 million (excluding add-ons and undisclosed figures)

This is Adidas's fourth year supplying Arsenal kit, having taken over from Puma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season.[705][706] On 30 September 2022, Arsenal announced the extension of the partnership with Adidas until 2030.[707][708]

• Home: The club confirmed on 19 May 2022 that their new home kit for the 2022–23 season would debut in the final home game of the 2021–22 season. The home kit uses Arsenal's traditional colours of red and white. The shirt has a red body and white sleeves, and is complemented by white shorts and red socks. The new feature added to the home kit is a lightning bolt pattern appearing on the collar and socks.[709]
• Away: On 18 July 2022, the Gunners released their new away kit. The all-black shirt combines a bronze cannon badge and metallic trims with an all-over AFC graphic, and is partnered with black shorts and socks.[710] White shorts and grey socks were used in some away games when there was a colour clash with the home team's kit. It was reported that Arsenal sold £1 million of the new away kit on launch day, a new club's record for first-day kit sales.[711][712]
• Third: The new third kit was revealed on 29 July 2022, one day before the 2022 Emirates Cup match. It is the first pink outfield shirt in Arsenal's history. The shirt features an all-over ermine print, and is combined with navy shorts and pink socks.[713]
• No More Red: On 6 January 2023, Arsenal announced that they were going to extend their "No More Red" campaign for a second season; an initiative that aims to combat knife crime in the capital. The same commemorative kit from last season was used this season, with typical white features set upon a slightly off-white kit.[714]
• Goalkeeper: The new goalkeeper kits are based on Adidas's goalkeeper template for the season.

As of 14 May 2023