'So I am': Micah Richards says where Arsenal will finish in the 2025/26 Premier League
Micah Richards has predicted where Arsenal could finish during the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Gunners have been runners-up in the last three years to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Arsenal will be aiming to go one higher, but Richards believes they are unlikely to do so.
Richards has been a vocal supporter of the Gunners, but the reputed pundit believes one or two injuries could mean the club could be back in the same position as the previous campaign.
He expects Arsenal to be challenging, but they won’t be champions next season.
He said on ‘The Rest is Football‘ podcast: “It’s a hard one because I remember saying last season that I thought Manchester City had won it if everyone stayed fit. If [City] got any injuries, those little injuries could be the difference.
“Bringing in Gyokeres now for Arsenal is massive. And not just because he’s a big-name forward. Because of his movement that we talk about with strikers all the time.
“Havertz is really good, we’re all big fans of Havertz, but in a number 10 position where he can create, not leading the line.
“I know [Havertz has] done really good movement when he plays up there but he hasn’t got a striker’s instinct. So that’s why I think Gyokeres is gonna add something really special.
“I still don’t know if it’s enough to get them over the line. I still don’t know.
“I think one or two injuries and they’re back to the same as last season. So I am going to say challenging but not champions.”
Arsenal need to add more attacking firepower
The Gunners have spent £200 million on new signings this summer, but there have been only two new additions to the attack in the form of Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal’s main concern last season was the number of attacking injuries. They spent notable periods of the campaign without Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
Gabriel Jesus also suffered a season-ending injury, while Gabriel Martinelli picked up niggles too.
Madueke and Gyokeres have good fitness records, and there are already high expectations on the latter, who netted a staggering 54 goals for Sporting CP in the past campaign.
Still, we believe Arsenal need more attacking ammunition to compete with Man City and Liverpool. The attacking quality and depth could be key to ending the league title drought.
Arsenal are still looking for a specialist left winger and an attacking midfielder. Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo are the prime targets, but the club may not afford both.
The Gunners may plan for a permanent signing alongside a premium loan deal. Sporting director Andrea Berta is presently focused on outgoings, but could launch a late spending spree.
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