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Arsenal kicked off last season determined to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title at the second time of asking.

After their end-of-season capitulation in the previous campaign, the Gunners had reinforced their squad and were ready to have another go at clinching the elusive title.

Manager Mikel Arteta was eager to loosen Man City’s stranglehold on the Premier League and determined to end Arsenal’s two-decade-long title drought.

However, the campaign didn’t pan out as the Spaniard had hoped, as his side fell short for a second consecutive year.

While the Gunners battled with Man City until the final day of the season, they ultimately finished runners-up, two points behind Pep Guardiola’s side.

After a dip in form at Christmas, Arsenal won 17 out of 19 league games in 2024, but it was not enough to stop Man City as a home defeat against Aston Villa in April ultimately proved costly.

Man City embarked on their traditional end-of-season dominance, going unbeaten in their final 23 games to seal an unprecedented fourth successive top-flight title.

Arsenal will undoubtedly be looking to challenge for the title again next season, and they will be hoping the third time’s the charm.

However, recruitment will play a major role in their ambitions. Arsenal are in the market for a new striker and have previously been linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson.

The Republic of Ireland international endured a troubled second half of the season but remains one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Premier League.

He has been touted as a potential future Golden Boot winner by sports bettors and joining Arsenal would undoubtedly boost his chances of achieving the feat.

If he signs for Arsenal this summer, new Irish betting sites will likely make them strong favourites to win the Premier League next season.

Man City have been installed as the early betting favourites to win their fifth successive title, but Ferguson arriving at Arsenal could spark a change in the outright odds.

Ireland Teammate Would be an Intriguing Option for Arsenal

Arteta is looking to reinforce several areas of the squad, and a striker is believed to be a priority for the Spanish manager.

Several players have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners have not yet settled on a primary target.

They initially wanted RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but the Slovenian pledged his loyalty to the Bundesliga club, leaving Arsenal to explore other options.

One of those options could be Brighton striker Ferguson, who has previously been linked with a move to north London.

The Ireland international was in fine form during the first half of the season, netting six times in his first 12 games, including a hat-trick against Newcastle United.

However, the goals dried up for the 19-year-old during a turbulent second half of the season that saw him relinquish his place in the starting line-up.

Things went from bad to worse for Ferguson towards the end of the season. He picked up an ankle injury, which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

While he’ll be keen to bounce stronger next season, his stock has taken a significant nosedive, with previously interested suitors looking elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.

While Brighton’s unreasonable demands are enough to drive potential suitors away, the youngster must still prove himself in the top flight before earning a mega-money move to one of the top guns.

Next season could be make or break for the Irishman. Another turbulent year could see him end up in the Championship, while a second breakout campaign will rekindle interest from the top clubs.

Signing Ferguson this summer makes no sense from Arsenal’s point of view, but if he terrorises the Premier League next term, they would be more inclined to splash the cash.

Arsenal may also be in the market for a new goalkeeper if Aaron Ramsdale leaves the club this summer.

Liverpool’s back-up shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher would be a useful signing, but the Irishman is unlikely to join the Gunners unless there’s a first-team spot up for grabs.

David Raya has established himself as Arteta’s number one between the sticks, but Kelleher has proven he has what it takes to be a first-choice keeper.

His heroic performances for Liverpool have not gone under the radar, and he could be heading for the exit this summer in search of regular first-team football.

While Kelleher would be a decent signing for Arsenal, he wouldn’t be an upgrade on Raya, who kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League last season – the most by any keeper in the division.

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