The title run-in: two games, everything on the line
Arsenal are two wins away from their first Premier League title in over 20 years (15). That sentence should feel extraordinary. It does — and it also comes with the particular dread that Arsenal fans know well. Rodri has been at it this week, insisting publicly that Manchester City still believe they can win the league and that Arsenal won't have it easy in their final two matches (4). He is not wrong to say it. But there is something telling about a City midfielder needing to will his club back into contention from the outside. The psychological pressure is on them now, not Arteta's side. The visit of Burnley is the immediate task (7), and it is one Arsenal must treat as a formality in approach if not in execution.
The Champions League final: belief is building
While the league dominates, Budapest on 30 May is never far from the conversation. Jaap Stam backed Arsenal to beat PSG this week, and his reasoning was worth noting: he pointed to Arsenal's defensive organisation and collective structure as the decisive edge over PSG's individual attacking quality (5). That matches what Arteta has built. PSG are chasing back-to-back Champions League titles (5), and the French security ministry is already anticipating disorder around the final in Paris (13). The scale of it all is becoming real. Arsenal are not just participating. They are expected to win.
The Martinelli question: how serious is Barcelona's interest?
The biggest club story under the surface this week was Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal have reportedly set an asking price for the Brazilian forward amid interest from Barcelona (11). This is not a rumour to dismiss. Martinelli has been a genuine contributor in recent seasons, and if Barcelona are serious, Arsenal will face a genuine decision: cash in and reinvest, or hold the squad together through the most significant period in a generation. The timing is uncomfortable. Selling a forward while in a Champions League final and chasing the title is the kind of move that demands a clear replacement plan. There is no indication yet that one exists.
Transfer window: targets and complications
Arsenal's recruitment work is already in motion. West Ham's Mateus Fernandes has been linked with a move to the Emirates, and Gabby Agbonlahor argued this week that Fernandes is a better fit than Martin Zubimendi and potentially superior in profile (10). High praise, and worth tracking. Meanwhile, Victor Froholdt of FC Porto has ruled out a summer exit from his current club (6), which closes one avenue the club was reportedly monitoring. Transfer windows are never clean, and Arsenal's will not be either.
The VAR file: a structural problem, not just bad luck
A report this week suggested Arsenal are among the most adversely affected clubs by VAR decisions in European football (14). Arsenal fans have been saying this for years, and it has often been dismissed as noise from a fanbase that loses gracefully. The data now appears to support the grievance. Whether VAR reform comes is another matter entirely. But the case for Arsenal being systematically disadvantaged is no longer just anecdotal.
Around the edges: kit, stadium, and youth
Adidas officially unveiled the 2026/27 home kit this week, a subtle evolution of the current red and white design (15). It is the kind of thing that lands differently when your club is four weeks away from potentially winning the double. The Emirates Stadium expansion talks with an architecture firm (12) signal longer-term ambition. At youth level, the U18s ended their season with a 2–2 draw away to Crystal Palace, finishing 10th out of 15 teams (9). Head coach Adam Birchall admitted the side lacked consistency across the campaign and did not deserve to win on the day (8). A quiet summer of reflection awaits that group.
What to watch next week
The Burnley game is non-negotiable. Win it, and Arsenal go into the final day of the Premier League season with the title in their own hands. Any slip opens the door for City, and Rodri will be watching closely. Beyond that, keep an eye on the Martinelli situation. If Barcelona's interest firms up in any way before the end of the month, it will dominate the conversation heading into Budapest. And on the Champions League final itself: the build-up will be relentless from here. The question is not whether Arsenal are good enough. The question is whether they can handle ten more days of this and still perform when it counts.