2022–23 Arsenal F.C. Season

The 2022–23 season was Arsenal Football Club's 31st season in the Premier League, their 97th consecutive season in the top flight of English football and 106th season in the top flight overall. In addition to the domestic league, Arsenal also participated in this season's editions of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League, the latter of which was their 37th European campaign.

Managed by Mikel Arteta in his third full season, Arsenal were the second-youngest team in the Premier League with an average starting age of 25 years and 52 days. Following eliminations from the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League, they finished second in the Premier League and qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League after a six-year absence.

The season covers the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. Notably, the fixture dates of domestic and European competitions were altered to accommodate the FIFA World Cup played in November and December 2022 in Qatar.

Review

Background

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. 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. 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.

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. On 26 December 2020, the Gunners recorded an important victory at home against Chelsea to end their seven-game run without a win in the Premier League and relieve the pressure on Arteta. 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. 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.

The 2021–22 season, which was documented in the Amazon Prime Video series '' All or Nothing: Arsenal'', was a rollercoaster season for the Gunners. With their three consecutive defeats without scoring a goal 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. Since then, a new look Arsenal started to emerge, with several academy graduates and new signings making a major impact. 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. Arteta's Arsenal rebuild on and off the pitch began to take shape in this season, 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. Arsenal finished the league season in fifth place, narrowly missing out on Champions League football.

Pre-season

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 previous campaign were back to the London Colney training ground for pre-season training.

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

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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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

First-team transfers (summer transfer window)

In the previous season, French centre-back William Saliba spent a year on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1. 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. He also won his first caps for France. In early June 2022, Saliba confirmed he would return to north London from his Marseille loan spell. 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 on a permanent transfer. On 24 May, the club confirmed that Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny had signed a new contract. 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. 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. The departure of French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi to Ligue 1 side Marseille was announced on 1 July. Two weeks later, the Gunners confirmed American defender Auston Trusty joined EFL Championship side Birmingham City F.C. on a season-long loan.

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. 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.

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. As of June 2022, Turner had made 18 appearances for the United States. 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. He was also honoured as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021. Turner has been an Arsenal fan since his teenage years.

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. On 4 July, 25-year-old Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal on a long-term contract, and was assigned the number 9 shirt. 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. 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, 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. Manager Arteta believed that Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko would help bring a winning mentality to the young squad.

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.

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 on a permanent transfer. 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.

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, Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira completed his transfer to Süper Lig side Galatasaray, Spanish defender Pablo Marí joined Serie A side AC Monza on a one-year loan deal, Icelandic goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson joined Süper Lig side Alanyaspor on loan for the 2022–23 season, and Ivorian winger Nicolas Pépé joined Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on a season-long loan.

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. 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 on a permanent transfer.

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

August

The team began their campaign with a London derby away against 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 in a 2–0 win. Martinelli opened the scoring in the 20th minute, becoming the first Brazilian to net a season-opening goal of a Premier League campaign. In the 85th minute, Saka's cross was deflected home by Marc Guéhi to ensure Arteta registered his 50th league victory, making him the second-quickest manager to reach 50 top-flight wins for Arsenal after Arsène Wenger. Eight days later, the club played their first home match of the season against Leicester City. 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. Granit Xhaka and Martinelli also scored in a 4–2 win.

On 20 August, Arsenal faced newly-promoted Bournemouth away at Dean Court. While Ødegaard netted twice within the opening 11 minutes, Saliba scored his first for the club in the 54th minute, sealing a 3–0 victory. The win vaulted them to the top of the Premier League for the first time since 17 January 2016. Saka became the second-youngest player to play 100 times for the club in the Premier League, behind Cesc Fàbregas.

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. A day later, the Gunners played at home against newly promoted Fulham. Kieran Tierney and Elneny made their first Premier League starts of the season. Arsenal conceded first, after a Gabriel Magalhães error in the 56th minute, but Ødegaard equalised eight minutes later and Gabriel redeemed himself with a scrambled finish in the 85th minute. The win marked Arteta's 100th Premier League game in charge. It was reported on 30 August that Elneny had suffered a significant injury in the match against Fulham, and would be out for two months.

Arsenal's last match of the month was against 15th-placed Aston Villa at home on 31 August. Albert Sambi Lokonga was handed his first start of the season as he replaced the injured Elneny. Two goals, from Jesus and Martinelli, secured a 2-1 victory, Arsenal's 200th league win since moving to Emirates Stadium in 2006. 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. 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. He was named Premier League Manager of the Month for the third time.

September

The club started September with a 1–3 defeat at Old Trafford to rivals Manchester United on 4 September, seeing their five-game winning start to the Premier League season come to an end. Zinchenko returned to the starting line-up, while Arsenal's first two defensive midfielders – Partey and Elneny – were still injured. Two strikes from Marcus Rashford and one from Antony secured a United win; despite the loss, Arsenal remained top of the table. It was reported on 21 December that a disallowed opener from Martinelli was one of six incorrect VAR interventions before the league halted for the World Cup. The Gunners began their fifth Europa League campaign on 8 September with a trip to Switzerland in a group stage match against Zürich, the reigning Swiss Super League champions. This was the first time the two teams played each other in a European game. New signings Marquinhos and Turner made their competitive debuts, and fellow new recruit Vieira got his full debut in a 2–1 win. At half-time, the news broke of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, 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.

Arsenal's home fixture against Everton, which was originally due to be played on 11 September, was postponed two days beforehand as a mark of respect following the passing of the Queen. The Europa League group stage match between Arsenal and Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, originally scheduled to be played on 15 September, was also postponed due to organisational issues. The league match between Arsenal and Manchester City, originally scheduled for 19 October, was postponed to accommodate the rearranged fixture.

Ahead of the first international break of the season, the Gunners faced eighth-placed Brentford away at Brentford Community Stadium on 18 September. 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". Vieira scored his first Premier League goal in a 3-0 win, with Saliba and Jesus also scoring two headers. 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 – breaking the record previously held by Harvey Elliott, and the all-time English top-flight record held since August 1964 by former Sunderland goalkeeper Derek Forster, by three days. He also became Arsenal's youngest-ever player in any senior competition, breaking the previous record of 16 years and 177 days, set by Cesc Fàbregas in the 2003–04 League Cup.

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.

October

On 1 October, following the international break, the club played the North London derby at home against Tottenham. Partey opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a shot from 25 yards, the first time he had scored from outside the box in 65 attempts for Arsenal. Although Spurs equalised in the 31st minute from a Harry Kane penalty, Jesus and Xhaka scored in the second half to take a 3-1 victory. The win kept Arsenal on top of the Premier League table, and meant that it was the first time the club had won three consecutive league home games against their rivals since September 2013. A Europa League game against Bodø/Glimt, the defending Eliteserien champions, followed on 6 October at home. Arsenal won 3–0, sending them top of their Europa League group.

On 9 October, the club faced ninth-placed Liverpool, 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. The Gunners took the lead after just 58 seconds when Martinelli tucked the ball home, but Liverpool equalised through Darwin Núñez in the 34th minute. Arsenal reclaimed the lead shortly before half-time through Saka, but Liverpool again got back on terms through substitute Roberto Firmino in the 53rd minute. Saka nevertheless scored a decisive penalty in the 76th minute, making the score 3–2, and sealing the Gunners' first win over Liverpool since July 2020. Four days later, the Gunners faced Bodø/Glimt away. 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. The Gunners won 1–0.

Arsenal continued their 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. Saka scored the winning goal from a tight angle in the 35th minute, assisted by Ødegaard; Leeds striker Patrick Bamford missed a penalty midway through the second half. Having won nine of their first ten league games for the first time ever, Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the league. On 20 October, the Gunners played the postponed Europa League match at home to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Xhaka's 70th minute strike sealed a third-straight 1-0 victory. The win ensured Arsenal qualified for the Europa League knockout stage with two group games to spare. On the next day, the club announced that centre-back Gabriel Magalhães had signed a new long-term contract. On 23 October, Arsenal faced 14th-placed Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. The eight-game winning run was ended, as Xhaka's 11th-minute opener was cancelled out by Stuart Armstrong's second-half leveller, in the club's first draw in 28 Premier League matches since January 2022.

Four days later, the Gunners suffered a 2-0 away defeat against PSV Eindhoven at Philips Stadion, the first time the Gunners had suffered an away defeat in the Europa League group stage since November 2017. Arsenal's ninth match of the month was against newly promoted Nottingham Forest at home on 30 October. Before and during 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. Substitute Reiss Nelson scored twice in the second half after a Martinelli opener, while Partey and Ødegaard added gloss in a 5-0 win.

November

On 3 November, the Gunners hosted Swiss side Zürich at Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group game. 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. They would go straight into the Europa League round of 16 in March 2023, skipping the knockout play-off round in February. Arsenal went on to face rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 6 November, 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. Zinchenko was back in the starting line-up after missing nine games with a calf injury. Gabriel Magalhães's close-range finish from Saka's corner in the 63rd minute earned the visitors a 1–0 win. 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.

Three days later, the Gunners entered the EFL Cup in the third round, facing Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at home. The 20-year-old Estonia international keeper and academy graduate Karl Hein made his competitive debut for the first team and started in goal, becoming the fourth Estonian to start for a Premier League side. Although Nketiah opened the scoring, three Brighton goals from Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma, Tariq Lamptey saw the visitors win 3–1 and end the Gunners' 12-match winning run at home. 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). On 12 November, Arteta's side played their last game before the World Cup break against 19th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers away at Molineux Stadium. Captain Ødegaard scored two goals without response, taking the team five points clear at the top of the table and ensuring they would be first on Christmas Day for the first time since 2007.

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), Ramsdale, Saka and White (England), Saliba (France), Partey (Ghana), Tomiyasu (Japan), Xhaka (as Switzerland's captain), and Turner (United States), of whom six (Saka, Turner, Tomiyasu, Partey, Martinelli, and Saliba) made their World Cup debuts. Only Saliba's France reached the World Cup final on 18 December, in which they were defeated.

December

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. 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. The Gunners faced Ligue 1 side Lyon in Dubai on 8 December, winning 3-0. They played their second game in Dubai against Serie A side Milan on 13 December, winning 2-1 and claiming the Dubai Super Cup. After flying back to England, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Serie A side Juventus in their final friendly at Emirates Stadium on 17 December.

The Gunners' first league action after the World Cup was a Boxing Day fixture at home against 16th-placed West Ham United, on the anniversary of Arteta's first game as Arsenal manager. The Hammers opened the scoring with a Saïd Benrahma penalty in the 27th minute, but Saka's 53rd minute equaliser, Martinelli's low shot, and Nketiah's calm finish secured a 3-1 victory. Former 22-year manager Wenger watched a game at the stadium for the first time since leaving the club in May 2018.

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. Before kick-off, there was a minute's applause in tribute to Pelé, who had died on 29 December. Goals from Saka, Ødegaard, and Nketiah put Arsenal three goals up, before Mitoma reduced the deficit for the Seagulls in the 65th minute. Martinelli scored six minutes later, and although Evan Ferguson pulled a goal back, the 4-2 victory took Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the table, the fifth team in English top-flight history to pick up as many as 43 points from the first 16 games in a season. Arteta picked up his second Premier League Manager of the Month award of the campaign, winning the award for the fourth time in his career. Ødegaard won the Premier League Player of the Month award, the first Arsenal player to do so since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in September 2019. 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.

January

Arsenal started 2023 with a home game against third-placed Newcastle on 3 January, hoping to extend their advantage over Manchester City. However, neither team was able to break the deadlock and the game finished 0–0. Six days later, the Gunners entered the FA Cup in the third round, facing League One side Oxford United away at Kassam Stadium. The opener came from Elneny and was followed by a brace from Nketiah, in a 3-0 win. On 15 January, Arsenal faced rivals Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the second North London derby of the season. Saka's cross was deflected home by Spurs goalkeeper Lloris in the 14th minute, while Ødegaard doubled Arsenal's lead with a long-range strike later in the first half. Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale produced a man of the match display with seven saves, helping his side record the first clean sheet in North London derbies since Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019. Having secured their first league double over Tottenham since the 2013–14 season, Arsenal moved eight points clear of City. An incident at the end of the game, in which Ramsdale was kicked in the back by a Tottenham supporter who had jumped onto the advertising hoarding, was strongly criticised by the Professional Footballers' Association, the Football Association, and 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." The supporter was subsequently banned from football matches for four years.

On 22 January, Arsenal faced rivals Manchester United, the only team that had beaten them in the Premier League this season up until that point, at home. In the 17th minute, Rashford gave United the lead with a long-range strike, but Nketiah levelled seven minutes later. On 53 minutes, Saka cut in from the right and arrowed a shot across United goalkeeper David de Gea into the far corner of the goal, before Lisandro Martínez looped a header into the net six minutes later. In the 90th minute, the ball came loose in the area and Nketiah was able to steer it home, sealing a 3-2 victory. The win gave the Gunners a five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.

The Gunners headed to face Manchester City on 27 January at Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round. 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. In the 64th minute, Nathan Aké scored the only goal of the tight game with a low shot, helping the hosts win 1–0. 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. Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month for the third time in the season. 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.

First-team transfers (winter transfer window)

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. As of December 2022, he had won nine caps for Poland and started all four of their matches at the 2022 World Cup.

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. 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. In 2021, he was named UEFA Men's Player of the Year and placed third in the Ballon d'Or.

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, and Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga joined fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace on loan until June 2023. 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. After the winter transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Eleven first-team players were out on loan.

February

On 3 February, the club announced that Brazilian forward Martinelli had penned a new long-term contract. On 4 February Arteta's side faced 19th-placed Everton, a team that had appointed Sean Dyche as their new manager five days previously. James Tarkowski netted the only goal of the match in the 60th minute to clinch victory for the hosts, marking Arsenal's second Premier League defeat of the season and their first in the previous 14 games. Despite the loss, the Gunners remained top of the table by five points with a game in hand. On 11 February, Arsenal played at home against seventh-placed Brentford. Winter signing Trossard was brought on with the game still scoreless on the hour mark, and had scored his first goal for the club within five minutes. In the 74th minute however, Ivan Toney nodded in Christian Nørgaard's cross from close range for the visitors. The goal was eventually awarded by the video assistant referee Lee Mason