The Big Picture

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have stormed out of the gates with three straight Premier League victories and a Champions League opening win, but the real story is happening behind closed doors. From blockbuster late-window exits to blistering media feuds over Bukayo Saka, North London is currently operating under high pressure.

Here is the debate-ready ranking of the top ten moments that have defined Arsenal's start to September 2026.

Off-Pitch Explosions & Exit Dramas

10. Leandro Trossard Spotted in the Emirates Stands vs Chelsea

Two months after completing his transfer to Besiktas in July, Belgian winger Leandro Trossard surprised supporters by sitting in the Emirates stands to watch Arsenal beat Chelsea. Mikel Arteta quickly pointed to Trossard's presence as proof of the bond between the club and its former players. It was a PR gesture to quiet fan chatter about cold exits.

This moment ranks tenth because it carried zero impact on the league table. Still, seeing a recently sold player watching from executive seats during a derby highlights how carefully Arsenal manage public image after a summer clearing house.

9. Granit Xhaka Setting Up a Fiery Sunderland Reunion

Ahead of Saturday night's showdown at the Stadium of Light, former Gunners skipper Granit Xhaka has emerged as the centerpiece of Sunderland's midfield. Sunderland enter sitting on four points from four games, with Xhaka pulling operational strings. His rapid adaptation in the North East adds immediate tactical tension to Arsenal's attempt to extend their winning streak.

Slotting in at number nine, this reunion is about tactical danger. Xhaka knows Arteta's passing patterns inside out, making him a threat capable of disrupting Arsenal's domestic momentum.

8. Ian Wright Publicly Questioning Gabriel Martinelli's Exit

Arsenal legend Ian Wright broke ranks earlier this month when he expressed discomfort over Gabriel Martinelli's move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. Wright openly criticized what he perceived as a total lack of dialogue with the Brazilian winger before the deal went through. It was a rare moment of an iconic ambassador calling out management tactics.

Ranking eighth, Wright's comments struck a raw nerve inside the fan base. When a beloved figure like Wright publicly questions how a star player was ushered out, it creates a clear rift between club history and modern business decisions.

7. Gabriel Martinelli Completing His Saudi Move to Al Hilal

The departure of Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal earlier this month officially closed the door on one of Arteta's original rebuilding pillars. Selling a prime winger to Saudi Arabia brought in massive capital, but it stripped Arsenal of elite direct pace on the counter. Supporters were left stunned by how quickly the front office sanctioned the transfer.

We rank this seventh because of its long-term tactical fallout. Martinelli stretched deep defensive blocks, and replacing his output on short notice leaves Arteta with fewer tactical adjustments when trailing in major matches.

Controversies, Debates & Dressing Room Cold Wars

6. Arsenal Spurning Chances in Champions League Opener

Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a narrow victory, but the match was defined by missed opportunities. The Gunners dominated territory and carved open the opposition back line repeatedly, only to waste several clear-cut chances in front of net. What should have been a comfortable four-goal margin turned into a tense final ten minutes.

Sitting at number six, this wasteful performance exposed a persistent flaw in Arsenal's frontline efficiency. If Arteta's side continues to burn golden opportunities in Europe, elite continental opposition will punish them severely later in the tournament.

5. Martin Odegaard's Clutch Champions League Winner

When Arsenal's frontline faltered in their European opener, captain Martin Odegaard stepped up to break the deadlock with a clinical finish. Odegaard's strike secured all three points and spared his side from an embarrassing home draw. It was a captain's goal executed under mounting frustration as minutes ticked away.

Odegaard takes fifth spot because it salvaged a result on a night where Arsenal spurned a host of chances. Great teams win ugly, and Odegaard's intervention ensured European momentum remained intact despite a sluggish team finishing display.

4. Jermaine Pennant's Scathing Saka Assessment on GOAL

Former Gunners winger Jermaine Pennant sparked a media storm when he claimed on GOAL that Bukayo Saka does not live up to his world-class reputation. Pennant stated that Saka "gets away with murder at times" when analyzing his raw output. As Mirror Football reported, Pennant argued that true elite wingers must hit top-tier numbers consistently.

"If you look at Mohamed Salah, he did it for nine years straight. In the bracket of goal contributions, it's plus 20."

Pennant's brutal statistical comparison forced fans to confront Saka's actual productivity versus his media standing. Ranking fourth, this debate cuts to the core of whether Saka is genuinely world-class or protected by home-grown status.

On-Field Masterclasses & High-Stakes Flashpoints

3. Gabriel Jesus Exposing Dressing Room Isolation at Barcelona

Following his deadline-day move to Barcelona, Gabriel Jesus fired a direct shot at Mikel Arteta during a revealing interview. Speaking to SportyTV, Jesus revealed that "out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group" and added that "nobody told me nothing." The stark admission exposed a cold side to Arsenal's squad management.

"Out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group... nobody told me nothing."

This revelation takes third spot because it directly contradicted the club's family messaging. Jesus was a pivotal figure in Arsenal's title charges, and his sudden isolation shows how quickly players are discarded once deemed surplus to requirements.

2. Mikel Arteta Owning the 'Bad Cop' Role in the Media

Rather than dodging questions regarding Jesus' complaints, Mikel Arteta hit back directly in his Friday press conference. Arteta expressed surprise at Jesus' framing, noting they had a personal talk in the dressing room centered on gratitude. However, Arteta refused to apologize for his management methods, stating that when delivering hard news, someone has to play bad cop.

Arteta's candid admission ranks second because it defines his managerial philosophy in 2026. He is no longer concerned with pleasing former stars; winning trophies takes total priority over individual feelings.

1. The Dominant Premier League Victory Over Chelsea

Arsenal solidified their title credentials last weekend with a commanding victory over expected rivals Chelsea, making it three wins out of three to start the Premier League campaign. Arteta's tactical setup suffocated Chelsea's midfield, controlling tempo from the opening whistle and converting key chances with precision. It was an emphatic statement performance against a direct top-four contender.

This victory claims the number one spot because on-field results trump off-pitch drama every single time. Despite squad departures, media feuds, and selection headaches, Arsenal proved on the pitch that they are currently the most synchronized team in English football.

Honorable Mentions

Before wrapping up, two additional moments deserve recognition for shaping early-season storylines:

  • Mikel Arteta's fiery pre-game media exchange regarding squad depth ahead of the Sunderland match.
  • Granit Xhaka leading Sunderland's midfield transition during their opening four-game stretch.

Arsenal head into Saturday night's clash at Sunderland with momentum, but the friction surrounding Arteta's squad management will remain a headline story as European fixtures stack up.