When Mikel Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019, few imagined the club would rise back to the summit of European football so quickly. Arsenal were struggling for consistency, drifting away from the elite, and desperately trying to rebuild after years of instability following Arsène Wenger’s departure.
Now, in 2026, Arsenal are preparing for a UEFA Champions League final, and one incredible statistic perfectly sums up the transformation under Arteta.
From the first full-season squad Arteta inherited, according to livescore, only four players remain at the club — Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, and Bukayo Saka.
Even more remarkably, every single one of them has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final.
Martinelli has emerged as Arsenal’s top goalscorer this season. Gabriel and Saliba have formed one of Europe’s best defensive partnerships, helping Arsenal concede the fewest goals during their European campaign. Meanwhile, Saka delivered the defining moment of the season by scoring the winning goal in the semi-final.
Together, they represent the heart of Arteta’s revolution.
From Broken Squad to European Giants
When Arteta arrived, Arsenal were far from the dominant force supporters had become used to during the Wenger era. The squad lacked balance, confidence, and identity. Big-money signings had failed to deliver, defensive problems continued to haunt the team, and Arsenal had fallen behind rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool.
Arteta immediately began reshaping the club.
Several experienced stars eventually departed as the Spaniard rebuilt the team around younger, hungrier players who could fit his tactical philosophy. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Özil, David Luiz, and Nicolas Pépé were among the major names to leave during the rebuild.
But while many players came and went, four young talents survived the overhaul and became the pillars of Arsenal’s new era.
That patience and long-term planning are now paying off in spectacular fashion.
Arsenal are now just one victory away from becoming European champions for the first time in their history.
Martinelli Becomes Arsenal’s Main Goal Threat
Gabriel Martinelli’s development under Arteta has been extraordinary.
When the Brazilian first arrived from Ituano, he was viewed as a promising youngster with pace and raw talent. Few expected him to become one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards so quickly.
Under Arteta’s guidance, Martinelli has evolved into a complete attacker. His movement, finishing, pressing, and work ethic have made him indispensable to Arsenal’s system.
This season has arguably been the best of his career so far.
Martinelli has scored consistently in both the Premier League and Champions League, stepping up in crucial moments during Arsenal’s European journey. His explosive pace on the left wing has caused problems for elite defenders throughout the campaign.
Beyond the goals, Martinelli’s relentless energy perfectly reflects Arteta’s demands. Arsenal press aggressively from the front, and Martinelli often sets the tone with his intensity.
He is no longer just an exciting talent — he is now one of Arsenal’s leaders in attack.
Gabriel and Saliba Form Europe’s Best Defence
While Martinelli has provided the goals, Arsenal’s success this season has largely been built on defensive dominance.
Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba have become one of the strongest centre-back pairings in world football.
The duo complement each other perfectly.
Gabriel brings aggression, physicality, and leadership. He dominates aerial duels, thrives in physical battles, and constantly pushes the defensive line forward.
Saliba, meanwhile, offers calmness and elegance. The French defender reads the game brilliantly, remains composed under pressure, and is exceptional in possession.
Together, they have transformed Arsenal into one of Europe’s hardest teams to break down.
Throughout the Champions League campaign, Arsenal have conceded remarkably few goals, with Gabriel and Saliba playing a massive role in that defensive solidity.
Their performances in the knockout stages were especially impressive. Against some of Europe’s best attacking teams, Arsenal looked organised, disciplined, and confident.
Many analysts now consider Saliba among the finest defenders in the world, while Gabriel has developed into one of the Premier League’s most underrated stars.
The partnership between the two defenders symbolises the balance Arteta has built into his squad.
One is aggressive and dominant. The other is calm and technically gifted.
Together, they have become the foundation of Arsenal’s title ambitions.
Saka Delivers Arsenal’s Biggest Moment
Bukayo Saka’s rise has been one of the most inspiring stories in modern football.
The Arsenal academy graduate broke into the first team during one of the club’s most difficult periods. Despite Arsenal’s struggles at the time, Saka continued developing into a world-class talent.
Under Arteta, he has gone from promising youngster to global superstar.
Now considered one of the best wingers in football, Saka continues to produce in the biggest moments.
His goal in the Champions League semi-final will be remembered for years by Arsenal supporters.
With the pressure at its highest, Saka delivered the decisive strike that secured Arsenal’s place in the final.
It was a moment that perfectly captured his importance to the team.
Saka is not just Arsenal’s most creative player — he is also their emotional leader. Supporters see him as the face of the club because he represents Arsenal’s identity and future.
Despite interest from Europe’s biggest clubs over recent years, Saka committed his future to Arsenal and became the symbol of Arteta’s project.
At only 24 years old, he is already among the club’s most influential players.
His consistency, maturity, and ability to perform under pressure have elevated him into football’s elite category.
Arteta’s Patience Finally Pays Off
There were moments when Arteta’s project faced heavy criticism.
Arsenal endured difficult periods during the rebuild, including seasons without Champions League football. Questions were raised about Arteta’s tactics, squad decisions, and whether he had enough experience to lead a club of Arsenal’s size.
However, the club’s hierarchy continued backing him.
The recruitment strategy focused heavily on young players with high potential, while Arteta worked to build a strong culture inside the dressing room.
That long-term vision is now producing incredible results.
Arsenal are competing at the highest level again, not only in England but across Europe.
What makes their rise even more impressive is the age profile of the squad. Arteta has built one of Europe’s youngest elite teams while still maintaining tactical discipline and consistency.
The transformation has been dramatic.
Arsenal now play with confidence, aggression, and maturity. They control matches, defend intelligently, and attack with purpose.
Most importantly, they finally look like genuine European heavyweights again.
Four Players Who Trusted the Process
The journeys of Martinelli, Gabriel, Saliba, and Saka are deeply connected to Arteta’s own growth as a manager.
All four players developed alongside him.
They experienced the difficult early years together, endured criticism together, and gradually helped transform Arsenal back into title contenders.
Now they stand on the verge of history together.
For Arsenal supporters, there is something special about seeing players who survived the difficult rebuilding years become the heroes of the club’s greatest modern achievement.
These are not short-term signings brought in for instant success.
They are players who grew with the project.
Martinelli became a lethal goalscorer.
Gabriel and Saliba built an elite defence.
Saka became Arsenal’s superstar.
And Arteta turned belief into reality.
A Chance to Make History
Regardless of what happens in the Champions League final, Arteta has already restored Arsenal to Europe’s elite.
The club now has a clear identity, a world-class young core, and a manager capable of competing with the very best.
But lifting the Champions League trophy would elevate this team into legendary status.
For the four remaining players from Arteta’s first inherited squad, the moment would be especially emotional.
They stayed through the difficult years.
They trusted the manager’s vision.
And now they have the chance to complete one of football’s greatest rebuild stories by bringing European glory back to Arsenal.
