Premier League Title Race: Arsenal Surges Amid City Uncertainty

Manchester City wobble, Arsenal surge and a Premier League title race wide open before a ball is kicked. The bookmakers have reacted. So have the fans.

City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff, coupled with confirmation that World Cup 2026 standout Rodri is off to Barcelona, has injected rare uncertainty into a club that has dominated six of the last nine seasons. Enzo Maresca’s first months in the post-Pep Guardiola era suddenly look like a genuine transition, not a seamless handover.

The odds tell the story. Arsenal’s ruthless display dragged them in from 6-4 to 5-4 with some firms. City, treble cup winners last season but only second in the league, drifted from 11-2 to 7-2. Liverpool sit at 6-1, Chelsea and Manchester United at 8-1, Tottenham a distant 28-1 and Aston Villa 66-1.

Two years ago, almost nobody dared bet against City making it five titles in a row. A year ago, the same certainty attached itself to Liverpool after Arne Slot’s improbable title in his first season and the lavish spending that followed. They finished fifth. Slot was gone by the end of his second campaign. This time, there’s no stampede to anoint Arsenal, but nobody in our fan panel is ruling them out either.

The bragging rights, such as they are, go to Christine, who last year said her beloved Liverpool would finish “first or fourth” and at least got the latter. None of our four Manchester United fans put their team in the top four; Niall, unprompted, argued for fifth. Inspired by that, we’ve gone with a top-five system this season. I had United second to my own team, Liverpool, and tipped Aston Villa for third. Only John also had Villa in his top four. This year, we’ve even added a real Villa fan, Dave, to the mix.

My own wild punt on Nottingham Forest for fourth never landed, but John makes his case for them again below. It’s another reason to stretch to five places, even as a new unofficial “Big Six” – Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Villa and Spurs – looms over the rest. Just look at the odds.

Two years ago, Scott and a couple of others managed to name the eventual top four, if not in the right order. Nobody managed it last year, largely because almost everyone backed Chelsea, who limped home in 10th.

This time, I expect the Blues to climb sharply in 2026-27, with London clubs – led by Arsenal and Chelsea – crowding the top spots. My five: 1. Chelsea 2. Arsenal 3. Liverpool 4. Tottenham 5. Brentford.

One note before we dive into the clubs. Our boxing columnist Jay, dealing with a serious family situation back home in Zambia, couldn’t file his thoughts on Manchester City. He sends his apologies.

Leeds United: survival, then consolidation?

PAUL GALLIGAN, LABOR ATTORNEY, LEEDS UNITED

Leeds stayed up. That alone felt like a statement. With Coventry joining them and Sunderland in the top flight, the Premier League suddenly has a distinctly old-school flavour.

Paul Galligan sees Leeds building from here. He’s “pretty confident” they can become a solid mid-table side with an outside shot at Europe, if they can add another goalscorer. James Trafford, Tarik Muharemović and Harry Wilson have arrived and look like genuine first-team upgrades, but the squad still feels thin.

His top five? The usual suspects, in a familiar order: 1. Chelsea 2. Arsenal 3. City 4. United 5. Liverpool.

He enjoyed the World Cup, praised the refereeing – especially in the final – and then added a line that will resonate with plenty: he still hopes FIFA “goes up in flames.”

Everton: new stadium, old questions

JAMES ROGERS, NEW YORK EVERTONIANS

Everton head into a second season at the gleaming Hill Dickinson Stadium with David Moyes trying to wake a team that sleepwalked through the run-in last year. Three points from the final seven games killed their European hopes and tested the patience of a fanbase that has suffered more than enough.

There is, as ever, hope. Christian Norgaard, Hayden Hackney and Brennan Johnson arrive, the latter in a swap that sends Dwight McNeil to Crystal Palace. But the fan obsession remains a right back, and the transfer noise around Iliman Ndiaye – plus the lingering question of whether Jack Grealish will return in royal blue – has created a familiar tension.

Ndiaye lit up the World Cup with a cameo against Iraq. Grealish was superb for Everton before a serious injury ended both his season and his World Cup dream. James Garner, unlucky to miss the tournament, is key again, as are Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and England No. 1 Jordan Pickford, fresh from his heroics in the U.S. and Mexico.

The demand now is simple: real progress in their new home. Rogers’ top five: 1. Man City 2. Arsenal 3. Man Utd 4. Liverpool 5. Chelsea.

Liverpool: Iraola, upheaval and the Kop factor

CHRISTINE KINEALY, HISTORIAN, LIVERPOOL

Christine Kinealy and her family boycotted the World Cup in person, a small protest against “overt corruption” at the top of the game, even as they watched most matches on TV and took in Liverpool v Wrexham at Yankee Stadium instead. Spain’s triumph, with Víctor Muñoz – now a Liverpool signing – in midfield, softened the blow of her incorrect tip for France.

Back at Anfield, the Arne Slot era ended quickly and uneasily. Big-money signings never quite meshed, and when matches imploded, Slot had few answers. His successor, Andoni Iraola, has started to restore a more direct, high-pressing style. Turnovers high up the pitch, zonal counter-pressing, echoes of Klopp with new refinements. It hasn’t all clicked in pre-season, but the intent is clear.

Late transfer business again defines Liverpool’s summer: Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo are in. With Iraola’s Premier League experience and reinforcements at the back, there’s hope they settle faster than last year’s intake. Yet this is still a club in flux. Mo Salah and Andy Robertson have gone, two icons who embodied the spirit of LFC. At the same time, Jeff Bezos’s involvement leaves many, Christine included, cold.

She expects turbulence but also believes in the “Kop-Factor” and a positive, purposeful style that could signal a new, more authentic era. Her prediction: Liverpool finish third.

Tottenham: from horror flick to rescue mission

DOM STINGAS PACZKO, TOTTENHAM

For Dom Stingas Paczko, last season at Spurs played like a horror film. A malevolent force dragging everyone towards oblivion, salvation arriving only in the final act.

Thomas Frank’s appointment initially stirred optimism after Ange Postecoglou’s gung-ho reign, but by October it was clear it wasn’t working. Dom warned his dad Spurs could be in a relegation fight; he was dismissed as alarmist. By the time Frank was sacked – “far too late” – they were in real trouble. The brief Igor Tudor interlude barely merits a mention. The real story is Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi, Dom insists, was one of the few coaches who could have saved them: a motivator, a confidence builder, someone who would put Spurs back on the front foot. Without him, Dom is convinced he’d be writing about trips to Preston North End and Lincoln City instead of another Premier League season.

The board took heavy criticism after Daniel Levy’s departure forced them into the spotlight. They made mistakes, but there are signs of change. The club’s notoriously poor wage structure has been overhauled, allowing them to compete for higher-calibre signings. Recruitment, both in and out, looks smarter. Losing Cristian Romero and Djed Spence in previous years would have triggered online meltdown; this time, thanks to incoming deals, the mood is calm.

They still need two or three attacking additions to seriously chase the top four, but for the first time in a long time there’s a coherent off-pitch plan and genuine belief on it. Dom’s top five: 1. Arsenal 2. Chelsea 3. Manchester City 4. Aston Villa 5. Tottenham – if those extra signings arrive. If not, he nudges Manchester United into fifth.

Arsenal: champions with room to grow

SCOTT SILVER, ARSENAL

Scott Silver is unapologetically bullish. For the first time “in forever,” he’s backing Arsenal to win the league again. He believes they “got the recipe correct” last year and sees no reason it can’t be repeated.

Many Arsenal players shone at the World Cup – “not you Havertz,” he quips – and the squad still looks stacked. Gabriel Martinelli may be on his way out for £38m, but the rumour mill is whirring and reinforcements are expected. Bukayo Saka is fit, Declan Rice is “one of the best midfielders in Europe,” and with Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, it borders on an embarrassment of riches.

Scott didn’t see much of the World Cup beyond the USA games and the final four, but he was convinced by Spain. Back in the Premier League, his top five is clear: 1. Arsenal 2. Man City 3. Liverpool 4. Man Utd 5. Chelsea.

Manchester United: Carrick, momentum and belief

JOE BEHAN, MANCHESTER UNITED

Joe Behan thinks Manchester United can fight for the title – if Michael Carrick stays put. That’s the caveat. Carrick walked away from the club’s coaching staff in 2021 after Solskjaer’s sacking and his own burnout. Four years later, he returned as head coach and then manager, and United’s season flipped.

They surged to third and a Champions League place. Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko were restored to the line-up and, in Joe’s words, “played out of their skins,” as did most of the squad. He argues United played the best football in the Premier League under Carrick, and their best since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

His top five reflects that faith: 1. Arsenal 2. Manchester United 3. Manchester City 4. Aston Villa 5. Liverpool. From the World Cup, he highlights Spain’s possession masterclass and notes Lisandro Martinez as the only United player to reach the final, while 12 others had mixed tournaments.

Newcastle United: a new manager, a new era, and a farewell

JOHN SPINKS, NEWCASTLE UNITED

For John Spinks, the World Cup in the U.S. turned watching football into “a job” – endless games at prime time. While everyone’s eyes were on that, Newcastle were quietly dismantled.

Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães: gone to Barcelona, Spurs and Arsenal. Three weeks before they host Liverpool at St James’ Park in the league opener, Eddie Howe resigns. In steps German coach Matthias Jaissle, chosen by the Saudi owners, bringing his own staff and his own ideas. It’s a hard reset.

There is still a defensive core: Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Lewis Miley, Malick Thiaw. They’re seasoned now and will have to guide a young influx. New goalkeeper Ivan Jaouen arrives from Reims, 20 years old, 6ft 7in, “good with his feet.” In midfield, Mohamed Bamba from Monaco and Steur from Ajax join, alongside Park Seung, the Korean youngster who blossomed last season. Most are 20 or under.

John calls it a “hybrid squad with some exotic ingredients” and wonders if a German chef can get them cooking.

The emotional backdrop is heavy. Kevin Keegan’s death hit Tyneside hard. The club marked his legacy with a shrine of scarves, shirts and flowers and will stage a further tribute on opening day. It feels, John says, like the end of another era.

His prediction: 1. Man City 2. Man Utd 3. Arsenal 4. Villa 5. Sunderland – the last thrown in “for divilment.”

Manchester United: expectation back at Old Trafford

RAY O’HANLON, MANCHESTER UNITED

Ray O’Hanlon charts United’s shift from “frustration to expectation.” From mid-table to top four under Carrick is impressive by any standard, but at United, the bar is titles and trophies.

Carrick’s calm stewardship after Ruben Amorim’s departure earned him the job. He’ll need the same composure as United chase the Premier League, tackle Europe and go after domestic cups. Pre-season brought three wins, a draw and a loss. The standout? A penalty shoot-out win over Leeds United at Croke Park in front of 82,000, a record crowd for a soccer match in Ireland. The 4-2 defeat to AC Milan – now managed by Amorim – will provide plenty of video-room lessons.

Carrick wants more signings, including a possible marquee name to go with four summer arrivals, among them midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea. The academy remains a wild card, as always.

Targets? The league, for starters. Arsenal won’t give up their crown easily. Top four is the minimum. Finishing ahead of Manchester City is the dream supporters whisper in the morning and at night. The pressure begins immediately with newly promoted Hull City visiting Old Trafford this weekend.

Ray’s top five: 1. Arsenal 2. Manchester United 3. Liverpool 4. Aston Villa 5. Everton.

Aston Villa: Emery, Madjo and belief

DAVE HANNIGAN, ASTON VILLA

Dave Hannigan writes in the glow of a Super Cup win and a breakout performance from 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo against PSG. The English media are already in overdrive about the wunderkind and Villa’s prospects. Dave urges caution. It’s still just a glorified pre-season friendly.

The ballast is Unai Emery. He is why Villa can realistically aim for another top-four push and a Champions League quarter-final. This, despite losing Morgan Rogers to Chelsea – his reputation “inflated by the press just a tad” – and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United. Ezri Konsa could yet follow them out before the window shuts.

Emery, Dave insists, is more important than any individual. Viktor Lindelof’s renaissance is Exhibit A. Signed on a free 12 months ago, shrugged off by many after underwhelming at United, he started 27 games, filled in admirably in midfield and made key contributions. In Emery they trust, even if the arrival of the mercurial Alejandro Garnacho in claret and blue tests that faith.

Keep Boubacar Kamara fit, keep John McGinn’s famous backside as immovable as ever, and give Ollie Watkins the minutes he was denied at the World Cup, and Villa should at least match last season.

Dave’s top five: 1. Chelsea 2. Manchester City 3. Liverpool 4. Aston Villa 5. Manchester United.

Liverpool again: transition and tempered hope

MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN, JESUIT PRIEST, LIVERPOOL

Michael O’Sullivan didn’t see much of the World Cup, but he rooted for Argentina and Lionel Messi, not just for the fairy-tale ending but because Messi was driven to win for his dying father. He wants FIFA to change the rules so goals in the third-place play-off don’t count towards the Golden Boot. He also believes Messi had more impact than Rodri.

On Liverpool, he sees a club mid-transition and short in key positions. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Leoni are long-term absentees. He welcomed the managerial change; as last season wore on, it became clear to him that the previous coach’s style held the team back. But he warns that Andoni Iraola will need time and reinforcements, plus injured players returning to fitness.

Alexis Mac Allister’s strong World Cup could be a springboard after a slow start last season. Isak’s goal for Sweden raised similar hopes. Michael expects Spurs, his boyhood club from the Jimmy Greaves days, to do well under their new manager and with smart recruitment. He doubts United can match last season’s league form with Champions League duties added. He also wonders, pointedly, when the investigation into Manchester City’s practices will reach a conclusion.

Arsenal’s set-piece routines, particularly their corners, will surely be better defended this year, he suggests. As for his top five: 1. Man City 2. Arsenal 3. Aston Villa 4. Liverpool 5. Tottenham.

Manchester United: talent, temperament and uncertainty

ANTHONY C. MURPHY, MANCHESTER UNITED

Anthony C. Murphy’s piece is a scattergun tour of United players at the World Cup and the club’s brittle identity.

Bruno Fernandes, he argues, can’t truly shine while Cristiano Ronaldo is still on the pitch for Portugal. Diogo Dalot barely featured. Uruguay and Manuel Ugarte offered little. Casemiro has left United; Matheus Cunha has talent but not consistency. Brazil flattered to deceive, aside from their dismantling of a “really awful” Scotland. Tyler Fletcher may not have made it off the bench.

He liked Morocco and thought Noussair Mazraoui played with more authority than he shows at Old Trafford. For England, Marcus Rashford battled Anthony Gordon for minutes but did well, even if he still surrenders the ball at crucial moments. Rashford, Anthony feels, is a better shooter than dribbler. Kobbie Mainoo, “the best player at United apart from Bruno,” is, in his view, underused. Lisandro Martinez was his usual steady self in Argentina’s ill-tempered final defeat, and came out of the tournament with credit.

Amad Diallo, meanwhile, became Ivory Coast’s youngest scorer with goals against Ecuador and Norway, the first particularly dramatic.

Back at United, Anthony sees unpredictability. They were “lucky” to finish third, helped by other teams fading. And yet they fought and hung in. New arrivals Santos and Orozco, plus Tielemans, could stabilise things, especially if Tielemans and Mainoo build a partnership. Goalkeeper Lemmens veers between brilliant and woeful.

He predicts a top-five league finish, an early European exit and possibly an FA Cup win. His top three: Arsenal, City and Liverpool – unless Rodri leaves. With Rodri now at Barcelona, he believes City might stumble. The warning has already come true.

Liverpool, once more: frustration and a reset

STEPHEN BOLAND, LIVERPOOL

Stephen Boland doesn’t sugar-coat it. He said last year that Slot won with Klopp’s team playing Klopp’s football. Then Slot tried to impose his own system. It didn’t work. Fans didn’t enjoy it. Injuries – notably to Isak – hurt, but so did underperformance. Florian Wirtz looked lost, flashes of quality aside. Mohamed Salah was “a shell of himself.” Overall, a poor year.

He enjoyed the World Cup more than he expected. The expanded 48-team format didn’t dilute the quality, in his view. Argentina’s style, though, left him cold. He felt the coverage was suffocatingly Messi-centric and believes they benefited from favourable calls.

From a Liverpool standpoint, he’s quietly pleased most of their players, apart from Mac Allister, weren’t overused. He hopes that continuity and fitness will bring cohesion.

He expects a tight race. His top five: 1. Arsenal 2. Liverpool 3. Man City 4. Man United 5. Chelsea.

Manchester United: title talk and timing

NIALL O’LEARY, MANCHESTER UNITED

Niall O’Leary loved the World Cup but never wants to hear the phrase “hydration break” again. On United, he’s all in: this is the year.

He argues that United’s players had limited influence at the tournament, which leaves them fresher and ready to have “the season of their lives.” His logic is simple. Arsenal are unlikely, in his view, to retain the title. Almost every rival has changed manager, and new systems take time. United, by contrast, have a head start with Carrick, appointed on January 13 – his father’s birthday, a detail he cherishes.

He predicts a 14th Premier League title for United and names Marcus Rashford, now wearing No. 14, as player of the season. Rashford, he says, has fed the children, returned from his Ramblas wanderings and is ready for a second coming.

His top five: 1. Manchester United 2. Manchester City 3. Arsenal 4. Liverpool 5. Chelsea.

Chelsea: chastened but bullish

PAUL FINNEGAN, CHELSEA

Paul Finnegan backed Chelsea to win the league last year. They finished 10th. He laughs at his own forecasting, but insists the season wasn’t as hopeless as the table suggests. He believes they were at least in with “a distant shout” before City fluttered their eyelashes at Enzo Maresca. The coach’s mid-season exit, he says, derailed everything.

He felt for Cole Palmer, who missed out on England’s World Cup squad and then struggled for form. Exhaustion and injuries took their toll. A glaring stoppage-time miss against Leeds at Stamford Bridge – a chance to win it – summed up his season.

This time, Finnegan is more restrained but still optimistic. He has Chelsea second. The logic: a talented squad, seasoned by the arrivals of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, and no European football to drain legs or focus. He also draws a sharp line in the sand: Xabi Alonso is not just a coach, he is the manager. Those at Chelsea who “don’t know the game” need to stop interfering.

He’s happy Arsenal finally won the title – if only so he can stop feeling sorry for them, and for Mayo. He thinks Arteta’s side now “have it all” and can repeat, maybe even challenge for the Champions League. Liverpool, he believes, will thrive under Iraola. Maresca, he says, will need time to step out of Guardiola’s shadow at City. Villa will be strong, but United will keep improving.

His top five: 1. Arsenal 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool 4. Manchester United 5. Spurs.

Across all these voices, one thread runs clear. The era of City inevitability has cracked, at least a little. Rodri is gone. Guardiola is gone. Maresca inherits the most successful machine of the modern Premier League, but also its heaviest expectations.

Arsenal look ready to defend. Chelsea and Liverpool are rebuilding with intent. United believe, loudly, that their time has come again. Villa refuse to go away. Spurs are trying to drag themselves from chaos to coherence.

The bookmakers have moved. The fans have spoken. Now the league has to answer the only question that matters: who actually lives up to their own prophecy?