Premier League Preview – Who Will Challenge Arsenal This Season?

Last season in the Premier League Arsenal ended a wait of 22 years to claim the title. Mikel Arteta’s team were the class outfit in the league and almost completed a memorable double, before losing on penalties to Paris St. Germain in the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be amongst the title front-runners once again this season, but who are the teams that are best equipped to challenge them? In this Premier League preview, we take a closer look at Arsenal and the teams most likely to challenge them for the league title in 2026/27. 

Premier League Title Contenders

Arsenal

• Main Signings – Piero Hincapie (from Bayer Leverkusen), Kristos Tziolis (from Club Brugge), Ilan Meslier (from Leeds), Bruno Guimaraes (from Newcastle United)
• Main Outgoings – Jakub Kiwior (to FC Porto), Leandro Trossard (to Besiktas), Christian Norgaard (to Everton), Kerl Hein (to Werder Bremen)
• Manager – Mikel Arteta
• Club Captain – Martin Odegaard
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Emirates Stadium (60,704)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1. David Raya
• 13. Kepa Arrizabalaga
• 30. Ilan Meslier
• 35. Tommy Setford

Defenders

• 2. William Saliba
• 3. Cristhian Mosquera
• 4. Ben White
• 5. Piero Hincapie
• 6. Gabriel Magelhaes
• 12. Jurrien Timber
• 33. Riccardo Calafiori
• 49. Myles Lewis-Skelly

Midfielders

• 8. Martin Odegaard
• 10. Eberechi Eze
• 21. Fabio Vieira
• 22. Ethan Nwaneri
• 23. Mikel Merino
• 36. Martin Zubimendi
• 39. Bruno Guimaraes
• 41. Declan Rice

Forwards

• 7. Bukayo Saka
• 9. Gabriel Jesus
• 11. Gabriel Martinelli
• 14. Viktor Gyokeres
• 17. Christos Tziolis
• 20. Noni Madueke
• 24. Reiss Nelson
• 29. Kai Havertz
• 56. Max Dowman

Having won the title last season, Arsenal have not rested on their laurels. They’ve made some key signings this summer and more seem to be on the way. They look a good bet to land back-to-back titles.

Prediction – 1st.

Manchester City

• Main Signings – Elliot Anderson (from Nottm Forest), Jeremy Monga (from Leicester City), Pierce Charles (from Sheff Wed), Geronimo Rulli (from Marseille), Mathys Detourbet (from Troyes)
• Main Outgoings – James Trafford (to Leeds), Nathan Ake (to Fenerbahce), Reigan Heskey (to Cologne), Manuel Akanji (to Inter), John Stone (to Inter), Bernardo Silva (to Real Madrid), Kalvin Phillips (to Sheff Utd on loan)
• Manager – Enzo Maresca
• Club Captain – Rodri or Ruben Dias
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Etihad Stadium (61,038)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1. Gianluigi Donnarumma
• 13. Marcus Bettinelli
• 28. Geronimo Rulli

Defenders

• 3. Ruben Dias
• 6. Marc Guehi
• 21. Rayan Ait-Nouri
• 22. Vitor Reis
• 24. Josko Gvardiol
• 33. Nico O’Reilly
• 45. Andukodir Khusanov
• 82. Rico Lewis
• 97. Josh Wilson-Esbrand

Midfielders

• 4. Tijiani Reijnders
• 5. Elliot Anderson
• 8. Mateo Kovacic
• 10. Rayan Cherki
• 14. Nico Gonzalez
• 16. Rodri
• 27. Matheus Nunes
• 30. Claudio Echeverri
• 42. Antoine Semenyo
• 47. Phil Foden
• UND – Jack Grealish

Forwards

• 7. Omar Marmoush
• 9. Erling Haaland
• 11. Jeremy Doku
• 26. Savinho
• 40. Jeremy Monga

Enzo Maresca has some huge shoes to fill since Pep Guardiola left, and with several other key City stars on the move, this could well be a struggle for Maresca who didn’t shine when in charge at Chelsea.

Prediction – 2nd.

Manchester United

• Main Signings – Andrey Santos (from Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (from Aston Villa), Tynan Thompson (from Tottenham), Karl Darlow (from Leeds), Cristian Orozco (from Fortaleza)
• Main Outgoings – Rasmus Hojlund (to Napoli), Casemiro (to Inter Miami), Andre Onana (to Trabzonspor on loan), Tyrell Malacia (Released)
• Manager – Michael Carrick
• Club Captain – Bruno Fernandes
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Old Trafford (74,158)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1. Senne Lammens
• 12. Karl Darlow
• 22. Tom Heaton
• 45. Dermot Mee

Defenders

• 2. Diogo Dalot
• 3. Noussair Mazraoui
• 4. Matthijs de Ligt
• 5. Harry Maguire
• 6. Lisandro Martinez
• 13. Patrick Dorgu
• 15. Leny Yoro
• 23. Luke Shaw
• 26. Ayden Heaven
• 41. Harry Amass

Midfielders

• 7. Mason Mount
• 8. Bruno Fernandes
• 17. Andrey Santos
• 18, Youri Tielemans
• 25. Manuel Ugarte
• 37. Kobbie Mainoo
• 38. Jack Fletcher
• 39. Tyler Fletcher
• 43. Toby Collyer

Forwards

• 9. Marcus Rashford
• 10. Matheus Cunha
• 11. Joshua Zirkzee
• 16. Amad Diallo
• 19. Bryan Mbeumo
• 30. Benjamin Sesko
• 46. Shea Lacey

SIgns were much more positive for United under Michael Carrick, who led them to third in the table, but their end of season business hasn’t really pushed the team on a great deal.

Prediction – 4th

Liverpool

• Main Signings – Jeremy Jacquet (from Rennes), Victor Munoz (from Osasuna), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (from Austria Vienna), Ronald Araujo (from Barcelona on loan)
• Main Outgoings – Andy Robertson (to Tottenham), Ibrahima Konate (to Real Madrid), Mohamed Salah (to Trabzonspor)
• Manager – Andoni Iraola
• Club Captain – Virgil van Dijk
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Anfield (61,246)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1. Alisson Becker
• 25. Giorgi Mamardashvili
• 28. Freddie Woodman
• 56. Vitezslav Jaros

Defenders

• 2. Joe Gomez
• 4. Virgil van Dijk
• 5. Jeremy Jacquet
• 6. Milos Kerkez
• 12. Conor Bradley
• 15. Geovani Leoni
• 21. Kostas Tsimikas
• 30. Jeremie Frimpong
• 33. Ronald Araujo
• 47. Calvin Ramsey

Midfielders

• 3. Wataru Endo 
• 7. Florian Wirtz
• 8. Dominik Szoboszlai
• 10. Alexis Mac Allister
• 17. Curtis Jones
• 19. Harvey Elliott
• 38. Ryan Gravenberch
• 42. Trey Nyoni
• 43. Stefan Bajcetic
• 53. James McConnell
• 68. Kieran Morrison

Forwards

• 9. Alexander Isak
• 14. Federico Chiesa
• 18. Cody Gakpo
• 22. Hugo Ekitike
• 23. Victor Munoz
• 67. Lewis Koumas
• 73. Rio Ngumoha
• 76. Jayden Danns

Liverpool fans have been disappointed with the Reds lack of transfer activity and with three big names leaving, and little in the way of incoming players, this looks like being a transitional season for Iraola.

Prediction – 3rd

Aston Villa

• Main Signings – Johan Manzambi (from Freiburg), Joao Gomes (from Wolves), Alejandro Garnacho (from Chelsea on loan), Modou Keba Cissa (LASK)
• Main Outgoings – Morgan Rogers (to Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (to Man Utd), Lewis Dobbin (to Southampton), Donyell Malen (to AS Roma), Enzo Barrenechea (to Benfica), Lucas Digne (to Paris St. Germain)
• Manager – Unai Emery
• Club Captain – John McGinn
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Villa Park (43,205)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 23. Emiliano Martinez
• 40. Marco Bizot

Defenders

• 2. Matty Cash
• 3. Victor Lindelof
• 4. Ezri Konsa
• 5. Tyrone Mings
• 14. Pau Torres
• 22. Ian Maatsen
• 32. Kosta Nedeljkovic
• 48. Modou Keba Cisse

Midfielders

• 6. Ross Barkley
• 7. John McGinn
• 8. Boubacar Kamara
• 10. Emi Buendia
• 20. Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba
• 24. Amadou Onana
• 26. Lamare Bogarde
• 35. Joao Gomes
• 44. Johan Manzambi
• 49. Bradley Burrowes
• 53. George Hemmings

Forwards

• 11. Ollie Watkins
• 17. Alejandro Garnacho
• 18. Tammy Abraham
• 31. Leon Bailey
• 39. Brian Madjo
• 47. Alysson

Unai Emery will have his work cut out this season with Onana out injured for a lengthy spell, and Rogers and Tielemans having left the club and Emi Martinez also subject of transfer talk.

Prediction – 6th

Chelsea

• Main Signings – Morgan Rogers (from Aston Villa), Maxence Lacroix (from Crystal Palace), Geovany Quenda (from Sporting), Marco Palestra (from Atalanta), Pep Chavarria (from Rayo Vallecano), Denner (from Corinthians), Valentin Barco (from Strasbourg), Danny Welbeck (from Brighton), Jordan Henderson (from Brentford), Emmanuel Emegha (from Strasbourg), Dastan Satpaev (from Kairat Almaty)
• Main Outgoings – Marc Cucurella (to Real Madrid), Andrey Santos (to Man Utd), Trevoh Chalobah (to Como), Tyrique George (to Everton), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (to WBA), Alejandro Garnacho (to Aston Villa on loan), Filip Jorgensen (to Strasbourg on loan)
• Manager – Xabi Alonso
• Club Captain – Reece James
• Home Ground (Capacity) – Stamford Bridge (40,044)

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

• 1. Robert Sanchez
• 13. Mike Penders
• 28. Teddy Sharman-Lowe
• 44. Gabriel Slonina

Defenders

• 2. Marco Palestra
• 3. Wesley Fofana
• 5. Maxence Lacroix
• 6. Levi Colwill
• 19. Mamadou Sarr
• 21. Jorrel Hato
• 24. Reece James
• 27. Malo Gusto
• 29. Pep Chavarria
• 30. Aaron Anselmino
• 34. Josh Acheampong
• UND – Tosin Adarabioyo
• UND – Benoit Badiashile

Midfielders

• 4. Valentin Barco
• 8. Enzo Fernandez
• 10. Cole Palmer
• 14. Jordan Henderson
• 16. Dario Essuogo
• 17. Morgan Rogers
• 25. Moises Caicedo
• 45. Romeo Lavia

Forwards

• 7. Pedro Neto
• 9. Liam Delap
• 11. Jamie Gittens
• 15. Nicolas Jackson
• 18. Danny Welbeck
• 20. Joao Pedro
• 23. Geovany Quenda
• 38. Marc Guiu
• 41. Estevao
• 62. Mykhailo Mudryk
• UND – Emmanuel Emegha

With no European football as a distraction, Xabi Alonso’s new look Chelsea will be expected to challenge hard for the Champions League at the very least after a disappointing campaign last season. 

Prediction – 5th

* UND means no squad number has been decided as yet.

Our Premier League Prediction for 2026/27

Here’s our full 20-team prediction for the final table of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

1. Arsenal
2. Manchester City
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester United
5. Chelsea
6. Aston Villa
7. Tottenham Hotspur
8. Brighton 
9. Everton
10. Brentford
11. Crystal Palace
12. Leeds United
13. Nottingham Forest
14. Newcastle United
15. Sunderland
16. Fulham
17. Coventry City
18. Bournemouth
19. Ipswich Town
20. Hull City