Arsenal Confident of Another Title as Man City Doubt Post

Arsenal rightly feel like the strong favourites to retain the Premier League title this season, but will Man City run them closest?

The Gunners ended their 22-year title drought last time around, and have again strengthened their squad impressively while clubs around them opted for new managers.

Liverpool will hope to put up a strong fight under Andoni Iraola, and it will be fascinating to see if Man City falter or thrive after Pep Guardiola.

Here’s how fans of the Reds’ two main title rivals have previewed the 2026/27 season.

Arsenal

Last season: Champions

TIA predicted finish: Champions

Best XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Califiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Tzolis, Havertz

The view from Arsenal

• Matty Long (@Matty_Long)

Where will Arsenal finish? I’ll say Arsenal will be champions again, but much of that has to do with the level of change and turnaround going on at other would-be contenders for the title.

It’s easier to trust in what you know: A great manager in charge of a team with a very high floor in terms of performance and getting results over the line.

Where will Liverpool finish? I think third. I’m sure they’ll play some great stuff, but it will take a while to get accustomed to Iraola’s intense playing style.

He’ll need to figure out how to get the best out of his players while playing twice a week and against the inevitable deep blocks in the second half of the season.

Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: Hard to pick a favourite after Salah. I like Ngumoha when I watch him, he’s my kind of player.

Least favourite? They all seem quite nice. But I’ll say Florian Wirtz for stinking out my fantasy team in the opening weeks of last season!

One player you wish Arsenal would sign, realistically: There was a dream that was Vini Jr. I’m not sure where we go now.

Is Alvarez even realistic at this point? I’ll have to say him, but I don’t think it will happen with Atletico not wanting to sell and the player himself wanting to go elsewhere in Spain.

I just think when you’ve got a winning team, with the requisite squad depth, there are very few players who can come in and improve you and those that can are tricky deals to pull off.

How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Cautiously optimistic. Though I’m expecting us to be slow out of the blocks after a gruelling season and World Cup, while having to deal with the ‘Are Chelsea title contenders?’ nonsense in November.

I do still have concerns over our attack, and the right side of our defence is already an issue with Saliba and Timber out with undefined return dates.

But we still have so much going for us in other departments. I just hope the hunger is still there.

Advice for visiting fans: The new rules around holding at corners aren’t going to stop us. Our effectiveness from them was built on incredible delivery, movement, and players with big slab heads.

I’m just telling you now so you aren’t too surprised to see Merino wheeling away when it happens.

Man City

Last season: 2nd

TIA predicted finish: 2nd

Best XI: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Guehi, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Anderson, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland

(Foden and Cherki are probably going to be interchanging. If Fernandez comes in, one gives way anyhow).

The view from Man City

• Simon Curtis (@bifana_bifana)

Where will Man City finish? 3rd

Where will Liverpool finish? 4th

Who will win the title? Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs, the start of the great London domination.

Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: Historically, my favourites were Kevin Keegan and Steve McManaman. Today, I don’t have one.

Most of the dislikeable ones have left for pastures new.

One player you wish Man City would sign, realistically: Adam Wharton

How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Middling. Rodri going, staying? Lot of transfer upheaval.

I do not like the idea of Enzo Fernandez at all, but Enzo Maresca seems dead keen.