The parallels between Liverpool and Arsenal are striking.
At least they are to me.
What I watch and what I hear from the media are two very separate things.
Arsenal are now talked about as this brilliant all conquering team who could now sweep all others aside and win everything.
This time last year we were hearing the same about Liverpool.
There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players are the best in the Premier League at this moment in time, fully deserving to be at the top of the table.
Just as Arne Slot and Liverpool were twelve months ago.
There are other very clear parallels though with Arsenal and Liverpool.
Last season I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and reading from the media. I know they have vested interests in hyping it all up BUT when I was watching Liverpool last season, I was thinking yes they are decent, though not this stellar level side that the media wanted us to believe.
I thought the 2024/25 season was one where you had one team where so much went their way in terms of luck and decisions, were very consistent to a good level, sometimes very good, but no better. Then though massively benefitting from others (Man City and Arsenal especially) dropping from their previous standards.
This is what I am seeing very much with Arsenal so far this season, almost four months in.
This is how the Premier League table looks on Thursday (4 December 2025) morning:
As you can see, Arsenal out clear on 33 points and no other team averaging more than 2.00 points per match.
Last season after 14 rounds of Premier League matches, Liverpool were out clear on 35 points, then Chelsea and Arsenal both 28, Man City 26.
I think Arne Slot and Liverpool were very professional and efficient last season, they deserved what they achieved. Which was the Premier League title but falling short in the other three competitions.
I predict exactly the same this time for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
I don’t see any of their Premier League rivals (certainly not Liverpool!) suddenly putting together a run that sweeps them ahead of Arsenal. So the Gunners just need to carry on steady as they go, making sure they efficiently win in the vast majority of games against the ‘lesser’ teams, which is what the scousers managed to do across the 2024/25 season.
Not too long ago (2017-2024), Pep Guardiola orchestrated a quite brilliant seven year run where Manchester City won six Premier League titles and finished runners-up in the odd one out.
I don’t think any Premier League club is ever going to repeat that, certainly not for a long long time.
The ‘lesser’ clubs are now much more competitive for one thing.
Whilst quite clearly, neither Arne Slot or Mikel Arteta are remotely close to the brilliance of Pep Guardiola.
As I say, I think Arsenal all but certainly will win the Premier League this season BUT in no way will this ignite a period of domination for the Gunners.
Instead, I think we are going to see a very competitive Premier League in the coming years, with a number of clubs that could potentially win the title in the next decade or more.
Interesting to see if the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa can manage to bridge the gap on AND off the pitch to become amongst those title contenders.
Here’s hoping.