Mikel Arteta
Arsenal could be securing back-to-back titles(Image: Getty Images)
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Finally, the wait is over. The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally here.
The new campaign gets underway on Friday evening as defending champions Arsenal take on newly-promoted Coventry City. The two sides have very different ambitions for the upcoming campaign, but for this weekend at least, they are equals.
And that goes for each of the 18 other top-flight clubs, who have made managerial changes, dipped into the transfer market and have gone through gruelling pre-season campaigns.
All of that work will now be given its toughest examination yet as the real stuff gets underway. But what's going to happen throughout the next 10 months?
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The Gunners are the complete package under Mikel Arteta. They've got a brilliant attack, a formidable midfield and a solid defence. And they've now got the silveware to prove it. With the vast majority of their rivals now in transition, the path is opening up for Arsenal to claim the title yet again.
Michael Carrick will be hopeful of carrying on the momentum that United built up last season into the new campaign and seal a Champions League spot. Liverpool and Manchester City also have good enough squads to finish in the top four. Chelsea should also be good enough but a title challenge looks like a pipe dream.
It's easy to tip the promoted clubs to go straight back down and I fear two of them will be slipping back into the Championship in 10 months' time. Hull City have a squad that's simply not good enough for the demands of top-flight football, while Coventry will make more of a fight of it but will still be relegated.
Ipswich's experience of a couple of years ago should see them improve. That could leave a surprise package nervously looking over their shoulders and I think that could be Fulham, who could take some time to adapt to Alvaro Arbeloa's demands so could be playing catch-up.
Daniel Farke's side have upgraded in all of the positions that they needed to this summer - and with some of their established rivals contending with European football, that could see the Yorkshire side take advantage. It would certainly not be a shock to see them secure a spot in the Europa League next season.
Do I need to explain this one? He's the best striker in the Premier League. He's the best striker in the world. And he will be claiming the golden boot once more.
Erling Haaland
Haaland looks set to win another golden boot(Image: Getty Images)
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Given the extortianate market when it comes to central midfielders this summer, Youri Tielemans for just £35m is a bona fide bargain. He adds some serious quality to the heart of the United midfield. And under Carrick, he should be able to elevate his game to even higher levels. It would not be a surprise to see the Belgian seal a number of wins with his penchant for an eye-catching goal.
This feels slightly harsh given he's just 21 years of age. But is Mateus Fernandes an £85m midfielder? I'm not totally convinced that he is.
Could he be? Possibly. But as it stands...not quite. That price-tag means that he'll be expected to have an instant impact but I think his contributions will be limited this season which could see the pressure rise.
Having tipped the Londoners for relegation, I'm also predicting Arbeloa to be cut adrift. He's got no Premier League managerial experience and very little full stop. If and when the chips are down at Craven Cottage, I don't expect Fulham to wait for him to pick them back up.
With Manchester City in transition and none of the other clubs yet ready to challenge the Gunners, I can see this being something of a procession. After finally ending their long wait for a title, I fully expect Mikel Arteta to go back-to-back and lift the trophy again in May.
The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes makes their already formidable midfield stronger and Christos Tzolis looks an exciting attacking addition.
I still expect City to be Arsenal's nearest challengers, mainly due to the firepower of Erling Haaland. Manchester United should carry on their upwards momentum under Michael Carrick and it will be fascinating to see how a reintegrated Marcus Rashford performs. Liverpool should have enough to complete the top four under Andoni Iraola and I fancy Xabi Alonso to return Chelsea to the top table of European football.
It's always tricky for the promoted sides, unless you're Regis Le Bris' Sunderland, and this year looks like being no different. Hull did incredible to return to the top flight but it's hard to see them beating the drop. Similarly Coventry, back after 25 years and with a feel-good factor under Frank Lampard, but look up against it. Crystal Palace might be a surprise pick, but their manager is a complete unknown and some of their business has been headscratching.
I'm backing the Tractor Boys to break the mould and stay in the Premier League. I think they will benefit from their brief foray in the top division two years ago, albeit under a different manager in Gary O'Neil, who will also reap the benefits of his experiences with Wolves and Bournemouth. Julio Enciso and Abdul Fatawu look like smart additions at the top end of the pitch.
Do you really want an explanation?
OK, so the Belgian Pro League isn't the Premier League. But 43 goals in all competitions from the wing in the last two seasons speak for themselves. Tzolis looks like an upgrade on Leandro Trossard and made a bright start to his Arsenal career in the Community Shield.
Christos Tzolis
Christos Tzolis has already had a bright start to life at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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I want to quantify this, because 'flop' is probably too harsh. I don't think Elliot Anderson is a bad player, or a bad signing. But the transfer fee makes me uncomfortable. He is not a £116million footballer, and that is no slight on his ability. He is also not in the same calibre as Rodri, the player he is tasked with replacing. He's a perfectly good player and well worth his place in the England side. But I cannot seeing him having the impact his price tag should justify.
Hull face Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea in their first four games, travelling to fellow new boys Coventry in the other. A slow start looks very possible and pressure could be on the Tigers boss from early in the campaign.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is now onto his third club in as many seasons(Image: Getty Images)
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What don’t they say about north London buses? You wait 22 years and then two come along at once.
Even before signing Ezri Konsa and the world-class forward we’ve been promised all summer, Arsenal have the best squad and their closest rivals are undergoing rebuilds. It’s a recipe for success.
Enzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola are going to encounter all sorts of problems as they rebuild this season, leaving the door open for Manchester United to pip them to the best of the rest. There’s something to be said for stability and in Michael Carrick they have that. The failure to shift Marcus Rashford could end up being a blessing in disguise.
Like most summers, Chelsea appear to be a mess, with Xabi Alonso wading through unwanted players every time he arrives at Cobham. Tottenham will improve after splashing the cash but not enough to make it into the top five, leaving Brighton to build on their momentum.
Ipswich have spent over £100million on players this summer, but the departure of Kieran McKenna after promotion is a blow they won’t bounce back from. Hull look well short of Premier League quality. And I really fear for Fulham in the post-Marco Silva era. The Portuguese manager made mid-table mediocrity look easy, but Alvaro Arbeloa won’t, sending them down just above a succession of disappointments, in the form of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Everton.
The Seagulls have finished eighth in the last two campaigns and I fancy them to improve upon it this time around. Much like Bournemouth, their recruitment tends to be spot-on and I could see them building up a head of steam in Spring 2027, despite losing top scorer Danny Welbeck.
It’s obvious for a reason. He’s won the Golden Boot in three of the last four Premier League seasons and the fact Brentford’s Igor Thiago was the closest to him last time around says a lot.
Losing a player for nothing is never ideal, but swapping Ibrahima Konate for Jacquet could prove to be a timely upgrade. The Liverpool centre-back pairing of Konate and Virgil van Dijk was ropey last season and Jacquet brings class and composure at such a young age to Liverpool’s backline.
Jeremy Jacquet
Jeremy Jacquet is set to replace Ibrahima Konate at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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I am simply not having £100m for Tonali, who Newcastle fans will tell you was really not that good last season. The Italian is a good midfielder, nothing much more, and Tottenham have grossly overpaid for his services.
Quiz question: can you name the four managers Nottingham Forest cycled through last season? No cheating. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is not a patient man and I’m not sure Glasner is convinced he’s made the right choice after leaving Crystal Palace. If things go south early in the season, the Austrian could be toast.
And while you’re at it, give them the 27-28 title as well. It has been clear for some time that this is an Arsenal squad - and manager - capable of establishing an era of domestic dominance.
A great goalkeeper, a formidable defence and a powerhouse midfield give Mikel Arteta the basis for a team that should rarely be beaten. Add a bit more high-end creativity and firepower, and they could even be invincible.
United’s transfer business has not been overly dramatic but has been shrewd enough to add to the momentum built by Michael Carrick last season. Andoni Iraola will take a while to become accustomed to the demands of Anfield but will get motoring after a couple of months and Xabi Alonso will restore some sensible football to Stamford Bridge. The post-Pep void will be more painful than City fans imagine and they will only just scrape into the top five.
Deeply unimaginative, for sure, and let’s hope it’s not the case. But it is hard to make a really compelling argument for any of the promoted teams avoiding a relegation battle. One or two of them might battle their way to a points tally that keeps them up but it’s hard to be confident about that scenario. If you are looking for outsiders to get sucked in, Everton and Nottingham Forest might be on your list.
He has been in the firing line a few times but Daniel Farke makes a nice contribution to the Premier League product and his team will continue to entertain. And with James Trafford on board, they have a reliable last line of defence. They will defy their odds.
Even though it will be a season of struggle for Manchester City, Haaland will do what he always does and dominate their scoring charts. It would not be surprising if Alexander Isak gives Haaland a run for his money and if you are looking for a long shot, look no further than Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko.
At £117million, the England man is not the best-value signing but he will flourish under Xabi Alonso at Chelsea and flourish alongside Cole Palmer.
James Trafford is a corker of a capture for Leeds United.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers completed a big-money switch to Chelsea earlier this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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For this era of over-priced midfielders, the Italian is probably the poster player. At £116million, Elliot Anderson will come under scrutiny at Manchester City but Tonali’s price tag - £92.5million rising to £100million - is preposterous. He is not going to single-handedly transform Tottenham Hotspur’s fortunes, that is for sure.
Again, hardly left-field, but the Hull City manager faces a formidable challenge to put points on the board and will be vulnerable early in the season.
Hard to back against Mikel Arteta's men. They've consistently improved in the last two years, won the title last term to finally get that monkey off their back and were penalty kicks away from being European champions. Could they be more expansive and exciting? Of course. But they overpower opponents, grind teams down and look like making fewer mistakes than any of their rivals.
If it looks like the obvious answers, it's because they are. Aston Villa have lost too many key players, Chelsea don't have Europe to contend with and have a new workaholic manager with a point to prove, while City, United and Liverpool all look shoo-ins. Tottenham will improve but probably have too much room to make up.
Of the three promoted teams, I think Ipswich, can keep their heads above water. They've really strengthened and while Kieran McKenna may have gone, Gary O'Neil comes in looking to show that the manager we saw in his final half season at Wolves - ironically sacked after losing at home to the Tractor Boys - isn't really who he is. In his first season at Wolves, and his year at Bournemouth, he did very well to ensure both survived, and can do so again at Portman Road.
If they're staying up, then someone from last season's top-flight mix has to go down, and Fulham are the team who I'm very uncertain about. Along with the exit of Marco Silva, some key, experienced performers have been allowed to depart for pretty minimal sums and they've spent very heavily on the young Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, both known to new boss Alvaro Arbeloa. They don't have an easy start to the season and I think they could be running into a big problem.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Alvaro Arbeloa could struggle in his first season as Fulham boss(Image: Getty Images)
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After finishing 13th last season, I think David Moyes will have them in contention for European places this term. Hayden Hackney is a talented player who should dovetail nicely with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George is talented and will want to show Chelsea they were wrong. Moyes teams tend to trend upwards in their second full seasons and if they can find a regular goalscorer, be it one currently in situ or a new arrival, then they'll be much improved.
Next.
It's been a while since Spurs had anything like a settled defence and they've had issues at left-back for quite some time. Robertson may be 32, but for what Roberto De Zerbi is going to want, he's absolutely ideal, especially considering his arrival as a free transfer. His determination and leadership qualities should also help drag up standards that have too often in the last few years been allowed to slip.
Of all the others, Joao Gomes should help Aston Villa fill a big hole in their midfield while Ousmane Diomande will shine in Oliver Glasner's back three at Nottingham Forest.
Fulham need him to be red hot from the off and throughout the season after paying £34m up front for the young Spaniard, but I'm just not sure he's going to be able to give them what they need as he adapts to not only a new country, but what is effectively his first full season as a bona-fide starter in senior football.
He may have got Hull City promoted, but that won't count for much if they're struggling come the international break.
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