Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz
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Arsenal are hopeful of finally ending their run of second-place finishes and winning the Premier League title has been dismissed by former England goalkeeper David James., who predicts the Gunners will drop to fourth this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished runners-up in each of the last three campaigns, twice behind Manchester City and last season behind Liverpool. This summer, they have invested heavily in the transfer market, signing Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke in a bid to bridge the final gap to the title.
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However, James, who earned 53 caps for England and played for both Liverpool and Manchester City, believes Arsenal will slip backwards in 2025/26. Speaking at the launch ofFinal One Standing by William Hill, the former goalkeeper backed Liverpool to retain the title, with City finishing second and Chelsea leapfrogging Arsenal into third.
“This season will be unique in so many ways because of the Club World Cup,” James said.
“That tournament allowed Chelsea and to a lesser extent Manchester City, an opportunity to get their summer signings integrated into the team in competitive fixtures. That gives those two teams a head-start compared to their rivals.
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“Liverpool’s pre-season has also been impressive. Their new signings, like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, look very good. If Arne Slot builds chemistry in the squad and improves on last season, they have a great chance to win the Premier League again, the title is theirs to lose. I can see Man City finishing second, Chelsea third, and Arsenal falling back to fourth.”
Bookmakers share James’s view that Liverpool are strong title favourites but do not expect Arsenal to slide as far down the table as he predicts. Odds currently place the Gunners as second favourites behind the defending champions, followed by Manchester City, Chelsea, and then Manchester United.
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