It’s still early doors, but…. The next English Premier League season starts on 16th of August. Anything can happen between then and now. Let me say, at the outset, that I have always been terrible at Fantasy Football (I very rarely finish above last place in any league), and I don’t really like predictions. So, let that be a guide.
What I will say, then, is that I don’t believe Arsenal will win the 25/26 Premier League. Should this happen, players like William Saliba will start getting antsy. A story for another time.
That Arsenal will not win the premier league next season has less to do with Mikel Arteta, than it has to do with the fact that Liverpool will be strengthening its squad this summer. The only “weakness” in the Liverpool team is the likelihood that either Mohammed Salah or Virgil has a bad season.
Manchester City cannot possibly be as bad as they were last season, and Pep Guardiola will get back to, or closer to his best, plus they will also strengthen the squad.
Arsenal, Liverpool and City will probably finish next season in the top four places, with either one of Chelsea and Newcastle making up the fourth. The problem with Chelsea is that since the departure of Roman Abramovich they’ve acted like a prepubescent boy has just discovered he had an erection, and feels the urge to do something about it…. It’s hard to see a pattern or logic in their buying/selling.
Newcastle ought to do well, given the money their owners have, but they will need a new manager if they want to challenge for the premiership. Eddie Howe has been good, very good, but I don’t think he has the calibre of champions past and present. He is a galaxy away from the winning pedigree of (prime) Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola, light years from Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Luis Enrique, Jurgen Klopp (fascinating stats about Klopp) or Arno Slot, or even Antonio Conte (See here) – among other.
You can probably say the same thing about Mikel Arteta, but his transformation of Arsenal men’s squad has been quite spectacular. The Club, men and women’s teams and the Hale End academy, has been transformed from a stagnant eco-system to something vibrant. The club took a massive dip on the pitch when the new stadium was being built, and have risen significantly over the past five years. Having followed the Arsenal closely since about 1993, I have witnessed the modernisation of the Arsenal, on a level comparable only to Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have modernised. Their stadium is believed to be the best in England. We have yet to see whether wining the Europa League trophy last year will be the start moving up the Premier League Table. Daniel Levy is still in place, but I’ve picked up some Peter Ridsdale vibes.
Yes, “winning” things is not part of this statement about Arsenal and Spurs. In this respect, City stands head and shoulders above Spurs and Arsenal, but the London clubs have brought pride back to their clubs – while teams have underperformed on the pitch. Except, Arteta has made Arsenal a pleasure to watch – much more so than Spurs or last year’s City. Arsenal’s total transformation is what is so desperately needed at Old Trafford, and which (it seems) Everton have embarked on with their new stadium.
Right now, though, two months before the new season kicks off…. Liverpool are in prime position to retain the league title, Arsenal and City will probably battle for second and third place. Chelsea will still be playing with itself, and Newcastle’s pocket full of change may mean nothing while the team marks time on the pitch.
Manchester United and Spurs will end the season mid-table.