The 2025/26 Premier League season is finally upon us.
After three seasons of trying but always falling short, Arsenal will be hoping this is the year they finally get it right.
Everyone is tipping this Liverpool super team, fresh off a summer spending spree, as favourites to win the league.
But Paul Merson is not convinced they have what it takes to go all the way.
Merson’s Title Race Predictions
In his Sportskeeda column, the Arsenal legend candidly outlined why the Reds might be in for a rude awakening this season.
He pointed to Liverpool’s shaky showing in the Community Shield as early evidence of cracks in their armour.
He went on to explain:
“It will all come down to who can keep their best players fit throughout the season,” and he believes Arsenal will get it right this time.
“If you ask me to pick the favourites to win the Premier League right now, I’d have to go with Arsenal.
“They needed a holding midfielder and a centre-forward this summer, and Mikel Arteta has filled both gaps quite well in my opinion.
“From what I saw in the Community Shield, Liverpool look a bit weak at the back.
“I believe Arsenal and Liverpool are the leading contenders, and it will all come down to who can keep their best players fit throughout the season.
“Liverpool did that last time out and ended up winning the league. Arsenal need to do the same, and I have a feeling they’ll get it done this time.”
Luck played a huge part in Liverpool’s title win.
Less Competition Last Season
That 10-point gap over second-placed Arsenal was pure fortune, those 84 points would not have won the league in either of the two seasons prior.
There simply was not any real competition last season.
With Arsenal and Manchester City plagued by injuries, Liverpool faced no serious challenge.
But this season presents a fresh test.
Arsenal have enjoyed one of their finest transfer windows in years.
They have ditched the pursuit of potential and instead banked on ready-made talent, adding much-needed squad depth.
With smart rotation and a bit of luck, Arteta should have what it takes to fire this Arsenal side to glory.
And while fans would love to beat Liverpool at their strongest, they would not mind taking advantage of their misfortunes either.
What do you think, Gooners – are Arsenal finally ready to go one better and lift the Premier League title?
Daniel O
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Calling Liverpool’s title win lucky is so disrespectful. They did what other teams couldn’t do last season and win more points than any other team.
Yes other teams had their issues, but that’s not Liverpool’s problem. And to just call them lucky is to be honest, laughable. Show some respect. 🙄
Every champions needs ounce of luck at least. Merson’s luck statement is on injuries though, which clearly is a luck on Liverpool sides and ill luck to others. This is the same narrative that has been made on this platform but called excuses.
Perspective, Arsenal or any club that struggle with injuries this season is not winning the league not an excuse but fact…. And injuries is mostly out of control so it comes down to luck…
When Arsenal surprisingly contested for the title in 22/23, it was attributed to luck- that the other teams were just bad. When Arsenal again contested in 23/24, it was again attributed to luck- that we had been lucky to keep our key players healthy. Meanwhile,during that same season, Liverpool who had been 5 points clear of us, ended up finishing 3rd, 7 points behind us. And you know what their fall was attributed to? Yeah,they said injuries & poor decisions going against them (read bad luck).
We can’t have it both ways DEREK. If we are going to invoke luck, then it should apply to everyone. Don’t get me wrong, Liverpool were the best team last season and deserved the title but let’s not pretend like them not having to deal with extensive injuries,other top teams being bad or getting decisions in their favour didn’t help their cause.
I believe winning largely has a lot to do with merit, but there’s a tiny bit that also involves a little bit of luck, like referee decisions going in your favour or avoiding major injuries- none of these things are completely in our control, yet they shape the title race. Always have and always will.
For instance, in 2023, Man City won against Fulham- a game many believe they shouldn’t have,given the controversial offside goal they scored. Even referee chief Howard Webb admitted that goal should not have stood. If that goal was rightly ruled out for offside, maybe City don’t win that game and Arsenal end up as Champions that season seeing us they only finished two points ahead of us. So yeah DEREK, there are things other than merit that shape title races. Let’s hope they go in our favour this time.
True talk chronicle
I just wish we can get a cool right footed baller for that LW so as to boost our luck
Only time will tell about Arsenal’s title chances this season. Although some contributors on JA don’t agree, or won’t admit it, time is running out for Mikel, so I for one really hope he’ll be successful in 2025-26.
An interesting element in the mix for me is whether the greater competition likely this season is better or worse for Arsenal’s chances.
I can’t help thinking that those two very close title races – one-on-one with City – in the end may turn out to be the best (but hopefully not the only) chances Arsenal is likely to have at this time. Is the potential four horse race really a better opportunity? It will probably be much more exciting, unless one or two of the horses do break away (again). We’ll see.
I’ll be very disappointed if the season coming up isn’t fascinating. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so uncertain about the possible outcomes.
Every top six side has strengthened. As for Arsenal, we have to win the league or Champions League.
Now is the time; otherwise, a successor may have to be muted, possibly as early as December, if we have a bad start.
Another FA cup might just stave off the execution, however, the search/talks will have begun.
My threshold is can the manager can get the team to adapt to VG’s style/strengths.
In my view, Artera’s stubbornness has cost us two titles at least already.