2025/26 Title Race

[Dreambeliever]

Now that England will definitely have 6 teams in the CL next season I think it helps our chances to go back to back.

It’s very difficult to challenge on both fronts and that will overall weaken the other big teams around us with lots of dropped points.

 

[MomoWASright]

City and Chelsea having no time off over summer will help our title charge.

Madrid tapping up Saliba for a year will do too.

 

[Dreambeliever]

City and Chelsea having no time off over summer will help our title charge.

Madrid tapping up Saliba for a year will do too.

City will be the team to beat again next year I think so definitely good they get no break. Hopefully Rodri takes a long time to get up to speed.

 

[Modo]

City will be the team to beat again next year I think so definitely good they get no break. Hopefully Rodri takes a long time to get up to speed.

I'm not sure about it, because they won't have time to recover because of the club world cup and they're losing De Bruyne as well.

Yes, Rodri will be a welcome addition but he hasn't played football for a year. Will he come back looking just as good as he did before he got injured. Usually it takes a while.

There's a question mark on all of the top teams in the Prem, even us.
We've lost Trent, who like it or not is an integral part of our attacking play.
We'll also have a new striker in the line up.

Arsenal:
- need a new striker and midfielder. Other than that it's the same team as this season.

City:
- bothered by the CWC.
- Need a new attacking mid and fullback.

Chelsea:
- CWC again.
- need one or two marquee signings. Striker.

Team to watch out for:
Aston Villa:
- Need strengthening in defence. Fullback and CB. Will they buy Rashford? Arsenio?😉

 

[binomial]

As always, injuries will be always play a decisive part.
Squad size and keeping players fresh another.
Luck with refereeing/VAR decisions another.

We'll be in a much better position to judge after pre-season, then again come 1st September.

 

[Mamma Mia]

This thread should be called "Who will come second?"

 

[mom]

If we sign a striker, two full backs and a CM, it’ll be us and city. If arsenal sign a striker, they will challenge seriously.

 

[Frogfish]

I'm not sure about it, because they won't have time to recover because of the club world cup and they're losing De Bruyne as well.

Yes, Rodri will be a welcome addition but he hasn't played football for a year. Will he come back looking just as good as he did before he got injured. Usually it takes a while.

There's a question mark on all of the top teams in the Prem, even us.
We've lost Trent, who like it or not is an integral part of our attacking play.
We'll also have a new striker in the line up.

Arsenal:
- need a new striker and midfielder. Other than that it's the same team as this season.

City:
- bothered by the CWC.
- Need a new attacking mid and fullback.

Chelsea:
- CWC again.
- need one or two marquee signings. Striker.

Team to watch out for:
Aston Villa:
- Need strengthening in defence. Fullback and CB. Will they buy Rashford? Arsenio?😉

I'm not sure that either City or Chelsea will be threat (forget Villa, no chance). Chelsea have a long way to go and are ridiculously inconsistent, they'll also be in the CL or EL next season. No easy-ride Conference.

City, as I've said for the past 2-3 seasons, are on a downward spiral of aging players that they've replaced with, mainly, lower quality.

KdB gone, B. Silva gone, Gundogan gone, Stones will be 31 and starting players who are not at the level of those of 3-4 seasons ago : Akanji. Ake, Grealish, Savinho, Doku and Marmoush.

So yes they still have some excellent players in Haaland, Gvadiol, Bobb, Ederson, Rodri and Foden but overall I don't look at their squad and think that it's a PL winning squad. They would have to strengthen considerably this Summer to elevate their potential in my eyes.

If Arsenal spend £200m on a striker or two and a world class DM then they will be the challengers next season. They are the only ones that have a squad of comparable quality (assuming we get 4-5 players of genuine quality to fix the issues we have at LB, RB backup and at CF - otherwise we'll not start favourites at all.

 

[MomoWASright]

Ederson also wants to leave.

 

[tombrown]

It's only a matter of time before the dressing gowned one mentions an expired eraser, and then we are all fucked

 

[Brizzle]

I'm bullish for next season. Chelsea & City are in for a shock with CWC, and then Chelsea also having to field a strong team in the CL. Expect Newcastle to also suffer with CL midweek too.

I just hope we come back refreshed and start with a relentless approach to get points on the board.

I think Arsenal will be the other ones setting the pace. Not convinced by City but depends who they sign and whether they get into a good rhythm.

 

[Judge Jules]

If the Arse don't fetch a quality no.9 in during the summer they'll miss out again IMO. They may go close, but they have to rebalance their attack.

If they *do* bring one in though (and if they sort out their injury situation) they'll be our closest competitors.

 

[MomoWASright]

It’s the same situation as us in that there isn’t that deep pool of decent number 9s available

 

[Fabio]

That's the crux of it really. Who's actually a top class forward who's available? There's fuck all. Most are big money and hope for the best.

 

[Shadey]

This thread should be called "Who will come second?"

Absolutely this ^

 

[peterhague]

I think Arsenal's biggest problem is Arteta. They've got a great team and are bound to improve it, but the manager is looking more clownish by the day. Not at all convinced he can get them over the line anymore.

 

[Beamrider]

City - will need a strong start after CWC or they'll be playing catch-up all season. What version of Rodri will they get post injury, and if, as is normal, he's at 80% at best next season, how long will they persist with them? And what will happen with 115 / 130? I think we'll know by the end of September if they're in it or not.
Chelsea - as with City on CWC but they have a deeper squad, but they still look off it and lacking in genuine quality, Palmer aside. Won't challenge without a massive keeper / striker upgrade.
Man Utd - FLMAO.
Spurs - see Utd, Man.
Arsenal - they need a striker, better cover at full-back and a load of new free-kick / corner routines. Still likely to be a challenger.
Newcastle United - Meh
Vila - see United, Newcastle
Us - should be in pole position provided we get summer trades broadly right and bed players in quickly.
My optimism is based more on knowing that other teams have more to do than we do, rather than on us nailing everything in the summer.

 

[Fabio]

City - will need a strong start after CWC or they'll be playing catch-up all season. What version of Rodri will they get post injury, and if, as is normal, he's at 80% at best next season, how long will they persist with them? And what will happen with 115 / 130? I think we'll know by the end of September if they're in it or not.
Chelsea - as with City on CWC but they have a deeper squad, but they still look off it and lacking in genuine quality, Palmer aside. Won't challenge without a massive keeper / striker upgrade.
Man Utd - FLMAO.
Spurs - see Utd, Man.
Arsenal - they need a striker, better cover at full-back and a load of new free-kick / corner routines. Still likely to be a challenger.
Newcastle United - Meh
Vila - see United, Newcastle
Us - should be in pole position provided we get summer trades broadly right and bed players in quickly.
My optimism is based more on knowing that other teams have more to do than we do, rather than on us nailing everything in the summer.

I agree with nearly all of this. My only comment to add about arsenal, is that they need better depth nearly across the whole squad. They've signed zubimendi, but are possibly losing partey and jorginho. Zero depth on the flanks (except nwaneri). Zero depth behind Gabriel and Saliba (kiwior isn't that good and might leave), they don't have a backup keeper (and i'm not convinced by Raya still). They have a lot to do.

They will probably go in to the season with possibly the best starting xi in the league; but the drop off will be huge without HUGE investment. We need work, but we've got most of our pieces in place.

 

[Fabio]

I think Arsenal's biggest problem is Arteta. They've got a great team and are bound to improve it, but the manager is looking more clownish by the day. Not at all convinced he can get them over the line anymore.

How many managers in world football had 6 years with winning 1 trophy in their first 6 months? Could you imagine keeping a manager that won 1 trophy in 6 years? Their patience is staggering. This isn't a mid table side; this is Arsenal.

Progress is progress, but it feels like they could have made a much larger leap without him

 

[peterhague]

How many managers in world football had 6 years with winning 1 trophy in their first 6 months? Could you imagine keeping a manager that won 1 trophy in 6 years? Their patience is staggering. This isn't a mid table side; this is Arsenal.

Progress is progress, but it feels like they could have made a much larger leap without him

I can see both sides cos they were kind of drifting when he went there and he got them challenging FAIRLY quickly, and this is probably his first REALLY disappointing season, etc etc. So I get that it'd be pretty harsh to sack the guy, but man the evidence is really piling up that he just doesn't have what it takes. He's also benefitted from a load of really good signings and guys like Saka coming through. You're right I think - a really good manager would've won trophies in those circs.

I'm not going to stick my neck out and write them off next season, but there's nowhere to hide for him now: the pressure's going to be massive.

 

[Fabio]

I can see both sides cos they were kind of drifting when he went there and he got them challenging FAIRLY quickly, and this is probably his first REALLY disappointing season, etc etc. So I get that it'd be pretty harsh to sack the guy, but man the evidence is really piling up that he just doesn't have what it takes. He's also benefitted from a load of really good signings and guys like Saka coming through. You're right I think - a really good manager would've won trophies in those circs.

I'm not going to stick my neck out and write them off next season, but there's nowhere to hide for him now: the pressure's going to be massive.

Like, lets compare to klopp with us

First year (half a season, so like artetas FA cup season), 8th, EL final - lost, league cup - lost
2nd season, 4th in the league, nothing in the cups
3rd - 4th, CL final - lost
4th - 2nd, CL winner
5th - 1st, club world cup, super cup
6th - 3rd, nothing in the cups. First season of regression.
7th - 2nd, FA cup & Carabao winners, CL final. So close but right back on the horse
8th - 5th, nothing in the cups. regression
9th - 3rd, Carabao winners. Bye bye klopp.

Year on year progression, a final, or a trophy. Yes he's a well established manager and arteta is still cutting his teeth. But imagine those first 5 years and replace them with 2nds and 1 FA cup. Nah. We won't tolerate it

 

[Fabio]

Arteta needs to win the CL or the league next year or he has to go. Personally, i think they might be 3rd

 

[peterhague]

I suppose it depends how much weight you put on a title challenge? I'd give him quite a lot of credit for two good title challenges, at least as much as winning a trophy. But maybe that's a minority view.

 

[peterhague]

Arteta needs to win the CL or the league next year or he has to go. Personally, i think they might be 3rd

Yeah I think that's right. At some point you've got to get over the line.

 

[Fabio]

I suppose it depends how much weight you put on a title challenge? I'd give him quite a lot of credit for two good title challenges, at least as much as winning a trophy. But maybe that's a minority view.

Think it depends on the quality of the title challenge. For us, the years we finished second we had fucking stupid points totals that would have walked the league 98% of the time. For them, high points totals sure, but dropped points in entirely avoidable games. Celebrating an away draw against city. Theres certain games you need to prove you're title contenders, rather than hopeful for a title.

For me, arteta lacks that elite mentality to cross the line. He excels when theres no pressure and fluffs his lines when theres pressure. and that has seeped in to a lot of his players. This season is a prime example. Everyone thought they'd get humped by madrid (except madrid fans), no pressure so easy win. Then they thought the job was done - collapse against PSG. In the league, we drop points, they drop points. They drop points, we got points.

 

[peterhague]

Think it depends on the quality of the title challenge. For us, the years we finished second we had fucking stupid points totals that would have walked the league 98% of the time. For them, high points totals sure, but dropped points in entirely avoidable games. Celebrating an away draw against city. Theres certain games you need to prove you're title contenders, rather than hopeful for a title.

For me, arteta lacks that elite mentality to cross the line. He excels when theres no pressure and fluffs his lines when theres pressure. and that has seeped in to a lot of his players. This season is a prime example. Everyone thought they'd get humped by madrid (except madrid fans), no pressure so easy win. Then they thought the job was done - collapse against PSG. In the league, we drop points, they drop points. They drop points, we got points.

Yeah I'm with you pretty much. That's basically my reading of him. Can they win it in spite of him? Maaaybe?? I wouldn't rule it out. But I think that's their biggest issue now. Especially cos past a certain point it just gets harder and harder, cos there's that loser aura around them.

 

[Dreambeliever]

It's only a matter of time before the dressing gowned one mentions an expired eraser, and then we are all fucked

You know it!!!!

 

[Judge Jules]

Yeah I'm with you pretty much. That's basically my reading of him. Can they win it in spite of him? Maaaybe?? I wouldn't rule it out. But I think that's their biggest issue now. Especially cos past a certain point it just gets harder and harder, cos there's that loser aura around them.

IMO it depends to a large extent on the quality of their summer signings. If they get a good no.9 and strengthen their backup options at CB and DM, that might tide them over some of Arteta's limitations.

 

[StevieM]

IMO it depends to a large extent on the quality of their summer signings. If they get a good no.9 and strengthen their backup options at CB and DM, that might tide them over some of Arteta's limitations.

Yeah, they’re a good team, and there’s a strong core there that’s been together for a while, but there comes a point where co tracts need to be renewed at higher rates and teams like Real start sniffing round the better players offering fat contracts, glitz and trophies.

That’s when you start to see players get itchy feet and those that don’t entertain moving, you start to question their appetite.

I wouldn’t be surprised if City or Real haven’t got their eyes on the likes of Saliba or Saka.

Hard to keep a top quality squad together when you don’t actually win something - Arteta needs to win something next year or you’d have to think he’s under big pressure.

 

[StevieM]

Like, lets compare to klopp with us

First year (half a season, so like artetas FA cup season), 8th, EL final - lost, league cup - lost
2nd season, 4th in the league, nothing in the cups
3rd - 4th, CL final - lost
4th - 2nd, CL winner
5th - 1st, club world cup, super cup
6th - 3rd, nothing in the cups. First season of regression.
7th - 2nd, FA cup & Carabao winners, CL final. So close but right back on the horse
8th - 5th, nothing in the cups. regression
9th - 3rd, Carabao winners. Bye bye klopp.

Year on year progression, a final, or a trophy. Yes he's a well established manager and arteta is still cutting his teeth. But imagine those first 5 years and replace them with 2nds and 1 FA cup. Nah. We won't tolerate it

That 6th season though - that’s the COVID season and the one we had to get through with no Virgil - we, if memory serves, were leading the league at Christmas and looking good but no Virgil and then an injury crisis with the remaining CBs fucked us.

The 8th season… was that the Qatar World Cup season? Also we fucking gave everything in that 7th season - the players were proper fucked by the end, emotionally as well as physically.

I’m going to make a case for us not being great at dealing with unusual things that disrupt the rhythm we get in to that allows us to over perform (given we were up against the financially doped City juggernaut in those seasons).

All that is a roundabout way of saying the current Arsenal squad and Arteta don’t have the minerals to do what we did.