
After a fiercely competitive season, elite Premier League clubs have already turned their attention to the 2025/26 campaign.
The battle for English top-flight supremacy is already shaping up to be an exciting affair, with challengers coughing up mouth-watering sums to bolster their ranks in preparation for the war.
Manchester City will be determined to bounce back after getting knocked off their perch by Arne Slot’s Liverpool. The Reds are out to retain their crown but must be wary of the wounded Cityzens.
Arsenal will also have a say in the title race following three successive second-place finishes.
The much-derided Gunners know it is next season or never for the Mikel Arteta project to deliver a Premier League title.
The stage is set for an enthralling Premier League title race, and in this article, we analyse the potential challengers and how they stack up.
Liverpool
Liverpool caught the rest of the Premier League out last term with a ruthless run to their 20th English top-flight title.
While the Reds were expected to be in the conversation, their 26-game unbeaten run, which lasted from September through to April, shocked the world.
Liverpool were not active in the transfer market despite seemingly requiring reinforcement in several areas, but they found the answers.
Mohamed Salah’s sensational form helped. The Egyptian spearheaded the team to the title with 29 goals and 18 assists.
The backline that had faltered in the final days under Jurgen Klopp once again looked like an excellent unit, and they played a decisive role in the triumph.
Now, they have a target on their backs heading into the new season, but they are preparing to defend their title with sensational moves in the transfer market.
With a hole burning in their pockets after a quiet summer, they ferociously attacked the transfer market.
First, they signed Jeremie Frimpong to replace academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who unceremoniously left for Real Madrid, much to the ire of the fans.
Then came the blockbuster swoop for Florian Wirtz. The Reds are ready to pay €150 million to sign the German international playmaker.
While questions remain about whether Wirtz can justify such a hefty price tag, the move signals intent.
They are keen on winning back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1980s. The Reds will take some stopping.
Want to see the Merseysiders defend their crown? Buy Liverpool tickets from Seatsnet.com to cheer the Reds with the Kop from the best seats in the house.
Manchester City
Many tipped Manchester City to win a fifth Premier League title on the trot, but a combination of injuries to key players and poor transfer market dealings saw them falter.
Pep Guardiola’s genius was not enough to keep the flame going. Anything resembling a title challenge evaporated following an awful end to 2024.
They had won only twice in 14 matches coming into the new year, and those victories against West Ham United and Leicester City had a touch of luck.
Amid the struggles, Guardiola extended his contract for another two years despite persistent rumours that he would vacate the role. What followed was a clear statement of intent in the transfer market.
Man City forked out millions to sign Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nico Gonzalez in the January transfer window.
They have continued their rebuild this summer, adding Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki to the roster as they look to bounce back from their struggles.
Manchester City are still looking to add a right-back and a winger to the ranks. Their moves have put the rest of the league on alert. They are back with a vengeance, and everyone must be ready for them.
Current Ballon d’Or holder Rodri is also back from his long-term injury, ready to bring the control, steel, and consistency City missed last season.
Guardiola has not gone consecutive seasons without winning a Premier League title and must be eager to keep that record intact.
With a refreshed squad, where most of the holes have been plugged, Man City are the team to keep an eye on next season. They will be favourites to wrestle the title back from Liverpool.
Fans looking to catch this new-look side live can purchase Manchester City tickets from Seatsnet.com, a reliable secondary marketplace for access to all the games.
Arsenal
Arsenal delivered another anti-climactic season, showing promise only to wilt haplessly in the run-in. Liverpool finished the season 10 points above the Gunners.
It was the tale of their previous two seasons, where they had pushed Manchester City but ultimately fell by the wayside. The 2023/24 campaign was particularly close.
The North Londoners pushed until the last day but did not clinch the title. They failed to reinforce their squad with ceiling-raisers, and it led to another listless chase that ended in disappointment.
Hopefully, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has learnt his lesson. The club is crying out for difference-makers in the attack as they bid to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title.
The Spanish tactician cannot deliver the Premier League with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus leading the line. He needs a lethal striker who can stick the ball into the back of the net.
They have held talks with Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP) and are in the race for Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig).
Arsenal also need a left winger to complement Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are decent wide men, but the Gunners need more firepower.
A reliable deputy for Saka should also be somewhere atop the transfer wishlist.
Arteta has overused the England international and needs to be in the market for a deputy to relieve some of the burden on his shoulders.
Arsenal are keen on ending this barren run, and 2026 could be their year if they bring in the right players.
Enough of the defensive midfielders and centre-backs. The Gunners need players with x-factor in attack to get them over the line as they chase that elusive 14th English top-flight title.
