Premier League Predictions: Arsenal to Retain Their Crown – But Who Goes Down?

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·17 August 2026

Premier League Predictions: Arsenal to Retain Their Crown – But Who Goes Down?

It’s that time again. With the new Premier League season almost upon us, here is part one of my predictions for where every club will finish.

There have been managerial changes, plenty of movement in the transfer market and, for several clubs, the added challenge of European football. Here’s how I see things playing out.

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Arsenal – 1st

If you include Michael Carrick, seven of last season’s top 12 start the new campaign with different managers from this time last year, making the champions favourites to retain their title simply based on being the more settled club.

The assumption was that once his young squad got over the line, Mikel Arteta would prioritise improving us offensively. So far in this window, we have failed to improve our attack, which could be a chance missed.

Unless we do that before September, the Gunners will have to rely on their defensive ability to be better than the rest again.

Bear in mind opponents will be more prepared for our set pieces.

Our manager has always stressed success and failure can be decided by the smallest of details.

How they cope with Saliba’s back issues and how they manage players’ workload after the World Cup could decide the title race.

Yet now this squad has the experience of getting over the line. Gooners should be able to enjoy the run-in this time.

Aston Villa – 6th

Villa are getting used to once a year having to be creative in the market to adhere to PSR rules.

I think Manzambi could be a really exciting signing, and Ganacho is the type of character their manager gets the best out of, but you could argue Villa start the season weaker than how they left last campaign.

They failed to stay in the top five the last time they had to juggle Champions League football, but you know Unai Emery won’t let things fall apart too badly.

Brentford – 18th

I learnt last summer never to write off Brentford, with Keith Andrews one of the managers of the year.

It would seem harsh to ask: will there be second-season syndrome for the coach?

Thiago scored 40 per cent of their goals last season, so there is pressure on the Brazilian to prove he wasn’t a one-season wonder. Although you trust their recruitment team to introduce us to another hidden gem.

There are examples of a team taking poor form from the end of one campaign into another.

The Bees only won one of their last 10 league games, which suggests opponents had worked out how to play them.

A good start could be crucial for confidence.

Brighton – 9th

You see a theme with teams in the Europa or Conference League.

Small squads will struggle with the Thursday-Sunday schedule, but it’s worth it if it means a European adventure, and Brighton start as favourites to lift the UEFA Conference League.

The Seagulls’ last time in Europe saw them finish 11th after finishing sixth the season before.

Yet Brighton are one of the best-run clubs in the country. They know the squad has lost some experience and new faces will need time to settle, but those in power won’t panic.

Bournemouth – 12th

With the transition of a managerial change, Bournemouth have resisted cashing in on key talent like they did 12 months ago.

Iraola played a unique style of football, so it might take time for the team to learn a new ethos under Marco Rose, although the German’s need for a high press and lots of running will be the same.

Yet the Cherries have the experience of Iraola not winning in his first nine games in charge, meaning no one on the South Coast will panic if it takes time to adapt.

This is a group, remember, who last lost in January, although not having Kroupi for a few months will be a blow.

I said it about Palace 12 months ago: Bournemouth should enjoy being in Europe for the first time ever. If that impacts them domestically – and it will because of the squad depth – it’s worth the adventure.

Chelsea – 3rd

I have felt for a while that the Blues remind me of Arsenal in Arteta’s first years as manager.

Good young players let down by a lack of experience and how the club is run off the pitch.

I said it at the time he was appointed: Alonso doesn’t accept the vacancy at Stamford Bridge if certain assurances are not made. So Chelsea fans should be relieved that at least their owners have done some self-reflection.

On paper, Chelsea have one of the best midfields in the division. Henderson and Welbeck will set standards in the dressing room, while zero European football means they can spend all week on the training pitch focusing on one opponent.

That’s massive.

Massive enough to be champions?

They would need a new keeper, CB and striker.

Coventry – 14th

Frank Lampard has created a feel-good factor in the whole city, and it’s crucial they take advantage of that momentum from the Championship by getting points on the board early.

Given what this club has gone through since they were last at this level, you sense their fans will never abandon the team even in the sticky moments.

It helps that their manager, as a player and as a coach, knows the Premiership. He’s a winner who will have the highest standards.

I don’t know if Haji Wright, Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms can score goals in the top flight, but their boss will play a style of football that gives them the best chance to.

Keep an eye on dead-ball situations as well because Arsenal could have competition for being king of the set pieces.

Crystal Palace – 10th

The Eagles have somehow managed the best couple of years in their history despite selling key talent.

This summer that continued with their manager and Locroxic leaving. Mateta could yet join them.

The reason Glasner left Selhurst Park is he felt Steve Parish was not showing enough ambition to take advantage of qualifying for Europe.

Like last season, a small squad will struggle balancing the domestic and European schedule, but it will be worth it if it means an adventure in the Europa League.

Everton – 8th

The Toffees will be hard-working, tough to beat and well-organised, and as long as they have David Moyes, street-wise enough to be safe in midtable.

You sense some Evertonians are getting frustrated and want more excitement, but not enough has happened in the transfer window yet which is going to change their fortunes.

Maybe they can get a creative loan like they did with Grealish.

Their manager is in the final year of his contract. Don’t make the mistake that so many have with their boss and think the grass is greener without him.

Fulham – 19th

I have felt for a while that Fulham have been guilty of standing still – maybe why Marco Silva left – and that can eventually catch up with you.

This might be that season?

Arbeloa was treated unfairly at Real Madrid, but that doesn’t change that he’s an unknown quantity who’s used his connections at the Bernabeu to bring in a couple of players who equally don’t know the English game.

It’s a lovely place in London to live, and it’s not a case of them not having flair at Craven Cottage, but if things go wrong, who’s the leader?

Last campaign it was Harry Wilson, and you’ll be disappointed that Leeds could get him to agree to a contract while you couldn’t.

This dramatically goes one of two ways.

Dan Smith

What do you make of these predictions, Gooners? Do you agree with Arsenal retaining the title, and which of Dan’s calls do you think he has got completely right – or completely wrong? Let us know in the comments. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ADMIN COMMENT

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