- September 14, 2026
It’s Done: No One Can Stop Another Arsenal-Man City Title Race In Premier League 26-27
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Sorry, Declan Rice, this time it’s done: the Premier League title race already looks like another Arsenal-Manchester City two-horse show. Chelsea, Liverpool and United? Well…
Another two-horse race on the cards in the Premier League.
(AP)
Sorry, Declan Rice, it’s done.
Yes, it has just been four game weeks, and we have barely seen most of the new signings of the transfer window, but it seems like we have more than enough evidence for why this would be the umpteenth Arsenal-Manchester City title race. Rice wouldn’t mind that, though his hamstrings might not be able to take another neck-and-neck with the blue machine of Manchester.
Sometimes, it helps when there’s another contender in the race. You have to squint quite hard to find one willing to make a triangle this year. Everything can change in a couple of weeks, let alone in the January transfer window, but some signs seem permanent enough to make some lofty predictions.
There were many contenders before the season began. Chelsea were the best of the lot, and the reasoning was simple enough: if Arsenal’s depth makes them strong, then surely having five gazillion players makes you the strongest?
Not quite, as it turns out. Xabi Alonso is super-smart, and the way he talks gives away an emotional intelligence, too — almost like having the best of both Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca.
But like any super-smart manager, he needs time, and so do Chelsea’s players, who must be struggling with making new friends every year. Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers make up a superb front three, but that’s not enough, thanks to a glaring midfield hole left by Enzo Fernández’ departure and the inability to sign Lamine Camara, and a defense still coming to terms with the notion of ‘suffering’.
It’s why they have scored the second-most goals, ten, and also conceded the third-most, nine. Their new set-piece coach is not quite at the Nicholas Jover level, as shown in the 2-2 mauling at home by Hull City.
“I hope one day you appreciate a boring game and we win,” Alonso said recently. “It repeats some patterns we are making. It will take time to fix the moments.”
In other words, they lack experience – not the one that you can buy, but the one you can only gain by playing together.
Manchester United were another contender, as they always think they are — this coach will surely do it! They say. Michael Carrick repaid them with a big fat ‘Nope’ when he couldn’t get his side set up to keep the ball against ten-man Manchester City at home.
That 0-1 defeat to your rivals, irrespective of the facade with the VAR, would go a long way in undoing all the magic that they seem to have built together last year.
It’s never a good sign if the opposition manager says this: “The game with 10 men became more difficult for us but also for them, because they are a team that loves to play in transition, they love space in behind but with 10 players we just dropped waiting for them and we didn’t concede any transitions or concede any space behind.”
As the games pile up, Bruno Fernandes’ free role becomes more taxing than enjoyable, their football will get more boring, and not in a nice way. Unless Benjamin Šeško can perform well above his age and go on a rampage… maybe the new home stadium will do the trick finally, eh?
What about Liverpool, you ask? The answer lies in three draws and one win so far.
Again, Andoni Iraola is one of the best managers in the world among the non-established names. He really is, and will almost certainly be a resounding success in Merseyside in time.
But patience is costly, and Liverpool have already spent millions and millions to bloat their attack, which makes it uncertain how much space there really is. They are left with arguably the most daunting attack in England, which will shine in big games and look beautiful when working together, but it’s games like Fulham at home where they’ll continue to struggle.
Iraola’s typical pressing is not quite set yet, and the team looks too disjointed for it to have a quick solution. Then they don’t have the depth to sustain what title challenges demand in the country.
Spurs players might as well make their bets: who will go out first — Richarlison or Roberto De Zerbi? Their defense is solid, but someone hasn’t told them that only defense and half a billion pounds don’t win you the league.
Aston Villa will improve just enough to win another Unai Emery special Europa League next season; Newcastle United are so fun and can definitely reach the top six.
But the real king-makers of the season would almost certainly be Brighton, Brentford and Sunderland. A combination of physicality that can rival some of Europe’s elite and just enough technical quality makes their away grounds unbearable. Whichever of Arsenal and Manchester City wins more points against them will probably win the league.
Arsenal’s biggest strength is their versatility — they are the best defense in Europe, not because they have to be, but because they want to be. It has so far been enough to overcome the lack of a superstar game-changer, but it still puts them in a game of chess against City.
Maresca’s men look equal parts shaky and breathtaking, and on the tip of going one way or the other every time they take the field. If he can keep the dressing room in high spirits — winning with ten men will help — they’ll slowly wipe off the favorites tag off the North Londoners.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Chelsea is not considered a title contender because their players and manager, Xabi Alonso, need time to build cohesion and experience playing together. Despite having a strong front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Rogers, they suffer from a glaring midfield hole left by Enzo Fern!ndez’ departure and an inability to sign Lamine Camara. Additionally, their defense is still struggling, as evidenced by conceding nine goals in four games and a 2-2 home draw against Hull City.
Ask News18September 14, 2026, 23:13 IST
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