Premier League: Can Arsenal do it again in 2027?
Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal celebrates with the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images
And in no time at all the World Cup has passed and we are back to the tricky business of Premier League predictions. After correctly forecasting Arsenal would win last season, the pressure is on to repeat the feat for both myself and Mikel Arteta. So, without further ado here’s my call for the 2026/2027 season.
Andoni Iraola finally joined the many players that traditionally depart after making their name of the south coast. New boss Marco Rose still has an exciting squad but now also face the trials of European football this time out.
Rayan.
8th.
Mikel Arteta may look for the long-desired success in Europe over a second league title in a row. Either way he will need to put in a vigorous defence of the crown. Missing out on luring Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid may not help that strategy, but relief comes from them swooping in on his Brazilian team-mate Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle.
Bruno Guimaraes.
First.
The summer departures of Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and potentially losing Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins, all are making make life difficult for Unai Emery and Villa, who may be in a bit of a transition after success in the Europa League. They have signed Johan Manzambi, João Gomes, Alejandro Garnacho, Modou Kéba Cissé and Blade Earley. But will likely still want to bolster their squad, with Jack Grealish among the names mentioned.
Alejandro Garnacho.
Sixth.
Keith Andrews defied the odds of him losing his job and Brentford dropping out of the Premier League with a high top-half finish thanks in large part to their Irish brigade of Nathan Collins and Cork’s Caoimhin Kelliher. Added to this season by fellow Leesider Donal O’Connor. Free-signing Callum Wilson supporting Igor Thiago up front will be welcome news for the West Londoners.
Igor Thiago.
11th.
: Danny Wellbeck’s surprise move to Chelsea, as well as Spurs-bound Jan Paul van Hecke is not great news for the Seagulls, who still don’t know how recovered Kaoru Mitoma is after his hamstring injury in May ruled him out for Japan in the World Cup. If the south-coast lose Carlos Baleba as feared, it may be a long season for boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Kaoru Mitoma.
9th.
Xabi Alonso set down a marker with new signing Morgan Rogers. What his message is by taking on veterans Jordan Henderson and Danny Wellbeck is harder to gauge apart from maybe settling down the brilliant but erratic youngsters in the team which was a problem last season. There are strong rumours that Alonso is eager to sign Martin Zubimendi from Arsenal. While he also needs to plug a hole in the back after Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid.
Morgan Rogers.
Fifth.
A swashbuckling side in the Championship, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that confidence in the topflight. Last season's Player of the Season, keeper Carl Rushworth has joined the Sky Blues permanently from Brighton, while boss Frank Lampard will hope his attack carry over their form from the Championship, but only Ellis Simms has Premier League experience.
Matt Grimes.
18.
Palace had 12 players in the World Cup so will have a shortened pre-season preparation and how that may affect the side under new boss Pierre Sage will become apparent. Defenders Chadi Riad and Jaydee Canvot look set to step in for the departed Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi. Many believe the Eagles will lose Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, which will make life hard for the Europa Conference champions.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (if he stays).
7th
It was a tale of new stadium but same old Everton. David Moyes could be back under pressure should they make a poor start to 2026/27. Christian Norgaard looks set to join from Arsenal, with the Denmark international going straight in as Idrissa Gueye's replacement. Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George have also signed permanently, with the former poised to become a key man after enjoying a strong end to last season and pre-season. Cork’s Jake O’Brien will continue to play a big role at right full.
Merlin Rohl.
13th.
: Goals could be a problem for the Cottagers this season. Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez’ free transfers took 40% of Fulham’s league goals from last season. New coach Alvaro Arbeloa used his Real Madrid influence to sign Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios. While Shea Charles comes in from Southampton. But there are still gaps all over the field in need of filling.
Antonee Robinson.
12th.
Konstantinos Tzolakis, Jack Butland, Matt Target, Oscar Zambrano and Hidemasa Morita are the confirmed signings, with Leon Bailey, Manor Solomon, and Nobel Mendy strongly linked with a move to the MKM Stadium. Cork fans will be glad to see defender John Egan back in top-flight action.
Jack Butland.
20th.
: Irish manager Kieran McKenna has moved on since the last time the Tractor Boys were in the Premier League, and the side will hope not to go straight down like last time. But hopes are not high for this to happen. In saying that, Issa Diop looks like a shrewd addition at centre-back, while Abdul Fatawu is a good buy from Leicester. New boss Gary O’Neill will look to the experience of Jaden Philogene, Leif Davis, and Ireland’s Dara O’Shea from their last time up to count now.
Emersonn
19th.
I was one of the few that saw Leeds survive last year which they did in relative comfort thanks to Spurs and Forest stumbling all over themselves. Manager Daniel Farke will want a bit more than surviving this time out. Harry Wilson looks a shrewd free pick off Fulham, while defender Tarik Muharemovic joins after catching the eye for Bosnia at the World Cup. Picking up goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City looks a smart deal too.
Harry Wilson.
15th.
: New boss Andoni Iraola will take up the rebuild from former new boss Arne Slot. The Bradley Barcola deal with PSG shows there is still ambition to kick on despite the exit of club legends Mo Salah and Andy Roberston. Big holes in defence after Ibrahim Konate’s departure and a backline more brittle than biscuits needs addressing. Iraola will also hope that the new signings last year will have by now acclimatised to the Premier League and kick on.
Alexander Isak.
Third.
Man City enter the strange post Pep Guardiola era unsure whether success will depart too. Bernardo Silva and John Stones are the latest club legends to depart with the debate on whether the pivotal Rodri remains or goes back to Spain rolls on. Elliot Anderson was the big early summer buy from Forest during the World Cup but he would have big shoes to fill if Rodri goes.
Rodri (if he stays).
Second.
Returned with a flourish with a late run to third place under new boss and former club star Michael Carrick. The question is, can Carrick maintain that run into the next season when they will have European and other cup distractions that weren’t there last season? Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos will boost their midfield but despite a lot of rumours, the transfer window has been pretty quiet, such that, returning loanee Marcus Rashford probably remains the biggest news.
Bruno Fernandes.
Fourth.
: New Toon boss Matthias Jaissle has had little time to plan anything with Newcastle after Eddie Howe departure from St James’ Park. The transfer window has been mostly one-way for the Magpies, with Bruno Guimaraes joining Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon in the departures lounge. With the future of Joelinton, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento also in doubt. If the fabled Saudi money doesn’t buy someone soon it could be a bad year for the Magpies.
Joelinton (if he stays).
14th.
Former Palace boss Oliver Glasner becomes the fifth manager at Forest in the past 12 months. And his first major signing, a deal to bring Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, looks well advanced. Glasner may also look to back up Chris Wood in attack should the Kiwi’s form have a down year after an indifferent World Cup.
Morgan Gibbs-White.
17th.
The Makems surprised everyone last season and not only survived but thrived. And will now have to battle sides prepared for them while also facing the welcome challenge of a European campaign. Have had little activity in the window period which seems peculiar now that oppositions sides are prepared for them.
Enzo Le Fee.
16th.
Spurs will be doing everything in their power to avoid being dragged into the nightmare relegation battle of last season. With Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, and Andy Robertson all coming in as part of a £200m+ transfer spending spree, they will hope to make progress up the table. Mo Kudus return from an injury that has had him sidelined since January will be a boost as well. One expects that a squad this strong will not be in the same situation as last season, then again, we thought that of them this time last year too.
Mo Kudus.
10th.
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