Premier League 2026-27 winner predictions: Will Arsenal implode like Liverpool in title defence?

The red-and-white decorated Premier League trophy is safely in Arsenal's possession for a matter of months at the very least, and in the eyes of many, the colours of the ribbons will not change come May.

Mikel Arteta's holders have already been earmarked as the firm favourites to make it two in a row, having bolstered their ranks with players in the prime of their careers, a clear sign that the Spaniard and sporting director Andrea Berta are seeking to build a footballing superpower for the now.

But could Xabi Alonso's Chelsea spring a surprise with no European football? Will Andoni Iraola emulate Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool? Was Manchester City's sorry Community Shield showing just a one off? Or do Manchester United have what it takes to finish at the top of the tree for the first time since 2013?

Here, the Sports Mole team picks their Premier League winner for the 2026-27 campaign.

Barney Corkhill, Editor - Arsenal

Every year I try to avoid going for the team that won it the previous year - except when that team was peak Pep Guardiola's Man City - because history proves that it is exceptionally difficult to retain the Premier League title.

Arsenal never managed it during their golden era under Arsene Wenger - not even with the Invincibles - and in fact you have to go all the way back to Herbert Chapman's legendary three-in-a-row team of the 1930s for the last and only time Arsenal successfully defended a top-flight title.

It does feel like Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are taking the club into hitherto uncharted territory, though. They so nearly won the Champions League for the first time in their history last season and will be among the favourites to go all the way this year, so back-to-back top-flight titles would be fitting for a team that has already written its name into the club's history books.

There are two main reasons why I feel Arsenal are clear favourites to be crowned champions this year.

Firstly, they were the best team in England last season, and they have only got better during the transfer window. Not only have they improved as a team, but they have arguably improved more than any of their potential competitors too, so if anything the gap between them and the rest should grow this season.

The warning is that this was my exact justification for backing Liverpool to win the title last season, whereas they utterly flopped in their defence. It is hard to see the same happening to a much more settled Arsenal squad, though.

The second reason is the state of their competitors. If Guardiola was still in charge of Man City, I would probably back them. However, with the genius no longer at the helm, and stalwarts like Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones also gone, I feel we have seen the end of the Man City era in the Premier League for now. We shouldn't read too much into the Community Shield, but that was a damning result so early in Enzo Maresca's reign.

Liverpool are also a major unknown under Andoni Iraola, with question marks lingering over their defence, while Man United with European football to juggle and the always-unpredictable Chelsea are far from being sure things either.

Arsenal are the only one of the probable title contenders to not have a manager in their first full season, and in such a period of flux for the league, the Gunners' stability, quality, depth and newfound trophy-winning experience make it difficult to see anyone dethroning them this year.

Matt Law, Football Editor - Arsenal

It is incredibly difficult to look past Arsenal for the title this season. I've seen shouts for Liverpool and Chelsea, but I'm finding it very tough to imagine either winning it, while Man City could be in for a transitional season. Man United will hope to be in and around the title race, but the Red Devils are not quite ready yet. Arsenal are the big, big favourites for me this season.

Ben Knapton, Site Coordinator - Arsenal

No-one thought Man City would implode in 2024-25 after winning the 2023-24 title. No-one thought Liverpool would regress so sharply in 2025-26 after winning the 2024-25 title, and the same applies to Jurgen Klopp's 2020-21 crop.

Defending the Premier League title is an art that only Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola ever truly mastered, but Arteta has my complete backing to follow in the footsteps of his mentor and ensure Arsenal's status as England's top dogs.

Carrick's Man United were close to the next best thing for much of last season, but the European calendar could hamper them, while Man City were a shadow of their former selves in Cardiff and defensive concerns are lingering for Liverpool.

A Chelsea team playing just once a week for the majority of the season could spring a shock, but if the Community Shield is anything to go by, Arsenal are already living up to their favourites status.

Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Arsenal

The reigning Premier League champions are usually backed as favourites to win the following season, and it is difficult to argue against Arsenal retaining their title in 2026-27.

While Mikel Arteta’s Gunners possess an unmatched level of stability, their main rivals face massive transitions. Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham are all entering unpredictable new eras under new managers.

In contrast, Arsenal’s squad is deeply settled, cohesive and completely free of tactical upheaval. By retaining all of their key stars and bolstering their ranks with Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, the North Londoners currently look like the most prepared title contender in the division.

If they maintain the league-best defensive iron that anchored their previous campaign while star attackers including Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres fire on all cylinders at the other end of the pitch, Arsenal could be the team to beat once again this term.

Byron David, Reporter - Arsenal

With the changes that have taken place with other traditional title challengers, only one team has remained largely constant - Arsenal. The title winners naturally enter this campaign as favourites, and rightly so. Mikel Arteta has recruited smartly, with some other incomings still expected before the transfer window slams shut. That said, they're in the best position to defend the title, with continuity their primary advantage over their title rivals.

Seye Omidiora, Reporter - Arsenal

Unless Arsenal self-destruct, which is highly unlikely, Mikel Arteta's men should win the league with relative ease this time.

With the pressure of carrying the 'bottlers' tag now off and every possible challenger undergoing some level of change — Man City have a new manager and have lost Rodri and Bernardo Silva; Liverpool no longer have Mo Salah and have a new manager in Andoni Iraola; Man Utd will play twice a week under Michael Carrick for the first time; and perennial basket cases Chelsea have a bloated squad and a new manager in situ with Xabi Alonso — the Gunners are primed to retain the Premier League for the first time.

Ignore the nonsense 'Arsenal have not retained the top-flight title since 1935' talk too, as the 2026-27 context is entirely different.

Marvellous Adepoju, Reporter - Arsenal

Mikel Arteta's side were deserving winners last season and none of the chasing pack have done enough in the transfer market to pose any real danger.

Arsenal look set to dominate English football over the next couple of years and I would be surprised if the title does not remain at the Emirates Stadium come May.

Joshua Cole, Reporter - Arsenal

With other potential contenders going into the new season with new managers and some level of instability, the Gunners look the most settled to retain the title. Mikel Arteta’s side still have a lot of areas to improve on, which makes even scarier for the other teams.

Joel Lefevre, Reporter - Arsenal

While it looked like they would bottle it at times last season, Arsenal ultimately got over the line and claimed the Premier League title. Having finally gotten over the hump should liberate them and allow them to keep their crown in 2026-27. They still have a rock-solid backline that will be difficult to break down, with midfield power and attacking depth that allows Mikel Arteta for seamless tactical rotation.

Manchester City should be their strongest contenders, but I think adjusting to Enzo Maresca will take more time and the Sky Blues vulnerability in transition will ultimately see them come up short. Given their continuity, talent and their ability to come through in the clutch last season, I see no reason to believe Arsenal won’t do it again.

Pedro Ramos, Trivela Coordinator - Arsenal

Arsenal have gained a significant advantage for the upcoming season, and it isn't a new signing. The Gunners have seen two of their main obstacles from recent seasons gone: the impactful departure of Pep Guardiola and the relief of finally lifting the Premier League trophy.

With their title rivals facing plenty of uncertainty, Mikel Arteta and his squad start the race ahead of the pack and are well-positioned to become champions once again