Arsenal won the 2025-26 Premier League, ending a 22-year title drought with their first league championship since the 2003-04 season [1, 2]. They secured the title on May 25, pushing Manchester City until the final week of the campaign [1, 2].
Manchester City finished second in the Premier League despite heavy spending of £300 million in the eight months before the season started [1]. The club did capture both the FA Cup and the League Cup, winning those finals on May 26 [1].
Following the season, Pep Guardiola announced he was stepping down as Manchester City’s manager after a decade in charge [2]. His departure marks the end of an era at City.
Manchester United exceeded expectations, finishing third in the Premier League after replacing Ruben Amorim with caretaker manager Michael Carrick in January 2026 [1, 2]. Carrick’s coaching was credited with reinvigorating the squad and securing European qualification [2]. United had been predicted to finish ninth before the season started [1].
Chelsea and Liverpool delivered underwhelming campaigns, falling short of typical standards [2]. Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, marking a difficult season for the north London club [2].
Arsenal’s playing style prioritized functionality and set pieces over flair throughout the season. James Olley noted, "The end justified the means for Arsenal in the 2025-26 season. Any criticism of their style of play—prioritizing functionality over flair and relying on set pieces—could be repelled by the weight of history they were looking to overcome" [2].
The 2026-27 Premier League season is scheduled to begin on August 22, setting the stage for a new chapter in English football [2].
