Sport

Phil McNulty backs Arsenal to retain Premier League title

Herz — Sport Desk · 19 August 2026 at 05:52 · 30s summary · 2 min read

The essentials

BBC journalist Phil McNulty has placed Arsenal at the top of his Premier League 2026-2027 predictions, published on August 19. The reigning champions lead a competition transformed by nine managerial changes. Liverpool is expected to finish among the top four, while Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have overhauled their squads or management. Aston Villa approaches the season following their Europa League victory and a fresh Champions League qualification.

Phil McNulty predicts Arsenal will retain their Premier League title.
Nine new managers are beginning the 2026-2027 season in the Premier League.
Liverpool is expected to finish among the top four.
Manchester City has spent £116 million on Elliot Anderson.
Aston Villa has signed Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi.

What we know

BBC football journalist Phil McNulty published his annual predictions for all 20 Premier League clubs on August 19, 2026.

He predicts a first-place finish for Arsenal, who would retain the title won in the 2025-2026 season. That triumph was the club's first in the competition for 22 years.

Arsenal also defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield, the trophy contested between the English league champions and the FA Cup winners. New signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis impressed McNulty in that match.

Nine new Premier League managers

Nine new managers are in charge of Premier League clubs at the start of the 2026-2027 season.

Liverpool has entrusted their team to Andoni Iraola, who arrived from Bournemouth, following Arne Slot's sacking. The club is also entering a new era following Mohamed Salah's departure.

McNulty expects Liverpool to finish among the top four and contend for trophies during the season.

At Manchester City, Enzo Maresca has succeeded Pep Guardiola. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones have left the club.

Chelsea is now managed by Xabi Alonso, following his spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. He won the Bundesliga with the German club.

Michael Carrick is embarking on his first full season at Manchester United. He brought the club back to the Champions League following Ruben Amorim's sacking.

Key player movements

Manchester City has signed Elliot Anderson for £116 million. The club is also expecting the arrival of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.

Chelsea has signed Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. The club is not competing in any European competition this season.

Manchester United has signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos from Chelsea.

£116 million

Elliot Anderson transfer fee to Manchester City

£38 million

Amount paid by Aston Villa for João Gomes

Age of Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi