Paul Merson’s newest column offers a comprehensive look ahead at the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, covering both the clubs fighting for the crown and those scrambling to avoid the drop. The season opens on Friday when defending champions Arsenal welcome newly‑promoted Coventry City, and Sky Sports will broadcast six matches over the opening weekend. Merson lays out his six‑team shortlist for the title race, evaluates the teams most likely to be caught in the relegation mix, and highlights a dark‑horse side that could cause a major upset.
He begins with Arsenal, insisting that nothing in the current squad suggests they can be stopped. In his view, the Gunners are poised to clinch the league with ease.
While he acknowledges a few minor flaws that might be exposed in the Champions League, he argues that domestically they resemble the early‑day Manchester City dynasties, boasting depth in every position. Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are described as "unbelievable," yet even when Saliba is off the field, the arrival of Cristian Mosquera makes his absence feel negligible. With Jurrien Timber unavailable, Ben White steps in and neutralises opponents like Jeremy Doku.
Merson also praises the impact of new signing Christos Tzolis, likening him to a Ronseal product that does exactly what is required. He notes Tzolis’s disciplined work rate on the left flank, his positional awareness, and his willingness to follow the manager’s instructions to the letter.
Although Merson doubts that Tzolis and Gabriel Martinelli alone will propel Arsenal into the Champions League, he believes the club will secure a major acquisition before the transfer window closes, perhaps a deal comparable to the rumored Vinícius Júnior move. Turning to Liverpool, Merson stresses that consistency will be the key to any title challenge. He points out that last season was marred by erratic performances and a lack of squad depth compared with Arsenal. For Liverpool to compete, their core players must stay fit and feature in the majority of the 38‑game schedule.
The absence of a proper replacement for Mohamed Salah remains a glaring issue; despite Salah’s reduced goal tally last season, he continued to pose a threat, and manager Andoni Iraola still needs a reliable partner to fill the void. In midfield, Florian Wirtz is expected to improve dramatically this year, having already settled into the Premier League after a season of adaptation. Merson warns that if Wirtz fails to hit the ground running, concerns will mount. Alexander Isak’s injury‑plagued previous campaign also leaves questions about his availability and form.
Chelsea, according to Merson, benefits from a lighter fixture list, playing primarily once a week. This schedule, reminiscent of their 2017 title‑winning season, should be exploited to push for a top‑five finish.
He believes that if Xabi Alonso can integrate Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as dual number‑10s, possibly employing a back‑three system, Chelsea could enjoy a strong season. However, Merson cautions that a congested midfield triangle involving Palmer, Rogers, and João Pedro could create bottlenecks, and he does not foresee Chelsea matching Arsenal’s projected 85‑86 points. Regarding Manchester City, Merson is skeptical of their ability to challenge Arsenal.
He notes that the club’s decision to sell Rodri after the Community Shield signals a shift, and while goalkeeper David Raya displayed impressive saves, Merson doubts City can sustain a title charge over a full season. When it comes to Tottenham Hotspur, Merson labels them as dark‑horse contenders for a top‑five spot. Their recent transfer activity, combined with a once‑a‑week schedule, gives manager Roberto De Zerbi ample time to instil his tactical ideas. Although Spurs have historically lacked a dominant midfield, recent signings could finally provide that missing engine.
Merson also highlights the irony that Spurs, once flirting with relegation, now stand poised to replace Aston Villa in the upper echelons. Aston Villa’s prospects appear dimmer, as Merson doubts they can outrank Spurs this season. Meanwhile, Manchester United faces a precarious situation in Europe due to a thin squad.
Injuries to key players like Bruno Fernandes would exacerbate their vulnerability, and while the addition of Andrey Santos raises eyebrows, Merson questions his impact, noting he neither breaks up play nor creates chances. The presence of Youri Tielemans offers some quality, but the overall midfield still lacks a commanding presence.
Relegation battles, Merson argues, will hinge on a strong start. Promoted sides rarely finish strongly, and early points are essential. He points to Coventry’s early fixtures—against Hull City in week two and against Arsenal and Manchester City in close succession—as a potential springboard; a loss to the giants followed by a win over Hull could boost confidence. Brentford and Brighton are expected to hover around the European qualification zone again.
Brentford, despite losing Jordan Henderson, showed promise in pre‑season with a 7‑0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, and both clubs could pull off surprise results. In summary, Merson foresees Arsenal as the overwhelming favourites, Liverpool as the only realistic challenger if they can maintain fitness and replace Salah’s goals, Chelsea as a solid top‑five hopeful, and Tottenham as a possible dark horse.
Manchester City, Manchester United, and the newly promoted trio will need to address squad depth and consistency if they hope to compete for honours or simply survive the relentless grind of England’s top flight.