Paul Merson’s newest column offers a thorough preview of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, examining both the clubs likely to challenge for the crown and those fighting to avoid relegation. The season kicks off on Friday with the defending champions Arsenal hosting newly‑promoted Coventry City, and Sky Sports will broadcast six matches over the opening weekend. Merson lays out his six favourite teams, evaluates the relegation candidates, and highlights a potential dark‑horse side that could surprise the established elite. He begins with an unequivocal endorsement of Arsenal, stating that he cannot envision any side stopping them this season.
In his view, the Gunners are poised to win the title comfortably, showing no significant Premier League weaknesses. While he acknowledges a few flaws that might be exposed in European competition, domestically Arsenal resemble the early‑day Manchester City squads that dominated with depth at every position.
Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are described as "unbelievable," and the arrival of Cristhian Mosquera provides such seamless cover that Saliba’s absence would be barely noticed. Even with Jurrien Timber sidelined, Ben White steps in and neutralises opponents like Jeremy Doku. Merson also praises the impact of Christos Tzolis, likening his consistency to a product that does exactly what it promises.
He commends Tzolis for his disciplined work on the left wing, maintaining his position and preventing opposing full‑backs from gaining an advantage. Although Merson doubts that Tzolis and Gabriel Martinelli alone will propel Arsenal into the Champions League, he insists the club must already be planning a key signing before the transfer window closes. He references the near‑completion of a Vinícius Júnior‑type deal, suggesting that Arsenal are actively scouting the market for a marquee addition. Turning to Liverpool, Merson argues that consistency is the only way the Reds can mount a genuine title challenge.
Their previous campaign was marred by erratic performances, and their squad lacks the depth Arsenal enjoy. For Liverpool to compete, their core players must stay fit for the majority of the 38‑game schedule, and they still need to replace the goal‑scoring threat left by Mohamed Salah’s diminished output. Merson notes that Andoni Iraola must find a suitable replacement to fill that void.
In midfield, Merson expects Florian Wirtz to finally settle into the Premier League and deliver a strong season after a year of adaptation. Conversely, Alexander Isak’s injury‑plagued previous season raises doubts about his immediate impact, and Merson is uncertain whether he will reach his full potential this term. Chelsea, according to Merson, benefit from a once‑a‑week schedule, a luxury that allows them to focus on league matches without the strain of mid‑week European fixtures. Their ambition, he says, is to break into the top five, but they should temper expectations and avoid rushing ahead.
He points out that the last time Chelsea won the league in 2017, they were also playing only on weekends. Merson believes that if Xabi Alonso can integrate Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as dual No.10s—perhaps by employing a back‑three formation—Chelsea could enjoy a very successful season, though he does not anticipate them reaching the 85‑86 point mark that Arsenal is projected to achieve. Regarding Manchester City, Merson is skeptical about their ability to keep pace with Arsenal. He highlights a post‑Community Shield transfer of Rodri as a sign that City may be reshaping their squad, but he still doubts they can match Arsenal’s consistency over 38 games.
He does commend David Raya’s impressive saves in the Shield, noting that not all goalkeepers can perform at that level. Spurs and Manchester United occupy a middle ground in Merson’s analysis. He suggests Tottenham could slip into the top five, calling them "dark horses" and praising their recent recruitment and the advantage of a once‑a‑week schedule under Roberto De Zerbi. However, he notes Tottenham have historically lacked a dominant midfielder, a gap they hope to fill with new signings that could make them a handful for other teams.
He also recounts how Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last season, only to secure a top‑six finish this year, while Aston Villa, who once threatened their survival, may now struggle to finish above Tottenham. Manchester United, on the other hand, face a thin squad that could be exposed by European commitments. Merson worries about the impact of a potential injury to Bruno Fernandes and questions the recent signing of Andrey Santos, describing him as a player who neither breaks up play, creates chances, nor scores goals.
While he appreciates the addition of Youri Tielemans, Merson stresses that a strong midfield partnership is essential to compete. The relegation battle, Merson warns, will involve more than just the three promoted sides. Clubs like Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Newcastle could also find themselves in danger. He emphasizes the importance of a strong start for survival, noting that promoted teams rarely finish strong and often fail to win four of their last five matches.
He uses Coventry’s early fixture against Hull as an example of a crucial "cup final" for a newly promoted side; a victory there could set a positive tone for their season. Brentford and Brighton are expected to hover around the European qualification spots, with Brentford’s pre‑season 7‑0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt showcasing their potential.
The departure of Jordan Henderson is a loss, but Merson believes both clubs can still cause upsets. In summary, Merson’s forecast paints Arsenal as the clear favourites, Liverpool as the only realistic challenger if they can maintain fitness and find a new goal scorer, Chelsea as a strong contender with the right tactical tweaks, and Tottenham as a possible top‑five surprise. Manchester City, despite their resources, may fall short of Arsenal’s consistency, while Manchester United and several mid‑table clubs must navigate squad depth issues and European fatigue.
The relegation fight will be tight, with the newly promoted clubs needing immediate points and several established sides also at risk of slipping down the table.