Paul Merson’s newest column offers a sweeping preview of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, dissecting both the clubs poised to chase the championship and those fighting to avoid the drop. The season kicks off on a Friday with the defending champions Arsenal welcoming newly promoted Coventry City, and Sky Sports will broadcast six matches over the opening weekend. Merson lays out his six favorite teams, evaluates the relegation candidates, and even picks a dark‑horse side that could pull off a surprise upset against the traditional powerhouses. He begins with an unequivocal endorsement of Arsenal.
In his view, the Gunners are virtually unstoppable in the league and should cruise to the title with relative ease. While he concedes that Arsenal have a few niggling flaws that might be exposed in the Champions League, he argues that domestically they resemble the early‑day Manchester City squads that dominated England with depth in every position. Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are described as "unbelievable," and even when Saliba is rested, the arrival of Cristian Mosquera would make his absence almost unnoticeable. Although Jurrien Timber is sidelined, Ben White can slot in seamlessly, keeping opponents like Jeremy Doku at bay.
Merson also highlights the impact of newer signings. He recalls the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City in Cardiff, noting how late‑game introductions such as Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze added fresh impetus. He praises Christos Tzolis for his work‑rate on the left flank, likening his consistency to a well‑labelled product that delivers exactly what is promised. Tzolis, according to Merson, is the kind of player a manager can instruct and trust to execute without hesitation.
Looking ahead, Merson predicts Arsenal will make a significant acquisition before the transfer window closes, perhaps targeting a player of the calibre of Vinícius Júnior. He believes the market is already moving in that direction and that a "key signing" is imminent.
In his assessment, only Arsenal can truly challenge themselves for the crown; no other side appears capable of dethroning them at this stage. Turning to Liverpool, Merson stresses the importance of consistency. The Reds suffered from erratic form last season, and unless they can string together reliable performances, they will struggle to match Arsenal’s firepower. He notes that Liverpool lack the squad depth to rotate without a dip in quality, meaning their star players must stay fit and feature in the majority of the 38 league games.
The departure of Mohamed Salah remains a glaring void; despite Salah’s reduced output last term, he still posed a constant threat, and manager Andoni Iñárritu must find a suitable replacement. Merson is cautiously optimistic about Florian Wirtz, expecting him to flourish now that he has a full season under his belt. Conversely, Alexander Isak’s injury‑plagued previous campaign raises doubts about his immediate impact.
The forward may need additional time to regain full fitness and form. Chelsea, according to Merson, enjoy a scheduling advantage by playing only once a week, a luxury that could be pivotal. Their ambition is to secure a top‑five finish, but he warns against premature expectations.
The last time Chelsea claimed the league in 2017, they were also free of European commitments. Merson believes that if Xabi Alonso can integrate Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as dual number‑10s—perhaps employing a back three to accommodate them—Chelsea could enjoy a strong season, though he doubts they will reach the 85‑86 point tally Arsenal is projected to achieve. Regarding Manchester City, Merson admits a surprising development: the club sold midfielder Rodri shortly after the Community Shield. He doubts City can keep pace with Arsenal throughout a full campaign, despite occasional bright spots such as goalkeeper David Raya’s impressive saves.
In the mid‑table battle, Merson places Tottenham Hotspur as a potential top‑five contender. He praises Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial acumen and notes Spurs’ strategic advantage of a lighter fixture list, allowing more focused preparation. However, he points out Tottenham’s historical lack of a dominant midfielder, a gap they have attempted to fill with recent signings that could trouble many opponents.
Merson also reflects on Aston Villa’s near‑miss last season, where a win against the club that almost relegated them kept them afloat. He now doubts Villa can outrank Spurs in the final standings. Manchester United, he warns, face a precarious situation in Europe due to a thin squad.
Injuries to key figures like Bruno Fernandes would exacerbate their vulnerability, and while the acquisition of Youri Tielemans adds quality, Merson questions the rationale behind signing Andrey Santos, who appears to contribute little in terms of defensive work, creativity, or goal‑scoring. The newly promoted sides—Coventry City, Hull City, and others—must start strongly to survive. Merson suggests that a solid opening run, such as beating Hull after heavy defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City, could set a positive tone. He also mentions Brentford’s potential to re‑enter the European conversation, citing their impressive 7‑0 pre‑season victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, while noting the loss of Jordan Henderson as a setback.
In summary, Merson’s forecast paints Arsenal as the overwhelming favorites, Liverpool as the most likely challenger if they can maintain consistency and fitness, Chelsea as a capable top‑five aspirant, and Tottenham as the dark horse capable of punching above their weight. The relegation scrap will involve a mix of established clubs and newcomers, with early points being crucial for survival. The season promises drama at both ends of the table, and fans can expect a competitive, unpredictable campaign as teams vie for glory and survival alike.