Arsenal begin Premier League title defence as rivals face uncertain new era

Arsenal start their Premier League title defence against promoted Coventry on Friday with confidence high, while Manchester City and several other leading challengers enter the new campaign under new management and with significant questions to answer.

It is the first time since the 2004-05 season that Arsenal have begun a season as English champions. Mikel Arteta’s side ended a 22-year wait for the top-flight title last term, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City.

They are now seeking successive English championships for the first time since the 1930s.

Arsenal’s momentum was underlined by a 3-0 victory over City in Sunday’s English Community Shield, a result which suggested the gap between the two clubs may have widened since last season.

The Gunners have strengthened their title-winning squad with the arrivals of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, who both impressed at Wembley.

Arteta is determined that his players will not become complacent. Arsenal’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final in May has instead increased their motivation to claim more silverware.

“The desire comes because I want to live that moment again,” Arteta said.

“We know the difficulty of the task. We know that it’s going to demand something special and we are ready for it.”

City face life after Guardiola

Manchester City, who host Bournemouth on Sunday, begin their first season since Pep Guardiola ended his remarkable 10-year reign at the end of last campaign.

Guardiola won six Premier League titles in seven seasons before failing to retain the trophy in each of his final two years at the Etihad Stadium. His successor, former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, faces the daunting task of following a manager who delivered 20 trophies during an extraordinary decade in charge.

Maresca won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, but left Stamford Bridge after less than two years following tensions with the club’s hierarchy and frustration among supporters at his cautious tactics.

City have spent £116m on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as they continue the rebuilding process begun by Guardiola, who had started replacing some of his older players with younger recruits.

However, the sale of World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Rodri to Barcelona represents a major setback for Maresca.

“After 10 games, if we have got 10 points, 20 points, 30 points. People will be comparing it to Pep after 10 games. It doesn’t put pressure on me,” Maresca said.

“Someone asked me if it’s the impossible job to follow him. Maybe, but at the same time it’s a privilege.”

Rivals also searching for answers

Liverpool are among the clubs hoping to prevent Arsenal from dominating the title race. They won the championship in 2025, but Arne Slot’s promising first season deteriorated during a chaotic second campaign, which ended with his dismissal after a disappointing fifth-place finish.

Andoni Iraola has moved from Bournemouth to replace Slot after impressive work with the unfashionable Cherries.

Iraola must address the departures of Anfield icon Mohamed Salah and concerns about Virgil van Dijk’s form if Liverpool are to challenge for the title again.

Chelsea have also appointed a new manager, with Xabi Alonso taking charge and attempting to rebuild his reputation after a difficult spell at Real Madrid that lasted less than eight months.

Before that, Alonso had guided Bayer Leverkusen to a notable domestic double in 2024. His Chelsea tenure began with the British-record £117m signing of England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.

Chelsea finished 10th last season, leaving Alonso with the significant task of reviving a side that has struggled to fulfil its potential.

At Manchester United, Michael Carrick has been appointed manager on a permanent basis after an impressive interim spell following Ruben Amorim’s departure.

United finished third under Carrick, whose understated man-management helped secure victories against both Arsenal and City.

Winning the club’s first Premier League title since 2013 will be Carrick’s next objective, but Arsenal have established themselves as the side all contenders must overcome over the next 10 months.