⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Felicity_Tide]

The way some of users here have been criticising Arsenal in the friendlies, you’d think they love the club more the fans. So tell me why is there so little attention about Arsenal winning the community shield? Or do you guys no longer consider the community should a trophy unless some other team wins it asides Arsenal.

Even Pep called it a trophy, so I think it's best for you to take every supposed criticism as just a mere comment. Arsenal is literally the most talked about/criticized team, so I guess you should have known that by now. But it still doesn't change the fact that they're the best team in the premier league at the moment, and also one of the best in the world. Individual-wise, some of their players would unarguably make it to the top 11/best starting 11. It's not like Arteta was recently employed... They've been building for the past 4 seasons and also trying to maintain a crazy level of consistency. What we saw yesterday was just a product of what they've built, and not some kind of lucky performance. I look forward to seeing how quick other managers can build theirs without their clubs sacking them.

I new from the very beginning that Enzo marasca is not the right person for this job, I don't even think of any coach that can handle manchester city very well just like pep does. But let's see how it goes .

And I think this is where the problem lies. A lot of fans are expecting too much from the newly employed managers. Only pep has what it takes to perform the pep-thing. Maresca was once a student, same thing with Arteta. Arteta has built, and he's still building, but a lot of people just want Maresca to start hitting the ground running when we all genuinely know that he won't be able to replicate what pep has done.

So, I'm of the opinion that Maresca needs a lot of time, maybe 1,2,3 or even 4 seasons.... And that's if the Manchester city board is patient enough to support him, but of course, we don't have such patience in football again. Same thing for the other newly employed managers.

[KingsDen]

Following the result of community shield. I feel skeptical my team City can battle Arsenal for the title contender. I just wanna be a realistic person if the current City is not the City's pep that could trouble Arsenal in winning the trophies. So many mistakes showed by Maresca, and it's really pissed me off. I hope Maresca can fuck off from my club asap. It's why i think Arsenal is keeping their EPL title again.

They're the only ready to win title team at this moment. I said that because other clubs such as my club(City), Chelsea, Liverpool are still rebuilding back their club. However, the potential club that may able to struggle Arsenal to win EPL maybe my club's rival/MU.

But MU feels underpriced here. Any opinion about the outrights?

If you are true City fan, you will not make such early predictions now. I knew Arsenal will win the shield, because City is at the point of adapting to the new manager's tactics, and we know how difficult this is. Enzo Maresca is a good coach, and we saw him win 2 trophies at Chelsea, it is just time he needs to adapt. And the frustrating thing is that his first official game was against Arsenal, how wish it was other average teams, It would have been a chance for him to test run which of the best tactics works for his team,  but unfortunately it is Arsenal. But at least am glad he would learn which tactics to use and not to use.

I don't know why football fans are already predicting City's performance next season, instead of giving them time to adapt and see what happens. As for me, I will not judge an performance until after one full month,  then I can finally predict.

[Nheer]

Snip

I don't know why Arsenal fans are really concerned about what people think when they win a trophy, do you want opposition fans to support and jubilate for your victories? Definitely not. So I think they shouldn't expect anything from opposing fans.

Community shield is not a trophy many regard and it would have been different if they had won against Guardiola's City. Maresca is new to the club and so we don't expect everything to be perfect just yet so even before the game I predicted Arsenal's win I just didn't expect that much goals.  The team lost some players and everything seems not to be stable just yet.

Having a new coach is not an excuse though so congratulations to Arsenal on this victory.

Sounds like you’re already making excuses for Manchester City. Wasn’t it Pep Guardiola’s City that Arsenal beat last season to become premier league champions? So what are you on about? I’m not going to give City a pass because they changed managers, Liverpool hired Arne Slot after Klopp, and he won the league in his first season. What’s stopping Maresca ( the manager Pep recommended) from doing the same?

I'm not making an excuse mate. The same Pep took the carabao cup from you guys when you were all blabbing to win the treble. Like winning the league is understandable, City was terrible last season, it's on them and you won the league fair and square but my point is that in a final like that you know how difficult City has been for you guys so it will take a miracle to win the Community Shield if Pep was in charge.

Slot's case is different, he had a perfect ready made squad but Maresca was handed a team without their 2 key players so there's no way things would be the same. I'm certain even Pep will struggle with this squad. It's a long season mate, let's see what happens. By the way I'm not even a City fan.

[DYOR+BTC]

In my opinion, this season has got to be the easiest league title ever for Arsenal. The usual suspects are not in form, the only club capable of posing a real threat to Arsenal is Manchester United unless some dark horse comes along and cause upset like the time Leicester City won the league. With the quality Arsenal has, I’d say they can very well compete for the champions league without feeling pressure, and hopefully win their first under Arteta.

It just sound so funny to hear an Arsenal fan's optimism is back, now the question is why is this the easiest league for Arsenal? I don't know why Arsenal are always in a rush to start an opening but in the end it closed with heartbreak..well this time around the bigger boys are still on their way to play with them..so they should not be in a rush, from what I was understanding, I think that Chelsea have all had patches where they look beatable the last 2 years but it was not a joke to them at all..

So Chelsea are the “bigger boys”? Is it the old players they got on loan that you’re so confident in. Manchester United have a higher chance of winning the title than Chelsea. You better can go through my post history since the preseason games. I never doubted this team. Unfortunately, it’s you crybabies who can’t win trophies that are always trying to tear Arsenal down.

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

[Floczy]

The way some of users here have been criticising Arsenal in the friendlies, you’d think they love the club more the fans. So tell me why is there so little attention about Arsenal winning the community shield? Or do you guys no longer consider the community should a trophy unless some other team wins it asides Arsenal.

I have always said that you don't judge a team based on their pre season results,  because it's not a proper match. It's only used to try new tactics and give some players the opportunity to prove to the manager that they can be included in the team, but what is more important is how the team plays and not the scoreline and I think Arsenal has played well during the ore season, despite the poor results. Yesterday's match was a competitive one and we could all see the difference in the standard. Arsenal was just too good for Manchester City yesterday and they just sent a warning to their rivals that they are not backing down anytime soon. I still see them as the favorite for the premier league, because I don't think any of their rivals is at their level right now.

I think it is too early to talk about Arsenal this way. Manchester City just changed their coach and you should not expect the best of performance from them.
When the season fully starts and everywhere is settled down you can speak off Arsenal as the favorite to win the premier League and stuff like that, but at the moments I have no idea where your confidence is coming from, but if it is coming from the Manchester City match then it is something that I will not support cuz Manchester City and not in the right state to win against a team that is already familiar with each other from their coach to team mates, and are more balance.

[SatoPrincess]

I'm not making an excuse mate. The same Pep took the carabao cup from you guys when you were all blabbing to win the treble. Like winning the league is understandable, City was terrible last season, it's on them and you won the league fair and square but my point is that in a final like that you know how difficult City has been for you guys so it will take a miracle to win the Community Shield if Pep was in charge.

Slot's case is different, he had a perfect ready made squad but Maresca was handed a team without their 2 key players so there's no way things would be the same. I'm certain even Pep will struggle with this squad. It's a long season mate, let's see what happens. By the way I'm not even a City fan.

I’m not surprised that you’re not a City fan. I have a theory that there aren’t many City fans outside Manchester, there are just a lot more Arsenal haters in the world. Saying Pep would struggle with this squad is laughable, as if the current players aren’t top-tier. Let’s even say they are not, the fact is that there’s been enough time in the transfer window to replace Rodri, and Silva.

snip

I didn’t say Manchester United could win the EPL, I said they can compete for the title. At best, United might win the FA Cup this season.

[Juicyhome]

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

Let's be sincere to our self,  no doubt Manchester united will beva better team this season than season just like last season and the only club that will give Arsenal a top challenge this season but winning the league title will be very difficult if we don't buy defenders,  imagine Manchester united are still playing with the sane back four of 2022, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez and Luke shaw. We can't win the league with these back four I must say, we need buy more quality defenders to the team to be able to win the league.  Chelsea should not be found in this league conversation,Xabi Alonso has to build the team first,  there's no much qualities in Chelsea anymore, they still need to buy players too. It will be a tough season as usual.

[Robinrex77]

In my opinion, this season has got to be the easiest league title ever for Arsenal. The usual suspects are not in form, the only club capable of posing a real threat to Arsenal is Manchester United unless some dark horse comes along and cause upset like the time Leicester City won the league. With the quality Arsenal has, I’d say they can very well compete for the champions league without feeling pressure, and hopefully win their first under Arteta.

It just sound so funny to hear an Arsenal fan's optimism is back, now the question is why is this the easiest league for Arsenal? I don't know why Arsenal are always in a rush to start an opening but in the end it closed with heartbreak..well this time around the bigger boys are still on their way to play with them..so they should not be in a rush, from what I was understanding, I think that Chelsea have all had patches where they look beatable the last 2 years but it was not a joke to them at all..

So Chelsea are the “bigger boys”? Is it the old players they got on loan that you’re so confident in. Manchester United have a higher chance of winning the title than Chelsea. You better can go through my post history since the preseason games. I never doubted this team. Unfortunately, it’s you crybabies who can’t win trophies that are always trying to tear Arsenal down.

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

Chelsea is a very good team with a pretty immature players, with no experience in big teams and the pressure that comes with it, but Manchester United is more matured compared to Chelsea, Manchester United has a coach that understands with pressure is and understand the running of the team. I believe the biggest problem in Chelsea is the new owner influence in the day to day activity of club including teams selection

[Shussainshah]

Let's be sincere to our self,  no doubt Manchester united will beva better team this season than season just like last season and the only club that will give Arsenal a top challenge this season but winning the league title will be very difficult if we don't buy defenders,  imagine Manchester united are still playing with the sane back four of 2022, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez and Luke shaw. We can't win the league with these back four I must say, we need buy more quality defenders to the team to be able to win the league.  Chelsea should not be found in this league conversation,Xabi Alonso has to build the team first,  there's no much qualities in Chelsea anymore, they still need to buy players too. It will be a tough season as usual.

Manchester united next season everyone expects him to be a good season for united but we need to add Chelsea in that's conversation aswell because xabi Alonso are doing something they never did in has career they are building a team which can dominate too many year of English football same as Manchester City did under Pep Guardiola time. Agree But definitely they need time and passion and I am hoping Chelsea owners can give him time to show thr xabi Alonso quality.

Manchester united under Carrick is look like a new fresh team with old style player. As you said Manchester United backline are same as in 2022 they need some changes and also need some quality player to strengthen their squad otherwise Manchester United can't win the league with this squad. But one thing is true they can give a tough battle to Arsenal from stopping to win the league Haha.

[Abbatty]

Manchester united next season everyone expects him to be a good season for united but we need to add Chelsea in that's conversation aswell because xabi Alonso are doing something they never did in has career they are building a team which can dominate too many year of English football same as Manchester City did under Pep Guardiola time. Agree But definitely they need time and passion and I am hoping Chelsea owners can give him time to show thr xabi Alonso quality.

Manchester united under Carrick is look like a new fresh team with old style player. As you said Manchester United backline are same as in 2022 they need some changes and also need some quality player to strengthen their squad otherwise Manchester United can't win the league with this squad. But one thing is true they can give a tough battle to Arsenal from stopping to win the league Haha.

I get your point, as much as we are considering Manchester United, Manchester city and even Liverpool ahead of Chelsea, but Chelsea should be consider serious too. They have a good manager, they are building a good team too and with time they can dominate English football as well. When you watch their pre season games, you will see they have a new style of play, which will be very effective if they master it.

Manchester United was a good team last season, we all thought the owners will invest in the team more than what we have saw, but so far I’m yet to be impressed with them. A team that is playing in the champions league need more reinforcement that this. Let just hope before the transfer window ends they will bring in more quality to the team.

[Achalugo BTC]

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

Yeah, there is no doubt about Chelsea not performing well but how are you sure that this season is going to be like the last one? Considering the fact that every team is trying their best to ensure they reach the top. Although they might give people reason to question their ability but we shouldn't conclude yet, especially now they have a new manager, as we wait to see the impact on the players whether they will continue perform poorly as they did last season, because judging them based on one match doesn't define their overall ambition.

[sergiorus]

I'm not making an excuse mate. The same Pep took the carabao cup from you guys when you were all blabbing to win the treble. Like winning the league is understandable, City was terrible last season, it's on them and you won the league fair and square but my point is that in a final like that you know how difficult City has been for you guys so it will take a miracle to win the Community Shield if Pep was in charge.

Slot's case is different, he had a perfect ready made squad but Maresca was handed a team without their 2 key players so there's no way things would be the same. I'm certain even Pep will struggle with this squad. It's a long season mate, let's see what happens. By the way I'm not even a City fan.

I’m not surprised that you’re not a City fan. I have a theory that there aren’t many City fans outside Manchester, there are just a lot more Arsenal haters in the world. Saying Pep would struggle with this squad is laughable, as if the current players aren’t top-tier. Let’s even say they are not, the fact is that there’s been enough time in the transfer window to replace Rodri, and Silva.

Silva and Rodri aren't really replaceable at the moment. They are unique and they are the best. That is simply a huge loss, whatever angle you look at it from.

I don't think they have the strongest squad in the EPL anymore, even though the have the best striker in the world, I suppose the next season will bring a lot of struggle for them. Besides Silva and Rodri will still have to be replaces, just apparently not in this year.

[Sarah Azhari]

The absent of Pep will really have a bad impact on the team because it was clear today that Arsenal is stronger than Manchester City under Maresca.

Arsenal won on a clean sheet and scored three goals. I was surprised because I never expected such a flawless victory. I thought, it's gone be a match of high tension with both teams scoring.

It seems that Manchester City fans are beginning to lose faith in Maresca this season. What’s more, some fans have held up banners saying they miss Pep Guardiola. Manchester City played so poorly that they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Arsenal, who played far better. Maresca’s players were helpless against Arsenal. It’s certainly been a tough start for Manchester City.

[Qhunman]

I’m not surprised that you’re not a City fan. I have a theory that there aren’t many City fans outside Manchester, there are just a lot more Arsenal haters in the world. Saying Pep would struggle with this squad is laughable, as if the current players aren’t top-tier. Let’s even say they are not, the fact is that there’s been enough time in the transfer window to replace Rodri, and Silva.

The hates and criticism towards arsenal is normal I mean you don't expect fans that aren't gunners to be happy that arsenal is doing much more better than their teams so it is a normal reaction that they are exhibition toward arsenal. So don't take them seriously because they can't do any harm to arsenal.

Manchester city wouldn't make the mistake of allowing rodri to leave the club if they had not find a suitable replacements. Let's assume that they are still searching for their replacement, there are many brilliant players out there that are better than rodri and Silva. So it is left for maresca to figure out what he wants as a replacement for Silva and rodri.

[Humblevirus]

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

Yes, if we have to talk about teams that have high chances of winning the next Premier League title, Chelsea will not like to be in the top five based on their poor performances last season. But sometimes, if the season has not yet started, I hardly talk much or conclude about any team because any team can turn out to be good when the season starts, more than what many people may expected.So, for now, I will say it is too early to conclude that Manchester United will be better than Chelsea. If you remember the last two seasons, when Liverpool won the league, if anyone predicted that Liverpool would end the season in fifth position? Almost everyone would argue. That  because they have everything to win the league, Manchester United ended the last two seasons in fourteenth position, but surprisingly, they ended this last season in third. This makes some people assume that if Carrick starts the season with Manchester United, it is likely they could be the winners of the Premier League.

So, what I want you to understand is that sometimes it is not the team that has the best players that ends up winning the title. Sometimes, it is all about the determination of the team and how good the coach's tactics it may be .And if I have to say something about Chelsea's players I will say they  are good enough to win the Premier League, it could happen if Alonso tactics can work for them. Or don't you know that Chelsea got some great players in the transfer window?

[Comeacross]

Many don't know that Manchester United is considered more than Chelsea when we talk of lifting the trophy next season, the Chelsea i know did have a very poor performance last season and will continue with such performance this season even of they will do better,  that doesn't mean they will win the league tournament next season because they don't have the players needed to become the champions of England.
As for Manchester United, I am confident that the quality players they have can help them secure that trophy confidently without obstruction.

I agree with you that Chelsea will not win the league this season and even making top 4 is not guarantee considering how bad they perform last season. Even with their new signings, Chelsea squad is still not balanced.

But you're funny to consider Manchester united a league winning team this season too. In fact, Chelsea stand a better chance than Manchester United if we're talking about squad here. Chelsea have multiple options in every position even though they are all average players. Tell me about Manchester United squad and the option they have incase few of their players get injured.

Chelsea and Manchester United are in the same tier. None of them would smell the league trophy this season. Arsenal remains among the favourite to win. Manchester city, Liverpool as a distant contender.

[Oluwa-btc]

It seems that Manchester City fans are beginning to lose faith in Maresca this season. What’s more, some fans have held up banners saying they miss Pep Guardiola. Manchester City played so poorly that they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Arsenal, who played far better. Maresca’s players were helpless against Arsenal. It’s certainly been a tough start for Manchester City.

Jesus Christ!

Losing faith already? Even Pep Guardiola didn't have a perfect first season for Manchester City. I'm not even a Manchester city fan but he should be given some time.
Pep Guardiola is both passionate and a perfectionist  if you're not bringing someone almost like him, then why are you opening your mouth to complain or raise up banners. Like I said before, City will have a difficult start but they will get to adapt as the league goes on. Enzo Maresca better not disappoint these city fans at home otherwise, it'll be dram week in and out.

[Finebone]

It seems that Manchester City fans are beginning to lose faith in Maresca this season. What’s more, some fans have held up banners saying they miss Pep Guardiola. Manchester City played so poorly that they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Arsenal, who played far better. Maresca’s players were helpless against Arsenal. It’s certainly been a tough start for Manchester City.

Jesus Christ!

Losing faith already? Even Pep Guardiola didn't have a perfect first season for Manchester City. I'm not even a Manchester city fan but he should be given some time.
Pep Guardiola is both passionate and a perfectionist  if you're not bringing someone almost like him, then why are you opening your mouth to complain or raise up banners. Like I said before, City will have a difficult start but they will get to adapt as the league goes on. Enzo Maresca better not disappoint these city fans at home otherwise, it'll be dram week in and out.

This is what happens when a club is so used to winning, and even when they lose, they by no chance perform so bad like they did against arsenal.
It's just a trying time that will pass away once Enzo maresca has finished assembling his team, because the players are still struggling to adapt to his playing strategy, but if he is given enough time to work, he will deliver, even though it may not be as dominant like in the days of pep guardiola. This is the Same thing we have seen so many times with Chelsea when the team is not doing well as expected, so it's a behavior I expect from the fans, the only problem about this one is the timing, it's just too fast.

[Chilwell]

If you are true City fan, you will not make such early predictions now. I knew Arsenal will win the shield, because City is at the point of adapting to the new manager's tactics, and we know how difficult this is. Enzo Maresca is a good coach, and we saw him win 2 trophies at Chelsea, it is just time he needs to adapt. And the frustrating thing is that his first official game was against Arsenal, how wish it was other average teams, It would have been a chance for him to test run which of the best tactics works for his team,  but unfortunately it is Arsenal. But at least am glad he would learn which tactics to use and not to use.

I don't know why football fans are already predicting City's performance next season, instead of giving them time to adapt and see what happens. As for me, I will not judge an performance until after one full month,  then I can finally predict.

We are actually on the same way, it is too early for them to be saying all sort of things about their new manager, by the way the league has not started, the opponent they had in that match are the current champions, so what do they expect if Manchester City faces defeat against arsenal, they should not be surprised because arsenal are still in their best performance and with their existing coach, definitely the pattern of playing will not change at all unlike Manchester City that are looking for a way to make things balance for themselves between the players and the manager.

They should be giving more time to show what they can offer after Pep Guardiola has left, I still believe in Enzo Maresca that he will make a great manager in Manchester City but it is all about patience, let the league start and let's see how it goes before we start complaining about them.

[Abu-Naim]

Losing faith already? Even Pep Guardiola didn't have a perfect first season for Manchester City. I'm not even a Manchester city fan but he should be given some time.
Pep Guardiola is both passionate and a perfectionist  if you're not bringing someone almost like him, then why are you opening your mouth to complain or raise up banners. Like I said before, City will have a difficult start but they will get to adapt as the league goes on. Enzo Maresca better not disappoint these city fans at home otherwise, it'll be dram week in and out.

Exactly, most coaches don’t get it right in their first seasons, they have to pass through some changes and adjustments in the squad before they can be comfortable and win in every games they play no matter how good the coach can be, except if the previous coach that left set the team well for the new coach which usually don’t happen that much, most teams change coaches because of poor result, but that of Manchester City is different, they still have some good players and Pep Guardiola wasn’t sacked, he resigned willingly, but the challenge now is the players that left the team.

Rodri left, Benardo Silva also left; these are important players Guardiola used to win matches, and without them, it usually doesn’t be easy for Pep, he used to struggle to win matches without them, and now they have left permanently; Maresca will need to rebuild his team before he can have a very good team he can rely on.