Arsenal icon Ian Wright has named the team that he believes will pose the biggest threat to the Gunners’ Premier League title defense in the 2026-27 campaign.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes in the EPL (2023-25), Mikel Arteta finally led the North London side to the title in the 2025-26 campaign. They had the best defense in the league (27 goals conceded in 38 games) and finished on 85 points, seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
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This summer, Arsenal have signed Brazilian enforcer Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United and Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. With increased quality and depth in their side and a 3-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield to boot, they look set to defend their EPL crown.
Wright, however, has claimed that the Gunners need to get more business done by the end of the transfer window. The Englishman asserted that Chelsea could be potential challengers for the Premier League title if newly-appointed manager Xabi Alonso ‘gets a good start’.
The 62-year-old said (via Metro):
“Arsenal still have a lot of business to do and things have been slow up to this point. (Manchester) City, Chelsea and Liverpool all have new managers, which makes all of them a bit unknown. It’s a huge transition season for City: no Bernardo Silva, (John) Stones, Pep (Guardiola) and Rodri. But they have (Erling) Haaland, and that’ll take you far regardless of other issues.”
‘I fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. He’s brought in some experienced players, which they’ve needed for a while. I can see them getting into a good rhythm without European football,” Wright added.
The Athletic have reported that Arteta wishes to add a defender and an attacker to his squad ahead of the transfer deadline (August 31).
“They have the potential to run away with it” – Wayne Rooney makes prediction about Arsenal’s EPL title defense
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has claimed that Arsenal have the ‘potential to run away with’ the 2026-27 Premier League title.
While he praised Red Devils manager Michael Carrick for securing UEFA Champions League qualification, Rooney asserted that it is ‘unrealistic’ for his former side to aim for the EPL title. He was also uncertain about Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham’s chances due to the managerial turnovers.
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said (via Metro):
“Arsenal have the potential to run away with it but behind them we could see a lot of changes. I think Man United will finish fourth. Michael Carrick did fantastic to get Man United back into the Champions League. So not the club have to stay there. I think it’s unrealistic to think they’re going to win the Premier League this year.”
“We don’t know how Man City will do without Pep Guardiola or how Liverpool will get on but I think they will be better and Chelsea will definitely be better as well as Tottenham,” Rooney added.
Arsenal will kick off their 2026-27 Premier League season against newly-promoted Coventry City (Friday, August 21). Manchester United will also face a promoted side in their season opener in the form of Hull City (Saturday, August 22).
Edited by Aaryan Nagraj
