Arsenal defend the title in 2026-27 with Arteta, as United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea change managers
The 2026-27 Premier League begins with a new chapter at four of England’s six biggest clubs. Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea enter the new season with new managers in charge – but the team defending the title is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who ended a 22-year drought by winning the championship in 2025-26.
Arsenal: the champions open at home, but have a long road ahead
The Gunners return to competition on Friday, August 21, hosting Coventry City at the Emirates – newly promoted and, on paper, a more palatable opponent to start with. But the schedule soon heats up. As early as the fifth round, the Londoners travel to Brighton, and in October they host Leeds. The first big test comes at the end of October: Liverpool vs Arsenal, on the 31st, followed by Newcastle away. The London derby against Tottenham is set for December 5, on the road. Arsenal only host Spurs in the final act of the championship, on May 1. And take note: the head-to-head with Manchester City comes as early as the 14th round, with Arsenal playing at home on November 28 – one of the hottest dates on the calendar.
Four clubs, four new bosses
The overhaul on the bench is the big theme of the season. At Manchester United, Michael Carrick turns what began as a caretaker spell into a definitive project. After leading the club to third place and qualification for the Champions League, the former midfielder takes over with credentials. The Red Devils kick off away, against Hull City, on the morning of August 22.
At Manchester City, the post-Pep Guardiola era begins with Enzo Maresca – the very man who learned the playing style alongside the Catalan and who now inherits a machine with 20 titles in ten years. The debut is at home, against Bournemouth, on “Super” Sunday. The challenge of maintaining a legacy like this falls entirely on the Italian’s shoulders.
At Liverpool, Andoni Iraola replaces Arne Slot, sacked just one year after winning the Premier League. Mohamed Salah’s departure also marked the end of an era at Anfield. The Spaniard, who did a solid job at Bournemouth, debuts in hostile fashion: he visits Newcastle at St James’ Park in the very first round.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are betting on Xabi Alonso, a world champion and former Real Madrid manager, to rebuild a project that was left out of European competitions this season. The Spaniard begins with a London derby against Fulham, on Monday night, August 24 – and will have to prove quickly that the “revolving door” at Stamford Bridge has finally stopped spinning.
What to expect from the title race
With so many simultaneous changes in the dugouts of the main rivals, Arsenal start with a clear structural advantage: continuity. Arteta already knows the squad, already knows what he demands and came close to the limit last season – losing the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League final. That accumulated hunger for a title can be fuel, not a burden.
But the calendar shows no mercy to anyone. The Gunners have head-to-heads against all their rivals – City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea – spread throughout the year. The season starts in August and only ends on May 30, 2027. Enough time for any newcomer to find their rhythm. Or to sink.
