18 Aug 2026 14:48:19
Could the edd's set up a poll for league position?
Say 1st
Top 4
Top 5
Top half
Then review again when the transfer window shuts.
{Ed033's Note -
PL finish poll
18 Aug 2026 15:13:27
We will win. Everything. ?
18 Aug 2026 15:33:34
I think it's just very easy to say Arsenal will win the league based on the Charity Shield performance, but I'm not so sure.
We all know Arsenal struggle to score goals in open play, and one game against a wide open City side hasn't changed that. If refs clamp down on their set piece antics, I can see them struggling.
They are on a high right now, but they'll go through a bad spell, and it's whether they have the motivation to knuckle down and keep going when that happens.
We looked like running away with the league after the first 5 games last season, and you'd have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn't think we would. We lost to Palace and it all fell apart. I can see a similar thing happening at Arsenal.
It's a long, long season and they haven't addressed their glaring weaknesses in forward areas. I really don't expect them to walk away with the league like people think they will.
{Ed025's Note - i beg to differ RSO..
18 Aug 2026 15:39:48
I have to disagree, BP. I think Arsenal have a good chance to win the league again, more than last season. The upcoming season is unique in that almost all the top clubs have a new manager, so all would be adjusting to a new style of play.
Arsenal have the benefit of knowing stability, and they can't be underestimated. I think they'd win not only because they have the best squad in the league atm, but they are also the most stable.
18 Aug 2026 16:14:58
The difference with Arsenal is if they have a bad patch upfront, their defensive side is so strong that they often only need one goal to win.
Their overall squad and stability is way ahead of everyone else, so should walk league, however, that doesn't mean they will.
There's always hope...
18 Aug 2026 16:27:00
Sadly, the Gooners are clear favourites given the amount of change occurring at all other clubs and the fact they have a massive and stable squad.
We should be disappointed that our directors voluntarily chose to put us into a multi-year £billion transition after winning the league.
A title challenge would be a long shot as it stands - even if we were to bring in the signings we need.
Too much change, chosen rather than forced.
18 Aug 2026 16:35:48
They have a chance, Drac, of course, and logic would tell you that they are the most likely league champions.
Football isn't based on logic, though. There are too many variables at play.
Arsenal do draw a lot of games they should win, because of their inability to score goals. Even in the run-in last season, they allowed City to catch up, and were fortunate not to draw against West Ham, which would've allowed City to overtake them. Generally, you are always in the game against Arsenal because they don't have the quality in forward areas to blow you away.
I agree about the other teams having new managers, but I also think that at least one of those teams will hit the ground running with a new manager having the desired bounce (hopefully us).
The law of averages tells you they won't all struggle. At least one of them will get it right.
It's such a long season, with so many things that can happen. I just think it's a bit naive to pin your hat on Arsenal, who only won the league last season because us and City dropped the ball. Arsenal have their own weaknesses that they haven't yet addressed. It's definitely not a foregone conclusion.
18 Aug 2026 16:41:40
Be interesting to see what Alonso can do at Chelsea.
No European football this season either so he could get a tune out of them in the league.
18 Aug 2026 16:42:15
Not a chance we're winning the league for me. The off field incompetency is the main factor for me, not Iraola.
18 Aug 2026 16:45:05
I can't see past VARsenal myself unfortunately.
{Ed025's Note - me neither Barry..
18 Aug 2026 16:52:33
Just wait, Barry, all is not lost. I see why people think that way, but football always has a way of surprising us.
18 Aug 2026 17:18:49
Arsenal for me. Top players all through the squad.
{Ed025's Note - their squad is miles above the rest FM..
18 Aug 2026 17:39:23
Arteta wants to be the first Arsenal manager ever to win the European Cup. He was only one kick of a football away last year from the UCL.
They're the exact carbon copy of Atletico Madrid style, tactics, dirty tricks of the trade. When Slot won it, they lost it with too many drawn games. Does he have the ammo for low block teams, as more teams than ever in the PL are going low block? I don't think he has enough ammo for low block, despite having a very big "Arsenal".
One hopes he focuses solely on the UCL, and draws a similar amount of PL games, and gets injuries like we seem to do!
Slot won it and surprised everyone. No reason why Andoni can't repeat the feat. Slot had prime Salah though, Andoni has ..........?
18 Aug 2026 17:51:33
Can only see Arsenal really really struggling defensively with the new rules employed. I can't see them winning the league at all.
18 Aug 2026 17:56:57
007, maybe Bezos can give Andoni Prime everything. ? See what I did there lads. ?
18 Aug 2026 18:11:25
I said weeks ago, if we finish above Arsenal, we win the league.