Arsenal to play pretty? Slot out at Liverpool? Way...
Key takeaways
- Plus, we said goodbye to a legend as Pep Guardiola stepped down after 10 incredible seasons in charge of Manchester City.
- ESPN writers looked into their tarot cards and pulled out what they think will be next year's big storylines before they happen.
- The end justified the means for Arsenal in the 2025-26 season.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
In the end, the 2025-26 Premier League story was one of long-overdue success (Arsenal winning a first title since 2003-04), dramatic near-misses (Tottenham avoiding relegation), underwhelming big clubs (Chelsea and Liverpool) and a stunning revival (Michael Carrick taking Manchester United into Europe). Plus, we said goodbye to a legend as Pep Guardiola stepped down after 10 incredible seasons in charge of Manchester City.
Now that the confetti has been settled and all the prizes handed out, let's look ahead to next season -- which kicks off Aug. 22, just over a month after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final -- and make some bold predictions about what to expect. ESPN writers looked into their tarot cards and pulled out what they think will be next year's big storylines before they happen.
The end justified the means for Arsenal in the 2025-26 season. Any criticism of their style of play -- prioritizing functionality over flair and relying on set pieces -- could be repelled by the weight of history they were looking to overcome. After 22 years without a title, any way would do, but now that the Gunners have won the Premier League, the conversation changes. There will be more of an expectation that Arsenal entertain next season, unburdened by the pressure of past failures and emboldened by the golden crests on their shirtsleeves.