Image: from Prime Video Sport UK X @primevideosport
By Open Chronicle Sports Desk
Winning the Premier League is one of football’s greatest achievements. Defending it is even harder.
After ending a 22-year wait for the league title in 2025/26, Arsenal enter the new campaign carrying a different burden. They are no longer the ambitious challengers trying to catch Manchester City or Liverpool. They are the team everyone wants to beat.
For Mikel Arteta and his squad, the 2026/27 season is about proving that last year’s triumph was not the peak of a project, but the beginning of an era.
🔴⚪ 72 days since Arsenal won the Premier League! Arteta's Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the title, their first since the unbeaten 'Invincibles' side of 2003/04. #Arsenal #COYG pic.twitter.com/GISXrXX5IW
— kombo (@kombolanii) July 30, 2026
From Hunters to the Hunted
For several seasons Arsenal steadily climbed towards the summit.
Arteta rebuilt the squad around a young core, established one of Europe’s strongest defensive units and developed a tactical identity built on control, pressing and positional discipline. Last season those qualities finally delivered the Premier League trophy after years of near misses.
History, however, suggests that retaining the title is a completely different challenge.
Every opponent raises their level against the reigning champions. Every tactical weakness is studied in greater detail. Every dropped point generates headlines, while expectations from supporters, media and rivals increase dramatically.
Arsenal must now demonstrate that their mentality is as strong as their football.
The Foundation Remains Elite
The biggest reason to believe Arsenal can retain the title is that their foundations remain among the strongest in Europe.
Their defensive organisation continues to be the benchmark in English football. The partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel has become one of the league’s most reliable centre-back pairings, while Declan Rice provides exceptional protection in midfield.
Captain Martin Ødegaard remains the creative heartbeat of the side, combining technical quality with relentless pressing, while Bukayo Saka continues to be one of the Premier League’s most decisive attacking players.
Unlike many previous champions, Arsenal are not beginning a new cycle. Their core group is still together and remains largely within its prime years.
A Squad Built for Multiple Competitions
One criticism levelled at Arsenal in previous seasons concerned squad depth.
That issue has been addressed through targeted recruitment and continued investment. The club has looked to add greater creativity, attacking variety and rotation options while maintaining the tactical balance that defined last season’s success. Analysts had already identified a more direct left-sided attacker as one of the areas where Arsenal could improve following their championship campaign.
The objective is clear.
Compete for the Premier League while remaining genuine contenders in the UEFA Champions League without suffering the physical drop-off that affected previous campaigns.
Depth may prove just as important as starting quality.
Early Tests Will Reveal Everything
Arsenal’s fixture list offers an immediate examination of their credentials.
The champions open the season at home against newly promoted Coventry before facing a far more demanding sequence including away trips to Aston Villa and Brighton, alongside a home meeting with Chelsea during the opening weeks.
Strong starts are often crucial for defending champions.
Building early momentum reduces pressure, reinforces confidence and allows managers to rotate more effectively when European competition begins.
A slow start, on the other hand, immediately invites questions over whether the previous season’s success can be repeated.
Rivals Have No Intention of Standing Still
The greatest obstacle to Arsenal may not be internal.
Manchester City remain capable of producing extraordinary winning streaks regardless of previous disappointments.
Liverpool continue to possess elite quality despite undergoing further evolution.
Chelsea appear determined to return to title contention under new leadership, while Aston Villa have established themselves as genuine members of England’s top group.
Tottenham have also invested heavily during the summer in an effort to rejoin the battle near the top of the table.
Unlike previous years, the title race could involve four or even five realistic contenders.
That makes consistency more valuable than brilliance.
Managing Pressure
One encouraging sign for Arsenal supporters has been Arteta’s reaction during pre-season.
Following a defeat to Real Betis, the manager revealed that his players were “furious” with their own performance, describing that mentality as evidence that standards remain exceptionally high rather than complacent after winning the league. Several first team players were unavailable during that match because of injuries, recovery programmes or fitness management.
For champions, maintaining internal standards often matters more than individual pre-season results.
Can They Do It?
The answer is yes.
But only if Arsenal continue evolving rather than attempting to simply repeat what worked last season.
Champions who defend their crown rarely rely on the same formula. They become less predictable, develop new tactical solutions and find different ways to win difficult matches.
Arsenal possess the manager, the structure, the experience and the squad quality required to remain favourites or at least among the very strongest contenders.
The margin for error, however, will be exceptionally small.
With several traditional rivals strengthened, every point, every injury and every tactical adjustment could shape one of the most competitive Premier League seasons in recent memory.
If Arsenal lift the trophy again next May, it will not simply confirm them as worthy champions.
It will confirm the arrival of a genuine modern dynasty in English football.