Arsenal have dominated throughout the opening third of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and Mikel Arteta's side shows no signs of loosening its grip on the title race. After 14 games, the Gunners find themselves five points clear at the summit, having lost just once all season, and that defeat came way back on August 31st. Since then, the table toppers have gone 18 games unbeaten in all competitions and are looking imperious both at home and in Europe.
Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 victory against Brentford at the Emirates last time out, and the result has triggered online betting sites to slash odds on an Arsenal coronation even further. The latest live betting odds at Bovada now make the Gunners a 2/5 favourite to win the title for the first time in 22 years, and much of that pricing lies in the fact that none of their championship rivals have been able to mount any pressure.
Reigning champions Liverpool are in the midst of a miserable run of form, having won just two of their last nine games and seemingly already falling out of contention. But who else has any genuine hopes of claiming the title for themselves? And, crucially, will they be able to keep up with Arsenal's relentless pace? Let's take a look.
Manchester City
Arsenal might have thought their biggest rivals this season would have been Liverpool, especially after the Reds added to last season's title-winning squad with the blockbuster additions of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. However, it is Manchester City who have since emerged as the Gunners' main challenge, with the Blues currently second in the table and five points behind Mikel Arteta's side. And there are plenty of reasons why the emergence of City will cause concern within the ranks at the Emirates.
Pep Guardiola's men have halted two of Arsenal's title challenges in the last three seasons. Back in 2022/23, they took full advantage of a late-season collapse to claim the title for a third straight year en route to a famous treble. A season later, City were perfect throughout their run in, and the Gunners' home defeat to Aston Villa opened the door for yet another Blues triumph. In both of those campaigns, the Etihad outfit chased down Arsenal, reeling in and ultimately overturning a huge points deficit to emerge victorious. As such, they won't be intimidated by the current five-point gap in the slightest.
Much of the City challenge is currently placed on the shoulders of one man: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian powerhouse has been in blistering form so far this term, netting 15 goals in just 14 games as he hunts for a third Golden Boot award in four seasons. His recent goal in the thrilling 5-4 victory against Fulham saw him reach 100 Premier League goals in record time, and he will now be gunning for more as his side looks to chase down Arsenal once again.
Chelsea
18 months ago, many were looking at Chelsea and laughing after a shopping spree of over £1 billion yielded a mere sixth-place finish. The appointment of former second-tier manager Enzo Maresca was also seen as underwhelming, but those naysayers certainly aren't laughing anymore. The Italian boss delivered an incredible first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, leading the Blues to a top-four finish, Conference League glory, and then a stunning Club World Cup triumph over the much-fancied Paris Saint-Germain.
Now, Chelsea are certainly alive in the title race, although injuries are doing their best to derail their hopes. Talisman Cole Palmer has been out for months, while key defender Levi Colwill is also out for the season. Add to that an ongoing suspension of crucial midfielder Moises Caicedo after his red card against Arsenal, and it's clear that the Blues have their work cut out staying in contention. The Ecuadorian midfielder was a huge miss in the shock 3-1 defeat away at relegation-threatened Leeds United on December 3rd, and Chelsea need their powerhouse back if they are to make inroads into Arsenal's lead.
The Blues are currently down in fourth place in the Premier League table, nine points behind their rivals from across London. As such, they are most certainly outsiders, but the imminent return of both Palmer and Caicedo will bolster their hopes.
Aston Villa
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor recently said on the popular Talk Sport that the Villains are the team best positioned to take the fight to Arsenal. While that seems like a stretch, the West Midlands club is, without question, in blistering form at the moment. Their recent 4-3 away victory against Brighton catapulted them up to third place in the table, six points behind the Gunners, but it would still be an almighty shock if Unai Emery's side remained in contention come next Spring.
Still, Villa have plenty to shout about. The triumph on the South Coast was their fourth Premier League win on the spin and eighth in nine games. Do they have the squad renewed to continue that fight deep into the season? 90/1 odds say they can't, but wherever they are in the top four, they will play like a team with nothing to lose.
