As we look ahead to the Premier League 2024-25 season, from a neutral point of view, it's honestly hard not to see Manchester City as the overwhelming favorites. The Manchester club secured their fourth consecutive title last season, and have firmly established themselves as the dominant force in English football. Pep Guardiola’s side boasts unrivaled depth, talent, and some serious financial backing, which should make them, once again, the team to beat.
Why Arteta’s Arsenal Can Win It
No doubt, City are the team to beat once again, however, there are a number of factors that could throw a wrench in their plans. Looming charges of financial irregularities have been a constant issue last season which could potentially lead to severe penalties or even relegation.
Some would argue that having won so much in the last five or six years, City might have gotten to the end of a cycle, as so often happens to dominant teams, and they may lack the motivation to launch another title charge. So who is poised to benefit from this?
Look no further than Mikel Arteta’s Gunners. Arsenal’s title chances have never been as clear as it does going into a new season in the last two decades. Under Mikel Arteta, the North London side have shown significant progress, finishing runners-up for two seasons in a row.
Asked if he has gotten over the pain of losing out on yet another title, the Arsenal boss replied: “I don't want to get over it. I am really satisfied with the way the team is performing, the way the players are evolving, what the team transmits, the momentum we have as a football club. In all departments, not only on the men's side, but the women’s side, what we are doing with the academy, the prospects that we have there.”
“But we need that pain and that hunger to achieve what we want to achieve because the competition is unbelievable and we are going to need everybody feeling that way to achieve it.”, he concluded.
The addition of Italy’s Euro 2024 star, Riccardo Calafiori, is a huge boost for their defense, adding versatility and ball playing solidity. If they can maintain their upward trajectory and enhance their squad depth with some more quality additions in the summer transfer window, they might finally break City’s hold on the title. But what about the other teams?
Can Other Teams Stand in Arsenal's Way?
With the unprecedented departure of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool faced a transitional phase that kickstarted with the arrival of Arne Slot as manager.
Slot’s success in the Eredivisie has demonstrated his ability to maximize resources, but as Erik Ten Hag found out, the Premier League presents a much tougher challenge. A decent summer transfer window will be required to bolster an aging squad. Also, convincing key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to buy into the new manager’s vision will be crucial for Liverpool's success.
Manchester United, despite recent changes in ownership, administration and management, will probably continue to struggle in the Premier League 2024/2025 season. An overhaul in the summer transfer window might be required to restore their competitive edge, and another season of rebuilding seems inevitable. United’s talented but less than stellar squad is a major hurdle in their path to success.
Chelsea, on the other hand, remains a wild card, just like they were last season. Their tendency for managerial changes and lack of a patience to pursue a long-term strategy has led to inconsistency. While they have an obviously young, talented squad, some patience and aligning the team’s needs with the owners' vision will be very good for a stable and successful Premier League 2024/2025 season.
Essentially, if Manchester City flounders under the weight of their achievements over the years, and the evolving situations at Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea play out as expected, then Arsenal title chances for the 2024-25 Premier League season would have improved significantly, and we believe the culmination of all these factors could see them win the Premier League for the first time since the 2003/2004 Invincible season.