Arsenal have emerged as the front-runners in the championship race after three matches, but Manchester City remain the only team that The Athletic experts believe can seriously challenge the reigning champions.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have started the season with three consecutive wins, including a solid victory over Chelsea, and they've collected the maximum points available. Their performance so far has been more convincing than last season, where they finished seven points clear as Premier League champions.
In a recent poll by The Athletic, the consensus among contributors is that Manchester City are currently the most likely team to stop Arsenal in their tracks.
However, it’s important to note that this season’s City side has undergone significant changes. After Pep Guardiola's departure, Enzo Maresca took the helm, and the squad has seen considerable reshuffling.
Experts have highlighted the new midfield trio of Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayoub Buaddi. Their blend of physicality, technique, and ball progression allows City to adopt a more aggressive playing style.
The attacking structure has also evolved, with City looking to stretch opponents' defences wider, creating space for players like Ryan Cherki, Fernandez, Phil Foden, and others to exploit.
Particularly noteworthy is the form of Erling Haaland, who has already netted three headers this season. City’s reliance on deeper deliveries and forward runs from their midfielders has been evident.
Yet, there is a potential concern for City — they seem to be more vulnerable to counter-attacks. Nevertheless, pundits believe their attacking prowess can often offset this weakness in most matches.
What about Chelsea?
Chelsea are also viewed as possible challengers for the top positions.
Under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea have started the season with a more convincing attacking display. They have scored seven goals in victories over Fulham and Brighton, with Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro forming a dangerous attacking unit.
Even their defeat to Arsenal demonstrated that Chelsea can compete with the champions. However, serious questions loom over their defence, having conceded seven goals in their first three matches.
A potential advantage for Chelsea is the lack of European commitments. A lighter schedule and a deeper squad could prove crucial in the second half of the season.
Liverpool as the dark horse
Liverpool are not currently deemed title contenders, yet experts are reluctant to rule them out completely.
Under Andoni Iraola, the team is still restructuring. Two draws in their opening matches against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have already cost them points.
Nonetheless, their attacking potential remains formidable. If players such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Bradley Barcola reach top form, circumstances could shift in their favour.
For Liverpool to truly contend, they would need a near-perfect season: minimal injuries, consistency, squad depth, and the ability to maintain a high tempo across multiple competitions.
Hull City are dreaming of glory
The Athletic has given special attention to Hull City.
Boasting two wins and a draw in their first three games of their debut season back in the Premier League, Hull fans have already started singing about the possibility of a championship.
Currently sitting third and unbeaten, their last outing ended in a draw with Aston Villa.
While it's premature to seriously consider Hull as title contenders, their primary goal remains to secure their place in the Premier League, and their strong start provides fans with reason for optimism.
Why Arsenal are not guaranteed the title just yet
Despite a powerful start, experts caution against taking history lightly.
Arsenal have not won the English title consecutively since the mid-1930s. In the Premier League era, only Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City have successfully defended their title.
Interestingly, the current state of Arsenal recalls certain previous Chelsea title-winning sides: the Londoners haven’t completely overhauled their squad but have instead made targeted enhancements to an already strong team.
The arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa suggest Arsenal are keen to build upon their established championship framework.
Injury management will be pivotal. Keeping key attacking players fit will be essential; losing crucial forwards for any substantial duration could become a major obstacle in their title quest.
As it stands, Arsenal appear the most stable side in the league. Manchester City remain their closest challengers, while Chelsea could surge thanks to a more favourable fixture schedule. Liverpool, too, could emerge as unexpected contenders should the stars align.
However, after three fixtures, the clear takeaway from The Athletic is that the only realistic threat to Arsenal at this point comes from Manchester City.
