Owen tips Arsenal, City and United for 2026/27 — Liverpool left out in the cold
Arsenal have finally snapped a two-decade title drought, clinching the Premier League after Manchester City slipped against Bournemouth in midweek. They steadied themselves brilliantly too, stringing together four wins on the spin after a 2-1 loss to City. With a Champions League final against PSG looming, the Gunners could yet add another glittering chapter — but the gaze has already shifted to who’ll chase them down next season.
Owen goes Mancunian with his challengers
Michael Owen’s laid his cards on the table: the strongest threat to Arsenal’s crown will come from Manchester — blue and red. He reckons City will remain a force even after Pep Guardiola’s departure, pointing to a talented young core, a squad that pushed Arsenal all the way, and the confidence of two domestic cup wins. In short, City won’t be sulking; they’ll be snarling.
United back in the mix under Carrick
The eyebrow-raiser is his faith in Manchester United. Third place is already banked, Michael Carrick has the job permanently after Ruben Amorim’s exit, and United’s form under the new gaffer has looked, at times, like the tempo of genuine contenders. There’s a leap still to make — consistency, control, and ruthlessness — but Owen fancies they’re edging into the conversation.
Liverpool snubbed — for now
There’s no spot for Liverpool on Owen’s shortlist. Under Arne Slot, the suggestion is they’ve work to do before they’re ready to go toe-to-toe for 38 games with the very best. The ingredients at Anfield remain tasty, but in Owen’s book the recipe needs fine-tuning before it becomes title-winning fare.
City’s summer of transition
The seismic subplot is City’s changing of the guard. Guardiola bows out after a decade stacked with silverware, north of 20 major trophies in total. Enzo Maresca — formerly of Chelsea — is the leading contender to take the reins and is understood to fancy Enzo Fernández as an early marquee signing. Can City maintain their relentless standards through that upheaval? Owen’s confident they can.
Arsenal: from hunter to hunted
Arsenal have earned the right to be the team everyone measures themselves against. They found their nerve when it mattered, responded to adversity with a four-win surge, and now face a new challenge — something they’ve never done before in the Premier League era: defend the title. The PSG showdown awaits, but Mikel Arteta will already be plotting how to keep his side a step ahead of the pack.
If you’re already weighing up where the early value might be, our best betting sites rundown is worth a look. The headline right now? Arsenal set the pace; Manchester brings the chase — and how City navigate life after Pep, plus whether Carrick can sustain United’s uptick, could swing the market.
Pundit’s verdict
On merit, Arsenal start as narrow favourites to retain — provided recruitment sharpens the depth behind their core stars. City, even in flux, remain the likeliest disruptors because serial winners don’t forget how to win. United are the dark horses with a plausible pathway if Carrick’s structure holds through winter. Liverpool? Not far off — but in Owen’s view, a rung short until the new regime clicks. Strap in: the champions have a target on their backs, and Manchester is taking aim.
