Can Arsenal Challenge City Again for the Premier League Title Next Season?

Despite falling short, it has been a good season for the Gunners who were praised by 

 Pep Guardiola. Mikel Arteta’s side recorded their best finish in the Premier League since 2016. It was a big improvement from their fifth place in the 2021/22 season and it continues their progression under their Spanish manager.

The Gunners will be hoping they can improve again next season. Their squad has shown they can compete for the title, with the likes of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Aaron Ramsdale all in contention to be in the Premier League Team of the Season. The latter recently signed a 

 to remain with the club until at least 2028.

Arteta will be keen to add to his squad this summer with quality rather than quantity. They have been linked with West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice. Should they secure a deal for the English player, that would be a huge coup for the North London club, and it would strengthen their midfield.

As of May 23, Arsenal is second best at +650 in the 

 for the title next season. Those outright odds indicate they will be the strongest challengers to favorites Manchester City once again.

One of the challenges Arteta may have next season is the number of games his side will play. After a six-year absence from the competition, they are back in the Champions League. They are not fortunate to have a squad with as much depth as Manchester City, so that is something Arteta will have to manage.

Manchester City Likely to Be Strong Again

Next season, Manchester City will go in pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title, something which has not been achieved in the league before. As of May 23, they are odds-on at -138 to prevail again.

The signing of striker Erling Haaland last summer has been a huge boost to City. In his debut season in England, he scored over 50 goals in all competitions. The Norway international broke the Premier League record for the 

 in a season. He scored his 36th goal of the campaign in his side’s 3-0 victory against Everton at Goodison Park.

As well as Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Rodri have all shone for the champions this season. They will all remain in the heart of the team next season, even if they are joined by some new signings to freshen up the squad.

Guardiola is a manager who will not allow his players to become complacent. He will treat next season’s Premier League campaign just as he has with any other during his spell in charge of the club. That is bad news for his rivals as he will be doing all he can to ensure his side doesn’t lose their grip on the title.

Liverpool and Manchester United Likely to Strengthen

Liverpool will be disappointed with the way the 2022/23 season has gone for them. However, manager Jurgen Klopp will be encouraged by what his players have shown in the final third of the campaign. After 

 4-1 by Manchester City on April 1, they then went ten games unbeaten, winning seven of those matches.

This is set to be Liverpool’s worse finish to a Premier League season since 2016. Klopp will be keen to add to his squad this summer, replacing the likes of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita, who have all left Anfield at the end of their contracts.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag delivered his club their first trophy in six years when they won the EFL Cup back in February, beating Newcastle United 2-0 in 

 at Wembley. His side has shown clear progress in the Premier League too, as they have won 21 of their opening 36 matches.

The next step for ten Hag at Manchester United will be to make them title contenders again. He will be desperate to reduce the gap on his rivals Manchester City at the very least in the next campaign.

The 2023/24 Premier League season begins on August 12, and the campaign will run through to the final fixtures on May 19, 2024.