It has been five days since the 2025-26 Premier League season concluded, and I already find myself nostalgic for it. Naturally, the football world has moved on, with the Champions League final looming on Saturday and the grand spectacle of the World Cup on the horizon. Yet, I believe that in due time, this top-flight campaign will be remembered as one of the greatest.
A Season of Gripping Narratives
This was not a season defined by consistent brilliance, though Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad last month was a match to savor. The tense contest, the individual duels, the precise passing, and Rayan Cherki's stunning opening goal left me in awe. Critics may argue that Arsenal resorted to unsavory tactics to secure the title, but they were undeniably the best team in England. While their campaign became a grind toward the end, there were moments when they were simply irresistible.
The 2025-26 season offered every club its own compelling narrative arc. There was truly something for everyone: tales of sudden greatness and long-planned success, alongside episodes of breathtaking incompetence. The title race remained alive almost until the final day, and the relegation battle stretched into the last minutes of Sunday afternoon, featuring two clubs whose financial resources should have made such a struggle unthinkable—yet it made for spectacular drama.
Bournemouth's Historic Achievement
Bournemouth finished sixth, securing European football for the first time in their history. A club with a stadium capacity of just 11,000, they were bottom of League Two in 2009. Andoni Iraola's managerial approach deserves to be studied. Perhaps Chelsea could learn a thing or two? Four places below Bournemouth, Chelsea had nothing to show for the £1.5 billion spent under BlueCo ownership. Their erratic, coked-up uncle vibes have been amusing—unless you support them.
Aston Villa and Brighton's European Returns
Aston Villa, built from their Championship stint, earned their Champions League place twice this season. Brighton, the algorithm fans' favorite, return to Europe for only the second time, securing Conference League football. If they manage their congested schedule well, they could win their first major trophy. They should seek advice from Crystal Palace, who are making a habit of cup runs.
Sunderland's Remarkable Rise
And what about Sunderland? After promotion via the play-offs, the Black Cats put together a near-unprecedented season. They qualified for Europe in seventh place and, perhaps more importantly for their fans, finished above Newcastle. The neat wrapping of narrative threads feels like the conclusion of a successful Netflix series—one that began a few seasons after Leicester City's title win.
Manchester City, troubled yet brilliant, are embodied by their manager Pep Guardiola, the passionate hero who transforms everything around him. His departure, along with John Stones and Bernardo Silva, marks the end of an era. The 115 charges will likely drive the plot of next season's opening episode, potentially shifting the spotlight to another club. Could it be Arsenal? They are title winners but have not been the main driver of the story. Their role resembles a slightly evil Neville Longbottom: hardworking, long the butt of jokes, they got fit in sixth form. Do they have main-character energy? Shooting begins in August.
