Premier League 2023-24 Preview: Arsenal Defending Champions

A new Premier League season opens on Friday with a strange, thrilling reality: Arsenal are the defending champions, and Pep Guardiola is gone.

After a decade of Manchester City dominance, the league’s centre of gravity has shifted. Mikel Arteta now stands as the longest-serving manager in the division, a symbol of rare continuity at a club that has just ended a 22-year wait to begin a campaign as champions. Around them, the ground is moving.

Nine clubs have changed managers over the summer. Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi are about to experience their first full seasons in charge of Manchester United and Tottenham. Andoni Iraola has walked into Anfield. Xabi Alonso has taken on the Chelsea storm. The old certainties have vanished.

Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City have arrived from the Championship, replacing relegated West Ham, Burnley and Wolves. They will all be staring at Sunderland’s example: promoted, then straight into Europe in their first season back. That is now the dream.

Hull City – straight back down?

Last season: Promoted via play-offs

Hull’s return to the Premier League is one of the strangest promotion stories in recent memory. The numbers said they should have been nowhere near this stage. Opta had Sergej Jakirovic’s side 23rd in the Championship for expected points. Instead of tumbling into League One, they surged into the play-offs and beat Middlesbrough at Wembley, taking advantage of Southampton’s expulsion to complete a barely believable rise.

Now comes the reality. A churn of arrivals and departures has not shifted the wider view: Hull are favourites for the drop. The romance of Wembley gives way to a season that could feel very long, very quickly.

Ipswich Town – back, but bruised

Last season: Championship runners-up

Ipswich have their second crack at the Premier League in three years, the scars of their forgettable 2024-25 relegation still fresh. The club has changed tack. Rather than simply raiding the Championship, the net has widened: club-record money has gone on Emersonn from Toulouse, while Daizen Maeda arrives from Celtic to add energy and goals.

Gary O’Neil, who steadied Bournemouth and then Wolves, inherits the project from Kieran McKenna. McKenna has stepped away after three promotions and one relegation in four frantic seasons, admitting he needed a break – and perhaps sensing how steep this climb will be. O’Neil has a huge job. The question is whether the new signings are enough to avoid another quick exit.

Coventry City – emotion meets reality

Last season: Championship winners

Of the promoted trio, Coventry feel the most buoyant. A 25-year exile from the Premier League ended in a surge of emotion under Frank Lampard, whose unexpected promotion campaign restored a sense of identity to the club.

The dark years may finally be behind them, but the step up has never been harsher. Sunderland’s ambitious return last year – bold signings, fearless football, European qualification – offers a clear model. Coventry have responded by breaking their transfer record twice, including a £26m move for 20-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi.

Their most important deal, though, was off the pitch: keeping Lampard. After bruising spells at Chelsea and Everton, he has another shot at the top flight, this time with a club built in his image. Now he has to prove that romance can survive the Premier League grind.

Fulham – the end of the Silva safety net

Last season: 11th

There is a nervousness around Craven Cottage. Marco Silva has gone after five hugely successful years, and in his place comes Alvaro Arbeloa, fresh from a sharp-edged caretaker spell at Real Madrid.

Arbeloa has raided his former club for youth. Striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios bring talent and promise, but promise does not always keep you afloat in this league. Fulham have also lost their player of the season Harry Wilson and experienced forward Raul Jimenez, both leaving at the end of their contracts.

The fixture list offers no kindness. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all await in the opening five games. Arbeloa does not have time to ease in. If Fulham start slowly, that anxious murmur around the Cottage could turn into something darker.

Newcastle United – from project to crisis?

Last season: 12th

Eighteen months ago, Newcastle were lifting the Carabao Cup and celebrating Champions League qualification. Now they are stripped bare. Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali – all gone. Eddie Howe, the architect of their revival, has gone too.

The club that was supposed to be challenging for the title by 2030 under Saudi ownership is suddenly staring at the other end of the table. Matthias Jaissle, known mainly for his work at Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli, must now rebuild under intense scrutiny.

Newcastle’s summer business leans heavily into youth and potential. It might pay off in the long term. In the short term, it is a gamble that could leave them looking nervously over their shoulders.

Brighton – Europe again, but at what cost?

Last season: 8th

Brighton’s first European adventure in 2023-24 dragged them back into the bottom half. This season, Fabian Hürzeler has them heading into the Conference League with the same dilemma: can a squad of their size cope with the extra load?

The bookmakers expect them to do more than cope. Brighton are strong favourites to emulate Crystal Palace’s recent success and lift the trophy, which would be the first major silverware in the club’s history. That carrot is hard to ignore.

Record signing Luka Vuskovic has been brought in to tighten the defence. At the other end, though, Danny Welbeck’s move to Chelsea leaves a gap in goals and experience. That heaps pressure on Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh – and both are unavailable to start the season. Brighton will need to ride out the early weeks.

Everton – solid, but stuck?

Last season: 13th

David Moyes has restored order at Everton. In a summer of upheaval elsewhere, that continuity is a rare asset. Yet there is a nagging sense that the club might be stuck in neutral.

Relegation fears should be minimal. Pushing into the top half feels far less likely. Last season Everton flirted with a European challenge before fading badly when it mattered. The structure is there, the resilience too, but the goals are not.

Beto and Thierno Barry have yet to convince. That ongoing struggle up front remains the biggest concern. Keeping Iliman Ndiaye, a genuine spark in the final third, would be a significant boost and might be the difference between another year of treading water and something a little more ambitious.

Crystal Palace – new man, same tightrope

Last season: 15th

Crystal Palace ended last season in a haze of glory, Oliver Glasner guiding them to the Conference League title after a brief, uneasy truce with the hierarchy. Now Glasner has gone, and Pierre Sage steps into the void.

Sage arrives with serious credentials after turning Lens into Ligue 1 runners-up and French Cup winners. His style appears a natural evolution of what Glasner built, not a revolution. That should help.

Palace, though, are used to losing key players. The defence has been stripped: Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix have both departed over the past year, and Daniel Munoz could be the next to leave. Sage must rebuild a back line on the fly while trying to keep Palace competitive at home and in Europe. It is a delicate balancing act.

Sunderland – Europe and the second-season test

Last season: 7th

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League was supposed to be about survival. Instead, under Regis Le Bris, they surged into Europe on the final day, a remarkable feat for a club that not long ago was slogging through League One.

Now comes the Thursday-Sunday grind. The squad is largely unchanged. Only two senior signings have arrived: veteran right-back Thomas Meunier on a free and £25.6m left-back Dayann Methalie. It is hardly a sweeping overhaul.

The sceptics will say the squad is too thin to handle Europe and the league. Sunderland have heard that before. One major boost already: captain Granit Xhaka has turned down Chelsea to stay. His presence, and his stubborn streak, might be exactly what they need for the next step.

Nottingham Forest – chaos, upgraded

Last season: 16th

After a season that featured Nuno, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Abel Ferreira in quick succession, Nottingham Forest have turned to Oliver Glasner, the man who just won two major trophies in two-and-a-half years at Crystal Palace.

It felt like a surprise when Forest landed him, especially after he had been linked with Manchester United. In truth, it is a coup. Glasner brings pedigree, clarity and a clear system, likely reverting Forest to his favoured 3-4-3.

Elliot Anderson has gone, but Morgan Gibbs-White remains the heartbeat of the side, just as he was when he dragged them away from danger last season. Without European commitments, there is space for Forest to breathe and build. The only constant caveat is owner Evangelos Marinakis. With him, the potential for sudden drama never really disappears.

Brentford – no longer the plucky survivors

Last season: 9th

Keith Andrews’ first season in charge changed Brentford’s image. For once, they were not just the clever underdogs clinging on. They were a well-drilled, confident side that almost made it into Europe.

Brentford know exactly who they are. Set-pieces remain a weapon. Structure and efficiency underpin everything. Igor Thiago’s 22 goals last season underlined their ability to find value in the market.

This summer, club-record signing Mamadou Sangare has arrived from Lens to reshape the midfield and soften the blow of Jordan Henderson’s move to Chelsea. The pieces fit. The question now is whether Brentford can nudge from “overachievers” to permanent top-half residents.

Leeds United – from revival to ambition

Last season: 14th

From 1 December 2025 onwards, Leeds were a different team. Under Daniel Farke, their form over that stretch would have put them seventh in the table. It did not count in the standings, but it changed the mood entirely.

The summer has targeted obvious weaknesses. James Trafford has come in as a reliable first-choice goalkeeper. Harry Wilson arrives on a free from Fulham to inject more creativity. Towering centre-back Tarik Muharemovic strengthens an already solid spine.

Leeds now look up, not down. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can back up last season’s 14-goal resurgence, a push into the top half is realistic rather than fanciful.

Tottenham Hotspur – money spent, scars fresh

Last season: 17th

Tottenham survived on the final day. For a club of their size, it was a jolt that could not be ignored. The response has been emphatic: only Chelsea have spent more this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi has been backed heavily. The midfield has been ripped up and rebuilt at a cost of around £180m, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes the headline acts. At the back, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson all look smart additions.

More attacking reinforcements are expected. De Zerbi now has full control after dragging Spurs away from the drop, and a full season with his methods – without European distractions – will be compelling. It surely cannot be as bad as last year. But injuries still stalk this squad, and no amount of spending guarantees all of Tottenham’s structural issues vanish in one window.

Bournemouth – holding the line

Last season: 6th

Bournemouth’s first qualification for Europe brought a clear priority: keep the band together. Losing Andoni Iraola hurts, but the playing squad has largely stayed intact. Only Marcos Senesi has departed at the end of his contract, heading to Tottenham.

That is a win for new manager Marco Rose. The German, a disciple of Jurgen Klopp, brings a high-pressing, high-intensity style that dovetails neatly with what Iraola built. Crucially, the likes of Alex Scott, Rayan and Junior Kroupi remain, even if Kroupi will miss the start of the season after a freak foot injury in training.

Bournemouth now step into the Europa League with a coach experienced enough to guide them through unfamiliar territory. The platform is there for them to show last season was no fluke.

Aston Villa – Emery against the exodus

Last season: 4th

Aston Villa are changing again, and not entirely by choice. Emi Martinez may yet follow Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne out of the door. That is a large chunk of experience and quality from a squad that just won the Europa League.

Yet Villa’s real strength lies on the touchline. Unai Emery has already shown an uncanny knack for solving problems and reinventing his team on the fly. This summer he has started another evolution, headlined by club-record £59.5m signing Johan Manzambi, Switzerland’s World Cup breakout, and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

With a second Champions League campaign in three seasons on the horizon, Villa need their new arrivals – including on-loan winger Alejandro Garnacho – to hit the ground running. Emery, though, remains the constant. As long as he is there, Villa will feel they belong among the elite.

Liverpool – a new voice, old questions

Last season: 5th

Andoni Iraola at Anfield is an enticing prospect. A young, intense coach, a fanbase that craves high-tempo football, and a forward line featuring Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, both looking to ignite after underwhelming debut seasons. The upside is obvious.

The doubts are just as clear. The issues that dogged Arne Slot’s final year have not fully gone away. Depth is still thin in attack and at full-back. The midfield remains a concern. Jeremy Jacquet, the 21-year-old centre-back signed for £55m in January, impressed in a friendly against Como, and Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan, but Liverpool are still heavily dependent on 35-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk staying fit.

The club’s expensive pursuit of Bradley Barcola drags on, while Hugo Ekitike is sidelined for months. Iraola begins his tenure with questions swirling around him and his squad. Early goals from Isak and Wirtz would ease the tension – and buy him time.

Manchester United – Carrick’s second act

Last season: 3rd

Michael Carrick’s audition could hardly have gone better. Twelve wins from 18 league matches after replacing Ruben Amorim made United the form team in the division over that stretch. The club responded with a permanent two-year deal. Now comes the real test.

United are back in the Champions League. Last season they played just 40 games; this year the total could approach 60. Opponents will have more footage, more data, more time to work out Carrick’s patterns, while he has less time on the training ground to refine them.

Bruno Fernandes remains the talisman, the player who can elevate them from solid to dangerous. But the squad’s depth looks fragile. Midfield, in particular, needed attention after Casemiro’s departure. Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, yet there is still a sense that United are one or two players short of a genuine title push.

Chelsea – chaos, then clarity?

Last season: 10th

Stamford Bridge reached a new level of turmoil last season. Liam Rosenior lasted just three months, and Chelsea endured their worst league run since 1912. The club looked lost.

The reset has come in the form of Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool midfielder remains one of Europe’s most admired young coaches, even after his Real Madrid stint faltered, thanks to his title-winning work at Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea moved quickly to secure him.

On the pitch, Morgan Rogers is an expensive but high-quality addition. Fit-again Cole Palmer, left out of the World Cup squad and with a point to prove, could form a devastating partnership with him. Chelsea also have a rare advantage: no European football. Alonso will have time, space and authority to shape the squad.

The recruitment hints at a shift in thinking. Jordan Henderson, 36, and Danny Welbeck, 35, have arrived, a notable move towards proven Premier League experience after four years of scattergun youth signings. It suggests the owners have finally absorbed some hard lessons.

Manchester City – life after Pep

Last season: 2nd

No club faces a bigger adjustment than Manchester City. After 10 years, Pep Guardiola has gone, leaving behind a legacy of control, trophies and an unmistakable style. Now the club must reinvent itself.

Enzo Maresca steps in with a huge in-tray. City’s midfield is being ripped up. Rodri and Bernardo Silva have both departed, ending an era in the middle of the pitch. Elliot Anderson has arrived for £116m after a superb World Cup with England, and 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, another World Cup breakout, is being asked to grow up quickly.

City could yet return to Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez at £120m, a sign of how seriously they take the rebuild. Even so, this is a huge shift. Erling Haaland’s goals remain a constant, while last season’s additions Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi have strengthened the spine. City will still be in the title conversation. But for the first time in years, they are not the picture of certainty.

Arsenal – the champions with a target on their back

Last season: 1st

Arsenal enter the season as champions for the first time in more than two decades, and for once they are the benchmark, not the chasers. Arteta’s tenure, now the longest in the division, offers something no one else near the top can truly match: stability.

While others rip up squads and replace managers, Arsenal build on a title-winning platform. The stylistic upheaval at Manchester City only sharpens that contrast. The Gunners know what they are, how they play and what is expected of them.

The question is simple, and ruthless. Was last season the start of an era, or a perfect storm that will be impossible to repeat in a league this volatile? The answer will define not just Arsenal’s season, but the shape of the Premier League’s new age.