Unless you were a local resident with a gaggle of Gooners on your doorstep in the early hours, May 2026 was the N5 postcode's most magical month in just about two entire decades.
Not even a Champions League final defeat on penalties to PSG could dampen spirits too much – that's the level of hangover in play from Arsenal finally winning back the Premier League title.
It has significantly altered the landscape for the club, though. To quote Fever Pitch – a novel and film about a previous Arsenal title drought ending – the clouds have parted. Mikel Arteta is no longer the protege, his side no longer the challengers. The longest-serving boss in England's top four divisions is under a very different pressure to go and win it all over again, while new managers have been installed at every other so-called ‘Big Six' outfit since last year's opening weekend. Arsenal are now the ones to beat.
Can the Gunners retain their Premier League title? FourFourTwo's 2026-27 Arsenal season preview
Fortunately, David Raya behind William Saliba and Gabriel is the hardest brick wall in the division. And, while signings are inevitable, the returns of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz from injury might prove more decisive than a flashy new purchase.
The target couldn't be clearer. Arteta's next challenge is one that even George Graham and Arsene Wenger couldn't achieve: to retain a league title. Could these street parties become an annual thing?
The Coach
For years, Mikel Arteta asked fans to trust the process – now he's essentially untouchable in the Emirates hotseat. Having ended Arsenal's title drought, he has finally stepped out from Pep Guardiola's shadow, so can he establish a dynasty with his mentor out of the way?
Key Player
As Arteta's tactical evolution shifted from technicality to physicality, Declan Rice leapt above Bukayo Saka as the face of the club. The 27-year-old is the complete midfielder – a picture of consistency, and the skipper-in-waiting should Martin Odegaard ever leave.
Last season's results
PREMIER LEAGUE: Winners
FA CUP: Quarter-final (Lost to Southampton: 2-1)
LEAGUE CUP: Runners-up (Lost to Manchester City: 2-0)
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Runners-up (Lost to PSG: 1-1, 4-3 Penalties}
Top Scorer
Viktor Gyokeres bagged 21 goals for Arsenal in all competitions last year, after signing from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
The Sweden international almost won the European Golden Boot in the Portuguese top-flight, in spite of the league's lower coefficient, then adapted well to the Premier League.
His 20+ goal haul is more likely than not to improve should Arteta continue to place faith in the bagsman.
Lessons From Last Year
Chill out. Arsenal's run-in consisted of ever-nervier 1-0s over mid-table sides, as Arteta's trauma-plagued warriors clung onto slender leads out of desperation not to throw them away.
Compare that to the Champions League, where they played with fewer expectations and blitzed their way to the final. Arsenal might express themselves more now they've broken the duck.
Most Likely To...
Court unlikely fans in the US. Anne Hathaway is a very public Leandro Trossard fan, Reese Witherspoon referenced Riccardo Calafiori on The One Show last year, and New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has name-dropped Pascal Cygan, which sounds like a punchline to something rather than a fact.
Least Likely To...
Ignore the media noise. Gary Neville has questioned Arteta's process plenty over the years, so it was a kind gesture for the Basque boss to present him with an Arsenal shirt signed “to our biggest supporter” at the end of last season. Touché… or touchy.
View From The Stands
Words by: TIM STILLMAN - @Stillberto
Last season was a grind, but also one of the best seasons that I've ever experienced, with the most beautiful ending.
This season will be different because Arsenal have tossed the monkey from their back, so it should no longer feel as though we're snipping the wires of a time bomb in every single game.
The big talking point is how we can tune up the attack a little – 71 goals is a low tally for a champion.
Our key player will be Bukayo Saka, if he's fit.
The best thing about matchdays at our ground is singing The Angel before kick-off. Arsenal always lacked an anthem and this one really works. It came about organically and unexpectedly, like all the best things in life.
Our biggest grudge match will be against Spurs, after their heroic relegation survival.
The opposition player I'd love here is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The PSG winger is the best player in the position where we most need an upgrade.
The active player I'd love to have back is the 2022 version of Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal would have won the title earlier had his knees not gone to heaven so soon after he joined the club.
This season will be different because Arsenal have tossed the monkey from their back, so it should no longer feel as though we're snipping the wires of a time bomb in every single game.
A social media account to follow is Poorly Drawn Arsenal – check him out.
The fans' opinion of the gaffer is that now Pep has gone, he's the best in the division by a distance. If he left, he should be replaced by Luis Enrique.
We'll finish in 1st place again (ole ole).
Fixtures
AUGUST
21 Coventry (H)
29 Aston Villa (A)
SEPTEMBER
5 Chelsea (H)
12 Sunderland (A)
19 Brighton (A)
OCTOBER
10 Leeds (H)
17 Nott'm Forest (A)
24 Everton (H)
31 Liverpool (A)
NOVEMBER
7 Hull City (H)
21 Newcastle (A)
28 Man City (H)
DECEMBER
2 Brentford (A)
5 Tottenham (A)
12 Bournemouth (H)
19 Man United (H)
26 Crystal Palace (A)
30 Fulham (A)
JANUARY
2 Ipswich (H)
6 Brentford (H)
16 Hull City (A)
23 Newcastle (H)
30 Man City (A)
FEBRUARY
6 Liverpool (H)
10 Ipswich (A)
20 Fulham (H)
27 Man United (A)
MARCH
3 Crystal Palace (H)
13 Chelsea (A)
20 Sunderland (H)
APRIL
10 Coventry (A)
17 Aston Villa (H)
24 Bournemouth (A)
MAY
1 Tottenham (H)
8 Leeds (A)
15 Nott'm Forest (H)
23 Everton (A)
30 Brighton (H)
Title Odds
Arsenal to win the 2026/27 Premier League title odds: 13/10
FFT Verdict
FourFourTwo verdict: Arsenal to finish 1st.
Defending a title is harder than winning it, but Arsenal will benefit from being under far less pressure this year. They have depth, nous, individual quality and coaching continuity – plus those set pieces.
