As the summer sun sets on the 2025 pre-season, the English Premier League is poised to ignite once more. A busy transfer window and a series of high-profile friendlies have given fans a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come in the 2025/2026 season. TheRoundTable has done a comprehensive look at how the major clubs have fared and a forecast of who to keep an eye on as the campaign gets underway.

Arsenal: A Strengthened Squad and Renewed Hope

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has had a purposeful pre-season, focused on integrating new signings and sharpening their attack. The arrival of striker Viktor Gyökeres is the headline, and he wasted no time in making his mark, scoring a crucial goal in the Emirates Cup final against Athletic Club. The Swedish forward's physicality and goalscoring instinct seem to be the missing piece of the puzzle for a team that has finished as runners-up for three consecutive seasons.

The addition of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard in midfield, alongside Declan Rice, has created a solid and dynamic engine room. While a 1-0 loss to fierce rivals Tottenham and a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal were minor setbacks, the overall feeling is one of optimism. Arsenal appears to have addressed key weaknesses and are a team that looks ready to finally challenge for the title.

Liverpool: A New Era Under Arne Slot

The biggest change on Merseyside is, of course, the appointment of Arne Slot as manager. The pre-season has been a period of transition, with Slot implementing his tactical philosophy. The focus has been on high-intensity pressing and dynamic full-backs, a system that, at times, has left the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. However, the attacking displays have been encouraging, with new signings like Hugo Ekitike and promising youngster Ngumoha showing great potential. Ekitike, in particular, has impressed with his technical quality and goalscoring instincts.

The departure of Jarell Quansah has left a gap in the defense, a concern Slot will need to address. Despite some mixed results, the Reds have shown they are adapting to the new manager's methods and are a formidable force going into the new season, with a point to prove as defending champions.

Manchester City: A Season of Change and Adaptation

After a season that saw them lose their Premier League crown, Manchester City is in a period of adjustment. The departure of club legend Kevin De Bruyne and an underwhelming previous campaign has left some uncertainty. The pre-season has seen Pep Guardiola's side focused on integrating new talent like Rayan Aït-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders.

While their pre-season schedule was disrupted by their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, the squad's depth and quality remain undeniable. The challenge for City will be to re-establish their dominance and find a new creative hub in midfield. They will be hungry to reclaim the title, and under Guardiola, they can never be counted out.

Chelsea: A Short But Promising Pre-Season

Chelsea's pre-season was significantly shorter than most, thanks to their successful Club World Cup campaign. This may leave them playing catch-up in terms of fitness and tactical preparation. However, their 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen showed glimpses of what they are capable of. The young and exciting Estevao impressed on his debut, showcasing why the club invested so heavily in him.

With a deep and talented squad, Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, will be looking to build on their strong finish to the last season. The challenge will be to maintain harmony and continuity, as they juggle the demands of Champions League football and their pursuit of domestic glory.

Manchester United: A Mixed Bag of Results

Under new manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United has had a pre-season of experimentation and mixed results. While the team showed promising signs in victories over West Ham and Bournemouth, draws against Everton and Fiorentina highlighted areas for improvement. New signings like Cunha and Leon have impressed, but the team still seems to be in search of a consistent goalscorer, despite the highly-anticipated arrival of Benjamin Sesko.

The big question mark is where Bruno Fernandes will fit in, with Amorim experimenting with him in a deeper role. The pre-season has shown that United has talent but is still a work in progress as they look to build a cohesive and winning team.

Tottenham Hotspur: Facing New Challenges

Tottenham's pre-season has been overshadowed by the departure of club legend Son Heung-min and a long-term injury to James Maddison. New manager Thomas Frank faces a monumental task in rebuilding the team's attack. The arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham is a positive step, but the team will need more creative firepower to fill the void left by their two key players.

A 1-0 win over Arsenal was a notable highlight, but a heavy 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich raises concerns about their defensive solidity. Frank has a big job on his hands, and the pre-season has shown just how challenging the new season will be for Spurs.

Newcastle United: A Pre-Season of Frustration

Newcastle's pre-season has been less than ideal. They have gone an entire pre-season without a win, with losses to Celtic, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid. While some key players have performed well, the team's inability to secure a victory has been a cause for concern for Eddie Howe.

The absence of wins, coupled with a series of draws, has raised questions about their readiness for the new season. They will need to turn things around quickly to compete for a European spot.

The Clubs to Watch in the 2025/2026 Season

Based on their pre-season performances, transfer business, and overall squad strength, here are the clubs to watch closely during the upcoming Premier League season:

Liverpool: As the defending champions, all eyes will be on Liverpool. The transition to a new manager is a significant challenge, but the team's fluidity and attacking firepower have been on display. With a few key defensive additions, they are a formidable force and the team to beat.

Arsenal: This could finally be Arsenal's year. The signings of Gyökeres, Zubimendi, and others have addressed long-standing issues. The squad looks stronger, more balanced, and hungrier than ever. They have the momentum and the personnel to go all the way.

Chelsea: Despite a short pre-season, Chelsea's squad depth and individual talent are undeniable. The Club World Cup triumph will have boosted their confidence, and they will be looking to build on their strong finish to last season. With a new manager in place and a plethora of attacking options, they are a strong contender for a top-four spot and could even challenge for the title.

Manchester City: While they are in a period of transition, you can never write off a Pep Guardiola team. Their squad is still packed with world-class talent, and their desire to reclaim the title will be immense. They are a team that will likely get stronger as the season progresses.

Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace's pre-season has been impressive, with several positive results. Under a new manager, they have the potential to be the season's surprise package. They have a talented squad and could challenge for a spot in Europe.