Why Arsenal are favorites to win the 2025/26 Premier League – Salah explains | Goose Pod

Authors: GhanaWeb

Publisher:

GhanaWeb

Published: 8/30/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Tuesday, September 2nd.

Mask

And I'm Mask. We're here to dissect a bold claim: Why Liverpool's own Mohamed Salah has crowned Arsenal the favorites to win the 2025/26 Premier League.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It's quite a statement from a top rival. Salah's main reason is the sheer consistency at Arsenal. He said, "they have a team that has played together for five to six years, so they understand each other’s game." He believes it just becomes easier for them.

Mask

Consistency isn't just a virtue; it's a brutal competitive advantage. Look at the flip side. Marcus Rashford said Manchester United is in "no man's land" because their direction is always changing. You can't win a league by constantly adapting; you win by executing a long-term, unwavering plan.

Tom Banks

And that plan under Mikel Arteta has been effective, especially against Liverpool. They haven't lost to them in the league since March 2022. Their defensive strategy is so sound that when it works, a world-class player like Salah is forced to "live off scraps," which is a huge testament to their cohesion.

Mask

Exactly. A system built over six years becomes second nature. Players react, they don't think. That's the level you need to be at to win championships. It's about minimizing variables, and Arsenal has eliminated the variable of unfamiliarity. It's a championship formula.

Tom Banks

It's a formula they've known before, but it has been a while. Arsenal has three Premier League titles, but the last one was the famous 'Invincibles' season way back in 2003-04. All three of those titles came under the legendary manager Arsène Wenger, who defined an entire era for the club.

Mask

Wenger's era was revolutionary, but history doesn't win you the next trophy. The club's journey from its founding in 1886, through the Herbert Chapman era in the 30s, and George Graham's defense-oriented titles in the late 80s and early 90s, shows a pattern of finding a visionary manager and sticking with them.

Tom Banks

That's a great point. Graham, a former player, was there for nine years and built a specific, successful identity. After some ups and downs, Wenger arrived in '96 and completely reshaped English football. He brought a new philosophy, and the club backed him for over two decades.

Mask

And now you see the same blueprint with Arteta. Six years in, just like Salah pointed out. They are building a new dynasty, not just a team for one season. The question is whether Arteta has the same ruthless edge as the managers who delivered those past titles. The foundation is there.

Tom Banks

Well, on paper, many agree with Salah. The consensus is that Arsenal's depth, tactical stability, and proven chemistry give them a slight edge. But there are counterpoints. Salah himself, for instance, is expected to miss a chunk of the season for the Africa Cup of Nations, which impacts Liverpool, not Arsenal.

Mask

But Salah also made the provocative claim that his own team, Liverpool, the defending champions, are not the favorites. That's either mind games or a brutally honest assessment of a competitor's strength. He sees their stability as a more powerful force than his own team's championship pedigree.

Tom Banks

It's fascinating because he's essentially saying, "They have what we used to have." He points to Manchester City changing a lot of players, which can disrupt rhythm. He's betting on the team that has stayed the course, the one with the most predictable, yet powerful, chemistry.

Tom Banks

And let's consider the source. This isn't just any pundit. This is Mohamed Salah—the reigning PFA Player of the Year and the Golden Boot winner from the previous season. When a player of his caliber, a direct rival, points at you and says, "You are the ones to beat," the league takes notice.

Mask

It’s the ultimate validation. It’s like a competitor in any industry admitting your process and strategy are superior. He didn't just say they're good; he gave the core reason—five to six years together. That’s a long-term investment in human capital paying off at the highest level. It creates an aura of inevitability.

Tom Banks

It absolutely does. That kind of praise from an opponent can galvanize a dressing room. It confirms their belief and adds pressure on their rivals. It shifts the entire narrative of the title race before a ball is even kicked in some of the bigger matches.

Tom Banks

But looking ahead, is that belief enough? Some analysts still feel Arsenal is a step behind a re-tooled Manchester City and, of course, Liverpool. They argue that Arsenal's choice to stand pat with their core in the past has failed them when it mattered most, letting rivals pull away.

Mask

Because there seems to be something missing. To truly dominate, you need a final, disruptive piece. There's talk of signing Viktor Gyökeres. A striker who can guarantee you 20 goals a season—that could be the final upgrade that pushes them over the top.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod.

Mask

Indeed. Salah's words have set the stage. Now, we watch to see if consistency truly is king. See you tomorrow.

## Arsenal Favored for 2025/2026 Premier League Title, According to Mohamed Salah **News Title:** Why Arsenal are favorites to win the 2025/26 Premier League – Salah explains **Report Provider:** GhanaWeb **Author:** GhanaWeb **Date of Publication:** August 30, 2025 ### Key Findings and Conclusions: Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has identified Arsenal as the favorites to win the **2025/2026 Premier League title**. He attributes this prediction to Arsenal's **consistency**, stemming from a **core squad that has played together for nearly six years**, fostering experience and cohesion. Salah also highlighted the crucial role of manager Mikel Arteta's **six-year tenure** with the club in their title aspirations. ### Supporting Evidence and Rationale: * **Squad Cohesion:** Salah stated, "they [Arsenal] are the favorites because they have a team that has played together for five to six years, so they understand each other’s game." * **Managerial Stability:** He further emphasized that "The manager has also been there for the same period. When a team is together that long, it becomes easier for them." * **Manchester City's Squad Changes:** Salah contrasted Arsenal's stability with Manchester City's situation, noting that "Manchester City are changing a lot of players, which can be tricky sometimes." While acknowledging Manchester City's perennial status as favorites under Pep Guardiola, he believes Arsenal has the edge "this year." ### Mohamed Salah's Recent Achievements: The news also mentions Salah's own outstanding performance in the **2024/2025 season**: * He won the **Golden Boot**. * He led Liverpool to the **Premier League title**. * He was named the **Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year**. ### Liverpool's Title Contention: Despite not tipping his own club as favorites for the upcoming season, Liverpool is still considered a **strong contender** to defend their crown and secure back-to-back titles. ### Other News Snippets Mentioned: The article also includes brief mentions of other football news: * Fatawu Issahaku's stunning goal in Leicester City's win over Birmingham. * Tottenham hijacking Chelsea's move to sign Xavi Simons.

Why Arsenal are favorites to win the 2025/26 Premier League – Salah explains

Read original at GhanaWeb →

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has said that Arsenal’s consistency gives them the edge over other clubs to win the 2025/2026 Premier League title. According to him, the Gunners’ core squad, which has played together for nearly six years, has gained the experience and cohesion needed to compete at the highest level.

The Egyptian star also emphasised that manager Mikel Arteta’s six-year stint with Arsenal will be crucial in their title charge. Watch Fatawu Issahaku's stunning goal in Leicester City's win over Birmingham “I’ve said this a few times today and during the PFA awards, they [Arsenal] are the favorites because they have a team that has played together for five to six years, so they understand each other’s game.

The manager has also been there for the same period. When a team is together that long, it becomes easier for them,” Salah told Sky Sports. He further noted that while Manchester City remain contenders, their recent squad changes could affect their rhythm, giving Arsenal an advantage. “Manchester City are changing a lot of players, which can be tricky sometimes.

But with Pep Guardiola, they are always favorites. However, in my opinion this year, Arsenal is number one,” he added. Tottenham hijack Chelsea's move to sign Xavi Simons Salah, who won the Golden Boot in the 2024/2025 season and led Liverpool to the Premier League title, was also named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year following his outstanding campaign.

Although he did not tip his own club as favorites, Liverpool are still considered strong contenders to defend their crown and secure back-to-back titles. Watch the interview below: