Nine matches into the 2026/27 Premier League season, Arsenal have established themselves as the team to catch.
The defending champions sit top with 24 points after winning eight of their opening nine games, meaning they are the odds on favourites with this bitcoin sportsbook. Manchester City are three points behind, Brighton & Hove Albion are five points off the lead and the traditional challengers below them have already been forced into recovery mode.
Chelsea are eight points behind Arsenal. Liverpool trail by nine. Tottenham Hotspur are 12 points off the pace, while Manchester United’s disastrous start has left them 17 points behind the leaders.
There are still 87 points available to every club, so it would be premature to declare the race over. However, the combination of Arsenal’s defensive strength, City’s recent vulnerability and the growing distance to the chasing group has given the season a recognisable shape.
The most likely outcome is a contest between Arsenal and Manchester City, with Brighton attempting to remain close enough to take advantage if both falter.
The Premier League table after nine matches
The leading positions currently look like this:
Arsenal: 24 points, goal difference +9
Manchester City: 21 points, goal difference +10
Brighton & Hove Albion: 19 points, goal difference +17
Chelsea: 16 points, goal difference +4
Liverpool: 15 points, goal difference +2
Brentford: 14 points, goal difference +7
Everton: 13 points, goal difference 0
Bournemouth: 12 points, goal difference +1
Tottenham Hotspur: 12 points, goal difference 0
Aston Villa: 12 points, goal difference -3
The table already contains several significant gaps.
Arsenal are three points ahead of City, five clear of Brighton, eight above Chelsea and nine in front of Liverpool. The difference between first and fifth is therefore greater than the difference between Liverpool in fifth and Crystal Palace in 17th.
That does not make the race a foregone conclusion. It does mean Chelsea and Liverpool are approaching the stage at which an extended winning sequence is required rather than merely desirable.
Arsenal have…
..
