The 2025-26 Premier League season concluded with dramatic finishes across England, culminating in Arsenal's first title triumph in 22 years at Selhurst Park. While Mikel Arteta's side celebrated their long-awaited success, the campaign exposed critical weaknesses at Liverpool and Chelsea that their leadership must address before next season begins.
Liverpool's Defensive Collapse and Set-Piece Failure
Liverpool's catastrophic title defence revealed a fundamental vulnerability: their inability to defend set-pieces. Coach Arne Slot inherited a squad-building strategy that fatally undermined the club's strength, with £450 million spent on summer signings that failed to integrate seamlessly. Of ten arrivals, only Hugo Ekitike delivered genuine impact before injury struck. The departure of Mohamed Salah after nine seasons symbolised the end of an era, but his critiques of the team's tactical direction reflected broader dressing room frustration.
Liverpool's set-piece coaching structure proved disastrous. Aaron Briggs, promoted from an individual development role in September, lasted only until December. This oversight proved costly across the division—data shows that champions in each of England's top four leagues all led their respective divisions in dead-ball goals. Without specialist coaching comparable to Nicolas Jover or Austin MacPhee, Liverpool haemorrhaged points from corners and free-kicks throughout the campaign.
Slot retained his job, but fan faith eroded visibly. Supporters chanted for Xabi Alonso before the FA Cup elimination to Manchester City, signalling deep discontent with defensive deficiencies and tactical inflexibility that defined a trophy-less year.
Arsenal's Breakthrough and Managerial Vindication
Mikel Arteta delivered the breakthrough Arsenal's fanbase had demanded for over two decades. The Spanish manager's tactical adjustments and squad development strategy validated the club's patient approach, silencing critics who questioned whether the project could deliver silverware.
Sunderland's European Shock and Chelsea's Collapse
Sunderland's stunning victory over Chelsea secured Europa League qualification while condemning the Club World Cup winners to zero continental football next season. This result represents one of the campaign's most damaging outcomes for Chelsea's leadership, exposing recruitment and tactical failures that must be rectified.
The 2025-26 season delivered clarity: elite teams succeed through specialist coaching, intelligent recruitment, and tactical adaptation. Liverpool and Chelsea's decision-makers face searching questions about how to rebuild, while Arsenal and Sunderland have set new benchmarks for the competition ahead.
