Over the summer there were nine managerial changes in the Premier League. With Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi having been appointed during the last campaign, that means that 11, or 65%, of the teams in the English top flight, started this season with a different man at the helm compared to 2025/26.
Arsenal are the only one of the big six to buck that trend, and many believe that continuity will give the Gunners the edge in the title race. Well, that and their incredible squad, that is easily the deepest in the top flight. But how did Arsenal’s rivals, those with new bosses, get on in the first round of matches?
Chelsea and Alonso Show Promise
The Gunners began the campaign as odds-on favourites to retain their title. City were next, but Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United were all priced at single-digit odds. After the first round of games and United’s 2-0 loss to Hull, many have written the Red Devils off. The Blues, however, have shortened somewhat, after an impressive attacking display against Fulham.
Alonso’s men won 3-2 at Craven Cottage in an exciting game which clearly highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the Stamford Bridge side. If the front three stay fit, they will take some stopping. Cole Palmer was awesome against Fulham and back to his very best. He scored and assisted, as did Joao Pedro, while Morgan Rogers also netted, Palmer starting off the move brilliantly.
Everyone knew that Chelsea’s attacking trio had potential but five goal involvements in a single game was quite incredible. At the other end, things were far less rosy. Fulham were able to get at the Blues all too easily and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had a shocker. Alonso may need to buy another stopper, while he also desperately needs to find a settled and solid centre-back pairing, something the club have not had for far too long.
That said, Alonso will be delighted with much of what he saw. He seems set to lose Enzo Fernandez and it is unclear who might come in, but Chelsea showed enough to suggest they could push the Gunners if one or two things click into place.
Liverpool Snatch Draw but Iraola Has Work to Do
It was an emotional affair at St James’ Park as both sides acknowledged and remembered Kevin Keegan, who died just over a month before the game. A legend with both teams, the former two-time Ballon d’Or winner would probably have been happy with a 2-2 draw. In the end, new Reds boss Andoni Iraola certainly was.
Newcastle started very brightly and looked dangerous on the break. They scored a fine counter-attacking goal after just five minutes and although the visitors gradually gained some control, it was still the home team that looked more threatening.
Liverpool equalised after 55 minutes though Cody Gakpo but the Magpies hit back two minutes later. Joe Willock’s strike looked like being the winner, but Liverpool scored a penalty in the 99th minute to pinch a point. It was soft, but the right decision, and on balance 2-2 was a fair result.
Iraola was happy to focus on the positives – that his team battled hard, kept going, got their draw and created chances. However, he needs to get the best out of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. The latter was booed loudly and constantly and should have scored, despite failing to really get into the game.
The bigger issue for the new coach is how easily Newcastle broke on them. Their pressing lacks energy and their weakness on both sides of defence was exploited several times. Additionally their squad, despite huge expenditure last summer, looks thin. They will face easier games than one at a super-charged St James’, but they have to be better than this if they are to make the top four, let alone mount a title challenge.
Maresca’s City get Out of Jail
Enzo Maresca is in his third spell with City but his first as boss, having previously taken charge at Chelsea (and Leicester). He is very much a known quantity at the Etihad though, and was a clear choice for Pep’s successor. Based on this display, not all that much has changed though.
The hosts were the better side against Bournemouth, but found themselves 1-0 down with just six minutes to play. They dominated possession, especially in the first half, but didn’t really create much. In fact, after 45 minutes, the visitors boated a superior xG and had mustered more shots on target.
To City and Maresca’s credit they were better in the second 45, despite having slightly less of the ball. They restricted the Cherries to just a single shot and were much better going forward too. On 84 minutes Marc Guehi, used in an unfamiliar holding role in midfield, headed them level. Then, in the first minute of added time, and thanks to VAR overruling the assistant referee on an offside call, they scored again.
City have already spent £116m on Elliot Anderson. They may yet pay in excess of £85m for Ayyoub Bouaddi and around £120m for Enzo Fernandez. That would seriously revamp their midfield and give Maresca’s team a real shot in the arm. We will certainly have a better idea about how the title race might play out once the transfer window close on the 1st of September.