As we watched the 2025/26 Premier League campaign end on a rollercoaster ride on Sunday afternoon, we have been treated to another hugely successful season from all of England’s elite.
With Arsenal clinching their first domestic crown in more than two decades and a Champions League final fast approaching on the horizon, Spurs’ dramatic fight for survival has also stolen many headlines in recent months.
With another record-breaking campaign now officially in the history books, we’ve taken an in-depth look at some of this season’s biggest talking points.
Arsenal cements its place as England’s new model
Mikel Arteta, settling for another silver medal among England’s elite during the 2024/25 campaign and failing to secure a single piece of domestic silverware, opened the process in August more than aware that he had enormous pressure on his shoulders.
However, despite suffering public heartbreak in the FA Cup when they lost 2-0 in March, the Gunners came back strong in sensational fashion and broke many long-standing records.
By claiming their first Premier League title since 2004 and fending off Manchester City’s late attack with time to spare, Arsenal have also become the first club in top-flight history to go an entire campaign without receiving a red card or being awarded a penalty.
The Gunners, who have earned a fearsome reputation for their defensive prowess, have cemented their place as England’s new poster boy and closed out their record-breaking domestic campaign with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Arteta, crowned national champion for the first time in more than two decades, will now turn all his attention to Saturday’s trip to Budapest for their iconic Champions League showdown against reigning European champions PSG.
For the first time in 22 years, @Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy. pic.twitter.com/9WmZWEK7SG
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 24, 2026
Carrick’s sensational return to Old Trafford
While there may have been plenty of surprises across the continent when Michael Carrick made a shock return to the Old Trafford dugout on a temporary basis, Manchester United have embarked on a seismic rise under the guidance of their former midfielder.
Kicking off Carrick’s second tenure with a famous 2-0 win against arch-rivals Manchester City in January, the Red Devils have found the atmosphere at Old Trafford at its highest in recent memory.
Closing out the 2025/26 campaign with an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton on Sunday afternoon, United also finally claimed a bronze medal with plenty of time to spare.
Likewise, booking a lucrative return to the Champions League for next season, it was no surprise that Carrick’s return to the red half of Manchester was made official ahead of Sunday’s trip to the south coast and that the 44-year-old has signed a new deal.
Seeing talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes officially crowned PFA Player of the Season 2026, United fans feel they are a real title contender next year.
It’s Carrick, you know ❤️
We are delighted to announce that Michael Carrick will continue as our head coach having signed a new contract.
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 22, 2026
Guardiola says goodbye to City
Although Manchester City may have fallen short in the race to regain their Premier League crown this season, that was not the reason the Etihad was so excited on Sunday afternoon.
Despite having his hands on both the FA Cup and the Carabo Cup respectively in recent months, the iconic Pep Guardiola announced earlier in the week that he would officially end his historic decade-long spell in the blue half of Manchester.
Since arriving at the Etihad back in 2016, the Spanish tactician has established himself as one of the best managers in Premier League history and it is almost impossible to see the City hierarchy replacing Guardiola over the summer.
With confirmation ahead of Sunday’s game that the Etihad Stadium’s newly developed and expanded North Stand will be called ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’, the former Barcelona manager leaves the Premier League with a stunning record.
As well as leading City to their first Champions League crown in 2023, Guardiola claimed 17 major trophies during his sensational 10-year spell and that also includes six individual national titles.
Pep Guardiola will step down after an incredible decade as City coach
https://t.co/u84AZYY23t pic.twitter.com/QYTPARapro
– Manchester City (@ManCity) May 22, 2026
Sunderland & Bournemouth upset the establishment
Having to get through the Championship play-offs last summer, Sunderland opened their first Premier League campaign in eight years simply with their sights set on avoiding an immediate return to the second division.
However, by closing proceedings with another iconic performance at the Stadium of Light, as they claimed a 2-1 victory against English heavyweights Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, Regis Le Bris’ side also booked a notable Europa League ticket in the process.
With spirits on Tyneside at an all-time high, the Black Cats have firmly cemented their place as the Premier League’s ultimate surprise package and have a successful European adventure planned for next season.
While Andoni Iraola might have surprisingly announced last month that he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, the former Rayo Vallecano boss has written himself into Cherries folklore and leaves Vitality as a hero of the modern era.
Following in Sunderland’s footsteps and breaking a number of personal records, Bournemouth secured their respective place in the Europa League and next season’s trips to the continent will be their first ever European campaign.
And on this day in 2026, we qualify for the EUROPEAN LEAGUE https://t.co/C6kZbveEta pic.twitter.com/NzzwzbFlGg
– Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2026
