Arsenal sit top of the table with 24 points from nine games. Manchester City are three behind, and both clubs lost a match inside a week. The Premier League title race looks tighter than that gap suggests, and the relegation battle for 2026-27 shows how unsettled the whole division is.
Here’s why this matters. Arsenal are the reigning champions, and City have a new manager for the first time in a decade. So this piece covers the standings, the key results, the contenders and the fixtures ahead. All figures are correct as of 3 November 2026.
Where the table stands after nine games
So, start with the numbers. Arsenal have won eight of nine, with one defeat. City have seven wins and two losses for 21 points, while Brighton & Hove Albion are third on 19. Then Chelsea follow on 16, and Liverpool sit fifth on 15.
That said, the top of the table isn’t a two-horse affair yet. Brighton have six wins, one draw and two defeats, and they beat City 1-0 on 31 October. Meanwhile, Brentford are sixth on 14 points, helped by five draws. Even so, the gap between first and sixth is only ten points.
Of course, nine matches is a small sample. Arsenal have 24 points from nine games, which is a strong pace. Still, autumn leaders don’t always last until May, and 29 games remain.
A draw-heavy start helps the leaders
Here’s something that stands out. Brentford, Hull City and Leeds United each have five draws already. Because of that, the middle of the table is bunched, and few sides are pulling away. Meanwhile, Arsenal and City have turned close games into wins, which is why they’ve built a gap.
In contrast, a crowded middle can hurt challengers. Dropped points against lower sides are hard to recover. That’s the reason City’s two defeats, plus Liverpool’s three draws, now look so costly in the Premier League title race.
What a title-winning pace looks like
Now do the sums. Twenty-four points from nine games works out at 2.67 per match. If Arsenal kept that up, they’d finish on about 101 points. Because of that, nobody expects them to hold it, and the real target is lower.
For context, Arsenal won the 2025-26 title with 85 points. Liverpool took the previous title with 84. So a total in the mid-80s has been enough recently. Arsenal need roughly 61 more points from 29 games to reach 85.
On the other hand, City’s pace gives a different picture. Their 21 points equal 2.33 per game, or about 89 over a season. Brighton’s 19 points project to roughly 80. In other words, the maths still favours the top two, but not by much.
How last season set the stage
Before that, rewind a few months. Arsenal finished 2025-26 seven points clear of City, who ended on 78. They sealed the title with one game to spare, sitting on 82 points while City could only reach 81. Manchester United took third on 71, ahead of Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Because of that finish, expectations are sky-high at the Emirates. Arsenal haven’t won back-to-back league titles in more than 90 years, according to a Premier League preview. So the pressure is real, even with the form so good.
At the same time, the champions arrived this season with less change than their rivals. Arsenal are the only big-six club that began without a new full-time manager. As a result, that continuity under Mikel Arteta shows in the results, and it fits the wider pattern in our look at the longest-serving bosses and fastest sackings.
A week that tightened the Premier League title race
Last week changed the mood in the Premier League title race. First, City lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on 24 October, where Nicolas Jackson scored both home goals. Then a week later they fell 1-0 at home to Brighton. Both of City’s defeats this season came inside seven days.
Because of that, Arsenal took full advantage. They beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on 1 November to open a three-point lead. Earlier, on 18 October, a late 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest had lifted them to second. Noni Madueke scored that goal, according to match reports.
Yet Arsenal’s wins have been narrow. Both the Forest and Liverpool games finished 1-0. Tight wins can signal strong defending, but they can also hide a lack of cutting edge. As a result, fans will want to see more goals soon.
The fixtures that matter next
Arsenal host Hull City on 7 November, and City visit Nottingham Forest the same day. On 8 November, Brighton welcome Brentford, Liverpool visit Crystal Palace and Chelsea travel to Sunderland. So the chasing pack gets a busy weekend too.
Then the big one arrives. Arsenal host City at 3pm on 28 November, which could shape the table before December starts. Whoever wins that day will carry real momentum into the festive period, while the loser faces awkward questions.
Manchester City under Enzo Maresca
Now, City are in a new era. Pep Guardiola left after a decade, with six Premier League titles to his name. Because Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola, the handover felt natural, and he took over on a three-year contract. Still, winning the league in his first season would be a big statement.
Erling Haaland remains the main weapon. He won the 2025-26 Golden Boot with 27 league goals. As of 21 October he led this season’s chart with eight, and Rayan Cherki had four by matchday six. Both earn a place in our mid-season XI.
However, two losses in a week have raised questions. Specifically, City conceded against Villa, and they failed to score against Brighton. Even so, Maresca has a strong squad. For now, Arsenal own the lead.
The challengers: Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool
Brighton are the surprise package, and they sit third with 19 points and have already beaten City. Beyond that, they thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 in October. Whether they can hold that level through winter is the real question, though.
Chelsea are fourth under Xabi Alonso, who arrived in May on a four-year deal. They finished tenth last season, so this is a big step up. They beat Manchester United 2-0 on 31 October. Since there’s no European football this season, Alonso has a lighter schedule. That could help if his squad stays fit.
Liverpool are fifth, nine points behind Arsenal, under new boss Andoni Iraola. Last season they finished fifth on 60 points after a big summer spend, and Arne Slot lost his job. So Iraola inherited a squad with plenty of talent but little margin for error.
They’ve won four, drawn three and lost two. Although the Anfield defeat to Arsenal hurt, they aren’t out of it. In fact, a run of wins before Christmas would change the picture quickly. That’s why the trip to Crystal Palace on 8 November matters.
The sides chasing from further back
Brentford, Everton, Bournemouth, Tottenham and Aston Villa all sit between 12 and 14 points. Everton beat Newcastle 1-0 on 2 November to move into seventh. Spurs looked lost early, with no league goals in their first four games. Still, they’ve climbed to ninth.
Goals, strikers and the race for points
Goals, after all, often decide close races. Haaland’s eight goals as of 21 October put him well clear. Alexander Isak of Liverpool and João Pedro of Chelsea each had five, while Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Tavernier had four apiece.
That list matters for the table. City lean on Haaland more than any rival leans on one player. If he’s fit, they’ll stay close. Without him, though, their margin for error shrinks even further.
Arsenal share the load more evenly. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard all scored in the opening weeks. While that spread helps, the lack of a runaway scorer explains some of those 1-0 finishes. A sharper edge in front of goal could settle things.
Key takeaways
- Current leaders: Arsenal have 24 points from nine games, three clear of City.
- City’s wobble: Defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton came within seven days.
- Biggest result: Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on 1 November.
- Next showdown: Arsenal host City on 28 November.
- Outside chance: Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool all sit within nine points of the top.
FAQs
Who is top of the Premier League after nine games?
Arsenal lead with 24 points, three ahead of Manchester City.
Who is managing Manchester City this season?
Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
When do Arsenal play Manchester City?
Arsenal host Manchester City at 3pm on 28 November 2026.
Did Arsenal win the Premier League last season?
Yes, Arsenal won the 2025-26 title with 85 points.
Who is the Premier League top scorer this season?
Erling Haaland led the chart with eight goals as of 21 October.
Conclusion
The Premier League title race has a clear leader but no clear winner. Arsenal are three points ahead, City are wounded, and Brighton are lurking. With the 28 November meeting at the Emirates approaching, the autumn story could change fast. For now, though, the Gunners hold the advantage.
