Welcome back to The Alternative Premier League Table, a new series you can enjoy on The Athletic every Thursday during the season. We all know how compelling it is to stare at standings. Whether your team is in the middle of a winning run or mired in terrible form, five minutes looking at the table can convince you…
One team has installed three rows of new seats, another has a new corner-taker and one side began the 2025-26 campaign by deliberately smashing the ball out of play. Yes, the Premier League is back and on the opening weekend we asked our reporters in addition to covering the games and the new signings to…
One swallow allegedly does not make a summer. One football match does not make club owners rush out and spend millions of pounds on new players… or does it? You may think the people who run the team you support are professional, sensible and rational. They don’t read social media, they don’t run a business…
Cristiano Ronaldo was given a hero’s welcome Tuesday as he played a pivotal role for Saudi side Al Nassr in Hong Kong — where great rival Lionel Messi became public enemy number one last year for failing to play. The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace Ronaldo got an assist in a 2-1…
The excitement generated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence in Hong Kong this week can be attributed not only to his fame but to how long fans have waited to see him play in the city. Their first opportunity to do so may also be the last, with Ronaldo now 40 years old – even if he…
Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers around, but he would struggle playing in the Premier League. That’s the view of European football expert Andy Brassell, with the Italian international of interest to Manchester City this summer. 4 Donnarumma could leave PSG despite just winning the quadruple with PSGCredit: Getty talkSPORT understands City will…
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres endured a frustrating Premier League debut at Old Trafford as the £64 million ($87m) summer signing failed to register a single shot during his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester United. The Swedish forward saw his 69-match streak of attempting at least one effort in league games come to an end during…
Shirt numbers — they shouldn’t matter that much, but they do. From new signings taking iconic numbers to youngsters being given their first jersey for the senior team, there are always notable changes before a new season. Here, The Athletic’s Premier League writers analyse how shirt numbers have changed at your club, and their significance….
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to keep digging for gold as they prepare to start their latest bid for a first Premier League title since 2004 against revamped Manchester United on Sunday. Arteta’s side have finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons, sparking criticism of their failure to get over the line…
The Premier League season is right around the corner, with the action kicking off on Friday. Reigning champions Liverpool will host a Bournemouth side that will break in a new defense under Andoni Iraola. After an active summer that has brought in five new players to the squad, will Liverpool be able to repeat as…