Jeremy Cross

Jeremy Cross predicts Arsenal will retain the 2026/27 Premier League title, with Chelsea the strongest challenger, followed by Liverpool and Manchester City. Manchester United are expected to finish seventh despite their Champions League commitments, while Hull City, Ipswich Town and Fulham are tipped for relegation. Erling Haaland is the predicted Golden Boot winner, with Martin Odegaard, Bruno Fernandes, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers among the leading player-of-the-season contenders. Max Dowman is identified as a potential breakout star.

Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City is presented as evidence that Mikel Arteta’s team has developed the quality and confidence to challenge for a sustained period of success. With Manchester City losing Rodri and Pep Guardiola, Liverpool and Chelsea undergoing managerial changes, and Manchester United failing to strengthen sufficiently, Arteta is portrayed as having an unusually favourable chance to emulate or surpass Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal legacy. The column also questions Fulham’s football prospects following Marco Silva’s departure, despite the club’s new Michelin Guide-recognised stadium dining partnership.

England midfielder Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City for a reported club-record £116 million after choosing them over Manchester United. At his unveiling, Anderson praised City's dominance, winning culture and squad, declaring that City have been the “kings of Manchester.” The comments revive the rivalry between the clubs, while Anderson also discussed his admiration for Kevin De Bruyne, his rapid rise from Bristol Rovers loanee to England international, and his ambitions under manager Enzo Maresca.

Andy Burnham is urged to challenge the England & Wales Cricket Board over its decision to exclude northern venues from the next Ashes series, despite their historic significance. The column criticizes the ECB’s recent mismanagement, including handling of the Ben Stokes affair, and argues that the north–south divide in cricket remains unresolved. It also assesses the likelihood of Rodri leaving Manchester City for Real Madrid, highlighting the Spanish club’s strong pull and his accomplishments in Manchester.