The Premier League season has come to a close, and Arsenal has emerged victorious, lifting the trophy for the first time in 22 years. Arsenal secured the title in the penultimate gameweek, outpacing Manchester City. This win marks a significant event, as it’s the first time since Pep Guardiola started his managerial career in 2008 that he hasn’t won a league championship for two consecutive seasons.
On the individual front, Erling Haaland from Manchester City claimed the Golden Boot award for the third time in his four years in England, scoring 27 goals in the 2025-26 season. Brentford’s Igor Thiago was a close contender. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes dominated the Playmaker award, setting a new record with 21 assists in a single campaign. Arsenal’s David Raya secured the Golden Glove, maintaining 19 clean sheets for the third year running.
Alternative Premier League Awards
Beyond the main honors, let’s explore some unique statistics that paint a different picture of the season’s performances.
Most Improved Team: Manchester United
Manchester United took a huge leap forward, improving their points tally by 29 compared to the previous season where they finished 15th. Under Michael Carrick, United became the only team to enhance their performance by more than 12 points. Five clubs, including Newcastle and Chelsea, saw a drop of over 15 points, with Liverpool experiencing the most significant decline, falling 24 points short of last season’s total.
Most Points Dropped from Winning Positions: Newcastle United
Newcastle United struggled this season, forfeiting 27 points from winning positions. The team faced inconsistency as they balanced domestic and European competitions. Eddie Howe highlighted this shortcoming, expressing the team’s difficulty in maintaining leads. In contrast, Nottingham Forest managed to protect their leads effectively, going unbeaten in scenarios where they scored first.
Stoppage-Time Entertainers: Liverpool
Liverpool led the league in goals scored during stoppage-time, netting 10 goals while conceding 7. This trend highlighted their perseverance in matches. However, opponents like Erling Haaland and others often capitalized, scoring late against Liverpool as they pursued victories.
Set-Piece Dynamos: Arsenal
Set pieces were immensely influential in the 2025-26 season, particularly for Arsenal. With an impressive record in both attacking and defensive set pieces, Arsenal showcased their prowess by surpassing all other teams in set-piece efficiency. Manchester United excelled in attacking metrics, but Arsenal’s superior defense gave them an edge overall.
Box-Throw Bandits: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace excelled with long throw-ins as teams increasingly adopted this strategy. Of the 43 goals scored from attacking throws, Crystal Palace utilized this set-play opportunity most effectively. Despite their efforts, Brentford remains ahead with more shots from such situations.
Skewed Crossers: Spurs and Bournemouth
Tottenham and Bournemouth showed significant inclination towards particular flanks for crossing. Tottenham favored the right side, with Pedro Porro delivering the most crosses. Bournemouth leaned left due to Adrien Truffert’s contributions, highlighting the teams’ strategic focus on their preferred flanks.
Most Stable Squad: Everton
Everton displayed remarkable consistency in their squad stability, with minimal changes to their starting lineup and substitutions. Manager David Moyes prioritized a stable team core, contrasting with Chelsea’s extensive squad rotations due to managerial changes.
Most Time Spent in a Low Block: Sunderland
Sunderland’s defensive style contributed significantly to their successful season, finishing seventh and securing a Europa League spot. Their compact low block defensive formation proved effective, demonstrating their resilience and strategic discipline.
Most Entertainment Value: Bournemouth
Bournemouth delivered a thrilling season with their first European qualification. Their high-pressing style created dynamic and unpredictable matches, contributing to their appealing gameplay throughout the campaign.
Individual Awards and Highlights
- Possession Retained Under Pressure: Villa’s Ezri Konsa excelled, achieving a 94% pass completion rate under pressure.
- Most Two-Footed Player: Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki led with a balanced touching ratio, enhancing his versatility.
- Most Active Line-Breaker: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace consistently broke defensive lines, outperforming prominent midfielders.
These alternative awards showcase unique aspects of team tactics and individual player performances. The next season promises even more thrilling competitions and noteworthy achievements.