The Premier League Final Day: Arsenal Break the Drought as London Rivals Battle for Survival

The English football season has officially reached its climax, and what a breathless finale it was. From the euphoric scenes at the Emirates to the nervous nail-biting in north London and the heartbreak in the east, the 2025/2026 Premier League season delivered on all fronts. Let us look at the dramatic events at both the top and the bottom of the table.

Where Did the Usual Big Hitters End This Season?

The traditional powerhouses experienced vastly different fortunes this year. Some soared to new heights, while others plummeted into the depths of a relegation dogfight.

Here is a quick look at where the typical heavyweights finished in the 2025/2026 season:

Position	Team	Points	Status
1st	Arsenal	85	Champions
2nd	Manchester City	78	Champions League
3rd	Manchester United	71	Champions League
5th	Liverpool	60	Europa League
10th	Chelsea	52	Mid-table
17th	Tottenham Hotspur	41	Narrowly avoided relegation

The Top of the Table: Arsenal's Wait is Over

For the first time since the legendary Invincibles of 2004, Arsenal are the champions of England. The Gunners ended a 22-year drought in style, wrapping up the title before the final day and finishing with 85 points. A 2-1 final day victory over Crystal Palace was the icing on the cake, allowing the travelling fans to enjoy a stress-free afternoon of celebration at Selhurst Park.

Behind them, an era came to an end. Manchester City finished second, marking Pep Guardiola's final game in charge after a decade of unprecedented success. Liverpool also said goodbye to a modern legend, with Mohamed Salah departing after the Reds finished fifth, meaning they will have to settle for Europa League football next season. Instead, it was Aston Villa who snatched that coveted fourth spot, securing Champions League qualification.

The Bottom of the Table: London Rivals and Relegation Heartbreak

While the top of the league was decided early, the bottom of the table provided pure, unadulterated drama. The relegation battle went right down to the wire, involving a tense standoff between two London rivals: Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

West Ham started the day needing a massive favour. They had to beat Leeds United and pray that Tottenham lost to Everton. The Hammers held up their end of the bargain with a convincing 3-0 victory at the London Stadium.

However, over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs knew a draw would likely be enough to guarantee their survival. In a season that their supporters will want to forget quickly, a moment of magic from Joao Palhinha just before half-time secured a 1-0 win against the Toffees. Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham defence held firm under immense pressure, and a massive stoppage-time save from goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky sealed the three points, keeping them in the top flight by the skin of their teeth.

The final relegation standings:

• 18th: West Ham United (39 points)

• 19th: Burnley (22 points)

• 20th: Wolverhampton Wanderers (20 points)

Note: West Ham were relegated with 39 points, a tally considerably higher than the historical average of 34.5 points usually required to guarantee safety in the Premier League.

They join Burnley and Wolves in the Championship, making way for newly promoted Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Hull City to join the big time next August.

The 2025/2026 season will be remembered for its shifting power dynamics. Arsenal finally reclaimed the throne, while massive clubs like Chelsea and Tottenham found themselves fighting entirely different, unglamorous battles. Football remains brilliantly unpredictable, and that is exactly why we keep coming back for more.