Arsenal ruled out as Rio Ferdinand names 2025/26 Premier League contenders

Arsenal came second at the 2024/25 Premier League season but have been ruled out of the race for next season by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Liverpool were unstoppable last season as Arne Slot enjoyed a dream maiden year at the helm by guiding the Reds to Premier League glory ahead of Arsenal, who finished second for a third successive year.

Manchester City failed to cope without Rodri but rallied to finish third after falling well behind the top two midway through the campaign. Meanwhile, Chelsea under Enzo Maresca secured the fourth spot on the final day.

As clubs continue to strengthen themselves this summer, Ferdinand believes the title race for next season will be between Liverpool and Manchester City with Arsenal excempted.

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot will slug it out for the Premier League title. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

“It’s only going to be between Liverpool and Man City next season,” Ferdinand said of the title race in his latest YouTube video for ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’.

‘Arsenal might kick up a fuss for a couple of months – six months maybe – [but nothing more].

“Arsenal’s signings right now look likely to be Norgaard, who is 31 years old, Kepa, who was a reserve keeper at Chelsea, and Martin Zubimendi, but the entire fan base is crying out for a centre forward or a left winger.”

While Ferdinand is not overly enamoured with Arsenal’s transfer business to date, he is impressed with the work Liverpool have done so far this summer.

The defending champion splash out a British record deal for the signature of Florian Wirtz and substantial moves for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

He added: “I think what’s not being talked about enough is Liverpool’s ability to go and get a player that City were after, Bayern Munich were after and reportedly Real Madrid were also after. And Liverpool have come out on top in that.

“I can see it so clearly at the club right now, I can see their whole process and their vision – it’s so clear – and as a player, that’s what you want when you walk into the club and they’re pitching the project to you.

“I can imagine Wirtz coming out of that meeting with Slot and saying ‘don’t take any calls from any of those other clubs, I’m going here’.”