Arsenal claim title, Liverpool snatch Europa spot in dramatic finale

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, ending a 22-year wait for the club with a 1-0 victory over Brentford that sealed the title on goal difference. The Gunners’ 87 points eclipsed Liverpool’s 84, who finish second despite a 2-1 loss to Manchester United that saw Jadon Sancho’s deflected strike cancel out a 23rd-minute Alejandro Garnacho header.

Liverpool’s late collapse in Manchester left them clinging to third place, but a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in their final game ensured they leapfrogged Tottenham Hotspur on the final day. The Reds’ 79 points place them in the Champions League for 2026-27, while Spurs finish fourth on 78, consigned to the Europa League.

The drama extended to the relegation zone, where West Ham United’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion sealed their fate alongside Burnley and Wolves. The Hammers’ 36 points marked the lowest total for a relegated side in Premier League history, while Burnley’s relegation after a six-year top-flight stay was confirmed by their 3-1 loss to Fulham. Wolves, who had clung on for survival for years, finally succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

European qualification was decided in the final hours, with Aston Villa securing their first Champions League berth in 37 years. Unai Emery’s side finished fifth with 75 points, leapfrogging Brighton, who settled for the Europa Conference League. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’s side had led the fight for Europe for much of the season but fell short in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The final-day chaos wasn’t limited to the Premier League’s top and bottom. Chelsea, who had spent much of the season in the bottom half, secured a Europa Conference League spot with a 3-0 win over Everton. The Blues’ resurgence under new manager Eddie Howe saw them finish seventh with 62 points, while Everton’s 18th-place finish left them just one point clear of the drop.

The season ended with Arsenal’s emphatic title win, but the real story was the scramble for Europe. Liverpool’s late stumble handed Spurs a Europa League spot, while Villa’s fifth-place finish booked their return to the Champions League for the first time since 1989-90. The financial implications are stark: Champions League qualification guarantees at least £100 million in revenue, while Europa League clubs can expect £50 million.

1. Arsenal — Champions League group stage
2. Liverpool — Champions League group stage
3. Tottenham — Europa League group stage
4. Brighton & Hove Albion — Europa Conference League playoffs
5. Aston Villa — Champions League group stage

The Premier League’s financial disparity is widening. Clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are pulling away, while mid-table sides like Chelsea and Brighton are now fighting for European spots rather than just survival. The gap between the haves and the have-nots has never been clearer.

• 📊 The top six clubs now account for 70% of the league’s total revenue
• 🔍 Only two of the past five Premier League winners have come from outside the traditional ‘Big Six’
• ⚠️ Relegation this season saw the lowest combined points total for three relegated clubs in Premier League history

As the curtain falls on another dramatic season, the focus shifts to the summer transfer window. Arsenal, fresh off their title win, are expected to bolster their squad to compete in the Champions League. Liverpool, meanwhile, will look to recover from their final-day heartbreak and challenge for the title next season. For the relegated clubs, the challenge is rebuilding in the Championship, where financial losses will be substantial. Burnley’s relegation ends their six-year top-flight stay, while Wolves’ 12-year tenure comes to a close after a dramatic fall from grace.