Premier League Season Grades: Arsenal Earns Top Marks, Chelsea Faces Scrutiny

The Premier League season has drawn to a close, with all the crucial battles for the title, European qualification, and relegation safety now settled. As clubs turn their attention to the summer transfer window and upcoming international tournaments, The Athletic’s team of journalists has delivered their final verdict on the campaign, assigning end-of-season grades to each of the 20 clubs.

Arsenal’s Title Triumph

After three consecutive seasons finishing as runners-up, Arsenal’s overarching objective for this campaign was clear: to finally lift the Premier League trophy. This victory is not just significant for the current season but also for the club’s history, marking their first league title in 22 years. While their attacking flair may not have been as consistently dazzling as in previous years, the team’s robust defensive structure and innovative approach to set pieces proved to be the bedrock of their successful title charge. The ability to secure the championship despite enduring a significant number of injuries across the squad further underscores their achievement. Manager Mikel Arteta’s strategic recruitment last summer, focusing on squad depth as much as quality, proved to be a masterstroke.

Aston Villa’s European Double

Aston Villa has experienced what is arguably their least convincing season performance-wise under Unai Emery, reflected in their lowest points tally during his tenure. Their form was inconsistent, leading to frustrating periods of passive play. However, defying concerns about squad depth and strength, Villa managed to secure Champions League qualification and clinch the Europa League title. These results represent an outstanding outcome for the club, exceeding many expectations.

Bournemouth’s Remarkable Rise

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for European competition for the first time in their club’s history, all while undergoing significant squad changes. The departure of three key defenders and their goalkeeper in the summer, followed by the sale of their best attacker in January, could have easily derailed their season. Instead, the team not only maintained their performance levels but demonstrably improved, securing a remarkable sixth-place finish. The seamless integration of new signings such as Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen, coupled with Iraola’s astute management, points to effective succession planning at the club. Their only blemish, preventing an A* grade, was narrowly missing out on Champions League football, a testament to the exceptionally high standard they have now set for themselves.

Brentford Defy Doubts

Many observers predicted that this season would see Brentford’s consistent upward trajectory falter. However, rookie head coach Keith Andrews, who previously overseen their set-piece strategy, managed to silence the doubters. Despite the sales of influential players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard, new recruits including Igor Thiago, Dango Ouattara, and Jordan Henderson stepped up effectively. A challenging six-game winless streak across March and April notably hampered their momentum and ultimately prevented them from reaching Europe for the first time. Nevertheless, their overall performance is considered to have exceeded expectations.

Brighton’s Mixed Campaign

While Brighton’s points total may have decreased compared to the previous season, a deeper look reveals a more complex picture. The club encountered more recruitment misses than is typical for them, and key players such as Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma struggled with form or were affected by injuries. Manager Fabian Hurzeler, still relatively new to top-flight management at 33, impressively navigated the team through a difficult winter period. Their recovery from a slump that saw them win only one league game in 13 and drop to 14th place, culminating in qualification for the UEFA Conference League, highlights their resilience.

Burnley’s Relegation Woes

Promoted Burnley entered the season with aspirations of building on lessons learned from their previous Premier League campaign in 2023-24, which resulted in relegation under Vincent Kompany. Under Scott Parker, the team adopted a more pragmatic style of play, and initial positive signs quickly dissipated. A solitary victory after October against Wolves was followed by a prolonged dismal run of form, ultimately leading to their second relegation. The squad was perceived to lack sufficient quality, and Parker’s tactical approach was widely considered ineffective. Their inability to defeat already-relegated Wolves at home on the final day meant Burnley finished the season with an even lower points total than their previous relegation campaign.

Chelsea’s Disappointing Season

Chelsea’s season was largely defined by disappointment and instability, with significant off-field upheaval profoundly impacting their on-field performance. The departure of Enzo Maresca in January and the subsequent appointment of Liam Rosenior proved to be an ill-fated decision. With Calum McFarlane serving two stints as interim manager, the club struggled to establish any consistent footing. An investment of over £100 million in new signings, including Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho, failed to yield the desired impact. The initial expectation of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-five finish was effectively extinguished by a devastating run of six consecutive league defeats across March, April, and May. Player criticism of the hierarchy, fan protests, and a seventh successive FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City further compounded a deeply unsatisfactory campaign for the London club.

Season Performance Summary

• Arsenal: A | Premier League Title | Injuries
• Aston Villa: A | Champions League, Europa League | Inconsistent form
• Bournemouth: A | European Qualification | Missed Champions League
• Chelsea: E | None | Managerial instability, poor signings

This comprehensive review of each Premier League club’s season offers valuable insights for supporters and analysts alike, illuminating the triumphs, setbacks, and underlying narratives that shaped the 2025-26 campaign. Understanding these performances is crucial for evaluating team strategies, player development, and the competitive dynamics of the league.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7306608/2026/05/26/premier-league-end-of-season-grades/