As the Premier League reaches its midway point in the 2025-26 season, the unique perspective of the fans offers a compelling snapshot of hope, frustration, and expectation across the division. From the summit to the foot of the table, supporters have shared their candid assessments with The Guardian's fans' network.
Title Contenders and European Hopefuls
At the top, Arsenal supporters are "super-chuffed" with their position, highlighting defensive resilience as the foundation for their success. However, a note of caution remains, with fans urging for more consistent attacking spark to finally end their stint as "the bridesmaid" and become "the bride". The return from injury of key players like Gabriel and Havertz is deemed more crucial than any January signing.
Manchester City, after a rocky start, are now positioned strongly across all competitions. Fans are particularly impressed by how well Nico González has filled the void left by Rodri. The consensus is that City will "sneak first", especially if they can secure a scoring winger like Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in the transfer window.
Aston Villa, sitting pretty in third, are enjoying a "joyful" campaign under Unai Emery, with the form of Morgan Rogers a particular highlight. The club's remarkable ability to come from behind in away games has fostered a strong "in it together" vibe. The hope is to convert Europa League Thursdays into Champions League Wednesdays next season.
The Mid-Table Muddle and Relegation Battles
The picture is less rosy further down. Bournemouth, after a brilliant start, find themselves in a worrying spiral, with the potential departure of star man Semenyo in January looming large. Fans are pleading for manager Andoni Iraola to sign a contract extension to provide stability.
Brentford, despite a summer of significant upheaval, sit in a respectable 12th place. The goals of Igor Thiago and the performances of Michael Kayode have been revelations. However, a creative void remains following the sale of Bryan Mbeumo, leaving fans uncertain about January business.
At the bottom, the mood is grim. Wolves fan Thomas Baugh described the season as a "Hall of Fame season of failure", bluntly stating the club should have "pulled the Big Sam ripcord" instead of appointing Rob Edwards. He predicts a 20th-place finish and a record-low points tally.
Burnley, meanwhile, cling to hope. Supporters believe they have the players to survive but are frustrated by Scott Parker's overly pragmatic approach. The universal cry is for a proven goalscorer, with Jamie Vardy cited as a missed opportunity.
Managerial Pressure and January Needs
Managerial satisfaction varies wildly. Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery receive widespread praise, while Chelsea's Enzo Maresca causes division with his relentless tinkering, despite a top-four position. At Tottenham, apathy reigns, with fans describing the club as "inherently broken" and caught in an "infinite loop" of failed projects.
The January wish lists are as diverse as the league table. Liverpool seek defensive reinforcements, eyeing moves for Marc Guéhi and Daniel Muñoz. Manchester United crave a commanding midfielder like Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. Newcastle, plagued by injuries, desperately need defensive cover, and West Ham simply require a reliable striker after years of expensive flops.
From the comedic – a Fulham fan dressed as the Grinch or Donald Trump gatecrashing Chelsea's trophy lift – to the dramatic, the first half of the season has provided ample talking points. As the transfer window opens, every club's ambitions, from title dreams to survival hopes, now hinge on their next moves.
