It is a bizarre time to be a football fan. Honestly, if you told me back in August that we’d be sitting here in mid-January with the table looking like this, I probably would’ve laughed you out of the pub. But here we are. It is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the current English Premier League standings are essentially a masterclass in chaos.
Arsenal are flying. Or are they? They’re seven points clear, which sounds comfortable on paper, but if you actually watched their 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest yesterday, you’d see a team starting to look a bit leggy.
The gap is wide, yet it feels paper-thin.
The Title Race: Why Arsenal Aren't Safe Yet
Everyone is talking about the seven-point lead. It’s the big number. Arsenal sits at the top with 50 points after 22 games. They’ve only lost twice all season. That’s elite. Mikel Arteta has turned them into this defensive juggernaut that just refuses to concede—only 14 goals against them so far.
But look at the chasing pack.
Manchester City and Aston Villa are both sitting on 43 points. City had a shocker this weekend, losing the Manchester derby 2-0 to United. It was one of those games where Erling Haaland—who is still a freak of nature with 20 league goals already—just couldn't find the target. Then you have Villa. Unai Emery had the chance to really put the pressure on today, but they tripped up at home, losing 1-0 to Everton.
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That Everton result is huge. It ended Villa’s 11-game winning streak at Villa Park. It’s also kinda funny how the "big teams" all decided to drop points at the exact same time.
- Arsenal: 50 points (22 played)
- Manchester City: 43 points (22 played)
- Aston Villa: 43 points (22 played)
- Liverpool: 36 points (22 played)
Liverpool is just... there. They’ve drawn six games. They look like a team that can beat anyone but also draw with anyone, evidenced by their 1-1 stalemate with Burnley on Saturday.
The Mid-Table Logjam and the European Scramble
The middle of the table is where things get really messy. You’ve got Manchester United in 5th with 35 points, closely followed by Chelsea on 34. Chelsea actually looked decent beating Brentford 2-0 yesterday, which is a relief for their fans because, let’s be real, it’s been a rollercoaster at Stamford Bridge.
Then you have the "Sunderland Factor."
Yes, Sunderland is in 9th place. They have 33 points. They are level with Newcastle and Brentford. It is wild to see a promoted side holding their own this deep into the season. Their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace yesterday wasn't just luck; they’re playing a style of football that’s genuinely annoying to play against.
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Newcastle missed a massive opportunity today. They played bottom-of-the-league Wolves and somehow came away with a 0-0 draw. Eddie Howe’s face at the final whistle said it all. They could have been breathing down the necks of the top four, but instead, they’re stuck in 8th.
The Relegation Battle: Wolves' Long Road Back
Let’s talk about the bottom. It’s grim.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are rooted to the 20th spot with only 8 points. One win in 22 games. That is a terrifying statistic. Even after their draw with Newcastle today, they are 14 points away from safety. They need a miracle, or at least a very aggressive January transfer window, to avoid the drop.
Burnley (14 points) and West Ham (17 points) occupy the other two spots in the red zone. West Ham’s fall from grace has been particularly painful to watch. They lost 2-1 to Tottenham on Saturday, and you can feel the tension rising in East London.
Nottingham Forest are the escape artists here. Sean Dyche has them organized. That 0-0 against Arsenal wasn't pretty—it was a "park the bus" masterclass—but it kept them 17th, five points clear of West Ham.
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Key Stats You Should Care About
Erling Haaland is obviously leading the Golden Boot race with 20 goals, but don't sleep on Igor Thiago at Brentford. He’s got 16. The guy is a powerhouse and probably the main reason Brentford is sitting comfortably in 7th place right now.
In the "creative" department, Bruno Fernandes is still the king of the final ball with 8 assists, but Rayan Cherki at Man City is right behind him with 7.
What Really Matters Right Now
If you're looking at the current English Premier League standings to predict the winner, you’re probably going to get it wrong. The 2025/26 season is proving that squad depth is more important than star power.
Villa is looking tired. John McGinn went off injured today after 18 minutes. They’ve sold Donyell Malen to Roma. They look thin. Arsenal has injuries too—Bukayo Saka is a massive worry after the Forest game.
The next few weeks are going to be a gauntlet. We have FA Cup ties, European restarts, and a midweek slate that will likely break a few more squads.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchweek:
- Watch the Transfer Market: Teams like West Ham and Forest are desperate for strikers. Any signing in the next 10 days could completely shift the relegation odds.
- Monitor Arsenal's Medical Room: If Saka is out for more than two weeks, that seven-point lead will evaporate. Their next big test is Manchester United on January 25.
- Don't Count Out City: They always do this. They have a mid-winter slump, everyone says the "Pep era" is fading, and then they win 12 games in a row.
- Keep an Eye on the "Others": Sunderland and Brentford are not going away. They are taking points off the "Big Six" consistently.
The table tells you where teams are, but the injury list tells you where they're going. Right now, the momentum is a fickle thing. Arsenal has the points, but City has the experience, and Villa has the hunger. It’s anyone’s guess who’s lifting that trophy in May.