Arsenal is basically making everyone else look like they’re playing in slow motion right now. If you've been watching the 2025-26 Premier League season, you know the table doesn't always tell the whole story, but the power rankings premier league certainly do. As of mid-January 2026, Mikel Arteta’s squad has carved out a massive lead at the top. They aren't just winning; they’re suffocating teams.
With 49 points from 21 games, they’ve only lost twice. That’s absurd consistency. But power rankings aren't just about the points you’ve already banked. They're about momentum, injury crises, and who’s actually playing well right now. While Arsenal sits pretty, the rest of the league is a chaotic mess of underperforming giants and surprising overachievers like Aston Villa and Brentford.
The Top Five: Who Actually Has Momentum?
Honesty time: Manchester City looks mortal. It’s weird to say, but Pep Guardiola’s side is struggling with a defensive identity crisis. They’ve conceded 21 goals already—which is high for them—and the gap between them and Arsenal is growing. Here is how the top of the power rankings premier league actually shakes out if you ignore the historical bias.
Arsenal is the undisputed number one. They have the best defense in the league, conceding only 14 goals. With players like Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi controlling the middle, they just don't let you breathe.
Aston Villa is arguably the biggest story of the season. Unai Emery has them tied with City on 43 points. They’ve been historic. Seeing them consistently beat "Big Six" teams isn't a fluke anymore; it’s the standard.
💡 You might also like: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
Manchester City stays third purely on talent. Erling Haaland is still a freak of nature with 20 goals already, but the injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias have left them exposed. They feel vulnerable in a way we haven't seen in years.
Liverpool is fourth, but they're hurting. The loss of Alexander Isak to a broken leg and Mohamed Salah being away at AFCON has gutted their clinical edge. They’re surviving on grit and Virgil van Dijk’s leadership, but they aren't "flowing."
Brentford rounds out the top five. Thomas Frank is a wizard. Despite a torn ACL for Fabio Carvalho, they are sitting fifth in the table. They lead the league in penalties awarded, which tells you how much they're harassing defenders in the box.
Why the Middle of the Pack is Lying to You
You look at the table and see Manchester United in 4th or 5th depending on the day, but the eye test? It’s rough. They’ve drawn eight games. Eight! They’re the "draw kings" of 2026. While they have a decent defensive record, they can't seem to kill games off. Bruno Fernandes is doing the heavy lifting with 8 assists, but the lack of a consistent secondary scorer is killing their power ranking.
📖 Related: AC Milan vs Bologna: Why This Matchup Always Ruins the Script
Then there's Chelsea. It’s a bit of a disaster at Stamford Bridge. Liam Rosenior is dealing with a literal viral outbreak at the club. They’ve won exactly one of their last nine matches. If these rankings were based solely on the last 30 days, Chelsea would be flirting with the relegation zone. They’re currently 8th, but that feels like a lie. They are a team in freefall, hoping the return of Reece James can save their season.
The Sunderland Surprise
Can we talk about Sunderland? Back in the big time and sitting in 10th. They have the third-best defense in the league. Think about that. A promoted side is out-defending almost everyone. Granit Xhaka—yes, that Granit Xhaka—is pulling the strings there with 5 assists. They are the "tough out" of the 2026 season. If you’re a top-four hopeful, a trip to the Stadium of Light is basically a scheduled headache.
Injury Crises Shifting the Power Rankings Premier League
Injuries are the invisible hand that moves these rankings every week. You can't talk about the power rankings premier league without mentioning the medical room.
- Newcastle United: They are decimated. Fabian Schar, Dan Burn (broken rib), and Tino Livramento are all out. Their defense is a revolving door right now, which is why they’ve slipped to 7th.
- Manchester City: Missing their core. When Stones and Dias are out, City has to outscore their problems. It’s a risky way to live.
- Crystal Palace: They’ve suffered a massive drop recently. Missing nine senior players including Eddie Nketiah and Jefferson Lerma. It’s impossible to maintain form with that many holes in the squad.
The Relegation Scrap: Who is Actually Dead?
Wolves are in deep trouble. One win in 21 games. That’s not just a bad run; that’s a collapse. They’ve conceded 41 goals and only scored 15. The math just doesn't work. Even West Ham and Burnley, who are both struggling on 14 and 13 points respectively, look like they have more "fight" in them than Wolves.
👉 See also: 49ers vs Chargers Super Bowl: What Most People Get Wrong
The power rankings for the bottom of the table usually favor teams that can at least scrape a draw. Right now, Nottingham Forest (17th) and Leeds United (16th) have enough individual quality to stay up. Leeds has Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding some form with 9 goals, which might be the only thing keeping them out of the bottom three.
Actionable Insights for Following the Season
If you’re tracking the power rankings premier league for the rest of the 2026 season, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the AFCON Return: Teams like Liverpool and Arsenal are missing key players to international duty. The week they return usually sees a massive "power spike" in performance.
- Expected Goals (xG) vs. Reality: Manchester United has a high xG but a low actual goal count. Eventually, that usually corrects itself—either they start scoring or the manager gets fired.
- The February Pivot: Historically, this is where Man City goes on an 11-game winning streak. If they don't do it by the first week of February, the title belongs to Arsenal.
- Defensive Solidity: Sunderland and Arsenal are the teams to watch for "clean sheet" bets or fantasy assets. They aren't just lucky; their tactical setups are genuinely superior this year.
The 2025-26 season is proving that money doesn't always buy stability. Arsenal’s project has peaked at the perfect time, while the traditional "Big Six" are mostly tripping over their own shoelaces.
Monitor the next three matchdays closely. If Arsenal beats Nottingham Forest and City continues to drop points without Gvardiol, the title race might be over before March. Keep an eye on the injury updates for Reece James and William Saliba; those two players alone can swing a team’s power ranking by five spots.