Grading the Premier League 'Big Six' after 10 games: Arsenal an A; Liverpool a D

The 2025-26 Premier League season has reached the 10-game mark, with the traditional "Big Six" teams—Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur—experiencing varying fortunes but all currently positioned within the top eight of the table, alongside unexpected contenders like Bournemouth in fourth and Sunderland in seventh. This phase has seen four managers fired, including Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou of Nottingham Forest, Graham Potter of West Ham, and Vitor Pereira of Wolves, while others, such as Manchester United's Ruben Amorim, face intense pressure to deliver silverware and UEFA Champions League qualification.

Arsenal leads the table with an "A" grade, showcasing strong form despite past criticism of Mikel Arteta's cautious approach, and they hold a six-point advantage as they aim to end their title drought dating back to 2004. Their success is attributed to consistency, mastery of set pieces, and a formidable defense that has conceded only three goals in ten games, with key players like Declan Rice and Gabriel performing at their peak. However, the team could improve by increasing goal output from forwards, as new striker Viktor Gyökeres leads with just four league goals, though 11 different players have scored, highlighting their threat from various areas.

Manchester United's recent match involved a VAR controversy over a corner decision, and their winning streak ended, signaling a reality check for the team. In contrast, Manchester City, positioned second with a "C" grade, is viewed as a title challenger after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, with Erling Haaland's goals potentially driving their campaign forward.