The Premier League race is heating up, and once again, Arsenal find themselves leading the charge in 2025. After topping the calendar year table in 2024, Mikel Arteta’s men are proving that last year’s dominance was no fluke. The Gunners have been relentless, setting the pace at the summit and holding off fierce competition from Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal’s Strong Start to 2025

Unlike last season, where Manchester City seemed destined for yet another league title, this campaign has been a different story. Pep Guardiola’s men have struggled to find consistency, making it unlikely they will secure a record-breaking fifth consecutive Premier League trophy. That has left Arsenal and Liverpool as the two standout contenders, with both clubs remaining unbeaten in 2025.

Liverpool, now led by Arne Slot, have looked formidable but have shown slight cracks. A frustrating home draw against Manchester United and two dropped points away at a surprisingly strong Nottingham Forest have kept them from overtaking Arsenal. However, their consistency has ensured that the title race remains neck-and-neck.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been clinical. They kicked off the year with a convincing 3-1 away win against Brentford and have continued their fine form. While they have played one game more than Liverpool, the Gunners hold a slender three-point advantage at the top of the table. That lead could evaporate, though, if Liverpool win their rescheduled Merseyside derby against Everton.

Shock Surprises and Underwhelming Struggles

Beyond the top three, the Premier League has been full of surprises. Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace have emerged as unexpected European contenders, making a strong case for potential Champions League qualification. Nottingham Forest, in particular, have stunned many with their resilience and ability to snatch points from title challengers.

On the other end of the spectrum, Everton began the year in turmoil, languishing near the relegation zone. However, the return of David Moyes has injected new life into the Toffees. Under his guidance, they have secured three consecutive victories, collecting more points than traditional powerhouses such as Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Tottenham in 2025 so far.

Speaking of struggles, Manchester United and Tottenham have been alarmingly poor. United currently sit in 13th place, while Spurs have plummeted to 17th, barely hovering above the relegation zone. Tottenham’s injury crisis has played a major role in their slump, but their recent form—losing four of their last five league matches and crashing out of both domestic cup competitions—has placed significant pressure on Ange Postecoglou. If things don’t turn around quickly, his position as manager could be in serious jeopardy.

At the very bottom, newly promoted Ipswich Town are beginning to resemble last year’s Luton Town. Despite showing plenty of fight early in the season, their results have taken a nosedive. They have only managed to secure one point from a possible 15 in 2025 and remain the only Premier League side yet to register a victory this year.

The Road Ahead

As the season progresses, the battle for the Premier League title is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Arsenal and Liverpool. With both teams showcasing impressive form and resilience, every single match could prove decisive. Manchester City, though not completely out of the picture, will need a near-perfect run to stand any chance of defending their crown.

Meanwhile, the fight for European spots and the looming relegation battle will add further drama to the final months of the campaign. With shock contenders rising and struggling giants faltering, 2025 is proving to be one of the most unpredictable Premier League seasons in recent memory.

One thing is certain: Arsenal have positioned themselves in an excellent spot to reclaim domestic glory. But with Liverpool breathing down their necks, the journey to the finish line promises to be anything but straightforward.

Manchester United have reportedly reached an “agreement” to send Brazilian midfielder Casemiro out on loan in what is being described as a “very risky business” deal. The former Real Madrid star, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 for a hefty fee of £60 million plus £10 million in add-ons, could now be heading for the exit.

Initially brought in as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong, Casemiro was seen as a statement signing for the Red Devils. Despite skepticism surrounding his age and the club’s heavy investment in him, the experienced midfielder silenced his critics with an impressive debut season. However, his performances have dipped significantly since then, raising concerns about his long-term role at United.

Falling Out of Favor and a Potential Exit

Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, Casemiro has slipped down the pecking order, finding himself an unused substitute in nine of United’s last eleven Premier League games. Given his status as one of the club’s highest earners, United are eager to offload the veteran midfielder and free up wage space.

While a move to the Saudi Pro League seemed like a likely destination, nothing materialized before the region’s January transfer window closed. However, with Brazil’s transfer window open until February 28, there’s still time for Casemiro to secure a move back to his homeland.

According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, Flamengo have shown interest in the midfielder. “I can assure you that Flamengo investigated the player’s situation in the last few days. The English club agree to loan him and help with part of his salary. [Manager] Filipe Luis would love to count on Casemiro,” Nicola reported. However, he also acknowledged the financial risks involved, noting that even with United covering a large portion of his wages, the deal remains an expensive undertaking for Flamengo.

Amorim’s Bold Risk-Taking Approach

United’s handling of Casemiro’s situation reflects their broader transfer strategy under Amorim, who recently acknowledged the risks he’s taking in reshaping the squad. “We are taking that risk that you talk about because we want a different thing in our team, and we want different profiles,” the Portuguese manager said.

Amorim admitted that making tough decisions mid-season without bringing in reinforcements is a gamble, but he remains committed to his vision. “I know when I choose this profession that you have the risk of the results. I already knew when I came here, I looked at the schedule, I looked at the team, and I understood that my decision of changing everything, taking these hard decisions in the middle of the season without new signings, it’s a danger for the coach. But since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because, in the end, I think it’s going to pay off.”

A Necessary Move or a Costly Gamble?

Casemiro’s potential exit raises several questions. Is United right to move on from him so soon? Will Flamengo be able to afford and fully utilize a player of his caliber? Most importantly, will this decision ultimately benefit United as they continue their rebuild under Amorim?

One thing is certain: the club’s transfer dealings continue to be a talking point, and Casemiro’s future will be closely watched in the coming days. Whether this move turns out to be a masterstroke or a costly mistake remains to be seen, but for now, it appears United are taking yet another bold step in reshaping their squad.

Celtic Football Club once again showcased their incredible attacking prowess, leaving Raith Rovers reeling after a resounding 5-0 victory in the Scottish Cup. It was a night to remember for the Hoops and a tough lesson for Barry Robson’s side, who found out the hard way just how ruthless Brendan Rodgers’ men can be.

Celtic’s Firepower Too Much to Handle

From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear that Celtic meant business. Within just six minutes, Daizen Maeda had already found the back of the net, sending a clear message that Raith Rovers were in for a long evening. Robson had explicitly warned his players to “not lose an early goal,” but Celtic had other ideas.

Maeda, who has now bagged three hat-tricks in the past 12 months, was in unstoppable form. His clinical finishing, combined with goals from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-jun in the second half, sealed an emphatic win for the Scottish giants.

For Raith Rovers, it was always going to be an uphill battle, but to their credit, they showed resilience. Speaking after the match, Robson admitted that despite the early setback, his team tried to grow into the game. “It rocked us a wee bit, but after that, I thought we settled down and showed good character,” he said. “We had a few chances, a few transitions.”

A Harsh Reality Check for Raith

No one expected an easy ride against Celtic, but Robson acknowledged just how challenging the task was. “They beat a Scottish Premier League team three days ago by 6-0,” he pointed out. “And that’s a team with probably three or four times the budget we’re on.”

The gulf in quality was evident, and the Raith boss was quick to praise his players and the traveling supporters. “They kept fighting, they really did, and a big help with that was the fans. We needed them there today because this Celtic side can beat teams by six, seven, or eight-nil.”

Robson admitted he wished he could have given the fans more to cheer about, but Celtic’s blistering speed and clinical finishing made that a near-impossible task. “I would have loved to have given the fans a wee bit more, but you could see that when we did go out and try to press and went for it, you could see the speed Celtic have going the other way.”

His side did their best to contain the onslaught, but against a team of Celtic’s caliber, there’s only so much you can do. “If we hadn’t lost those goals at crucial times, we might have tried to make it a bit closer,” he reflected. “I just think we deserved a wee bit more.”

‘You Can’t Go Chasing Celtic’

Robson’s game plan was clear contain Celtic and try to keep things tight. But executing that plan against a team bursting with attacking flair is easier said than done. “I think the game plan went fine because you can’t go chasing Celtic,” he admitted. “You can see the speed they’ve got at the top end of the pitch, so you could lose countless amounts of goals.”

Raith Rovers did have moments where they could have kept possession better, but as Robson explained, “It’s difficult when you’re chasing the game.” In truth, Celtic’s relentless pressure and sheer quality made it nearly impossible for Raith to gain any real foothold in the match.

Despite the heavy defeat, Robson remains optimistic about his side’s performances. He knows his team is up against financial and quality limitations, but their fighting spirit was evident. Now, their focus shifts back to the league, where they must bounce back against Partick Thistle.

For Celtic, the journey in the Scottish Cup continues. The draw for the quarter-finals will reveal their next opponent, and if this performance was anything to go by, whoever faces them will need to brace themselves for a battle.

As for Raith Rovers, they leave Glasgow with a valuable learning experience and a clear understanding of just how unforgiving the top teams can be. They might not have won the match, but they certainly earned respect for their effort.

For now, one thing is certain Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are a force to be reckoned with, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.