The current Premier League season has seen all of the traditional ‘big six’—Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United—face each other at least once. As the first few months of the 2025-26 season unfold, it’s time to analyze which of these football giants is emerging victorious in these crucial encounters.
Last season, Liverpool established itself as the dominant force in these high-stakes matchups, largely due to their ability to seize key moments. Their successes included completing a league double over Manchester City and securing draws against title rivals Arsenal, which played a significant role in their championship run.
However, after clinching the title with a stunning 5-1 defeat of Tottenham, Liverpool faced a setback. A celebratory week was interrupted by a 3-1 loss to Chelsea, marking their first defeat to a top-six team in nearly an entire season.
The Reds began the 2025-26 campaign impressively, winning their first five matches, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Arsenal. Yet, their fortunes abruptly changed with disappointing losses to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City, alongside surprising defeats to mid-table clubs like Crystal Palace and Brentford. They managed to redeem themselves slightly with a goalless draw against Arsenal in the return fixture, but their earlier inconsistencies have pushed them far from title contention.
Arsenal: A Rollercoaster Ride
Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Anfield, courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick, meant the end of their remarkable 22-match unbeaten run against their fellow elite sides, which included 13 wins and 9 draws. Earlier in the season, the Gunners secured a pivotal 1-0 victory over Manchester United, showcasing their potential.
Despite this setback, Mikel Arteta’s side has launched an impressive title challenge, regularly battling through the rest of the league even as they dropped points against their immediate competitors. Their strong performances against lesser teams have provided them with a six-point cushion over Manchester City, despite both teams having similar records in their encounters with one another.
Manchester City and Arsenal: Parallel Paths
Both Arsenal and Manchester City have had a rather lackluster record in their ‘big six’ clashes thus far. Each team has managed to win only two of their seven encounters in this season’s league, highlighting a surprising downturn for the defending champions.
While Arsenal has capitalized on more consistent performances against lower-ranked teams, Manchester City has found itself in a peculiar position. They’ve achieved significant victories but also struggled against their domestic rivals, failing to command the same respect they garnered last season.
Manchester United: A Turnaround
In contrast, Manchester United, under the guidance of Michael Carrick and newly appointed Ruben Amorim, has enjoyed a resurgence in form. They’ve secured impressive wins against top-tier teams, including Liverpool and Arsenal. However, they still face hurdles in their quest for the title, hampered by inconsistency against lower-tier teams.
This performance stands in stark contrast to the previous season, where the Red Devils struggled dramatically and finished with the worst record in high-stakes encounters.
Chelsea’s Mixed Results
Chelsea’s performance in these marquee matchups has been somewhat mixed but notably better than in previous seasons. Their only loss came against Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite a solid showing otherwise. They have additional challenges as they prepare for crucial return fixtures against all key rivals.
Tottenham’s Struggles
On the other hand, Tottenham has recorded the poorest results among the big six, averaging less than a point per game in these encounters. Their ability to grab points from Manchester City has provided a silver lining, positioning them as a potential thorn in the champions’ side.
Current ‘Big Six’ Standings
Let’s take a closer look at how the ‘big six’ have fared against one another so far in the 2025-26 season, ranked by points-per-game:
1. Manchester United
Played: 7
Won: 4
Drawn: 1
Lost: 2
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 10
Goal difference: +1
Points: 13
Points Per Game: 1.86
2. Chelsea
Played: 5
Won: 2
Drawn: 2
Lost: 1
Goals For: 6
Goals Against: 5
Goal difference: +1
Points: 8
Points Per Game: 1.60
3. Manchester City
Played: 7
Won: 2
Drawn: 3
Lost: 2
Goals For: 10
Goals Against: 8
Goal difference: +2
Points: 9
Points Per Game: 1.28
4. Arsenal
Played: 7
Won: 2
Drawn: 3
Lost: 2
Goals For: 9
Goals Against: 7
Goal difference: +2
Points: 9
Points Per Game: 1.28
5. Liverpool
Played: 6
Won: 2
Drawn: 1
Lost: 3
Goals For: 5
Goals Against: 8
Goal difference: -3
Points: 7
Points Per Game: 1.17
6. Tottenham
Played: 6
Won: 1
Drawn: 2
Lost: 3
Goals For: 8
Goals Against: 11
Goal difference: -3
Points: 5
Points Per Game: 0.83
As the season progresses, the dynamics within the ‘big six’ will undoubtedly shift. Each club’s ability to reclaim consistency and assert dominance in their matchups against one another will be crucial in shaping the title race. With unexpected turns of form and fierce competition for points against all opponents, fans can expect an exhilarating second half of the season.
