Premier League Round 19: Arsenal clinches first half title, big clubs stumble simultaneously

Round 19 of the 2025/2026 Premier League ended with numerous significant developments, highlighting Arsenal as the main focus, whereas the “big clubs” such as Man City, Liverpool, MU, and Chelsea each faltered differently.

Arsenal crowned first half champions of the 2025/2026 Premier League

A dominant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa secured Arsenal the first half title of the 2025/2026 Premier League season. This result not only ended their direct rival’s 11-game winning streak but also solidified their lead with 45 points after 19 rounds. Arsenal finished the first half with 14 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, boasting the league’s best defense, having conceded only 12 goals.

Chelsea fires coach Enzo Maresca mid-season

One of the biggest shocks in Round 19 came from Chelsea, when the London club officially parted ways with coach Enzo Maresca after just 18 months together. The decision followed a severe decline in performance, culminating in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea won only once in their last seven matches, dropping 15 points from winning positions and falling to fifth place. Beyond tactical issues, internal conflicts, especially involving the medical staff and media handling, reportedly contributed to the breakdown in relations between Maresca and the club’s management.

MU, Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham all stumble simultaneously

Among the chasing pack, several Premier League giants faltered at the same time. MU disappointsby being held to a 1-1 draw at home by bottom-placed Wolves in a game lacking creativity. Man City also dropped points with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Sunderland, unable to break down their disciplined defense. Liverpool fared no better, held to a goalless draw by Leeds at Anfield, marking their first 0-0 under coach Arne Slot.

Tottenham also failed to win, drawing 0-0 with Brentford in a match lacking highlights. Newcastle secured a 3-1 victory over Burnley, pushing their opponents deeper into the relegation zone. In another fixture, Crystal Palace and Fulham shared points with a 1-1 draw.

Notably, this round featured a rare occurrence with three out of four matches played early on January 2 ending in 0-0 draws, an event that has only happened once before in Premier League history.

Summary of Premier League Round 19

Round 19 closed with Arsenal’s strong imprint as first half champions, while the other top clubs collectively stalled. Chelsea plunged deeper into crisis, Man City and Liverpool dropped valuable points, and MU continued to underperform. The Premier League moves into the second half with a clearer but still unpredictable battle for both the title and the top four.