Premier League 2025/26 Season: Salah's Respect to Arsenal, New IFAB Rules, Transfer Eyes on Barcelona’s Casadó

The 2025/26 Premier League season has launched with drama on and off the pitch, highlighted by Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah publicly tipping Arsenal as favourites to win the title. In a pre-PFA Awards red carpet interview, Salah said, “I think you [Arsenal] have a great team this season. You have a really good chance. I think you are favourites now because you have players that have been together for five years now, so, yeah. I can’t say I wish you luck.” This candid endorsement adds fuel to Arsenal’s ambition to break their more than 20-year league title drought amid fierce competition.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal started their campaigns positively, with Liverpool clinching a thrilling injury-time victory over AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal securing a narrow 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Salah’s scintillating form from last season, where he netted 29 goals and assisted 18, was rewarded as he became the first player to win three PFA Player of the Year awards. Liverpool’s upcoming matches, especially the upcoming clash against Arsenal at Anfield, are already seen as pivotal in the title race.

Off the field, the Premier League has implemented significant changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2025/26 season, following guidelines from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Key changes include a “Captains Only” approach, where referees will only engage with one designated player (usually the captain) to manage discussions and reduce mass confrontations. A new eight-second rule for goalkeepers controlling the ball has been introduced to speed up play, along with refined dropped ball procedures and updated rules on penalty double touches and inadvertent interference from non-active players. These reforms aim to enhance the flow of matches, player behavior, and disciplinary clarity.

Furthermore, the Premier League continues to emphasize a higher threshold for fouls and VAR interventions to allow a more fluid game, relying heavily on the referee’s judgment unless a “clear and obvious error” is identified. The introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) will also assist in faster and more precise offside decisions. From this season, stadiums will feature more transparent VAR communication through public announcements and big-screen replays of disallowed goals or overturned decisions — a move welcomed by fans seeking more clarity during match day.

In transfer news, Premier League clubs such as West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown keen interest in Barcelona's promising 21-year-old defensive midfielder Marc Casadó. The midfielder, who progressed through Barcelona’s youth ranks and captained their reserve side, made his senior debut in a Champions League group match in 2022 and played 20 LaLiga starts last season with 3 goals and 1 assist. With a potential transfer fee around £26 million (€30 million), Casadó remains reportedly happy at Barcelona but is attracting attention from English suitors looking to bolster their midfield options.

As the season unfolds, fans can expect intense title battles, evolving refereeing dynamics on the pitch, and intriguing player movements off it. The Premier League’s commitment to improving both the spectacle and integrity of the game, alongside the ever-present drama of star players and emerging talents, promises another unforgettable chapter in English football.