The Premier League has approved a new Reserve League format after receiving feedback from member clubs, according to an Arsenal official website story. The new format splits the teams into three groups: the Southern (where Arsenal is) and the Northern A & B. The winners of each group will play each other in a playoff at season's end, with the two Northern winners facing off to see who will face the Southern group winner.
| Southern Group | Northern Group A | Northern Group B |
| Arsenal | Bolton Wanderers | Blackburn Rovers |
| Aston Villa | Manchester City | Blackpool |
| Chelsea | Manchester United | Everton |
| West Bromwich Albion | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| West Ham United | Wigan Athletic | Sunderland |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |