by Arsenal: P18 Part 40 GD+20
The case for When Martin Ødegaard bowed in the final highlights at Luton on December 5, Declan Rice’s victory was inevitable. Not just because Rice had done it before – remember his decisive 96th-minute goal against Manchester United on September 3 – but because Arsenal have made a habit of doing this sort of thing; the undying pressures that herald the champion’s spirit. They can also count late winners against Manchester City and Brentford, along with an 84th-minute equalizer against Chelsea. What underlines the notion that it will be Arsenal’s year in the Premier League is the foundations that Mikel Arteta has put in place. Rice’s huge signature was in the middle of the field; he helps the team so much defensively, especially against the counter-attack, giving control, the buzzword of the season so far. The defense itself has grown, developing scarce security, with William Saliba central to everything. Then there is the deeper strength compared to last season, when an unexpected challenge in April succeeded, the pronounced threat at set pieces and the ability of Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka to get things done.
The case against The main reason is called Manchester City; the feeling, which can be felt in the corridors of power at Arsenal, that the defending champions are primed to put together a run of contempt in the second half of the season. As they do. Otherwise, can Gabriel Jesus score enough goals as the No. 9? Can the club handle the increase in expectations? (Conversely, the pressure is always on Arsenal.) Are they as fluent in terms of attack as they were last season? And will Arteta’s transfer of the goalkeeper position from Aaron Ramsdale to David Raya be a problem? DH
Festival fixtures Thursday: West Ham (h), Sunday: Fulham (a)
The case for Consistency of results and a five-point advantage over Manchester City (who have a game in hand) are good enough reasons to start the league table, although there are more factors behind Liverpool’s recovery as a title contender. Senior players who know what it takes to win the Premier League and capitalize on City’s relegation – Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold – failed last season to qualify for The Champions League as a personal face to lead Liverpool’s revival. A new-look, high-class midfield has settled faster and more cohesively than even Jürgen Klopp imagined. The squad has the depth in most departments and a range of attacking options that is the envy of many clubs in the Premier League, and Liverpool have the ability to come to the rescue on off-days.
The case against Dramatic comebacks and late winners are the champions’ hallmarks – especially when delivered with 10 men – but Liverpool have often needed them in a season when, with the exception of the home win over Aston Villa, they are rare. and the Carabao Championship on West Ham. dominate an opponent or game from start to finish. Liverpool are a team in transition, and sometimes it shows. Results against other members of the so-called big six need to improve. Liverpool are bottom of that minor league and are the only team unable to compete for the “big six” this season, having drawn against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal and lost against Tottenham. With Joël Matip out for the rest of the season Liverpool could be hit hard by another injury in the centre-back. Klopp claims a solution is unlikely to be reached in the January transfer window. AH
Festival fixtures Boxing Day: Burnley (a), Monday 1 January: Newcastle (h)
Aston Villa: P18 Part 39 GD+16
The case for Villa are free to expect it but, make no mistake, Unai Emery, as he often claims, is aware of how good they are. Villa Park has become a stronghold, with Villa winning 15 of their last 16 home games. Emery has played down comments from peers billing his side as title contenders but has proven his starting XI is capable of the best. Emiliano Martínez is an elite goalkeeper, their midfield axis of Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz is one of the best in the division and they have blazing pace in talisman Ollie Watkins and forward Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey. Unlike most of their rivals, Villa can focus almost entirely on the league until March, when their Europa Conference League last 16 adventure resumes. Apart from an FA Cup trip to Middlesbrough in January, they can go full steam ahead in their quest for their first league title since 1981.
The case against Can Villa handle the noise? For most of this squad, a title race represents a new territory. The obvious concern is whether Emery has enough strength in reserve. For example, when Leander Dendoncker went in against Arsenal, Villa’s grip loosened. Watkins has started every league game and while Jhon Durán has impressed the sights, there is no substitute like him. The same goes for Martinez. At the same time, Villa have shown this season that they can absorb the absence of key players such as Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía. Sheffield United’s dogged display last Friday, when Villa seemed to be running out of ideas against a low block and almost finished up empty, may provide others with a blueprint for how Emery’s winning machine to block. BF
Festival fixtures Boxing Day: Manchester United (a), Saturday: Burnley (h)
Tottenham: P18 Part 36 GD+13
The case for Nobody thought that Tottenham would be part of this kind of article at the beginning of the season given what happened last time: the eruption under Antonio Conte; Harry Kane sale in August too. Likewise, nobody thought Spurs would be top of the table after 10 games but they were, having made their best start since 1960-61. There was a statistic that said they were the 13th team to have 26 or more points after 10 games of a Premier League season; six of the previous 12 have won the title, four were runners-up, Arsenal finished third in 2007-08 and Newcastle were sixth in 1994-95. In other words, get this type of start and history says you’re almost always there for the long haul. Spurs had a five game wobble after that but it said everything about the buy in that Ange Postecoglou generated that there was no soul searching / rebellion. The manager’s bold style is going down well with players and fans alike; the first 10 games showed what is possible when everyone is available.
The case against Spurs are at the start of their project under Postecoglou and lack the quality they need in all areas and, moreover, the strength in depth – even if they have no European football to clutter their schedule. Given that the club has recovered one trophy from Daniel Levy’s 22-year chairmanship (the 2008 League Cup), it is certainly too much to ask them to suddenly win the biggest of them all in domestic terms. DH
Festival fixtures Thursday: Brighton (a), Sunday: Bournemouth (h)
City of Manchester: P17 Part 34 GD+20
The case for At a club built to win and keep going, Pep Guardiola has won five titles in six years and the determination to “be there” (a Catalan mantra) is the fuel that motivates his players as well. . Seven points from the last 18 are not in championship form but after the World Cup victory in Manchester City Guardiola can draw on it three years ago. Then, after a point at West Brom in mid-December and five behind Tottenham, Guardiola turned the team around and sent them on a 15-match winning streak to the title. Despite the recent setback the gap to Arsenal is just six points with a game in hand. Oh, and Kevin De Bruyne, who has been missing since the opening minute of the season, is due back soon.
The case against Guardiola’s problem in the last season was finding a treble-winning captain like Ilkay Gündogan. His answer was Mateo Kovacic, who is not in the same class of culture, and City also lost the main influence of the dressing room. Riyad Mahrez also left and his successor, Matheus Nunes, has been marginal so far. It is a big challenge for Guardiola to zoom out and encourage a squad that has been champions for the past three seasons. JJ
Festival fixtures Wednesday: Everton (a), Saturday: Sheffield United (h)
