The English Premier League is only 7 weeks into its long and arduous season, but yet so much has happened. One of the biggest clubs in all of Europe has fallen off the map, while another has embraced low expectations to soar to the top of the table. There has been controversy, upsets, and all around drama surrounding the league. Here’s a break down of what has happens thus far:
Arsenal (5-1-1 (W-L-D) 16 points):
In the preseason, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came under scrutiny for boasting about Arsenal’s cache of funds, but refusing to spend any of it. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s archrival, Tottenham, went on a spending spree, scooping up top level talent from all over the world. However, with the acquisition of Mesut Özil in the closing hours of the transfer deadline, Wenger has almost guaranteed Arsenal a Top 4 finish and a realistic chance at winning the Premier League. Özil, combined with the dynamic Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud, could give Arsenal the best offensive attack in the EPL. Arsenal’s only loss, a stunner, came on Opening Day at home to Aston Villa by a score of 1-3. I still believe that Chelsea is the most balanced team in the EPL, but for now, the Gunners are at the top.
Liverpool (5-1-1 16 points):
Ah, the Reds of Liverpool—a particularly interesting team. For the first few weeks of the season, they struggled to score goals, with Daniel Sturridge being their only attacking threat. Now with the return of Luis Suarez (from his 10 match ban for biting an opponent), the dual threat of Sturridge and Suarez gave Liverpool the firepower to finish in the Top 4.
However, competing with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, that might not be enough. Furthermore, Liverpool has yet to take on any of the major clubs (Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City) in Premier League play. They did play Manchester United in Capital One Cup play and lost 0-1. In order for Liverpool to be considered a serious contender, the team must make its name against top-level competition, but until then, they can enjoy their hot start to second in the Premier League.
Chelsea (4-1-2 14 points):
With the return of Jose Mourinho to the helm, Chelsea’s fans were reminiscing about the glory days, when they were perennial contenders in the both the Premier League and the Champions League. So far this season, Mourinho has confused most spectators with his reluctance to play arguably his best player, Juan Mata, on a regular basis. For the most part this season, Mata has come on as a sub and his effectiveness has therefore been limited. In addition to benching Mata, Mourinho has frequently gone without a striker, with Fernando Torres and Demba Ba often coming off the bench. Chelsea has played two of the big clubs so far, Tottenham and Manchester United (both away from Stamford Bridge), and has come away with a draw in each. Their only loss was at Everton 1-0, where Mourinho’s stripped-down attack was on full display. Chelsea fans hope that Mourinho will finally come to his senses and unleash Mata and Torres to their full capabilities (Torres will miss Chelsea’s next match vs. Cardiff for a Red card vs. Tottenham), thus leading Chelsea to a top place finish in the EPL. They have too much talent and Mourinho is too good of a manager to let Chelsea slip.
Southampton (4-1-2 14 points)
Whoa, who? Southampton is ahead of Tottenham, Manchester United, and Manchester City?! Yes, it’s early, but this is still an impressive feat for this relatively unknown club. I’ve watched approximately 80 percent of NBC’s coverage of the Premier League, and I have not seen Southampton play; that will definitely change. A likely reason for this hot start is that the only top level competition that Southampton has played is Liverpool, whom they defeated 1-0. My interpretation is that Southampton, along with Everton, is at the top of the second tier of teams in the Premier League. Southampton’s strength is their defense, as they have maintained a clean sheet in their last five matches and seek to extend that this upcoming weekend versus Manchester United (who again will be without Robin Van Persie). It is very likely that Southampton will continue their streak given recent struggles of Manchester United. However, a bigger sample size will likely show that Southampton won’t be making the Champions League as their current position of 4th indicates.
Manchester City (4-1-2 13 points):
Manchester City has been a very difficult club to gauge. One week they are beating down on Manchester United 4-0, and then the next week they lose to Aston Villa 4-3. This wasn’t even the most puzzling match of their young season; Manchester City also lost at Cardiff City 2-3, a club that wasn’t even in the Premier League last year. Man City has a plethora of talent, with Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré, Vincent Kompany, among others, and yet they are still struggling. One of the biggest reasons for their slow start has been the subpar play of goaltender, Joe Hart. Hart, the keeper for the English National team, has allowed eight goals in seven matches, which is well below the play we are accustomed to seeing. Manager Manuel Pellegrini has maintained that Hart is his keeper, but the media and fans alike have been pushing for Hart’s benching. Like practically everyone, I expected more from Man City, and their slow start shows that on-pitch chemistry cannot be bought. I expect Man City to be on the fringe of Champions League qualifications, as they are right now, but just barely missing out.
Tottenham (4-1-2 13 points)
Tottenham’s season has been frustrating, to say the least. The Spurs’ off-season was under the spotlight as they allegedly broke the transfer fee, sending Gareth Bale off to Real Madrid for €100 million. They used these funds to sign Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela, and Christian Erikson. All of these acquisitions built high hopes for this club, and so far, they have been a flop. They failed to score a goal in open play in their first three matches (their first two goals were via penalty shots from Soldado). They seemed to have found their legs until last week, when they laid an egg at home versus West Ham, losing 0-3. It was a pitiful display of soccer. Up to that point, Tottenham had allowed two goals, one each to Chelsea and Arsenal. Those two clubs are of the upper echelon, but West Ham?! I thought for sure Tottenham was going to finish in the top four with all of their off-season acquisitions, but after the first seven matches Tottenham is on the fence. It will be up to manager Andre Villa-Boas (AVB) to rally his team and perhaps start Lamela with Erickson. As of right now, Soldado has been a bust. The Spurs’ best striker up to this point has been Gylfi Sigurdsson, which is surprising considering that he was rumored to be leaving White Hart Lane. I cannot put Spurs any higher than fifth, but with increasing chemistry and more offense, it is possible that they utilize their talent and qualify for the Champions League.
There you have it: the top six teams of the Premier League, thus far. Did I forget anyone important? Nope…wait! What happened to Manchester United? This season has been a turbulent one to say the least for the club. With the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, new manager David Moyes has some pretty big shoes to fill, and he has is not been doing so well. Manchester United is currently sitting in ninth place with a record of 3-3-1. Robin Van Persie is out for several more weeks, and the only bright spot has been the return to form by Wayne Rooney. Rooney was rumored to be on the way out, but it seems he is too vital for this club to weather its early season trouble. I don’t see how Manchester United, given all of its problems, can rally to qualify for the Champions League, nonetheless the Europa League. They’ll stay in this general vicinity unless they make a big move during the mid-season transfer period.
All right, now I think I’ve covered all of the major players in the Premier League. Soccer is something in which I’ve recently become interested, and I suggest the sport for anyone who is looking for entertaining mornings on weekends. NBC has done a great job providing Americans access to all of the major matches, whether it is online via NBC Sports Live Extra or through cable television on NBC Sports. This season is going to be particularly interesting, due to a level playing field that has not been seen for some time in the league. It should be one to enjoy, and I look forward to watching it unfold. For the full, live EPL table, click here.
