Author: Leban Ahmed
This season of the Premier League has been even more turbulent and unpredictable than normal given the usual suspects for a champion. Many of the goals and ambitions set by clubs and the fans have either been reaffirmed or drastically recalculated (most notably my club Manchester United) in order to salvage the season. We are only 11 games in and one-quarter of the managers who started are now out of work. Chelsea has maintained their prominence sitting at the top of the table. Liverpool has regained their form with key players back from injury and Mohamed Salah yet again showcasing his world-class talent. Man-City still has the title in sight despite lacking in the No.9 position. West Ham has surprisingly made a serious attempt at making the top-4. Even a club like Arsenal has surpassed expectations despite such a terrible start, while their neighbor’s Spurs seem to be burning down. What does this mean for the mid-table? And what teams will be without European football next season? With any result, this year has proven the Premier League remains the most unpredictable and exciting league in Europe.
The usual suspects for the top 4 aren't necessarily guaranteed their spots this year and that can be for a couple of reasons. West Ham under David Moyes has been such an entertaining and well-balanced side to watch. Players like Benrahma and Declan Rice continue to raise their stock putting in performances rivaling that of other big names within the league. Of course, credit must go to Moyes for putting his players in positions to succeed; however, with rumors of Rice making a move to a larger club next summer, who knows whether this two-year stint of performances will continue on much longer. For the time being, they are taking full advantage of their squad and since normal top-4 finisher Man. United is in disarray, it's likely they’ve taken on a nothing to lose mentality.
Arsenal has unexpectedly gone on an unbeaten streak of 10 games(in all competitions) and now sit above former title-favorites Man. United with Mikel Arteta finally pulling through on promises he has made to the fans. He now has the squad he wants playing the way he wants and because of that young players like Emile Smith-Rowe, Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, and Bukayo Saka are developing into players that can sustain the future of the club. Many doubted Arteta’s abilities starting off the season with a three-game losing streak but many have also argued this is only his second year at the club and has only now been given the tools to be successful. Either way, it's hard to argue given the results and although it will be tight, Arsenal has a genuine case at landing the 4th spot this season. Again, this is really only possible because of Manchester United’s historically poor performance this season (the details of which are enough for another article).
Spurs have sacked Nuno Santo as manager after only being at the club for three months and have since replaced him with United favorite Antonio Conte. Conte is widely considered one of the top managers in the world and his presence at the club may save it from its own dysfunction. His passionate personality will definitely reinvigorate this languishing side and
Finally, bring the spotlight back to players like Heung-min Son and Harry Kane but a 4th-place finish is yet to be determined despite being within the level.
Premier League football this season has produced some exciting scorelines and performances and many teams have had to reflect on their goals for the season. While in my opinion, this is all at the hands of Manchester United(who have yet to sack their manager), when given the opportunity, many clubs have proven to have quality sides deserving of recognition. The usual suspects for the top-6, while for the most part seem unchanged, have a reason to be cautious with their fixtures and we may very well likely see a team return to Champions’ League football next year. Not even a third of the way in the season and the fans are guessing more now than before the season started.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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