It is no longer the “Barclays Premier League” but the memories remain. The season has just reached the midway point, and the title and top four contenders are shaping up. However, do not forget the relegation battle, as some really significant clubs could be dropping out of the Premier League. Here are five developing storylines for the remainder of this 2022–2023 season.
The Gunners Are Firing
What happens if you give a manager sufficient time and resources? What happens if you believe in the young talent your scouts have found? What happens when the organizational culture changes? Arsenal are on pace for a centurion (i.e., 100 point) season. The same team that fumbled their Champions League spot in 2021–2022 sit atop the table with a five-point cushion and a game in hand. Throughout manager Mikel Arteta’s three-year reign, Arsenal has had many more downs than up. The supporters were demanding his head just as they had for Arsene Wenger. In great irony, Jose Mourinho in 2020 as Tottenham manager had proclaimed, after a 2-0 victory over Arsenal, that Arteta was creating something really special at Arsenal and that patience was required. With the additions of Manchester City stars Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal have experienced a major culture shift on and off the pitch. The distractions are gone, which has allowed for some of the most progressive and beautiful football, rivalled only by City. Saka, Martinelli, and Odegaard have become superstars; even the much ostracized Xhaka has re-emerged as a fan-favourite. The Emirates is roaring and the possibilities are endless.
Mid Table
Liverpool and Chelsea recently played to a 0-0 draw which I have tabbed the Battle of Mid. Both teams are mid. However, they took separate paths in their respective unravelling. For Liverpool, an aging squad and limited transfer spending has led to a lethargic and uninspired campaign thus far. Salah seems to have been affected by the huge contract he received over the summer. Jota and Diaz have been injured for months. The midfield has not been sufficiently refreshed at all. Virgil and Fabinho look washed, while Alexander-Arnold remains a defensive liability. Klopp may be protecting the board from scrutiny, but Anfield can certainly see the penny pinching. Chelsea are not penny pinching. Having spent over €600 million since the summer transfer window, new owner Todd Buehly seems just as willing to spend as former owner Roman Abramovich. No need to mention the amortization accounting trick Chelsea used this season which will be closed in the summer. Chelsea have made their bed. From a British-record transfer fee for Enzo Fernandez, hijacking Mykhallo Mudryk from Arsenal, and the many youngsters Chelsea seems to have been sold on, the board is taking a shotgun approach: Buy everyone—eventually someone will turn good, right? But they did seem to forget to buy a striker. Quite an important position when a team has issues scoring goals.
Manchester is…
It feels like a millennium has passed since Manchester United could claim they are at least a possible challenge to the dominance of Manchester City. Ejecting fallen club legend Cristiano Ronaldo allowed manager Erik ten Hag to assert his authority. United look like a progressive and formidable foe once again. English pundits said Casemiro had no chance of surviving in the Premier League. He is arguably the best central defensive midfielder in the league. Rashford is in world class form, scoring ten goals in ten games. Fernandes is flourishing in his number ten role and the backline seems manageable. A top four finish seems destined for the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has some work to do. The introduction of Haaland has led to a record breaking striker, but the City team seems a little flat. Cancelo went from the world’s best fullback to unplayable in half a season. Silva is more interested in a move to Barcelona. Jack Grealish is still having issues fitting into the team. Despite these issues, City still sit second in the league and will likely have a deep run in the Champions League. It would be unwise to doubt the tactical genius of Guardiola. May the power of baldness elevate both clubs.
Ascending and Descending Powerhouses
Newcastle United have been a sleeping giant since the 1990s. Decades of poor ownership have led to a continual decline in the club, including two relegations to the Championship. However, the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia’s foreign wealth fund) purchased the club in 2021. Though this has led to increasing expenditure in transfers and a revitalization of the Newcastle community, it is still blood money. On the pitch, Eddie Howe has installed a philosophy that makes Newcastle very difficult to play against. They currently sit fourth, which would mean they end up in the Champions League over clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham. Speaking of Tottenham, things look bleak for Spurs manager Antonio Conte. The board have failed to properly back Conte and he has begun to make passive aggressive comments regarding transfer spend and long-term commitment. Korean star Son has been out of form the entire season while keeper Lloris has become the symbol for everything that is wrong with the club. Questions are swirling over English star striker Kane’s future at the club. Their most hated rival sit at the top of the table and have beaten them twice this season. The future is bleak for Tottenham.
Relegation Scrap
Relegation is a serious matter. It could bankrupt the club and the community that depends on it. This year, the relegation battle contains massive clubs. Everton have been consistently mismanaged since Moshiri took control in 2016. They are now in real danger of relegation, hoping new managerial appointment Sean Dyche can keep them up. Southampton has been selling off good players for money since they have been in the Premier League, while Bournemouth has been rewarded the position of the token Championship club that comes up for a season and drops back down. Both these clubs should go down. However, it is shocking that West Ham United and Wolverhampton have been dragged into this fight. West Ham finished 7th while Wolves finished tenth last season, which means this season has been a definite disappointment thus far for both teams. Even if they both end up staying in the Premier League, major changes would need to be made or else their talent would just flock to another club. It will be interesting to see the competition at the bottom.