Entering October its safe to say this has been a very unusual start of the season; Postponed matches, international break, and the World Cup is just a few weeks away from starting. But even though only eight rounds have been played, things are starting to take shape in this 22-23 Premier League season. After this past weekend, two teams stand out from the rest. On one side, and looking for the three-peat is Manchester City, on the other, Arsenal’s young and promising squad.
Unexpected Contender
Entering his fourth season at the helm, Mikel Arteta side has been the revelation of the start of the season. Times have been tough at North London, and after finishing last season in heartbreak by failing to make it to the top-four and securing an UCL spot, things couldn’t have been more uncertain at Arsenal.
Since Arteta’s arrival in late 2019 things have changed at London Colney. The Spaniard had a rough start as a manager and didn’t impress anyone in his first two seasons. But everybody in the club certainly felt something shifting, and the board showed their full support. Building a competitive squad has been the task at hand, and last season the team had an important break through. Even though they didn’t achieve their main objective (top four), this young squad is finally taking shape.
Arsenal made interesting signings this summer; former Manchester City duo, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Porto wonder-kid Fabio Vieira, Brazilian youngster Marquinos, and American goalkeeper Matt Turner. A lot of fans felt that signings felt short, and there is still depth issues in some key positions.
Arsenal started the season red hot, winning seven out of eight games, and have played excellent football in very tough matches. This team has finally embraced and understood Mikel Arteta’s ideas. This young squad has been great at defending, with Saliba and Gabriel making the CB position a fortress for the Gunners. Ben White has been a revelation having moved from CB to RB, and goal-keeper Aaron Ramsdale has been playing at an elite level. The mid-field is solid with underrated CM duo Granit Xhaka, and Thomas Partey. Up front the attack is well taken care of by explosive sidelines, (Martinelli and Saka) an exiting creative player Martin Odegaard, and super striker Gabriel Jesus. This team has it all except for one thing: squad depth.
It’s well known that Premier League title contenders need to have a deep squad. The season is long an injuries play a big part of a team success. Such has been the case for Arsenal, as last season they lost key players in the most important part of the competition, and that led to their demise. If Arsenal want to make a serious title run they need to address their depth issues in the winter market, specially in midfield. Thomas Partey has been excellent at Arsenal, but when he can’t play this team suffers. The Ghanaian is very injury prone and it’s probably the most urgent player the team need to find a back up to. As of now, Belgian youngster Sambi Lokonga has filled in when Partey is not available, but he is not a player that can hold this squad together.
It’s too early to make a real assessment on Arsenal’s chances, but the team is looking good, and if Arteta can keep this hungry young squad motivated there’s no reason to suggest they wouldn’t give it their best shot to make a run for the trophy.
Here Comes The Boom
Manchester City has been incredible and exiting to watch. The reigning Premier League Champions want it all this season, and they have been the talk of football as of late.
There’s one particular reason everybody wants a piece of City right now, and that reason is because of new signing Erling Haaland. The Norwegian was signed from Borussia Dortmund over the summer market, and he has been absolutely mesmerizing. He already has THREE hat-tricks this season, and totals a ridiculous 14 goals after just 8 games in the league. There’s just no stopping him for the moment.
Pep Guardiola is keen on making the best out of this very competitive team and has enough firepower to spare. Kevin DeBruyne is playing his best football, and just keeps feeding Haaland. Phil Foden has taken a key role scoring crucial goals and making assists, and Jack Graelish is starting to become the player they signed him to be. There’s no ceiling for this attack, and we just can’t wait to see what they achieve by May 2023.
One of the differences this team has with their current title rival, Arsenal, is that Manchester City’s squad runs deep. In Every line they have very capable subs, and Guardiola can rotate his starting XI depending the occasion, but one of the issues for the team is going to be the Champions League, since this trophy is the most wanted treasure by fans, Pep, players, and the board. This team will go ALL-IN for the Champions League, so it’s going to be interesting what happens if the title race stays close towards the end of the season, and Guardiola’s team makes a deep UCL Campaign.
There is too much football left to play and you cannot win a title before playing the season, as of now we are exited to see Arsenal back on top and City’s incredible football, which will make this season surely one to remember.
