The break in the Premier League, when the World Cup in Qatar kicks off, doesn’t arrive for another few weeks yet, but we’re already a quarter of the way through the 2022/23 campaign.
So here at SBOTOP we have decided to run the rule over the so called ‘Big Six’ clubs after ten rounds of the league; Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been the star turn for sure, but what about the other five? It’s fair to say that they have all had some bumps in the road in the early stages of the race but who is the most bruised and which clubs still look in good shape?
Arsenal – A
It’s hard to criticise the Gunners after a sparkling first ten games has seen them rise to the top of the league with a four point cushion over Manchester City. The only blemish on Arsenal’s opening games was a surprise 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, and to say it was a surprise shows how far Arteta’s team has come. Even in that loss they dominated possession with over 60 per cent of the ball and won the shot count by 16 to ten and the Gunners are the most fluent side in the league at the moment. They are ably captained by Martin Odegaard and the Brazilian duo of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are getting fans off their seats.
Spurs – B+
Antonio Conte’s Spurs play a different style to Arsenal and their supporters may look enviously across the road in North London at the swashbuckling Gunners, but look at the league table and they should be very happy. If they can beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night they will climb to within a point of the top. Since defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of October Tottenham have recorded back to back wins over Brighton and Everton and with clean sheets in both. Defensive solidity is at the heart of Conte’s strategy and with Harry Kane in fine form he has great strength at both ends of the pitch.
Manchester City – B
The Premier League 2022 betting odds are backing the Sky Blues heavily to win a fifth title in six years, and they probably will, but defeat to Liverpool last Sunday has taken the gleam off an otherwise impressive start. Erling Braut Haaland, with 15 goals in the opening ten games, looks certain to dominate defences throughout the league and he has already formed a fantastic relationship with the excellent Kevin De Bruyne, a partnership which is sure to become prolific.
Draws with Aston Villa and Newcastle showed that City aren’t unplayable but I suspect the defeat to Liverpool might well push Pep Guardiola’s team on.
Chelsea – B
The arrival of Graham Potter as Chelsea’s new head coach seems to have galvanised the club after it seemed to be stuttering under the ownership of Todd Boehly, who had spent heavily in the summer transfer window. Raheem Sterling has settled well up front and the Blues are on a five match winning run, in all competitions. They are up to fourth in the table and going well in Europe and attacking midfielder Mason Mount is back to his best, scoring an excellent brace in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
Potter came to Stamford Bridge with a reputation for playing attractive football and he is delivering in terms of entertainment and results…so far.
Manchester United – B-
The Red Devils are a place behind Chelsea in fifth and that in itself isn’t such a bad position to be for a club which is still in its early stages of transition under the guidance of Erik Ten Hag. But the Red Devils still look miles away from being capable of mounting a title challenge and a top four place will be a tough task. Much depends on Ten Hag’s ability to mould a group of individuals into a team. He made a smart move on transfer deadline day with his signing of defensive midfielder Casemiro which adds quality and a winning mentality to the team, while Christian Eriksen has improved the Red Devil’s creatively.
But these two players are short term fixes for a long term problem.
Liverpool – C+
The Reds’ early Premier League 2022 results were disappointing to say the least and I would have awarded a ‘C’ but you have to give credit for the way Jurgen Klopp masterminded a win over hot favourites Manchester City. Liverpool are in seventh and 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and even the win over the Sky Blues only made it five points from the last four games.
Mo Salah seems to be coming into form but Klopp has concerns over his wing back Trent Alexander-Arnold while Virgil Van Dijk has not yet been his dominant self.
There’s a long way to go but Liverpool need to get moving.
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