Its been 8 days since FIFA World Cup 2022 concluded and club football in England returns on the Boxing Day with a number of nail biting matches on the cards. All of us did miss football especially after the way WC ended. Thanks to the English Premier League, one of world’s biggest footballers are all set to battle for the next 5 months in order to get crowned as the champions of England.
EPL is the only league around Europe which is starting before any other league in the continent and as the most competitive football showpieces starts from tonight, here is a what you must know as the world’s most popular sporting event resumes.
1. Arsenal’s title charge – If there was any good time to face Arsenal then it was 3 years ago because now Arsenal might embarrass any opponent with their fearless and offensive style of play. 3 years back facing them proved to be an easy task with Mikel Arteta just getting started and trying to formulate the core of the Londoners. Last season was also impressive but it was just not enough as they missed out from top 4 in their last match. But this year, they are toe-to-toe against defending champions Manchester City. Both the clubs are yet to clash this season but Arteta’s side are currently leading the points table by 5 points. Arsenal’s Summer signings have been impressive as their midfield, attack and defense looks solid. The Gunners have kept the highest number of Clean sheets (7). They have also registered some big wins against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham alongside a convincing triumph against Liverpool. The North-Londoners have demonstrated great form and unity but they will be without crucial striker Gabriel Jesus due to an Injury and will they keep their impressive performances intact?
2. Erling Haaland and Manchester City – The thrill of a World Cup is witnessing the world’s finest players compete for the sport’s top reward, but fans were denied the chance to see Manchester City’s latest goal-scoring prodigy Erling Haaland. It took the Norwegian less than 10 minutes to score in City’s 3-2 League Cup victory over Liverpool on Thursday. Haaland has 18 of the team’s 40 goals this season and appears eager to prove himself following a six-week vacation. Add in Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, which has won four of the previous five league titles, and a hungry Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders of his age motivated to succeed after disappointing with Belgium in Qatar, and Arsenal have a formidable opponent.
3. Can Liverpool climb up the ladder? – Liverpool has competed for the championship three of the last four years and won it once, but as the season progresses, it appears like a more realistic ambition is to finish in the top four. While their performance versus City was not exactly inspired, and there are plenty of off-field concerns after their owners placed the club up for sale in October, they are well rested for the post-World Cup rush of fixtures that await them. Fabinho was virtually underused by Brazil, Thiago was surprisingly not called up by Spain, both Luiz Diaz and Diogo Jota are on their way back from injuries, and other team mainstays like Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Joel Matip have received valuable rest. After a six-week break, talisman Mohamed Salah has the opportunity to regain his form.
4. Who will finish in the Top 4? – The rest of the competitors seeking to secure European football for next season include many stumbling clubs that have been underwhelming in recent seasons. Manchester United’s Erik Ten Hag has been streaky, appearing good in patches. And, without the distraction of the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, they will hope to continue their winning streak. However, the season may get off to a shaky start because first-choice defensive pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane played in the World Cup final only eight days before the season began. Tottenham have one of Europe’s most glamorous coaches – in terms of fame but not of playing style – in Antonio Conte, but they appear to be in transition. Chelsea’s fortunes have improved under new ownership and a surprising managerial change, with Graham Potter replacing Thomas Tuchel.
Also Read – Erling Haaland took only 600 seconds to score on his first match since World Cup
