All six teams have a fair shot at winning the league title and even the much coveted top four Champions League spots are not a surety for any team.
Often dubbed the most exciting league in the world, the Premier League’s main selling point is its competitive nature. While no Ballon d’Or winner plies his trade in the league, its ‘big six’ is far more exciting to watch than that of any other European league.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham can beat any club team in the world on their day. All six teams have a fair shot at winning the league title and even the much coveted top four Champions League spots are not a surety for any team.
Arsenal currently sit top of the table with a two-point lead, despite their recent defeat at Old Trafford. The signing of Mesut Ozil, the best attacking midfielder in the world this side of Andres Iniesta, has galvanised the whole squad, with Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey in the form of their lives.
However, up front, Arsenal are overly dependent on Giroud, with hapless Niklas Bendtner as the club’s second-choice striker.
If Arsenal manage to stay top of the league come January, they will have a chance to lure a world class striker. Boasting one of the league’s best midfielder, Arsene Wenger’s experience and a new striker as Giroud’s deputy, it would be folly to bet against them.
Liverpool are two points behind Arsenal and boast the best strike partnership in the league in Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
However, like Arsenal, Liverpool have no strength in depth and their bench looks devoid of any game changers.
Brendan Rodgers’ preferred 3-5-2 formation accommodates the two strikers without compromising on midfield dominance but has failed in big matches, with defeats against Arsenal and United exposing its imbalance. Rodgers recently claimed that he is aiming for a top four finish, but with perhaps some choice signings in January, Liverpool may well consider themselves genuine title contenders.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea sit in fourth place but have failed to impress, relying more on luck than the brilliance of their attacking midfield triumvirate in order to score goals.
While the ‘Special One’s’ arrival has rejuvenated Chelsea’s old guard in Frank Lampard and John Terry, he desperately needs Spaniards Fernando Torres and Juan Mata to start firing in order to challenge for the title.
Meanwhile, despite a poor start, United sit five points behind Arsenal and have gained a head of steam after navigating through their early run of tough fixtures.
David Moyes needs to start getting the best out of his strikers, especially with the recent injury to Michael Carrick exposing the lack of midfield creativity. Moyes has gotten a lot of stick recently and winning the title would be the perfect way to silence critics.
However, he may need to delve into United’s transfer kitty and buy a world class creative midfielder in January.
Manuel Pellegrini’s City are playing their best football, but their recent away form has been nothing short of horrendous. City have clearly missed their defensive stalwart Vincent Kompany, especially considering the frequency with which dominant performances have resulted in losses. However, Pellegrini needs to take heart from the forms of Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri.
Tottenham, despite spending over €100 million in the summer, have flattered to deceive on a consistent basis and have scored the least number of goals of any team in the top 10, less than half of what league leaders Arsenal’s tally. They are the least favourite of the traditional big six to win the league and would do well to finish in the top four to gain a Champions League spot.
At this moment, it looks like all it will take is one major injury or excellent signing to decide the title. No pressure.
The writer is a sub-editor at The Express Tribune
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.
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The competitiveness in the EPL makes it alot more interesting as compare to la liga, Serie A etc. but that doest make them the best in Europe. For me right now Barca and Madrid are better than anything England has to offer. Esp you cant compare United with Barca. if you dont agree then i reckon you should get a copy of final played b/w Barca and Man U.
@bhatti: United with a creative midfielder like gundogan in middle of the park with carrick and people like rooney, Kagawa and RVP in attacking half, are even better than Real and Barca. United lacks a creative player in the middle of the park and yet they usually play in last 4 of UEFA with exception of last 2 seasons. United were unlucky last year against Real and were better side in both legs.
One correction in your article; Liverpool beat Mancheseter United, and has lost this season only to Arsenal and Southampton. The 3-5-2 formation has caused Liverpool to be leaky in defense, but has also resulted in many goals being scored. Man U has shown in recent years that even with a non-impressive record against the big teams, you can win the league by making sure you win against the 'weaker' sides. Liverpool has a very good record against the top teams, but has struggled against teams it is expected to beat. So I don't mind at all if that trend is reversed, as long as LFC ends up on 72 to 75 points, which would be enough for a top 4 finish. Next year, we can go for the title! YNWA.
"the best attacking midfielder in the world this side of Andres Iniesta" I think you meant Arsene wenger...please correct it
dude do you really think top six in EPL are the best in Europe ??? apart from Arsenal they are average? have you ever seen them playing against any European side?? they cant beat AC milan leave alone Barc and Real. EPL is alot more interesting league as compare to others. but you cant compare them with other European giants. it will be unfair on them
I don't think United can buy any world class midfielder in winter. All the best midfielders would be cup tied and can't see David Moyes spending 40,50M for a cup tie player. Why not raid Dortmund in next summer for Ikey and Rues.