What to expect from the return of the Premier League

• The Premier League is finally back after a lengthy pause
• There is plenty of excitement in the league
• And Arsenal is on the top of  the table in this debate

The Premier League is finally back after a lengthy pause due to the World Cup. It was the first time a World Cup was held in winter due to the scorching summer heat in Qatar. Unfortunately, football didn’t come home this time, but it will be returning to TV and stadiums across England in an exciting PL homecoming.

What can we expect from the return of the Premier League? Plenty of excitement for sure, on both an individual and team level. When football came to a break just over a month ago, Arsenal were surprisingly at the top of the table. Little to no surprise was on the goalscoring list, where Erling Haaland ravaged defenses and goalkeepers alike.

Let’s see what we can expect from Premier League’s return.

Can Arsenal Keep It Up?

Arsenal celebrate winning the North London derby.|PHOTO: CBS|

After years of turbulence and not being able to break into the top four, the Gunners are back where they belong. Arteta’s players have finally clicked, and with the introduction of a few great signings, Arsenal is flying high. And the first spot on the table is no fluke. Wins against Chelsea and Liverpool have proven the team is much better than before, and has a legitimate shot at the title.

In sportsbook sites, the Gunners are not the overwhelming favourites – Manchester City is. Either bookies know something we don’t, or they’re having an underrated season. It’s more likely the latter, as no one expected Arsenal to play this good before the season started. But, signings such as Gabriel Jesus to reinforce the front line, Zinchenko who was a steal, and last year’s Tierney and Odegaard have made them a much-better looking team overall.

The Gunners are firing on all cylinders, although granted, it will be tough to fight Manchester City in the second part of the season. Arsenal is five points clear at the top, but a couple of slip-ups and they can fall down the table. City has the best goalscorer in the league and two great players in each position, so it’s likely that Guardiola’s team will prove a big challenge.

Can Arsenal overcome it? Bookies don’t think so, but that’s what makes the Gunners a great lock for those who’d like to bet on their chances.

Haaland – The Goalscoring Machine

Erling Haaland. Photo/ Planet Football.

Even before the season started, it was clear that Haaland will dominate the PL goalscoring chart. While he had a bad match in the Community Shield, the rest of the season he’s been in beast mode. With 18 goals in 13 matches, he’s a lock for the goalscoring title. He will certainly face competition from Harry Kane and possibly Ivan Toney and Aleksandar Mitrovic, but let’s be clear – the Norwegian forward is a pure goalscoring machine that will be hard to get stopped.

City’s betting on him too. The team wants a back to back title, and that will only be possible if they have Haaland in terminator shape. The return of the Premier League will tell us if he can keep the same level up for the rest of the season. But, considering his history, we’re sure there won’t be problems with that.

Can City Take the Top?

Manchester City has been slightly underwhelming in the first half of the season. However, Guardiola can turn the ship around, and the players are surely aware that they won’t top the league standings without fighting. With Arsenal in great form and City five points off the top, it will be an uphill battle. But, if anyone can do it, it’s City.

Aside from Haaland who will certainly lead the charge, City has great backups on nearly any spot on the field. That will mean a lot in the title run. City will have to play Arsenal, Liverpool, and other title challengers by the end of the season again. That will come sooner than you realize, with a match against Liverpool just before the new year (December 30).

It will be pretty interesting to see if Arsenal can fight City off, or if the Citizens turn things around. As mentioned earlier, bookies have City for the title, but for that to happen, they must be on their best level.

Newcastle’s Fairy Tale Continues?

Newcastle’s new owners aren’t kidding. The team is once again expected to make a splash in the transfer market. Its new owner, Yasir al-Rumayyan, who’s also the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has made additional transfer money available before, and he will do it again. Some of the names floating around include Youri Tielemans, Edson Alvarez, and James Maddison, all great reinforcements for a team that has played surprisingly well and is currently third on the table.

Can this be a return to glory for Newcastle? Manager Eddie Howe has tailored an exciting squad, and it’ll be interesting to see if Newcastle can keep the great form from before the break up in the second part of the season. With a few investments in the right spot, it may even challenge City and Arsenal for the title. We’ve seen stranger things happen before, and football never disappoints.

Liverpool Comeback?

Mo Salah has not had the best of performances for Liverpool this season.|PHOTO: Getty Images|

Is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool project on its last legs? A year removed from losing another Champions League final, Liverpool has been a hot mess this season in the Premier League. Losses to Arsenal, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and draws against Brighton have sounded the alarm in Liverpool’s dressing room. The team must be better when the Premier League returns, but it’s a question if Klopp’s squad simply has it in them.

This year, Liverpool has looked lifeless on more than one occasion. Virgil Van Dijk’s performance in the World Cup certainly won’t make expectations better. Losing Sadio Mane was obviously a big blow, and so far, Darwin Nunez hasn’t been the signing Klopp and the fans were hoping for.

If Liverpool wants to make a comeback, it must not miss a beat by the end of the season. But, it’s a long journey and that’s unlikely, so it may be a tale of better luck next season all over again for the Reds.