It’s been awhile since Arsenal led the table heading into 2016, and with the January Transfer Window going ahead in full steam (without anything too noteworthy happening at this point), it’s an opportunity to look at who can actually make a difference in what some think is a wide open title race.
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#
|
Team
|
GP
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
PTS
|
||
|
1
|
|
20
|
13
|
3
|
4
|
34
|
18
|
16
|
42
|
||
|
2
|
|
20
|
11
|
7
|
2
|
37
|
25
|
12
|
40
|
||
|
3
|
|
20
|
12
|
3
|
5
|
39
|
21
|
18
|
39
|
||
|
4
|
|
20
|
9
|
9
|
2
|
34
|
16
|
18
|
36
|
||
|
5
|
|
20
|
9
|
6
|
5
|
24
|
17
|
7
|
33
|
||
|
6
|
|
20
|
8
|
8
|
4
|
30
|
23
|
7
|
32
|
||
|
7
|
|
20
|
9
|
4
|
7
|
23
|
19
|
4
|
31
|
||
|
8
|
|
20
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
22
|
24
|
-2
|
30
|
||
|
9
|
|
20
|
8
|
5
|
7
|
25
|
22
|
3
|
29
|
||
|
10
|
|
20
|
8
|
5
|
7
|
21
|
21
|
0
|
29
|
||
This is the top half of the table. Where’s Chelsea? Out of it, although don’t count them out of making the Champions League yet. Tottenham are a good side, but nothing more, and the belly of the Premier League is a strong one, be it West Ham, Crystal Palace or Watford, not to mention Liverpool, who personally I don’t see finishing higher than sixth, with their inconsistencies bound to continue unless they make a game-changing signing in the next three weeks.
Leicester City are the interesting case here. Can they go all the way? Personally, I think depth is going to be an issue at some point, and Jamie Vardy is already starting to slow down as expected. They won’t lose him or Ryad Mahrez, the real star on this team and behind their improbable run, but considering what Arsenal and Manchester City have to offer on most weekends, the Foxes are going to stumble at one point or another. Manchester United? The most boring team in Europe might actually finish in the top 4, but for the sake of everyone it might be best if there’s less reasons to hold on to Louis van Gaal.
In the end, I do think it’s going to come down between Arsenal and Manchester City, with the Gunners favorites to finish what they’ve been trying to do for what will be 12 years by the time this season is over. Their depth, their quality and their ability seems to be enough this season, although they often crash later in the season when there’s a title on the line. Manchester City rely too much on players who are too far from their usual form, if it’s the constantly injured Sergio Aguero but especially the fading midfield led by Yaya Toure.
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