Fans in the stands and a real title race – this should be a thriller
Prospect of City being challenged for their crown by three teams adds lustre to the new Premier League campaign
Whoever wins the Premier League this season, whoever qualifies for Europe, whoever suffers the pain of relegation and whatever dramas unfold, the most memorable moment may come just before the first ball is kicked at the Brentford Community Stadium tonight.
For the first time in 17 months, a capacity crowd will be in attendance for a top-flight game in England, and that guttural roar of anticipation and expectation, that momentary communion, as the players appear from the tunnel, will be a blissful experience.
If, in a way, it does feel like starting again following the pandemic, and with Brentford in their first season in the top tier since 1946-47, then it comes with a familiar preface: whoever finishes above Manchester City should win the Premier League. And if City do manage to sign Harry Kane before the transfer window closes at the end of this month then that possibility is made even more remote. They remain the favourites and he would emphatically confirm that status.
The fact is that City have won the title in three of the past four seasons and it took an exceptional Liverpool team to deny them a clean sweep. It stands to reason, therefore, that they are clearly still the team to beat as a new campaign begins, particularly as they have already broken the British transfer record with the £100million acquisition of Jack Grealish, whose importance was underlined by being awarded the No10 shirt by Pep Guardiola.
It will surely take some effort to finish above City, although there are grounds for optimism that we may again have a title race and one that could also involve more than just two participants.
In fact, if there is a piece of advice to be heeded by City’s rivals then it is this: start fast, try to build a lead and break the champions the way Liverpool did two seasons ago. Guardiola has already voiced his fears of a disjointed opening to the campaign, with six of his players returning to training only on Monday after their exertions with their national teams, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne injured, Guardiola revealing “two or three” led by Bernardo Silva want to leave, and a question mark as to whether – if Kane is not signed – City can juggle another campaign without a frontline striker.
If that is the hope for the rest then it comes with a note of caution: Guardiola felt City were undercooked at the start of last season and they did, indeed, look ponderous – especially in an embarrassing 5-2 defeat at home by Leicester City. But then look what happened.
Still, the potential challengers – Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, probably in that order – already feel stronger this time round.
The return of Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge feels like a hugely significant signing, given a proven
goalscorer is something Chelsea have lacked for at least three seasons. With Thomas Tuchel making such impressive strides since he took over in January, beating City three times, including in the Champions League final, it is logical to expect Chelsea to propel themselves forward as contenders. Young players, chiefly Kai Havertz, will also be better for having a season in English football under their belts.
Liverpool have signed Ibrahima Konate but it is the return of another centre-half in Virgil van Dijk that is so eagerly anticipated.
Whether he is the same player after his horrific knee injury remains to be seen and it may take several months for that to happen.
Having the boost of surging to third place, when Champions League qualification had seemed beyond them, and having endured a frustrating season pockmarked by injuries, Liverpool will expect to regroup and go again. Although they still have to replace Georginio
Wijnaldum in midfield, maybe the time is now for Thiago Alcantara, who himself was hampered last season, and some of the young tyros, such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, to prove themselves.
The fourth obvious contenders – in theory, at least – are Manchester United, who were runners-up last term and have finally landed Jadon Sancho after pursuing him for more than a year in the belief that he will give their attack more balance.
Perhaps the signing of Raphael Varane, though, could be even more crucial, considering they have cried out for a mobile, quick centre-half. The former Real Madrid defender fits the bill if he can recapture his form, which has undoubtedly dipped of late. The hope will be that the move will revitalise the 28-yearold France international but it will be interesting to see how he copes with the physicality of the Premier League.
And the rest? Judging from the Community Shield, Leicester City appear set to start strongly again, but have to avoid running out of gas for the third season in a row. Nuno Espirito Santo is already reshaping Tottenham Hotspur into a more obdurate outfit, but so much depends on Kane and, if he goes, how would that affect the other players and how would he be replaced?
Arsenal look unpredictable and vulnerable once again. If they get off to a poor start, Mikel Arteta will be under pressure.
It is hard to see anyone else threatening the top six – although the superbly organised West Ham United may bristle at that – but Aston Villa could be this year’s breakthrough act, should their collection of new signings gel.
There is another imponderable. Playing behind closed doors has undoubtedly been a slog, physically and mentally, and it is such a relief that period is over.
Some clubs found it easier than others – indeed, a few might even have benefited from the absence of supporters – but generally the players and clubs deserve credit for the football they produced.
But when 17,000 Brentford and Arsenal fans unleash a year-and-ahalf of pent-up frustration in west London tonight, it will truly feel like football is back.
What has changed in 12 weeks?
Not as much as Arsenal hoped. This was billed as the summer of change, with a long list of likely departures from the first-team squad.
So far, that exodus has not materialised. The
£50 million signing of Ben White could be a defining moment of Mikel Arteta’s tenure, though, with the Englishman offering a passing range and dribbling ability that should enhance build-up play. There is more to be done in the transfer market, with an attacking midfielder a priority. Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard could return after his encouraging loan spell last season, while Leicester City’s James Maddison is another high-class option on Arsenal’s shortlist.
Who has it all to prove?
Arteta had credit in the bank last season, following Arsenal’s FA Cup victory in 2020, and there were mitigating factors that could explain the team’s early struggles. This time, there will be no excuses. The reaction of the supporters will be interesting, especially after such a low-key summer in the transfer market. In
terms of the playing staff, Granit Xhaka will be staying after all, having seemed destined to leave at the start of the window. How will he respond to the return of fans to the Emirates? His relationship with supporters has been fractious, but he remains one of Arteta’s most trusted figures.
Most exciting prospect
Albert Sambi Lokonga, a £15 million signing from Anderlecht, is a young
midfielder with enormous potential. The Belgian is regarded as one for the future, but his pre-season performances have been impressive and it would be no surprise if he starts the first few matches in the absence of the injured Thomas Partey.
Success would be…
Qualifying for the top four and returning to the Champions League. That has become the ultimate goal for
Arsenal, which is indicative of how far they have fallen since the glory years under Arsene Wenger. Without European football to worry about, they need to show
they are making progress.
Failure would be…
Not even getting close to the top four. Arsenal must look to narrow the gap, at least.
Managerial axe rating
3/5. After an eighth-place finish last season Arteta is under more pressure than ever before, although the executive team will give him as many chances as they possibly can.
Player of the year will be…
Kieran Tierney, if he can maintain his fitness. An emerging leader of the team, the wing-back signed a new contract in the summer.
Major ins
Ben White (Brighton, £50m), Albert Sambi Lokonga (Anderlecht, £15m), Nuno Tavares (Benfica, £7m).
Major outs
David Luiz (free agent), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille, loan), William Saliba (Marseille, loan).
What has changed in 12 weeks?
It was the scenario Aston Villa had always dreaded, and Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City is a significant blow. For all of Villa’s progress and the huge financial support of owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, this was the last thing they wanted. Villa have added quality signings again this summer and European football remains the aim, but the pressure will be on Villa to prove they can flourish without their talisman. They will have a fresh attack, led by the newly arrived Danny Ings, supported by Leon Bailey. Axel Tuanzebe has returned to add competition in defence, so the Grealish money has not been wasted or saved for another window.
Who has it all to prove?
With Grealish gone, it is time for Villa’s players to seize responsibility, and it is arguably John Mcginn who falls into that bracket. He is the player every top-six club would love to sign, and the Scotland international has the ability and leadership qualities to propel Villa towards a new era. He will set the pace for Villa from central midfield.
Most exciting prospect Emi Buendia was the No1 target for this summer and appears made to measure for Dean Smith’s style of play. There is also a huge buzz around £30 million signing Bailey, who has been on the radar of many top clubs and has so much potential.
Success would be…
If Villa can better last season’s 11th-place finish without Grealish in the team, it would represent an
excellent achievement for Smith.
Failure would be…
Whisper it, but Villa have struggled in the past when Grealish has been absent. It would be a colossal disappointment, while vindicating the fears of some supporters, if Villa were to experience a severe downturn in the steady upward momentum they have enjoyed in recent years.
Managerial axe rating
2/5. Dean Smith is in a strong position after last season’s efforts, when his team finished 11th and flirted with European qualification while pulling off a memorable 7-2 win over Liverpool in October. He will be tested as a coach to make sure his new signings adapt quickly in a competition where sweeping changes rarely
work.
Player of the year will be…
Danny Ings. As long as he stays fit, Ings has the capability to break the 20-goal barrier. He will be a huge loss to Southampton and looks like he has the right kind of support at Villa to get the chances that every finisher needs to thrive.
Major ins Emi Buendia (£33m, Norwich), Leon Bailey (£30m, Bayer Leverkusen), Danny Ings (Southampton, £25m), Ashley Young (free, Inter Milan), Axel Tuanzebe (loan, Man Utd).
Major outs Jack Grealish (£100m, Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Manchester United, free transfer).