2023/24 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: TUSSLE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHTS

On Friday, August 11, 2023, the 32^nd season of the English Premier League and the 125^th season of the top-flight overall kick off in grandeur and razzmatazz. Last season presented an intriguing scrimmage that brought a smashing of the so-called Big Six, with the status quo scattered up and down the table as the unusual suspects put a stake in the ground. The 2023–24 season will likely revert to type, with the heavyweights aiming to rise to the top.

Following their triple triumph, Manchester City will be chasing an unlikely record: in 130 years, nobody has seen a team storm to four English top-flight titles on the trot. However, it won’t be as easy as some pundits predicted.

Sunday’s Community Shield match-up signified Arsenal is really up for it. Their summer signings were crafty, with one sole intention: to tie up the loose ends that saw them bullied at the end of the season. Several managers, including the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, hypothesise that league titles are won with a strong defensive line. Others give credence to how prolific the attacking line is; a recent example is the signing of Robin van Persie by Manchester United in 2012, and his goals invariably clinched the league title.

I differ slightly from these two lines of thought. My belief hinges on a strong midfield, and a viable linkage between the defence and attack plays the most significant role in title wins. That will be where Arsenal will fare most in the coming season. The acquisition of Declan Rice will surely add vigour to the team. Obviously, Mikel Arteta intends to use two holding midfielders, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey. With Martin Odegaard in front of them, Arsenal will have a formidable midfield and will surely be one of the favourites for the title, despite the fact that the club seems to have a jinx with consistency.

BBC Sports recently published predictions from 26 pundits. 25 of these pundits predicted Manchester City would end up retaining the league title, thereby winning an unprecedented fourth title. City should be the overwhelming favourites; they have squad strength and depth that are unmatched by the other teams. Man United has been in the market, and Eric Ten Hag has done well in offloading inconsequential players. The signing of the seemingly untested 20-year-old striker, Rasmund Hojlund, and the acquisition of Mason Mount will not be enough to overturn City’s firm grip.

Liverpool only picked up form at the tail end of last season, they put up a yeoman effort to get themselves into Europe. Despite having six senior players, including captain Henderson, they are still a force to reckon with. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai can add some value to the team, but I don’t see them upsetting City. The fate of Chelsea last season was deplorable, to say the least. Chelsea has gone to show that money doesn’t always fetch you titles, the right players do.

I expect Brighton and Newcastle to play the role of dark horses. In Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, and Tino Livramento, the magpies have done well in the transfer market. If Brighton can hold on to Moises Caicedo, I can see either of these two teams (Newcastle being the other) pushing for a place in Europe at the end of the coming season. With Harry Kane departing Tottenham, I see Spurs struggling unless they can dig in and get another prolific striker to replace the England captain.

Of the three promoted teams, Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town, the last two will most likely return to the Championship. Burnley has the potential to pull off surprises and stay up.

The season will be a tussle between the heavyweights, surely. However, it will take a gargantuan task to prevent them from winning another league title, especially if Erling Haaland can avoid a second-season whammy and continue with the scoring spree.