Premier League half-season performance rate as Arsenal get top marks and Liverpool and Chelsea bottom of the table
Arsenal receives top marks in Premier League half-term reports, while Liverpool ranks last.
The Premier League season is halfway through, and there is plenty to think about for both the teams that are performing well and the underachievers.
Every Premier League club has now played at least 19 games, bringing us to the season’s halfway mark a little late.
Arsenal leads the table with 50 points following a strong start to the season (their only setback came against Manchester United in September) and has a five-point lead over defending champions Manchester City in second. Newcastle and Manchester United round out the top four, with Liverpool and Chelsea finishing ninth and tenth, respectively.
Southampton changed managers but are still bottom, with Everton only saved from the ignominy of 20th place on goal difference. Bournemouth are the third team in the drop zone but Wolves, West Ham, Leeds and Leicester are all still looking over their shoulders.
- Jurgen Klopp’s ‘Not Fair’ Outburst Bangs Pep Guardiola as Liverpool Boss Takes a Stand
- Arsenal May Turn to ‘Unplayable’ Teen Who Scored Five in One Match
- Odegaard Sends Warning to Arsenal Teammates, Ignoring Arteta’s Complaints
- Interpreting Thiago Alcantara’s Injury Woes: Insights Into Liverpool’s Understanding of the £25M Signing
- 10 Years later; Manchester United Still Plagued by Three Persistent Issues Identified by David Moyes
Position in class: 1st
Grade: A* – exceeded all expectations
Manager Grade: A* – Mikel Arteta is top of the class
Star students: Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Need work: Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira
This season has been way beyond any Arsenal fan’s wildest dreams.
This season has exceeded any Arsenal fan’s greatest expectations.
What a turnaround under Mikel Arteta. It doesn’t feel like that long ago that Arteta was under pressure, fans were agitated, and Arsenal seemed further away than ever.
Arteta has created the story of the Premier League season thus far, and – whisper it gently because their fans are too paranoid to believe it – a lot of neutrals are probably rooting for Arsenal to win the title.
It’s a new name at the top, and they’re playing some fantastic football while defying the odds.
Arsenal isn’t only getting it right on the field. They’ve brought their supporters along for the ride. The hierarchy has been involved, and the mood at the Emirates has gone from the toxicity of fans having meltdowns on social media to a young, enthusiastic supporter base who stand shoulder to shoulder with the older, loyal fans. The turnaround in match day atmosphere is arguably Arteta’s biggest achievement.
How did they do it? The Amazon documentary undoubtedly helped (barring a few Ted Lasso moments with the speakers playing You’ll Never Walk Alone or Arteta’s team talk on how he found his missus) since fans could see how much the players cared.
However, Arteta’s techniques, man management, and collaborative recruitment thinking. They’ve done some fantastic transfer work.
Granit Xhaka is the personification of Arsenal’s renaissance. He’s gone from public enemy number one to the team’s most essential player. That is a testament to Xhaka’s mental strength, but also the club’s drive.
If Arsenal can finish the job and win the club’s first title in 19 years, Arteta must be happy.
If Arsenal can complete the job and win the clubs first title in 19 years, then surely Arteta will be made head boy for finishing top of the class. John Cross
- Bayern Munich Hit with Injury Blow Ahead of Champions League Clash Against Manchester United
- Pochettino Sends Clear Message to Chelsea Board Following Disappointing Everton Loss
- Interpreting Thiago Alcantara’s Injury Woes: Insights Into Liverpool’s Understanding of the £25M Signing
- Release Clause Confirmed by Erik ten Hag as Man Utd Star Granted January Departure Option
- Unai Emery Sends Class Message to Bukayo Saka Ahead of Arsenal Showdown
Position in class : 10th
Grade : E
The Blues came into the season as part of the title conversation under Thomas Tuchel and having signed Raheem Sterling during the summer.
However, Tuchel’s unceremonious resignation and Graham Potter’s difficult road afterwards have left the west London club adrift in mid-table.
Todd Boehly continues to splash the dough on mega-money deals, even confirming the Mykhaylo Mudryk deal midway through the game over Crystal Palace, giving the club the appearance of being unsettled, with on-pitch action playing a secondary part to off-field change.
Manager Rating: D
Potter deserved his shot at a large club following his excellent performance at Brighton, but after three straight Premier League wins, he’s only won two games in 11 since, despite incessant chopping and changing of players and formations.
His side have looked much less than the sum of their parts all too often.
Star students: Thiago Silva, even at the age of 38, remains utterly integral to the side and his consistent performances have been one of few plus points.
The redemption of £71 million ‘keeper Kepa, who has vastly improved but is still prone to errors of judgment, has also been notable.
Needs work: There are a slew of big names who need to step up and develop, but the £120 million combo of Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella stand out.
The England forward has battled to adjust to life at Stamford Bridge and has yet to find the kind of rhythm to his performance that was evident everytime he stepped out at the Etihad.
Cucurella, meanwhile, appears to be one of the worst overspends in Premier League history, and has been demoted to the bench in recent weeks in favor of teenager Lewis Bate.
Much was expected of Conor Gallagher on his return from an outstanding loan spell at Crystal Palace, but he’s failed to show his best or claim a definitive place.
- Arsenal May Turn to ‘Unplayable’ Teen Who Scored Five in One Match
- Man United in Talks to Trigger One-Year Option in Anthony Martial’s Contract
- Chelsea’s Options: Four Players to Replace Thiago Silva
- Pochettino Contemplating Exception to Chelsea Transfer Rule for Thiago Silva Replacement After Man Utd Match
- Pochettino Receives Warning as Chelsea Star’s Future Questioned Following Man Utd Defeat
Position in class: 9th
Grade : F – The levels of effort are questionable compared to exemplary performances in recent years, raising the distinct possibility that this group are simply burnt out and would benefit from several fresh faces.
Muddled performances have resulted in very dismal outcomes, and they are far from where they should have been at the outset of the semester.
Manager Rating: D –
Jurgen Klopp has every right to question the tools he’s been given to work with, as well as the age of many of them, but he’s also made mistakes.
Confusing tactical adjustments and an apparent increased emphasis on sports science in team selection have resulted in his club’s prior machine-like performances tumbling precipitously, and it is now likely that they will lose their standing among Europe’s top next season.
A rebuild is needed with new faces and new ideas.
Star students: Alisson Becker has been the most consistent performer and a player without whom there would be even more struggles this season, while Andy Robertson has been the leader of the pack outfield.
Need work: Mohamed Salah simply isn’t showing what he’s capable of, while there has been a huge drop-off in performance from the likes of Fabinho and more recently Jordan Henderson.
Position in class: 2nd
Grade : ‘A-’ Some way from the levels achieved in their 93 points winning campaign last season or their title victory in 2020-21 and have already dropped points in half a dozen of their 20 games. While Erling Haaland has undoubtedly improved them in front of goal there is a feeling that the rest of the team are still working out how best to fit in around him.
‘A-‘ grade They are still a long way from their 93-point season last season or their title victory in 2020-21, and they have already dropped points in half a dozen of their 20 games. While Erling Haaland has definitely improved their goalkeeping, there is a sense that the rest of the team is still figuring out how to work around him.
‘A-‘ for manager Working out does not require you to be Hercule Poirot. Pep Guardiola is dissatisfied with his team’s performance. As motivation, he has tried regular rotation, an arm over the shoulder, and, with a couple, a kick up the backside. But he is irritated by the way he is performing in terms of form, , fitness and attitude – that some players have come back from the World Cup.
Guardiola has seen what is happening at Arsenal and sees a lot of early City in them – the hunger, drive, and ambition – and has attempted to instill that in his team. It’s proving difficult, however, with a group of guys that have become overly familiar. Pep recognizes Mikel Arteta’s talent and fears that the apprentice may overtake the sorcerer.
Students to watch: Erling Haaland – With 31 goals in all competitions and 25 in the league, he has more than enough to win the Golden Boot in each of the last four seasons. Rico Lewis, who has emerged from the academy with outstanding maturity, has emerged as a star.
nd John Stones, who has looked better than ever, has been the best defender on show.
Work is required: Ederson has had a hit-or-miss season thus far. Phil Foden is battling to recapture his pre-World Cup fitness and form, and Joao Cancelo has been a significant letdown after being one of the season’s standouts. Gideon Brooks is a writer.
- Jurgen Klopp’s ‘Not Fair’ Outburst Bangs Pep Guardiola as Liverpool Boss Takes a Stand
- Arsenal May Turn to ‘Unplayable’ Teen Who Scored Five in One Match
- Bayern Munich Hit with Injury Blow Ahead of Champions League Clash Against Manchester United
- Pochettino Sends Clear Message to Chelsea Board Following Disappointing Everton Loss
- Man United in Talks to Trigger One-Year Option in Anthony Martial’s Contract
4th place in class
A is the grade.
Manager Grade: A* – Completed the team transformation ahead of schedule.
Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, and Luke Shaw are among the standout students.
Antony, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, and Anthony Martial all require development.
Manchester United may not be top of the class at half-term, but they are clear winners of the progress prize.
United were bottom of the Premier League league and in turmoil after losing their first two Premier League games under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Guardiola has seen what is happening at Arsenal and sees a lot of early City in them – the hunger, drive, and ambition – and has attempted to instill that in his team. It’s proving difficult, however, with a group of guys that have become overly familiar. Pep recognizes Mikel Arteta’s talent and fears that the apprentice may overtake the sorcerer.
Students to watch: Erling Haaland – With 31 goals in all competitions and 25 in the league, he has more than enough to win the Golden Boot in each of the last four seasons. Rico Lewis, who has emerged from the academy with outstanding maturity, has emerged as a star.
nd John Stones, who has looked better than ever, has been the best defender on show.
Ten Hag has made certain that all of the players have bought into his concept and has fired those who have resisted, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, who was fired in November.
The 52-year-old Dutchman has restored United’s standards and discipline, as well as helping players like Marcus Rashford find their confidence and form.
Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro have all shown to be wise acquisitions that have had an immediate effect. The verdict is still out on Antony, while loan signing Wout Weghorst needs time to analyze the prudence of his short-term recruitment.
United’s 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions may have ended with Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, to put into perspective talk of a title bid in Ten Hag’s first season.
Yet few people, least of all Ten Hag, felt United were capable of challenging for the title this season, with the remit before the campaign being a top-four place and a trophy.
With United currently occupying fourth spot, into the EFL Cup semi-finals and still in the FA Cup and Europa League, both of those targets remain attainable. A return to the Champions League and a first trophy would represent a successful first term in charge for Ten Hag, and a platform to go for the big prize and top of the class next season.
Position in class: 5th
Grade: B – in danger of falling out of the top set
Manager grade: Antonio Conte. C – too many distractions at home
Star students : Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski
Need work: Hugo Lloris, Heung-Min Son, Eric Dier
Sit back and enjoy the second half if their season is anything like a normal Tottenham performance! They have been famously slow starters throughout the campaign.
Whereas if games started at the 45-minute mark this season, Spurs would be riding high in second position, with Manchester City just ahead of them and – maybe more crucially given the local rivalry – Arsenal trailing in their wake.
Although a team meeting before the Fulham game may have contributed to their sole win in six Premier League games, they were mainly anonymous for the first half season
