The season is done and dusted. This Premier League was different from the past few ones in many ways, except one. There were more goals per match, more youngsters ruling the charts, and an unusually high attrition rate among managers.
The only exception was the continued march of the Manchester City juggernaut.
Manchester City and the Premier League: Can’t let go!
Pep Guardiola, with his exceptional depth in his squad, added another feather to his cap. An enviable record of four-in-a-row to boot. . The champions did what they did best. When the chasing pack closed in, teeth bared, City went into overdrive. The team looked in the rearview mirror, then in the side mirrors, shifted gears, and stepped on the gas pedal. As they sped away, the chasers tried to keep pace, but then the difference in bench strength showed up. A tired Liverpool found itself short of breath. Arsenal kept pace but got pipped at the post as a few blips earlier in the run-up weighed in.
As an old joke goes, with all the feathers in his cap, Pep can now fly home when he done with Premier League.
Rodri did what he does best. Easily the best holding midfielder in the world today was the lynchpin, which held the tactical manoeuvres together. He is often taken for granted and thus gets less spoken of compared to his teammates. Phil Foden, the Player of the Year, came true to Pep’s predictions of being one of the best he has trained. While there have been very comparable performances this season from the likes of Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, to name a few, Foden was a world apart. His ability to carry the ball in that mesmerising fluidity of the Manchester City moves made all the difference. Kevin De Bruyne, even though he was out injured for some time, made crucial contributions.
It was yet again the ruthless consistency and the squad strength that helped City keep the league. It will take some effort from the others to loosen that vice-like grip.
Arsenal: So near and yet so far.
For the second season, Mikel Arteta was pipped by Pep. The assistant gave his former boss a good run for his money, but then, out there at the top, the margins are fine.
Arteta does seem to have a persistent attitude towards him. He has responded to his critics by building a resilient team and a distinct culture. The squad, according to many experts, might be lacking in depth, but that is a view that may be skewed more than usual by comparing it with Manchester City’s famed bench strength. The Gunners have definitely made watching them a joy.
Martin Odegaard, their charismatic captain, is certainly a treat to watch. Superb control on the ball in closed spaces, an eye for glorious through passes, and a tireless effort every day in the field make him one of the best in the league and in world football.
The two new signings, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, have been outstanding. Rice hit the ground running, while Havertz took a rather frustrating run to get going. In the end, Havertz got into his groove and came up with some important contributions. Bukayo Saka was brilliant in the wings. Of all the positions that Arsenal looks to add muscle to, this is the one that really needs a backup. It would be unfair not to mention their defensive line. One of the best defensive performances in the League was led by stunning consistency of amongst all William Saliba. He never put a step wrong and for his age the performance was simply monstrous.
Klopp signs off from Premier League : Deserved a better sendoff.
Jurgen Klopp, in his final year at Liverpool, may have loved to have an open bus send-off, but he will now have to move on with the memories of the last few years. Make no mistake, it was a brilliant run. The smiling German, his forthright views, and a few of his rants would be missed. In his years, he brought a long-missed fight into the game. He brought them a league and a European title, something that is part of his legacy, and the fans would need to look back and thank him for the run.
The Liverpool fans have a new manager and would love to see their new manager Arne Slot, all 45 years old, keep them pushing for the top. They might need a few reinforcements, especially in the midfield and the defence. The attacking line has all the guns for a big fight, and an improvement in conversion rates after arriving in the box will definitely go a long way.
The top three dished out some brilliant performances, and there was little to spare them. The other elites of the Premier League, like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, had eminently forgettable seasons. They have all left their fans frustrated, and they have some catching up to do next year.
For now, it is Manchester, London, and Liverpool in that order on the final list.
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