Premier League: Business as usual setting in?

Analysis of the unexpected state of the Premier League, with Arsenal on top and Chelsea struggling. Insights into top team performances & predictions.

Marcus Rashford is proving to be unstoppable with yet another brace against Leicester City on Sunday, will he fire United firmly into the title race? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

The premier league is finally shaping up to what we used to know, but two puzzle pieces have refused to make sense – Arsenal at the top and an expensively assembled Chelsea in tenth.

Credits to Mikel Arteta and his young Arsenal squad, No one expected Mikel Arteta and his young Arsenal team to do better than finish in the top four.

But they are now in the running for the title and should be considered the favourites. Only Manchester City is likely to beat them.

Chelsea in 10th is something you can make a case for if you have a soft spot for the Blues or the man in charge.

It’s easy for anyone to think the new owner has copied the templates of his fellow American owners at Arsenal and decided to reverse the roles, making the manager the project.

After spending so much, you can see the plan: buy young players and hand them long-term contracts that will make it profitable in the long run while dominating consistently.

It looks like a brilliant plan on paper and hypothetically, but does it look that way at face value?

Graham Potter went to the press and decided not to take responsibility.

Chelsea lost at home to bottom-place Southampton on Saturday, and the manager looked the camera in the eye and said he’s not the problem. If not, then who is?

Elsewhere, Tottenham has gatecrashed the top four after Newcastle fell off.

Not many expected Eddie Howe’s side to keep it together for so long, but while the Magpies have tried, it would be a little harrowing if they fell completely out of the top 6.

However, Newcastle will play in Europe next season; their date in the League Cup final against Manchester United means whether they win it or not, the Europa League spot that belongs to the cup winner will go to them with United now certain to make the Champions League.

Liverpool seems to be back, but their second-half performance against a ten-man Newcastle would worry anyone.

Jurgen Klopp would take the three points and run off, having moved closer to the top four than they could have imagined after a difficult first half of the season.

The champions must believe they can overtake Arsenal with time.

You can’t blame them, experience counts for something, but they cannot be complacent or arrogant.

How did City drop points at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest?

If they ever lose the title to the Gunners, they will look back at those missed chances and realise how costly they can be.

It’s all shaping up; business as usual is beginning to take centre stage again, but who are those that will make the top four in the end?

Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United look the part at the moment, but can Liverpool give Tottenham and Newcastle a run for the fourth spot?

United must be looking beyond the top four after another brilliant performance against Leicester City on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford is the hottest striker in Europe, arguably, with a certain Victor Osimhen begging to disagree.

Is Manchester United in the title race?