The 2016/17 Premier League campaign is finally here. Whilst the two Manchester clubs have spent well over a quarter of a billion pounds this summer, the London sides may be the teams to watch this season. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur pushed Leicester City close last year but the Foxes held on to claim a memorable title victory. However, London wants the Premier League title back. We’ve taken a look at three of London’s top clubs ahead of the new campaign and have given our thoughts as to whether these elite sides can get their hands on the top flight crown this season.
ARSENAL
Arsenal climbed above Tottenham on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign to secure second-place behind Leicester, a decent achievement. However, the Gunners are still dreaming of that elusive Premier League title. Granit Xhaka will give Arsene Wenger another option in midfield and Arsenal are still in the market for another central defender. If truth be told, though, a world class forward has to be their priority…
With another striker, the Gunners could defy the odds to finally get their hands back on the Premier League crown. Wenger’s men have struggled since lifting the title back in 2004 but Arsenal have a genuine chance to put things right this season. As of August 11th, they are valued at 6/1 in bet365’s Premier League betting markets and plenty of punters will back Wenger’s men ahead of the new campaign…
TOTTENHAM
Spurs were phenomenal for the majority of last season but Mauricio Pochettino’s men fell to pieces in the closing stages of the campaign. Unfortunately, the title was beyond their reach but Tottenham will be quietly confident of challenging for the crown again this time around. With Harry Kane banging in the goals, Spurs always have a chance and Vincent Janssen’s arrival from AZ Alkmaar certainly won’t hinder their chances of silverware…
On their day, Tottenham are one of the best teams in the Premier League – both going forward and defensively. In fact, Spurs had one of the best defensive records in the top flight last season and Pochettino will be expecting his defence to perform well again this season. If everything goes right, Tottenham will be there or thereabouts and it would be foolish to write them off. Spurs could well do the unthinkable and finish above Arsenal at the very least.
CHELSEA
Two words: Antonio Conte. The Blues moved quickly to appoint the former Italy head coach as their new manager and he has made an immediate impact since joining the club. Chelsea have already signed N’Golo Kante this summer and the former Leicester man will be a key part of Conte’s Chelsea side. After all, the Frenchman played a vital role in Leicester’s title success – and Chelsea fans will hope that he can do the same at Stamford Bridge…
With a bit of luck, Chelsea could win the title this year. Last season was an anomaly and it would be foolish to expect the Blues to struggle and finish outside the Champions League places. At the end of the day, Conte is a proven winner and Chelsea will benefit greatly from his experience, philosophy and desire to succeed at the top level. The Blues will sign at least one more player before transfer deadline day, and that might be all they need as they hunt down a fourth Premier League title.
Featured image: By Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom – Mesut ÖzilUploaded by Dudek1337, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28492065
