Bournemouth
Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth became a passionate and uncomfortable team. With their impressive form in both attack and defence, they are surprisingly second in the Premier League table, 4 points behind Arsenal. Antoine Semenyo has become a top blocker, while young talent Eli Junior Kroupi is exploding at the front line with consecutive goals in recent matches.
Iraola had made Arsenal regret him twice last season. In mid-January, they will reunite at Vitality Stadium. However, their direct and sometimes overly risky playing style makes their ability to maintain stability throughout the season still a big question mark.
Tottenham
Thomas Frank is helping Tottenham become a reflection of Arsenal themselves a few years ago. With the central defender pair Cristian Romero - Micky van de Ven, Spurs have a defensive system that can be compared to William Saliba - Gabriel. They are even playing effectively in set-pieces, a sport that has been a Arsenal trademark in recent years.
Tottenham are also scoring twice as many goals as Arsenal from open play, only behind Liverpool and Man City. However, they still have problems with stability and dependence on form, higher than the actual statistics allowed, when 17 goals have come from only 11.25 expected goals.
With James Maddison and Kulusevski injured for a long time, Tottenham's creativity could decline sharply in the coming period. However, if they maintain solidity in defense, "The Rooster" can completely stay in the championship race group.
Sunderland
Just 4 years after playing in the second division, Sunderland is now 4th in the Premier League. Under Regis Le Bris, the Northeast team became a unified bloc with an extremely solid defense, only behind Arsenal in the number of goals conceded.
However, that fairy tale journey could be fiercely challenged. From now until Christmas, Sunderland will face a series of big teams such as Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham. With a thin squad and the loss of key players in the can cup, Sunderland will find it difficult to maintain their form.
Man City
Manchester City is in a rare stagnation period. They have lost 3 matches in the first 9 rounds and Rodri's injury continues to be a nightmare. However, Pep Guardiola still has the Supreme weapon in his hands named Erling Haaland. The addition of Gianluigi Donnarumma helps The Citizens more solid in goal.
The rather pressing problem is that Man City are too dependent on Haaland, who has scored almost all of their goals, while Arsenal have had 11 players who have scored. If Pep does not find the balance formula soon, Man City may be left behind by Arsenal right after Christmas.
Man United
Ruben Amorim is helping Man United regain their identity. No longer having to share efforts in the European arena, the "Red Devils" are focusing on the Premier League and are showing clear progress with victories over Liverpool, Brighton and Sunderland.
However, they still lack depth, especially in midfield, when Casemiro is no longer as energetic as before and many key players will be absent from the CAN Cup.
Liverpool
No one expected the reigning Premier League champions to fall into crisis so quickly. After 5 defeats in the last 6 matches, Arne Slot's Liverpool are losing their identity that was their pride at Anfield. Controlling and short-range play Arne Slot expects to break the rules against opponents who play directly, are physically strong and fat-ai-hon.
Lax defense is the biggest problem. Letting go early in most of the losses shows an alarming lack of concentration. Up front, Mohamed Salah has just ended his failed streak, while Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo have yet to find a common voice.
Arne Slot's personnel experiment from full-back, midfielder to striker has not brought stability to The Kop. Perhaps, what the team needs most right now is not to change their tactics, which is to restore the belief and desire to fight that helped them win the championship last season.
