The Premier League returns: Analysing every team’s situation as the season resumes after the World Cup

After taking a break for the World Cup, the Premier League will resume on Boxing Day. Sky Sports football writers will review the situation as of November and look forward to the league’s return. In the end, football didn’t return from Qatar. That’s okay, though, since what we’re truly chasing is the Premier League’s nail-biting, chaotic, and tense rollercoaster.

Some people might find it difficult to recall precisely where we left off in the top division back in the middle of November due to the World Cup’s enthusiasm. Teams were ecstatic, managers were under strain, players were going through slumps, and fans were speaking their minds more than ever, both favorably and unfavorably.

Over the next six months, a lot of questions need to be resolved. Is Arsenal’s time now? Can the underperforming clubs at the bottom change their situation? Has Manchester United made progress? The football journalists for Sky Sports give us a thorough recap of the hot topics at each Premier League club, including potential outcomes.

Next three PL games: West Ham (H), Brighton (A), Newcastle (H)

Arsenal supporters may have begun to believe it was all a dream after their final Premier League match a month ago. It wasn’t, though. You lead Manchester City by five points at the top of the standings. The difficulty now is staying there, which has been made more difficult by Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury, which prevented him from playing at the World Cup and is anticipated to keep him out for three months.

The Brazilian striker’s impact on Arsenal’s overall performance since moving from City has been transformative even though he only scored five goals in the 14 Premier League games before the break and none in the previous six.

Without him, will they be able to maintain their impressive start? Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Granit Xhaka have all increased their goal-scoring totals to a combined 18 goals, but replacing everything else Jesus brings is another story.

Eddie Nketiah will try to seize the opportunity. There may also be opportunities during the January transfer window. However, Arsenal enters the second half aware that how they perform without Jesus would probably make or break their title hopes.

Wright, Nick

Aston Villa

At Aston Villa, the humiliating loss at Fulham that resulted in Steven Gerrard’s dismissal two hours after the game’s conclusion has long been forgotten. The team entered a new chapter after three straight victories in the Premier League and the hiring of Unai Emery, and significantly, they are now five points above the relegation zone.

Emery’s first two games ended in victories over Manchester United and Brighton, which gave rise to optimism that they may make even better use of their training camp in the UAE. After all, the team’s problems have been exposed on the road, where they have earned just five points from eight games. The attack, which has only scored 16 goals in 15 games, is the most pressing issue for Emery to address. In the subsequent four games, they have scored nine goals after scoring just seven goals in the first 11 games under Gerrard.

Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings benefit from Emery’s 4-2-2-2 shape, which also seems to work for midfielders like Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, and John McGinn. But if Villa is to contend for a top-half finish, they will need attacking reinforcements this winter, especially in wide areas. Although acquiring the gifted forward Joao Felix appears ambitious, Villa supporters will appreciate Emery’s more upbeat outlook.

Bournemouth

In just four weeks, a lot can happen. Bournemouth became the newest top-flight team to be owned by Americans after appointing Gary O’Neil as their permanent head coach since the commencement of the World Cup. The confirmation of Bill Foley’s £100 million or more buyout was only revealed last week, even though it had been anticipated for months.

The 78-year-old billionaire from Las Vegas has previously disclosed his ambitions to build the Vitality Stadium and training facilities on the south coast. He also exclusively revealed to Sky Sports News that he anticipates “four or five new players” to join the club during the January transfer window.

Michael B. Jordan, a multi-award-winning actor, director, and producer from Hollywood, has helped Foley place Bournemouth in the public eye right away. Everyone associated with the club is experiencing a fun time right now.

The team’s immediate goal is still Premier League survival, but Foley is certain O’Neil can accomplish that goal after calming the ship when Scott Parker was fired at the end of August. Bournemouth is 14th in the table, three points above the relegation zone, with four wins, four draws, and four losses under the 39-year-old.