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Starting today Malaysian Digest looks at the 20 teams will do battle in the new Premier League season which begins this weekend.
First team to be disected are Arsenal, still looking good despite the furore about captain Robin van Persie who wants out of Emirates and ply his trade with some other big clubs. (the latest hw is set to join Manchestee United).
ARSENAL
With or without striker Robin van Persie, Arsenal look capable of challenging the best in the new season.
Holland international van Persie has still one year more contract with the Gunners but he wants to leave Emirates Stadium for new challenges. He has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and even Juventus.
Nothing has been settled though as the club's top scorer is still with them and played in the friendly against Colonge on Sunday.
The good news for Arsenal fans is that, unlike, last season, they are better prepared this time as they have signed up Germany international attacker Lucas Podolski from Colonge and striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.
These two can fill the vacuum left by van Persie if he does leave the Emirates.
Arsenal have also signed up exciting Spain international winger Santi Cazorla from Malaga to strengthen their attack.
These three established players can do wonders especially with Arsenal passing game employed by manager Arsene Wenger.
The defence looks solid enough with Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen around
FACT FILES
KEY PLAYERS: Podolski, Alex Song, Cazorla, Vermaelen
NEW SIGNINGS: Podolski (from Colonge), Giroud (from Montpellier), Cazorla (from Malaga).
MANAGER: Arsene Wenger
HOME GROUND: Emirates Stadium
LAST SEASON POSITION: Third.
PREDICTION: Can retain at least third spot.
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa did not perform up to expectations last season where they ended up in a poor 16th in the standings.
One of the reasons for this was that the Villans were not effective enough upfront and struggled to score after the departure of Ashley Young to Manchester United. The then manager Alex McLeish seemed to be running out of ideas on how to make the team better.
McLeish has since been sacked and replaced by Paul Lambert, who had earlier steered Norwich to Premier League in the 2010-2011.
Lambert, 43, did a good job again as he managed to help the Canaries remain in the elite division via some entertaining football before being snatched by Villa to chart their fortunes in the new season.
Villa still have established strikers Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor to help them with their cause. But still, they will find find it hard to make an impact as overall they do not have much quality.
FACT FILES
KEY PLAYERS: Agbonlahor, Charles N'Zogbia, Ron Vlaar
NEW SIGNINGS: Vlaar (fom Feyenoord), Mathew Lowton (from Sheff United), Brett Hlma (from AZ Alkmaar), Karim El Ahmadi (from Feyenoord).
MANAGER: Paul Lambert
HOME GROUND: Villa Park
LAST SEASON POSITION: 16th
PREDICTION: Finishing 12th, the most.
CHELSEA
Manager Roberto De Matteo,after that stunning Champions League triumph last season, is looking forward for Chelsea to do a better job in the Premier League this time around.
The Blues, who had Portuguese Andre Villas-Boas as manager at the start of last season, did not fare well in the league when they finished sixth.
One of the reasons for this was that the senior players were not too happy with Villas-Boas' approach and apparently did not produce their best on the pitch. But things changed once Italian De Matteo took over.
Chelsea have made a few interesting signings in the summer and the biggest one must be talented Belgium international midfielder Eden Hazard from Lille. His inclusion should add extra dimension to the Chelsea attack.
The question now is how it will take for him to settle down playing in the Premier League.
Another question is that will striker Fernando Torres back at his scoring best? It is vital for him to do so as Chelsea do not have Dideir Drogba anymore. The chances are that the Spain international will.
Chelsea have also signed up Brazil international midfielder Oscar from Internacional to strengthen their attack.
KEY PLAYERS: Ramires, Juan Mata, Torres, Hazard, Oscar.
NEW SIGNINGS: Hazard (from Lille), Marko Marin (from Werder Bremen), Oscar (from Internacional).
MANAGER: Roberto De Matteo
HOME GROUND: Stamford Bridge
LAST SEASON POSITION: Sixth
PREDICTION: Are capable of challenging for the title. A big sin if do not end up in top four.
EVERTON
David Moyes' men, as usual, will be a tough nut to crack. It will be interesting to see whether the Toffees can have a bright start to the new season as they they tend to be slow starters.
The not-so-good news is that star midfielder Jack Rodwell has been bought by champions Manchester City last week. It is not going to be easy for Moyes to replace him.
However, Everton do have some quality players who can assist them to make things difficult even for the big clubs. They have defenders like Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka, for instance.
In midfield, there is Marouane Fellaini and up front Nikicia Jelavic.
KEY PLAYERS: Baines, Fellaini, Jelavic.
NEW SIGNINGS:Steven Naismith (from Rangers)
MANAGER: David Moyes
HOME GROUND: Goodison Park
LAST SEASON POSITION: 7th
PREDICTION: 8th or 9th
FULHAM
This west London club, under Dutch manager Martin Jol, did a good job last season by finishing ninth. One of their main problems is inconsistency as they could have done better if not for some unexpected losses.
Fulham have signed striker Hugo Rodallega from Wigan in the summer and he is set to beef up the attack.
Ace attacker Clint Dampsey may leave for another club and Rodallega' is capable of scoring if he is well supported from midfield.
FACT FILES
KEY PLAYERS: Brede Hangeland, Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Rodallega.
MANAGER: Martin Jol
HOME GROUND: Craven Cottage
LAST SEASON POSITION: 9th
PREDICTION: 12th to 15th
- mD
