 ROUND UP OF THE MAJOR EUROPEAN LEAGUES

by Dr. Michael Calleja

English Premier League It is impossible to ignore Arsenal’s meteoric rise to the top of the Premier League. The Londoners have been busy bulldozing and blitzing their way past most teams with a pizazz and swagger not seen since the Wenger years.

Mikel Arteta’s new‑found confidence in his team has paid dividends – particularly after enduring a rather difficult 2021/22 season. With the Aubameyang issue finally settled, the club has recruited wisely and in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal have made sure that two players with a “winning mentality” have joined their ranks.

Breathing down their necks are Pep’s welldrilled and well-oiled Manchester City. Still everyone’s favourites, in Erling Haaland, United’s inter-city rivals boast the world most promising and lethal striker. The mercurial and imposing Norwegian has already scored a multitude of hat-tricks – and will certainly end up winning the 2022-23 Golden Boot award. Italian Serie A Inasmuch as Arsenal have taken the Premier League by storm, so to have Napoli pulverised practically all opponents in Serie A. In Khvicha Kvaratskehlia, the Southerners boast a prolific dribbler – whose devastating runs and intricate footwork have powered Napoli to the top of the standings. The “Diego Maradona Stadium” is fast becoming a cauldron and intimidating atmosphere for any opposing team and in Luciano Spalletti, “Gli Azzurri” have a shrewd and experienced manager who knows what it takes to win matches.

Their impressive form has also transcended the European stage with a 6-1 hammering of Ajax in Amsterdam certainly grabbing all the headlines. This isn’t just a team reliant on one individual to win them crucial matches. Apart from the talismanic Georgian, Di Lorenzo, Simeone and Raspadori are also contributing immensely. Spalletti’s men have certainly placed themselves in pole position to capture their first Serie A title since 1990. The only question is whether they can retain that equanimity and mental strength that has so often been attributed to the bigger powerhouses of Juventus, Internazionale and AC Milan. It’s proving to be an exciting and compelling Serie A campaign. Spanish Primera Liga Spanish football has been blighted by recent events related to financial sustainability and over-spending. Yet, within the perennial chaos of declaring war on UEFA through the creation of the Super League, against all odds, Real Madrid managed to win the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League. Despite investing heavily in refurbishing the Santiago Bernabeu, “Los Merengues” are still the team to beat, although Barcelona (boasting Robert Lewandowski in attack) are currently leading the table by two points. The surprise package have certainly been Real Sociedad who sit pretty on 26 points with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid hot on their heels.

The team from Basque-country also beat the Red Devils and won their Europa League group and are certainly a tough nut to crack. Real Betis are also enjoying a good run of form – no doubt still basking on the back of the 2022 Copa del Rey victory against Valencia. However, it is undeniable that the league title will once again either end up being paraded in the Bernabeu or showcased at the Camp Nou in 2023.

German Bundesliga Traditional powerhouses Borussia Dortmund have endured a difficult start to the league season – losing six matches which has all-but knocked them out of the title race. The surprise package has certainly been Union Berlin. Not even the biggest club in the capital itself, the 2022-23 season is Union’s fourth season in the top‑flight. Shrewdly led by Urs Fischer, considering the resources and expectations they are certainly punching above their weight. Unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich occupy the top spot and with the strongest squad in the league – will certainly notch another Bundesliga title barring some collapse of monumental proportions. Last year’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt will seek to break into the top four after a disappointing league campaign in 2021-22. RB Leipzig will hope to cement their Champions League status whilst “sleeping giants” Schalke O4 seem destined to return to the 2. Bundesliga in what is proving to be a very challenging campaign for one of Germany’s most supported and popular teams. French Ligue 1 Despite Paris Saint Germain being the overwhelming favourites to win the League, the quality of French football is steadily increasing. Marseille’s European endeavours have been fruitful and noteworthy – despite suffering an agonising elimination against Tottenham Hotspur. RC Lens have certainly been the surprise package – as they currently occupy second place in the league standings. The men from Northern France ended up in 7th place during the 2021-22 season and will certainly be seeking to break into the Champions League spots. Stade Rennais remain a strong side particularly at home whilst AS Monaco will be seeking to improve after suffering a damaging defeat at home to Lens (1-4). All the eyes of the world will still be on PSG – as the men from the capital will be seeking to capture the Champions League title which has so far proven to be elusive. In Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, the Parisians boast an array of riches unmatched in world football. But will they be able to brush off their “chokers” tag come May 2023?