Football: Three talking points as the Premier League halts for the World Cup

MANCHESTER - A Premier League season like no other has been put on hold for six weeks to make way for the

World Cup,

with Arsenal enjoying a five-point lead at the top of the table.

The Gunners, who have not won the title since “The Invincibles” unbeaten season of 2003-04, have failed to even finish in the top four for the past six seasons.

They are well on course for a return to the Champions League, but Liverpool, Chelsea and

Manchester United have ground to make up

if they are to climb back into the top four.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the Premier League season so far:

1 Arteta’s Arsenal project bears fruit

The third anniversary of Mikel Arteta’s appointment as Arsenal boss will be during the World Cup hiatus.

Arsenal have been through a series of highs and lows since, from winning the FA Cup in 2020 to finishing eighth in back-to-back seasons.

But the patience shown towards the Spaniard is bearing fruit in spectacular fashion as Arteta has moulded a young side into table-toppers.

No team have failed to win the league after taking 37 points from their opening 14 games.

The true test still awaits, particularly with two fascinating clashes against City to come, but Arsenal’s early-season pace has set up another intriguing title battle.

2 Newcastle rise ahead of schedule

Third-placed Newcastle United, who have taken 22 points from a possible 24, are well ahead of schedule in fighting for a top-four place.

With Champions League riches a realistic goal, they are expected to splash their newfound wealth once more in January.

But Eddie Howe’s best work has been in reviving the careers of players who arrived at St James’ Park long before the influx of Saudi cash.

Miguel Almiron won the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for October, while Callum Wilson’s form earned him a call-up to the England World Cup squad.

Even if their form eases off in the new year, Newcastle are English football’s new force who are not going to go away.

3 Haaland takes England by storm

Arsenal’s achievement in keeping Manchester City off the top of the table is all the more impressive in the context of

Erling Haaland’s explosive start to his career in England.

Pep Guardiola’s men have won back-to-back titles largely without a recognised striker, but got the man they wanted to be the long-term successor to Sergio Aguero in the towering Norwegian.

The 22-year-old scored a hat-trick in three consecutive home league games amid a run of 18 goals in his first 13 Premier League games and will be rested and refreshed for its restart after missing out on Qatar 2022 with Norway. AFP