EPL: They're the best

EPL: They're the best

BEST TEAM: ARSENAL

Do not let the 6-3 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium about two weeks ago cloud your opinion of Arsenal.

The early-season pace-setters have since recovered with seven points from three matches to go into 2014 top of the Premiership table. Well, they may not look outright favourites to clinch this season's crown but neither have any other Premiership team.

For all the hype about Man City, the fact remains that they have so far underachieved with the most powerful squad in the top flight.

Chelsea's tenacity has been admirable but, on paper, they should have already taken advantage of the numerous slip-ups by the frontrunners.

Liverpool, for all the talk of a revival, might have created history by slipping from first place on Christmas Day to fifth on New Year's Day.

Few expected Arsenal to mount a serious title challenge this term, let alone head the standings at this stage.

That they have done it with Olivier Giroud as their only real striker makes their achievement all the more impressive.

18

Arsenal have the best Premiership defensive record, alongside Everton, conceding 18 goals in 19 matches.

BEST PLAYER:

LUIS SUAREZ (LIVERPOOL)

Liverpool came so close to losing the one man who has made the difference to their campaign.

Luis Suarez did not get the move he so openly solicited for in pre-season but, instead of sulking, he knuckled down and ended 2013 as possibly the best player in the world.

Ten goals in a four-match spell this month saw him shoot up in the scoring stakes.

It is 19 goals in 14 league games now for the Uruguayan striker (above), six goals clear of Man City's Sergio Aguero, who is second in the Premiership top-scorers' chart.

It helps, too, that Suarez's efforts were mostly spectacular, like that 35-metre volley against Norwich.

Sure, the goals have come in handy, but it was the desire and leadership that he showed on the pitch that won him total respect from his teammates.

Class act.

52

Going by his goal-per-game ratio, he should finish a full 38-match campaign with 52 goals.

BEST GOAL:

JACK WILSHERE (ARSENAL)

There are certainly no lack of contenders in this category, but Jack Wilshere's superb opening goal in a 4-1 win over Norwich in October will be tough to beat.

What looked like a typical counter-attack, started by the England midfielder (right), ended with a flourish.

He skipped past a challenge in his own half, and spread the play to the left flank to Kieran Gibbs.

Then Santi Carzola took over and drove it towards the penalty box, and exchanged short passes with Wilshere.

The Spaniard's last touch was to bring striker Olivier Giroud, at the edge of the box, into play.

Giroud did a one-two flick with Wilshere, before eventually sending Wilshere through on goal to tuck the ball home for the ultimate team goal.

What a beauty.

4

Wilshere's two goals apiece in the English Premier League and Champions League this season is a career-high.

BEST MANAGER:

ROBERTO MARTINEZ (EVERTON)

There were doubts over his credentials when he took over from David Moyes.

Moyes was always going to be a tough act to follow, given how he consistently managed to get Everton to punch above their weight.

And Roberto Martinez's (right) previous season in charge of a Premiership side involved leading Wigan into the Championship.

But what a refreshing change he is at Goodison Park.

They find themselves fourth in the standings, above bitter rivals Liverpool, and only five points behind leaders Arsenal.

However, it was how he transformed the Toffees from a long-ball team into a neat, passing side that produce results, that has earned him deserved plaudits.

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Everton have lost just two league matches so far, the least in the Premiership.


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