Chelsea sloppy, Arsenal shoddy but it's far too early to write them off.

CORRESPONDENT COLUMN: There are too many variables to make any bold predictions after the title favourites failed to impress on the opening weekend.

The Premier League returned with a bang this weekend and the performances of this season's title protagonists provided plenty of ammunition for those who claim that this is the most competitive division in the world.

Manchester United were sloppy and unconvincing as they scraped past Tottenham in the curtain-raiser, champions Chelsea were held at home by Swansea City and Arsenal fluffed their lines as they were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium by West Ham on Sunday.

Manchester City play West Brom on Monday night in the final match of the opening weekend, but it is almost impossible to draw any firm conclusions with teams so clearly in need of time to settle in to the nine month campaign.

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Arsenal, for example, came up against a West Ham side that have been playing competitive Europa League fixtures for the last month and looked so much sharper than their London rivals.

The earlier-than-usual start to the season seems to have interfered with some clubs' preparations. Players aren't ready to start matches, pre-season tours have been rushed through and signings are yet to settle.

In all likelihood, we won't be in a position to analyse the state of the anticipated top four - Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City - until the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Manchester United have strengthened well over the summer but there is still a sense that they are caught in a whirlwind. That will only settle down once David de Gea's future has been settled and Louis van Gaal has signed the players he wants to complete the squad.



United expect to finalise a deal for Pedro this week but they still need a striker, a central defender and a goalkeeper if De Gea completes his move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal still hope to sign a top class striker in Karim Benzema in what would be a club record deal. The Real Madrid star would be a massive upgrade on Olivier Giroud and it is the kind of transfer that would make the Gunners title favourites.

Chelsea have the most settled squad after their runaway title triumph last season, but they are desperate to sign a centre-back as the Blues close in on a £30 million deal for John Stones. Jose Mourinho has often talked of the need for one or two quality signings every summer to keep the squad sharp and hungry.

Likewise, Manchester City are still throwing in £45m bids for players - Kevin De Bruyne in this case - after the season has started.







There are simply too many variables to make any judgement after just one game. Arsenal reverted to their suicidal defending of the first half of last season but have 37 games to correct it; Manchester United understandably lacked attacking rhythm as their host of new players settle at Old Trafford.

Mourinho was also right last week when he spoke of the impressive spending by the 'smaller' Premier League clubs, which have used the financial muscle of the league to improve over the summer.

"There will be more times when the non-title contenders win matches against the title contenders," Mourinho said.

"It's also difficult because they have players who could play in our teams - Cabaye could play for Chelsea, Wijnaldum could play for Chelsea, Gradel could play for Chelsea.

"You have a minimum of five title contenders and the other teams get stronger and stronger."

It will make for an exciting and unpredictable season - but it will be a few weeks yet before we can start to draw any firm conclusions.