Arsenal
Coach: Arsene Wenger
Last season: Second
No major decline last season - they actually accumulated more points (78) against the non-elite than they had in their unbeaten 2003-04 campaign - and still the most dangerous attacking side in the Premiership. Patrick Vieira's departure has brought the doomsayers out in force, but his importance to the Gunners might be overrated - they won six and drew two of the eight Premiership and Champions League games he missed last season. The only addition to the squad is Belarus international midfielder Alexander Hleb after Wenger missed out on his big summer target, Julio Baptista.
Strengths: Very good on the road. Last season they won more away games (13 out of 19) than during the previous unbeaten title-winning campaign.
Weaknesses: Need to improve in the mini-league of the Big Four teams (only five points from a possible 18 last season). Dropped points too easily at home last season.
Key transfers, In: Alexander Hleb (Stuttgart, GBP10m).