Premier League 22-23 preview, London: will Spurs surprise, will Chelsea falter, and what of Arsenal?

Apparently, after last season, North London is navy blue and white.

Now, can Tottenham make another jump under Antonio Conte, and become the best team in London, and maybe beyond?

Spurs have been on a spending spree all summer, bringing loads of talent into a squad that already finished in the top for of the Premier League in 2021-22. Now, Tottenham might be able to fight on multiple fronts–including the UEFA Champions League–and move up the table in England.

William Gallas, who played for all three of the London teams battling for the top four in 2022-23, spoke to Genting.com recently, and thinks the two North London teams are going to be able to compete for the top four.

Chelsea? Maybe he will wait and see.

"It is always difficult at the beginning of the season to tell which London clubs are going to qualify for the Champions League or who is going to have the best opportunity to win the Premier League, because when we look at Tottenham and Arsenal, who have signed some good players this summer, I'd say it's 50/50.

"It will be very interesting to see which team will come out on top. Last season it was Tottenham because Antonio Conte did a great job. He has that passion and he brought it to his players so that is why for the new season it will give Tottenham the chance to improve again.

"With Arsenal, it is another problem with Mikel Arteta. He is a young manager but for me, he failed last season because they didn't qualify for the Champions League. Now they have a new striker so we will see what will happen.

"Alexandre Lacazette left and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang left as well so it was very important for Arsenal to sign a good striker. Gabriel Jesus has shown for many years what he can do with Man City. It was difficult for him to get into the starting 11, but he has quality, he's very strong and very intelligent when he plays football. I'm sure he's going to fit in the team. Signing Gabriel Jesus will give Arsenal a better opportunity to score goals and to be very dangerous in attack. It is a great signing."

With the two North London clubs high on Gallas' list, it is another of his former clubs, Chelsea, that might slide backwards in the table, especially with Manchester United looking better as well.

Could the Blues be singing the blues by the end of the season?

"If Chelsea don't manage to sign the right defender then it'll be very difficult for them to compete in the Premier League. Thiago Silva is 37 now so Chelsea will need players around him who are really strong and who have experience so they have to decide which defender they want to sign and they have to make sure that they fit the defensive line.

"Chelsea have to decide who to sign very quickly because it's very important for any new players to join the club in time for pre-season because then you have time to practice with the team. I don't know which player will end up signing for Chelsea but they have to be a world class defender."

West Ham has slipped well down the odds board to finish top of the London table after its late season collapse, while Fulham is priced at +20000.

PREMIER LEAGUE BEST IN LONDON ODDS

Chelsea +110

Tottenham +115

Arsenal +500

West Ham +2200

Brentford +10000

Crystal Palace +10000

Fulham +20000

The pick: Tottenham +115