1 Strange 2015 Story You Might Have Missed for Each Premier League Club
It's been a wild 12 months in the Premier League.
A year ago, Leicester City looked doomed while Chelsea romped to the title. Fast forward to now and it couldn't be much more different in the top flight.
It's also been a crazy year off the field, with the social media accounts and questionable life choices of players and fans alike keeping us entertained even when the football's not on (which, admittedly, is not often).
We've taken a look at some of the best bits: picking out a weird story you may have missed for each club in the Premier League.
Arsenal
1 of 20
What a year it's been for Arsenal.
Fluctuating constantly between contenders and pretenders, Arsene Wenger's side finally now look like a side that might compete for the Premier League title.
Thanks to the form of Mesut Ozil, solidity of Petr Cech and absence of Jose Mourinho, the Gunners have overcome crippling injury to enjoy a memorable 2015.
And because of Olivier Giroud's handsomeness, Alexis Sanchez's dogs and one fan's tattoo of the boss riding a dog, it's been a good one off the field, too.
"Arsene Wenger’s fashion shoot > the John Lewis #manonthemoon ad. 📷 https://t.co/wRZhxfjbww pic.twitter.com/KEiPFOpWqF
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 6, 2015"
But the highlight from the Emirates this year? It's simply impossible to move past Wenger's foray into the fashion industry.
Aston Villa
2 of 20
It hasn't been the greatest year on the pitch for Aston Villa, and they were guilty of a blunder off it when Remi Garde was brought in to replace Tim Sherwood.
Though Garde's appointment brought with it the usual optimism, the Frenchman's influence has yet to bear fruit at Villa Park, with his side sitting an eye-watering 11 points from safety at the end of the year.
"Aston Villa introduce new manager Remi Garde with special hashtag, spell his name wrong 🙈 https://t.co/Py4eatDZdr pic.twitter.com/wEzKNkfXs4
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 2, 2015"
Maybe we should have seen it coming, when Villa's own staff couldn't spell his name right...
Bournemouth
3 of 20
It's been an incredible year for newly promoted Bournemouth, who are in the hunt for Premier League safety after a run of six games unbeaten ended on Monday at the hands of Arsenal.
Though their heroics on the pitch have been unforgettable, our favourite story from Dean Court this year was a botched public address system announcer, who loudly condemned his side's performance only to be relieved when a Spurs supporters group took responsibility for 2015's strangest (and only) case of PA sabotage.
Chelsea
4 of 20There was no shortage of Chelsea fans stepping forward to voice their opinions after the sacking of Jose Mourinho earlier this month.
Blues supporters came together to criticise the dismissal of the divisive Portuguese manager, most effectively in chorus on the terraces at Stamford Bridge.
But one fan stepped away tradition to produce a song tribute to "The Special One." To make matters even worse, he was kind enough to perform it for us live on television. Cringe.
Crystal Palace
5 of 20
Somebody came up with a novel, yet embarrassing approach to stopping the high-flying Eagles in September when they allegedly tried to punch Crystal Palace's winged mascot Kayla. No, really.
We don't know what's more shocking; that someone tried to assault an animal in an act of football hooliganism or that it's not the last time we'll touch on the topic in this slideshow.
Everton
6 of 20
Everton's exploits in the Premier League this season have been witnessed by one, shivering supporter.
Michael Cullen, also known as "Speedomick," shot to fame when he was spotted at a particularly wet Emirates Stadium in only his swimwear.
Here's hoping the extra publicity did him the world of good because Cullen's bravery was, in fact, a charity effort for Woodlands Hospice.
Leicester City
7 of 20
They're the story of the Premier League season so far.
Leicester were bottom of the league 12 months ago but find themselves at the other end as the calendars turn to 2016.
While Jamie Vardy, Claudio Ranieri and Riyad Mahrez have hogged the headlines, there is one story surrounding the Foxes that deserves to be revisited.
Gary Lineker promised to host Match of the Day in his underwear if Leicester's form continues and they lift the Premier League trophy in May.
"YES! If Leicester win the @premierleague I'll do the first MOTD of next season in just my undies.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 14, 2015"
Reconsidering your choice of second team?
Liverpool
8 of 20Jurgen Klopp has a big job on his hands. And we're not talking about restoring Liverpool to a force in Europe, either.
The charismatic German, who has a penchant for going viral, has an almighty task in front of him if he's to outdo the shopper-rapper who bizarrely interrupted Roberto Firmino's trip to the mall in September.
Manchester City
9 of 20Full marks for commitment to this Manchester City fan, who received a tattoo commemorating his club's Premier League win in 2012.
You might be thinking something subtle; maybe a club crest (which, on reflection, might not have been wise) or the date of the side's miraculous 3-2 triumph against QPR?
No, this supporters has gone all in, inking his arm with Martin Tyler's full commentary of Sergio Aguero's winner at the Etihad that day.
Manchester United
10 of 20Who said Wayne Rooney's career was in decline?
The England striker earned a man-of-the-match award during Manchester United's draw with Chelsea on Monday, and his bizarre and definitely not choreographed decision to slap WWE wrestler Wade Barrett in November is without doubt the most entertaining thing to come out of Old Trafford this season.
Newcastle
11 of 20We warned you animal punching was to make a second appearance.
Bud, the police horse attacked by a Newcastle fan in 2013, was back in the headlines earlier this year but this time for all the right reasons. The now-famous animal received a promotion in November and will teach younger horses.
A move into management for Bud.
Norwich
12 of 20
Norwich City's return to the Premier League has been an unspectacular one, with Alex Neil's attention focused firmly on keeping the Canaries in the top flight.
With all eyes on on-field performance, the club essentially forgot to bother with alternate kits for their first year back in the Premier League.
"#Norwich City kits: 3 Norwich City colour schemes: 1 #YouHadOneJob pic.twitter.com/tmVvTGQV1K
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 20, 2015"
Southampton
13 of 20Southampton achieved something very rare in modern football when launching the #ShowYourStripes campaign in May.
The club put together an unmistakably funny video for the launch of a new Saints kit, starring comedian Tom Davis as Dr Barry Gale, Southampton's "Player Integration Officer."
Stoke City
14 of 20
Spare a thought for Peter Crouch.
The ex-England international has found himself further down the pecking order at Stoke since Mark Hughes' side became the Barcelona of the Midlands.
But Crouch's presence on social media has been a joy to observe, with his self-deprecating humour always hitting the mark.
When his legs were the subject of a joke following the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri, Crouch hit back:
".@TSBible leg day is overrated . 💪🏻
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) August 12, 2015"
And the striker chipped in after the side's pulsating 4-3 win over Everton on Monday night:
"Incredible performance boys ! No wonder I can't get a run out 👍🏻😢 #STKEVE
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) December 28, 2015"
He might not be central to Hughes' plans in the Premier League, but Crouch has found himself a little niche.
Sunderland
15 of 20
The half-and-half scarf wasted no time in becoming the plague of the Premier League.
But, now, thanks to one Arsenal and Sunderland fan, it faces still competition from the lesser-known, and equally hated, half-and-half shirt.
"Half and half, erm, shirt, spotted at the Stadium of Light... pic.twitter.com/hD9EpM8HKQ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 13, 2015"
We can't see it catching on.
Swansea
16 of 20
Managerless, relegation-threatened Swansea have few reasons to smile as the memories of their eighth-placed Premier League finish last season fade into the distance.
But it wasn't always that way—the Swans started the season with a draw at the champions' place (that's all we'll say on the fortress of Stamford Bridge), sparking wild celebrations.
Not one to shy away from an odd celebration, Andre Ayew's equaliser in London produced one of the strangest moments of the season so far: Bafetimbi Gomis inserting his fingers into Ayew's mouth. Hmmm...
Tottenham Hotspur
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No wrap-up of Tottenham's 2015* would be complete without the inclusion of Dele Alli.
The youngster has shot to fame after joining Spurs from MK Dons in summer and has suddenly placed Mauricio Pochettino's side into European contention, if not further.
And it all started, like the rest of us, with an embarrassing photograph on social media.
"#THFC star Dele Alli confirms classic MySpace photo is the real deal 😂 https://t.co/V6qMZcBcGt pic.twitter.com/fGM0YcCMTu
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 17, 2015"
*Honourable mention to Harry Kane, whose exploits have even endeared him to the club's greatest rivals.
Watford
18 of 20
Watford are enjoying one heck of a season and so is Etienne Capoue.
The defensive midfielder has been a part of a Hornets side that has risen, under Quique Sanchez Flores, to within touching distance of the European places.
So when the Frenchman, whose time at White Hart Lane didn't go too swimmingly, was asked by a Chelsea fan to join his struggling team, his response was perfect.
West Bromwich Albion
19 of 20
West Brom have hardly set the Premier League alight in 2015, following up their 13th-placed finish in 2014-15 by sitting, well, 13th at the turn of the new year.
Their brightest moment in 2015? Victor Anichebe's excellent Twitter rant after being snubbed by Game of Thrones stars Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie in September.
West Ham
20 of 20
West Ham are quietly going about their business before the big move into London's Olympic Stadium next season, but they've made a few famous friends along the way.
WWE star Triple H praised the fans before becoming the first person to ever suggest Andy Carroll should compete as a wrestler:
"Maybe a player like Andy Carroll," he said. "He is tall, likes to play it tough with the opposition and has the right looks with the long hair. He could be interesting."
He might want to revisit that view after spotting the striker's hair this week.
