EPL: Why Title Contenders Are Now Only Manchester City and Manchester United

Last season, the EPL trophy was within reach of four different teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, until the last few matches. While it was won by Manchester United by nine points, it would have been unknown until the close of the season, with top spots switching off between teams every week.

This year, it is stunning to see some of the biggest powerhouses falling to the bottom of the table. Arsenal have plummeted to 17th overall after the departures of captain Fabregas and creative midfielder Nasri. Although it isn't surprising to see they aren't playing as well, it was not thought of to see them fall 8-2 in a horror show to still powerful Manchester United. 

While Arsenal did see hope when they acquired several new additions that have been promised to fill the spots that Nasri and Fabregas left, one can not see them flowing into the usual rhythm Arsenal is used to having quick enough to turn the tables on their losing streak. Their new defender, Per Mertesacker, looks to be one of the best defenders in the entire EPL, yet doesn't play the same way as new teammates Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen, who are used to a softer, passing type of defense. Whereas Mertesacker is a tall and gangly defender that jumps head on into opposing players. 

Having also gotten Arteta, the former Everton captain, they look to improve the midfield by adding creativity. Arteta provides the passing ability and creativity to almost replace Fabregas. Last season, Arteta had a higher pass completion percentage, 87, six percent higher than Fabregas and was one of the league's most vicious midfielders. Some may criticize Arteta as being the lesser version of Cesc, but others see him as an equal or even a player of more potential. 

Moving on, another powerhouse hoping to have a chance at the trophy is Chelsea. Chelsea have been banging at the door of greatness for quite some time. Finishing second too many times, they have been eager to finally win. While they do have a team of once great players, they are becoming old. John Terry might be one of if not the best player that has played for Chelsea, but he will soon be retiring. Drogba is also aging into his early thirties and won't been playing much longer.

Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen told the Daily Star:

"Chelsea's squad is too old, and their tempo is not high enough to win the Premier League."

 One of the key aspects that a team needs to have in order to win is tempo. If the team is sluggish and slow-paced, they can be easily overtaken by an opposing team. The reason teams like Barcelona and Manchester United do so well for consecutive years are because they play a fast paced game. Passing all the time and dribbling forward is a strategy used by all of the best teams around Europe. Chelsea will be within the top five, but they will be way too far out of reach of the title. 

Liverpool have always been the team that just might make a surprising finish. While they have been doing better than last year, within relegation at the start of the season, they are still in a stage of rebuilding. Liverpool needs to hold on to their players and not let them go to other teams "to win trophies", and compile a team of experienced players that can match the likes of Rooney and United, and Tevez and Man City. Until then, one won't be seeing Liverpool hoisting the trophy into Anfield for several more years.

Now, onto the title contenders: Manchester City and Manchester United.

Manchester United have been the most dominant team in EPL history, winning an astonishing 19 titles. They have been the face of English Club football for over a decade and have been able to hold on to that title for another season. Wayne Rooney, possibly the best active English footballer, continues to lead his team to victory. At the top of the table, Manchester United will most likely stay near that spot for a large portion of the season. They have what Liverpool are in the process of making: A team full of experienced players that can and will dominate the pitch.

They dominate the pitch by power, with fiendish plays down the field that usually lead to an incredible goal. Their style of playing blows away almost every team they face, with the exception of Barcelona.  Manchester United could easily win another title and be once again, the best in the EPL.

A challenger awakens. Manchester City, the lesser of of the Manchester name, have grown into what looks like an unstoppable force. After acquiring one of the most creative midfield talents in the league from a withered Arsenal, City is just one step closer to raising the trophy and taking it from its home at Old Trafford. With an astonishing 5-1 win over the Spurs, City look like one of the biggest Cinderella teams that will have ever played in the EPL. Even Rene Meulensteen has proclaimed that United is not afraid of anyone, with one exception. 

Manchester City. 

While Manchester City have been put into this year's Champions League "Death Group", Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Napoli and Villarreal, they will thrive in the EPL. 

Manchester City will be this year's victors in not only the EPL, but will have an astonishing run in the Champions League.