2022/2023 Season Review
The 2022/23 Premier League season was a whirlwind from start to finish, a campaign full of twists, unforgettable performances, and storylines that will be remembered for years. From Erling Haaland’s record-breaking arrival to Arsenal’s painful slip in the title race, it was a year that showcased both the beauty and brutality of top-flight football.
Manchester City ultimately claimed the title once again, but they were made to work harder than in recent years. For much of the campaign, they trailed an Arsenal side that looked reborn under Mikel Arteta. City found their groove in the spring months, fuelled by Erling Haaland’s astonishing 36 league goals, the most ever scored in a single Premier League season. With experience, depth, and a sense of inevitability, Pep Guardiola’s men put together an unstoppable run just when it mattered most.
Arsenal’s season, meanwhile, was a mixture of pride and frustration. They spent a remarkable 248 days at the top of the table, the longest any team has ever led the Premier League without winning it, and for much of the campaign they played vibrant, confident football. But injuries and a loss of form in the final stretch saw their challenge unravel. In their last eight league matches they collected just nine points, allowing City to overtake them. Still, the Gunners’ progress was undeniable, and there was a feeling that they had laid the foundations for future title pushes.
Elsewhere, the league delivered entertainment in abundance. The season brought a record 1,084 goals, the most ever scored in a 38-game Premier League campaign. From stunning long-range strikes to intricate team moves, the variety and quality of goals kept viewers enthralled. Matches involving Brighton, Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle frequently provided drama, chaos and high-scoring thrillers that underlined the league’s attacking flair.
One of the biggest stories outside the title race was Newcastle United’s remarkable rise. Under Eddie Howe, the club secured a top-four finish and Champions League football for the first time since 2003. Built on smart signings, defensive solidity, and a clear tactical identity, Newcastle’s transformation was one of the feel-good arcs of the season and signalled their return to the European elite.
At the other end of the table, the relegation battle reached boiling point. Southampton endured a difficult campaign and became the first side to be relegated, ending an 11-year stay in the top flight. The final day brought heartache for Leicester City and Leeds United, both of whom went down despite their squads boasting significant talent. Leicester’s fall was particularly striking given their recent FA Cup triumph and reputation for savvy recruitment. Everton managed to pull off another great escape, surviving thanks to a tense 1–0 win over Bournemouth on the final day, capped by a thunderous Abdoulaye Doucouré strike that will forever be remembered by the Toffees faithful.
Interestingly, all three promoted clubs from the previous season, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Bournemouth, secured safety. Each had their own journey: Fulham impressed with a calm, structured approach; Bournemouth overcame early scepticism; and Forest surged late in the campaign to ensure survival. Their collective success added an unusual twist to the league’s bottom-end narrative.
Looking back, the 2022/23 season reflected the modern Premier League in all its glory: record-breaking numbers, tactical innovation, emotional highs and crushing lows. It was a campaign that confirmed Manchester City’s dominance, hinted at a bright future for Arsenal and Newcastle, and showcased the relentless drama that makes the league the most-watched in the world.