I think City, Chelsea and Arsenal (unfortunately) are nailed on for top 3, City and Chelsea for obvious reasons where as Arsenal are doing what I want Spurs to do, only improve in one or two areas that actually need improving on, thus keeping the basis of the team as a side that knows each other well while adding the required quality to push on. The final 4th spot will be a fight out of Pool, Everton, Spurs and Utd. I think Pool are favourites due to last season though it can be seen as a 50-50 based on their new signings, a van Gaal side can never be ruled out but I just feel his current squad isn't good enough to challenge and an influx of new signings will need time. Everton will need to strengthen to be a true contender in my opinion, with no Lukaku (unless they sign him) I think they'll struggle for goals, Martinez utilises the loan system well so it'll be interesting to see if he can repeat last season's "success".
I've not been impressed with Chelsea's signings so far. Sure they have the ability to come good but I think the jury's definitely out on whether Costa will be a hit or become another striker who's reputation plummets at Chelsea. Signing Fabregas was funny because it pissed off the Goons but I don't see the sense in it, Mourinho has been squeezing the creative players out or molding them into work horses and Fabregas isn't going to give their defence the protection he wants and if he's pushed higher up the pitch then where does that leave Oscar? All he's done there is upset the balance in his team or added more expensive depth in attack from what I can see.
As for City, last season they had the best first 11 in the league, the best squad by a mile and played the best football but they only just won the title, thanks to favours by Chelsea and Palace. If the players they're buying are worth the money then fair enough but the liklihood is their value is inflated and won't actually improve them much, if at all.
With Arsenal, I still see a lot of gaps in their squad and a dearth of quality in defence. There is lots of quality in midfield and attack, however but even still, I expect Arsenal's season will be defined by the fortune/misfortune they have with injuries. Even if you add in Bender/Khedira and Debuchy they'll be significantly weakened. At the moment their second 11 is ????; Jenkinson, ????, Vermaelen(?), Monreal; Flamini, Arteta; Chamberlain, Wilshere, Podolski; Sanogo. Chelsea and City could probably put together better 3rd choice sides. Keep Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey, Koscielny and Mertesacker fit, however and they could be challenging for the title.
I'm not saying it's likely that any of them will drop out of the top 4 but I do think it's very possible that they won't be the shoo-ins people expect.
), Ramsay had a great season either side of his injury and Sanchez is an awesome signing. Giroud will get you 10-15 goals which isn't terrible if not ideal for a top 4 side. Donkey face Chesny is the only player I think isn't good enough, he can pull off some decent saves but his concentration is poor and he's too inconsistent, if Arsenal signed a new keeper and possibly a world class striker I think they can be a real force, especially if they add Khedira to their ranks too. The second string you mentioned I don't think is all bad, the only poor players in my opinion are Monreal and Sanogo, the rest as back ups would get into most first teams from about 8th or 9th downwards I'd say.
