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Ranking the five Premier League teams who statistically improved the most in 22/23

The objective in each pre-season is to improve on the campaign before and several Premier League teams have improved markedly during the 2022/23 season.

After the campaign’s conclusion, we’ve decided to look at the five teams with the biggest positive points swing from their performance last season.

Here are the five most improved sides in the Premier League this season.

5. Brentford (+13 points)

Brentford began the season among many people’s favourites for relegation this season, with some suggesting the loss of Christian Eriksen to Manchester United would have a detrimental impact on Thomas Frank’s side.

The Bees have continued to ruffle the feathers of England’s elite teams however, producing an even better campaign than their successful first season in the Premier League.

Brentford ended the campaign ninth in the table, the club’s highest top-flight league finish since 1938. Their success included that unforgettable 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United, alongside wins over Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, while Brentford ended the season as the only team to do the double over champions Manchester City.

Brentford’s achievements come despite having the smallest wage budget in the Premier League and Frank continues to get the best from a group of players signed for a fraction of the fees invested elsewhere in the division.

The Bees won 13 more points than in 2021/22 and were just two points from earning a place in Europe.

4. Arsenal (+15 points)

Arsenal’s title challenge was one of the stories of the season with Mikel Arteta’s team emerging as the closest challengers to Manchester City.

Arsenal led the table for a huge 248 days during the 2022/23 campaign, the longest period any team has topped the table without winning the title in the history of England’s top flight.

A late season slump cost Arsenal the chance to be crowned champions, but the Gunners can look back on their season with pride after a marked improvement under Arteta. Arsenal won 15 more points than during the 2021/22 season and ended the campaign on 84 points.

Only twice before – during title-winning seasons in 2001/02 and 2003/04 – have the north Londoners won more points in a Premier League season.

3. Aston Villa (+16 points)

Aston Villa fans are looking forward to European nights next season after the club secured a place in continental competition for the first time since 2010/11.

Villa looked set for a season of struggle after opening the campaign with just two wins from 12 games, but the appointment of Unai Emery as manager transformed their fortunes. The Spaniard made a stunning impact after taking over in November and inspired an upturn in results that led Villa up the table.

Just four teams took more points than Villa following Emery’s mid-season arrival as manager and a final day win over Brighton secured the club a seventh-place finish and a Europa Conference League place.

Villa’s finish was their highest in the Premier League since consecutive top-six finishes under Martin O’Neill between 2008 and 2010, while their 61 points was 16 more than won in 2021/22.

2. Manchester United (+17 points)

Manchester United have made progress under the management of Erik ten Hag this season and the Dutchman can look back on a pleasing debut campaign after leading the side to Champions League qualification.

United began the season with disastrous defeats to Brighton and Brentford, but recovered to secure a top three finish in the Premier League. The Red Devils’ home form was key to their success and only Manchester City won more points in home fixtures, while Ten Hag’s team conceded a league-low of just 10 goals at Old Trafford.

Improvements are required on the road if United are to compete for the Premier League title, but there are positive foundations on which to build upon. Only one team had a greater positive points swing from 2021/22, while Ten Hag ended the club’s six-year wait for silverware with League Cup success in February.

He has the chance to add to that when United meet Manchester City in the FA Cup final on June 3.

1. Newcastle (+22 points)

Newcastle were the most improved team in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season, earning a huge 22 more points than the previous season.

The Magpies had been expected to improve under the management of Eddie Howe, but few envisaged a season of success that has led to Champions League qualification for the first time in two decades.

Newcastle’s improvement has not been the result of multiple marquee arrivals, but smart recruitment in key areas and raising the level of those already in the squad. Howe has brought the best from unheralded players in Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron, while summer additions Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak have been key figures.

The question marks surrounding Howe’s management from his time at Bournemouth appear to have been answered, with the 45-year-old’s recruitment impressive and Newcastle’s defensive record one of the best in the division.

St James’ Park will be some sight when the Champions League anthem blares out around the ground later in the year.

Read – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned

Read Also – Premier League Team of the Week – Final day

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