Best of 2013: The top five football teams for 2013

As 2013 draws to a close, club football is at a highly spectacular position. In the English Premier League, Arsenal are holding on to a very slim lead to be at the leader’s position. Bayern Munich is sitting pretty at the top with a rather comfortable points difference with its nearest competitor. Barcelona are also facing stiff competition from Atletico Mardid. Here is a year-end look at the top five teams at the moment.

5. Arsenal

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 24: The Arsenal team pose for a group photo during the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg match between Udinese Calcio and Arsenal FC at the Stadio Friuli on August 24, 2011 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

The team managed by Arsène Wenger, ends the year 2013 at the top of the Premier League after winning over Newcastle United at St. James Park.

The team started the season by releasing 10 of its reserve team players including Conor Henderson, Jernade Meade and Sanchez Watt. Team manager Wenger, also declared that fresh contracts would not be offered to Andrei Arshavin, Sébastien Squillaci and Denílson Pereira Neves.

The season started for the Gunners on a rather disappointing note with a loss at their home stadium, the Emirates Stadium, to Aston Villa by a margin of 3-1 in favour of the visitors.
Despite the promise of some big names being signed up for the season, Arsenal fans were left thoroughly disappointed by the lack of signings.

However, post their defeat to Aston Villa, the team provided a clinically perfect performance against Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü, to win the match by a 3-0 margin in their favour, and thereby, almost secured their place in the group stages of the Champions League.

They followed this victory up with another victory over Fulham.
Mathieu Flamini, who was released by A. C. Milan was signed on by the club.

Inconsistent performance, however, has continued to plague the club. Even after signing Mesut Özil from Real Madrid, the Gunners won a few games which took them to the top of the Premier League table, but then again, they faltered.

They were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion. Arsenal lost to Chelsea by a 2-1 margin in the League Cup, thereby, getting eliminated from the League Cup.

However, slowly but steadily, as the season has progressed, Arsenal have improved their performance and appear to be on track in their hunt for a trophy in eight years.