How do the top eight look with 10 games played so far?

Premier League is finally taking shape After all the uncertainty of the Summer - New Managers at each of the top three clubs, Arsenal finally spending some money and the Gareth Bale transfer saga - the Premier League is finally starting to take shape.

With 10 matches played, what kind of shape are the teams that currently occupy the top eight positions in?

Chat212 Sportsmail looks at the surprise leaders, a couple of dark horses and the hangover from Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.

1) ARSENAL

GOOD NEWS
Midfield. Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky = chances galore.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 8
DRAWN: 1
LOST: 1
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 13
POINTS: 25

BAD POINT Lack of cover for in-form striker Olivier Giroud. Nicklas Bendtner is Arsene Wenger’s fall-back option.

League leaders: Mesut Ozil has led a rejuvenated Arsenal to top of the league, but Nicklas Bendtner is not good enough as a second choice striker. An injury to Olivier Giroud will be catastrophic

2) CHELSEA

GOOD NEWS
Mourinho’s influence alone has given the place a huge lift. Most at Chelsea worship the ground he walks on.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 6
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 2
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 8
POINTS: 20

BAD NEWS
Goal-shy strikers. Fenando Torres and Samuel Eto’o have one each in the league, Demba Ba isn’t off the mark.

 

Mourinho waves to Arsenal as he saw Wenger  top of the league,

Influence: Jose Mourinho has provided a huge lift at Stamford Bridge but a lack of goals for their three strikers  - Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba have just two league goals between them - is a concern

3) LIVERPOOL

GOOD NEWS
Free-scoring Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge mean they could beat anyone. Success depends on their form.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 6
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 2
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 7
POINTS: 20

BAD NEWS
Lack squad depth and haven’t got the most robust defence — no clean sheet in any format since September 1.

The SAS: Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez have combined to lethal effect, but Liverpool are struggling to keep clean sheets, and have not stopped the opposition scoring since September 1

4) TOTTENHAM

GOOD NEWS
Form of Andros Townsend and Gylfi Sigurdsson was totally unexpected. Seven clean sheets is most in the League.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 6
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 2
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 4
POINTS: 20

BAD NEWS
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has sacrificed attacking traditions for sterile wins and shutting up shop when 1-0 up.

Red hot form: Andros Townsend has burst onto the scene with some eye-catching performances, while Andre Villas-Boas struggles to get his team to score goals

5) MANCHESTER CITY

GOOD NEWS
On their day, City look like the best attacking team in the league. They have the deepest squad, too.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 6
DRAWN: 1
LOST: 3 
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 17
POINTS: 19

BAD NEWS
Problems at the back. Joe Hart has lost form and their most vital defender, Vincent Kompany, can’t stay fit.

Deep squad: Manchester City are the best attacking team in the league on their day, and have the best squad, but Joe Hart's lost form and Vincent Kompany's injuries mean they have problems at the back

6) SOUTHAMPTON

GOOD NEWS
High pressing game has seen them concede just four this season — the best defensive record in the league.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 5
DRAWN: 4
LOST: 1
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 7
POINTS: 19

BAD NEWS
The next seven League games include clashes against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham. Tough.

Defensive masters: Southampton's high pressing game has seen them concede just four goals in the league thgis season, but they face a very difficult run of fixtures in the coming weeks

7) EVERTON

GOOD NEWS
Attack has, at times, been fantastic. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley will keep them competitive.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 5
DRAWN: 4
LOST: 1
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 4
POINTS: 19

BAD NEWS
Likely to be found wanting at times as Roberto Martinez’s methods sink in. Occasionally look error-prone.

Razor sharp: ROmelul Lukaku, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas are among the Premier League's best attackers, but the Toffees sometimes look error-prone and can get lost in Roberto Martinez's methods

8) MANCHESTER UNITED

GOOD NEWS
Form of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie should help to convince boss David Moyes they are still in the title race.

PLAYED: 10
WON: 5
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 3
GOAL DIFFERENCE: 4
POINTS: 17

BAD NEWS
Midfield. United look light in the centre of the park and still spend far too long without the ball.

Back to his best: Wayne Rooney is back to his best form, while Robin van Persie continues to score goal after goal; David Moyes has struggled at times and Manchester United remain weak in central midfield