Every day before the Premiership kicks off, TheFA.com will look at the prospects for the 20 clubs involved. Today it’s the turn of the title contenders: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Chelsea have only won one championship in their history - exactly 50 years ago in 2004/05.

But new manager Jose Mourinho has signalled his intent this season by signing proven international star quality in Mateja Kezman, Didier Drogba, Paolo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho.

Just as significantly, their main rivals are unsettled for different reasons. Arsenal have a Patrick Vieira problem, there is speculation about Liverpool and Michael Owen, Manchester United are riddled with injuries while Newcastle is under threat of civil war after the announcement this will be Sir Bobby Robson’s last season.

ARSENAL

Last season: 1st
Bookies prediction this season: 1st
Summer revolving door activity: 4 in (£2.75m), 12 out (£2.6m)

Reasons to be cheerful - The performance of the youngsters in the Community Shield will have given Arsene Wenger great heart. Jose Reyes looks a dynamic successor for Dennis Bergkamp, Gael Clichy would be an automatic choice anywhere but Highbury and 17-year-old Francesc Fabregas already looks a future Gunners captain

Question mark - If Vieira isn’t around, who will fill his huge shoes.

Thierry Henry has been the best player in the Premiership for the last two seasons but when he dips below his sensational standards, it’s hard to see where they will replace his goals.

Only he and Robert Pires scored more than four Premiership goals last season.

What the gaffer says - "I have always been clear that I am committed to the club and I don’t think that will change" – Arsene Wenger

Top arrival – Robbie van Persie can play wide left but also has an eye for goal in the middle

Key departure –Ray Parlour has been part of the Highbury furniture for more than 10 years, his experience and knowhow in times of tension will be missed.

Star man – Thierry Henry. If he hits top form, he can win matches on his own

Something to prove – There are whispers that Freddie Ljungberg isn’t as potent as a few years ago. The Swede will want to silence them.


CHELSEA

Last season: 2nd
Bookies prediction this season: 2nd
Summer revolving door activity: 7 in (£91.05m), 13 out (£2.2m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Squad packed with high-quality internationals, there are terrific options for Jose Mourinho in every position. And if he needs a top-up in January, he will find Roman Abramovich has the money.

There is a good balance between foreign flair and English experience of the Premiership, typified by John Terry, Scott Parker and Frank Lampard.

Question mark – It’s not easy to come into the Premiership as a highly-priced import and slot in straight away, as Hernan Crespo found out last season.

Players like Petr Cech and Arjen Robben have talent but they are still inexperienced. It will be hard to keep everyone happy, players like Damien Duff, Scott Parker and Eidur Gudjohnsen will want to play regularly.

What the gaffer says - "Money buys players but not a team" – Jose Mourinho

Top arrival – Didier Drogba took Marseille to the UEFA Cup Final almost single-handedly last season and he can make and score goals by the bucketload.

Key departure – Jesper Gronkjaer had his critics but he always gave the team width and was a big-match player, witness his performances in the when Champions League success against Arsenal.

Star man – Frank Lampard is the only player among Chelsea’s all-stars who is virtually undroppable.

Something to prove – Claude Makalele hasn’t had the impact at Stamford Bridge that he had at Real Madrid, where he was minder to the Galacticos.

LIVERPOOL

Last season: 4th
Bookies prediction this season: 4th
Summer revolving door activity: 2 in (£18m), 6 out (£2.5m)

Reasons to be cheerful – The brave appointment of Rafael Benitez as manager is already paying dividends.

He is an astute tactician, who built a team at Valencia where individuals worked for the good of the team. He seems likely to get the best out of Steve Gerrard and Djibril Cisse, who are both potential world-beaters.

Question mark – Liverpool were 30 points off the pace last season and that is a huge gap to make up in one go.

The lack of pace in central defence last season was a problem as it meant the team had to defend to deep and the gap between midfield and strikers became too large.

The departures of Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy and maybe Michael Owen mean the English core of the club is being removed.

What the gaffer says - "When I arrived at Valencia people said it would be difficult for us to win the league. But we did it" – Rafael Benitez

Top arrival – Djibril Cisse was the top scorer in France last season and is lightning quick.

Key departure – Emile Heskey didn’t score often enough but his physical presence up front gave Liverpool a different dimension.

Star man – Steven Gerrard’s u-turn on joining Chelsea gave everyone at Anfield a huge lift.

Something to prove – Harry Kewell was meant to be the last piece in Gerard Houllier’s jigsaw but needs to show more consistency.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Last season: 3rd
Bookies prediction this season: 3rd
Summer revolving door activity: 5 in (£13.9m), 8 out (£2.5m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Sir Alex Ferguson has shaken up the squad and when everyone is fit, he looks to have the best attacking options since 1999 when Cole, Yorke, Sheringham and Solskjaer won the treble.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith, Louis Saha and Diego Forlan will all score goals; Paul Scholes may benefit from not travelling with England and Rio Ferdinand returns in the autumn.

Question mark – Fergie has plenty of youngsters like Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo and experience in the likes of Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane but maybe he doesn’t have as many world-class players at their absolute peak compared to Chelsea and Arsenal.

Injuries and Olympic call-ups have meant 10 of his players won’t be available for the opening match at Chelsea.

What the gaffer says - "It is the worst start, it has been an absolute killer for us." – Sir Alex Ferguson

Top arrival – Alan Smith has made a great start after his controversial move from Leeds. He always did well against top European opposition at Leeds which augurs well for his United career.

Key departure – Nicky Butt is another of the Class of 92 who has left. United missed Beckham last season and Butt’s experience will also be a loss.

Star man – Ruud van Nistelrooy. Even if Wayne Rooney joins, van Nistelrooy’s goals are their best hope of a championship.

Something to prove – World Cup winner Kleberson was a major disappointment last season and needs to improve dramatically to play an important part at Old Trafford.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Last season: 5th
Bookies prediction this season: 5th
Summer revolving door activity: 4 in (£8.3m), 5 out (£2.5m)

Reasons to be cheerful – There is genuine competition for places at St. James’ Park now.

Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert, Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi are a very useful quartet of strikers while Nicky Butt’s arrival will allow the likes of Jermaine Jenas and Lee Bowyer to get forward more from midfield.

Question mark – The announcement by chairman Freddie Shepherd to not offer Sir Bobby Robson a new contract next May could have a detrimental effect if the manager loses respect of the dressing-room.~

Shearer faces a test to keep his place but will make waves if he is ever left out, which isn’t good for morale. Pre-season spoiled by an unpleasant outbreak of conjuctivitis.

What the gaffer says - "Thechairman and I will do everything we can to make this a successful season - together" – Sir Bobby Robson

Top arrival – James Milner took Wayne Rooney’s record as the youngest Premiership goalscorer and is ready to make a big impact this season.

Key departure – Gary Speed was Mr Reliable last season and other players will have to become more responsible on the field to replace him.

Star man – Alan Shearer is a God on Tyneside and will be desperate for silverware in his final season as Newcastle’s No.9.

Something to prove – Patrick Kluivert’s career has gone off the rails in the last two years but at 28 he is young enough to put it right.