When someone is considered to be a dark horse, it means that he has established a high position for himself, taking everyone by surprise.
In football, we have seen a lot of dark horses come and go, with some of them going on to establish themselves as legitimate threats as seasons go by.
Today, we will be looking at 5 dark horses of the 2022/2023 season, those that have gone on to shock the world by doing unexpected things and going the mile to either make a statement or establish themselves as threats once again.
5. A.C. Monza (Serie A)
It's funny how a single win can cause a turnaround for a team.
What makes it more interesting is when you realised that it is their first ever win in that competition.
That was the case of the Newly Promoted Monza side, who are currently plying their trade in the Italian top division for the first time in history.
The side picked up a single point in their first 6 matches, but after a shocking 1-0 win against Juventus, they haven't been the same as they have gone to establish themselves as a threat in the mid table and top table.
They have gone on to pick up more high profile wins against the likes of Udinese, Inter, Fiorentina and surprisingly, doing the double against Juventus.
With 12 wins in 32 matches, they are currently sitting in the 9th place in the league with 44 points, 8 points behind the European spots.
Honestly, if you watch them play, you will think they have had past experiences in the Serie A but knowing that it is their first makes it more astonishing.
4. Union Berlin (Bundesliga)
Berlin found themselves in 5th place at the end of the league season, their highest finish in the league since their return to the top division in 2020, and it is this motivation that could have been the key to their outstanding performance this season.
Union Berlin have been on fire in the league, even at one point topped everyone, including Bayern Munich in the league table.
Though they only made it as far as the Round of 16 in the Europa League, it didn't derail their momentum as they currently fighting for the top 4 finish in the league.
Sitting in 3rd position with 55 points, they are just 6 points and 8 points behind 2nd place Bayern Munich and 1st place Borussia Dortmund respectively and with 5 games left to play, it will certainly be an interesting end to the campaign.
3. Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)
4 defeats in your first 5 league matches is not the best way to start off a campaign, and that's the position Bayer Leverkusen found themselves in.
Barely making it to the Europa league playoffs by finishing 3rd in their UCL Group, the club struggled with form, injuries and consistency.
They found themselves slipping down the table and lingered around the relegation spot for a while before a change of management.
The appointment of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich Legend Xabi Alonso to replace the sacked Gerardo Soane proved to be the magic key for them and though everything wasn't green at first, the club begun to find their groove once again.
Currently, Bayer Leverkusen at unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and in this games, they got big wins against the likes of Bayern Munich, Monaco in the Europa League and it is also during this flower period that they beat Union St.Gilloise to qualify for the Semi finals of the Europa League.
After the turn of events, Leverkusen are now 6th on the table with 14 wins and 47 points and are in contention for a Champions League finish.
2. Newcastle United (Premier League)
Since the Saudi Arabia Takeover last season, The Magpies seemed to have risen from their ruins.
Prior to the takeover, they were one of the favorites to get relegated to the second division, as they were at the bottom of the league but after the remarkable turn of events and new players later, they finished in 11th at the end of the season.
Since the start of this season, they have shocked the league in anyways but one of the biggest is their fight for a Champions League Spot.
They even made it to the Carabao Cup Final, where they played against Manchester United in a losing effort but one could watch and see that their game had improved beyond what no one expected.
Currently, Newcastle are sitting in 3rd place with 62 points, two points ahead of 4th place Manchester United and 8 points ahead of 5th place Tottenham Hotspurs.
With just less than 5 games to play, one could say that the Magpie's European dream could finally come through.
What makes this more fascinating is the fact that they are ahead of clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea, who, by this time, are the regulars in that spot but it seems like a big uproar is on it's way to the EPL.
1. Arsenal
Wait!! Hear me out!!
Yes, Arsenal are one of the biggest teams in the world with an established image but their turnaround but everything hasn't been roses for them.
Coming into theis season, everyone expected the same thing from the Gunners: either start the season well and collapse midway or start bad and end bad.
To cut short, few had high expectations but Arsenal have gone to show the world that they got what it takes to be one of the best.
From lingering in the mid table to challenging for the league title, the Gunners have really upped their game, beating the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United on their quest to solidify their status once again.
Though it looks like their position as 1st on the table is in big jeopardy after their lost to title rivals Manchester City, they still remain in good contention for a top 4 finish, a position they haven't reached since the 2015/2016 season.
Do you agree with the list? Tune your thoughts in the comment section.
Thank you.
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