Now, where were we before the World Cup?
Arsenal resume the Premier League season on Boxing Day against West Ham with Mikel Arteta's side standing five points clear at the top ahead of reigning champions Manchester City. Newcastle United - with only one loss to their name - and Tottenham currently round off the top four, while in the bottom three, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves are in the relegation zone.
But I think the table will look very different next May. Taking into account the total number of minutes played by their players at the World Cup, here's my view of where each club will finish. You don't have to agree with my opinion – but Merry Christmas, whoever you support.
1 – MANCHESTER CITY
World Cup minutes: 4,624
They will win the title comfortably – again.
Although their players played more World Cup minutes than any other Premier League club, they have the depth of quality to cope easily, and there was no sign of any hangover against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night. I expect them to reel in Arsenal and leave them behind.
2 – MANCHESTER UNITED
World Cup minutes: 3,873
Erik ten Hag's World Cup contingent will come back from Qatar full of confidence, especially the defenders. Harry Maguire had an excellent World Cup, Lisandro Martinez won it with Argentina and Raphael Varane reached the final with France. And up front, Marcus Rashford is flying.
Resurgent United will prosper without Cristiano Ronaldo.
3 – ARSENAL
World Cup minutes: 1,699
That injury Gabriel Jesus suffered at the World Cup with Brazil has given Gunners boss Mikel Arteta a huge test.
Although Jesus had not scored in 11 appearances before the break, his all-round contribution was so integral in Arsenal's flying start.
4 – LIVERPOOL
World Cup minutes: 1,788
Surely they will find some consistency, and regain their swagger, after such a patchy start?
Mo Salah will be raring to go after the World Cup break, and I expect Darwin Nunez to kick on and fire them back above the dotted line.
5 – TOTTENHAM
World Cup minutes: 3,687
Antonio Conte's players played the third-most minutes of World Cup football between them, and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the fall-out.
Conte is a winner, but a top-four finish will be a stretch from here.
6 – NEWCASTLE
World Cup minutes: 458
With the joint-lowest goals against record to date, there is growing talk of Champions League football on Tyneside next season.
Last year, they didn't win any of their first 14 games. Just let that sink in.
7 – CHELSEA
World Cup minutes: 3,326
A big month for head coach Graham Potter.
There is no doubting his ability, and he steered them through the Champions League group comfortably, but football is a results business and Chelsea's Premier League results need to improve fast.
8 – BRIGHTON
World Cup minutes: 1,544
What a fantastic thing, for a club like Brighton, to welcome Alexis Mac Allister back to the Amex as a World Cup winner.
And I expect Roberto de Zerbi will keep the Seagulls flying high.
9 – LEICESTER
World Cup minutes: 982
Just three months ago, the calls for manager Brendan Rodgers to go were deafening after a 6-2 defeat at Tottenham.
But they will keep climbing the table with expert coaching and a strong work ethic.
10 – FULHAM
World Cup minutes: 1,333
Favourites to go down back in August, their energy and tempo was refreshing before the break.
They can target a top-half finish if talisman and leading scorer Aleksandr Mitrovic stays fit.
11 - CRYSTAL PALACE
World Cup minutes: 406
With all that firepower – Zaha, Olise, Edouard, Mateta and Eze – there is nothing to worry about at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles will be fresh because Palace players had the second-lowest aggregate of game time at the World Cup in the division.
12 – BRENTFORD
World Cup minutes: 518
They will be fine. I don't know why, because there is uncertainty about striker Ivan Toney's availability over betting allegations, but I just think they will be fine.
Manager Thomas Frank will find a way to keep the Bees' heads above water.
13 – ASTON VILLA
World Cup minutes: 1,216
Unai Emery will steady the ship after the turbulence which cost Steven Gerrard his job.
But it may not be until next season that Villa push on up the table and knock on the door of the top six.
14 – WEST HAM
World Cup minutes: 1,153
Left behind at the starting gate, the Hammers have been playing catch-up all season.
However, David Moyes' experience and know-how will be their biggest asset, and they are going well in Europe again.
15 – EVERTON
World Cup minutes: 824
The new stadium at Bradley Moore Dock is taking shape, but another relegation battle lies ahead.
It's critical that manager Frank Lampard is given the funds to add another striker to supplement Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay.
16 – BOURNEMOUTH
World Cup minutes: 495
Under new ownership, and now Gary O'Neil has been confirmed as full-time manager following an impressive interim spell, I think they will confound pre-season odds and be OK.
Not with much to spare, but OK.
17 – NOTTINGHAM FOREST
World Cup minutes: 865
There were positive signs of life, after a worrying autumn, when the World Cup break came around.
Steve Cooper delivered one miracle to win promotion, and I fancy him to come up with another.
18 – LEEDS
World Cup minutes: 692
I predicted they might drop before a ball was kicked, and sadly I have not seen enough over the first 14 games to change my mind.
Only Southampton have conceded more goals so far and Jesse Marsch might be facing a rough ride.
19 - WOLVES
World Cup minutes: 515
Going down?
Bruno Lage paid the price for a sluggish start, but his successor at Molineux, Julen Lopetegui, has inherited the lowest scorers in the division – and that will be his biggest problem heading into 2023.
20 – SOUTHAMPTON
World Cup minutes: 270
It's always good to see young British coaches being given a chance in the top flight, but I fear new Saints manager Nathan Jones may have bitten off more than he can chew.
