Liverpool and Arsenal Fans Feeling Optimistic but United Supporters Endure Summer to Forget

Winners

Liverpool: Some supporters may have endured an uneasy feeling when Kolo Toure was announced as the club's first official signing of the summer but Brendan Rodgers would end the transfer window with praise ringing in his ears. Not only has Toure impressed in his first few games for the club, but seven other players arrived and star striker Luis Suarez remained on Merseyside.

The Uruguayan looked certain to call time on his Anfield stay but the Liverpool board took a strong stance and refused to sell the striker. The additions of Iago Aspas and Victor Moses have added more depth in the final third, while winger Luis Alberto joins the growing ranks of young players desperate for a chance to impress. Aly Cissokho will provide stern competition for Jose Enrique, while Simon Mignolet has kept three clean sheets in the Premier League, leading supporters to quickly forget about the loss of Pepe Reina.

Rodgers also addressed his defensive concerns by adding powerhouse Mamadou Sakho and the hugely talented Tiago Ilori to his squad on deadline day. Both players could spend the next decade at the club and are likely to push Martin Skrtel and Toure for a place alongside Daniel Agger in the heart of defence. Despite accepting a huge loss on Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, it was a hugely impressive transfer window for the current league leaders.

Tottenham: Losing Gareth Bale was a major setback, but receiving a world record fee of £86m and signing seven new players with that money has severely cushioned the blow. Tottenham broke their transfer record on three occasions to sign outstanding Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, prolific Spanish striker Roberto Soldado and highly skilled Argentinean winger Erik Lamela. All three will play huge roles this season and their goals will more than make up for the loss of Bale.

Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli provide competition for places and further improve Andre Villas-Boas' options, while Vlad Chiriches is a more than capable replacement for Steven Caulker. Perhaps the most important signing though could be Christian Eriksen. Spurs have missed the creativity and guile of Rafael van der Vaart, and the former Ajax man could well prove to be an inspired signing at just £11.5m. His vision and ability to pick a pass will be huge appreciated by Soldado and Jermain Defoe, while his young age - he is still just 21 - means he could flourish at White Hart Lane for many years to come.

Arsenal: Up until nearly 11pm on 2 September it had been a nightmare window for Arsenal supporters. Free agents Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini were the only arrivals, but then the £42.3m transfer of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid was confirmed. The Germany international is a truly world-class player who will significantly improve Arsenal in the final third thanks to impressive record of goals and assists. Arsene Wenger showed his intent by smashing the club's transfer record and with a single signing appeased the supporters who had been growing restless.

For the first time in a number of years Arsenal also managed to keep hold of their best assets. Having seen the likes of Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri, and Song depart, Wenger was able to convince his best players to stay. With Wilshere, Ozil and Cazorla in midfield this season, the Gunners will surely be one of the most creative sides in the league. Expect Olivier Giroud to flourish.

Southampton: The south coast club demonstrated great ambition this summer by beating a host of clubs to the signings of Victor Wanyama and Daniel Osvaldo. Add to that promising Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and the Saints spent a whopping £35.5m on just three players.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino got the side playing some good football last season and will hope that his additions help the club push for a top half finish. In Wanyama they have a powerful midfielder who can grab games by the scruff of the neck - as demonstrated best in his impressive display in Celtic's win over Barcelona last season. Osvaldo, who may be a fiery character, will also add an extra goal threat and will take some pressure away from Rickie Lambert. The former Roma forward will not mind the physicality of the Premier League and could prove to be a big success at St Mary's.

Honourable mention as well to Swansea City and manager Michael Laudrup who appears to have spent well once again by landing Jonjo Shelvey, Wilfried Bony, Jose Canas, Alvaro Vasquez, Gregor Zabret and Jordi Amat.

Losers

Manchester United: A summer to forget for most United fans who saw the club linked with Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Sami Khedira, Daniele de Rossi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but were ultimately left with Maroune Fellaini as their only major new signing. Even worse, the Belgian midfielder cost £28m, despite having a release clause of around £23m in his Everton contract earlier in the summer.

It really was a difficult few months for David Moyes who saw bids rejected for Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines and Fabregas. Having already lost to Liverpool, and seen the majority of title contenders significantly strengthen, the Scot may well be in for a difficult first season at the helm.

Newcastle United: You have to feel for manager Alan Pardew who saw Joe Kinnear instated as the new director of football, charged with bringing new players to the club. So what did the man who has the phone numbers of every top manager in Europe do? He signed Loic Remy on a season-long loan and Olivier Kemen arrived from Metz. That is it.

Having narrowly avoided relegation Pardew made it clear he wanted new arrivals. There was talk of Darren Bent and Bafetimbi Gomis arriving, but in the end neither were signed. They did keep hold of Yohan Cabaye, despite interest from PSG and Arsenal, but surely Newcastle are in for another season at the wrong end of the table. You have to wonder how long Pardew will remain at St. James Park.