After the opening ten games, it is Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool who are leading the way in the Premier League having accumulated 23 points from a possible 30. This is almost a carbon copy of how the top-flight started during 2015/16 with the Gunners and City battling it out on 22 points each after the same amount of games.

Whilst the table might look the same, there have been some notable differences and not only are there now a whole host of new faces – both managerial appointments and new signings – there has also been a step up in terms of performances and standards right across the league.

Perhaps this is due to the diverse range of players and mangers that are now attracted to English football or it might be that the level of the Championship is now so competitive that teams are entering the top division ready for action. One thing that is for certain though is that week-in, week-out there are impressive team and individual efforts being made throughout the division.

After Leicester’s tremendous achievements last year, there has been a somewhat level of ‘normality’ restored to the top-flight so far but who are the stars that have been making a vast improvement on their performances so far? Here are Shoot!’s top five most improved Premier League players this season…

Artur Boruc

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Bournemouth have made a promising start to this season and boast one of the best home records in the Premier League so far. Compared to last season, where Eddie Howe’s side conceded more than 70 goals, this is a tremendous improvement and Artur Boruc has been one of the standout performers thus far.

The Cherries ‘keeper already has three clean sheets to his name, all of which have come at the Vitality Stadium, and in the last four games they have conceded just one goal. The former Southampton and Celtic shot-stopper will be hoping that his newfound form continues.

Nacer Chadli

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

After being deemed surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, Nacer Chadli’s £13mllion move to West Brom over the summer may have raised a few eyebrows.

However, the Belgian has upped his level of consistency in games and is repaying the faith that The Baggies showed him after Spurs’ decision to sell.

The 27-year-old winger has started to turn a few heads playing for Tony Pulis’ side, after being involved in six of the ten goals West Brom have scored this season – scoring four and making two. Chadli will be hoping for the same amount of game time as the season continues.

Eden Hazard

Photo: Charlotte Wilson

Eden Hazard was the star of Chelsea’s title-winning season in 2014/15 but throughout last season the Belgium international massively under-achieved and was largely anonymous for most of the campaign. However, the 25 year-old almost looks to be back to his best having already scored five times in ten games.

Whilst he had a somewhat slow start, he has now been able to reclaim the number 10 role under Antonio Conte and is showing signs of brilliance once again. His link-up play with Diego Costa has been wonderful to watch and it could be just what Chelsea need to have a go at joining the title race.

Joe Allen

Photo: Mark Leech

One of the transformations of the season so far has been Stoke’s Joe Allen. Having failed to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, Allen was presented with a fresh opportunity under Mark Hughes to prove his Premier League worth.

In the first ten fixtures, the 26 year-old has already scored on four occasions and assisted twice, which is his best return in a campaign since playing for Swansea in 2011/12. Whilst at Liverpool, the Wales international was utilised at the base of midfield but now Hughes has deployed him in a more advanced position, he really is reaping the rewards for the Potters.

Theo Walcott

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

After several seasons of getting dropped, getting injured or just generally disappointing, Theo Walcott is finally starting to make a visible difference at Arsenal. The 27-year-old has started nine out of the ten Premier League games this season and has scored five times and assisted twice – a feat that only Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Phillipe Coutinho and Romelu Lukaku have been able to better.

Now, just six appearances short of winning his 50th England cap, Walcott’s next challenge is to prove he can still make an impact at international level after fighting his way back into the England setup.