On this Sunday afternoon, every team will play their 38th game, the last one of this season 2023-24. Premier League never disappoints you, who will be crowned the champion is not decided, yet! There’s not much to play for the other teams however.
Relegation battle : We already know the three teams that would be relegated. Luton, Burnley and a piss poor Sheffield United are going down.
Europe qualifiers : Newcastle and Man United are hoping Chelsea loses it’s last game and that they can win (while the other one should also lose) to secure a place in Europa League. Aston Villa have already qualified to Champions League football next season, so a 5th position Tottenham can’t do much about it.
Title challenge : This is the most important bit. Man City and Arsenal have two points difference, and there are 4 conditions that can happen.
- City loses, Arsenal Wins – We run away with the title. For this to happen, David Moyes needs to do us a favor, while we need to get pass the Dyche’s football.
- City draws, Arsenal wins – We win again since we have a better goal difference to City (60 to 61).
- City wins – irrespective of what happens with any other teams, if City wins, Pep will have another trophy to show in his cabinet.
- Arsenal draw / loss – If we draw against Everton or in worst case lose, City will be crowned Champions irrespective of their result against Moyes.
If you ask me personally, I would love the second scenario, a nerve breaking one where we beat the best team on the planet on goal difference of just ONE, on the final day of the league. That would be a WOW! moment. It’s not happening though, don’t keep your hopes high.
The best part of all of this is, that we are in contention for the title. The worst of it all, we depend on West Ham to beat City for us, and it’s not happening. Not on the final day, not when City needs a win to secure 4th title in a row, not at Etihad. There’s a very slim chance the west London club do us a favor, since Spurs and Son went on full Spursy mode against Pep. A very slim that one, but it won’t let me not be all excited for the game.
I was full ballistic in December when we dropped a lot of points. I was mad when we let Emery school us when we needed a win. The lads couldn’t sustain the pressure, nor the manager towards the end of the last season, but we have improved in that area. We have hold the fort since our Dubai’s training, and we have been giving some sleepless nights to Pep.
Lets not underestimate our achievements. Klopp fought against Pep for 8 seasons and only won one of those titles. He was second with 97 points in one of them. He had the best front 3 in last decade, Salah , Mane and Firmino and along with the best defender in VVD, he still couldn’t win more than once. Arteta has a lot to do before he matches Klopp. He is learning, and we are improving. I hated the pace at which we did, and I still do, but now since that bad phase has gone, I am very optimistic about the club in coming days.
Doesn’t mean I am not critical how we are letting go of Reuell Walters for free. A 19- year old Right Back, who made the Arsenal bench numerous times but couldn’t make it should still cost a couple million dollars in the market. Arthur Okonkwo is also leaving as a free agent, he should have costed more than a couple of millions. Aaron Ramsdale have been dropping hints of his transfers, and in his latest Instagram post, we saw a farewell message to him. The rumours points out a 15m fees to Newcastle. Now, how in the hell do you sell a player who was starting every game last season, and who is not playing not because his form dipped but because Mikel prefers David Raya over him, for only 15 million to a club that has all the money in the world. It’s not like we are selling him to Crystal Palace or Bournemouth.
Elneny and Cedric are leaving at the end of this season. I’m okay with that, they had their time here, and it’s over now.
In other news, Arne Slot will be the new Liverpool manager after Klopp. He is currently managing Feyenoord and is considered a top manager. We have seen what happens to those ‘top managers’ in the premier league – Ten Haag, Ralph Ragnik, Ange – and I will not have kept my hopes high if I was a Liverpool supporter. Plus, they will go through a rebuild now. Man United is in shambles, Chelsea are shit, Spurs will remain Spurs for the foreseeable future, and it’s going to be another City v Arsenal.
Right, that’s all for today. If you have a lucky charm in your house, hold on to it for 90 dear god minutes tomorrow, and pray West Ham sees Milwall in City. We also would have to win against Everton for sure. Lets close the season on a banger, irrespective of what happens.
See you tomorrow.
Ambarish
Letting Emery school us is a come back and bite you in the bum moment.
Our management of player negotiations in and out is crap. None of the AFC guys involved have any commercial nous – they wouldnt last 5 minutes in a hungry commercial set up. Walters will not be the only young outfield departure – the youngsters all talk to each other and can see they are never likely to obtain first team status and actually get on the pitch.
Just about to leave Norfolk – I have a special delivery for the City hotel – 100day old lasagne. Lift off the lid and you can see it move. Coincidence – the other rivals were also playing West Ham when food poisoning struck.
Ambarish
I like your positivity. City at home drop points to Moyesyball? I think that qualifies as blind faith with if true doesn’t mean we ran away with anything. We got in through the back door.
This and last season were seasons we should have won the title. You were right to be mad in December. KDB was out as was Rodri where City dropped points and a real title challenger takes advantage of those times as L’pool did to win their title.
If the seemingly impossible happens Sunday, I’ll be happy it’ll just feel a bit hollow.
KP
This Town is a ska movie set in Coventry where the Selector was from. Remember On my Radio?
https://youtu.be/YoJmnCXuG3w?si=PmT4KeMOZGBy0rpr
https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11tspk1cxh&hl=en-TH&q=This+Town&kgs=20e6da41e8a16632&shndl=17&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/m5/3
Norg
Good luck on your mission and outing.
We didn’t hold our own after the winter break – our play was much better afterwards but the match that cost us the title was Villa at home on the 14th April.
What needs to be remembered is Liverpool were still in the mix at this point and playing right before us lost to Palace.
City had spanked Luton the day before but we had the chance to put them under pressure – we dominated the first half but couldn’t score (where the fuck was Havertz then?) and then Emery outthought and outfought Arteta in the second half.
With 6 fixtures left Arteta bottled it again in precisely the same round of matches he did the season before.
We’re going to have exactly the same conversation next season – the only possible difference is when next season or the season after one of ManU, Chelsea or Liverpool get their shit together and finish in front of us.
The people calling Arteta El B on here are wrong its EL C.
Someone give me a genuine reason why Arteta isn’t a complete and utter cunt after the following course of events.
Signs Ramsdale for a fee that makes everyone go “how much?”
Gives him a new contract on more money after 1 season (to protect his value) whilst dropping him – this season he’s made 11 appearances – 1CL, 1 FA Cup, 1 Community Shield (doesn’t count but lets be generous), 2 League Cup and 6 PL 4 of which were the first 4 matches of the season.
Then sells him at a loss.
The best argument that can be made is “at least he didn’t pay him to leave” which is one of Arteta’s trademarks.
In any other business the person doing this would be sacked and given 15 minutes to vacate the premises.
Marc
Again well reasoned.
Marc-I too spoke of that Ramsdale nonsense in my response to your earlier post on the previous thread…I had no idea that Ambarish was going to post articles on back-to-back days or I just would have waited and posted it here…maybe have a looksee, as we were in agreement on most of the issues you addressed…Cheers
Ambarish–I agree in part with your sentiments regarding “top” managers coming to the PL, but I have a feeling that Slot just might buck that trend…I’ve been followng him for quite some time, largely because he’s developed a slew of quality players, and I think he will do well with what Klopp has left on the shelves, especially with the plethora of youthful options, which includes a handful of academy pieces and those he’s purchased during the last two summer windows
Tony—no worries…problem is that there are already those who’re putting words in my mouth for nefarious purposes, unlike yourself, so I thought it best to simply clarify my stance…Cheers
Ambarish—like I said in the previous thread, there’s a lot of putting the cart before the horse in Manchester right now, so maybe just maybe that will come back to haunt them…I think the most likely way we win this is if City draw and we secure all 3 against an Everton side who btw won’t likely capitulate with Dyche at the helm
Tony
I’m not actually reasoning anything just laying out the course of events.
That’s why the fanboy’s hate me – its not about opinion (this player’s better than that player etc) its about what happened and no one can argue with the course of events.
TRVL
I did see your comment on the previous piece.
We’re pretty much on the same wave length on most things re Arteta.
Brighton are looking for a new manager – another Arsenal old boy perhaps.
TRVL
Merson is causing rumblings saying Anthony Gordon is the striker El B needs for £100m.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/anthony-gordon/profil/spieler/503733
Only seen him play once and he looked a long way off meeting that price tag. Half that maybe with add ons etc. I’d prefer Watkins if we could price him away from Unai by giving him ESR and Jesus and maybe £20m.
Would be interested in seeing your top 5 managers to replace El B and who you would see fitting our system best as a striker if price no problem bar Mbape.?
When you consider how Palace, B’mouth and BHA have fared this season where with some investing in the summer, all 3 teams will take points off top 6 teams. As has been pointed out here L’pool, City, Man are and Chavs will improve next season to at least challenge for the CL births.
Howe’s head will be on the chopping block if he doesn’t deliver next season, and our Unai will also be expected to improve on 4th in only his coming 2nd full season. Let that sink in fan boys. 4th in first full season and always beat El B.
Who knows what new system he’ll want to play to be less predictable at the beginning of the season? Problem is the new system will only last about 20 minutes with the tactical astute manager’s in today’s game. In game changes need to be precise to change games; something El B is not but others are.
I’m interested in your thoughts, TRVL, as I’m sure others will be bar the seal collector. I don’t watch enough football outside the PL being my lazy admission.
Tomorrow is a difficult day for me as we should be lifting the trophy by at least 3 points. What makes things worse is, like Marc, I see us saying the same things this time next season for the above reasons.
There was a short period this season when I thought El B had finally learnt; we’d gone to Dubai and come back rock and rolling and then rolled to a stop as if some kind of inertia had kicked in. We’ve been getting the points with no consistency. Some games we greatly added to our GD and others we limped through with backs to the walls when we lost our belief and huffed and puffed and dropped points that cost us dear. Villa being one.
PL winners do not do that, nor do they lose more than 3 or 4 max games a season. City have lost 3.
Back to my original thought we might be looking for a new manager by October because El B is still an unknown quantity at the start of each PL campaign.
So, thoughts on managers might be fun to keep the pain off before the game we are all hoping for miracles for.
The only miracle I want is a new manager with experience and an eye for talent.
Any thoughts?
Norg
Where’s De Zerbi going?
Marc
It’s a way of life for you and a cool one, too. I’ve never been fortunate to be in your position so I can’t really understand the feel of the energy 60K of people bring to the games. I don’t have that level of emotion every other week to draw from.
I’m sure I’d be the same as you if in your position. I enjoy your post match thoughts.
Tony
The rumours were De Zerbi to Bayern but Tuchel may change his mind about leaving. He is definately departing from BHA. His replacement will be another newcomer to the premiership as a manager. El B’s number 2 is highly regarded and a contact who is involved with Norwich says he has visited Carrow Road more than once. Cesc is also putting it around he would like to manage in the UK. He is the main coach at Como but without his badges when he started – hence somebody else had the managers job in name only. Como have just been promoted to Serie A. TH14 & Cesc are both shareholders of Como.
Tony
The social aspect is a massive part of the football for me, a few beers pre match with friends who I don’t actually sit with so once in the ground there’s always the chat and banter with the people I’ve got to know who sit round me.
Its the main reason I didn’t give up my season ticket a couple of years ago – the other being that I know we’ll eventually be rid of the fraud he’s lasted longer than I thought he would but like all things eventually finishing 2nd after again bottling it won’t be enough for the fans and they’ll turn on him.
The worry is the likes of Saka, Saliba etc might realise it before and look to get out for a chance to win things.
NORG
Tuchel came out and said he couldn’t agree a deal with Bayern and that it’s over.
I think De Zerbi is eyeing that Manchester job more than the Bayern.
TRVL
Arnie may do well (I don’t hope so), but he looks to me a similar profile to Ten Haag. EtH was developing players at Ajax, took them to Champions League semi final against the odds and could have easily made to finals, has Lucas Moura not decided to score a hat-trick in the second half and Tottenham winning on away goals.
Tony
Hope so, West Ham does the undoable on the last day.
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