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.
TRVL
Thanks for the informative depth on Gasperini.
I vaguely knew the name and would agree with you that he seems as tailor made, as you could get. In the way you outlined Gasperini’s tactical nous, it also highlights El B’s considerable managerial frailties by comparison.
I’m a fan of De Zerbi as mentioned above. Andoni Iraola Sagarna has caught the eye with Bournemouth’s 2nd half of the season, and ditto really with Oliver Glasner at Palace.
When you add Gasperini to the top of the wanted list my list would be this:
Gasperini:
From your post he seems ideal. You will have watched him more than I have watched all of my four choices.
De Zerbi:
Has been well PL road tested proving he deserves his shot with an top 4 PL club. I think he would fix united as well, so more reason to get him. Although no nonsense tough his players love him where he gets rid of dissent quickly, as in Trossard.
Maybe White wasn’t a good fit either. I was surprised at his sale, but also money spoke the right language.
Oliver Glasner:
Would be my 3rd choice. His ability to also get Eze and Olise to perform to new levels is seriously impressive. I grant you they were in the Zaha show and lived in his shadow.
Now, though, those 2 alone toy with defenders and are really exciting to watch. Together with the other talented young group all now shining, they cut through teams at will, as they have their last few games.
If we had Oliver and he brought Eze and Olise as well as Tyrick Mitchell 24, at LB (2 goals & 3 assists). That addresses the areas you and I feel need finally dealing with. Would probably cost about £250m, but would represent a good investment both financially and and in our squad. No square pegs in round holes and Havertz would really have to sing for his supper, as it were.
That would just leave the keeper issue to solve. “News to me” Ramsdale seems to be staying put playing hardball. I’m in the Ramsdale camp, where do I sign?
Andoni Iraola Sagarna:
There is no denying B’mouth’s New Year resurgence and not with thug football, which is oft the norm for clubs with very little TW funds available. Unpolished and unknown gems are their level financially because B’mouth as a club is only worth £358m – let that sink in for a moment.
The club is worth half El B’s TW spend. Look at player values below to get a feel for what I’m saying.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/afc-bournemouth/kader/verein/989/saison_id/2023
Iraola has also kept his club playing stylish build up play football from the back, but perhaps more conservatively risk adverse to keep the ship/club steady on PL coffers. I really enjoy watching the way Iraola sets up to play from the back with such movement it confounds most PL teams now. Then the huge work rate he gets back from his players even when they are running on empty. His players leave everything on the pitch every game.
Looking at the current table it reads:
10 – Brighton
11 – Bournemouth
12 – Crystal Palace
That is no coincidence in my mind, for what it’s worth. It’s 3 manager performing with hugely limited resources who are taking points off top 6 clubs with regularity.
Just think if they had had £600m+ to spend with their obvious man managerial qualities, proven tactical nous and real understanding of players and the potential?
Why? You may be thinking are we talking about a new manager when the fat lady hasn’t sang her last PL 2023/2024 season.
Can the curse of mushy peas and gravy derail City’s 4th title and PL dominance? Probably not.
My view of today’s results are below:
Us V the Toffees – a 3:1 win
BHA v Manure – De Zerbi will really up his creds if he dispatches the Mancs at home. 3:1 win with Garnaco peppering the stadium ceilings with 14 attempts. A decent win would do De Zerbi’s prospects of taking over from ETH a lot of good.
Chavs v B’mouth – I see a draw or B’mouth win because Bournemouth play as a team better.
Palace v Villa – is probably the game to watch. Palace at home are tough to get points from so 3:2 as Villa can be porous.
Bin Dipper home to toothless Wolves – could be a rout to send Klopp off with. I fear for Wolves.
Sheffield home to Spuds – Any Spuds loss will do for me.
City v The Hammers – It’s inconceivable for me to think of City dropping points.
They’ve been here before 5 times in a row. The are old hats at dealing with pressure. They haven’t lost when Rodri plays because he’s the best in the world for me. Under Rodri’s leadership he’ll systematically break WH down and then when required shift up a gear or two where one of 10 players can score with the level of interchangeable plays they do during a game.
When you look at WH’s players where are 2 or 3 goals going to come from because City will score at home and the noise levels will be off the charts driving them and the ref on.
It’s going to be a very brave ref to deny City. VAR will defer to the ref to have the final say. They aren’t stupid and want to get home safely. Ditto the ref who I hope employs a butt plug to be safe.
5:1 is my prediction and time to move on where we have accept we have a loser as a manager. 8 8 5 2 2 with 3 collapses in a row. That’s the reality of El B’s rookie 5 years.
The nearly by not quite manager. See you at the game and I’ll leave you with this song El B was rumored to have sung this to Willian:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-p8bOoFlPo
I think the is overdoing the PMA by a country mile.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13433881/Arsenal-seen-REHEARSING-Premier-League-trophy-presentation-club-staff-shake-hands-pretend-award-medals-eventuality-Arsenal-snatch-title-Man-City-Sunday.html
I should have prepared something witty, pithy and erudite for today but I’m not feeling anything inspirational. Blind faith is not on the agenda either after 20 years of slightly differing but always ultimately disappointing outcomes. It’ll be more dull pain or an entire week of euphoria. Like I said the other day, we’re all experts and aficionados and have been here before. We know the score.
Some historical context. In 89, I went to virtually every hone game and had seen enough in the wonderful team we had that season to know we could pull it off at Anfield. Plus we had the best manager in Europe at the time who you just knew would have the right strategy and so it proved. It took Micky Thomas right til the end to get that goal, but after Smith got the first one, it always seemed possible. No end to a season will ever rival that.
It’s different now. At times this season, our players have fought like tigers and done everything we asked for. Getting the better of the other big teams that traditionally challenge us and put us to the sword. Away wins at the Spuds and that Rice decider at Luton. I’m not going to talk about the weakest link – all he needs to do us beat marbella-bound Everton and the inquests can start afterwards for me.
The asterisk effect will mean nothing if justice is retrospectively served for us and certain others. No trophy parade, no pride, no special chants and no chance to see our players just being exuberant lads outside Islington Town Hall and sharing the glory. Innocent til proven guilty and all that, but if City are found out, then every other team in English football needs to hate them, consistently and fervently, on spud and manure levels, to the power of 10, ’til all their fans run off crying ashamed of themselves.
Today is a bit like a penalty shoot out for the season where we’re only allowed 4 pens and City 5. We, and Liverpool in particular, might look back on this era and have nothing other than to describe it as a rigged game.
Tony – your predictions for the City game ring true. I can think of 4 or 5 middling teams that I’d rather see face City on what is effectively our behalf. But Moyes, as a hard nosed West Coast and proud Scot, (just like dear old GG) might just have a plan to rip up the fucking script. I’m blowing bubbles the afternoon, just not forever.
KP
“I’m blowing bubbles the afternoon, just not forever.”
Nicely said, I’ll join you and say amen at the end.
Moyes is Rice-less now. When you consider how he has helped us to improve, imagine how much The Hammers have lost. After Rodri, Rice is probably the next best PL DM.
KP
The manager talk was to talk my mind off the pain of ‘what ifs’.
It seemed more real in GG’s days.
Ambarish
Hi mate. Sorry, I meant to say this a few days ago.
I agree with others. Do whatever it takes to keep LiR working with ads. Your idea of being flexible about timings makes perfect sense. I’d also echo what Tony says. Let us know whether a more meaningful contribution from those of us that can afford it would help. I’ve ‘bought you a coffee’ in the past but I wouldn’t mind if you needed more than that. You run this site brilliantly and produce great written material. But you’re also very inclusive of us old farts (even when we ramble on about anything except Arsenal sometimes) , so much so that I feel a part of LiR.
I essence, don’t be British (ie evasive) about money – tell me/us what would help.
I wanted to end by saying thank you for all that you do to combine your madly hectic lifestyle with keeping this blog afloat. You are very kind mate. The Maharaja of Indian Gooners!
Looks like the same trusted line up with Tomi at LB Rice at 8 and Havertz at 9.
Marc
Hope your day at the game and after is good. If the unimaginable happens I would imagine the ale will be flowing to devastating morning after levels.
Tony
If the unthinkable happens, expect Marc to be partying like it’s 1999 tonight. The Tollington will be drunk dry and north London will look like a wasteland (ie Tottenham) tomorrow.
Is pumpkin around by any chance or us he spitting up fur balls in BKK?
Aitcho
You got a ticket mate or are you TNT-ing it like the rest of us?
Get your immaculate and neatly embroidered Mikel Arteta memorial prayer mat ™ out mate and say a few Ave Maria’s for us… Maybe his superior hair difference over Guardiola will prevail.
Oh, and put those possibly lucky Miami Dolphins Pony trainers on mate. It can’t do any harm (except to your street cred).
Still in BKK KP. Miss the little fur ball
Everton turning us round at kick off. Scummy bastards.
good morning one and all…it’s been an interesting one, with exceedingly more highs than lows, but still we must rely on the kindness of others to see things out…just wish that within this organization there existed a Wenger, early days version that is, and/or a Dein-type figure, so that we could properly take advantage of our financial good fortunes…for so long we were forced to accept an artificially determined lower bar due to the monopolistic and egoistical leanings of our former manager, yet even when he was removed from the equation a lower than required bar still exists, at least in my eyes…only difference is that bar is no longer a financially determined one,, instead it’s a managerial one, which as long as Pep rules City’s roost likely leaves us in the unenviable bride’s maid role…that said, I would love to see us wax our opponents on this day and then discover that the Hammers found a way to secure at least a draw…Cheers
Dyche set up 451 so the block is in with counters.
Keep an eye on Toffees LB marts will be a good test.
City a goal up in 90 seconds shocker!
maybe Tomi should stop closing his eyes whenever he finds himself in the box
City winning.
Tony-if that were Arteta he would already be bringing in every rostered defender with a fucking kit
Tony-I simply have to disagree with your early comments about Andy Townsend, as he’s been a full-blown homer commentator for us this whole season, for whatever reason…as I”m saying it he has the nerve to say that Rice didn’t get that shot exactly how he wanted but he forced the Keeper into a good save…whereas in reality, Rice fluffed the shit out of his shot and it dribbled to the Keeper as if it were kicked by the smallest of children
good movement by Marts there but he’s got to finish that…still don’t like his longtime doghouse status, as no one of any consequence is going to fear a front 3 of Tross, Havertz and Saka
Noted TRVL I gave my managerial views earlier.
I still like the guy for his overall football sense. Last weeks main commentator said El B was the best rotator in the PL.
City 2 up now
That’s all then.. we fight next season now.
Tony-my reflections on AT weren’t meant to suggest anything untowards about his footballing acumen, just that he sometimes comes across as a bit too thirtsy when it comes to our club this particular season
I’m not convince whatsoever that Josh or his Pappy will authorize anything more than a rather meagre budget for a Striker, especially with Havertz on the books and knowing MA’s poor track record when it comes to that position
Taya beaten at his near post but saved by the post.
Rays*
Why does 90% of our attack go down the right?
you can see today that MA is employing some of those Gasperini-like underlapping runs by our CBs…as to our right-sided leanings, it’s largely because of our asinine inverted LB
no finishing, questionnable movement in the box and easily bossed by CBs = the Havertz’s toolbox