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.
3-1 at the Etihad
Big Gabriel injured.
And wtf Zinchenko coming in. Galaxy brain . Let us brace for the inevitable.
And Jr. Kroenke talks if still still supporting ElB , moron
any thoughts Tony, or anyone else, on my previous post regarding a back 3?
That was a good save by Raya. His trademark jumping frog one. Good job
I think Rice was lucky not to get a red with studs up with his lunging foot. Rice looks a bit gassed.
TRVL
I agreed with your thinking. I’ve long thought we’d suit a 343 it’s why I liked your Gasparini post who also you d said liked 343.
We are making very hard work of this.
ESR looks slimmer
why not get Marts on the left, instead of Jesus, just to get some width over there…I’m pleased that Timber came on and was properly deployed on the right…he could be well-suited to play along side Saka, but we all know what will happen instead
The way Everton players are laid out , they are intercepting the Arsenal passes effortlessly, although our boys appear fitter and faster.
So guess you are right Tony about 343
Palace 5 up against Villa. I said they were porous but …….
imagine a 3-4-3, with more of a diamond configuration in the midfield
White Saliba Gabs
Rice
Timber new guy
Ode
Saka Real Striker Marts
Havertz is like a taller, uglier Eddie…poacher’s army unite
I’m surprised that Dyche didn’t come on the pitch and strike AY about the head after that horrifying pass
Initially felt Matineli was strictly banned from.coming in. Now the Nan seems on not shooting, but pass accross for El B hope Havertz the Albatross would tap in. Damn it he can only do it when it happens without thinking.
Anyway finally Havertz pushes the ball in sparing the blushes….epa handball ?.No it is 2-1. Hand of God Jesus was in natural position
we never would have got that call in previous times…tbh that was a shocking decision, especially after him having a closer look
Everton shape is gone. They might let in another goal
imagine if that non-call decided the title…Pep would have had a proper shit-fit upon seeing that
City champions again.
the fat lady has sung and we’re left in another shit stained bride’s maid dress
That works TRVL. The fan boys seemed happy at the Emirates.
Aaah fuck… Inevitable but still really disappointing. The asterisks win again.
What celebration for losing is being organised now ?
Guess Kroenke Jr. likes celebration without reasons
this season only matters if we get the next window right and finally finish the job come this time next season…just don’t see us having the administrative/managerial capabilities to rid ourselves of a good chunk of players, then also bring in a couple readymade starters and the requisite amount of depth pieces
Tony
City champions again
**** repeat another 115 times or whatever it is.
Hi Hoopah
Kroenke will be celebrating because of CL qualification. Shit loads of money and pumping up the Arsenal brand.
You all right mate? We’ve been here before haven’t we, and it’s still really painful. More than knockout cups, Arsenal should always be about winning titles.
Timber was fucking terrific when he came in. Shoulda/woulda/coulda but he might have made the difference this season.
a real manager would have seen that Havertz was at best a depth piece on a really good side looking to compete for things on multiple fronts, but with the ridiculous wage package we gifted him he will be starting for the foreseeable future…only MA could replace one albatross, Xhaka, with another…funny thing is Xhaka actually won a title on an invincible like run with Lever, how fucking ironic
Some things are telling.
ElB tries to hug Smith Rowe. But once bitten during last contract talks ,twice shy now.
Smith Rowe ducks to get out of the spider’s parlour
KP-agreed…just don’t think he would ever be deployed on his natural side, over another MA favourite, so not sure if he could have been the difference maker than led us to the title…really like his prospects if used correctly though
Hoopah—in a similar vein did you see how Vieira reacted when the manager came in for an obligatory hug??? I’ve had more affection shown my way by someone I’ve accidenatally punched 20 or 30 times
Are 3 collapses in consecutive seasons another El B negative record? All in April, too.
Good night y’all thecinquests can start tomorrow
Tony-I wouldn’t replace MA with Palace’s interim man, as it’s way to early to tell what he’s all about…all he did was wrestle the handbrakes from Roy’s wrinkly little hands and then the players stopped faking injuries so that they didn’t have to participate in Roy’s antiquated footballing nightmare
Pop ups ads are gone. NORG, if you are reading this, AVG won’t flag it anymore.
Guys,
There are a lot more positives to take from the season than the negatives. We will talk through for 3 whole months, but for tonight, lets cherish a brilliant run and competition we gave to one of the best teams in the world.
We will get past them next season.
this window can’t start early enough for me, as I can’t wait to see who some of the more reputable outlets view as our most likely priority recruits…no matter the chatter, regarding our second consecutive almost title challenge, it never felt like those races when City and Pool went toe-to-toe, which speaks to City’s unfinished lineup and our inability to find a way to take full advantage of maybe our best opportunity since 2016 to get another title under our belts
the problem is there will be those Arteta fluffers who will think we’re closer than we really are, so we likely won’t properly redress those areas where we need substantial upgrades…in order to truly enter the conversation among Europe’s elite we likely need another Keeper, which seems ludicrous to suggest, a LB with wingback capabilities, two midfiielders, who could provide proper cover for both Rice and Ode, a pacey forward who can be deployed on either side and a bona fide Striker…I feel pretty safe in suggesting that this won’t be accomplished this summer…too bad MA didn’t spend more wisely last summer, at least in regards to finding a suitable Xhaka replacement who was both clinical in front of goal and able to unlock defences
KP
Yeah, I went. Shared the space with 60000 odd Tets fan boys.
We did our bit and won. Those on Havertz watch will have enjoyed his goal. Some good stats.
Here’s the thing for me. Last game of the season for the most part, as I said, has been a fairly tired occasion. The lap of ‘appreciation’ sparsely attended, token grudging applause.
Today I looked about me, it seemed full, enthusiastic and actually appreciated. No shuffling off unsatisfied.
We didn’t say our farewells, see you next summer with a raised eyebrow and shrug. The fans like this team, like the manager and felt confident we do this again and do better.
The game itself. We beat Everton, put two past them, they’re no mugs defensively as anyone who checked their numbers knows.
They made it hard. Onana, who I’ve noted previously had a good game. Saliba, had DCL under manners.
We can all consider the ifs and ands, that’s football. This wasn’t a successful season but it was a good season.
all joking aside, I actually think I saw you there…as the fan-cam panned the crowd I could see a big-headed bloke with a halter top on facing the opposite way of the pitch…he appeared to be staring intently at an Arteta poster while fiddling with his undercarriage…have a good summer our resident lightweight
Vera,
Have a great summer getting angry about people we didn’t buy, did buy, bought for too much, sold for too little.
Have a great summer imagining odd Arteta related reasons for players, leaving, not signing, not playing.
I’ll say it now, your view that Havertz only played because of his price tag/wages is bizarre given his output but look forward to laughing at more of your irrationality and ways of coping when I astutely point it out using simple words and numbers.
No joking from me, you need to accept that when your views always, always differ from the prevailing narrative,you’re no good at understanding foootball on even a basic level. Plain and simple.
If you weren’t wrong so often and such blowhardy fantasist I’d let you off. As it is, have a good summer pinchinh walls and biting your knuckles as I put the drop on your constant stream of crappy viewpoints.
Even you don’t know the last time you got something right ‘coach’. That doesn’t make you a ‘devil’s advocate’ or ‘provocateur’ just a guy on the blog with a one man fan club. (Tiny Tone)
My guess is you didn’t even watch the game. Us winning pains you.
I took my now annual journey down self-flagellation lane by watching the end of the City fixture and the subsequent celebrations…it’s not that I’m a glutton for punishment, it’s just that I want to remember what it’s actually like when your club win something of fucking consequence…I do like observing the interactions between player and manager, as It might provide some insight into who might be on the outs, just like with MA and the players after our rather fortuitous 2-1 season ending victory
in the final moments of the City match the commentator made a remark that really resonated with me, as it spoke to my concerns about our future should we fail to get some clinical finishers in this window…it certainly wsn’t a revelatory comment, as I’ve heard it on a multitude of ocassions, but only once in our modern history have we lacked such qualities and still competed for things…he spoke to the fact that City only needed one Grade A opportunity to score, whereas other less successful clubs require 3, 4, 5 or 6 similar chances to do likewise…so despite all the nonsense surrounding our supposed goalscoring prowess, we had better address this “losers” dynamic this summer or we just might find ourseves in the exact same situation, if not a worse one, this time next year
Tony
Read a bit first.
We got 89 points. Most goals, tightest defence.
None of that equates to collapse. Except in maybe yours and Vera’s world. Good thing you don’t go to games. Have you standing there moaning ruining the good vibes.
Get back in your Co-fantastist’s pocket. You repeating his lines is dull. Let him deal with the fanfic and you can wave the pom poms.
Gasparini and Glasner indeed. Give me a break.
Have a great summer, maybe you’ll have climbed Everest, done your first sub four minute mile and Junior completed his PhD by the time we return.
club “wins”
“wasn’t” a revelatory