Morning all.
Arsenal’s women signed off their season with a 5-0 thrashing of Brighton. Vivianne Miedema scored her last ever Arsenal goal, Alessia Russo scored twice, Frida Maanum scored another with an Brighton own goal adding to our tally. Arsenal finished the season third behind Chelsea and Man City so there’s a lot of work to be done before the 2024/05 season kicks off.
Today the 2023/24 Premier League season comes to an end too. The top four spots are already certain with only 1st and 2nd place to be decided. If Chelsea beat Bournemouth and Totts lose away to Sheffield Utd, Chelsea will finish 5th rather than Totts. Yes, let’s hope Sheffield Utd go out of this league with a victory.
Only two fixtures matter for us this today though and that Arsenal v Everton and Man City v West Ham. The officials for our game are; Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook. Fourth official: Josh Smith. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh. The officials for the Man City game are; Referee: John Brooks (pictured). Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Sam Allison. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Tim Wood.
Let’s hope for football’s sake that a bad/wrong decision doesn’t decide where the Premier League trophy ends up.
All Mikel Arteta and his players can do is ensure they win. Whatever goes on at The Etihad will soon be known at The Emirates so if good news comes, Arsenal have to be in a position to take advantage.
Mikel Arteta:
It’s one of the biggest weeks for many of us. Now is the most important moment. I’m really excited, can’t wait for Sunday to be in front of us. I’m very optimistic about a positive outcome. The hope is there. Now we have to do our job. Everton are in a really good moment, we have to prove again that we can be better than the opponent and then wish for the best, for West Ham to have a good game, help us and fulfill our dreams.
I’m all for hope in life, optimism too but on this occasion, even my optimism won’t stretch as far as City dropping points at home, not when there’s a trophy at stake.
Whatever the outcome when Arsenal, Everton, Man City and West Ham have finished playing later today, this has been a very good season for Mikel Arteta and his players. Having managed 27 victories, hopefully 28 today, it’s a new club record. Our 89 goals is the best since the 1963/64 season and add to that, this season we’ve had the best defensive numbers and the biggest goal difference. 89 points, 92 should we win today, is one of our best. Better than the Invincible season, just.
Everton were docked eight points earlier in the season after being found guilty of breaching profit and sustainability rules. I bet they wonder how Man City have managed to carry on regardless of 115 charges of breaching the rules hanging over them. Anyway, having been tipped for relegation after the points decision, they’ve gone on to prove any doubters wrong. They’ve lost just one of their last eight games so if anyone thinks an Arsenal win against them today is a forgone conclusion, think again. Mind you, Chelsea thumped them 6-0 at Stamford Bridge just a few weeks ago.
Bukayo Saka is a doubt for this one but everyone else is fit. If the circumstances allow, I imagine we’ll see Jurrien Timber on the pitch before the final whistle blows.
For the last time this season, here’s Adrian Clarke’s pre match analysis from the matchday programme:
Everton’s simple but effective style of play is unashamedly old school. Dyche demands great industry, competitiveness and a solid defensive shape, while they love to throw crosses into the danger zone. For most of this campaign they’ve used a 4-4-1-1, and out of possession drop into a 4-5-1. In open play Everton have conceded just 26 goals in 37 matches; only Liverpool and ourselves have conceded less. The Toffees will be very direct – no one plays more long passes per game – and incredibly aggressive. They rank second for the most tackles won and third for the most ball recoveries, with two of Idrissa Gueye, James Garner or Amadou Onana scurrying around the engine room trying to congest space.
They are also exceptionally strong from set pieces. Dyche has assembled a very tall side, and aerial power is a real strong suit for Everton. No team has won more aerial duels this term, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski dominant at the back, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin a master at timing his jumps to perfection inside the opposition half. It will be important for us to try and stop Everton from aiming long passes or crosses towards the frontman. However finishing has been Everton’s Achilles heel all season long. Their expected goals tally currently stands at 54.28, but the reality is that they have only scored 39. The Merseysiders have the lowest chance conversion rate in the division, a measly 10 per cent, and for big chances they rank 19th, tucking away only 30 per cent of those clear-cut opportunities.
That’s it then, it’s down to one last match of this current campaign to decide who’ll be crowned champions of the Premier League. For Arsenal to be one of the clubs left in the two horse race tells us just how much we’ve improved.
Catch up in the comments…
Morning Rico and Co.
Arsenal to win 5-0
Morning Kev.
It’s getting warm, perhaps City players will suffer a bit of sun stroke. Lol
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has hinted that the Gunners are in for another big summer of spending.
The north Londoners could win the Premier League title on Sunday afternoon if they beat Everton and Man City do not against West Ham.
But in a message to the Arsenal fans before the game, Kroenke has said the club want to keep moving forward.
“While we are undoubtedly proud of the progress we have made, I want to be clear that no one at the club will stand still,” he told Arsenal’s website.
“However things finish today, we’re all working behind the scenes to move us forward – always forward – again.
“There is so much that we want to achieve, both at home and in Europe, and we are focused on writing some exciting new stories and chapters that build on the history of Arsenal Football Club.”
Good morning Rico.
Good to hear Josh is all for it, but fine words butter no parsnips! Whatever that means. 😉
A few years ago the final game of the season was home against Everton, it was Tony Adams’ last game and it finished in great style. A repeat would be just great today. I think it was the game after which, whilst celebrating, Big Tone dropped Steve Morrow and broke his elbow.
No predictions on any game from me today, I just live in hope.
Morning Cicero,
I remember that day, what a strike it was from our captain at the time.
All we can do is beat Everton and hope.
Re the words from Josh, I think he’s being truthful. Arsenal of old would have stood still and stuck whereas this management team wants to improve every game and every season. I think we’ll see a few really good players join us this summer but their arrival is likely to be at a cost. Nketiah, Nelson, ESR and Vieira at least I think.
Maybe Josh isn’t talking about buying players but more about hiring a very experienced group of lawyers and barristers so we cheat and get away with it like man city
Just beat Everton and you never know,it could be worse,we could be relying on Spurs. Seriously it’s been a great season,I wonder if we are winning big,maybe we might see certain players for the last time,Eddie,Emile,Elneny,Viera.
COYG
I would be interested to know how much City have spent in legal fees so far in their attempts to fight off the Premiership”s charges. They will have to spend even more when the hearings begin.
Afternoon all!
I wish our victory. The rest will soon be seen.
It’s like waiting to have a tooth pulled .
Saka out for today’s match.
Not sure what is worse, the waiting to see if we can win today and possibly win the title or knowing the season ends and we have to wait a while for the new season starts and who has left or come to the club.
Well, I’ve been keeping myself busy in the garden. At one stage it was only when I remembered we were playing today, I realised I’d forgotten about football. It was nice, albeit too short… 😜
Timber on the bench.
Arsenal team to face Everton:
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Zinchenko, Timber, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Jesus, Nketiah.
No Saka or Nelson, no room for sentiment either as Soares and Elneny left out. Rightly so imo.
I would much rather see Jorginho start than Partey..
C’mon The Gunners!
Can’t believe it, Arsenal are on TNT!
…and Discovery +
Here we go, finger and toes crossed
City 1-0 up
Watching from the sofa, not behind it, with the comfort of mug of tea and a slice of home made Lemon Drizzle Cake. 😉
Don’t get either Cicero other than iPad so iPad it is.. (don’t ask) 😂
City 2-0
City two up.😕
Not good news so far,
City were always going to beat West Ham though. Shame we didn’t at The Emirates
More to the point, we’re 1-0 down…,
Partey with a silly foul gives Everton a scoring chance that they gladly accept. Partey rightly booked
O
Tomi- what a strike
Tomiyasu with a nice finish equalises
Boom
2-1 City. Stunning goal from west ham
Don’t give us hope, it just makes it worse😂
It’s the hope that messes with your head
What a frantic first half 😂
I’d get Jesus on for Martinelli in the second half…
Partey’s game has really slowed down, he’s a second or two too slow with his passing…
If as expected rico he’s going, why not play Jourjinho? On a booking now, so definitely sub soon.
Andrew, I suspect the change will soon come..
Why does nearly every move go to our right when Tross is in acres of space
Ben White looks gassed.
I wonder if he’s carrying an injury?
That wasn’t part of the plan 😜
City 3-1
They’re all probably knackered
All over now…
Was it ever not?
I think Arteta has accepted 2nd place now..
That must be some kind of record, Timber booked for his first ever foul in the Premiership.
I wonder if Everton defended like today when they played Man City?
Useless Jesus coming on for his farewell appearance?
We can’t look at others though Kev, it’s up to us to win for ourselves.
I hope ESR playing today means he’s staying..
Well I think we can Rico, because a lot of teams seem more comfortable capitulating to Man City whilst they play like their lives depend on it against us…
Maybe it’s a manager thing, you know paying deference, as in a polite submission to the legend that is Pep.
But when these coaches come up against Arteta maybe it’s more of an ego thing, such as Emery trying to prove he’s better than Mikel?
We’ll have to agree to differ on that one Kev..
2-1 😂
Nope, looks like it might be ruled out
Yep, 2-1 😂
Yes we will have to disagree on that one Rico, anyway I’m getting a curry.
I’m happy that we pushed City all the way. With some judicious transfer business this summer we will come back stronger and give City and the rest of the Premiership teams a hard time.
Well done Arteta and the whole of the squad, you have made us all proud of you.
Amen to that Cicero..
We go again and for City, a court case looms large…
Enjoy it Kev… 😜
Slightly underwhelming game,we definitely deserved the win though.
To be fair Everton defended well, and made it difficult for us
That’s amazing about the Timber booking,he looks good though.
Havertz finishes on 13 league goals,the most he managed for Chelsea was 8.
Good job Odegaard totally aired his shot 😂
Naturally we are disappointed but not surprised ,
I Thought the substitutions were for Timber to say hello and ESR Jesus and Zinchenko to say goodbye. As much as the fans feel gutted just think how hard it must be for the players . They struggled to beat a resolute Everton and did all they could today . As much as we go down the pub and curse the VAR decisions that cost us they will be reflecting for a few days yet if not forever. It’s not easy to lose when you get so close it takes a long time to get over it.
Arteta’ s immediate job is to pick them up to get them ready to go again.
It’s weird really because I don’t feel at all downhearted at coming second. Perhaps that’s because I’ve never truly believed we’d win in. I’d love to see ESR stay but deep down I know for the sake of his career he needs to go. As do Nelson, Vieira, Nketiah, Partey, Zinchenko and Jesus. Probably all those out on loan too.
When Gabriel went off injured and Kiwior didn’t replace him, it made me wonder about his Arsenal future too.
When Gabriel went off it was 1-1 and we needed a goal. He decided to put the impetus into midfield .
I fell asleep during the first half of the match and misted the rest, but very proud of the boys, is hard to win the title when you have clubs like city who are sponsored by the premier league
Good point Potter, I guess he wanted the win for the fans.
New post up now.