Morning all.
We have a new referee officiating our game today, new to Arsenal anyway. Farai Hallam has officiated just four Premier League fixtures this season. Born in Rugby, it’s refreshing to see an official coming through who is not from the far north of England. Perhaps that’s why he stuck to his guns when Darren England asked him to review a penalty decision he’d not awarded to Man City during their game against Wolves back in January.
The result might not matter today but I’m sure Mikel Arteta will send his team onto the pitch with nothing other than a win in mind.
I’ve no idea how Glasner will approach this game, even he said he keeps changing his mind but with a European final in just a couple of days time and the sudden arrival of summer, I cannot see him risking his big guns any more than I can see Arteta risking his.
Maybe the two managers have been in touch and agreed to treat the game for what it is, an end of season knock about with nothing at stake. If only eh…
The last time these two clubs met in the league at Selhurst Park, this happened…
Ethan Nwaneri is probably all smiles today as he’s been called up by Thomas Tuchel to join England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida. Who knows, maybe he’ll excel and end up in the squad which would be ironic really after Marseille and the French media didn’t have a lot of positive things say about our midfielder/winger. Selfishly though, I hope he spends the summer somewhere a long way away from the international stage.
Arsenal announced a departure yesterday as Karl Hein has agreed a move to Werder Breman on a permanent deal.
Crystal Palace fans will be saying farewell to Oliver Glasner today as he moves on to pastures new at the end of the season and after the Europa Conference League Final. One I hope they win by the way.
Glasner’s last press conference was amusing, for Arsenal fans at least.
First of all, I want to congratulate Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, his players and his staff for a huge achievement after winning the title after 22 years. It’s a special job they have done. Also, special congrats to Eberechi [Eze]. I think he has taken the right decision to go to Arsenal and not another club.
Any dig at Totts, regardless of how subtle, is good..
Squad news, Mikel Merino is back and I’m thrilled to bits. He’s been through it with this recent injury and I think we’ve missed him but he aimed to return before the season needed and that’s just what’s he’s done. Hopefully he’ll get a run out today at some stage, feel no after effects and be available next weekend. Jurrien Timber remains out apparently which is a great shame because I was hoping to see him on the bench too.
24th May 2026…..
Days like today is what football is all about for players, managers, their staff and the fans. Going into the final game of the 2025/26 season knowing that the Premier League is in the bag and all that is left is to receive the big trophy.
This season has been all about The Arsenal. The set-piece kings, the best defence, the best goalkeeper and the best squad. Let’s not forget the number of injuries we’ve had either and the media biased against us. Yet through it all, whatever has been said or written about Arsenal, or the constant bottlers jibe, this group of players have stood strong and achieved what they set out to do. Arsenal FC – Premier League Champions of 2026.
Today is about enjoying the day, taking stock of what Mikel Arteta and his players have achieved, what and who they have overcome to bring this fabulous trophy back to north London. The two financial juggernauts in Chelsea and Man City, the “new” Liverpool who were tipped for big things after their Premier League title last season, the forever present parked bus the team has had to face on numerous occasions – none have stopped us in our fight for top spot. And boy have we had to fight hard for it.
The officials have been on our side, yes, I’ve read this suggestion many times but what a load of twaddle. Arsenal don’t make the rules, they’ve just learned to catch up with rest who test those rules to the limit. Having not had a player sent off all season, we’ve clearly played within the rules. Hopefully that won’t change today. Lol
Enjoy this day everyone and wherever you are, be sure bask in the glory of The Arsenal being crowned Premier League Champions 2026….
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Devil, Cicero, all.
I was thinking of the other Alex Scott Devil and then the penny dropped. The Bournemouth player.
I think now we have the title, we’ll see a different approach next season. The kind which saw us score the most goals a couple of years ago. Looking back, I think Arteta changed his approach to being more defensive, just to get over the line.
New post up
I feel we should get an attacking coach for our forwards. If we remain with what we have goals will dry up more from them. The defence coach, Heinze, has done his job and we’ve seen it. The set piece coach, Jover, has also done his job which we’ve seen the results.
But imo we will need an attacking coach next season. I hope Mikel and the board looks into it because we need a brain to break out holes in the massed defences we encounter.
In the same vein, Cappello has torn into Guardiola, for advocating the slow building up from behind. He tore into the fact that sometimes a lot of sideways and backwards passing from the defence and DM allow the opposition to drop back and defend their goal. Lack of direct passing forward is killing the attack before it even touches the ball. The mentality of walking the ball into the net all the time has to stop. We need someone who advocates direct and fast counter attacks.
Good Morning Rico and all
Rico, yesterday I was browsing on FB and there was a post by a page (from the many I follow) which came up with the Alex Scott rumour. As I said, it might have legs and it might have been click bait. So make of that what you will. Scott is still young, 22 years, English, so another one in the home grown bracket. Especially if White leaves (which I hope he don’t). And it makes sense imo because he is a player who can be moulded into the team structure as Arteta wants. Another plus is that he is not a ready made superstar so no big ego.
A cool 15c here at the moment heading for 32c by mid-afternoon. That’s hot 90f.
Were we witnessing a very late-in-the-day experiment with the Champions League final in mind with Zubimendi at right-back? He didn’t exactly stand out but I can’t recall any danger coming down our right wing…
We all know the threat posed, that Mr Unpronounceable provides on the PSG left-flank so maybe Mikel, with Timber looking certain to be unavailable and Mosquera a bit flaky at full-back, is thinking outside the box? Could be a risky decision but maybe Mikel has no choice?
Maybe Pep is leaving because he is worried about the charges hanging over City or has he been offered more money to do the Trivago adds like Jurgen Klomp is doing
If we see more rotation next season, players can be kept happy surely, plus, we are bound to suffer injuries again after a summer World Cup. Zubimendi clearly struggled without a winter break and if we stick with what we have in attack, goals will again be hard to come by imo.
Question marks hover over 3/4 players imo.
Pep did it at Barcelona and again at Bayern . He leaves when things start to go sour .Silva and Stones are going and Kovacic and Rhodri are both nearing 30 with one year left . Then of course there is the 115 . He will disappear for a bit and then find a club with a cash pot and buy a few more years of success but not neccessarily in the U.K .
On to today , watched with my feet up a bottle or two of Estrella but for once detached from the result but watching out for sny tactics that will affect next season . Zubimendi at right back ? maybe next seasons inverted full back , MLS a definite starter in the middle , Dowman a gradual development , he would have learned a lot getting carted around by Hughes and Kamada but showed his skill with the touch to Martinelli but 1 hour was about right for him .
Jesus needs to go , and should Nwaneri find his way back we will have 9 midfielders for 3 places .Probably Norgaard might go but how many can be kept happy sitting on the bench
If we are to strengthen the attack what sort of forward do we need ? a supplement to Gyokeres or a difference to Havertz who in my opinion is surplus to requirement unless he plays at number 10 behind the striker.
For now it’s about saturday and PSG , plenty to talk about throughout the week
Devil, what’s that about Alex Scott?
He was excellent Cicero. I had to double check Zubimendi was playing though.
Tears flowing here in far flung Kerikeri. To see our beautiful lads celebrate, the looks of fierce determination exchanged for joyous smiles is a treasure to behold. Something special, too about going back to South London where it all started 140 years ago, the dream of a bunch of munitions workers, putting up their sixpence in the Royal Oak. They, along with countless others up in Heaven (“a great crowd of witnesses” for those who know their bible) will be singing and dancing with us all. Happy days.
Alex Scott has been mentioned. Maybe click bait? Maybe truth?? who knows
Spot on Obi imo.
How good was Miles Lewis-Skelly, he went quietly about his business and stitched together our midfield. Given the chance he deserves, he has a glittering career ahead of him.
The good thing about winning the title this season is that the haters can’t say you didn’t/ couldn’t beat Pep.
When Pep contemplated the 113 charges and how strong Arsenal is prepared to challenge in the future, he decided to cut bait.
How special was that…
So Man City dropped points in 3 out of their last 5 games,we won all 5. If it was the other way round the bottle job story would be everywhere.
There was a dream
a long time ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aOxDHqWyK0
I wish they would hurry up and hand out the trophy it’s 3:20 am in oz, I need to get to bed
Extraordinary season for Sunderland.
And there goes the final whistle. Now for the presentation.
Enjoy the moment Rico and all.
Great way to finish the home and away season,
Need Everton to score twice..
City are losing 1-2 against Villa
Saw ref last week at Wembley for the FA trophy final, very good.
Merino on. 👍🏻
Get you Noni, a PL goal. 😜
Ref is new today Cicero. Its only his fourth EPL game so far
Rico and Kev…..check your inbox pls
Half-time one nil up thanks to Jesus, but it should be three at least just on the chances Jesus has fluffed.
Madueke? Just as I expected, all show no end product. Dowman is taking some knocks but is brushing them off.
Ref seems neutral…for a change.
What a flick from Dowman in the goal
😀😂😀
At last, lovely ball from Martinelli and the most difficult of chances, Jesus buries..
I think so too Andrew, I’ll miss him. 😜
I’m sure he will score with his 4th attempt😂
You leave him alone rico, I’ve just realised he is our captain😀. Think that’s definitely a sign of his last game.
He could have had a hat-trick already.
And for his sake, he was there at the beginning of our re-building, and rotten injury.
We really need a Jesus goal to boost chance of any money.
3-0 up I reckon Andrew.
Love to know how many Gyok would have got from those two. Great ball from Dowman, another run through to no avail, this time Martinelli. Great save Kepa as I type!
Great save Kepa.
Martinelli has caught the bug now.
Jesus already missed 2 easy goals,
Good timing by Jesus to be onside but thought indecisive. Seeing back, goalie just flung up his right hand. Shame.
Oh my goodness Jesus… 😳
Jesus should have buried that.
Dowman becomes the youngest player to ever start a match I hope he scores.
Thanks Devil.
A last game for 2/3 today I reckon..
Presentation at at 6.20 pm.
You might be right Cicero, although it depends regarding Norgaard. If he has a good game at RB and White has complications he might be kept as back up for Timber in defence, CB replacement plus DM as well. Players like that are worth their weight in gold.
Jesus and Kepa yes, they may be sold. The former more than the latter.
Crystal Palace XI (3-4-2-1)
Dean Henderson
Nathaniel Clyne – Jefferson Lerma – Chadi Riad
Daniel Muñoz – Daichi Kamada – Will Hughes – Rio Cardines
Justin Devenny – Ismaïla Sarr
Jørgen Strand Larsen
All three in the shop window I suppose, with come and buy me labels.
Good Afternoon beautiful folk
A very lovely post Rico. I enjoyed reading that. Fingers crossed you will be making one like that for the next 10 years around May. Twice every month…..EPL + CL
Watching without pressure today. For the only time this season. Coming weekend it will be with tension and pressure.
I love the look of that line up. Dowman in the 10 position makes my mouth water. I am looking forward to it. Very much exciting.
The defence is good but what’s the point of playing both LBs in defence and MLS in midfield?? Yes resting Saliba and Big Gaby is important but I would have rather played Norgaard instead of Mosquera and Salmon at RB. The DM is ok. Resting Rice is imp as well.
The attack as it is, is to be expected.
Looking forward to another win, not a loss and if its a draw it will be 2-2/3-3
I know it’s a dead rubber and rotation is necessary but their are limits. Kepa and Jesus to start? Norgaard at fullback?
Starting XI
Kepa
Mosquera – Norgaard – Hincapié – Calafiori
Zubimendi – Lewis-Skelly
Madueke – Dowman – Martinelli
Jesus
Bench
Setford, Gabriel, Saka, Ødegaard, Eze, Gyökeres, Merino, Havertz, Rice.
Arteta has heavily rotated with the Premier League title already secured and the Champions League final coming up next week. Ethan Dowman starts, while players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard are rested on the bench.
Arteta is on Sky Sports 1
Afternoon Geoff, Limey. Me neither, 22 years of hoping and waiting. Now the day is here.
Afternoon all,
Makes a change to go into a league game with no pressure. It feels like every few days was the biggest game of the season.
Two reserve teams today? I think our reserves should be better than theirs.
I can’t wait to see the players lift that trophy.
Bring it on.
Afternoon Rico and all, another fine write up, looking forward to today’s match while also hoping that Toots get beat.
Watching the playoff final, a lovely header from Adama Sidibeh to make it 1-1.. He’d already had a goal disallowed
It was Cicero, the front of the house is lovely and cool, the back though is rather warm.. 😜
I’m sure it was much cooler doing the ironing Rico.😉
30 here Cicero, no breeze either. It’s not particularly pleasant, especially with hay fever..
Beggars belief how City can carry on regardless..
Afternoon Andrew, Cicero and thank you.
I was on my own here so went off to do the ironing 😜
Afternoon rico, all, what a nice report, one we have waited for for ages, a relaxing last day as champions. I’ve worn my Arsenal shirts out since Tuesday, yesterday at parkrun got many nice shoutouts and no nasty digs, but then the parkrun community is nicer than the general public!
Last weekend I was at Wembley for my local, 2nd team, and Southend won their first knockout trophy ever, and we took 24,000 fans. Midweek we sacked our manager! He saw us through dark times, gave money to players personally when they were unpaid, but ultimately couldn’t get us back up with the unlimited spenders in the league like York, FGR, Rochdale and Carlisle.
Talking of spending, was just listening to podcast, City last year spent 120 million more than us on wages. Then in January Semenyo and Guiue on 300k a week added another 30 million to wage bill. Absolutely amazing we can not only compete but win.
Was thinking of travelling up to watch nearby then stadium but son (got Palace tickets) and daughter said it was manic at Liverpool St onwards with West Ham and Spurs fans as well as ours. And pubs charging £20 ticket, one in one out, hour ago. They all be drunk by late kickoff 4pm!
Good morning Rico, another five star post, thank you.
23c (74f) here at the moment, after a couple of hours alternating between sol y sombre, I’ve retreated indoors for a while.
Plenty of water breaks in the match later and no doubt there will be a few overheated fans in the crowd, not to mention overheated players crowding the ref. 😎