Matchday 38: Arsenal eye Spurs’ spot, United City’s
Gunners aiming to finish above rivals; Red Devils vie for Champions League berth
If Spurs win or draw against Newcastle then they finish ahead of their North London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1994-95. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
The title race may be over, but there is still plenty to play for as Arsenal aim to finish above North London rivals Tottenham, while Manchester United are hoping for city rivals Manchester City to slip against Swansea so they can secure their Champions League berth.
To be entirely certain of second place, Tottenham must win at already-relegated Newcastle and despite missing out on a first top-flight title for 55 years, Spurs would have the consolation of finishing above North London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1994-95 if they take a first runners-up berth since 1963.
Mauricio Pochettino’s second-placed side are two points ahead of Arsenal with a far superior goal difference, meaning a draw or win at Newcastle would make it irrelevant how the third placed Gunners fare in their home fixture against bottom club Aston Villa.
“Finishing third would be hard to stomach,” said Tottenham striker Harry Kane. “It would be good for the fans to have the bragging rights for the first time in a long time. It’s in our hands.”
Benitez's future up for grabs as Pochettino sticks with Spurs
West Ham, Southampton and Liverpool are all in contention for Europa League spots, although qualification may not be decided until after the FA Cup final.
Wenger in spotlight
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger again found his future was the focus of attention ahead of Arsenal’s final game of the season against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
At the Gunners’ last home game, some supporters staged a protest urging Wenger to quit and two weeks on, the Arsenal manager’s contract was again at issue, with the Frenchman insisting he would not consider extending his current deal until it is due to expire at the end of next season.
Wenger admitted he would see how next term pans out before deciding on his next move and the same no doubt applies to the club, although the 66-year-old enjoys strong backing from the board.
A repeat of this season’s frustration will leave Wenger in a similar position, but it is a measure of the consistency he has brought to the club that a likely third place finish in the Premier League is viewed as a disappointment.
But the main difference this season is the widely held belief this was the best chance Arsenal had of winning the title in years.
Vardy named Premier League Player of the Season
“It was a strange season. We’ve finished the season disappointed because we felt we had the chance to win the championship,” said Wenger.
Arsenal will be without England forward Danny Welbeck, who has been ruled out for nine months after picking up a knee injury at Manchester City last weekend.
Aston Villa will look to end their dismal season with just their fourth victory in the league, with their fate of relegation having been sealed mathematically almost a month ago.
Manchester rivals fight for Europe
Manuel Pellegrini has warned his Manchester City stars to keep their eyes on the prize as they aim to secure a Champions League place at the expense of Manchester United, while champions Leicester will bring down the curtain on their astonishing season at Chelsea.
The world's most valuable soccer teams in 2016
With a memorable Premier League campaign coming to a conclusion with the final round of fixtures this weekend, the focus is split between the Manchester rivals’ battle for the last spot in Europe’s elite club competition and a fitting finale for Leicester as the fairytale champions bow out at the home of last year’s winners.
For City manager Pellegrini, his side’s trip to Swansea offers an opportunity to leave on a high note as the Chilean prepares to clear his desk ahead of the arrival of Pep Guardiola, who moves to Eastlands from Bayern Munich in the close-season.
Fourth placed City are two points clear of United and with their goal difference at +30 compared to their fifth placed rivals’ +12, Pellegrini’s side need only to draw in south Wales to qualify for the Champions League and consign their neighbours to the drudgery of the Europa League.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2016.
The title race may be over, but there is still plenty to play for as Arsenal aim to finish above North London rivals Tottenham, while Manchester United are hoping for city rivals Manchester City to slip against Swansea so they can secure their Champions League berth.
To be entirely certain of second place, Tottenham must win at already-relegated Newcastle and despite missing out on a first top-flight title for 55 years, Spurs would have the consolation of finishing above North London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1994-95 if they take a first runners-up berth since 1963.
Mauricio Pochettino’s second-placed side are two points ahead of Arsenal with a far superior goal difference, meaning a draw or win at Newcastle would make it irrelevant how the third placed Gunners fare in their home fixture against bottom club Aston Villa.
“Finishing third would be hard to stomach,” said Tottenham striker Harry Kane. “It would be good for the fans to have the bragging rights for the first time in a long time. It’s in our hands.”
Benitez's future up for grabs as Pochettino sticks with Spurs
West Ham, Southampton and Liverpool are all in contention for Europa League spots, although qualification may not be decided until after the FA Cup final.
Wenger in spotlight
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger again found his future was the focus of attention ahead of Arsenal’s final game of the season against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
At the Gunners’ last home game, some supporters staged a protest urging Wenger to quit and two weeks on, the Arsenal manager’s contract was again at issue, with the Frenchman insisting he would not consider extending his current deal until it is due to expire at the end of next season.
Wenger admitted he would see how next term pans out before deciding on his next move and the same no doubt applies to the club, although the 66-year-old enjoys strong backing from the board.
A repeat of this season’s frustration will leave Wenger in a similar position, but it is a measure of the consistency he has brought to the club that a likely third place finish in the Premier League is viewed as a disappointment.
But the main difference this season is the widely held belief this was the best chance Arsenal had of winning the title in years.
Vardy named Premier League Player of the Season
“It was a strange season. We’ve finished the season disappointed because we felt we had the chance to win the championship,” said Wenger.
Arsenal will be without England forward Danny Welbeck, who has been ruled out for nine months after picking up a knee injury at Manchester City last weekend.
Aston Villa will look to end their dismal season with just their fourth victory in the league, with their fate of relegation having been sealed mathematically almost a month ago.
Manchester rivals fight for Europe
Manuel Pellegrini has warned his Manchester City stars to keep their eyes on the prize as they aim to secure a Champions League place at the expense of Manchester United, while champions Leicester will bring down the curtain on their astonishing season at Chelsea.
The world's most valuable soccer teams in 2016
With a memorable Premier League campaign coming to a conclusion with the final round of fixtures this weekend, the focus is split between the Manchester rivals’ battle for the last spot in Europe’s elite club competition and a fitting finale for Leicester as the fairytale champions bow out at the home of last year’s winners.
For City manager Pellegrini, his side’s trip to Swansea offers an opportunity to leave on a high note as the Chilean prepares to clear his desk ahead of the arrival of Pep Guardiola, who moves to Eastlands from Bayern Munich in the close-season.
Fourth placed City are two points clear of United and with their goal difference at +30 compared to their fifth placed rivals’ +12, Pellegrini’s side need only to draw in south Wales to qualify for the Champions League and consign their neighbours to the drudgery of the Europa League.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2016.