1
Arsenal must focus on playing their part
Only the darkest of people would refuse to acknowledge the progress Mikel Arteta’s outstanding Arsenal side have made this season. The very fact that winning the title is on the table this weekend speaks volumes and now they must ensure that, just in case West Ham cause an almighty stir of Etihad, they do not tarnish it with unnecessary regrets. When Everton faced off in London on the final day two years ago, the hosts won 5-1; Nostalgia fans among the support may prefer the 4-3 rip roarer in 2002 which sealed the double winners’ season and ended with a Premier League trophy presentation. Even if the latter scenario is an outside bet this time around, Arteta will be expecting his players to block out any noise – including reports from Manchester – and put an opponent on the knife one last time, making sure they at least do their part. A dream come true opportunity may still present itself. Nick Ames
2
Can Hall sneak into Southgate’s plans?
England have a problem at left-back. While currently not eligible, Luke Shaw is still hopeful of breaking into Gareth Southgate’s squad, with the manager admitting in March that he considers the 28-year-old “one of the best left-backs in world football”. So who else is competing to step up or be a backup? Ben Chilwell is injured, Kieran Trippier is getting old but works like a charm on the left, Tyrique Mitchell is busy with Crystal Palace and Joe Gomez is a solid if slightly uninspired option. Can Newcastle’s Lewis Hall make a late surge? The uncapped teenager has recently impressed in Eddie Howe’s starting XI and scored a brilliant goal at Old Trafford in midweek. Newcastle’s trip to Brentford is Hall’s last chance to make his mark before Southgate names his preliminary squad. Michael Butler
Whisper it, but Casemiro had a brilliant game at centre-back for Manchester United against Newcastle. The Brazilian was arguably the second best player on the pitch behind Bruno Fernandes, who then took to Instagram to congratulate Casemiro, who kept Alexander Isak remarkably quiet. The 32-year-old has been pelted with criticism of late, much of it justified, but here he responded with some crucial tackles, crosses, goal-line clearances and the composure and intelligence that have defined his career. Casemiro’s future is not as a centre-back, and probably not even at United, but he showed that – contrary to Jamie Carragher’s claim – football has not left him. Clubs in the Saudi Professional League are reportedly keen on him and while this deal could satisfy all parties, don’t be surprised to see European clubs also show interest. MB
4
Theoretical mathematics is only a threat to Forrest
It would take a Luton win, a Forest defeat and 13 goals in Luton’s favor to bring some danger into the relegation battle on the final day. It’s been a testing season for Nuno Espirito Santo and a club that has won few friends along the way, but that would be stretching it too far. Third in a row Premier League The campaign offers Forest the chance to build a stable base that has been lacking since its return to the top division. For Burnley, by contrast, an immediate return to the Championship will test Vincent Kompany’s appetite for another promotion push. His side dominated the division two seasons ago, amassing 101 points as champions, but their improvement this season has come too late. Kompany undoubtedly made mistakes in his debut season as a Premier League manager, but the Burnley board have been unwavering in their support and will be hoping it pays off. Andy Hunter
5
Nkunku’s rare start could help Europe chase
At the start of the season, it was common to hear people around Chelsea describe Christopher Nkunku as the most talented player at the club. That view probably changed after the signing of Cole Palmer, but the broader sense is that things might have turned out differently if Nkunku hadn’t spent so long in the treatment room. The forward, who joined from RB Leipzig last summer, was ruled out for four months after picking up a knee injury during pre-season and had another lengthy layoff since the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in February. When he was fit, however, there were flashes of the Frenchman’s ability. Nkunku finished well and will be desperate to move on after scoring in Chelsea’s win over Brighton. With Mihailo Mudric unavailable, Nkunku could make just his third start of the season as Chelsea look to secure a Europa League place against Bournemouth. Jacob Steinberg
6
How well rested are Aston Villa?
How many high-intensity sessions have taken place this week at Bodymoor Heath, Aston Villa’s training ground? They secured Champions League qualification on Tuesday after fifth-placed Tottenham failed to win Manchester City, with the game shown at the club’s end-of-season awards ceremony. It will surprise no one that Emmy Martinez was in the thick of the action, spraying champagne left and right, especially drenching Unai Emery. There will be sore heads on Wednesday and possibly even Thursday with fourth place secured. It wouldn’t be shocking to see a lethargic performance against Crystal Palace, who at least have the carrot of a top-half finish to play for and have several players – Mark Gwehi, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Dean Henderson – in contention for a place at the Euros 2024 with England. MB
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7
An emotional end is coming for Klopp
It is the end of an era in Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp leads a club he has revived over the past eight-and-a-half years for the last time. The Liverpool manager has kept emotions under control so far, but after spending some time this week standing alone on the Kop and soaking up the view from the center circle, they are likely to pour against Gary O’Neill’s side. He won’t be alone in that regard, with Liverpool supporters paying thousands to attend the Anfield farewell. Perhaps personally, fans of other clubs will also regret his departure. The Premier League will be a much duller place without Klopp, whose teams have done more than most to break up the monotony of the title race in recent years. He deserves all the praise that awaits him on Sunday. Andy Hunter
8
Once again for Kenilworth Road
What a stadium Kenilworth Road is. In a league full of steel and glass, it was brilliant to have a pitch with a bit of old school glamor in the top division this season. Luton received planning permission for a new stadium back in 2019, but “judicial reviews, council restructuring, Covid, financial crisis, massive spikes in steel and concrete prices, labor market glut” have held up any progress since, according to the chief Luton chief executive Gary Sweet. The new site had two cooling chimneys and still has a river running through the middle of it that needs to be uncovered, so the club is still waiting for foundations and doesn’t expect to have a brick in the ground in 2024. If that’s disappointing news for Sweet and co, at least it means we may yet see Kenilworth Road back in the big time in 2025-26 if Luton manage to bounce back from the Championship. MB
9
Ruthless City aims to extend the title
Here we are again, as the ruthless Rolls-Royce that is Manchester City make it eight straight wins in a 22-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. City look to West Ham for win No. 9 and a historic fourth English title on the bounce. This is David Moyes’ swan song as manager of the visitors and the Scot will let his men know to go out and try to spoil the day for Pep Guardiola’s side. However, City will certainly not capitulate and concede Arsenal the chance to take their crown. Jamie Jackson
10
Melbourne madness draws Spurs
After the final whistle at Bramall Lane, Tottenham will race to board a bus that will take them to an airport for their flight to Australia. Spurs face Newcastle in an exhibition match in Melbourne on Wednesday. It’s being touted as a “welcome home” for Ange Postecoglou, the Australian manager of the London team, but when the players are both physically and mentally exhausted, it’s also madness. Postecoglou worries about Tottenham’s “fragile foundation”, but that hardly helps bolster his squad’s strength. Football players may be paid stratospheric salaries, but they’re human too and their bodies can only take so much. Flying first class will no doubt help, but there will still be two very jet-lagged teams on the field on Wednesday. Louise Taylor
