Saturday, 4 May 2024

Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth

The Gunners' victory against a decent Bournemouth side may add some pressure on Man City, but with only Wolves at home, Fulham and Spurs away and West Ham at home on the final day, the champions are not expected to falter.

Anyway, it's nice to have the points in the bag, even if at the end of the season, it ends up being former manager, Unai Emery, who costs Arsenal silverware and not for the first time, if you remember what he did to the Gunners in Europe.

That Villa defeat was a jolt to the system and Arsenal have done well to bounce back.

Saka looks in form again, but he needed to score from the spot to calm Arsenal's nerves. The Gunners were blazing most of their chances wide of the mark, until Havertz was felled in the area. Personally, I didn't think it was a foul. In fact, I would have given a penalty later for a handball, but protests were waved away, so perhaps football has a way of evening out decisions. Saka's cool sidefooted finish was welcomed by the home crowd and players alike.

Trossard (who else?) obliged for number two, set up by Rice, who marauded all over the pitch, dominating the midfield.

I suppose the game was finally put to bed by Rice, who hammered a low shot between the goalkeeper's legs, after benefiting from substitute Jesus's flick.

Jesus looks bereft of confidence, so an assist will be good for him; a goal would be even better.

Next up, it's Man U away. Arsenal are capable of winning there, if they stay in the same rich vein of form. However, Old Trafford is not a place where VAR is expected to be fair. That's why Arsenal need a two-goal cushion to win, as they'll be up against the officials as well as United's mostly malfunctioning array of expensive stars. It's going to be tough, so by no means is victory assured.

Much less likely than an Arsenal victory is a Man City slip up. Wolves will roll over, no doubt. The Cottagers are unlikely to be a cause of concern, whereas Spurs won't want to take points off City, if the beneficiaries are Arsenal.

It could end up being decided on the last day of the season, but you have to fancy City to beat the Hammers, who will at least turn up and make a fist of it.

Arsenal do deserve something for their performances but, as we know, it's not in their hands and it's all because of Emery's Villa.

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