Liverpool at Chelsea<\/h2>\n
Liverpool 4-0 Chelsea<\/p>\n
I know Liverpool haven\u2019t been pulling up any trees, but I think if they get an early goal at Anfield, Chelsea won\u2019t have a response.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t have the characters to motivate themselves for a game with not a lot at stake, especially a week before the FA Cup Final.<\/p>\n
Are they really going to be led out at Wembley by Calum McFarlane?<\/p>\n
You would think the owners would want to give their club the best opportunity to beat Man City, especially as that could be their only route into Europe.<\/p>\n
Unless he truly lost the dressing room, why sack Liam Rosenior now if you don\u2019t intend to appoint a replacement until the summer?<\/p>\n
Or why hire a young manager in the first place if you were not prepared to be patient and let him learn on the job?<\/p>\n
Brighton v Wolves<\/h2>\n
Brighton 2-0 Wolves<\/p>\n
For a while it\u2019s been mentioned that if Aston Villa finish fifth and lift the Europa League, sixth spot would be enough to qualify for the Champions League.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s at the point now where both are more likely than not.<\/p>\n
Any kind of European football would be special for Brighton, but they would kick themselves if they didn\u2019t make the most of playing at home against the side bottom of the table.<\/p>\n
This game is simply more important for the Seagulls.<\/p>\n
Fulham v Bournemouth<\/h2>\n
Fulham 1-2 Cherries<\/p>\n
I grew up near Bournemouth and can tell you that any kind of European football would be surreal for a club who have never achieved that in their history.<\/p>\n
Win their final three fixtures, and then all Cherries fans will be wanting Villa not to catch Liverpool in fourth, but then become Villa fans in the Europa League final.<\/p>\n
Fulham need a win to put themselves in the conversation for a European spot.<\/p>\n
I just don\u2019t know if their performance last Saturday was due to a virus or if they were simply that poor.<\/p>\n
Sunderland v Manchester United<\/h2>\n
Sunderland 0-2 Man United<\/p>\n
Sunderland are on the beach, and Man United are guaranteed a return to the Champions League.<\/p>\n
When there is a game with little jeopardy on the line, I tend to go with the team with more quality.<\/p>\n
Michael Carrick has more than over-delivered in his caretaker role, but the question now is whether he will be asked to stay full-time.<\/p>\n
I maintain there is a difference between being an interim boss and being the permanent manager. It\u2019s two different jobs that require separate skillsets.<\/p>\n
Manchester City v Brentford<\/h2>\n
Man City 3-2 Brentford<\/p>\n
At half-time on Monday it looked like Man City would be kicking off on Saturday looking to go level on points with Arsenal or, if they scored more in the second period, even play to go top of the table.<\/p>\n
Suddenly they have to win just to keep pace with the league leaders.<\/p>\n
Things can quickly change again, but that puts a different kind of pressure on this game.<\/p>\n
What was apparent on Monday is those not used to lifting titles were starting to make mistakes.<\/p>\n
As I write this it\u2019s not yet clear how fit Rodri is, but Pep Guardiola might have to gamble.<\/p>\n
I have that feeling the Bees will get Gooners\u2019 hopes up this weekend and give City a massive scare, but the home side will dramatically find a way to stay in the title race.<\/p>\n
Burnley v Aston Villa<\/h2>\n
Burnley 1-2 Aston Villa<\/p>\n
Sunday highlighted why at this stage of the season it can be all about timing. Some fixtures at any other point of a campaign can be tough, but when you get to May, it can depend on which club has what at stake and\/or what is going on elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Villa have faced a lot of backlash for how they approached the Spurs fixture, with Unai Emery\u2019s decision to rest as many players as possible maybe deciding who gets relegated.<\/p>\n
Yet the Spaniard\u2019s job is to do what is best for his employers and no one else. Fans won\u2019t care now that they have a final to look forward to.<\/p>\n
Based on last weekend, Gooners shouldn\u2019t hope for any favours from Crystal Palace or Aston Villa now that they have European finals this month.<\/p>\n
Crystal Palace v Everton<\/h2>\n
Palace 0-3 Everton<\/p>\n
Sometimes when teams are on the beach or have one eye on a final, they can play with freedom. Others just go through the motions.<\/p>\n
Based on last weekend, if the title race comes down to goal difference, Man City and Arsenal playing Palace while they prepare for the UEFA Conference League Final could be a deciding factor.<\/p>\n
The trip to Germany will be one of the biggest nights in Eagles history, so you can\u2019t blame them for not being focused on the Premier League. They have earned that right.<\/p>\n
Forest v Newcastle<\/h2>\n
Forest 0-1 Newcastle<\/p>\n
If Forest had won on Thursday, I could have seen that feel-good factor impacting Sunday. Now it\u2019s the opposite.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never nice to lose a European semi-final, but it\u2019s worse when you exit with regret.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t think they did themselves justice at Villa Park, and this is too quick a turnaround for Pereira to get a response.<\/p>\n
Physically and mentally they are wounded.<\/p>\n
Luckily he should have enough points to not worry about that impacting their Premier League status.<\/p>\n
They will be safe if West Ham lose later that day.<\/p>\n
West Ham v Arsenal<\/h2>\n
West Ham 1-3 Arsenal<\/p>\n
Of course there is irony that Arsenal, of all clubs, could be doing Spurs a massive favour, yet the difference between the North London clubs is the Gunners\u2019 priority will always be themselves.<\/p>\n
In terms of the title race, you\u2019d rather face a West Ham side in the bottom three, confidence low and under pressure to win.<\/p>\n
Yet who would have thought we would play so badly against Bournemouth, or who plans for Guehi on Monday to pass the ball to his opponent?<\/p>\n
In other words, take nothing for granted.<\/p>\n
It will be pleasant for one weekend to play in an environment where our opponents have as much tension as we do.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta should take advantage of that by going for the Hammers\u2019 throat. Get an early goal and the Irons might not have a response.<\/p>\n
Flying out of the traps might make the afternoon more comfortable. The longer we wait to break the deadlock, the more anxiety will increase.<\/p>\n
Spurs v Leeds<\/h2>\n
Spurs 3-0 Leeds<\/p>\n
Sometimes in sport you need luck you can\u2019t control, such as the schedule.<\/p>\n
Sunday was the perfect time in the calendar for Spurs to visit Villa Park, and it could decide who gets relegated.<\/p>\n
Tottenham are not 16th because of a lack of quality. Confidence has been an issue, but there was always a chance that if they could get that one win, another would follow.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take a great manager to do that, although that\u2019s how De Zerbi will be heralded.<\/p>\n
What happens at the London Stadium the day before will impact how much pressure is on this fixture.<\/p>\n
Enjoy the thought of their fans all being Gooners this weekend. A full circle moment.<\/p>\n
If West Ham lose, though, Spurs can play with more freedom on the Monday.<\/p>\n
Dan Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n Top 48 Qualify For The World Cup<\/p>\n EJS 250<\/p>\n Terrah 235<\/p>\n Sue P 234<\/p>\n J Gunners 230<\/p>\n JRA 229<\/p>\n Gunnerstew 226<\/p>\n Me 223<\/p>\n Gunsmoke 221<\/p>\n Okobino 219<\/p>\n GB 217<\/p>\n Adeski 215<\/p>\n Dave 215<\/p>\n Matthew 215<\/p>\n Sue 213<\/p>\n Antivirus 213<\/p>\n Timothy Adegbola 212<\/p>\n Classy Gunner 210<\/p>\n IGL 208<\/p>\n Akeem 208<\/p>\n Lady 208<\/p>\n Ayan 207<\/p>\n Mena 93- 206<\/p>\n J Gunz 205<\/p>\n Angelo 205<\/p>\n And Kit 203<\/p>\n MTG 202<\/p>\n Prince 200<\/p>\n Tom 200<\/p>\n amazing rick 199<\/p>\n Samson 197<\/p>\n Ackshay 196<\/p>\n Kenya 001- 193<\/p>\n Stephanie 193<\/p>\n Achizzy 193<\/p>\n I \u2013 192<\/p>\n iGL 191<\/p>\n Sagie 190<\/p>\n Kendrick Ohis 190<\/p>\n Only A 190<\/p>\n NT Gunnerz 190<\/p>\n Drayton 185<\/p>\n Objection 185<\/p>\n QB 183<\/p>\n Onyango 182<\/p>\n 179 of the USSR<\/p>\n O Achiel 178<\/p>\n Illiterate 166<\/p>\n Holes 164<\/p>\n Baron 161<\/p>\n Famochi 136<\/p>\n Enzo 129<\/p>\n Solwills 126<\/p>\n Samson 126<\/p>\n Freddy 97<\/p>\n Bergkampfwagen 114<\/p>\n J Bauer 86<\/p>\n Amir 73<\/p>\n Chronicle 51<\/p>\n Okechy 49<\/p>\n waal2waal 46<\/p>\n E Augustus 44<\/p>\n Splendid 43<\/p>\n Arsenal Chief Prices 34<\/p>\n Alfie G 32<\/p>\n Amabachew 24<\/p>\n T blaze 20<\/p>\n Tom Odey 19<\/p>\n wirtz 18<\/p>\n Gunner For Lyf 14<\/p>\n Gabriel 13<\/p>\n Emperor A 12<\/p>\n Illiterate 12<\/p>\n Kobin 11<\/p>\n JT Gunner 11<\/p>\n Uzi Ozil 11<\/p>\n Leon 10<\/p>\n 9. Habtamu<\/p>\n Bertie 8<\/p>\n Priest 8<\/p>\n Charles Lwanga Jnr 8<\/p>\n M leashim 7<\/p>\n Joe book<\/p>\n gio19<\/p>\n Charles Baron 7<\/p>\n Joseph Ejeh 5<\/p>\n Winston 5<\/p>\n Elsammy 5<\/p>\n Michelle 5<\/p>\n Joseph B Sax5<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n _____________________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n ADMIN COMMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow\u2026.<\/p>\n You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.<\/p>\n CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with us\u00a0through this link\u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t
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\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Liverpool at Chelsea Liverpool 4-0 Chelsea I know Liverpool haven\u2019t been pulling up any trees,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Victor](\"https:\/\/icdn.justarsenal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Victor-Froholdt-190x135.jpg.webp)
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