Mikel Arteta is set to face the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Emirates Stadium as they will be looking to do their job and win to have any hope of winning the title on the final day of the season. It will require West Ham United doing them a favour at Manchester City.
Arteta is sure to be questioned on his thoughts and whether he has spoken to his former manager David Moyes, who will be taking charge of his final Hammers match before being replaced in the summer by Julen Lopetegui. Arsenal beat the Toffees 5-1 on the final day of the 2021/22 season and will be hoping for a similar scoreline.
Sean Dyche’s side have already secured Premier League survival but have hardly been on the beach in the time since and have won four of their last five games as the challenge the Gunners face should not be underestimated. Everton effectively knocked Liverpool out of the title race and will have little worries about doing the same to the Gunners.
This is also the final opportunity this season to see Jurrien Timber play. Being the 21st member of the squad which beat Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, the Dutch international could be a part of the team on the final day.
You can read every word Arteta has to say about all that and much more with football.london’s chief Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak in our live blog below.
13:52Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on his contract
That’s something that after the season we will talk.
13:51Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on if he still believes
I do. We are in the last day of the season playing for the Premier League. The PL trophy hasn’t been at the Emirates yet and it was built almost 20 years ago. We have to be optimistic. The trophy is going to be there and we have to do what’s in front of us.
13:50Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on the players dealing with the pressure
The only thing that we discussed is that we have to give ourselves the opportunity to live a beautiful day on Sunday where the dream is still alive. Once we’re there we have to live the moment. For the dream to happen we have to win and then we have to hope for West Ham to achieve that dream.
13:50Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on if he’s messaged Moyes
No I don’t think I need to do that. He’s been instrumental in my career. Not just as a footballer, but as a person. If he could help us to fulfil our dream he’ll always be in my memory that’s for sure.
13:50Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on if it’s the biggest week of his career
It’s one of the biggest weeks for many of us. Now is the most improtant moment. Can’t wait for Sunday to be in front of us. Very optimistic for the outcome.
13:49Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on City’s 115 charges
That’s something for the authorities to manage. It’s not for us. If they’re playing that means they can play and that’s not up to us.
13:49Kaya Kaynak
Arteta on if he was disappointed by Spurs
No. I will never. You can never complain about the opponent. I can complain about what we haven’t done to get 90 points of 91 or whatever.
13:21Tom Canton
Man City injury blow before final day
Manchester City’s final day clash with West Ham will not feature Ederson, who fractured his eye socket in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
City know a win at home on Sunday will see them crowned Premier League champions for a record fourth straight year. Meanwhile, a draw or a loss for the Blues coupled with a win for Arsenal over Everton at the Emirates Stadium will swing the trophy into the hands of Mikel Arteta.
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson was involved in a collision with Spurs defender Cristian Romero in the second half of City’s win, prompting immediate calls for medical assistance from teammates. The club’s medical staff swiftly attended to Ederson on the pitch.
Read the full story here.
13:11Tom Canton
Ramsdale agrees Newcastle transfer
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has reportedly agreed a move to Newcastle this summer. The England international was demoted to second choice in North London following the loan arrival of David Raya from Brentford – a deal which is expected to be made permanent with the £27million option included in the move.
Ramsdale signed a new contract with Arsenal last summer, but a lack of minutes has changed the landscape of his future. His father previously spoke of Ramsdale ‘losing his smile’ since the switch and an exit was always therefore on the cards.
Read the full story here.
13:03Tom Canton
Things spotted in Arsenal training
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players have been enjoying the final week of the 2023/24 on the training pitches. The Gunners ensured the Premier League title race will go down to the last game of the season following their win against Manchester United, which pushed them onto 86 points, however the advantage is no longer with them.
Manchester City’s win against Tottenham on Tuesday evening moved them above Mikel Arteta’s side and up to 88 points before their clash against West Ham this Sunday. Arsenal, meanwhile, welcome Everton to Emirates Stadium needing City to drop points in order to win the league.
With all of that being said, Arsenal face a decisive number of sessions to prepare for this weekend’s high-stakes clash. Here, football.london takes a look at everything spotted from their latest training session which took place in familiar surroundings.
Read the full story here.
12:52Tom Canton
VAR changes
Wolves have put forward a proposal for the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) to be scrapped for the 2024/25 season, with the 20 Premier League clubs including Arsenal set to vote on the matter at an Annual General Meeting in June. Officiating has come under consistent scrutiny for mistakes made throughout the campaign.
In addition, Wolves argue that the experience of watching matches is being negatively impacted for fans. Premature celebrations, confusion over lengthy checks and protests leading to the booing of the Premier League anthem were among the points raised by the club.
According to Dale Johnson of ESPN, the five-season net score of VAR decisions either for or against clubs sees Wolves sit bottom by some way at -17. Arsenal, meanwhile, are second bottom with -7 indicating that they would have benefitted had VAR not been in operation.
Read the full story here.
12:41Tom Canton
What happens to Arsenal when Guardiola leaves
It sounds like a dream for Arsenal supporters but the continual noise surrounding Pep Guardiola appears to indicate that the Spaniard’s time at Manchester City may be coming to an end. The latest development comes from David Ornstein who said during an Athletic Q&A that there is a ‘feeling’ in the industry that he will leave at the end of next season – though he stressed there was currently no evidence to back this up.
This aligns with the expiry of Guardiola’s contract at City with little to no suggestion of talks over a renewal. Who might replace the five-time Premier League-winning manager is also as much of a mystery although there are several names that have been suggested.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at three things we think will definitely happen should Guardiola take the decision to step down from the job. From potential managerial links to the future title chances of the Gunners.
Read the full story here.
Tom Canton
Welcome!
Mikel Arteta is set to face the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Emirates Stadium as they will be looking to do their job and win to have any hope of winning the title on the final day of the season.
You can read every word Arteta has to say about all that and much more with football.london’s chief Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak in our live blog below.