There’s plenty of Premier League news to get stuck into this week. The #HitTheTarget squad discuss Arsenal’s title implosion, Chelsea’s situation, who could challenge next season and more!
In this week’s edition of the #HitTheTarget:
Arsenal’s Title Charge Derailed
It all seemed to be going so swimmingly for Mikel Arteta and his young Gunners. Then came that Roberto Firmino header to draw Liverpool level at 2-2 on a frenzied Sunday evening at Anfield. A touch of the ball that preceded a stunning sequence of results as Arsenal wilted. They’d throw away another two-goal lead in their next tie against West Ham, also drawing 2-2 – a game in which the Hammers only had around 28% possession. Then came yet another draw, this time against bottom club Southampton. Next up? A chance at redemption against their title rivals Manchester City. They failed to get out of first gear in a 4-1 defeat that sounded the death knell for their title hopes.
Chelsea’s Blues
Arsenal can at least look forward to Champions League football at the very least next season. Chelsea, on the other hand, are in dire straits. In fact, a couple more defeats earlier in the season and they could have easily been involved in a relegation scrap. As it stands, they’re only nine points clear of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest. So where has it all gone wrong for the Blues? Well, a ‘kid in a candy shop’ transfer policy, baffling managerial appointments, incompetence in the boardroom and a ridiculously bloated squad have all contributed.
Who Will Challenge Next Season?
Manchester City have clicked into gear toward the of the campaign and look nigh unstoppable. They’ll no doubt strengthen in the summer and will challenge domestically and in Europe. Arsenal spent the first 30 games of the campaign looking like world beaters before coming unstuck in recent weeks. They boast a young squad who will are hungry for success and will go into next season full of confidence. Newcastle will only get stronger, but it might be a bit too early to look at them as real contenders. Manchester United and Liverpool could also get into the mix while Spurs and Chelsea will likely still be in transition when the 23/24 campaign gets underway.
This and more! Listen below:
