Arsenal held their nerve at a wet Old Trafford to clinch a win over Manchester United as the Premier League title race heads to the final day, as Leverkusen clinched an incredible 50-match unbeaten record.
Arsenal hold nerve to set up blockbuster Premier League finale
Mikel Arteta’s side were far from their fluid best at Old Trafford in the Premier League this weekend, scraping past a beleaguered United 1-0 to keep the pressure firmly on four-peat hunters Manchester City. The match really had banana peel written all over it. Arteta’s side were very tentative in possession, seemingly pleased to hang on to the 1-0 lead until the very end. I don’t think I remember Bukayo Ska taking on Diago Dalot once in the match. They were obviously under instructions to contain and Areta was quite lucky that it never came back to bite them. But can we just take a moment to appreciate William Saliba? He has been a man-mountain in this latter portion of the campaign, snuffing out danger at source time after time. He was like Charles Xavier yesterday, reading the United attackers’ minds at every turn. The fact that he wasn’t shortlisted for Player of the Year is nothing short of an abomination. Virgil Van Dijk- who has been questioned by his own fanbase for a lack of leadership abilities- has no right to be on any list ahead of either Saliba (or Gabriel for that matter). In any event, Saliba was outstanding and now the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of the reigning champions.
Man City did what they had to do on Saturday afternoon, taking what looked like a potentially tricky trip to Fulham and turning it into a 4-0 procession. There is something about this side and run-ins. It really annoys me when you hear the likes of Mark Goldbridge decrying the state of the Premier League, saying it’s never been so boring. What hypocrisy. Nobody called the league boring when United won it seven times in nine seasons. Also, that was a United side that broke the British transfer record for fun. This City side is just a relentless footballing machine that thrives in high-pressure situations. But I don’t think you could possibly label this season boring. The double pivot of Rodri and Kovacic has proved instrumental in recent weeks while Josko Gvardiol is fast becoming one of the best left-backs in world football. Now it all comes down to Spurs on Tuesday night. That is going to be a surreal atmosphere, with the vast majority of Spurs supporters actively supporting a home defeat to hold off Arsenal’s title charge. Depending on Villa’s result against Liverpool tonight, Spurs may still be in the running for Champions League qualification on Tuesday night. This is set to be a week of sweaty palms and high anxiety for millions of football fans.
Leverkusen now 50 matches unbeaten
Wow. Just wow. There is almost nothing left to say about Xabi Alonso’s era-defining Bayer Leverkusen side. Last Thursday, Alonso’s side surpassed Benfica’s longstanding European unbeaten record with a 2-2 draw against Roma. This weekend they went and smashed Bochum 5-0, extending their unbelievable winning streak to 50 matches. Alonso’s side are still well on course for the most unlikely of trebles. I just wonder how many of their top players will still be in a Leverkusen shirt next season.
The likes of Florian Wirtz and Alejandro Grimaldo will attract major attention this summer and Alonso will need to go on the charm offensive to keep this squad stable. Bayern Munich picked up a comfy 2-0 home win over Wolfsburg (which will offer little solace following last week’s Champions League heartbreak). Dortmund went from the dizzying heights of qualifying for a Champions League final to playing themselves out of the top-four chase in the Bundesliga, slumping to a lethargic 3-0 win at Mainz. To be fair, Dortmund rested many of their key European players. But now they have to take down European kingpins Real Madrid if they wish to play in Europe’s elite club competition next season.
Real cruise as celebrations begin
Real Madrid began their La Liga winner’s tour in style this weekend, smashing struggling Granada 4-0 despite fielding a heavily rotated starting line-up. Ancelotti was able to rest the likes of Vini Jr and Bellingham and see what other options he has at his disposal. And the ‘B-team’ duly obliged, with the duo of Braham Diaz and Arda Duler mesmerizing the Granada defence. Diaz was particularly impressive, scoring two great goals and making seven successful dribbles in a spellbinding display. I was also impressed with Camavinga’s control in the middle of the park.
He has been slightly sidelined with the arrival of Jude Bellingham but he knitted things together beautifully. Joselu- the two-goal hero from last week’s controversial triumph over Bayern- couldn’t get anything to stick in a really disappointing follow-up to last week’s heroics. Barca host Real Sociedad tonight in a match of minimal importance. Xavi recently renounced his decision to leave the cub and will look to foster the likes of Yamal and Gavi going forward.
🧤🏆🧤#36Ligas pic.twitter.com/NNqOqITNoe
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 12, 2024
Milan teams run riot while Juventus shocked
Inter and AC Milan were in irrepressible mood this weekend, both scoring five goals in what I believe was a dress rehearsal for next season’s title race. Inter went to relegation-threatened Frosinone and barely broke a sweat, winning 5-0 with five different goal-scorers. Lautaro Martinex scored his 24th league goal of the campaign to fortify his vicelike grip on this season’s Capocannonaire race. Pioli’s Milan have arguably been the most entertaining watch in Italian football his season (they just haven’t been able to keep the backdoor shut). Christian Pulisic has been a revelation when fit this season and he netted another brace at home to Caligari. The American has made that No.10 role his own since arriving at the club (just another slap in the face of the Chelsea hierarchy). But Juventus’ 1-1 home draw with bottom club Salernitana has to be the news of the weekend. Victory in that match would have all but secured Champions League qualification. They now have to travel to fellow European contenders Bologna in their penultimate match, knowing that they may need a victory to stave off a charging Atalanta side. I honestly think missing out on Champions League football could give them the initiative to finally get rid of Allegri and his stygian brand of football.
Goals galore 😎#MilanCagliari #SempreMilan
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 11, 2024
Brought to you by @Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/P2dlSjOwlV
Player of the Week- Josko Gvardiol
It’s a sign of Pep’s coaching prowess that- in the space of one season- he has taken one of the most promising young centre-halves in world football and turned him into a complete left-back. Gvardiol scored an excellent brace this weekend, underscoring how vital he has been to this squad in recent weeks. His calmness on the ball is astonishing and he looks set to be John Stones’ natural successor in that ‘inverted’ role (similar to how Zinchenko was deployed at Arsenal last season).
🔵🇭🇷 Josko Gvardiol makes it 5 G/A in his last 5 Premier League games… one more with his right (!) foot.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2024
Supposed to be a left footed CB, scoring key and beautiful goals with his ‘weak’ foot as LB.
Not bad. ✨ pic.twitter.com/2FDdYKZOGW
