With the run-in to the Premier League season now upon us, it is only right to see how each team would get on. With that in mind, let's start with Arsenal, looking to avoid finishing in seventh, and chasing Chelsea in fifth place.
Leicester - Away - Last Game: Won 4-3
Arsenal managed the win at the Emirates back in August, just pulling out a win in the last ten minutes with late goals from Ramsay and Giroud. Leicester have stayed close to Arsenal in the table with only eight points between them. Both teams have improved, and Leicester play much better at the King Power Stadium, a draw could be a good result here.
Fixture: TBC
Predicted Result: Draw
Stoke - Home - Last Game: Lost 1-0
Stoke are very much a hoodoo team for Arsenal. Always harder than they should be for a club of Arsenal's stature, Stoke have managed to build up a fan rivalry with the club. Despite these troubles however, Arsenal tend to win the home games between the two sides, never losing a home match to Stoke since the side entered the Premier League in 2008.
Fixture: 1 April
Predicted Result: Win
Southampton - Home - Last Game: Drew 1-1
I am unsure about Southampton. They are rather inconsistent in the big picture. But with the latest news of managerial departures and the rumours of Mark Hughes stepping in to fill the spot, I think that the adjustment to a new system will distract from winning the game.
Fixture: 9 April
Predicted Result: Win
Newcastle - Away - Last Game: Won 1-0
Whilst they have played well this season, Newcastle shouldn't give Arsenal too much worry in the final run-in to the season. Though they have done well in keeping other teams in check, Arsenal should prove too much for a Newcastle side that can show grim determination in defending on the line. They may have to do quite a bit of it.
Fixture: 15 April
Predicted Result: Win
West Ham - Home - Last Game: Won 1-0
West Ham are in chaos, only increased with the protests at the London Stadium against the management of the club in the game against Burnley. The on-pitch disasters have only compounded their fan's frustrations, and it is no surprise that the team is in danger of relegation. With poor on the pitch performances, Arsenal should comfortably win this fixture.
Fixture: 23 April
Predicted Result: Win
Man Utd - Away - Last Game: Lost 1-3
Man United have barely lost at Old Trafford, even with their loss to Sevilla on the 13th of March. Add that to the problems that Wenger has had with beating Mourinho-style teams, and a draw is probably the best result Arsenal can hope for out of this game. United's attack can significantly outplay Arsenal here, and the Gunners will pay for it in probably gaining no points from this trip.
Fixture: 29 April
Predicted Result: Loss
Burnley - Home - Last Game: Win 0-1
Only a controversial goal earned Arsenal the three points from their trip to Turf Moor earlier this season. Barring a surprising loss of defensive cohesion at Burnley, who have defended very well against most teams this season, a well earned draw would not be a total disaster for the Arsenal side. With good defensive ability against other top sides such as City and United, it is likely to be a disappointing game for Arsenal fans.
Fixture: 5 May
Predicted Result: Draw
Huddersfield - Away - Last Game: Win 5-0
A gift of a last game for Arsenal to have, Huddersfield should provide little resistance to the attacking power of Arsenal. Although they did beat Manchester United earlier in the season, they are unlikely to challenge Arsenal, more so if they are safe on the last day of the season
Fixture: 13 May
Predicted Result: Win
Final Thoughts
It looks like a favourable end to the season for Arsenal, with easy wins against West Ham and Huddersfield looking likely for the club. The biggest challenge will come from Manchester United, whilst the Burnley game could be decisive in the race to finish in the top six, and avoiding further embarrassment for the club in addition to missing out on the top four.
Prediction Summary: DWWWWLDW - 17/24 points
About the Creator
Alex Kemp
An MA US Politics student from the UK who also runs a sports show on student radio. Simply writing on things that I enjoy.
Mastering the mind games of Mourinho..
In the bustling streets of London, amidst the roar of fans and the clash of football boots, there existed a man whose tactics transcended the pitch. José Mourinho, the mastermind behind many a football triumph, possessed a unique ability to wield not just the tactics board but also the minds of his players.Cesc Fàbregas, a gifted midfielder, found himself under Mourinho's spell during their time together at Chelsea. As he reflected on those days, he revealed the intricate web of influence Mourinho spun around him."I think with Mourinho, he played with my mind in a different way that nobody else played before," Fàbregas recounted, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of bewilderment.Their relationship was not merely coach and player; it was a complex dance of manipulation and inspiration. Mourinho, with his charismatic persona and keen understanding of psychology, knew exactly how to push Fàbregas to new heights."He would send me messages, he would speak to me nearly every day," Fàbregas recalled, painting a picture of relentless communication that kept him perpetually engaged, perpetually focused.Mourinho's words were not just casual chatter; they were strategic maneuvers designed to shape Fàbregas's perception of himself and his role within the team. Each conversation, each message, carried with it the weight of affirmation and importance."He would speak to me in a manner where he makes me see that I'm one of the most important players in the squad," Fàbregas revealed, the memory still vivid in his mind. Mourinho's words weren't empty praise; they were calculated strokes that bolstered Faàbregas's confidence and sense of belonging.And it worked. Under Mourinho's guidance, Fàbregas flourished, his performances on the pitch reflecting the belief instilled in him by his coach. He became a linchpin in the team, a maestro orchestrating plays with precision and finesse."That always had a really powerful message in my brain," Fàbregas admitted, acknowledging the lasting impact of Mourinho's manipulation. The coach's words weren't just fleeting encouragements; they were seeds planted in Fàbregas's mind, blossoming into a steadfast belief in his own abilities.As Fàbregas reminisced about those days, it became clear that Mourinho's influence extended far beyond the tactical realm. He wasn't just a coach; he was a mentor, a confidant, a master of the psychological game.Their time together at Chelsea may have come to an end, but the imprint Mourinho left on Fàbregas's psyche remained indelible. Even now, years later, Fàbregas found himself reflecting on those conversations, those messages, and the profound impact they had on his career.In the world of football, where physical prowess and tactical acumen reign supreme, Mourinho stood out as a master manipulator of the mind. His ability to understand his players on a deeper level, to tap into their emotions and motivations, set him apart as a coach of unparalleled skill.For Fàbregas, Mourinho's influence was a double-edged sword, simultaneously empowering and enigmatic. He had been both puppet and prodigy, a willing participant in Mourinho's intricate game of psychological chess.And yet, despite the complexities of their relationship, Fàbregas couldn't deny the role Mourinho played in shaping him as a player and as a person. The lessons learned, the confidence gained, were invaluable gifts that would stay with him long after the final whistle had blown.As Fàbregas gazed out onto the pitch, the memories of his time under Mourinho flooded back, a testament to the enduring power of the coach's voice. In the world of football, where triumph and defeat hung in the balance, Mourinho's words had been a constant, guiding Fàbregas through the highs and lows of the beautiful game.
By Eric anexis 6 days ago in Cleats
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