The Weekend Briefing discusses the biggest questions in football. Manchester City’s dominance in the Premier League has been unparalleled, with four titles in a row under their belt. Pep Guardiola’s reign has been marked by consistent success, with City overcoming challenges to reclaim the top spot each time. Despite close races in recent years, City’s pedigree and Guardiola’s leadership make them strong contenders for a fifth consecutive title next season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, came up short once again, finishing as runners-up with 89 points. While it was a hard loss for the team, they can take comfort in pushing City to their limits towards the end of the season. With a young squad and a talented coach in Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s strong finish this season bodes well for their future prospects. Guardiola himself has acknowledged Arsenal as potential challengers in the coming years.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s impressive goal-scoring form for Crystal Palace has gone somewhat unnoticed despite being the joint-top scorer since the start of the year. His late surge up the scoring charts has been overshadowed by other narratives in the league. On the final day of the season, moments like Mateta’s hat-trick can be easily overlooked amidst the flurry of events happening simultaneously. Despite his achievements, Mateta’s success may be relegated to memory as the season draws to a close.
Looking ahead, Gareth Southgate will announce England’s squad for the European Championship, with players vying for a spot on the team. The Athletic’s end-of-season awards will celebrate the best performers in various leagues. The Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen will take place, with the latter aiming for a treble after a successful Bundesliga campaign. Speculation on Erik ten Hag’s future and the Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon will also be highlights in the coming weeks.
Finally, the Championship play-off final between Leeds and Southampton will determine promotion to the Premier League. As the season wraps up, football fans can look forward to exciting matches and intriguing storylines unfolding across various competitions.
