SOU 1-2 ARS: Season Concludes

 The goal scorers were Tierney and Odegaard.  There was no real chance that we weren't going to finish second, so the stakes were very low.  Raya and Matt Sels of Forest shared the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets.  The real drama played out as the teams in positions 3-7 battled for Champions' League spots.  In the end, there was no movement, but plenty of drama, as Newcastle shockingly lost at home to Everton, but Villa managed to lose to Man United to allow the Geordies to hang onto 5th spot.  Forest failed to beat Chelsea as well, while Man City won easily.  I was hoping for a Forest win, but sadly they are in the Conference League next season.  Villa will be in Europa League, courtesy of a bad refereeing job after a terrible error from GK Emi Martinez that got him sent off.  Emery was fairly dancing with rage.  Awww.

For the men's team, the focus will be on transfers in and out.  For the women, there's still the glow of victory.

ARS 1-0 FCB: Arsenal Women Are Champions of Europe!

 Barcelona were heavy favorites.  They crushed Chelsea 8-2 over two legs in the semis.  They won the last two Champions League finals.  They had 68% possession and several good chances in the game, but could not find the right finish.  Arsenal crafted a number of good chances too, and in the 74th minute Stina Blackstenius latched onto a Beth Mead pass in the area and blasted a shot through a defender's legs and into the far corner.  Barca's excellent keeper (who made a great save earlier) was nowhere near it.  The Gunners did win this trophy in 2007; the competition was started in 2001.  Congratulations to the whole team and to the rookie coach Renee Slegers, who got the most out of them.

ARS 1-0 NEW: Just Enough to Win a Big One

 This victory assures Champions' League football for Arsenal.  The 2-7 slots are so tight that it was possible (though not likely) that Arsenal would not be in the top five, but now we're a lock for 2nd place.  There should be another 3 points coming our way at St Mary's Park on Sunday too.  The final day will be hugely important for several clubs.  Champions' League participation is worth something like $100M in broadcast and prize money.  Clubs on the financial edge like Villa and Chelsea need that cash to avoid penalties.

I was delighted to see Crystal Palace hoist their first FA Cup, edging Man City in a frantic game packed with incident and controversy.

CP wins FA Cup

 1-0 after surviving a PK.  

The first title in their history  

LIV 2-2 ARS: Jekyll and Hyde Performance Earns a Valuable Point

 I was at a holiday event yesterday at which it was not possible to tactfully watch this game.  I had to catch up on it via LiveScore and the later highlights and writeups.  The Reds outplayed us by a wide margin in the first half and were good value for their two goal lead.  The Gunners turned it around with a re-energized performance in the second half.  (Verbal fireworks from Arteta at halftime no doubt played a role.)  This point means that Arsenal is sure to finish in the top five if they get as little as one point from the six on offer against Newcastle and Southampton.  Beating Newcastle at home means a second place spot.  The table:

Villa and Chelsea can only pass us if they win their last two and we lose.  Forest is too far back to catch us but they can get top five.  (Remember that goal difference is the tiebreaker and Arsenal's is better than any except Liverpool's.  Of course, a slip-up by any of the chasers means we're in, and they may be out.  I hope Chelsea and Villa lose out.  It would put their shoddy financial practices in the spotlight when the loss of ECL revenue means big losses.

The race for 8th place and a spot in Europe is interesting.  Brentford, Brighton, and Bournemouth are all alive in that.

Fingers crossed for the in-form Eagles in the FA Cup on the weekend!

PSG 2-1 ARS (3-1 agg): Fine Margins

 The Gunners have no reason to hang their heads after being beaten in this ECL semifinal by the French champions.  Our lack of finishers was exposed; Arsenal actually had a 5-3 advantage in xG.  We are so close.  This ECL campaign was a real showcase for our talent and tenacity, but the squad was too injury-hit to stay with a fully healthy PSG.  

We now have to play out the league matches.  Three points will keep us in the Champions' League no matter what the other teams do, and Southampton should provide them.  Anything we can get from Newcastle and Liverpool would be great.

The summer transfer window is crucial.  We need a good striker and a midfielder or two.

ARS 1-2 BOU: Late Season Collapse, or Hiccup?

 Arteta picked a strong side and we lost anyway.  No excuses.  It took a handball goal (inexplicably allowed) to get them the win, but Bournemouth managed this game very well and I don't begrudge them the three points.  Wednesday is not looking any easier after this display.