General Premier League Thread 2023-24 Mod Note in op 27/6/23 And 21/05/24

Underdogs might be the wrong word, as everyone is an underdog against City.

But they should be properly toe-to-toe with them. A la Liverpool. None of the fake stuff from this season. You can't invest like they have and be nowhere really near the final reckoning.

I don't think Arsenal will be anywhere near the title next season. They may even struggle to get top 4.

More expectations this year, and added Champions League football to contend with.

2 barriers to overcome IMO. Arsenal haven't handled pressure very well the last 2 seasons overall.

Then he should be sacked.

You can't have potentially generational youth prospects in Saka and Martinelli, add another potentially generational CB in Saliba, get Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko, have potentially the most creative midfielder in the league in Odegaard, spend big money on your goalie and Ben White, then add £100m Rice, £65m Havertz and £40m Timber, while potentially getting another midfielder ... nevermind also being given 'depth' in previous seasons with Vieira, Tierney, Trossard, Jorginho, Kiowor, while being allowed to get rid of deadwood like Auba, and then not get top 4.

I'm sorry, at some point we have to put actual standards on the man. Not even the Utd managers have had that level of power and ability to shape their squad exactly how they like, despite the money they've spent.

He has to get that team doing what Liverpool were doing with City. There are no excuses left.

I think Arsenal still lack a goalscorer. Not sure if they are in the market for one, but when it comes to the crunch they could do with an experienced forward who just wants to score goals. A Dzeko type but a bit younger who doesn't mind being on the bench.

while true Liverpool never really played with an out and out striker, they have Salah on 1 wing who was and still is a 30+ goals per season type player to make up for it. Arsenal will need Martinelli or Saka to step up big time on the goal return output if they're to follow a similar path.

I think Arsenal should be looking at a top 3 finish, and outside top 4 would be a complete disaster.

I don’t know if Newcastle will take the next step to challenge for the title next year, but I think it’ll be soon after.

Indications are Arteta views Havertz as a midfielder.

They will probably switch from 2 DM's to just one once they get Rice with Odegaard and Havertz ahead of him.

no.

but i don't think top 4 is enough, or even simply being in the top 3, and there are many who would view that as success, and 'building nicely' or whatever.

i don't think it is, because he's been backed unlike any manager over the last 2-3 years, and they should be the next team to beat after Manchester City as a result. comfortably. unless Utd and Liverpool get their act together, they are still acting like clubs in transition, Chelsea certainly is still that (at best), Newcastle aren't going to make that big a jump, and Spurs are Spurs.

Report in the Times on City and some of the time barred evidence from CAS which will be considered in the PL case.

Isn’t it a race for the top 5 next season, not top 4?

I wouldn’t automatically think City will win the league next season, Gundogan, Silva and maybe Walker could be going. They played so many games last season and there could be a hangover. As for who steps up to challenge them, if Liverpool buy a midfield they might have a chance. Arsenal have momentum and £200m of investment. Utd will spend £200m again but I don’t think their defence is near what it takes and they need midfielders, strikers. Chelsea will be very interesting next year, Pochettinho has a young squad and could get them back into the top 5. If Spurs lose Kane, they’ll be 6th at best. I still think Newcastle will find it hard to replicate last season.

€33m a year is mental. If those types of salaries are being offered then it's only a matter of time before big PL stars move.

Ah ok, thanks.

So it depends on Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham & Villa too. Correct me if I'm wrong but England have an extra club competing in European competitions next season, so this should work in their favour as there is a higher chance of wins being attained, therefore more coefficient points.