Technically it isn't because even if we beat them because they can still win their game in hand, and overhaul our goal difference advantage over their remaining games. Not that it will pan out like that, but it's nice to be discussing a technicality anyway.
Burnley are like Sunderland a decade ago. They seem to play crap all year but go through unbeaten spurts of 4/5 games at a time. I could easily see Burnley winning tomorrow and at Norwich.
Chelsea will be fine purely because the teams below us all play each other and/or go to Anfield but I agree on paper it's not done. Tottenham get 4th IMO, after last night I think that's the first nail in Arsenal's top 4 coffin. Their run-in is probably the hardest left of any team when you factor in away trips to West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea in a condensed schedule.
Difficult call for the Spanners. Play to win to get an EL slot while Spurs get in the CL, or give the Goons the 3 pts and reunite with Astra Goo Goo in EL2.
Complaint from Alan Smith to youtube : Alleged "bullying" violation (for keeping his voice in the commentary)
Because they played him in two meaningless friendlies. He's injury-prone anyway and an absolutely stonewall starter, so why bother? Scotland have two great players at left-back. Give someone else a chance. Stick Aaron Hickey in. He's 19 and playing for Bologna, drawing some interest, too.
Hickey is supposed to be a very promising young player. Definitely one to keep an eye on. Think he’s had more minutes than any other teenager in the big 5 leagues.
Massive loss for them, I think he’s their best player and also their most influential one. His stand-in, Tavares, looks gash too, not sure if they have another option for LB either unless they play Saka back there or a right-footer like we sometimes do with Doherty. I saw someone on Twitter mention Partey is injured too, not that I massively rate him since he’s been there but I know he’s been a mainstay in their side, not sure how serious his was though.
Partey pulled up at the start of the move for Palace's third goal last night. It was rather reminiscent of what happened when he went off against us. Same injury, apparently. Had a shocking game, too. Misplacing passes all over the shop.
Partey is being assessed and is likely to miss the Brighton match, but I’ve not heard anything yet (touch wood) that indicates he’ll be out for a significant period of time. He had a shocking game yesterday, but he’s been one of our best players since the turn of the year, so it’s going to be a blow regardless. I’m doubtful that Lokonga is ready to deputise in his absence. Let’s see, though. Tierney is the biggest blow. Tavares got hooked off at HT after his 2nd start this calendar year. He also got hooked off at HT in his 1st start this year too (Nottingham Forest). I’m not sure if he’ll play for us again this season. Arteta doesn’t seem to trust him. In which case, Xhaka, Saka or an academy player will have to go left-back. None of those scenarios are ideal.
