· 18 May 2025, 12:30
**Newcastle United and Arsenal battle for the Premier League's second spot this afternoon at the Emirates, with the Magpies hoping to steal Arsenal's place and confirm their place in the Champions League next season.**
After dropping down to 12th place in December, Newcastle have had a meteoric rise up the league, grabbing the League Cup trophy along the way.
With Manchester United and Tottenham sitting just above the relegation places, along with Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup yesterday, there's a feeling that the 'Big Six' may be over.
Financially, those clubs still have a powerful advantage, but on the pitch, things are certainly changing with Newcastle and Aston Villa upsetting the established order in the league and cups going to non-big-six sides. It's a good time to be a football fan.
Mikel Arteta believes the big six is over
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If only we could get rid of PSR to truly break up that 'big six', then we might feel as though we're getting somewhere.
It's not just us on the outside who think the established order is being eroded, with Mikel Arteta admitting in his pre-match press conference that he feels that it's coming to an end, too.
> “I think so (whether the traditional big six is over), the level has gone up again. The experience of the last two months.
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> “We've had discussions as coaches, the margins to win or not win in the Premier League is incredible. You ask any manager at the end of the season, ‘Can you promise we will be in the Champions League next season?’ I don't know who would say yes. The sustainability, the stability to be in the best possible place as a squad, is key.”
PSR is keeping the Premier League's special babies safe ... for now
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At this point, it really is just the money side that keeps the 'big six' in their own little bubble. If it were taken away, Newcastle could dominate in that area too, and that's exactly why they won't change it, because they are terrified of us.
Hopefully we'll have a good transfer window and we can continue to smash those walls down on the pitch where it really matters and the financial freedom will follow.
Change is coming whether the Premier League are ready for it or not.