As my heart rate has finally returned to normal after the chaos that unfolded on Sunday afternoon, I’m taking this opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings as we approach the final moments of the season. With both the Premier League and the Champions League up for grabs, the last three weeks promise to be a roller coaster, to say the least.
Firstly, let’s address what I believe is our main priority: the Premier League title. With two games remaining, Burnley at home on Monday night and Palace away on the final day of the season (who you’d expect to be resting players for the Conference League final,) you really can’t ask for much better. A relegated team and a side likely to rotate. However, the boys will have to stay vigilant. With the English top flight being the most competitive league in the world, there are no easy games. Even though we’re currently five points ahead of Man City, they play Palace away today, and with Palace probably focused on that Conference League final, City will most likely close that gap, putting them right on our shoulder. That means we must win both games. Overall, I’m confident about the title. Looking at those two fixtures, I’m expecting nothing less than Martin Ødegaard lifting that trophy on the final day, bringing the Premier League back home for the first time in twenty-two years.
If you had offered me to be five points clear with two games left and in our first Champions League final in twenty years, I would have snapped your hand off. The magnitude of this upcoming game is out of this world; the big one, the biggest and most prestigious fixture in club football. In the final, we face what will most likely be the tournament favourites. Not only did they score six goals in their semi-final, but they also knocked us out at that stage last season on their way to becoming European champions. If I’m honest, we’re the underdogs going into the final. However, many point to that defeat last year as a reason for pessimism, but for me, it’s a source of hope. Looking back at that game, we were far from the side we are now. For example, Kiwior at the back, Trossard starting through the middle. There’s no debate that we’re a much better team this time around, and that gives me growing confidence. We even had a higher xG in both legs of last season’s semi-finals, only to be denied by a legendary performance from Donnarumma, who has since been replaced by Safonov. So yes, we remain the underdogs. However the idea circulating on social media that PSG will “turn us over” is completely false.
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Overall, I believe the Premier League title will be coming to the Emirates. We’re five points clear, City have tougher fixtures, and our squad’s quality and depth should see us through. As for the Champions League, while we may not be favorites, it’s a one-off game and in football, on any given night, anyone can beat anyone.