The great thing about the PL unlike Europe’s other top leagues is that where once there was a big 4 there was then a big 6 and now I’d say 8 or even 10 teams capable of getting into the top 4 which can only be a good thing.
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There maybe more competition within the premier league but it’s unfortunately become more exclusive than ever.
It’s now essential to have a very wealthy benefactor in order to establish a team in the premiership which is moving us towards an American sports model to the detriment of the lower leagues and game overall.
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Yes you are right and as an Arsenal supporter with an owner who won’t spend his own billions I’m 100% against the likes of Sheikh Mansour my point is that competition for the Top 4 has increased but has the competition to win it widened? No it hasn’t.
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Really?
In the first 16 years of the PL prior to Sheikh Mansour in 2008, only four different clubs won the PL.
In the 12 years since then, five different clubs have won it.
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Yes but in those thirty years only seven clubs have won it three of which only once.
If your saying that Sheikh M etc are responsible for widening that competition then I’d have to disagree.
Well, it seems to have put an end to the Manchester United monopoly.
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Alex Ferguson leaving may also have played a small part in that too.
Having a billionaire owner is one thing but breaking the financial rules of the game with impunity is another thing entirely.
Like or loathe Manchester United they cannot be accused of buying success really when the creative heart of that incredible side that ruled during the 1990’s came from their academy yes they had the financial clout to buy the best young players like Wayne Rooney but they where and still are in the top 5 biggest clubs in the world with huge incomes.
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My recollection is that the UEFA charges against Man City were overturned at independent Arbitration, so no financial rules were broken.
As I said with impunity.
What a performance from Norwich tonight. No wonder they are one of Peps favourite teams.
Just hope we can keep the players next year and loan Skipp from Spurs.
What a coach Daniel Farke is. He’ll be in demand but fortunately is very principled and believes in fulfilling contracts.
In sixty years of watching them this was the most sublime football I’ve seen them play.
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You must be using some non-standard definition of the word “impunity”.
It probably didn’t help, but from my recollection a large issue was that they (he?) simply hadn’t prepared for the future. Maybe because he was leaving. Many player were at the end of their career, getting past their prime etc. Not enough talent had been brought in to gain experience.
But it’s still a shame for the sport how clubs like City operate. They just buy all the talent they can get, they could probably field 6 or 7 (or more?) youth teams, and just accept that 90% won’t make it. They rob lesser clubs of their greatest talents, but also destroy a lot of talent in the process, only widening the gap. Football as a whole would be much more enjoyable if the playing field was more level.
Ugh, that was bad. Missed penalty, goal against because of a mistake by our goalie, plenty of chances and lost 1-2.
So return against an Italian team with two away goals, things are looking grim.
As expected ManU will have a breeze. Might be able to rest players and avoid cards/suspensions.
Luckily the away goal only really comes into play if the score is 0-0 next week but again we where woeful worst of all was the finishing.
I’m half hoping we get knocked out next week so that the pain will end until late August.
Same here.
BTW, did I see correctly that you got a good deal on some old Ajax kit for next season?
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So, shall we say , Arsenally… 
We’re not out yet WW!!!
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Yes I did see it very Ajax and also similar to one we had right at the start of Arsene’s reign
Should be an interesting weekend of football, winners, losers, ups and downs, top four, bottom three…oh the excitement.
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