⚽ Matchday 38 - Premier League Discussion Thread 2025/2026 - ARSENAL CHAMPION

[masulum]

But here this wasn't in favor of them and the goal wasn't given to West Ham... 

Many people disappointed with the referee decision when canceling West Ham goal, some say that this Arsenal win is already planned or a match fixing. Even using VAR people say its useless because it not change the referee decision. I can't speculate if this is really match fixing or not, because I don't have any proof to speculate about that.

Week 36 Standing

Pos	|	Team	|	Pld	|	W	|	D	|	L	|	GF	|	GA	|	GD	|	Pts
──────	|	────────────────────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────	|	──────
1	|	Arsenal	|	36	|	24	|	7	|	5	|	68	|	26	|	42	|	79
2	|	Manchester City	|	35	|	22	|	8	|	5	|	72	|	32	|	40	|	74
3	|	Manchester United	|	36	|	18	|	11	|	7	|	63	|	48	|	15	|	65
4	|	Liverpool	|	36	|	17	|	8	|	11	|	60	|	48	|	12	|	59
5	|	Aston Villa	|	36	|	17	|	8	|	11	|	50	|	46	|	4	|	59
6	|	Bournemouth	|	36	|	13	|	16	|	7	|	56	|	52	|	4	|	55
7	|	Brighton and Hove Albion	|	36	|	14	|	11	|	11	|	52	|	42	|	10	|	53
8	|	Brentford	|	36	|	14	|	9	|	13	|	52	|	49	|	3	|	51
9	|	Chelsea	|	36	|	13	|	10	|	13	|	55	|	49	|	6	|	49
10	|	Everton	|	36	|	13	|	10	|	13	|	46	|	46	|	0	|	49
11	|	Fulham	|	36	|	14	|	6	|	16	|	44	|	50	|	-6	|	48
12	|	Sunderland	|	36	|	12	|	12	|	12	|	37	|	46	|	-9	|	48
13	|	Newcastle United	|	36	|	13	|	7	|	16	|	50	|	52	|	-2	|	46
14	|	Leeds United	|	36	|	10	|	14	|	12	|	48	|	53	|	-5	|	44
15	|	Crystal Palace	|	35	|	11	|	11	|	13	|	38	|	44	|	-6	|	44
16	|	Nottingham Forest	|	36	|	11	|	10	|	15	|	45	|	47	|	-2	|	43
17	|	Tottenham Hotspur	|	36	|	9	|	11	|	16	|	46	|	55	|	-9	|	38
18	|	West Ham United	|	36	|	9	|	9	|	18	|	42	|	62	|	-20	|	36
19	|	Burnley	|	36	|	4	|	9	|	23	|	37	|	73	|	-36	|	21
20	|	Wolverhampton Wanderers	|	36	|	3	|	9	|	24	|	25	|	66	|	-41	|	18

[Distraction]

Tottenham are just pushing their luck too much man... They should have been able to win that match against Leeds! They had a one damn job like keeping that score advantage!

Maybe they are still 2 points ahead of West Ham. But they can't get any comfortable as there are only 2 points between. I still believe in De Zerbi ball to keep them alive in the PL.

Many people disappointed with the referee decision when canceling West Ham goal, some say that this Arsenal win is already planned or a match fixing. Even using VAR people say its useless because it not change the referee decision. I can't speculate if this is really match fixing or not, because I don't have any proof to speculate about that.

I don't think there was any match fixing. Referees sometimes make inconsistent decisions. West Ham are unlucky to be the one to be damaged by that here. 

[9ja Amaka]

By the way referees in this league are just unbelievable! How can't they award that goal to West Ham? There have been many similar examples before. They were all in favor of Arsenal and those goals were given.

But here this wasn't in favor of them and the goal wasn't given to West Ham... 

I don't think we should let our hate for a team allow us to make bad judgment. Can you look at all the pictures you posted and show me on that you saw an Arsenal player holding a goal keeper. The one you would even want to talk about is the Chelsea's own, but don't forget that the keeper came out to punch the ball and that is his area. Pedro in the picture was not even jumping to attack the ball, so I don't see how that could be a foul on him. On the Westham match the referee gave a goal, but he has to be called by the VAR to go check it and he checked it and we all say it clearly that Pablo was holding the keeper hand which definitely made the keeper to lose the ball and another player was pulling him from behind, so I don't know where all this things is coming from. I think if there is one team that really deserve to win the premier league this season,  it's Arsenal,  so please  people just stop using hate and emotions when making judgment.

[masulum]

I don't think there was any match fixing. Referees sometimes make inconsistent decisions. West Ham are unlucky to be the one to be damaged by that here. 

yep, i don't think this is match fixing too, but for those who support City many speculate this win just to help Arsenal to get the title. actually, if we look at other league, this kind of controversial decision not happen this time only, even in Serie-A and other league also often happen controversy like this and can be said it's a normal thing, because referee also can make mistake even though referee is demanded to make decision as fair as possible. Looks like because the competition is very tight in EPL between Arsenal and City, make the team supporter who feel disadvantaged start to speculate negative about that referee decision.

[qurbanshah02]

Today's Premier League match is very important and both teams are working hard to improve their position with their own thinking. Arsenal will get 3 points to improve and succeed their title and West Ham will get points to try to get themselves out of this zone. And West Ham will be given 3 points in this match and I don't think this match will end in a draw because Arsenal will not give points to their opponents easily. West Ham is struggling a lot for their efforts and hard work but I think they will have 2 more matches left which will not allow them to get themselves out of this zone. In this case, I am ready to bet on Arsenal with my eyes closed.

West Ham have strong motivation to stay in the EPL and playing against Arsenal who also have high motivation to become EPL champion. This is a contrast match between the two teams, but i think both are in under pressure condition. IMO, arsenal currently become the most pressured team in this match, target to become a champion is the reason why they are more pressured here, and arsenal also need to win this match to keep 2 points gap with City can be maintained until the end of the season and make Arsenal become champion. this match that will not be easy for both team, but I really support Arsenal to win.too

They could have done it if they had worked hard from the start. They lost badly to Arsenal and it shows that Arsenal were under a lot of pressure and they only managed to score 1 goal and West Ham must have done a lot to defend themselves but in the end Arsenal managed to score 1 goal with their wisdom and this also created a difficult time for Manchester City.

It was more difficult for Arsenal because they are trying their best to defeat Manchester City. West Ham should not have missed this match because they are in the zone and if they do not win the next 2 matches then they will have a lot of losses next season. Arsenal have only 2 matches and Manchester City also have 2 matches if Arsenal lose one match then Manchester City will win the title by winning 2 matches.

[giammangiato]

They could have done it if they had worked hard from the start. They lost badly to Arsenal and it shows that Arsenal were under a lot of pressure and they only managed to score 1 goal and West Ham must have done a lot to defend themselves but in the end Arsenal managed to score 1 goal with their wisdom and this also created a difficult time for Manchester City.

It was more difficult for Arsenal because they are trying their best to defeat Manchester City. West Ham should not have missed this match because they are in the zone and if they do not win the next 2 matches then they will have a lot of losses next season. Arsenal have only 2 matches and Manchester City also have 2 matches if Arsenal lose one match then Manchester City will win the title by winning 2 matches.

If you mean from the start of the championship yes, if you mean from the start of the match I really don't think so.
Arsenal are clearly superior, it wasn't an easy game to play, West Ham put in the effort defensively, but they still couldn't do that much. They scored the winning goal with difficulty it's true, this showed one thing, that under pressure West Ham can push a lot.
You learn from your mistakes, they will simply restart with tenacity and the will to climb back up next year, now with the championship almost over they can't recover anything at all.

[9ja Amaka]

It was more difficult for Arsenal because they are trying their best to defeat Manchester City. West Ham should not have missed this match because they are in the zone and if they do not win the next 2 matches then they will have a lot of losses next season. Arsenal have only 2 matches and Manchester City also have 2 matches if Arsenal lose one match then Manchester City will win the title by winning 2 matches.

That match was definitely going to be a difficult one for both teams, because they both had something at stake. Arsenal need the the win to stay on top, while Westham also need the point to stay safe from getting relegated, so it was never going to be an easy match. I think Arsenal controlled the game from the beginning to the end and they deserve to win, although Westham also had their moments in the game, but I think Arsenal are more determined and they got the win.
Talking about if Arsenal loses a match and Manchester City will the remaining 2 matches and become champions of the premier league,  I don't think at this point Arsenal is going to lose any match, so we should just forget about ifs and Manchester City should go prepare for next season,  because in my opinion I think this season is over and Arsenal will be crowned champions very soon and I must say they have worked hard for it and they totally deserve it.





[/quote]

[ILuckyGuyI]

The schedule for GW37:



Aston Villa vs Liverpool has already started though. Both of these clubs are highly probable to qualify for the CL league phase without issues. Even if they draw with each other or one of them loses I don't expect it to change...

Bournemouth have had a great run with Iraola anyway even if they finish as 6th. And who knows maybe they'd tackle Man City this weekend to help Arsenal win the title already now!

[M47AK16]

The schedule for GW37:



Aston Villa vs Liverpool has already started though. Both of these clubs are highly probable to qualify for the CL league phase without issues. Even if they draw with each other or one of them loses I don't expect it to change...

Bournemouth have had a great run with Iraola anyway even if they finish as 6th. And who knows maybe they'd tackle Man City this weekend to help Arsenal win the title already now!

In yesterday's game, Aston Villa completely outclassed Liverpool at Villa Park and secured their spot for the UEFA Champions League. At the end of the first half of the match, Aston Villa was in the lead. They kept their lead till the end and completely outclassed Liverpool's defense with 4 goals.

With this defeat, Liverpool is having a testing time going into their last game against Brentford at Anfield because Brentford is also having a good season, and they are looking for a UEFA spot, which is looking possible. Bournemouth is also doing a good job, and their match against Manchester City is going to be interesting because this is important for Arsenal and Bournemouth as well.

[Distraction]

There is some news for Chelsea fans... They are so close to signing a contract with Xabi Alonso as their new manager! 



Source: https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2055700190032527757

This would actually be more exciting news if Chelsea wasn't managed horrible. Currently Eghbali is in charge of transfer policies and so instead of Todd Boehly who is the owner.

Eghbali is just messing up with the current policy... If he goes on like that instead of leaving it to a sporting director / their manager - as it's stated on the tweet - then Xabi Alonso will also be wasted most probably in a short time.

[masulum]

Arsenal success to get 3 points, it means EPL champion will be decided in week 38 and waiting the result from match between Man City vs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace vs Arsenal. In week 37, City will play against Bournemouth and I am sure this match is easy for city to get 3 points. So i think, the champion decision will only happen in week 38, whether Arsenal will win when meet Crystal Palace or not. Draw result will make City as champion if in week 38 City win. It's a tense week for Arsenal, who already wait a long time for the title, will it break this season or City will get treble winner? Very interesting to wait.

[qurbanshah02]

Arsenal are clearly superior, it wasn't an easy game to play, West Ham put in the effort defensively, but they still couldn't do that much. They scored the winning goal with difficulty it's true, this showed one thing, that under pressure West Ham can push a lot.
You learn from your mistakes, they will simply restart with tenacity and the will to climb back up next year, now with the championship almost over they can't recover anything at all.

It was the same pressure for Arsenal as it was for West Ham, so Arsenal barely managed to score a single goal and that was the only reason they won. Arsenal are now in with a clear chance of winning the Premier League and I think they will take it out of Manchester City's mouth, which is a testament to their strength. Next year we will see some of these teams fighting for the title again and it is difficult to expect from the lower teams if they do not spend something on themselves.

That match was definitely going to be a difficult one for both teams, because they both had something at stake. Arsenal need the the win to stay on top, while Westham also need the point to stay safe from getting relegated, so it was never going to be an easy match. I think Arsenal controlled the game from the beginning to the end and they deserve to win, although Westham also had their moments in the game, but I think Arsenal are more determined and they got the win.

I have some doubts that Arsenal controlled the match, I agree with you, but if Arsenal controlled the match, they would have scored 1 goal. No, Arsenal try to score as many goals as possible in the match with their good performance, but whatever it was, it was quite a pressure match in which both teams tried to win. Arsenal scored 1 goal with their good performance and they managed to win. If Arsenal had lost this match, they would have made it easy for Manchester City, but they played with some good effort and struggle, which on the contrary resulted in their victory.

[Distraction]

Today could be the day to decide the champion... If Manchester City lose even 1 point then that's it! Arsenal are going to declare their title finally after 20+ years. 

I have a feeling like things will go exactly this way. They will get a draw like 1-1 or 2-2 I mean. There is still a chance for Brighton and Brentford to steal the EL spot from Bournemouth. That's why I expect Iraola's team to do the best they can.

[Nahl]

Arsenal success to get 3 points, it means EPL champion will be decided in week 38 and waiting the result from match between Man City vs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace vs Arsenal. In week 37, City will play against Bournemouth and I am sure this match is easy for city to get 3 points. So i think, the champion decision will only happen in week 38, whether Arsenal will win when meet Crystal Palace or not. Draw result will make City as champion if in week 38 City win. It's a tense week for Arsenal, who already wait a long time for the title, will it break this season or City will get treble winner? Very interesting to wait.

Title race is so interesting because the league winner still hard to predict today Manchester city will playing against Bounermouth i think this game is so interesting too because both teams has different target because Bournemouth want to secured champion league spot but Manchester city still want to keep up Arsenal for the title so, if Manchester city can win over Bournemouth which mean the race still continue until week 38 but if tonight Bournemouth won then it's all over because we will see Arsenal as the winner of premier league but seems this is tough game because Bournemouth motivation is so high and they want to replace Liverpool position and playing at champion league next season

[savetheFORUM]

Today could be the day to decide the champion... If Manchester City lose even 1 point then that's it! Arsenal are going to declare their title finally after 20+ years. 

I have a feeling like things will go exactly this way. They will get a draw like 1-1 or 2-2 I mean. There is still a chance for Brighton and Brentford to steal the EL spot from Bournemouth. That's why I expect Iraola's team to do the best they can.

Now just a few minutes left until the start of this season's most important game because Manchester City still has a good chance of winning the title while Bournemouth is having a 15-match undefeated streak. This is going to be a tense game for both teams, while Bournemouth is also looking for a Champions League spot.
 
Media reports are showing Pepe has a chance of leaving this club after the end of this season just because of this. Things are looking interesting while Bournemouth is also playing impressive soccer currently. They are having 55 points, which will bring them to 58, just 1 point behind Liverpool.

For me, most chances this game is going to end in a draw, but still another result is also looking possible.

[Qastessa]

Arsenal success to get 3 points, it means EPL champion will be decided in week 38 and waiting the result from match between Man City vs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace vs Arsenal. In week 37, City will play against Bournemouth and I am sure this match is easy for city to get 3 points. So i think, the champion decision will only happen in week 38, whether Arsenal will win when meet Crystal Palace or not. Draw result will make City as champion if in week 38 City win. It's a tense week for Arsenal, who already wait a long time for the title, will it break this season or City will get treble winner? Very interesting to wait.

Title race is so interesting because the league winner still hard to predict today Manchester city will playing against Bounermouth i think this game is so interesting too because both teams has different target because Bournemouth want to secured champion league spot but Manchester city still want to keep up Arsenal for the title so, if Manchester city can win over Bournemouth which mean the race still continue until week 38 but if tonight Bournemouth won then it's all over because we will see Arsenal as the winner of premier league but seems this is tough game because Bournemouth motivation is so high and they want to replace Liverpool position and playing at champion league next season

After yesterday's Arsenal win against Burnley, things are looking favorable for them, but today's game between Bournemouth and Manchester City has the tag of "final" and "semifinal" because if the Citizens win, they could go for the final game against Aston Villa and also wait for the result between Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal.

But if today this game ends in a draw or a win for Bournemouth, this could be the end of the title race, and the Gunners are going to celebrate their title tonight on London streets, which could be a big boost for them in the UEFA Champions League final, which is going to be played against PSG. Bournemouth is having a good performance in the last few games; they are undefeated in 15 games. This is amazing stuff, while their chances are also high for challenging Liverpool for a Champions League spot.

[Just Say]

Manchester City face Bournemouth but i think if City drop even one point today then Arsenal can celebrate winning the title but looking at the previous statistics of these two teams, it doesn't seem like City can be defeated today in their thirty seventh round. Another important thing is that this may be the last away match for Manchester City's most successful manager, Pep Guardiola. The City giants will definitely try their best in today's 37th round as we can see that their manager is leaving the club, maybe they will want to end this season by winning the two matches they have and honor this manager. Today, the PL team took to the field against Bournemouth with their best XI and in my opinion this team wants to stay in the title race.

[9ja Amaka]

Today could be the day to decide the champion... If Manchester City lose even 1 point then that's it! Arsenal are going to declare their title finally after 20+ years. 

I have a feeling like things will go exactly this way. They will get a draw like 1-1 or 2-2 I mean. There is still a chance for Brighton and Brentford to steal the EL spot from Bournemouth. That's why I expect Iraola's team to do the best they can.

The match is on already and it's still goaless at the time of writing. I think this match is very important for both teams and I believe it will be well contested as I am watching it right now. Manchester City need to win to keep up with Arsenal,  while Bournemouth also need to win to keep their hope of qualifying for the champions league alive, but I will not be surprised if this game ends in a draw and Arsenal confirms champions of the premier league today, but let's me keep watching and see how it turns out. It's 1-0  to Bournemouth now.

[Umulala-alala]

Today could be the day to decide the champion... If Manchester City lose even 1 point then that's it! Arsenal are going to declare their title finally after 20+ years. 

I have a feeling like things will go exactly this way. They will get a draw like 1-1 or 2-2 I mean. There is still a chance for Brighton and Brentford to steal the EL spot from Bournemouth. That's why I expect Iraola's team to do the best they can.

The match is on already and it's still goaless at the time of writing. I think this match is very important for both teams and I believe it will be well contested as I am watching it right now. Manchester City need to win to keep up with Arsenal,  while Bournemouth also need to win to keep their hope of qualifying for the champions league alive, but I will not be surprised if this game ends in a draw and Arsenal confirms champions of the premier league today, but let's me keep watching and see how it turns out. It's 1-0  to Bournemouth now.

Arsenal may be crown champions today from the look of things because Man city is losing to Bournemouth already 1-0 and i know that all Arsenal supporters now will be praying for the match to end like that. I think it's game over for Man city i will even want Arsenal to win the trophy because they have done well and they deserve it this time, the highest result that Man city will get this night is draw if they didn't loss congratulations to the gunners.

[xLays]

Today could be the day to decide the champion... If Manchester City lose even 1 point then that's it! Arsenal are going to declare their title finally after 20+ years. 

I have a feeling like things will go exactly this way. They will get a draw like 1-1 or 2-2 I mean. There is still a chance for Brighton and Brentford to steal the EL spot from Bournemouth. That's why I expect Iraola's team to do the best they can.

This season just isn’t for Manchester City. I’m watching today’s match against AFC Bournemouth and Bournemouth are already leading 1-0. I think this could be the end of City’s title race.
If Bournemouth manage to win this game and also their next match against Nottingham Forest, they could qualify for the UCL. Meanwhile, Liverpool FC vs Brentford FC is also important, so Matchday 38 is going to be exciting with these teams fighting for a UCL spot.
What do you guys think?