As the Premier League begins the final leg of the 2020/2021 season, I thought it appropriate to list my Top 5 Surprises. We really expected more from some, and less from others.
#1 Liverpool – Even with a lot of injuries, Jurgen Klopp still has a very talented and deep squad, yet find themselves currently in 8th place in the Premier League. Following a title winning season that produced 99 points, the Reds have not won a home match in the PL since mid-December. On the brighter side, they are very much alive in the Champions League.
#2 Sheffield United – After a 9th place finish last season, and a 14-12-12 record, the Blades face certain relegation this year as they are dead last in the league. Chris Wilder’s club has won only 4 Premier League matches, and scored only 16 goals this season. When the wheels come off, they come off.
#3 Arsenal – The Gunners have surely been disappointing this league campaign, They are currently in 10th with little to no hope of qualifying for a Champions League spot, and only an outside chance of qualifying for the Europa League through their domestic competition. Mikel Arteta’s squad has also bombed out in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup this season. Only Europa League success will provide any type of redemption for Arsenal in 2020/2021.
#4 Aston Villa – Villa was just one place above relegation last season, however, The Claret and Blue has turned things around this year. They are currently above Arsenal in the league table in 9th, but only 5 points from qualifying for the Europa League at this point of the season.
#5 Leeds United – After dominating the Championship last season, Leeds has come into the Premier League and showed they can compete wit the big boys. Marcello Bielsa’s club is currently 11th in the PL table, but have shown they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future if they can add a few more pieces to their puzzle.
Thoughts?
Cheers.
Gunner1953










Mikel Arteta said on Friday Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all in contention to be in the squad for Saturday’s match.
According to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, Arsenal has intensified their interest in Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams as a top summer priority.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting Calum McFarlane will be the Chelsea interim manager until the end of this season.
Arsenal Women have confirmed Manu Zinsberger will leave the club at the end of this season. The Austrian goalkeeper has totaled 51 cleans sheets in 143 appearances for the Gunners.



Stat of the Day: David Rays has made 53 saves and had 15 cleans sheets in 33 appearances this season for Arsenal.
American movie star Anne Hathaway on the Gunners title chances, “They better. I believe in Arsenal.”
Gabriel Magalhaes, “We need to be strong on Sunday, We are at this club to play these kind of games.”

Ten Premier League managers have been sacked this season, including three at Nottingham Forest, and two each at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.





