Arsenal
Aubameyang’s goals kept us afloat in recent campaigns: his non-starter of a season badly exposed the squad’s limitations. The Europa League exit pointed to the fact that Arteta is still learning on the job, but the vast majority of fans seem willing to stay patient, just so long as our promising core of youngsters continues to prosper. It’d be ironic if he salvages something today by delivering St Totteringham’s Day, only to lumber us with the wooden spoon of Europa Conference qualification. 5/10
Stars/flops As ever it’s the hope that kills, and the fearless dynamism of the likes of Tierney, Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli offered plenty of cause for optimism. But along with Aubameyang’s dip in form, Willian proved a complete waste of space, while Partey failed to live up to his initial promise.
What needs to happen this summer? I’d love us to sign a potential replacement for Aubameyang but sadly 20+ goal strikers at this level don’t grow on trees. And we’ll continue to be inconsistent until Arteta finds a more perceptive, mobile player than Xhaka as the central pivot. Offloading Willian would be progress, too.
What made you smile? As much as I despise VAR for denying fans the spontaneous ecstasy of a goal going in, watching the FA Cup final horror unfold for Chelsea fans was priceless. It almost made up for all those other VAR weekend-spoiling decisions.
• Bernard Azulay goonersdiary.co.uk @GoonerN5
Aston Villa
We’d have been thrilled with the idea of 50+ points and easy survival last September. The late-season dip shows again our reliance on Grealish, but that shouldn’t blur the bigger picture. This is a work in progress and Dean Smith and co are doing a great job. At times our football was so good it made me simultaneously giddily excited and sick not to be there. At other times we’ve been predictable and meek. So, more investment is needed. But the platform is there to sustain a genuine challenge for Europe next year. And the under-18s are in their cup final tomorrow. Exciting times. 9/10
Stars/flops Jack remains the apple of every Villa fan’s eye. He somehow managed to go up another level this year. Martinez was the best signing, Cash, too, was a snip and Targett and Konsa have turned into proper top-eight players. Watkins is more proof that there’s value in lower divisions, and his courteous manner makes him firm “marry my daughter” material. Barkley, though, wouldn’t be allowed her phone number.
What needs to happen this summer? We have a good first XI but need a good 18 to really compete. Midfield is the biggest area for investment. Minor legends Elmohamady and Hourihane will probably move on, with not a dry eye in the house.
What made you smile? Winning a seat for today in the ballot. It’ll be wonderful to revisit my three spiritual homes after all this time: the Pendolino, the pub and Villa Park. It’s been a long time coming: I’ll be returning home wobbly, hoarse and a bit emotional. Sorry, Mrs P.
• Jonathan Pritchard
Brighton
After Tuesday’s scenes against Manchester City it’s hard to think back to what was, in many ways, a pretty disappointing season. We played lots of excellent football but just couldn’t score. It got so tedious hearing commentators saying over and over how we just need to be more clinical in the final third. It’s no criticism of Graham Potter, though: when he works out how to get us scoring, we’ll be Europe-bound. 6/10
Stars/flops His decision to promote Robert Sánchez in goal was inspired. Yves Bissouma and Lewis Dunk (again) have been vital, Joel Veltman, Pascal Gröss and Adam Webster all had a great influence, as did Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana when fit. Neal Maupay has had heaps of stick for his missed chances but must be a nightmare to play against, and Jakub Moder is one to watch. It was such a shame to lose Solly March and Tariq Lamptey to injury but we’ll be all the better when they return next season. No flops.
What needs to happen this summer? Signing a 30-goal-a-year striker would be great, but it doesn’t look like we’ll be spending that big. It looks as if Bissouma will be on his way, which is sad, but if we get £40m for him, that’ll pay for half of the Amex. And if PSG come in for Ben White, that pays for the other half. Hopefully Danny Welbeck won’t go; the sight of him limping off again against City should deter buyers.
What made you smile? Beating City. What a game, what joy to sing again and to jump around if you hate Palace. And a Dan Burn goal. And Pep throwing his toys out of the pram. An incredible atmosphere: we couldn’t have wished for a better night.
• Steph Fincham
Burnley
Given how we finished last season, this one really didn’t match expectations – but ultimately there’s just relief we’ve survived. It’s been a real scrap to get out of, and then stay out of, the bottom three. We’ve been better away than at home: we won at Arsenal and Liverpool and put in fine performances at Palace, Everton and Wolves. The main memory, though, will be how frustrating it was not to be there. It’s just become so tedious having to watch game after game on television (or “the magic lantern” as our former manager Stan Ternent called it). 5/10
Stars/flops We’ve been defensively sound for much of the season, thanks to Nick Pope, James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. But special mention, too, for Chris Wood up front who hit double figures again. On the negative side, three players missed much of the season with injury - Dale Stephens, Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
What needs to happen this summer? First, let’s make sure Dyche stays. He’s had it tough this season, but steered us through. Second, it’s time to refresh a small and ageing squad after some terrible recent transfer windows. We need new blood, younger, more mobile players and a general strengthening.
What made you smile? There really hasn’t been much to smile about this season. The one bright spot for me was finally being able to go to a game last week. We lost it but just to be there when the team came out was a very special moment. Aside from that, it’s always fun seeing Mourinho implode.
• Tony Scholes UpTheClarets.com @utcdotcom
Chelsea
I tipped us for third at the start of the season: fingers crossed, we’ll seal that today. It’s been enjoyable, and, of course, getting to a Champions League final is special. Beating Atlético Madrid away was a real moment. The low moment was Lampard’s sacking, but I can’t complain about Tuchel’s impact. My only concern with him is he makes too many changes at times, and seems far too cautious against mid-table teams. 8/10
Stars/flops Mason Mount has been exceptional, Silva has pulled the defence together, Mendy has been solid in goal and Rüdiger has had an amazing turnaround considering he looked to be on his way out. Most of our new signings have been a bit hot and cold but we can all see why they were bought: the future for this group looks bright. Werner has clearly struggled in front of goal but created a lot for others. If he sorts out his always-offside issue, he’ll pick up. VAR is the biggest flop. Again.
What needs to happen this summer? We need a finisher to play alongside our creative forwards: Kane or Lewandowski would be great, but Lukaku sounds more likely. And if Alonso and Emerson go, we’ll need a left-back. It’s also time to find a successor to Azpilicueta, who probably has one more season in him.
What made you smile? Not one for the purists but the mass brawl at the end of the Leicester match. Seeing the whole Chelsea team pile in and the fans baying really signalled football is back – full of the passion, pride and theatre that we love.
• Paul Baker In memory of Trizia Fiorellino
Crystal Palace
It’s the end of an era for us: an exciting but terrifying future awaits. It was definitely time for a change: it’s sad to see Roy Hodgson go but the football had become so stale, made worse by the lack of, or baffling, substitutions, inflexible tactics, seven games where we lost by three or more goals and a reluctance to use expressive players. It just wore the fans down. Even with an awful injury list, there’s just this nagging feeling we should have done more with the quality in the squad. 5/10
Stars/flops Wilfried Zaha hit a record goals tally and Christian Benteke’s resurgence was a joy to behold. But the star was Eberechi Eze, with his assists, goals, dream-like dribbling and relentless positivity. His injury is just devastating. A special mention, too, for our under-18s who, in their first ever season in the top-flight, finished second on goal difference. As for flops: Milivojevic and Van Aanholt struggled, while Batshuayi and Mateta were rarely given a chance to shine.
What needs to happen this summer? It’s the most significant window in our history. So many players out of contract, a new manager – what a job. I hope we re-sign Benteke, Townsend, Ward and Cahill, then focus on at least one new pacy centre-back, a box-to-box midfielder and a winger. A young striker would be a bonus.
What made you smile? Benteke’s volleyed winner at Brighton with the last kick of the game. The sheer injustice of it all in a game Brighton had utterly dominated was just too perfect.
• Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand
Everton
So frustrating. Second on Boxing Day, eighth today. We’ve somehow combined our second-worst home record in 116 years with our second-best away record. Wins at Spurs, Leicester, Arsenal and Liverpool; defeats at home to Sheffield United, Burnley, Fulham and Newcastle. All that while playing some of our ugliest football in years, slow and predictable, and we haven’t brought through any academy players. Injuries didn’t help us – good luck to Gbamin on another recovery – but Carlo Ancelotti has to prove he can develop an attacking team from the resources he has. 4/10
Stars/flops It may seem churlish to criticise Calvert-Lewin after 21 goals but somehow he leaves us wanting more – an indication of his potential. Godfrey has been outstanding, Pickford matured in the second half of the season and Davies, when given game-time, has been solid. James Rodríguez flickered at times but “fatigue?” Really? He must return physically better prepared. Gomes struggled since returning from injury, Holgate has been error-prone and Iwobi a major disappointment.
What needs to happen this summer? Take offers for Holgate, Bernard, Iwobi, Delph, Gomes, Tosun (injured), Kean and Kenny. Marcel Brands has his work cut out. Incoming: a right winger, competition up front, a mobile midfielder and a right-back to cover/replace Coleman.
What made you smile? Fans Supporting Foodbanks, (@SFoodbanks): a fantastic collaboration between Spirit of Shankly and The Blue Union. Their great, but sadly necessary, work has stopped thousands of children going hungry. And Everton in the Community continued their vital work, particularly in the area of mental health. Many clubs excelled with this sort of work during the pandemic.
• The esk TheEsk.org @TheEsk
Fulham
So much huff and puff, so little end product. When Burnley end up scoring more goals at Craven Cottage in 2021 than us, you know something isn’t right. It was all summed up by the sad capitulation at Villa in April – a goal up with 13 minutes left, 3-1 down at the final whistle. Scott Parker has done reasonably well with the tools at his disposal (there’s a gag there somewhere) and even had to introduce a totally new rearguard with the season already underway, but ultimately he, and the players, fell short. Thanks to our owners for building the new stand: just a shame we don’t have the footballing set-up to match that foresight and ambition. 3/10
Stars/flops Loanees Areola and Anderson have shone but are unlikely to stay now. Harrison Reed should, at least. Loftus-Cheek has worked diligently while producing very little. Still got picked, though, unlike Mitrovic. What’s the full story there, I wonder?
What needs to happen this summer? Surely the whole recruitment process needs a thorough shake-up? The last thing the club needs is yet another squad overhaul but that’s precisely what we’ll get because of all the loanees jumping ship. So much for effective evolution and the development of a squad structure and team understanding. Get Carvalho on a decent contract, and quick.
What made you smile? Marcus Rashford forcing the government into making more U-turns than a disoriented cabbie. We also had a wry smile about beating both Liverpool and Everton at a time when us fans weren’t allowed to attend. But the biggest joke of the season was, of course, VAR. We won’t miss it.
• David Lloyd toofif.co.uk @DMLTOOFIF
Leeds
This was a season when fans and players really gained strength from the doubters. We’re not always as cocky as we seem but, as objections grew around the team in the first half of the season — about how they can’t defend, about how the players will burn out, that the style of play is naive — the determination not just to stay up but to exceed even our own expectations took hold. And here we are, going into the final game today having lost just one of the last 10. Watching Sam Allardyce embarrassing himself on the way out of West Brom last week, I’m thanking the universe yet again for Marcelo Bielsa. 9/10
Stars/flops Stuart Dallas represents everything good about Bielsa’s Leeds, working his way from the Championship’s fringes to becoming an essential top-flight player. See also Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and the rest. Diego Llorente has been a late-season revelation, Pascal Struijk has surprised himself, Illan Meslier could become incredible. The only flop is winger Raphinha — an absolutely terrible footballer, and Champions League clubs should forget about bidding for him now or ever. We’ll bravely struggle on with him in our team, it’s fine.
What needs to happen this summer? We need both a left-back and a midfielder because Dallas can’t be in both places at once. Otherwise the club are promising steady work rather than revolution — there are a number of kids worth a shot from the under-23s before more big signings.
What made you smile? The last-minute winner, with 10 players, away to Man City. One of those moments when football just leaves you laughing. And it was when we knew, after sixteen years outside the Premier League, Leeds were not going away.
• Daniel Chapman thesquareball.net @MoscowhiteTSB
Leicester
Last season felt like an opportunity missed. But this time, while our position may end up identical, there’s growing confidence that we’ve become top-four challengers for the long run. Oh, and we finally won the FA Cup! Brendan Rodgers has done a fine job: when we click, we’re one of the best footballing sides in Europe. It’s still the case that, when we’re not at it, we can be diabolical, but if we make those kinds of performances go away, we’re on to something very good at Filbert Way once again. 9/10
Stars/flops No one stood out through the whole season but James Justin and Kelechi Iheanacho deserve a shout for their runs of form at the start and end of it respectively. As for flops, Cengiz Under arrived with a bit of continental flash but never quite made the adjustment. And then there’s Ayoze Pérez. I’ve spent much of the last two years defending him, but his off-field antics, and the missed sitter at Stamford Bridge, were probably the final nails in the coffin.
What needs to happen this summer? The rumour mill says Boubakary Soumaré and Odsonne Édouard are already LE2-bound. But Rodgers should also be looking for an experienced defensive reinforcement and a winger.
What made you smile? Wembley. Tielemans’s thunderbolt, VAR wiping Chilwell’s smug smile from his face, Iheanacho waltzing around with the trophy as a hat and Daniel Amartey, of all people, riling everyone at Chelsea with an innocuous bit of horseplay. As you can tell, I’ve enjoyed this last week.
• Chris Whiting clippings.me/chriswhiting @ChrisRWhiting
