Premier League Preview Thread

[War Machine Dawg]

Arsenal destroyed West Ham in another London Derby matchup yesterday. Alexis Sanchez got a first half brace and that was all the Gunners would need, finishing with a 2-0 win. The win sees Arsenal move back into 3rd place ahead of City. Thanks, Newcastle!

Also looks like we may have gotten an answer as to what Wenger will do when Wilshere returns to the lineup on Sunday. Aaron Ramsey started over Coquelin yesterday with Elneny retaining his starting spot. I'd guess we'll see something similar on Sunday with an Elneny-Wilshere pairing. The bad news for Gunners fans is Olivier Giroud replaced Welbeck in the lineup. And predictably, he was horrible. I'm not sure Welbeck is a long term striking solution for the Gunners, but he's damn sure better than Giroud. Mertesacker also returned to the starting lineup yesterday, replacing Kieran Gibbs.

Reports flying everywhere that the Gunners and Granit Xhaka have agreed to personal terms, effectively ensuring Xhaka moves to the Emirates next season. It appears it's down to haggling with Monchengladbach over the transfer fee. They want 35M pounds and Arsenal's initial offer was 24M. Word is Gladbach would like 32M and that Arsenal has increased their bid, but think they can get Xhaka for a little less. I'm guessing it'll wind up somewhere in the neighborhood of a 30M transfer fee when it's all said and done.

Now the fun part: Seeing if 1) Wenger makes it to the final year of his contract and 2) assuming he does, will he bring in a CB and striker? Those are the two positions most in need of an upgrade with the Xhaka deal looking like it'll happen. Lots of talk about a possible bid for Morata at Juve, which would certainly help the striker issue. Also looks like we'll see Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, and Gibbs sold during the upcoming summer window. Wouldn't be surprised to see us shop Sacker and/or Giroud, either.

[Tbonewannabe]

Arsenal destroyed West Ham in another London Derby matchup yesterday. Alexis Sanchez got a first half brace and that was all the Gunners would need, finishing with a 2-0 win. The win sees Arsenal move back into 3rd place ahead of City. Thanks, Newcastle!

Also looks like we may have gotten an answer as to what Wenger will do when Wilshere returns to the lineup on Sunday. Aaron Ramsey started over Coquelin yesterday with Elneny retaining his starting spot. I'd guess we'll see something similar on Sunday with an Elneny-Wilshere pairing. The bad news for Gunners fans is Olivier Giroud replaced Welbeck in the lineup. And predictably, he was horrible. I'm not sure Welbeck is a long term striking solution for the Gunners, but he's damn sure better than Giroud. Mertesacker also returned to the starting lineup yesterday, replacing Kieran Gibbs.

Reports flying everywhere that the Gunners and Granit Xhaka have agreed to personal terms, effectively ensuring Xhaka moves to the Emirates next season. It appears it's down to haggling with Monchengladbach over the transfer fee. They want 35M pounds and Arsenal's initial offer was 24M. Word is Gladbach would like 32M and that Arsenal has increased their bid, but think they can get Xhaka for a little less. I'm guessing it'll wind up somewhere in the neighborhood of a 30M transfer fee when it's all said and done.

Now the fun part: Seeing if 1) Wenger makes it to the final year of his contract and 2) assuming he does, will he bring in a CB and striker? Those are the two positions most in need of an upgrade with the Xhaka deal looking like it'll happen. Lots of talk about a possible bid for Morata at Juve, which would certainly help the striker issue. Also looks like we'll see Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, and Gibbs sold during the upcoming summer window. Wouldn't be surprised to see us shop Sacker and/or Giroud, either.

I originally "drew" Burnley but I have found myself following Arsenal. I like their style of play and just like the kits and the freaking Cannon.

[War Machine Dawg]

I originally "drew" Burnley but I have found myself following Arsenal. I like their style of play and just like the kits and the freaking Cannon.

The kits and badge are definitely badass. Did you see the uproar over the potential leak of next season's kits? They had blue shorts and Arsenal has worn white shorts since something ridiculous like the 1880s. Needless to say, that hasn't gone over too well with the fans. Hopefully the leak isn't accurate or it was a "weather balloon" leak to test the climate of such a big change and the actual kits will stay with white shorts.

[BrunswickDawg]

Reds start out strong this morning with Sturridge banging one home 68 seconds into the match with Newcastle. Newcastle is bound for relegation.

[BrunswickDawg]

Reds start out strong this morning with Sturridge banging one home 68 seconds into the match with Newcastle. Newcastle is bound for relegation.

Obviously I spoke too soon - terrible second half by the Reds. I also had no idea that Newcastle had lucked into getting Rafa Benitez as manager. That may help them stave off relegation. Newcastle Looked like a totally different team in the second half.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Obviously I spoke too soon - terrible second half by the Reds. I also had no idea that Newcastle had lucked into getting Rafa Benitez as manager. That may help them stave off relegation. Newcastle Looked like a totally different team in the second half.

We picked up Benitez about a month too late. We've played fantastic the last 3 games but I think it's too little too late. Sunderland has two games in hand on us and play Stoke, Everton, and Chelsea. All three of which have nothing to play for and/or are melting down at the moment.

[Liverpooldawg]

Bad day for Liverpool and therefore a terrible day for Norwich City.

[Liverpooldawg]

Leicester on the brink. This is one of the best sports stories of my lifetime.

Sunderland's draw with Arsenal means Norwich are in the drop zone.

[BrunswickDawg]

Congrats Ref - your Foxes have done the improbable. Now, get something done in the Champions League!

[TheRef]

Still need a win to clinch the league. Whomever we get the win against, the next opponent will have to form the honor guard to watch us lift the trophy. So if we win at Old Trafford, then Everton will watch us lift the trophy. If it takes until the next week, then Chelsea will have to form the honor guard to watch us lift the title they won a year ago.

[War Machine Dawg]

Arsenal continued to Arsenal yesterday. Another nil-nil draw, this time against Sunderland. The point saw Sunderland move out of the drop zone, just ahead of Norwich. Good news for USMNT fans, DeAndre Yedlin looked really good. He's become one of the regulars for Sunderland. It'll be interesting to see if he can force his way into the Tottenham first team next season.

Wilshere returned but didn't start. He subbed in for Ozil with about 10 minutes left. The draw saw Arsenal fall to 4th and they're still in a battle to secure a Champions League spot with Man U only 5 points back. And they could still miss out if Man City wins the current CL season or if Liverpool wins the Europa League. Needless to say, I'm rooting hard against City & Liverpool in Europe and Man U in the EPL the next few weeks.

With yesterday's draw, I've decided the time has come at Arsenal for #WengerOut. He's lost the team and the fans. The more I read, the more certain I am that it's best for everyone if he moves along. I'd prefer it to happen by his choice so there aren't any hard feelings. He's done way too much for Arsenal. But I'd be fine if he has to be sacked. The question is who would replace him? We've missed our shot for Pep, Klopp, and Conte. Looks like Mourinho is headed to the other Manchester. Personally, I'd try to grab Eddie Howe from Bournemouth. But I don't think he's a big enough name for most and Bournemouth might be his dream job. Didn't he play for them?

Ref, congrats to your Foxes. It's unreal what they've done. From outhouse to penthouse in a year in the most competitive club league in soccer. Unbelievable. And to think Arsenal did the league double over them. Hope you guys kick some ass in the CL next year. *Kneels before our Fox Overlords*

[Liverpooldawg]

JUSTICE!

[Liverpooldawg]

Well done Everton.

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/0...rough-families

[Dawg61]

I originally "drew" Burnley but I have found myself following Arsenal. I like their style of play and just like the kits and the freaking Cannon.

I love that this is still thriving on this board. Thanks guys!

[TheRef]

I love that this is still thriving on this board. Thanks guys!

We will start a new thread for the 2016/2017 season. And dammit I'll love being able to actively participate in UCL talk with the Foxes being in there. I'm so giddy!!!

[Dawg61]

We will start a new thread for the 2016/2017 season. And dammit I'll love being able to actively participate in UCL talk with the Foxes being in there. I'm so giddy!!!

Really is absurd they won the league this year. I can't equate it to anything else in sports history off the top of my head. Assuming they don't collapse here.

[TheRef]

Really is absurd they won the league this year. I can't equate it to anything else in sports history off the top of my head. Assuming they don't collapse here.

Passion over money. And that's the truth in this. Leicester City gives hope to those smaller teams going against the Man Us and Barcas of the world. It proves that you don't have to spend extravagant amounts of money to win a championship. Just have to have the right blend of talent and desire by the team, along with a good cohesiveness between the manager and club.

[War Machine Dawg]

We will start a new thread for the 2016/2017 season. And dammit I'll love being able to actively participate in UCL talk with the Foxes being in there. I'm so giddy!!!

Maybe we could do a transfer window rumors thread during the offseason? There'll also be the Euro Cup during the break. Anyone watch MLS?

[BrunswickDawg]

Maybe we could do a transfer window rumors thread during the offseason? There'll also be the Euro Cup during the break. Anyone watch MLS?

I watch a little MLS - mainly big matches like Sounders v. Timbers. When Atlanta United comes on line I will watch them regularly. I grew up in the "first wave" playing youth soccer and going to clinics run by Atlanta Chiefs players, so the chance to have a top tier team in the ATL again is awesome. Takes me me back to the days of Graham Tut, David Byrne, and Brian Kidd kicking it in the NASL!

[TheRef]

Maybe we could do a transfer window rumors thread during the offseason? There'll also be the Euro Cup during the break. Anyone watch MLS?

I would be okay with an offseason / transfer window thread for this year. Could get interesting with even Managers up for grabs.