17
May

Premier League, Surviving on Top: Part One

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As the season comes to a close, we examine the history and impact of relegation from the Premier League with our three-part series “Surviving on Top.” Various topics during in our discourse include the overview of relegation, the 21-year history of Premier League relegation, as well as statistical and financial analysis on the impact of relegation.

To start, the most recent team to seal their fate to England’s second-tier league - the Football League Championship - were Wigan after their defeat against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday:

Wigan previously held the distinction of being one of 11 clubs that never suffered relegation from the Premier League; with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Stoke and Swansea also in the list. Conversely, of the 45 clubs that have enjoyed spells in the Premier League, eight of them have been relegated three or more times from the top flight:

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On Saturday, we take a look at the statistical odds of relegation and promotion, as well as the financial impact for each club in their respective league. All of this is leading up to FOX Soccer’s coverage of the final Premier League matchday with nine games live on broadcast across the FOX family of networks.

14
May

It all comes down to Sunday

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Remaining fixtures (all on Sunday, May 19):

Chelsea vs. Everton
Newcastle vs. Arsenal
Tottenham vs. Sunderland

With the title won and relegation decided, the final day of the Premier League has one battle to focus on: the fight for Champions League spots.

Unless Tottenham win by double digits, Chelsea are in, even if they lose. The real race is between Arsenal and Spurs.

Tottenham have to win, and then need a helping hand from Newcastle. It is possible for the Gunners to secure their spot with a draw as long as Tottenham also lose or draw, but a victory over the Toon would put them into the top four no matter what Spurs do.

13
May

Hi Jack! Guardiola keeps tabs on WIlshere

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There’s plenty going on in the transfer world at the moment, especially at the Manchester clubs, but one interesting line has surfaced from the Emirates. Pep Guardiola will take charge of Bayern Munich in the summer and has made Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere a long-term target. Does he have a chance? Click here for more on this and the latest gossip from the UK media. 

12
May

Relegation Battle: One week remaining

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Remaining matches that impact relegation:

5/14: Arsenal vs. Wigan

5/19: Wigan vs. Aston Villa; Tottenham vs. Sunderland

Heading into the final week of the Barclays Premier League, the final team relegated has yet to be determined. Following recent results Stoke, Norwich, Newcastle, Southampton, and Fulham have sealed their spots in the Premier League for next season.

All eyes will be on the match between Arsenal and Wigan on Tuesday. Arsenal is battling for a Champions League position and Wigan is fighting for survival. A Wigan loss will be a dagger in their campaign and would condemn them to the Championship next season.

If the Latics beat the Gunners, Sunday’s matchup between Wigan and Aston Villa could have Premier League life or death riding on it.

12
May

Cup final defeat final straw for Mancini

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In today’s Paper Chase, Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City future hangs in the balance after the side’s embarrassing loss to underdogs Wigan in the FA Cup final.

Ben Watson’s late header powered Wigan to a 1-0 victory against overwhelming favourites City on Saturday, and concerns are now growing in the blue half of Manchester as to whether Mancini is capable of overseeing the creation of a European juggernaut.

Also, Wayne Rooney could be headed to London next season, while Christian Benteke has earned himself many potential suitors. Read more in today’s Paper Chase.

9
May

Arsenal sign most lucrative contract in British soccer with Puma

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Cha-ching! After the 2013-2014 season, Arsenal will begin an agreement with Puma to become the official kit sponsor for $46 million/year over five years. In contrast, they were receiving roughly $17 million/year with their current Nike agreement.

This ends a 20-year agreement with Nike, a 20-year run that includes a top 5 Premier League finish in every season but one. Manchester United and Manchester City are the only two remaining teams that will be represented by Nike in the Premier League moving forward.

8
May

The fight for Premier League top four

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Remaining fixtures:

Chelsea - at Aston Villa, vs. Everton
Arsenal - vs. Wigan, at Newcastle
Spurs - at Stoke, vs. Sunderland

Chelsea have the chance to pull themselves clear quickly with a win on Saturday against Villa. If they win, Spurs can only hope to tie them on points, and with a gigantic goal difference, the Blues would realistically be guaranteed to finish ahead of the Tottenham.

That would leave Spurs and Arsenal to hash it out. The Gunners have a bit of luck, getting Wigan right after their FA Cup final. That leaves Spurs rooting for Newcastle to remain in the relegation battle on the final day when the Magpies play Arsenal.

30
Apr

Andre Santos is, well, still busy being Andre Santos.

The Arsenal man who was sent out on loan to Brazilian side Gremio (to huge sighs of relief by the Gunner faithful) missed the decisive penalty in a Campeonato Gaucho semifinal against Juventude by a lot. That ball still hasn’t come back down.

Some thought maybe Santos just needed a change of scenery to turn his form around. By the looks of it, maybe he should just look for a different profession instead.