Premier League: What we learned from gameweek 38

• We look at the major talking point of the final day of the Premier League season.

On the last weekend of the Premier League season, Manchester City defeated Arsenal to win the championship, while Nottingham Forest defeated Burnley to confirm Luton’s relegation. Aston Villa were thrashed 5-0 by Crystal Palace as they extended their unbeaten run, while Jurgen Klopp said a tearful farewell to his team at Liverpool.

We look at the major talking point of the final day of the season.

Newcastle’s summer will be interesting

Newcastle players. Photo/ iNews

Newcastle’s ambition has somewhat regressed this season as they finished the Premier League in seventh position. Following their successful Champions League qualifying campaign the previous season, the Magpies were unable to maintain a top-four campaign in 2023–2024.

A lot of the conversation at St. James’ Park these days has been on departures as the summer transfer window draws near. With a summer release clause of about £100 million, Bruno Guimaraes is being pursued by clubs all across Europe. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak has drawn interest from rival teams, notably Arsenal, following his 25 goals in all competitions.

Both may fetch high prices and allay worries about money before more investment, but losing either would be devastating for Eddie Howe.

Isak and Guimaraes have the talent to lead Newcastle to trophy-winning success. Construct a structure around them.

Arsenal need to rest and push for next season

Arsenal finished the season as runners-up in the Premier League for the second straight year. The Gunners gave it their all once more against Manchester City, but were unable to snap the team’s 20-year league title drought.

North Londoners finished 2023–24 just two points behind the winners, although Arsenal topped the Premier League standings for a record 248 days before losing out in the final stretch.

With 28 victories, Mikel Arteta’s squad set a Premier League single-season club record, surpassing even their 2003–04 Invincibles season. The team ended with 89 points. It serves as a gauge of the standards required to defeat City, who have twice fended off threats from Liverpool teams who scored over 90 points to win championship races.

With the core of their team still developing, Arsenal should be optimistic about the upcoming campaign. However, it will require mental toughness to pick up the gauntlet once more and strive to climb the mountain.

Goodbye Jurgen Klopp!

Jurgen Klopp managed his last game against Wolves. Photo/ Liverpool FC

During his final Liverpool game at Anfield this weekend, Jurgen Klopp greeted Arne Slot—his possible successor—by singing the Dutchman’s name. Before a significant transition on Merseyside this summer, Klopp’s tenure concluded on a positive note with a 2-0 victory against Wolves.

Although he will inherit a club that was left in good shape by his well-liked predecessor, Slot will take over the Reds next season with the responsibility of replacing the irreplaceable. With the rebuilding that took place last summer, Liverpool has an average age of just 25.6 this season as younger players have been brought in to replace the aging legends.

Conor Bradley and Jarrell Quansah, two academy graduates, have made the first team. Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns, and others have also been granted senior football.

Some are disappointed with their third place performance after fighting for the crown. It was ahead of schedule, though, compared to pre-season projections, and it can serve as a perfect foundation for the incoming administration.

Phil Foden: The biggest suprise of the season

Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City won the Premier League title on the final day. Photo/ Football365

Phil Foden‘s incredible season came to an end as he scored twice to help his team defeat West Ham and win the title. Within two minutes at the Etihad, Foden’s incredible strike put the team ahead, and the 23-year-old once again proved to be a valuable member of Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking squad.

Foden has consistently stood out for the Citizens throughout a campaign in which Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland have both put in significant amounts of time. With six goals from beyond the box in a single season, he set a record for the most goals scored by a Manchester City player. His 19 league goals are the finest return of a career that has already reached incredible heights.

With Foden’s rise to elite status during the current campaign, he has already been awarded the Premier League Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year. The PFA award is expected to come next.

While Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have received a lot of attention as England prepares for Euro 2024, Foden is also a valuable member of the triad that has the potential to break England’s protracted tournament losing streak.