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L O N D O N ’ S H A L L O W E D T U R F

WEDNESDAY 24TH APRIL 2024 Champions How Crystal Palace conquered the women’s

Editor Joe Mason reveals how this magazine came

4 CRYSTAL PALACE

A look at how the Eagles were crowned champions of the Women’s Championship

7 ARSENAL

A look at the Gunner’s rise under Mikel Arteta

A look at how the season has gone for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham 9

A look at how the season has gone for West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Fulham

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Editors Note

CHAMPIONS

How Crystal Palace conquered the Women’s Championship

This season has been historic for the eagles. Their promotion to the WSL for the first ever time was confirmed after a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on the Women’s Championship final day. They finished top of the table with 46 points,1 point ahead of second placed Charlton and a staggering 20 goals better off than the addicks.

This is a significant improvement on their 5th placed finish in the 2022/2023 season.

Earlier this season Palace defender Felicity Gibbons reflected on what stability and success compared to last season would mean for them, she told Sky Sports: “I’d say we’ve exceeded our own expectations. With the season we had last year, which was so up and down, when Laura [Kaminski] came in, she wanted to steady the ship and build on what we did last year.”

The stats indicate, of course, she did just that. Her side finished as the top scorers in the Championship on 55 goals, 16 more than their closest rival which came in the form of Southampton.

They also won 14, drew four and lost four games overall during the campaign.

Palace also have the division’s form player within their ranks, with Welsh forward Elise Hughes firing 16 goals on her way to the division’s golden boot this season, however that may be an area palace look to strengthen in the summer due to Hughes suffering an ACL injury in the penultimate Championship game against Lewes, keeping her out for much of their WSL maiden season. The eagles’ scoring form was evident in many games this season, with particular highlights being dismantling Durham women 5-1 away, a comprehensive 6-1 home victory against the London City Lionesses and a staggering 9-1 home win against Durham women. Following the final game against Sunderland, manager Laura Kaminski was full of praise for everyone involved in the achievement when she spoke to Crystal Palace TV.

“It feels amazing. Congratulations to all the staff and all the players, everyone has been outstanding all year.”

Eagles fans will be eagerly awaiting the weekend of the 21st September, when their WSL season gets underway.

Unstoppable Arsenal’s rise to the top under Mikel Arteta

When Mikel Arteta took over from predecessor Unai Emery back in 2019, the Spanish manager found his team languishing behind the premier league pace setters in Liverpool and Manchester City and in need of investment and reinvigoration. Arteta was to require patience and time from the Arsenal fans The position he had taken was a daunting and demanding role and such a project was to take a few years to help Arsenal return to the glory days seen under club legend Arsene Wenger Arteta’s curtain raiser came at Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw and a second half equaliser from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang The squad has undergone almost a complete rebuild since then, with players including David Luiz and Ainsley Maitland – Niles since leaving the club

For the next two years, things were to get worse before they were to get better with two consecutive eight placed finishes followed up by a 5th placed finish in the 2021/22 season. What followed was almost a memorable season, with Arsenal leading the pack and en route to the Premier League title for most of the season, however they stumbled at the final few hurdles, before seeing the title go to title competitors Manchester City The gunners find themselves in a similar position this season, within touching distance of the trophy, however they need Manchester City to drop points in order to achieve that feat

Arsenal fans will consider themselves very fortunate to be in a such a position, fearing the worst after consecutive losses against West Ham and Fulham back in December, however a warm weather training camp in Dubai seemed to provoke a massive form change that led to this position they currently find themselves in Arsenal have looked a more assured and mature team in comparison to last season, with record signing Declan Rice holding down the midfield in a commendable manner and William Saliba gaining further maturity in a stellar season for the young centre back, as well as Kai Havertz beginning to show glimpses of that special player that was at Bayer Leverkusen. On the final day of the season, Arsenal host Sean Dyche’s Everton and Manchester City travel to West Ham on the day of the title showdown. Should the gunners get the job done, this season will go down as a very memorable one, however Arsenal fans very much believe that Arteta is at least steering the club in the right direction.

The Review

A season review of London’s Premier League clubs and Women’s teams

The Gunners have enjoyed a fairly successful third full tenure under Mikel Arteta and challenge for the title ahead of the final matchday as well as challenging in the UCL, with Sean Dyche’s Everton visiting the Emirates for the final Premier League showdown. Players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have been in fine form, with Saka providing 14 goals and 8 assists and Declan Rice putting in fine displays following his £105 million move from West Ham.

Arsenal Women:

The gunners have continued to battle for top spot in the WSL this season under manager Jonas Eidevell, however they languish in 3rd just behind Chelsea and Arsenal Their final day fixture is at home against 8th placed Brighton, a game which they will look to come out victorious to ensure that they cement their spot in next season’s Champions League New signing Alessio Russo has been in fine form for the gunners this season, with 9 goals and 4 assists, with fellow England winger Beth Mead contributing as well with a total of 8 goals and 3 assists and being on fine form alongside her compatriot

Spurs have enjoyed a marked improvement under new manager Ange Postecoglu, with the Australian breathing a new lease of life into Tottenham under a new attacking play style. Tottenham have two games left, welcoming Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before travelling to Bramall Lane and paying already relegated Sheffield United a visit in order to try and cement a top four place. Heung Min Son is the team’s top scorer with 15 goals and 9 assists, with Micky Van Der Van putting in stellar performance’s at the back for Postecoglu’s men

Tottenham Hotspur women:

Tottenham have been comfortable this season and finished mid table as well as doing well in the FA cup and reaching the final, confirming a fine debut season for new manager Robert Vilahanm On the final day of the season in a game they will deem not to have any pressure for themselves, they face bitter rivals West Ham, a team who are just above the relegation spot and will look to make sure they are comfortable Striker Martha Thomas has been on fine form for spurs this season, scoring 7 and assisting 2 in the 16 games she has played

Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino has likely guided his side to a european spot this season, ensuring that any potential unrest in the club is put to bed Chelsea have looked to players including Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson for goals and assists this season, with Cole Palmer particularly being a revelation for his side Chelsea have favourable ties left to see out the season as they face Nottingham Forest away and Bournemouth at home to ensure they wrap up the european spot they desire.

Chelsea women:

Chelsea have been slightly more successful in challenging for top spot, however remain in 2nd just behind Manchester City in Emma Hayes’ final season as Chelsea boss Their final game is a tough fixture away at Manchester united, however it is one that should they be successful, will cement their spot in the Women’s Champions League and continue to apply the pressure on the leaders in the hope that they slip up Chelsea’s form player this season has been Lauren James She has contributed 13 goals and 2 assists and continues to cement her place in the England squad with such fine form

The Hammers have been very inconsistent at times this season but have managed to keep fighting for a potential Europa League place under manager David Moyes West Ham have a visit to the Etihad on the last day of the season as they face Manchester City which could potentially decide if the Hammers qualify for Europe or not Moyes will be hoping top scorer Jarrod Bowen is back fit for the trip to the Cityzens, with the Englishman contributing with 15 goals and 5 assists

In a season where the eagles departed with veteran manager Roy Hodgson, Oliver Glasner has guided the eagles to a mid table finish and stability in the premier league for another season. Crystal Palace finish off the season with a home tie against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa looking to end on a high. Glasner’s in form player has been striker Jean Phillipe Mateta, with the Frenchman scoring 9 and assisting 4, stepping up when the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have struggled with injury.

QUIZ

Who are London’s oldest football club ? 1.

2. What is the name of West Ham’s stadium ?

3. What is Brentford’s nickname ?

4. What is the name of Tottenham’s captain ?

5.What is the name of Chelsea’s manager ?