Well they have their reasons and our form since Christmas is been very poor which will be their concern (of course a lot of promoted sides do start well and dip in form) in the long term as TBH It hasn't looked like improving (we only beat Villa thanks to 2 late Deeney goals)

Not helped by very negative football being played in the eyes of many and favourites (often Spanish signings brought in at Flores request) being picked over younger more attacking players scouted by the Pozzos (naturally they might not be any good either..)

Of course it looks harsh but he actually has a year to go in the contract and inserted his own break clause in it.....so maybe Flores isn't that keen on staying either?

I guess it does appear to be a risky move but they've done it before...and have a certain model they expect managers to follow so not playing 30 year olds with no pace out wide for example (who them storm off the pitch after being subbed each time)

Overall I agree it seems a little rash to sack a manager who has done a solid job but then if he going to be sacked at the first time of things going wrong next season they might as well change now to give a new manager time to come in and imprint his style of play.

Some players probably have performed below par too or been found out like Ighalo but then you cannot sack them as much as club owners wish they could - and somebody will probably still pay silly money for him.

Good start in the Arsenal/Man City game - thought there would be goals!

City are on it today attacking-wise. Not starting with Yaya Toure was a sensible decision. Mangala is still a total liability. Fun stuff.

But the pundits and some fans loved the "passion" shown - like the "good old days"

Then they all moan and wonder why England don't perform in an International tournament...when we lose the ball x amount of times....

Ref would have probably been accused of ruining the game had he sent players off even if it made "common sense" as managers and the like say.

The irony is that if you put, say, Spurs up against the Leeds or Liverpool or Chelsea sides of the good old days of the 70s and Spurs tried to mix it as they did on Monday night, they would be chewed up and spat out before they knew what had hit them, as anyone who actually experienced the good old days of the 70s would know. And the chances are it would be the Spurs players who would be sent off, in addition to those carried off, as the officials in the 70s make the ones we currently have look like they are close to perfection.

Cech should be saving that.

There could be literally nothing at all at stake for the games next sunday the way things are shaping up

He doesn't do well with shots from outside of the box, it is an area that he needs to drastically improve on.

Yup, top four done and dusted, and bottom three sorted out, which would be a dire situation for the tv companies to try and find something to hype up!

Did anyone really think Arsenal would turn up?

They've been on holiday mode for quite a while now. The win at Norwich and Leicester's draw at OT all but confirmed a top four place.

Even the fainest of chances of leapfrogging Spurs would just underline how crap this season has been, and Wenger would probably spin second as success. No thanks.

Just thinking with whoever finishes second on the 70 to 73 points mark must be the lowest amount in years to have got second place if not ever in the premier league era

Typical the first time City turn up in a big game, and it had to be this one.

Great finish from Sanchez

Everton under Martinez got 72 in 2013/14 and missed out on CL football.

It's more evenly balanced now, but so many regrets for the 'big' clubs.

Got 2-2 in the Prediction game..

If this match ends up as a draw, then does Arsenal still need to beat Villa to make the top four

The only surprise about Arsenal's second goal is that it did not involve Clichy, who has been doing all he can for his former team. No idea what sort of contract Clichy has, but I bet Pep does ...

If Arsenal can win this it would still give West Ham an outside chance of top 4

They would need a point to make absolutely sure

As it stands Van Gaal is being handed a chance to make the Champions League without relying on results elsewhere. I am appalled at the thought of another year of him at Old Trafford..

Doesn't fourth spot lose their champions league place if Liverpool win the Europa final?

No there would be one less in the Europa

Yeah just read it online - five in champions league and two in europa

Making the top 4 with under 70 points seems really low . If you get it I think he will still be there

Is that still the case if Liverpool finish lower than 7th regarding the Europa

No chance Arsenal are holding out here.