1. You don't have to like how they did it, but you have to respect what Arsenal have done
With Manchester City’s draw on Wednesday, Arsenal became the first team not named Chelsea, City or Liverpool aside from Leicester City to win the Premier League since 2012/13. Manchester United have spent plenty of money and haven't come particularly close. Spurs have only finished second once, in 2016-17, despite all their great players. Arsenal obviously aren't some underdog story, but there is not a Big 6 club getting a better return on its enormous financial investment right now. That's a credit to club leadership, Mikel Arteta and the players.
While they are not entertaining to watch and certainly caught some breaks along the way, there is no question that the Gunners are deserving champions. They wrapped up the league with a game to spare and still have a Champions League final to play. For all the complaints people have had, this could end up being a historically great season. The criticisms are fair as long as they're offered in the proper context. In the end, it was City – not Arsenal – who were unable to meet the moment.
2. What happens next for both parties after Pep Guardiola's departure will be fascinating
Pep Guardiola has spent his managerial career with some of the biggest clubs in the world. There is no way to completely separate his success from the outstanding players and immense financial resources at his disposal. Great coaches typically have great players. That's not exclusive to Guardiola. Leaving City gives him the chance to test himself in new ways that will demonstrate just how great of a coach he is. If he's up for it.
Guardiola could reunite with Lionel Messi in Miami. He could take some time off and then jump into the international game. An eventual return to Barcelona isn't out of the question either. Going to Major League Soccer or taking a national team job would theoretically present a new set of challenges for Guardiola based on the way he operates. There is no time for intricate details in the international game, for example. Seeing someone else inherit what he built at City will be an interesting test case too. Are they the same team without him?
3. If the spying is going to end, the consequences had to be severe
When Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United engaged in their spying operation, there was no specific English Football League rule prohibiting it. Regulation 127 was implemented following the Leeds controversy to make it clear to everyone what was allowed and what wasn't. Southampton admitted that they violated the rule. Ignorance is not a defense. Whatever Southampton’s punishment wound up being would determine what kind of power Regulation 127 actually has.
Kicking a team out of the promotion playoff final may seem excessive, but it sends an unmistakable message: Everything is on the table if a club gets caught spying on opponents. It's not about the punishment fitting the crime. It's about principle. The EFL is not going to tolerate anyone behaving the way Southampton did. That was made abundantly clear. This case was going to set the precedent, and it set an awfully powerful one.
4. Roberto De Zerbi understood the assignment
Throwing an eccentric character like Roberto De Zerbi into a stressful and toxic situation like Tottenham seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. De Zerbi seemed to realize that and was intentionally positive in his messaging. He had a team that needed encouragement, not criticism. There was none of the negativity and anger that had been part of his time at Brighton and Marseille. He has been calm, stable and confident.
His players felt it. They started to mimic his behavior. Some of the confidence came back. Spurs won three of their last five games, losing just once and collecting 10 points. They avoided a relegation that seemed likely not too long ago by two points. For a second season in a row, a massively disappointing campaign ended with something to feel good about. What that means moving forward is anyone's guess. De Zerbi knew staying up was all that mattered, and he got the job done.
5. Everything else
So much happened that every story will not get the attention it deserves. Here are some brief thoughts on the week's other notable events:
Comparing Michael Carrick to Erik ten Hag or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a disservice to the job Carrick has done. United have been as good as any team in England under his watch. That does not mean they'll be title contenders next season, but he absolutely deserves the opportunity to show what he can do.
Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti left out a slew of high-profile players from their World Cup squads. In doing so, they invited even more pressure on themselves to prove they were right.
Bruno Fernandes was absolutely fantastic this season. His record-breaking 21st assist Sunday was well deserved.
Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland qualified for Europe. Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle did not. Como is in the Champions League. AC Milan and Juventus are not. Don't let anyone tell you the rich clubs always win.
Barcelona had beaten Lyon in a Champions League final before, but they hadn't done it by four goals after getting upset by Arsenal the prior season. Saturday’s emphatic victory was a statement, and it was one that Barcelona had not made before.
Oli McBurnie’s late winner for Hull City saved everyone even more controversy. No one can have any issues with the Tigers being in the top flight next season.