Of course, there’s a very feint chance Arsenal may yet get the title, with 115 charges levelled at the state-funded carbon fuelled Manchester club.
But like in the Premier League, Man City have access to virtually unlimited funds – more than the Premier League organisation, and can afford to pay the best lawyers – in this case a Gooner, Lord Pannick. And the case is likely to drag on, with any points deduction, if there is that sanction, next season or the following one.
With the ultimate sanction expulsion from the league – how about a state funded club league, which Newcastle can join?
When Man City won the title in the sixties (1967), through football intelligence there was a lot to admire about them and they deserved huge respect. But this title win, has a stench about it.
WIth regards to the Forest game, there was an unbalanced look about Arsenal with Partey at right back moving into midfield in the attack. Kiwior at left back, White in the centre and Trossard in for Martinelli on the left.
Arsenal looked like a spent force and shows they need far more strength in depth. So, the performance may have a silver lining.
Forest, who have only lost two out of last 14 at home are a far harder team to beat than the general perception. They have also knocked Arsenal out of FA Cup twice in five years. Becoming a bogey team?
Arsenal came under throw-in attack in the first five. Forest have scored 60% of all Premiership goals from throw-ins.
Neat play between Odegaard and Jesus saw Navas dive at the feet of the Brazilian and Arsenal got a measure of control, with Jesus heading over from a corner.
But on 19, Odegaard sent a misplaced pass to Gibbs White who set up Awoniyi. Gabriel knocked the ball against the forward, and it bounced past Ramsdale.
Jesus had a chance, but it hit straight at Navas. Nothing was sticking with him, and he didn’t look like he would score in a generally ineffective performance. Arsenal need a traditional number nine as a back-up.
With Forest in a five-four-one, Arsenal spent the game probing, but final balls were inaccurate and nearly everything was gobbled up by Forest defenders.
A final corner of the first half summed up the performance as Trossard skied it well wide. He too looked off form.
At the start of the second half, Gabriel wrestled Awoniyi and there was Arsenal panic in the box.
Worrell pulled Jesus back in the area and the Brazilian was booked for dissent.
Tierney and Nketiah came on for Xhaka and Kiwior, with Jesus moving wide and Trossard into midfield.
Very little changed.
Mikel Arteta said it is a really sad day with a lot of emotions, explaining that it was his responsibility for not being champions after so much work. “We gave them a goal and another goal if they wanted. In May you need 24 players ready to go.”
Nottingham Forest: 12Navas, 4Worrall, 38Felipe (Substituted for Boly at 79’minutes), 19Niakhaté Booked at 45mins, 24Aurier, 22Yates, 5Mangala, 32Lodi, 10Gibbs-White (Booked at 79mins), 28Danilo (Substituted for Kouyaté at 73’minutes), 9Awoniyi (Booked at 25mins, Substituted for Johnson at 79’minutes),
Arsenal: 1Ramsdale, 5Partey, 4White, 6Gabriel (Booked at 78mins),15Kiwior (Substituted for Tierney at 63’minutes),8Ødegaard, 20Jorginho, 34Xhaka (Substituted for Nketiah at 63’minutes), 7Saka, 9Gabriel Jesus (Booked at 54mins),19Trossard (Substituted for Fábio Vieira at 70’minutes)