It was all looking a bit bleak at the weekend. Manchester United had massively let Arsenal down by losing to Chelsea, allowing them to overtake Arsenal into third place.

What’s more, Spurs were looking like regaining some form, with Gareth Bale popping up with yet another winning goal.

There was talk that Stevan Jovetic was keen to remain in Italy for another few seasons, with replacements like Loic Remy suggested.

What’s more, Ashley Williams continued to be linked with Arsenal.

But after yesterday, a lot seems to have changed.

End of an era

It was confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as United manager at the end of the season. The Scotsman ends a 26-year reign of almost constant success, and his side have dominated English football for what seems like forever. It will be interesting to see how United deal with his absence.

Everton’s David Moyes seems set to take the job, and he’ll take a while to acclimatise to top-level management. Wayne Rooney has handed in a transfer request, and there’s quite a rebuilding job ahead, in terms of internal affairs.

Where does this leave Arsenal? With the right investment, in a position to capitalise on what could be a weakened United next season, and according to goal.com, sign Wayne Rooney. I wouldn’t take much from that report; Rooney will be 28 next season and has never exactly impressed with his fitness. The 300k a week wages won’t help either.

Regardless of what happens, things will be very different from here on out.

Perfect result

If you’d asked me yesterday what my ideal scenario for Spurs-Chelsea was, I’d have said a draw, preferably with a late equaliser for either side. Which is what happened. Arsenal remain in fourth, two points behind Chelsea, and one ahead of Spurs. It leaves European qualification in Arsenal’s hands, and you’ve got to say they have the most favourable run-in.

Wins against Wigan and Newcastle shouldn’t be difficult (though this is Arsenal we’re talking about), while Spurs face Stoke away (always hard) and Sunderland (battling relegation).

Chelsea have Everton (probably a dead rubber for them) and Aston Villa (good on their day, fighting for their lives). Hopefully at least one of our rivals will drop points, ideally with Arsenal not doing so. Third place is suddenly very possible again.

MONEY

LOTS OF IT. Arsenal are close to signing a £170m kit deal with Puma, complete with an advance towards the transfer budget. It’s the biggest kit deal in English football as it stands, and represents a major step in Arsenal’s FFP plan.

Puma aren’t hugely well known as a kit manufacturer, but make the Italian NT kit (which is lovely), as well as a few African national team kits. But in all honesty, Puma could make pink and purple sleeveless kits and I wouldn’t care (much), as long as the money continues to be good.

Also, I don’t want to get your hopes up, but a certain Mr Fabregas is a Puma ambassador...

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