The 2023/24 Premier League season wrapped on Sunday evening and despite the title race going down to the final day, there was a familiar outcome as Manchester City sealed a record fourth successive trophy.
Here is our Premier League team of the season (formation: 3-1-2-3-1).
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Only David Raya behind the best defence in the league kept more clean sheets than Everton's Pickford this season. Yet, unlike Raya, Pickford was kept very busy by an Everton side who were plummeting towards the relegation zone amid the wider chaos at the club and its points deductions.
That the Toffees stopped the rot to finish the season relatively well was largely down to their goalkeeper's heroics, highlighted by his star turn to beat Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
England will hope Pickford can carry his excellent season in to the European Championships in Germany.
DF: William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba's injury absence towards the end of last season was a key factor in Arsenal's fading title challenge, so it was no coincidence the Gunners pushed City to the final day with the Frenchman ever-present.
Saliba was the standout defender of the season, forming an unbreakable partnership with Gabriel to build a defensive foundation that limited Arsenal to a league-leading 29 goals conceded.
Still only 23 but undoubtedly a leader of this Arsenal team, Saliba will go from strength to strength and could become a Premier League great - so long as a European superclub doesn't prize him away.
DF: Gabriel (Arsenal)
At the start of the season, Gabriel's Arsenal future appeared uncertain. He didn't start the first three Premier League games and there were rumours of a move to either Real Madrid or Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was experimenting with a tactical tweak but once new signing Jurrien Timber went down early with a season-ending injury, Gabriel returned to the side and never looked back.
The Brazilian was superb alongside Saliba, and the pair could become the next great Premier League centre-back partnership if it stays together.
DF: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
It was a season that promised much but only delivered a League Cup for Liverpool, whose title challenge faded in the final month. That there was a title challenge (and indeed a trophy) at all can be largely attributed to their exceptional Dutch defender.
As Liverpool suffered from several injuries to their defence, Van Dijk stood tall throughout, providing his leadership and brilliance to an ever-changing backline.
The club's captain will have another major role to play next season when the Reds enter the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
DM: Rodri (Manchester City)
The best defensive midfielder in the world continued being just that in another history-making season for City. In the constantly evolving systems of Pep Guardiola, Rodri is an essential component, providing defensive stability, passing range, athleticism, and important goals to help City dominate almost every game.
To get a sense of the Spaniard's importance, he was unbeaten in the Premier League this season, winning 27 games and drawing seven. Of the four matches he missed, City lost three.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
An absolute home run of a signing when Arsenal spent £100 million last summer to recruit Rice from West Ham. The England international was immense from the get-go, bringing more dynamism and balance to the Arsenal midfield while chipping in with some big goals, too.
Rice elevated his own game and Arsenal to a new level this season, and as the Gunners aim to go again in 2024/25, he will be vital if they are to end their 21-year wait for the title.
CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Not as prolific this season but no less influential, Odegaard was Arsenal's consistently brilliant captain during their sustained title challenge. Contributed to 18 goals (eight scored, 10 assisted) while ranking third in the Premier League for chances created.
The Norwegian combines innovation with industry to be arguably the most complete midfielder in the league, and at 25 should just be entering his prime years.
RW: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
For all the mess engulfing Chelsea during the early part of the season, one shining light emerged. Palmer quickly lived up to his promise by scoring goals and creating assists, and before long he couldn't stop.
At one stage, the winger was level with Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot while also featuring near the top of the assists standings, too. Palmer ended the season with 33 goal involvements, scoring 22 and assisting 11 - not bad for his full debut season.
Chelsea eventually caught up with their star player to end the season strong and gain a place in Europe, but were it not for Palmer they would have been dead and buried long before the run-in.
AM: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
The season Foden went from a top talent to an undroppable world-class player. In the injury absence of Kevin De Bruyne and with Haaland not quite at his lethal best, Foden stepped up to lead City through his performances and goals.
Smashed his previous season-best by scoring 19 goals while also providing eight assists on his way to being named the Premier League Player of the Year.
The task now falls on England manager Gareth Southgate, who needs to make Foden a central part of his plans at the Euros this summer. How he utilises the City star could be the difference between success and disappointment in Germany.
LW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
The England winger excelled in his first full season at Newcastle and took his game to an entirely new level. Gordon broke double figures for goals for the first time with 11 while also providing 10 assists for 21 goal involvements.
Alongside the brilliant Alexander Isak, Gordon became an integral part of Newcastle's attack and has transformed his potential into becoming a top-level Premier League player.
CF: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
There was plenty of competition for the centre-forward role in this team. Haaland was a leading candidate for his league-leading 27 goals, while Isak was exceptional for Newcastle, and Dominic Solanke had his best season for Bournemouth.
But the nod goes to Watkins for his complete role in guiding Aston Villa back to the Champions League for the first time in 41 years (when it was still the European Cup). The England striker scored 19 goals and topped the assists chart with 13, ensuring 32 goal involvements for a stellar season.
Watkins and Villa can now look forward to testing themselves against Europe's best.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
The view from The National
Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight
Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.
Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.
“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.
Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.
Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.
However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.
With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.
In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.
The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
