With the season coming to an end, for many, eyes have turned toward next season. There remain places to be fought for and in the case of Arsenal, a Premier League title win is very much a possibility if a little bit, okay a lot, of luck goes their way.

Meanwhile, the European places need to be sorted with both Chelsea and Tottenham still in contention for one of three outcomes: Europa League, Conference League or neither. With the latter pair finishing their first season under a new head coach, it provides more clarity as to what can be expected and with greater knowledge of their squad we know what could be to come.

Therefore, football.london takes a look at how the big three London clubs rank regarding their futureproofing, expected competitiveness and potential success. All three are in very different situations with plenty of room for dips and elevations in the coming years.

Arsenal

The best of the bunch by some distance this season and the position in the table shows it. Mikel Arteta has become one of the most appreciated coaches in the league and thanks to the work behind the scenes has the second-best squad in the league with scope for it to improve even further.

Where title rivals Liverpool’s talismanic figures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are reaching their twilight years, the best of the Gunners still have their prime years well ahead of them. From Bukayo Saka to Martin Odegaard and William Saliba the north London side are looking for dominance with the other title challengers entering periods of uncertainty.

The summer is expected to be another big one too with more investment in the forward line, central midfield and defence. Moving on the surplus and expendable players to be replaced with much more competitive profiles – the future looks very bright indeed.

Chelsea

Perhaps the trickiest of the three to assess because from the reaction of arguably a majority of Chelsea supporters Mauricio Pochettino’s days should be numbered. That said, the Blues have experienced a turn in form which could add a top-six finish to two trips to Wembley this season.

All the while having accomplished this under the pressure of one of the worst spates of injuries the league has ever seen. Yes, the investment has been astronomical but players like Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have continually suffered with problems not to mention the likes of Romeo Lavia who is yet to feature in more than one game.

Cole Palmer has effectively carried them for much of the campaign but there is potential in the squad and the recent form is evidence enough of this. Chelsea have recorded two draws against the treble winners scoring six goals, beaten Spurs twice again scoring six goals and drawn with Arsenal and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino has something, but the question is does he have time? Many fans’ patience has already run out but Todd Boehly might be minded to stick with a side who for me edge ahead of Tottenham in terms of future competitiveness.

Tottenham

Then comes Ange Postecoglou’s side who are enduring a very difficult end to their campaign which, honestly, has informed a lot of the view moving forward. The Australian coach came into the league with new ideas and this sustained his side for a time but as clubs have got savvy to his operations which he speaks sternly of sticking to it has cost them repetitively.

Talk had been of whether they would catch Aston Villa and finish fourth, now the conversation is whether they can stave off Newcastle and Chelsea in the race for the top six. Three games remain and finishing seventh or even eighth if Manchester United somehow win their final three games and Spurs lose all three of theirs would be disastrous considering how far they have come.

The squad has suffered issues and the form of James Maddison dropping off a cliff has been huge. More investment is needed but will it be enough to deal with the spending of their rivals and now teams have become aware of Postecoglou’s ways can they be a surprise package next season?

For now, there are simply too many question marks to place them above a very young and improving Chelsea side. Daniel Levy has a lot of work to do.

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