Arsenal celebrated at the end as though they'd won a trophy, which, by their rather dismal standards these days, they had. They came fourth, and so get to enjoy another brief taste of Champions League soccer next season.

It adds slightly to the sense of anticlimax engulfing the end of the season.

There's change afoot all around the league, but from Arsenal we can probably expect more of the same: Arsene Wenger will buy a few more unproven players, struggle in the league and get dumped out of Europe early.

It's all around them that things are looking more interesting. Spurs, pipped at the post again, now have one big question facing them: Will their star player, Gareth Bale, stay? If so, things will look quite promising under their pixie-like Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Former Spurs boss David Pleat said Sunday that Bale was definitely staying. Neutrals will hope he does. There's something depressing about seeing the big clubs hoovering up all the talent.

Also, one of the most enticing things about next season is just how different it will look. Managers throughout the league are quitting, being fired or eyeing the exit door, with unloved Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez ready to march out, nose aloft and flicking V signs behind him as he goes.

Well, the fans did call him a fat Spanish waiter, and "the interim one." Everyone expects the original "special one" to return - mean, moody, magnificent Mourinho. And come on, admit it, quite a lot of us actually want to see that.

Yes, he's a master more of soccer's dark arts than its beautiful qualities, and he's elevated arrogance to an art form. But he also creates competitive teams.

The top three is looking pretty tasty already, with the two Manchester teams likely to spend on new players as well.

Liverpool seem to be in a good position to challenge Spurs and Arsenal for fourth, so the top half of the table looks to be in pretty rude health.

What about everyone else? Some are saying the relegation battle will be less interesting next season, as Cardiff and Hull are both rubbish and strong bets to go straight back down again. The winners of the playoff between Watford and Crystal Palace will probably struggle too.

But bring it on anyway; I'm missing the Premiership already.

The author is a copy editor with the Global Times. thomasjohnspearman@globaltimes.com.cn