Premier League 2025/26: Race For The Title

[Dennis_Bergkamp_10]

Genuine question to all those people who have been nothing but overtly negative of Arsenal and Arteta for years, do you feel no shame being all giddy celebrating a title with the very same lot?

People don't stick to their morals these days. You have to go down with your agendas.

There have been a few bedwetters that haven't said anything since the Wolves game. They will be sure to quote you from their mom's basement when we drop points next though.

 

[boonthegoon]

At the same 30-29 games played stage in 22-23 we had 6 points lead. But both squads have hugely changed since then.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Saw this on Reddit, quite interesting...

Spoiler: xG Table

View attachment 44379

So we're pretty much where we're expected to be.

I like to use the Opta table as it's where all the official underlying stats come from (click on 'Expected')

Premier League Table | Opta Analyst

This is the destination for Opta stats, news, fixtures, results, tables and predictions for the English Premier League.

theanalyst.com

 

[Gooner Zig]

At the same 30-29 games played stage in 22-23 we had 6 points lead. But both squads have hugely changed since then.

The difference is, we have far better underlying metrics than City this time around whereas in 22/23 it was the opposite.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Genuine question to all those people who have been nothing but overtly negative of Arsenal and Arteta for years, do you feel no shame being all giddy celebrating a title with the very same lot?

People don't stick to their morals these days. You have to go down with your agendas.

Its kinda embarassing celebrating someone (players and club) you have been hating on for long time.

 

[Rasmi]

Saw this on Reddit, quite interesting...

Spoiler: xG Table

View attachment 44379

So we're pretty much where we're expected to be.

Goodness me has Aston Villa overachieved.

 

[dka1]

Goodness me has Aston Villa overachieved.

Yeah, it's why I never took them seriously as title contenders for even a second, because there was talk going back to earlier in the season about them over achieveing xG, and I know Emery's style is quite end to end; IMO that eventually catches you out.

 

[sdotzdot]

Its kinda embarassing celebrating someone (players and club) you have been hating on for long time.

It could never be us! Loyal just like the puffins.

 

[Martinvonkeown]

The difference is, we have far better underlying metrics than City this time around whereas in 22/23 it was the opposite.

You don't replace a DeBruyne. Rodri and Diaz aging, Foden struggling. Even overpaying for Guehl and Semenyo won't save them.

 

[Topside]

With Rice and Saka set piece delivery I have no problem, change what rules they want likes of Gabriel, Saliba, Havertz and Merino will contest and win a lot of clean headers.

Those four on and around the edge of the box running into contest a well delivered corner, free kick in between the penalty spot and six yard we will still score goals.

 

[Sapient Hawk]

We didn't learn much that we didn't already know. Our attack is rubbish and our defense will be responsible for any title win.

Massive pressure on them to keep churning out clean sheets (and score from set pieces).

Can't say this isn't in the clubs DNA though after the George Graham years.

During Graham's tenure, we at least had great wingers & strikers. That can't be said for this team, though Gyokeres has shown flashes of how good he can be if the set-up is meant to serve him.

 

[Sapient Hawk]

Genuine question to all those people who have been nothing but overtly negative of Arsenal and Arteta for years, do you feel no shame being all giddy celebrating a title with the very same lot?

People don't stick to their morals these days. You have to go down with your agendas.

Nothing to feel ashamed about because I'll be celebrating it with about 5% of the fervor I did for the three titles we won before it. Those were the ones that actually meant something to me because I felt connected to this squads & Wenger.

The same goes for the League Cup & FA Cup, I saw us win both under Graham/Wenger when both were worth their weights in Gold & actually meant something instead of being fillers as they are now for the PL & CL.

That's before I even mention how privileged I am to have watched us win the Cup Winner's Cup when it was considered a prestigious trophy to win.

As for the CL, should it happen, I'll simply be pleased we finally have a European Cup, but I really wanted it 20 years ago when THAT team & THAT manager should've won it.

 

[Topside]

Liked Evra as a sky pundit shame he didn't last long after saying live before MU opening day 3-1 defeat to CP where Zaha scored two goals in 2020.

'He didn't last long at MU because true or untrue he had an affair with David Moyes daughter.'

Sky issued an apology later and that was Evra done

 

[Wilshero]

Saw this on Reddit, quite interesting...

Spoiler: xG Table

View attachment 44379

So we're pretty much where we're expected to be.

Sp**s overperforming though

 

[Red London]

Disclaimer this is 100% hindsight but where would we have been at this point of this season if we just went for the PL proven Joao Pedro as our CF signing?

90% of us turned up our noses at him mostly because he was the uninspiring option. But he’s been pretty ****ing good for Chelsea.

He has scored a lot of goals but just as importantly his technical bar is high. He has all the hold up play, link up play, and technical ability we require from a CF.

The CF market is so dire that looking back we should have gone for what’s proven in this league considering we wanted results now.

Ultimately it wont matter too much if we win the league this season but I reckon we’d be 10 points clear right now if we signed Pedro.

 

[MikelHadADream]

Disclaimer this is 100% hindsight but where would we have been at this point of this season if we just went for the PL proven Joao Pedro as our CF signing?

90% of us turned up our noses at him mostly because he was the uninspiring option. But he’s been pretty ****ing good for Chelsea.

He has scored a lot of goals but just as importantly his technical bar is high. He has all the hold up play, link up play, and technical ability we require from a CF.

The CF market is so dire that looking back we should have gone for what’s proven in this league considering we wanted results now.

Ultimately it wont matter too much if we win the league this season but I reckon we’d be 10 points clear right now if we signed Pedro.

Thought his hold up play against Gabriel and Saliba was some of the best I’ve seen. Reminded me a little bit of Isak’s performances against even last season, minus the goals.

CF is still a significant issue for us.

 

[Iwobeast]

Disclaimer this is 100% hindsight but where would we have been at this point of this season if we just went for the PL proven Joao Pedro as our CF signing?

90% of us turned up our noses at him mostly because he was the uninspiring option. But he’s been pretty ****ing good for Chelsea.

He has scored a lot of goals but just as importantly his technical bar is high. He has all the hold up play, link up play, and technical ability we require from a CF.

The CF market is so dire that looking back we should have gone for what’s proven in this league considering we wanted results now.

Ultimately it wont matter too much if we win the league this season but I reckon we’d be 10 points clear right now if we signed Pedro.

Yeah I also wasn't feeling him a lot but he has really impressed me. I guess fans were so fed up with players in the mold of Jesus and Kai that they were desperate for a guy with elite goalscoring stats, forgetting about other things that a striker for Arsenal needs to bring to the table.

I also didn't like fans clowning on Sesko, somehow making fun of a striker with elite physical attributes and tons of potential to grow. He's developing quickly and already delivering huge moments in the high pressure environment of United.

It's coming to the point where every big club that bought a striker this summer got one that's better than ours. Berta will need to correct this because we won't get to this team's full potential without a CF of serious quality.

 

[omurphysjaw]

Relax all, in my captain hindsight eyes I would have gone for Ekitike, looks to have the best potential and right now would contribute so much to this team. I think we will go back in the market for a striker this summer.

But right now the only thing I care about is Gyokeres getting a PL winners medal round his neck this season. I think we can do it, and the next step is Everton at home. As much as I want a CL for this club, league comes first.

 

[Red London]

Relax all, in my captain hindsight eyes I would have gone for Ekitike, looks to have the best potential and right now would contribute so much to this team. I think we will go back in the market for a striker this summer.

But right now the only thing I care about is Gyokeres getting a PL winners medal round his neck this season. I think we can do it, and the next step is Everton at home. As much as I want a CL for this club, league comes first.

Yeh agree, everytime I watch Ekitike I’m jealous.

However, at the time he was a gamble especially at that price. He was the one who worked out and admittedly had a better skillset for our style.

Pedro was a super low risk option but we perceived as super low reward and wanted to go for something more sexy on the continent.

Just a bit of a lesson I guess that in the CF area it’s so dire out there that it’s probably not worth it signing a Gyokeres with so much risk around him rather than a Pedro. As I said it’s hindsight but maybe its a learning opportunity about the attack.

Saying that; I hope Arteta doesn’t get any ideas and signs Gordon for LW

 

[Gooner Zig]

Disclaimer this is 100% hindsight but where would we have been at this point of this season if we just went for the PL proven Joao Pedro as our CF signing?

90% of us turned up our noses at him mostly because he was the uninspiring option. But he’s been pretty ****ing good for Chelsea.

He has scored a lot of goals but just as importantly his technical bar is high. He has all the hold up play, link up play, and technical ability we require from a CF.

The CF market is so dire that looking back we should have gone for what’s proven in this league considering we wanted results now.

Ultimately it wont matter too much if we win the league this season but I reckon we’d be 10 points clear right now if we signed Pedro.

League would be done if we had Pedro at CF.