Premier League 2025/26: Race For The Title

[albakos]

Who going to pull this dance in front of the Emirates if we pull the PL title off?



My bet is on @A_G or @hydrofluoric acid

 

[Aubamabludclat94]

Watched a great video on the Athletic from Saturday.

Raya and defenders actually adjusted to their press ok at times but the issue was the ball not sticking initially from our 10 then avoiding playing the risky pass.

White actually showed good intelligence to outmanoeuvre Tavernier positionally but we weren’t able to build anything mainly because of Havertz.

Couple of times he made an awful pass or couldn’t control the ball well enough. If we actually had Eze or a more skillful player in there we’d have got round them far easier and they’d had to have dropped deeper.

Would be more effective if you had a competent pacey player in the front three but even Martinelli and Noni should’ve been enough.

The lesson is don’t play Havertz as a 10 ever ever again. Would honestly rather Max in there against City even if he’s got a lot to learn tactically. If you can turn on it in there you’d have runners away.

The amount of times Raya played an absolute beautiful team-splitting pass that took out half their team only for Kai for him to miscontrol it when a 3-on-2 was on... it was ****ing disgusting. And somehow the Raya thread is filled with abuse against him.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

The amount of times Raya played an absolute beautiful team-splitting pass that took out half their team only for Kai for him to miscontrol it when a 3-on-2 was on... it was ****ing disgusting. And somehow the Raya thread is filled with abuse against him.

Tbf the whole team had bad games distribution wise, Raya and Gabriel no exception.

The problem was three things I can see.

Kai was awful.

Zubimendi was absolutely miles off it to a degree that I think I’d rest him against Sporting. Actually hurt us with his lack of covering and how poor he was in possession.

Then finally Madeuke and Martinelli can’t play together. Martinelli didn’t even touch the ball 10 times. We cannot control possession with those two on the pitch. He has to change it up.

If Saka comes back problem solved but I’d consider Eze and Dowman starting for Havertz and Noni because the control of the game just isn’t there at all right now.

 

[Rain Dance]

The amount of times Raya played an absolute beautiful team-splitting pass that took out half their team only for Kai for him to miscontrol it when a 3-on-2 was on... it was ****ing disgusting. And somehow the Raya thread is filled with abuse against him.

The only position Kai can work is second striker or whatever was Fellaini played as, expecting him to play passes is Arteta's mistake

 

[PeterAndre69]

The game is going to be on at 1.30am on Monday for me. Debating just not putting myself through the trauma.

City
19th
22nd (Burnley (A)
4th May (Everton (A)

Arsenal
19th
25th (Newcastle (H)
2nd May (Fulham (H)

If we lose at the Etihad and City win midweek they probably go above us on goal difference. From there it's potentially a very toxic Emirates stadium for Newcastle and Fulham before City play again.

We really cannot lose at the Etihad, mathematically we can but mentally I think it'll be done. On the flip side if we can grind out a draw and 2 wins in those next 3 games we would be 9 clear with 3 games left to play.

 

[Sniper Mik]

Watched a great video on the Athletic from Saturday.

Raya and defenders actually adjusted to their press ok at times but the issue was the ball not sticking initially from our 10 then avoiding playing the risky pass.

White actually showed good intelligence to outmanoeuvre Tavernier positionally but we weren’t able to build anything mainly because of Havertz.

Couple of times he made an awful pass or couldn’t control the ball well enough. If we actually had Eze or a more skillful player in there we’d have got round them far easier and they’d had to have dropped deeper.

Would be more effective if you had a competent pacey player in the front three but even Martinelli and Noni should’ve been enough.

The lesson is don’t play Havertz as a 10 ever ever again. Would honestly rather Max in there against City even if he’s got a lot to learn tactically. If you can turn on it in there you’d have runners away.

Havertz not working as a midfielder was brutally exposed by Villa 2 seasons ago. He still went back to it, just shows he is more concerned about being proven right than actually doing the right thing.

 

[Axel9090]

Havertz not working as a midfielder was brutally exposed by Villa 2 seasons ago. He still went back to it, just shows he is more concerned about being proven right than actually doing the right thing.

I thought that too, many times since the loss.

The villa loss was also at home and that loss happened in match 33 of the season, so ptetty much the same time of the season as this loss to Bournemouth, which was match 32. You cant write this ****.

 

[Tourbillion]

Tbf the whole team had bad games distribution wise, Raya and Gabriel no exception.

The problem was three things I can see.

Kai was awful.

Zubimendi was absolutely miles off it to a degree that I think I’d rest him against Sporting. Actually hurt us with his lack of covering and how poor he was in possession.

Then finally Madeuke and Martinelli can’t play together. Martinelli didn’t even touch the ball 10 times. We cannot control possession with those two on the pitch. He has to change it up.

If Saka comes back problem solved but I’d consider Eze and Dowman starting for Havertz and Noni because the control of the game just isn’t there at all right now.

What's so infuriating is that Zubimendi will absolutely start tomorrow and this weekend, despite his dog **** form.

 

[Goonger]

Tbf the whole team had bad games distribution wise, Raya and Gabriel no exception.

The problem was three things I can see.

Kai was awful.

Zubimendi was absolutely miles off it to a degree that I think I’d rest him against Sporting. Actually hurt us with his lack of covering and how poor he was in possession.

Then finally Madeuke and Martinelli can’t play together. Martinelli didn’t even touch the ball 10 times. We cannot control possession with those two on the pitch. He has to change it up.

If Saka comes back problem solved but I’d consider Eze and Dowman starting for Havertz and Noni because the control of the game just isn’t there at all right now.

I agree with your analysis, but i think you miss one thing. When under pressure from a high press, you need to have the ability to play long to keep the other team guessing, & Gyokeres being so poor in his duals & his hold up play generally means the ball just keeps coming back from his as well.

It's why i'm an avocate for a young forward like Kofane in the summer. At 19 he already has much better hold up play than Gyok, & will only get better through more physical growth & experience,

I watched Leeds pop the ball around yesterday found myself actually jealous at their bravery in possession & the way they were able to progress the ball up the pitch. But they also had DCL as an outlet and were able to play long to him & play off him which kept Man Utd guessing. Even someone as good at football as City are able to launch balls up to Haaland if need be.

 

[GDeep™]

The most hilarious thing about AM is the Arteta groupies having breakdowns and giving up on the league after being so insufferable for so long to anyone who raises questions about their master.

I still think we win the league, the gap is a little big with so few games left. It’ll be a whimper to the finish and this team might be the worst to win it for a very long time.

My only fear is the CL, those semi final games will mentally and physically batter us.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

I agree with your analysis, but i think you miss one thing. When under pressure from a high press, you need to have the ability to play long to keep the other team guessing, & Gyokeres being so poor in his duals & his hold up play generally means the ball just keeps coming back from his as well.

It's why i'm an avocate for a young forward like Kofane in the summer. At 19 he already has much better hold up play than Gyok, & will only get better through more physical growth & experience,

I watched Leeds pop the ball around yesterday found myself actually jealous at their bravery in possession & the way they were able to progress the ball up the pitch. But they also had DCL as an outlet and were able to play long to him & play off him which kept Man Utd guessing. Even someone as good at football as City are able to launch balls up to Haaland if need be.

The ball wasn’t getting to him because Bournemouth congested the pitch in the middle so well:

I liked how Gyokeres played because he realised any runs in behind would be the way to beat the press and our best chances came as a result of that.

The problem was that while Gabriel, Zubimendi and Raya had their worst games in an Arsenal shirt progressing the ball, Havertz also completely unable to get anything under control it was going to be a long day.

What's so infuriating is that Zubimendi will absolutely start tomorrow and this weekend, despite his dog **** form.

He needs to change it up. Adrian Clarke was saying how lethargic the team is firstly in showing for the ball and secondly with Madeuke completely failing to track back.

MLS was one of the standouts Saturday in terms of energy and with Eze back he has to restructure the team. I’d even start Dowman on the right and move Noni to the left because Martinelli is such a non-factor.

 

[viktor]

The most hilarious thing about AM is the Arteta groupies having breakdowns and giving up on the league after being so insufferable for so long to anyone who raises questions about their master.

I still think we win the league, the gap is a little big with so few games left. It’ll be a whimper to the finish and this team might be the worst to win it for a very long time.

My only fear is the CL, those semi final games will mentally and physically batter us.

i think manutd won the league with 80 points in 10/11 season is worse than arsenal if we win the league this season

 

[Tourbillion]

The ball wasn’t getting to him because Bournemouth congested the pitch in the middle so well:

I liked how Gyokeres played because he realised any runs in behind would be the way to beat the press and our best chances came as a result of that.

The problem was that while Gabriel, Zubimendi and Raya had their worst games in an Arsenal shirt progressing the ball, Havertz also completely unable to get anything under control it was going to be a long day.



He needs to change it up. Adrian Clarke was saying how lethargic the team is firstly in showing for the ball and secondly with Madeuke completely failing to track back.

MLS was one of the standouts Saturday in terms of energy and with Eze back he has to restructure the team. I’d even start Dowman on the right and move Noni to the left because Martinelli is such a non-factor.

Yep. MLS has to be given a run now. Don't care where really.

Martinelli and Noni are both trash, but I'd banish the latter to the bench for the rest of the season based on that embarrassing showing on Saturday.

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

Arteta last season complained about his short squad. This season he has a big squad but he can't do anything better

 

[PeterAndre69]

To make things worse looks like bad news for Saka.

 

[Goonger]

The ball wasn’t getting to him because Bournemouth congested the pitch in the middle so well:

I liked how Gyokeres played because he realised any runs in behind would be the way to beat the press and our best chances came as a result of that.

The problem was that while Gabriel, Zubimendi and Raya had their worst games in an Arsenal shirt progressing the ball, Havertz also completely unable to get anything under control it was going to be a long day.

Thats why you want an outlet that you can bypass the congested middle of the pitch.

I totally agree about the other problems in terms of progression, I'm just saying in those days when you do have these problems, it helps having a central forward that can duel well to retain possession to at least give a platform to try and build from.

 

[lomekian]

Tbf the whole team had bad games distribution wise, Raya and Gabriel no exception.

The problem was three things I can see.

Kai was awful.

Zubimendi was absolutely miles off it to a degree that I think I’d rest him against Sporting. Actually hurt us with his lack of covering and how poor he was in possession.

Then finally Madeuke and Martinelli can’t play together. Martinelli didn’t even touch the ball 10 times. We cannot control possession with those two on the pitch. He has to change it up.

If Saka comes back problem solved but I’d consider Eze and Dowman starting for Havertz and Noni because the control of the game just isn’t there at all right now.

Yup. The problem is we just can't keep pairings together fit.

martinelli is fine with Saka & Havertz/Jesus
Madueke would be ok if balanced with Trossard and Eze or Ode at AM.
Martinelli, Madueke, Gkoy & Havertz is our most icompatible possible front 4. 3 of them are off the ball players and the fourth is a control free chaos agent.

Ultimately all are perfectly usable in the right combinations with our more controlling and possession based attackers, but all have been wrecked by injury this year. For our group as a whole, we need the balance shifted slightly more in terms of technique and control...ideally of course you want players who have both contol and explosiveness...

 

[lomekian]

Havertz not working as a midfielder was brutally exposed by Villa 2 seasons ago. He still went back to it, just shows he is more concerned about being proven right than actually doing the right thing.

He's pnly played there because we've had no-one else due to injuries.

 

[Rex Caudillo]

Thats why you want an outlet that you can bypass the congested middle of the pitch.

I totally agree about the other problems in terms of progression, I'm just saying in those days when you do have these problems, it helps having a central forward that can duel well to retain possession to at least give a platform to try and build from.

Ideally you’d have a striker that combines Havertz and Gyokeres because when we play Kai we lose out on the defence stretching that Gyok offers.

Still think the perfect striker for an Arteta team is Osimhen. The guy is a ball magnet who’s quick and an elite finisher.

Unlikely to happen considering the money involved but your Kofane shout is also very good.

 

[Goonger]

Ideally you’d have a striker that combines Havertz and Gyokeres because when we play Kai we lose out on the defence stretching that Gyok offers.

Still think the perfect striker for an Arteta team is Osimhen. The guy is a ball magnet who’s quick and an elite finisher.

Unlikely to happen considering the money involved but your Kofane shout is also very good.

Yep, I totally agree on all this post, including about Osimhen. I still find it strange that in all this time it seems we haven't shown any serious interest in him

I think that's why I like Kofane, I've no doubt at 19 and with not a big body of work behind him the lad will be raw.

But physically he has similar characteristics that a young Osimhen had. Ideally you let him develop a season or 2 further to see how he progresses.

But talent is that rare, especially that would suit an Arteta system, and competition is that high, that unless you get in early, you risk missing out.