Arsenal Thread | 2025/26

[MCFC1993]

Just to correct you slightly, Arsenal restart time is not the worst at 40sec's, it's 6th worse at 30.2 secs.

The restart time from a corner specifically is the worst at over 40s, and that's a deliberate ploy to add to the tension defending teams have when defending a corner kick. They do that even when they aren't winning. They will drag it out more when they are though.

Ah that's fair, conflating 2 stats there, yeah it's 100% deliberate, I don't bemoan you guys for doing in the sense that teams will do whatever it takes to win.

I do bemoan the officials not enforcing the laws correctly though. They are just not strong enough, probably a consequence of VARs introduction.

They are robbing the fans of a football match though, whilst Hurzeler comments about not wanting to play that way could come across as sour grapes. I do understand Brighton fans frustrations at wanting to watch a football game, travelling, mid-week, night game and essentially had that taken away from them.

Arsenal have essentially said as long as the ball isn't in play we're fine, which is a bit mad for top of the league to be saying. I think you'll be fine in the league but the narrative this week has been strong and I can see a referee clamping down on it soon due to the pressure. Could be the CL or the cups but it feels too strong to ignore now.

 

[GunnerGer]

Ah that's fair, conflating 2 stats there, yeah it's 100% deliberate, I don't bemoan you guys for doing in the sense that teams will do whatever it takes to win.

I do bemoan the officials not enforcing the laws correctly though. They are just not strong enough, probably a consequence of VARs introduction.

They are robbing the fans of a football match though, whilst Hurzeler comments about not wanting to play that way could come across as sour grapes. I do understand Brighton fans frustrations at wanting to watch a football game, travelling, mid-week, night game and essentially had that taken away from them.

Arsenal have essentially said as long as the ball isn't in play we're fine, which is a bit mad for top of the league to be saying. I think you'll be fine in the league but the narrative this week has been strong and I can see a referee clamping down on it soon due to the pressure. Could be the CL or the cups but it feels too strong to ignore now.

No worries, just wanted to clarify. Listen, I've stated on here before, I'm not a fan at all of taking too much time to restart, and don't like us slowing the game down too much, I feel it affects our game as much as it affects others, and agree, it will probably be clamped down on, and you won't hear any complaints from me if it is.

We are playing with so much tension and nervousness at times because of past failings and rightly questions of our mentality etc, we are playing with fear of failing, and I think that feeds into it as well.

 

[danielwood5]

Ah that's fair, conflating 2 stats there, yeah it's 100% deliberate, I don't bemoan you guys for doing in the sense that teams will do whatever it takes to win.

I do bemoan the officials not enforcing the laws correctly though. They are just not strong enough, probably a consequence of VARs introduction.

They are robbing the fans of a football match though, whilst Hurzeler comments about not wanting to play that way could come across as sour grapes. I do understand Brighton fans frustrations at wanting to watch a football game, travelling, mid-week, night game and essentially had that taken away from them.

Arsenal have essentially said as long as the ball isn't in play we're fine, which is a bit mad for top of the league to be saying. I think you'll be fine in the league but the narrative this week has been strong and I can see a referee clamping down on it soon due to the pressure. Could be the CL or the cups but it feels too strong to ignore now.

Nah, it'll be next season before anything changes. This is like when Liverpool dived, tripped, punched and hacked their way to being gifted the Covid league title.
The press would talk about how Salah had been 'clever' in winning a penalty but once they'd played every team in the league once, and fans of every single Premier league team were calling them out as cheats (remember the LiVARpool memes that were everywhere for a while?) that the press started talking about their cheating. Things didn't change on the pitch until Liverpool were pretty much over the line and then the next season referees didn't give them the helping hand quite as much or as obviously as rhey had been doing due to press talking about it a bit more.
The same has happened with Arsenal this season, with all their cheating, wrestling and diving now having been witnessed by fans of all the teams in the league the discussion of it has now hit the mainstream media. That's why we've moved from the "the goalkeeper has to be stronger there" line we were getting at the start of rhe season to "something needs to be done about this".
It won't change anything this season though as we've seen by the refereeing last night in both ours and the Arsenal game, despite the uproar about Arsenal's and United's cheating last weekend, that desire to get Arsenal over the line will last as long as it needs to. Once they're over the line then we'll see a bit of clamping down on their cheating and then next season they'll be fucked as fans of none of the other Premier league teams want to watch a bent, made for tv, sporting entertainment football based product, no matter what strategic plan the Premier League have.
We've seen the same thing play out before with Leicester being given push to a title and then Liverpool getting the same 'lenient' refereeing to get them over the line. Nothing changes until the following season.

 

[MCFC1993]

Nah, it'll be next season before anything changes. This is like when Liverpool dived, tripped, punched and hacked their way to being gifted the Covid league title.
The press would talk about how Salah had been 'clever' in winning a penalty but once they'd played every team in the league once, and fans of every single Premier league team were calling them out as cheats (remember the LiVARpool memes that were everywhere for a while?) that the press started talking about their cheating. Things didn't change on the pitch until Liverpool were pretty much over the line and then the next season referees didn't give them the helping hand quite as much or as obviously as rhey had been doing due to press talking about it a bit more.
The same has happened with Arsenal this season, with all their cheating, wrestling and diving now having been witnessed by fans of all the teams in the league the discussion of it has now hit the mainstream media. That's why we've moved from the "the goalkeeper has to be stronger there" line we were getting at the start of rhe season to "something needs to be done about this".
It won't change anything this season though as we've seen by the refereeing last night in both ours and the Arsenal game, despite the uproar about Arsenal's and United's cheating last weekend, that desire to get Arsenal over the line will last as long as it needs to. Once they're over the line then we'll see a bit of clamping down on their cheating and then next season they'll be fucked as fans of none of the other Premier league teams want to watch a bent, made for tv, sporting entertainment football based product, no matter what strategic plan the Premier League have.
We've seen the same thing play out before with Leicester being given push to a title and then Liverpool getting the same 'lenient' refereeing to get them over the line. Nothing changes until the following season.

I don't disagree that the problem won't be fully rectified until next season.

I just think there'll be a game or 2 towards the end of the season where they get punished for it/made an example of. It'll probably take an opposition manager instructing his players to make the most of it. Maybe a Barcelona in the CL or a Newcastle, even us, we have the ability to whinge a bit because that's what it's going to take.

 

[danielwood5]

I don't disagree that the problem won't be fully rectified until next season.

I just think there'll be a game or 2 towards the end of the season where they get punished for it/made an example of. It'll probably take an opposition manager instructing his players to make the most of it. Maybe a Barcelona in the CL or a Newcastle, even us, we have the ability to whinge a bit because that's what it's going to take.

Yeah, they'll clamp down on it once Arsenal have been gifted the title.

 

[decmancity]

Bullying and delaying there way to a title, fair play. They know they can get away with it and I wouldnt be arsed if thats how we won a title.

 

[VOOMER]

No worries, just wanted to clarify. Listen, I've stated on here before, I'm not a fan at all of taking too much time to restart, and don't like us slowing the game down too much, I feel it affects our game as much as it affects others, and agree, it will probably be clamped down on, and you won't hear any complaints from me if it is.

We are playing with so much tension and nervousness at times because of past failings and rightly questions of our mentality etc, we are playing with fear of failing, and I think that feeds into it as well.

You team is playing to agent Webb's blue print.

 

[Longdarnit Blue]

You team is playing to agent Webb's blue print.

Red print.

 

[malg]

Bullying and delaying there way to a title, fair play. They know they can get away with it and I wouldnt be arsed if thats how we won a title.

It'll be their first title since 2003/2004. Their fans won't give a shite how it's won. I've a couple in work who actually aren't bad lads and they're very quiet about what Arsenal are up to. They know what's going on but I think it's just about getting that league title. I think they will then be under pressure to change things as they go for back to back - maybe a little more expansive and a lot, lot less shithousery.

However, if they win the title, which I fully expect them to, then there will be absolutely no criticism in the media - there will be online from opposition fans, but as you've seen with City, we don't give a fuck what opposition fans say about us, so why should Arsenal care about what someone's posting online about them.

 

[jprkas]

Bullying and delaying there way to a title, fair play. They know they can get away with it and I wouldnt be arsed if thats how we won a title.

Exactly, we have one of the best long throws (Semenyo) around but Pep is to precious to use that tactic, Arteta isn't. Rules will change for next season re time wasting, set pieces etc but Arsenal will have won the title by then. And they're not bothered by how they win it obviously.

 

[bridgeno1]

Gents I'm not saying it's anything like the same extent as Arsenal do it but I'm pretty sure I saw Haaland, Rodri, Cherki and Semenyo all dive/feign injury at some stage of yesterday's match vs Forest.

I'm not a fan of the fake bollocks but everyone does it. What pissed me off was the Trossard 'concussion' but let's not all kid ourselves that somehow City don't try to con the ref at times either.

It's part of the game and has been for some time.

 

[decmancity]

Gents I'm not saying it's anything like the same extent as Arsenal do it but I'm pretty sure I saw Haaland, Rodri, Cherki and Semenyo all dive/feign injury at some stage of yesterday's match vs Forest.

I'm not a fan of the fake bollocks but everyone does it. What pissed me off was the Trossard 'concussion' but let's not all kid ourselves that somehow City don't try to con the ref at times either.

It's part of the game and has been for some time.

Fucking hell imagine thinking it’s about feigning injuries.

 

[bennyboy]

Fucking hell imagine thinking it’s about feigning injuries.

Add on watching a City match when his mob are playing.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I only thing I’ll hold onto is Arsenal typically drop points in the games you don’t expect them too. However City are going to drop more points too.

We need to beat them in the league cup final and league game. And not scrape wins. Dominate them.

Their heads will go and that is our chance

 

[danielwood5]

Gents I'm not saying it's anything like the same extent as Arsenal do it but I'm pretty sure I saw Haaland, Rodri, Cherki and Semenyo all dive/feign injury at some stage of yesterday's match vs Forest.

I'm not a fan of the fake bollocks but everyone does it. What pissed me off was the Trossard 'concussion' but let's not all kid ourselves that somehow City don't try to con the ref at times either.

It's part of the game and has been for some time.

And did City get the decision like Arsenal do? Are City handball's ignored?
Do we get away with wrestling opposition players at set pieces constantly?
Do City get freekicks from dives constantly?
You've been gifted a title as part of the Premier Leagues strategic plan while making the Premier League unwatchable with the referees help, you must be so proud.

 

[MeatnSpudsMCFC]

I’m persistently told how rubbish they are yet they still get the job done.

 

[Urzu1234]

Nah, it'll be next season before anything changes. This is like when Liverpool dived, tripped, punched and hacked their way to being gifted the Covid league title.
The press would talk about how Salah had been 'clever' in winning a penalty but once they'd played every team in the league once, and fans of every single Premier league team were calling them out as cheats (remember the LiVARpool memes that were everywhere for a while?) that the press started talking about their cheating. Things didn't change on the pitch until Liverpool were pretty much over the line and then the next season referees didn't give them the helping hand quite as much or as obviously as rhey had been doing due to press talking about it a bit more.
The same has happened with Arsenal this season, with all their cheating, wrestling and diving now having been witnessed by fans of all the teams in the league the discussion of it has now hit the mainstream media. That's why we've moved from the "the goalkeeper has to be stronger there" line we were getting at the start of rhe season to "something needs to be done about this".
It won't change anything this season though as we've seen by the refereeing last night in both ours and the Arsenal game, despite the uproar about Arsenal's and United's cheating last weekend, that desire to get Arsenal over the line will last as long as it needs to. Once they're over the line then we'll see a bit of clamping down on their cheating and then next season they'll be fucked as fans of none of the other Premier league teams want to watch a bent, made for tv, sporting entertainment football based product, no matter what strategic plan the Premier League have.
We've seen the same thing play out before with Leicester being given push to a title and then Liverpool getting the same 'lenient' refereeing to get them over the line. Nothing changes until the following season.

Covid title? Werent they like 25 points clear before lockdown even happend? And wasn't the following season played under lockdown for longer than 2020 was? Plus 2021 was played under the altered/changed rules that were implemented for covid, longer than 2020 season was. Making 2021 less of an "organic" season, so to speak, than 2020

If 2020 was a covid title, then what was 2021?

 

[Vienna_70]

Covid title? Werent they like 25 points clear before lockdown even happend? And wasn't the following season played under lockdown for longer than 2020 was? Plus 2021 was played under the altered/changed rules that were implemented for covid, longer than 2020 season was. Making 2021 less of an "organic" season, so to speak, than 2020

If 2020 was a covid title, then what was 2021?

Sniff?

 

[danielwood5]

Covid title? Werent they like 25 points clear before lockdown even happend? And wasn't the following season played under lockdown for longer than 2020 was? Plus 2021 was played under the altered/changed rules that were implemented for covid, longer than 2020 season was. Making 2021 less of an "organic" season, so to speak, than 2020

If 2020 was a covid title, then what was 2021?

Covid title, VAR title. Call it whatever you want.
The facts are that 2019-2020 was the only league season that had a break in the middle of it.
It was also the first season that VAR was used in the Premier league. The introduction of VAR had a profound effect on the referees inability to make a decision on the pitch. Frequently, the only time the referee would make an on-pitch decision would be if a player threw themselves to the floor theatrically.
This inability to make a decision meant that players could be dragged to the floor by their neck (Rodri v Spurs for example) and nothing would happen.
Whereas, at other grounds a player could brush against a defender and do the classic three point scream, arms in the air, bend the knees mid-air twist and be awarded a freekick or penalty (for example Salah, Mane and Firmino in pretty much any game that season) as "there's contact so he's entitled to go down".
This moving towards referees only rewarding and reacting to the pathetically named "dark arts" in the game, rather than actually applying the laws of the games correctly and fairly, meant that a team that had been successful in Europe, where those tactics are de rigour and almost necessary to succeed, yet had done little domestically for a number of years were finally gifted a Premier League title, with the help of a press body that were complicit in whitewashing Liverpool's cheating. So well done Liverpool* (Covid league winners).
Unfortunately, with the introduction of VAR and Liverpool's success through cheating we've now got a Premier League that is barely watchable due to the amount of diving, time wasting, sly tackles, kicking, punching, and generally shithousery.
Your team took advantage of the referees indecision during the introduction of VAR and the levels of cheating in the Premier League has gone through the roof in the intervening years due to others emulating the cheating of Liverpool. Now Arsenal are treading the same path with a bit of extra WWE at corners and freekicks, again, aided by a complicit press and a league with a strategic plan.

 

[No One Understands]

Covid title, VAR title. Call it whatever you want.
The facts are that 2019-2020 was the only league season that had a break in the middle of it.
It was also the first season that VAR was used in the Premier league. The introduction of VAR had a profound effect on the referees inability to make a decision on the pitch. Frequently, the only time the referee would make an on-pitch decision would be if a player threw themselves to the floor theatrically.
This inability to make a decision meant that players could be dragged to the floor by their neck (Rodri v Spurs for example) and nothing would happen.
Whereas, at other grounds a player could brush against a defender and do the classic three point scream, arms in the air, bend the knees mid-air twist and be awarded a freekick or penalty (for example Salah, Mane and Firmino in pretty much any game that season) as "there's contact so he's entitled to go down".
This moving towards referees only rewarding and reacting to the pathetically named "dark arts" in the game, rather than actually applying the laws of the games correctly and fairly, meant that a team that had been successful in Europe, where those tactics are de rigour and almost necessary to succeed, yet had done little domestically for a number of years were finally gifted a Premier League title, with the help of a press body that were complicit in whitewashing Liverpool's cheating. So well done Liverpool* (Covid league winners).
Unfortunately, with the introduction of VAR and Liverpool's success through cheating we've now got a Premier League that is barely watchable due to the amount of diving, time wasting, sly tackles, kicking, punching, and generally shithousery.
Your team took advantage of the referees indecision during the introduction of VAR and the levels of cheating in the Premier League has gone through the roof in the intervening years due to others emulating the cheating of Liverpool. Now Arsenal are treading the same path with a bit of extra WWE at corners and freekicks, again, aided by a complicit press and a league with a strategic plan.

That break in the season came at a time when Liverpool had injuries mounting up, and we were starting to get into a rhythm. That respite allowed their players to rest up and return from injury, and if that hadn't happened, it seemed to me like we could catch them.

The goals scored and goal difference in the league are a more true representation of our season. Scored 102, difference was +67, compared to Liverpool's 85 scored and +52 difference. The very dubious officiating that season was enough to put off many a blue.