Arsenal Thread | 2025/26

[remember arthur mann]

Grow up. The irrational hatred for Arsenal has gotten a bit much. Half the people here are more obsessed with them then they are our own fucking club.

 

[Revolver]

We can’t win it every season and it’s obviously Arsenals year.

Scoring a scruffy goal and benefitting from a dead ball VAR decision somehow seems appropriate for an efficient dull team.

Their fans won’t care but thank goodness it’s a World Cup summer and the football world moves on.

 

[mancboy]

I can understand having a whinge at the PGMOL but turning this into a grand conspiracy is a bit much.

You are completely ignoring the point here, IF this is an example of var and the rule being applied correctly why choose this game to start applying it correctly when it has been ignored consistently all season including in the everton game when apparently our keeper must be stronger. Its one or the other either it was correct in this instance in which case arsenal have had a helping hand the whole season or it was incorrect in this instance in which case the refs bailed them out and thats ignoring the fact that at least two arsenal players are committing exactly the same foul on west ham players which were entirely ignored.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

It is instructive to take a trawl around the forums of other, neutral fan bases, including those who are not particularly well disposed towards us.
This off Griffin Park Grapevine (Brentford), this morning:

“I feel absolutely no warmth whatsoever to this Arsenal team, partly to do with their absolutely awful fans (arguably the least loyal, entitled little bitches in the league at that takes some doing)..., partly due to the way they treated Wenger back in their glory days, but mainly because of this slimey little creep of a coach.

It's fair to say that depsite Citeh's 115 potential charges, I've always respected Pep, the way he talks, comes across and of course speaks regarding Brentford. Whichever version of Brentford Pep has played, he's always had total respect and admiration for what we've done.

This tw*t on the other hand, through gritted teeth has barely said a good word about any team in the league. Plays the least attractive football that about a billion quid can buy you during his reign so far as Arsenal coach and genuinely makes someone like Roberto De Zerbi look like a stand up guy.

Arsenal may have won the league for the first time in 7 years under Arteta, but for the first time ever i'll be supporting the French team in the Champions League final. I don't particularly like PSG, what they represent or anything about them reallly... but they do play wonderful Football and Arteta cannot get it all his own way this season.

This Arsenal team may well be the worst to ever win the premier league, but that will be hard to say if they win the champions league too. Come on PSG.”

This guy has summarised a consensus that holds up and down the country amongst fans of good faith, whatever their club. I've looked at several forums, Redcafé, Chelsea Shed End etc., and the conclusion is simply what everyone watching the match saw in front of their eyes — yes, there was probably a foul on Raya, but at the same time Arsenal players were shamelessly wrestling Hammers players, including the one who fouled Raya. People are sickened by the way Arsenal have won this league (if they have), benefitting from doing exactly what got that goal chalked off all season long, in total impunity, and getting goals out of it, starting with the game against Manchester United right at the beginning of the season. Which posters on Redcafé have not been slow to point out.
The most unloved, unadmired team to be champions, if they become that, in many, many years. Better players, but — if anyone's memory stretches back that far — reminiscent in some ways of the Ian Ure Arsenal of the end of the sixties that played out probably the direst League Cup final in the history of that competition. And many other bleak, grey games.
I, like this Brentford supporter, will be 100% behind PSG at the end of the month. Anybody who loves the beautiful game as it is played out on the pitch must be.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

You are completely ignoring the point here, IF this is an example of var and the rule being applied correctly why choose this game to start applying it correctly when it has been ignored consistently all season including in the everton game when apparently our keeper must be stronger. Its one or the other either it was correct in this instance in which case arsenal have had a helping hand the whole season or it was incorrect in this instance in which case the refs bailed them out and thats ignoring the fact that at least two arsenal players are committing exactly the same foul on west ham players which were entirely ignored.

Because referees are bad at their job.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I'll still be happy for Mikel.

Happy…? Mikel…? Really, you'll be actually happy?

Just a question. Do you by any chance say “Sir Alex” as well? For me they're Arteta and Ferguson. Of course, it's your absolute right to call them what you like.
They're no mates of mine, though.

 

[Merlin's Magic]

Goal given on field, VAR can only change the decision when it is a clear and obvious error. That was not a clear and obvious error, still the goal was disallowed. West Ham practically relegated because of that joke of a decision!

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Happy…? Mikel…? Really, you'll be actually happy?

Just a question. Do you by any chance say “Sir Alex” as well? For me they're Arteta and Ferguson. Of course, it's your absolute right to call them what you like.
They're no mates of mine, though.

Ferguson and no more for me mate. Mikel or Arteta I'm not bothered.

Maybe happy was a stretch. I respect Arteta. He was a part of this club and was so during our greatest ever PL season. I'll respect the success he's achieved. I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to whinge about it obsessively. I guess that what I mean when I say happy. He deserves it.

I just think the obsession with Arsenal as a whole has gotten ridiculous. We have fucking united fans cheering us on. NO. Fuck off. I don't want those cunts on our side. Arsenal will win and I'll forget about it and enjoy the WC. Who gives a fuck?

 

[danielwood5]

I just think the obsession with Arsenal as a whole has gotten ridiculous. We have fucking united fans cheering us on. NO. Fuck off. I don't want those cunts on our side. Arsenal will win and I'll forget about it and enjoy the WC. Who gives a fuck?

The players who've been cheated out of medals and bonus payments?
Fans who want to watch football as a sport not a televised sports based entertainment product?
People who think the laws of the game should be applied equally and fairly to all teams?
Anyone who cares about the concept of fair play and a level playing field in sports?
People who think that liars, cheats and thieves shouldn't benefit from 'dark arts'?

 

[mancboy]

Because referees are bad at their job.

Once again you have entirely ignored the point, so by your assumption refs have been bad at their job the whole season apart from this one game when they decided to apply the rules correctly? Is this the first time this set of officials have reffed a game this season? Im assuming not so why choose this singular game to enforce the rules correctly as you put it? And even then if you decide that for the one single time in the season they werent bad and have decided to enforce the rules correctly why then ignore the two arsenal players committing the exact same offence on the west ham player at the same time, they are either all an offence in which case u disallow the goal and its a penalty like in the haaland disallowed goal at Liverpool where the goal got disallowed and the dipper walked OR none of them are an offence and the goal stands, the facts are the refs bailed them out when they needed it as they have all season, that is demonstrable fact and u r trying to do what people have done since the dawn of time when an uncomfortable truth emerges, trying to muddy the facts to make it look like a conspiracy theory, the problem with this is that the internet remembers everything and its all there in 4k video for everyone to see and if after that yesterday u still don't believe that football is bent then ive got a message for u to give to santa as you prob believe that too, facts not feelings.

 

[richardtheref]

Arsenal are highly likely going to win this league. They deserve to. They've been the best team all season. I think people's hatred of their fanbase is interfering with their judgement. I'll still be happy for Mikel.

The VAR decision was correct. Anyone debating against that is just silly. It being an inconsistent call also doesn't take away from the fact it was the correct call. The discourse needs to be about the inconsistency in refereeing this season, not on whether that was a foul or not. I also don't see how this shows we don't need VAR. The tool is good, the users aren't. This was a good example of it being applied correctly.

So the 3 or 4 fouls which happened prior to the 1 on Raya are overlooked and you think this is a good example of var being applied correctly? Very strange take.

 

[Norman kneejerk]

After reflecting on this one good thing is this has brought out what we knew all along that City aren't going to be allowed to win it. At least this brought in to the open what we already knew.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

The players who've been cheated out of medals and bonus payments?
Fans who want to watch football as a sport not a televised sports based entertainment product?
People who think the laws of the game should be applied equally and fairly to all teams?
Anyone who cares about the concept of fair play and a level playing field in sports?
People who think that liars, cheats and thieves shouldn't benefit from 'dark arts'?

Have I ever once defended the referees? No. My point simply has to do with people obsessing over Arsenal. It's cringe.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Once again you have entirely ignored the point, so by your assumption refs have been bad at their job the whole season apart from this one game when they decided to apply the rules correctly? Is this the first time this set of officials have reffed a game this season? Im assuming not so why choose this singular game to enforce the rules correctly as you put it? And even then if you decide that for the one single time in the season they werent bad and have decided to enforce the rules correctly why then ignore the two arsenal players committing the exact same offence on the west ham player at the same time, they are either all an offence in which case u disallow the goal and its a penalty like in the haaland disallowed goal at Liverpool where the goal got disallowed and the dipper walked OR none of them are an offence and the goal stands, the facts are the refs bailed them out when they needed it as they have all season, that is demonstrable fact and u r trying to do what people have done since the dawn of time when an uncomfortable truth emerges, trying to muddy the facts to make it look like a conspiracy theory, the problem with this is that the internet remembers everything and its all there in 4k video for everyone to see and if after that yesterday u still don't believe that football is bent then ive got a message for u to give to santa as you prob believe that too, facts not feelings.

Some full stops would be good. Maybe some paragraphing.

Refereeing is shit. The end. This is not new and it's not exclusive.

 

[danielwood5]

Have I ever once defended the referees? No. My point simply has to do with people obsessing over Arsenal. It's cringe.

Who should people be interested in if not their title rivals?
Is taking an interest in the goings on of a title chase 'cringe'?

 

[mancityscot]

they get away with considerably more rough housing in the box than any other team. I also cant think of another side where a clear headbutt would only be given as a yellow. They've been giftwrapped the title in a nice box and pretty little bow this season.

 

[FinallyGoodwin]

Happy…? Mikel…? Really, you'll be actually happy?

Just a question. Do you by any chance say “Sir Alex” as well? For me they're Arteta and Ferguson. Of course, it's your absolute right to call them what you like.
They're no mates of mine, though.

What?! To think all this time I have been calling them Lego Head and Taggart.

 

[mancboy]

Some full stops would be good. Maybe some paragraphing.

Refereeing is shit. The end. This is not new and it's not exclusive.

Oh how very droll, your bullshit nonsense has been shown up so you attack my grammar.

The last stand of an internet warrior who couldnt argue their way out of a paper bag, well if it makes you feel any better you keep missing the point like i keep missing full stops and paragraphs, because the argument of refs being shit just doesnt cut it in this instance.

IF refs were universally and consistently shit then this would have been a talking point for the whole season, however it hasnt been has it? This rule which has been ignored to benefit arsenal the whole season was called yesterday to benefit them, thats not being shit thats manipulation whichever way u slice it AND not only that when it was called 2 offences in the same play were ignored once again to benefit arsenal, explain that away because whether my grammar is poor or not its a whole lot better than your refs are crap argument.

 

[Saddleworth2]

They've been the best team all season.

Certainly best at set pieces and benefiting from a new leniency towards blocking, holding, and fouling in both penalty boxes and feigning injury. That certainly cannot be disputed.

Certainly not the best footballing side or the best to watch.

 

[mancityvstoke]

So we can't slag off Arsenal anymore?

er fuck that.