Arsenal Thread | 2025/26

[Earlyriser]

Even when Chelsea players tried to break up field when Arsenal were taking a corner they were prevented from doing so by Arsenal players continuing to grab them. The ref just watched. Disgrace to the game.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

One thing they do very well is to block opponents making a run after they have played the ball. The referee often plays advantage but more often than not, no advantage occurs.

Obstructing another opponent by blocking them is an offence. The referees ignore it. This tactic at corners is just cheating. Leeds used to do it in the late 60s till referees clamped down on it. This Arsenal team are just a pale imiitation of "dirty Leeds" the biggest cheats in English football. Brian Clough was spot on about them. You never saw his teams cheating, or Bob Paisley and Matt Busby for that matter. English football was blighted by dirty defensive and negative football in the mid to late 1980s. The crowds collapsed, the international team collapsed, and football almost died, Hooliganism was also a factor but not as much as sheer boredom watching shite English football. Arsenal will destroy the PL if it is allowed to continue. The media will not call it out because they want City to be toppled at all costs. And I'm sure Pep and the players know this.

 

[Newman123]

Fair play to those of you who sat through the whole 90-plus minutes of that bland, unimaginative, safety-first dross Arsenal dished up last night. I doff my cap to you hearty souls who persevered from kick off to full time in the hope that a game of football might suddenly break out. Patiently watching with fingers crossed in the vain hope that a team costing millions and millions, playing at home in a Cup semi-final, might actually do something adventurous for the first time, like take a throw-in in less than 2 minutes.

In all the years of following our national sport we've seen them all come and go: Wimbledon, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Bolton Wanderers - we've endured every type of anti-football that has ever existed. But last night was truly the nadir, the all-time low, the death rattle of the sport we've come to love and cherish.

But I have to give a special mention to all you Arsenal fans, you people who pay a lot of money week in week out to watch that utterly indefensible abomination your club served up last night: a club that once had Overmars, Henry, Wright, Bergkamp etc in their ranks, reduced to relying on set-pieces for a 1-0 victory.

In two words: Fuck that!

Im an Arsenal fan and hate how we play but at the end of the day Chelsea came to the Emirates needing to score. If Arsenal played open and conceded more than one to eventually lose, people would be laughing and calling us bottlers and inexperienced. I was more shocked to see Chelsea playing like they were the ones in the lead and not trying to do anything until the last 10 mins.

Also, you should be chuffed to potentially face us in the final. Even if you're at the worst state you've been in, Arteta and the squad seem to be still scared of you and Liverpool. You're more likely to beat us in a final than Chelsea based on Chelsea somehow managing to win finals whenever they get to them.

If we win the league/CL and a cup then I'll take take it but would hope we play better next season. What matters though if it's enough to win the league (Something we havent done for 20 years now).

Ignore the above as Manchester United will be winning the league this season anyway....

 

[KentBlue]

Football is in the gutter at the moment.

Exceptionally poor value for money.

Agree 100% with both statements. It was heading for the gutter a few years back with the likes of Suarez biting anything that moved, and being celebrated by his dipper team mates for his racist behaviour. That is when I started to seriously think about giving up the sport for good. The last few years with the way we (City) have been treated by var and pgmol, the utter contempt the likes of Sly and the BBC have for us, and their disgusting arse-licking of the red cartel has pushed me ever forward to the day I finally say: "Fuck it, I've had enough of football in this country."
But that display of non-football from last night, when that square-headed assassin and his team of anti-football androids walked out onto the pitch and single-handedly murdered the sport I have loved for so long was the end.

Manchester City have been my life since I was a runny-nosed little sod at primary school, kicking tennis balls about in the playground with my schoolmates. I love the club as if it were my family, it has been that important to me. But when I switch on YouTube or whatever and see mega-cunts like Simon Jordan telling the world that we are a club of cheats, that we should be disbanded and expelled from football for ever despite there being no evidence of any wrong doing on our behalf, and the general public are standing up and applauding his venomous attacks on the club I have supported all my life, then I'm pissed off. I'm fucking furious.

Yes, football is in the gutter: and the longer people like Arteta are given free reign to poison the sport the further into that gutter we will all be pushed.

 

[WiganBlue1986]

Im an Arsenal fan and hate how we play but at the end of the day Chelsea came to the Emirates needing to score. If Arsenal played open and conceded more than one to eventually lose, people would be laughing and calling us bottlers and inexperienced. I was more shocked to see Chelsea playing like they were the ones in the lead and not trying to do anything until the last 10 mins.

Also, you should be chuffed to potentially face us in the final. Even if you're at the worst state you've been in, Arteta and the squad seem to be still scared of you and Liverpool. You're more likely to beat us in a final than Chelsea based on Chelsea somehow managing to win finals whenever they get to them.

If we win the league/CL and a cup then I'll take take it but would hope we play better next season. What matters though if it's enough to win the league (Something we havent done for 20 years now).

Ignore the above as Manchester United will be winning the league this season anyway....

Never used to mind the arsenal growing up as city was shite and you were uniteds biggest rivals at the time, played football the right way and remember city being away to port vale and it was the game overmars scored in at old toilet in an early and the city fans watching it in the bar went bananas cheering you on. Seem you dish out some shoe ins at Maine road with the likes of Pirelli, Henry, Ljunberg and Vieira running riot being 4 and 5 mil after 20 minutes, dreaming of seeing city play that type of football

 

[TinFoilHat]

After the Enlightenment of the Pep era, I fear we're entering football's dark age.

Sam Allerdyce taking over from Pep so we can compete fairly.

 

[Earlyriser]

Their last League Cup final appearance.

A few days later the worst home support ever for an Premier League game.
Small time cunts.

Their last League Cup final appearance.

A few days later the worst home support ever for an Premier League game.
Small time cunts.

Watching those 2 games demonstrates a number of things:
1) How we were always looking to move the ball forward.
2) How good were Aguero and Sane were esp Aguero and the work he did.
3) What a goal kick Bravo had on him
4) The speed of passing.
Happy Days

 

[Gorbachev]

Agree 100% with both statements. It was heading for the gutter a few years back with the likes of Suarez biting anything that moved, and being celebrated by his dipper team mates for his racist behaviour. That is when I started to seriously think about giving up the sport for good. The last few years with the way we (City) have been treated by var and pgmol, the utter contempt the likes of Sly and the BBC have for us, and their disgusting arse-licking of the red cartel has pushed me ever forward to the day I finally say: "Fuck it, I've had enough of football in this country."
But that display of non-football from last night, when that square-headed assassin and his team of anti-football androids walked out onto the pitch and single-handedly murdered the sport I have loved for so long was the end.

Manchester City have been my life since I was a runny-nosed little sod at primary school, kicking tennis balls about in the playground with my schoolmates. I love the club as if it were my family, it has been that important to me. But when I switch on YouTube or whatever and see mega-cunts like Simon Jordan telling the world that we are a club of cheats, that we should be disbanded and expelled from football for ever despite there being no evidence of any wrong doing on our behalf, and the general public are standing up and applauding his venomous attacks on the club I have supported all my life, then I'm pissed off. I'm fucking furious.

Yes, football is in the gutter: and the longer people like Arteta are given free reign to poison the sport the further into that gutter we will all be pushed.

Another factor as to why I may have to consider a hiatus if it carries on.

Never in the history of the game has a club been so publicly scrutinised as ours, and because of all the 24/7 news and media platforms, we are on the constant defensive having to back our club.

On many occasions I have got into bitter arguments at work or social events with friends and randoms having to back City when my support for the club gets brought up.

I can't be bothered with it all anymore.

I also find it more and more impossible to watch a City game on the TV because the punditry and commentary is so clearly biased against the club. I used to enjoy watching it, now whenever I do, I need to consider blood pressure tablets to cope.

I shouldn't have to mute my TV when I watch City.

 

[Gesario]

Agree 100% with both statements. It was heading for the gutter a few years back with the likes of Suarez biting anything that moved, and being celebrated by his dipper team mates for his racist behaviour. That is when I started to seriously think about giving up the sport for good. The last few years with the way we (City) have been treated by var and pgmol, the utter contempt the likes of Sly and the BBC have for us, and their disgusting arse-licking of the red cartel has pushed me ever forward to the day I finally say: "Fuck it, I've had enough of football in this country."
But that display of non-football from last night, when that square-headed assassin and his team of anti-football androids walked out onto the pitch and single-handedly murdered the sport I have loved for so long was the end.

Manchester City have been my life since I was a runny-nosed little sod at primary school, kicking tennis balls about in the playground with my schoolmates. I love the club as if it were my family, it has been that important to me. But when I switch on YouTube or whatever and see mega-cunts like Simon Jordan telling the world that we are a club of cheats, that we should be disbanded and expelled from football for ever despite there being no evidence of any wrong doing on our behalf, and the general public are standing up and applauding his venomous attacks on the club I have supported all my life, then I'm pissed off. I'm fucking furious.

Yes, football is in the gutter: and the longer people like Arteta are given free reign to poison the sport the further into that gutter we will all be pushed.

Excellent

 

[Kippax77]

Never used to mind the arsenal growing up as city was shite and you were uniteds biggest rivals at the time, played football the right way and remember city being away to port vale and it was the game overmars scored in at old toilet in an early and the city fans watching it in the bar went bananas cheering you on. Seem you dish out some shoe ins at Maine road with the likes of Pirelli, Henry, Ljunberg and Vieira running riot being 4 and 5 mil after 20 minutes, dreaming of seeing city play that type of football

Was it that same bar that day mate.
Port Vale away

 

[Gesario]

Another factor as to why I may have to consider a hiatus if it carries on.

Never in the history of the game has a club been so publicly scrutinised as ours, and because of all the 24/7 news and media platforms, we are on the constant defensive having to back our club.

On many occasions I have got into bitter arguments at work or social events with friends and randoms having to back City when my support for the club gets brought up.

I can't be bothered with it all anymore.

I also find it more and more impossible to watch a City game on the TV because the punditry and commentary is so clearly biased against the club. I used to enjoy watching it, now whenever I do, I need to consider blood pressure tablets to cope.

I shouldn't have to mute my TV when I watch City.

Are you me in disguise? Bang on that

 

[bridgeno1]

Chelsea have changed managers 5 times since they last beat Arsenal!

 

[bridgeno1]

Chelsea approach in Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal leaves Paul Merson flabbergasted

Paul Merson shocked by Chelseas approach in Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal; Chelsea lost 1-0 at the Emirates to go down 4-2 on aggregate; Merson said: They went out with a whimper; Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior hit back at the criticsm: Ive been a pundit its easy

www.skysports.com

What about Arsenal approach ? Arsenal were at home had 44% possession and only 2 shot on target .

Can you imagane how the media would say if City having spend all this money play football like Arsenal does.

Chelsea were a goal down and turned up at the Emirates with 5 at the back. This against a team known for having a great defence and being lethal at set pieces.

What did you expect Arsenal would do? Take off some defenders and try and overload to score 5 goals? This played into Arsenal's hands and was idiotic from Rosenior. Arsenal were happy to concede possession as Chelsea were doing fuck all with it.

Boring game for the neutral but that was up to Chelsea to take the game to Arsenal as Arsenal had no need to.

BTW the media said nothing when you got a 1-1 at the Emirates playing peak haram-ball btw. Different games need different approaches.

 

[danielwood5]

Chelsea were a goal down and turned up at the Emirates with 5 at the back. This against a team known for having a great defence and being lethal at set pieces.

What did you expect Arsenal would do? Take off some defenders and try and overload to score 5 goals? This played into Arsenal's hands and was idiotic from Rosenior. Arsenal were happy to concede possession as Chelsea were doing fuck all with it.

Boring game for the neutral but that was up to Chelsea to take the game to Arsenal as Arsenal had no need to.

BTW the media said nothing when you got a 1-1 at the Emirates playing peak haram-ball btw. Different games need different approaches.

Calling breaking as many rules as possible in each game while turning the sport into a cross between Rugby and UFC an 'approach' is definitely a choice.

 

[One Fan Clapping]

Standing over the ball, when the opposition have a free kick, is another mantra they all follow. I even saw one of them instructing Eze to do just that. You have to ask why all our refs are so weak, unless City are playing.

The attacking player should just kick the ball at him. Guaranteed booking unless it’s us!

 

[Gordyola]

Im an Arsenal fan and hate how we play but at the end of the day Chelsea came to the Emirates needing to score. If Arsenal played open and conceded more than one to eventually lose, people would be laughing and calling us bottlers and inexperienced. I was more shocked to see Chelsea playing like they were the ones in the lead and not trying to do anything until the last 10 mins.

Also, you should be chuffed to potentially face us in the final. Even if you're at the worst state you've been in, Arteta and the squad seem to be still scared of you and Liverpool. You're more likely to beat us in a final than Chelsea based on Chelsea somehow managing to win finals whenever they get to them.

If we win the league/CL and a cup then I'll take take it but would hope we play better next season. What matters though if it's enough to win the league (Something we havent done for 20 years now).

Ignore the above as Manchester United will be winning the league this season anyway....

Arsenal, so called best team in the world at the moment should not have been worried about Chelsea scoring Would City of a few seasons ago have been worried? No, they would have the courage of their convictions and out scored Chelsea and probably stoped them with control. Arsenal are being held back by Arteta, long may he reign, and he is bad for football with his calculated "cheating" and concentration on set pieces and fine margins a boring team to watch Dont like the guy, and that was the case when he was at City, he never smiles

 

[Gordyola]

They are The Unwatchables!

@jimharri Needs to be added to the thread title

 

[Lowtower]

Chelsea were a goal down and turned up at the Emirates with 5 at the back. This against a team known for having a great defence and being lethal at set pieces.

What did you expect Arsenal would do? Take off some defenders and try and overload to score 5 goals? This played into Arsenal's hands and was idiotic from Rosenior. Arsenal were happy to concede possession as Chelsea were doing fuck all with it.

Boring game for the neutral but that was up to Chelsea to take the game to Arsenal as Arsenal had no need to.

BTW the media said nothing when you got a 1-1 at the Emirates playing peak haram-ball btw. Different games need different approaches.

Mate, fuck off.

You've won 1 FA Cup in legohead time.

Less lecturing, stay humble.

 

[vincent]

Chelsea were a goal down and turned up at the Emirates with 5 at the back. This against a team known for having a great defence and being lethal at set pieces.

What did you expect Arsenal would do? Take off some defenders and try and overload to score 5 goals? This played into Arsenal's hands and was idiotic from Rosenior. Arsenal were happy to concede possession as Chelsea were doing fuck all with it.

Boring game for the neutral but that was up to Chelsea to take the game to Arsenal as Arsenal had no need to.

BTW the media said nothing when you got a 1-1 at the Emirates playing peak haram-ball btw. Different games need different approaches.

Arsenal are a very good team but they are dire to watch. I dislike Liverpool more than Arsenal, but that Klopp team that competed with City for a number of years were superb and great to watch. This Arsenal team are not a patch on Klopp’s Liverpool.

 

[Longdarnit Blue]

Chelsea were a goal down and turned up at the Emirates with 5 at the back. This against a team known for having a great defence and being lethal at set pieces.

What did you expect Arsenal would do? Take off some defenders and try and overload to score 5 goals? This played into Arsenal's hands and was idiotic from Rosenior. Arsenal were happy to concede possession as Chelsea were doing fuck all with it.

Boring game for the neutral but that was up to Chelsea to take the game to Arsenal as Arsenal had no need to.

BTW the media said nothing when you got a 1-1 at the Emirates playing peak haram-ball btw. Different games need different approaches.

Chelsea tactics were to sit deep, keep the score at 0-0 and try to win the game in the last 20 minutes to take it to ET. Legohead’s game plan played right into their hands and you could so easily have conceded in those last few minutes when the game should have been out of sight.

A really top team would have played their own game with the confidence of knowing they will win not bore everyone senseless fearing they might lose.

As to your comments regarding City at the Emirates, it’s incredibly rude and disrespectful to come on to a City forum and basically slag off City and therefore City supporters.

I had to look up haram-ball as I wasn’t 100% sure of its exact meaning. For all City fans who also aren’t aware:

“Haram-ball" (or Haramball) is a slang term in football for an ultra-defensive, highly aggressive, and pragmatic playing style that prioritises winning over aesthetic quality. Often dubbed "anti-football" or "football terrorism," it involves deep defensive blocks, physical play, and counter-attacking to disrupt superior opponents.”

Perhaps you need to look closer to home at the words above and see who that footballing description resembles?

We just about put up with the shite you spout on here as a guest, but that haram-ball analogy really should see you binned off our City forum never to return.