Arsenal Thread | 2025/26

[Danny Tiatto]

If he fucks up the title from such a dominant position I think he'll be out.

Please let this outcome occur

 

[KentBlue]

But putting Pep Guardiola in the same bracket as ferguson while doing so and in a City forum? fuck off with that nonsense.

Final straw for me. Sorry Bridgeno1, equating an ignorant, foul-mouthed, Glaswegian drunkard to the suave and honourable Pep Guardiola is an insult too far.
Whether or not offence was intended is not relevant, I am offended so I'm blocking you.


I've always liked opposing fans coming on here and debating football: it's healthy. It's balanced. It's refreshing to hear from fans of other clubs, to read and analyze their views on the game, to enjoy the cut and thrust of differing opinions. But sadly too many opposition fans come on to the forum, they sign up with good and well-meaning intentions, but they always end up alienating themselves by going to great lengths to protect their own clubs from criticism whilst simultaneously having a snidey dig at the club's forum members.

Personally, I find it odd to think that someone has enough spare time on their hands to want to sign up to another club's forum, initially present themselves as pleasant, affable, decent people, but then ultimately show their true colours by behaving like immature school children trying to provoke arguments in the playground.

 

[youngbob]

Watch this space RE: them pulling out of the international friendlies. If Arteta starts telling his players that they can't cope with 2-3 games each week due to fitness, there's a chance they'll start to believe it.

Their schedule for the rest of the season will do to them what it did to Liverpool in 2022 imo. Arteta doesn't trust his B-team despite him needing them - we just need to be in the right position to take advantage.

Southampton (A)
3 days
Sporting (A)
4 days
Bournemouth (H) 12.30 KO
4 days
Sporting (H)
4 days
City (A)
6 days
FA Cup-semi final (N)
4 days
CL semi-final (A)
4 days
Fulham (H)
3 days
CL semi-final (H)
4 days
West Ham (A)
3-4 days
Newcastle (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Palace (A)
7 days
CL final (N)

12 games on 3-4 days rest.

Compared to:

Liverpool (H) 12.45 KO
8 days
Chelsea (A)
7 days
Arsenal (H)
7 days
FA Cup semi-final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Everton (A)
5 days
Brentford (H)
3-4 days
Palace (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Bournemouth (A)
3-4 days
Villa (H)

6 games on 3-4 days rest.

 

[KentBlue]

Agree with what you're saying, but I don't think Arteta trusts his A-team much, either. He has a very negative mindset and he's allowed it to get the better of him many times in the past few years. Instead of trusting his players to go out and score he has them going out to stop the other side from scoring. That in itself says a great deal about his faith in his own attacking players. He's basically saying: "Yes, I know you have that killer instinct in front of goal. And I know you have that ability to create spaces in the opposition penalty area, but I think it's far better if you stay back and help the defence out." His forwards will be thinking: 'So what the fuck did you bring me here for?'

 

[Bantamgaz]

Not a chance we win the league next year. Not because teams will figure us out but it'll be because there will be such a collective relief that we won't have the drive.

This ain't a vintage PL winner team. It doesn't have the secret sauce. But winning it once after 22 years will do, and if we can win it every 3/4 years thereafter with the odd cup thrown in that'll do as it's miles better than what we had before.

TLDR your 4 in a row record is safe for the foreseeable future!

Or the footballing powers will cut out your shitehouse tactics :) lets not forget this is now a worldwide brand a entertaining one at that last thing the powers that be need is a negative boring shithouse side leading the way

 

[GunnerGer]

Watch this space RE: them pulling out of the international friendlies. If Arteta starts telling his players that they can't cope with 2-3 games each week due to fitness, there's a chance they'll start to believe it.

Their schedule for the rest of the season will do to them what it did to Liverpool in 2022 imo. Arteta doesn't trust his B-team despite him needing them - we just need to be in the right position to take advantage.

Southampton (A)
3 days
Sporting (A)
4 days
Bournemouth (H) 12.30 KO
4 days
Sporting (H)
4 days
City (A)
6 days
FA Cup-semi final (N)
4 days
CL semi-final (A)
4 days
Fulham (H)
3 days
CL semi-final (H)
4 days
West Ham (A)
3-4 days
Newcastle (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Palace (A)
7 days
CL final (N)

12 games on 3-4 days rest.

Compared to:

Liverpool (H) 12.45 KO
8 days
Chelsea (A)
7 days
Arsenal (H)
7 days
FA Cup semi-final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Everton (A)
5 days
Brentford (H)
3-4 days
Palace (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Bournemouth (A)
3-4 days
Villa (H)

6 games on 3-4 days rest.

I think before this international break we've had 1, maybe 2 midweeks off since November or something like that, so this will be nothing new.

Actually, if you don't count international breaks, we've had 2 midweeks off since the end of August.

 

[youngbob]

I think before this international break we've had 1 midweek off since November or something like that, so this will be nothing new.

And look at your performances over the last 5-6 games. It all adds up at the worst possible time. The added pressure on each of these games won't make it any easier either.

Whether we're good enough to catch you is another matter, but you will absolutely drop off. Think the title will be the only trophy you win if we don't make up the gap. If we do, you'll be empty-handed imo.

 

[Danny Tiatto]

Watch this space RE: them pulling out of the international friendlies. If Arteta starts telling his players that they can't cope with 2-3 games each week due to fitness, there's a chance they'll start to believe it.

Their schedule for the rest of the season will do to them what it did to Liverpool in 2022 imo. Arteta doesn't trust his B-team despite him needing them - we just need to be in the right position to take advantage.

Southampton (A)
3 days
Sporting (A)
4 days
Bournemouth (H) 12.30 KO
4 days
Sporting (H)
4 days
City (A)
6 days
FA Cup-semi final (N)
4 days
CL semi-final (A)
4 days
Fulham (H)
3 days
CL semi-final (H)
4 days
West Ham (A)
3-4 days
Newcastle (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Palace (A)
7 days
CL final (N)

12 games on 3-4 days rest.

Compared to:

Liverpool (H) 12.45 KO
8 days
Chelsea (A)
7 days
Arsenal (H)
7 days
FA Cup semi-final (N)
3-4 days
Burnley (H)
3-4 days
Everton (A)
5 days
Brentford (H)
3-4 days
Palace (H)
3-4 days
FA Cup final (N)
3-4 days
Bournemouth (A)
3-4 days
Villa (H)

6 games on 3-4 days rest.

Important that they are stretched and tested in as many of these games as possible as well. For example will they advance past Sporting? Most likely. However let’s hope that the tie is still in the balance after the first leg so the 2nd one is full of emotion.

Same with the early Bournemouth kickoff. Yes they will probably win it but lets hope at the minimum Bournemouth make them sweat and test their nerve. The more emotional arsenal get the bigger the crash down will be.

Arteta always looks like a nervous wreck on the sidelines. He exudes zero confidence or calmness. We need him psychologically pushed to the absolute limit.

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

Just read that 12…. 12! Arsenal players have withdrawn their services from their respective international teams due to ‘injury.’

Astonishing cowardice..

An utterly repugnant club, from top to bottom.

 

[GunnerGer]

And look at your performances over the last 5-6 games. It all adds up at the worst possible time. The added pressure on each of these games won't make it any easier either.

Whether we're good enough to catch you is another matter, but you will absolutely drop off. Think the title will be the only trophy you win if we don't make up the gap. If we do, you'll be empty-handed imo.

Yes, lets see. Lots of factors at play here, form, fitness, ability to handle pressure, ability to rotate etc.

I still say the next league games will be massive in terms of the title, us at home to Bournemouth, you guys at Chelsea. Whoever comes out of that weekend the happier will go a long way to deciding the title.

Looking at the schedules, having 2 midweeks off potentially from September to May is getting a bit ridiculous.

All the more reason to be 'injured' for international friendlies. ;-)

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Yes, lets see. Lots of factors at play here, form, fitness, ability to handle pressure, ability to rotate etc.

I still say the next league games will be massive in terms of the title, us at home to Bournemouth, you guys at Chelsea. Whoever comes out of that weekend the happier will go a long way to deciding the title.

Looking at the schedules, having 2 midweeks off potentially from September to May is getting a bit ridiculous.

All the more reason to be 'injured' for international friendlies. ;-)

Fitness? We’re not falling for that bullshit.

 

[TheBlueCat]

Yes, lets see. Lots of factors at play here, form, fitness, ability to handle pressure, ability to rotate etc.

I still say the next league games will be massive in terms of the title, us at home to Bournemouth, you guys at Chelsea. Whoever comes out of that weekend the happier will go a long way to deciding the title.

Looking at the schedules, having 2 midweeks off potentially from September to May is getting a bit ridiculous.

All the more reason to be 'injured' for international friendlies. ;-)

Clearly even their own fans condone this mentally weak, cowardly, pathetic approach.

Then they get upset when the footballing world calls them bottlers! (For ‘injured’ see ‘bottled it’ [again].)

 

[GunnerGer]

Clearly even their own fans condone this mentally weak, cowardly, pathetic approach.

Then they get upset when the footballing world calls them bottlers! (For ‘injured’ see ‘bottled it’ [again].)

Funny, because you can go throw various threads in here and see plenty City fans saying they wish they'd do it more, go on social media there's plenty of Utd fans, Liverpool fans, with no love at all for these international friendlies.

I don't give a flying feck for them, so if that's cowardly, then so be it.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Deceit is a better word.

 

[bluethrunthru]

Just read that 12…. 12! Arsenal players have withdrawn their services from their respective international teams due to ‘injury.’

Astonishing cowardice..

Par for the course - just hope it does them no good and of course we finish top. The look on Arteta's face will be something to behold

 

[Blueboy73]

Final straw for me. Sorry Bridgeno1, equating an ignorant, foul-mouthed, Glaswegian drunkard to the suave and honourable Pep Guardiola is an insult too far.
Whether or not offence was intended is not relevant, I am offended so I'm blocking you.


I've always liked opposing fans coming on here and debating football: it's healthy. It's balanced. It's refreshing to hear from fans of other clubs, to read and analyze their views on the game, to enjoy the cut and thrust of differing opinions. But sadly too many opposition fans come on to the forum, they sign up with good and well-meaning intentions, but they always end up alienating themselves by going to great lengths to protect their own clubs from criticism whilst simultaneously having a snidey dig at the club's forum members.

Personally, I find it odd to think that someone has enough spare time on their hands to want to sign up to another club's forum, initially present themselves as pleasant, affable, decent people, but then ultimately show their true colours by behaving like immature school children trying to provoke arguments in the playground.

I blocked this clown a while ago after he claimed Declan Rice was in the same class as YaYa Toure.

 

[Blueboy73]

I think before this international break we've had 1, maybe 2 midweeks off since November or something like that, so this will be nothing new.

Actually, if you don't count international breaks, we've had 2 midweeks off since the end of August.

We've also been playing most midweeks too, the only extra you've had so far is the Wolves away game which is why we've got a game in hand.
We played in the Club World Cup in the US last summer which disrupted our pre season whilst your "injured" players were putting their feet up.

Granted you've got at least 2 more European games but we've got a league game to fit in somewhere.

The difference is Pep isn't encouraging his players to pull out of internationals.

Personally I think Arteta is shitting himself;moreso since being schooled in front of millions by Pep a week last Sunday.

 

[GunnerGer]

We've also been playing most midweeks too, the only extra you've had so far is the Wolves away game which is why we've got a game in hand.
We played in the Club World Cup in the US last summer which disrupted our pre season whilst your "injured" players were putting their feet up.

Granted you've got at least 2 more European games but we've got a league game to fit in somewhere.

The difference is Pep isn't encouraging his players to pull out of internationals.

Personally I think Arteta is shitting himself;moreso since being schooled in front of millions by Pep a week last Sunday.

He's probably quite right to be shitting himself. He's seen Eze and Timber get injured before the international break and miss the cup final. He's seen Madueke and Hincapie play and get injured in shitty friendlies during the international break. He seen Gabriel get injured playing a friendly for Brazil in November. He seen injuries ruin any chance of a challenge last year when he lost most of his forwards over winter and had to play Merino up front. So considering we've won fuck all in 5 years, still in 3 competitions, I would hope he and the players are being over cautious and protective.

 

[Blueboy73]

He's probably quite right to be shitting himself. He's seen Eze and Timber get injured before the international break and miss the cup final. He's seen Madueke and Hincapie play and get injured in shitty friendlies during the international break. He seen Gabriel get injured playing a friendly for Brazil in November. He seen injuries ruin any chance of a challenge last year when he lost most of his forwards over winter and had to play Merino up front. So considering we've won fuck all in 5 years, still in 3 competitions, I would hope he and the players are being over cautious and protective.

Sounds like excuses to me.
Every club gets injuries, Gvardiol and Dias missed the final through injury and Guehi wasn't eligible yet we still managed to keep a clean sheet, it's how you manage it.
Stones picked up an injury and Foden was lucky not to pick up an injury during this break but you don't see our lads pulling out en masse with fictional injuries which we all know will magically clear up before the next club fixture.
Scraping the barrel going back to last season, perhaps you should look at the injuries we picked up over the last two winters.
Over cautious and protective my arse, Arteta and his squad of mentally weak bottlers are shittiing themselves after their recent schooling.
Our lads have had a longer season due to the club world cup and are still in with a shout on two more fronts after bagging one trophy yet you don't see them crying off from internationals.

 

[TheBlueCat]

Funny, because you can go throw various threads in here and see plenty City fans saying they wish they'd do it more, go on social media there's plenty of Utd fans, Liverpool fans, with no love at all for these international friendlies.

I don't give a flying feck for them, so if that's cowardly, then so be it.

I don’t do social media.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, I give no fucks for other teams.
I note you don’t defend what I alleged. I can only assume you agree with me..
Cowardly fucking team..