Arsenal Thread | 2025/26

[Cigs&Alc]

Inconsistency requires a much larger and more varied data set than a one time event. If something happens 35 times and doesnt happen on the 36th time that is an anomaly not an inconsistency.

If a referee calls a certain incident as a non-foul 10 times but then calls that incident a foul on the 11th time, that individual decision would be inconsistent with the last 10.

You are correct to suggest that that decision would be a statistical anomaly, but it is still inconsistent. Both are true.

 

[TFC]

Can't remember who came up with it, but this one's for you x

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Its Gabriel for me grabs hold of his shirt and crouches down

Gabriel did that all season. All season and was allowed to get away with it.

If I can step back a bit from this very local and specific debate. It's incredibly striking, this morning, what a huge disjunction, a yawning gulf there is between ordinary match-going fans up and down the country, people who pay money to go through the turnstiles in all weathers, and the media teams on television and in the press made up of ex-players (and not just ex-Arsenal players, it has to be said). Redknapp claims on Sky that people were “praying” — his word, praying — that the ref would spot Pablo's foul on Raya. Now Redknapp is not even an ex-gooner. Yet he was praying… As far as I can see, only Schmeichel has had the cojones to call out the hypocrisy of a situation where a title- and relegation-deciding goal, potentially, is ruled out for exactly the foul that Gabriel and his colleagues have been practicing with impunity all season.
Yet I say it again, I invite anyone who doubts me to take a look around many forums. And fuck me if that doesn't include Glory Glory where, despite the huge favour that Arsenal, the ref and VAR have done them, some posters are admitting that it stinks and that they feel a bit dirty!! And God knows it's not because they love us or want us to win the league. They hate us. And we render it in kind.
The ordinary fans who contribute to those forums are almost all calling out this bullshit decision. Never mind City fans, Arsenal fans, Tottenham fans or West Ham fans, all of whom have got a dog in this fight. The beeb is merrily calling this a “huge VAR decision” without for one second pointing out how it is simply wrong. They are breathless, positively jizzing themselves with the “drama” of it. And it shows, really, that the media and their employees want, above all, a story.
Not justice, just a clickbait story.
It is sooo boring, isn't it, to have have to put up with two teams winning the league between 2018 and 2026? Never mind that a lot of superb football for the neutral to watch was played by both teams. Now little old Arsenal, and little old Arteta, get their chance to strike back against the evil empires that are Liverpool and City. That's the narrative. But the ordinary supporter who loves the game is not duped.

 

[half & half derby scarf]

I've watched the incident quite a few times, and like most people, I saw penalties, fouls, grappling, shirt pulling - a real mess - but the true anomaly is when GNIAC says "This one will be ruled out", before he's even watched the replay. Then the narrative turns to what he can find. He was forensically examining it whilst continuing with the narrative, and, crucially saying he could hear every word from Stockley Park. There's a two way communicatin here. SP must have audio like everyone else. GNIAC seems to know that he is having an influence on decision making.

 

[half & half derby scarf]

Gabriel did that all season. All season and was allowed to get away with it.

If I can step back a bit from this very local and specific debate. It's incredibly striking, this morning, what a huge disjunction, a yawning gulf there is between ordinary match-going fans up and down the country, people who pay money to go through the turnstiles in all weathers, and the media teams on television and in the press made up of ex-players (and not just ex-Arsenal players, it has to be said). Redknapp claims on Sky that people were “praying” — his word, praying — that the ref would spot Pablo's foul on Raya. Now Redknapp is not even an ex-gooner. Yet he was praying… As far as I can see, only Schmeichel has had the cojones to call out the hypocrisy of a situation where a title- and relegation-deciding goal, potentially, is ruled out for exactly the foul that Gabriel and his colleagues have been practicing with impunity all season.
Yet I say it again, I invite anyone who doubts me to take a look around many forums. And fuck me if that doesn't include Glory Glory where, despite the huge favour that Arsenal, the ref and VAR have done them, some posters are admitting that it stinks and that they feel a bit dirty!! And God knows it's not because they love us or want us to win the league. They hate us. And we render it in kind.
The ordinary fans who contribute to those forums are almost all calling out this bullshit decision. Never mind City fans, Arsenal fans, Tottenham fans or West Ham fans, all of whom have got a dog in this fight. The beeb is merrily calling this a “huge VAR decision” without for one second pointing out how it is simply wrong. They are breathless, positively jizzing themselves with the “drama” of it. And it shows, really, that the media and their employees want, above all, a story.
Not justice, just a clickbait story.
It is sooo boring, isn't it, to have have to put up with two teams winning the league between 2018 and 2026? Never mind that a lot of superb football for the neutral to watch was played by both teams. Now little old Arsenal, and little old Arteta, get their chance to strike back against the evil empires that are Liverpool and City. That's the narrative. But the ordinary supporter who loves the game is not duped.

Did it in the chumps league against Atletico as well. Fouled Griezman in the box then pretended it was himself being fouled. Clear as day, and yet VAR saw nothing and gave Arse the free kick.

 

[BlueMerlin]

It is a sad state of affairs that the fates of two teams are decided on a VAR decision that is inconclusive. The official purpose of VAR as stated by the Premier League on its website is…

In the Premier League, there will be a high bar for VAR intervention on subjective decisions.

The decision of the referee, known as the “Referee’s Call”, will stand unless, in the opinion of the VAR, based upon the evidence readily available, that call is a clear-and-obvious error.

If a clear-and-obvious error is identified by the VAR, for subjective decisions, after checking the attacking possession phase (APP) for any clear infringements by the attacking team, the VAR will advise the on-pitch referees to use the pitchside monitors (the Referee Review Area (RRA)) to review the incident and make a final decision.

This momentous VAR decision was not a clear and obvious error in my opinion.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

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.

Rubbish. Most of us were happy with Arsenal when they played great football and beat United. This current team are a stain on the game. They are nearly as bad as the dirty Leeds team who also cheated at set pieces.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Happy for Mikel? Were you happy for him when he was harbouring Thomas Partey last season and saying he was glad he scored a goal cause he’s been going through a tough time away from the field.

Yes. Or when his boss was sending letters to UEFA demanding we be suspended from Europe….even before the result of the case. Arsenal are a toxic club on and off the field.

 

[balotellishaircut]

No real fan would obsess over another club like the masses have here.

And yet here we are.

So us blues are not supposed to talk about Arsenal on a Arsenal thread, give your head a wobble you daft ****, nobody is obsessing over Arsenal, only discussion about yesterday’s events, and how they benefited from a Var decision.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

So us blues are not supposed to talk about Arsenal on a Arsenal thread, give your head a wobble you daft ****, nobody is obsessing over Arsenal, only discussion about yesterday’s events, and how they benefited from a Var decision.

Half the pre-match thread for Palace is Arsenal. It's not exclusive to this thread or this forum.

Like I brought up earlier, there's fucking United fans praying we win. Bit much no?

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

That ruled-out goal at West Ham has highlighted the reason why Arsenal will win the title ?
It's got nothing to do with winning the title by fair and square; it's the helping hand they have been given all season

City fucked up at Everton, but the truth is City have been fighting the system all season, the match officials are all over us for every little thing they can find to punish us, West Ham got robbed and will go down and VAR made the call against them that the Arsenal players have been getting away with all season

To be honest I think City have not been good enough in this transition season. But I feel sorry for West Ham. This could destroy them.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

To be honest I think City have not been good enough in this transition season. But I feel sorry for West Ham. This could destroy them.

Have West Ham not made their own bed?

They've been one of the worst teams in the league all season. This season is the product of their horrible ownership. Feel for their fans but this has been coming.

 

[St.Pauli support]

I’m really gutted Arsenal won but on a positive note, we should all give credit to Declan Rice.
While a game of football was going on, he saved the life of a colleague who must have been choking with the Heimlich Maneuver
#hero
View attachment 191661

Yeah it's boring, as it's so incredible obvious.

Before Raya was fouled there were 3 perfect bear hugs on WH players while ball was in play. Rule the goal out if you like but the following penalty (or 3 of them...) is a must. No other way.

PGMOL won't give an answer and BBC won't open a HYS when things are complicated. Strange, eh?

EDIT: ...and for what reason is Raya going to ground throwing his arms in the air?
If he stays on his fuking feet it looks nothing special anymore.
Trossard does it every time, Gyokeres does it, Gabriel - disgusting.
And the bloody refs fall for it every single time. They never played football I guess.

 

[balotellishaircut]

Half the pre-match thread for Palace is Arsenal. It's not exclusive to this thread or this forum.

Like I brought up earlier, there's fucking United fans praying we win. Bit much no?

It is a bit much rags wanting City title win, but they must hate cheating Arsenal as much as we do, but you can’t control what people discuss on a forum, especially after yesterday’s events, that’s how I see it anyway.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Have West Ham not made their own bed?

They've been one of the worst teams in the league all season. This season is the product of their horrible ownership. Feel for their fans but this has been coming.

Perhaps but I think they deserved a draw with Arsenal

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Not replying for you.

Arsenal have the most points. They have the most xPTS. They have the best GD. They have been defensively better by quite some margin. They quite clearly have been the best team.

Does that mean they are particularly good by any historical standards? NO.

I am not saying that Arsenal are any joy to watch nor am I saying they haven't benefited from a very weak PL. As far as I'm concerned WE have lost the league. This Arsenal team just isn't that good. But the fact is they have been the best team and as a result are deserving winners. Some people just to need to accept that and move on.

Nobody has to accept anything just because you say so.

If they really were the best team, their manager and players would not need to resort to their disgusting tactics and approach to games.

You are in no position to dictate what other people should accept, and there are plenty of observers who believe that there is little or no credibility in the performances and decisions arrived at by the referees and VAR operatives.

And arsenal have benefited massively throughout the season by very " favourable" decisions from referees and VAR operatives. So much so as to bring their credibility, honesty and integrity into question, to the point where it stinks of corruption.

 

[Cigs&Alc]

Nobody has to accept anything just because you say so.

If they really were the best team, their manager and players would not need to resort to their disgusting tactics and approach to games.

You are in no position to dictate what other people should accept, and there are plenty of observers who believe that there is little or no credibility in the performances and decisions arrived at by the referees and VAR operatives.

And arsenal have benefited massively throughout the season by very " favourable" decisions from referees and VAR operatives. So much so as to bring their credibility, honesty and integrity into question, to the point where it stinks of corruption.

Well if you want to ignore every metric that would indicate they have been the better team all season, then go for it. Good for you.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Well if you want to ignore every metric that would indicate they have been the better team all season, then go for it. Good for you.

I refuse to accept anything you have to say on the matter as you clearly choose to ignore the very relevant influences which have been allowed to assist their position and impact upon other teams challenge on it.

You are clearly being disingenuous in your support for their position for whatever reason. Being a smartarse and wum, or a gooner supporter trying to justify the dreadful tactics of Arteta and the equally guilty players.

Just like the team you are trying to champion, your support has a stench attached to it.

 

[dubblue]

Their title will be remembered for one of the worst VAR decisions since its implementation. Arsenal fans obviously won’t care but they can never complain they are hard done by again.

 

[Gordyola]

Regardless of whatever questionable decision has occurred we shouldn't be leaving it for the arsenal or the referees to decide the title; we had it in our hands and we lost it. Plain and simple. We drew and lost against teams we should have won. There is really no excuse for us, in fact I am surprised we even still have a title race.

The season hasn't been a failure though we still have league cup and are in the FA cup final. We are extremely lucky that there is even a hint of a title race despite all our mistakes. We have no excuses given how poor we've been lets not whine about it please and focus on improving next season. Fair play to Arsenal.

Might be true that its “in our own hands” but when the dubious decisions of the PiGMOL officials has influenced the outcome of games beyond the team’s control and there has been lots this season, probably amounting to -9 points if not more The decision not to dismiss Gabriel meant he has played and influenced the outcome, definitely yesterday, of games

Like Pep said to Graham Scott when he was the fourth official at the Brighton game when we secured the league
"We are champions now and there is nothing you can do about it"