⚽ Premier League 2025/2026 Discussion Thread ⚽

[SatoPrincess]

I think people rate Arteta better than he actually is. I mean, he's a good coach, but there are some things he's lacking. One of those things is identifying areas his team needs to improve and figuring out the type of players that will fit into that area.
Two seasons ago, Arsenal were very good. I genuinely wanted them to win the league, but injury and fatigue came along the line and they dropped crucial points and Manchester City overtook them. They repeated the same thing last season. Now in the summer transfer window before this season, they had an opportunity to sign a striker and wingers, but they didn't. They could have also signed another creative midfielder to support Odergaard, but they didn't, now they're paying for it because I don't think they will win the league. They focused on defensive players instead.

With an attack like that, I don't see Arsenal overtaking Liverpool.

I can agree with you hundred percent. I am one of those persons who highly rate Arteta more than he has actually proven. No doubt he is a good coach but just as Eddie Howe for Newcastle they are good to only a certain level which they have reached already with their various teams and now struggle to surpass that limit. It is high time for an upgrade, it is either Arteta upgrades his ideas or the club upgrades the manager, Arsenal need to push past this limit to be better and achieve this long term goals.

[Stable090]

With Liverpool presently leading Arsenal by 11 points, which team do you think will stop them again this season?

I don’t think any club can stop Liverpool from winning the premier league title this year, since Manchester city performance has dropped this season, and they are not performing well, the only club which I was thinking will compete with Liverpool is Arsenal, and as we can see, Liverpool is already ahead of Arsenal with 11 points, I don’t even think there is any way Arsenal will be able to meet up with Liverpool.

Arsenal lost their last match, which made everyone give up on Arsenal,  I never expected Arsenal to lose to a club like west ham. Arsenal lost a match which they are not suppose to lose, if Arsenal won the match, then they will have been closer to Liverpool, but they wasted the chance which they had.

[SatoPrincess]

Arteta is right about everything he says. Arsenal haven't been much near it since the beginning of the season. As of this loss the gap with Liverpool is 8 points so here we are.

The problem is that they don't have many players left who can score. Saka is out for months. Gabriel Jesus isn't even expected to recover before the end of the season. Who will play as the striker really?  

They desperately try players like Havertz (he is also out), Merino etc.. They aren't even strikers. I know Liverpool also doesn't have a good striker but they have Salah who takes a huge responsibility in most of the goals.

This season is already over for Arsenal, there is no coming back at this point. As usual they have bottled their opportunity once again this season and no hopes of winning the Champions League too. Three seasons gone without achieving the league title, Mikel Arteta has the summer transfer window to try and reinforce and getting new signings to boost their attack for the next season.

[sotelorene]

Arteta is right about everything he says. Arsenal haven't been much near it since the beginning of the season. As of this loss the gap with Liverpool is 8 points so here we are.

The problem is that they don't have many players left who can score. Saka is out for months. Gabriel Jesus isn't even expected to recover before the end of the season. Who will play as the striker really?  

They desperately try players like Havertz (he is also out), Merino etc.. They aren't even strikers. I know Liverpool also doesn't have a good striker but they have Salah who takes a huge responsibility in most of the goals.

This season is already over for Arsenal, there is no coming back at this point. As usual they have bottled their opportunity once again this season and no hopes of winning the Champions League too. Three seasons gone without achieving the league title, Mikel Arteta has the summer transfer window to try and reinforce and getting new signings to boost their attack for the next season.

It was really a painful loss for Arsenal against West ham, initially I thought there is nothing that will make or stop Arsenal from winning West Ham because they really need that three points to close the gap between them and Liverpool but they couldn't make good use of the opportunity and assuming they win West ham, Liverpool would have be topping them with only 4 points which would have given them a great hope of toping Liverpool if they make mistake. But apparently, Arsenal is going to be unfortunate again this season because there is no hope of winning any trophy again and they are having a tough time because of the injury players.

[shogun47]

Arteta is right about everything he says. Arsenal haven't been much near it since the beginning of the season. As of this loss the gap with Liverpool is 8 points so here we are.

The problem is that they don't have many players left who can score. Saka is out for months. Gabriel Jesus isn't even expected to recover before the end of the season. Who will play as the striker really?  

They desperately try players like Havertz (he is also out), Merino etc.. They aren't even strikers. I know Liverpool also doesn't have a good striker but they have Salah who takes a huge responsibility in most of the goals.

This season is already over for Arsenal, there is no coming back at this point. As usual they have bottled their opportunity once again this season and no hopes of winning the Champions League too. Three seasons gone without achieving the league title, Mikel Arteta has the summer transfer window to try and reinforce and getting new signings to boost their attack for the next season.

It was really a painful loss for Arsenal against West ham, initially I thought there is nothing that will make or stop Arsenal from winning West Ham because they really need that three points to close the gap between them and Liverpool but they couldn't make good use of the opportunity and assuming they win West ham, Liverpool would have be topping them with only 4 points which would have given them a great hope of toping Liverpool if they make mistake. But apparently, Arsenal is going to be unfortunate again this season because there is no hope of winning any trophy again and they are having a tough time because of the injury players.

This loss was a decisive game and there won't be another chance for Arsenal. Liverpool can just keep playing their way and sometimes a draw doesn't hurt them because it is almost certain that the competitors will make their mistakes.But to be honest, catching Liverpool this season couldn't get any more difficult. A single loss the whole season and if they keep going like that, they will have more than 90 points, which for any other team is close to impossible. Over are the days when Manchester City was getting close to 100 points and that was sometimes what's needed to seriously compete for the title.

However, losing against WHU at home is such a big setback that eventually they would not really deserve the title. Arteta must feel frustrated along with his whole team as they have been trying it for so long now.

[BITCOIN4X]

Just hand Arne Slot and his players the trophy already. They are obviously the champions unofficially.  

They were really incredible yesterday. They really took Manchester City hostage at their own stadium. Guardiola's team was able to do nothing as an answer. I call this stomp by Liverpool.

Since Arsenal lost also the point difference is 11. Congrats to Arne Slot! A top-notch performance in his first year already.    Now there are more trophies to fight for like the Champions League and more.

This season I really found many people stripping the king of the Premier League with a record of 4 consecutive titles. Manchester City's demise this season was definitely something to look forward to, so I'm not surprised why it happened. There are good reasons for Manchester City's failure this season to defend the title, one of which is that the depth of the replacement squad is not ideal with injured players.

Kyle Walker's departure to Milan caused chaos in Manchester City's defense, while the performance of the central defenders was often disrupted due to injuries to several influential players. Rodri is also injured and he has not been able to play, while Savinho, who plays on the right side, has not performed optimally as expected. Manchester City need to improve, but I think they will do that in the new season.

[Rana590]

It was really a painful loss for Arsenal against West ham, initially I thought there is nothing that will make or stop Arsenal from winning West Ham because they really need that three points to close the gap between them and Liverpool but they couldn't make good use of the opportunity and assuming they win West ham, Liverpool would have be topping them with only 4 points which would have given them a great hope of toping Liverpool if they make mistake. But apparently, Arsenal is going to be unfortunate again this season because there is no hope of winning any trophy again and they are having a tough time because of the injury players.

Yeah, that loss was really frustrating, especially considering how crucial those three points were. Arsenal had a golden opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool, but once again, they couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. The injuries have definitely made things tougher, but even with a full squad, their inconsistency in big moments has been a regular issue. If they don't win the title, I hope they can at least secure a strong finish in this season.

[Princess Leah]

It was really a painful loss for Arsenal against West ham, initially I thought there is nothing that will make or stop Arsenal from winning West Ham because they really need that three points to close the gap between them and Liverpool but they couldn't make good use of the opportunity and assuming they win West ham, Liverpool would have be topping them with only 4 points which would have given them a great hope of toping Liverpool if they make mistake. But apparently, Arsenal is going to be unfortunate again this season because there is no hope of winning any trophy again and they are having a tough time because of the injury players.

Yeah, that loss was really frustrating, especially considering how crucial those three points were. Arsenal had a golden opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool, but once again, they couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. The injuries have definitely made things tougher, but even with a full squad, their inconsistency in big moments has been a regular issue. If they don't win the title, I hope they can at least secure a strong finish in this season.

 I don't know how legit the statement in that image looks but if he really said that, then it's not encouraging to his players cause it sounds like a coach that's already given up, all hope is not lost and it's still possible for Arsenal to fight to the end and try to win this season's tournament, we've seen Manchester City do it in the past so Arsenal should try to do it also, I know it's not easy cause Liverpool's form is very outstanding but there's still lots of games to be played before May.

 Injuries have really ruined Arsenal's chances this season, it started with their key player Saka, then other key players join the list of injured players but it's not over until it's over, the lose against Westham shouldn't make them lose hope already, there's a possibility of Liverpool loosing in matches ahead and they could capitalise om that, therefore giving up at this point is not very encouraging.

[SensitiveEyes]

Haaland is not on the same level as Mohamed Salah. Man City were unable to keep with Liverpool stride for stride so which difference was Haaland going to make.

I think the presence of Haaland in the squad would have made better impact in the team and maybe made Manchester City to score at least one goal in the match. This is because there are some players whose influence in the game is so visible such that two players may be dedicated to mark such player thereby creating some loopholes that other players can exploit. Fortunately, Haaland belong to that category of players that their presence in the match changes everything,

[Odohu]

Just hand Arne Slot and his players the trophy already. They are obviously the champions unofficially.  

They were really incredible yesterday. They really took Manchester City hostage at their own stadium. Guardiola's team was able to do nothing as an answer. I call this stomp by Liverpool.

Since Arsenal lost also the point difference is 11. Congrats to Arne Slot! A top-notch performance in his first year already.    Now there are more trophies to fight for like the Champions League and more.

After yesterday's match, I agree with you because at this point, there is absolutely no rival for Liverpool. Arne Slot is such a great and lucky coach to have won the premiership title in his first year of managing the club, I never saw this coming from the beginning when Klopp left the club, a move I thought would send Liverpool struggling to qualify for the European Champions League. Now I know that there is no vacuum created by the departure of Klopp. Let's see how the Champions league pan out this year if it will be a win for Liverpool as well as they are currently on fire in that competition as well.

[Alpha Marine]

I would say that the entire  Manchester United squad is in a shaky state. Not only is their midfield and attack weak. Manchester United's defense is also relatively weak. In 26 matches, Manchesster United have scored only 30  goals and conceded 37 goals. Manchester United management should completely rebuild the squad. They have a lot of players in their squad. They will have  to gradually sell unnecessary players. And find new talented players. Manchester United management will have to spend  a lot of money to rebuild the squad.

Aside from the squad being very bad, I don't think things are okay in that club. The players in Manchester United are not top players, but they're not that bad to the extent that they will be 15th on the table. I simply cannot explain it. At this point, it looks like Amorim himself doesn't know what else to do.
I cant blame the coach completely because he has not spent up to a year at the club but this is too poor.

There may be this negative energy and vibe from Manchester United that makes players play badly because when the players leave they get better. Like I said, they are not top players but they improve in other clubs.

[tusandii]

Haaland is not on the same level as Mohamed Salah. Man City were unable to keep with Liverpool stride for stride so which difference was Haaland going to make.

I think the presence of Haaland in the squad would have made better impact in the team and maybe made Manchester City to score at least one goal in the match. This is because there are some players whose influence in the game is so visible such that two players may be dedicated to mark such player thereby creating some loopholes that other players can exploit. Fortunately, Haaland belong to that category of players that their presence in the match changes everything,

@ SensitiveEyes Not on the same level as Moh Salah are you serious about saying that? how is Erling Haaland not said to be on the same level as Moh Salah even though Erling Haaland is also a star player in the EPL and even always competes in the EPL top scorer so I don't agree with your statement that Erling Haaland is not on the same level in my opinion their performance is almost the same.

Unfortunately in the Man City vs Liverpool match Erling Haaland was still absent so that Man City's performance was not optimal, yes if Haaand was there maybe Man City would try to put pressure on Liverpool but I have to say Man City was unlucky at that time.

[TastyChillySauce00]

 I don't know how legit the statement in that image looks but if he really said that, then it's not encouraging to his players cause it sounds like a coach that's already given up, all hope is not lost and it's still possible for Arsenal to fight to the end and try to win this season's tournament, we've seen Manchester City do it in the past so Arsenal should try to do it also, I know it's not easy cause Liverpool's form is very outstanding but there's still lots of games to be played before May.

 Injuries have really ruined Arsenal's chances this season, it started with their key player Saka, then other key players join the list of injured players but it's not over until it's over, the lose against Westham shouldn't make them lose hope already, there's a possibility of Liverpool loosing in matches ahead and they could capitalise om that, therefore giving up at this point is not very encouraging.

The picture above ilustrated Arteta's situation right now. I wonder how long he will be stopping to keep repeat the same thing. He always told his fans wait for the next season for tens times, and never feel bored with it. It's kinda weird his fans still have some patience over him.

Weird club and weird coach. No doubt they always trophyless. He should focus on how to fix his club's main problem instead of telling people to wait for another season. It's enough for him to yapping. 

[SensitiveEyes]

Mikel Arteta is intelligent so he should not have said their season was over after losing to West Ham. I feel sorry for Mikel because it was Man City last season and Liverpool this season who have stopped Arsenal from winning the PL. Which players should Mikel buy to put Arsenal top next season?

[WatChe]

This season is already over for Arsenal, there is no coming back at this point. As usual they have bottled their opportunity once again this season and no hopes of winning the Champions League too. Three seasons gone without achieving the league title, Mikel Arteta has the summer transfer window to try and reinforce and getting new signings to boost their attack for the next season.

It's not the first time but second season in a row that West Ham United have beaten Arsenal at their home. Arsenal won last title back in 2003 and since then the Arsenal fans are waiting for the next title. The gap between Liverpool and Arsenal has widen further this week as Liverpool now leading the points table with 64 points while Arsenal now has 53 points. Liverpool fans are celebrating because there team is now 11 points ahead on points table with 11 games to go, they are favourite but need to be careful as well in remaining games.   

[beerlover]

In addition to the decline in performance, Pep's strategy can actually be read perfectly by Arni Slot. He understands very well how Pep implements the strategy, especially on 1st half. As we can see how the 1st goal created, Mohammed Salah was unguarded at the moment, even Salah is a top scorer but he is not separated from the defender's observation. It's the same on 2nd goal, the city defender repeats the same thing, Salah, and Szoboszlai still missed their surveillance, and create a nice collaboration on front for 2nd goal. That strange strategy Arni implemented 4-2-2-2, this making mess The city player when Luiz Diaz, and Jones looming them on the other side.

Pep definitely lost his touch. The most common reason people are giving is that he has a system he plays ball, and that worked at Barcelona quite well, and we have seen it work at City as well, but slowly it's getting too obvious what he is trying to do, and unless he changes some stuff, he is going to be left behind. What happened to Mourinho, could happen to Pep Guardiola as well.

Mourinho was one of the greatest managers as well, for nearly twenty years he won everything, and he did what most people believed couldn't be done. But then, he kept doing the same thing over and over again, and other teams just figured out what he tries to do, and now he is managing smaller clubs. I am pretty sure same could be said about near future of Pep as well.

[HajiBagi]

Mikel Arteta is intelligent so he should not have said their season was over after losing to West Ham. I feel sorry for Mikel because it was Man City last season and Liverpool this season who have stopped Arsenal from winning the PL. Which players should Mikel buy to put Arsenal top next season?

Mikel Arteta is a good manager and he is also a stubborn manager, the reason why I call him a stubborn manager is because he does what he likes without thinking about what he is trying to do, Arsenal currently poor performance is not only because of injury is also because of the team don't have players that can replace the once that get injured, Arsenal is the only team that did not have a good striker that can score goals for them when they needed a goal, Arsenal is only the team that did not have two striker player in the Premier League, I know some people will say Arsenal has Kai Havatz and Gabriel Jesus but for me, those players are not a striker that Arsenal need, Gabriel Jesus is always having an injury and Kai Havatz is not a proper striker.

If I am not an Arsenal fan but I think Mikel Arteta should leave the team because he has spent money on signing players and still has not won any trophy for the team, Arsenal's problem is also a striker but Arsenal doesn't want to sign a new striker but every season Arsenal will sign a midfield,  Arsenal is the only team that has best midfield players in the Premier League but they keep signing midfield and let another midfield player leave, all these reasons is why I said Arteta is a stubborn manager.

[mamesso]

Mikel Arteta is intelligent so he should not have said their season was over after losing to West Ham. I feel sorry for Mikel because it was Man City last season and Liverpool this season who have stopped Arsenal from winning the PL. Which players should Mikel buy to put Arsenal top next season?

Who's stopping who? Man City and Liverpool aren't stopping Arsenal in the EPL title race, all teams are relying on their own ability to finish in first place at the end of the season. Arsenal must reflect on every point they have lost, every mistake will result in points being lost and Arteta must pay more attention to the depth of his squad to compete with other teams.
The defeat to West Ham made Arsenal struggle even harder, especially since Liverpool is still very consistent in maintaining its performance.

[Futurexxx]

 I don't know how legit the statement in that image looks but if he really said that, then it's not encouraging to his players cause it sounds like a coach that's already given up, all hope is not lost and it's still possible for Arsenal to fight to the end and try to win this season's tournament, we've seen Manchester City do it in the past so Arsenal should try to do it also, I know it's not easy cause Liverpool's form is very outstanding but there's still lots of games to be played before May.

 Injuries have really ruined Arsenal's chances this season, it started with their key player Saka, then other key players join the list of injured players but it's not over until it's over, the lose against Westham shouldn't make them lose hope already, there's a possibility of Liverpool loosing in matches ahead and they could capitalise om that, therefore giving up at this point is not very encouraging.

This is a pathetic statement coming out from a pathetic coach, in a pathetic team entirely.
I am seriously angry at arsenal that all they do is to give people hope that they can compete and win the English premier league but at the end, they leave everyone in so much disappointment.
It still baffles me that arsenal hasn't been able to win the league in the past three seasons considering how they led the English premier league chart especially last year, but all of a sudden, they threw it away and hand it over to Manchester city that wasn't even doing well.
They started this season filling everyone with enough hopes, now their pathetic manager who should be working on the psychology of his player is coming out publicly to talk rubbish, something that should never be admitted publicly because anything can still happen.

As for the injuries that hit the team, it's not a new thing in football, they aren't the first neither are they going to be the last team that is being struct with injuries, this is football, so you need to prepare for all possible scenarios, that's why having a reliable bench is recommended by all top clubs before the season start.

[ajanwalker]

Mikel Arteta is intelligent so he should not have said their season was over after losing to West Ham. I feel sorry for Mikel because it was Man City last season and Liverpool this season who have stopped Arsenal from winning the PL. Which players should Mikel buy to put Arsenal top next season?

When the end of the year comes, Arsenal should thank Mikel and part ways.
He could not beat the out-of-form Westham at home. Westham had 5 shots during the match, 2 of them were on target and one was a goal.
Arsenal controlled the game throughout the match but could not score. They don't have a quality striker.
He doesn't have one in Liverpool either, but they have Salah filling the gap.
It's the end of the road with Arteta.  If they had won, the point difference would have decreased, but now the gap has widened even more. This year, the championship became a dream again.