2025/2026 English Premier League Thread

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure, comfortable win playing terrible football. Maybe part of this is my bias, but this could be the worst football to win a title ever.

Well, you are biased as ####. It doesn't make you wrong though. Arsenal have the goods to play entertaining football, but they really are hampered by Arteta's tactics and the lack of a good finisher.

I still think there is more than enough scope for Arsenal to bottle this, but if they can get over the line, I'm hopeful there'll be a change in mentality, with better winning football in future.

Arsenal have been knocking on the door for some time now - last season being an exception, so even though I don't like it, I understand why Arteta is doing what he does. Its all about winning the title, and taking the monkey off our back at this point.

[devo22]

can I have just one "boring" win without all this drama for a change? Just once, pretty please?

[cam_calderon]

Not even looking at the goal, Sesko is a natural finisher. His stats are worse than I thought they'd be, and he's still only 22. I think he can kick on in his second EPL season.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'm gonna defend Arsenal a bit with the style of play complaints. Not saying it's pleasant on the eye because it's not, but I'd have more of a problem with them specifically if they were the only ones doing it. But it's the predominant style of play in the PL now, open play is too often ugly, plodding, and devoid of excitement. I'm actually slightly more inclined to give them credit for becoming so good at it rather than blaming them for the horrible style.

And, yeah, it's ####ing hilarious too lol. I was at the gym for the first half of their game yesterday, no game on TV, and I get home and check the box score when it's 2-0 and it's set piece goal, own goal off a set piece. Almost feels like trolling at this point.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Spurs looking like flaming dog #### the first half was the easiest bet ever they'd come back and win lol. Their ownership of Man City's soul will never make sense, but here we are.

[Matty81]

There is no way this match should be tied.


Solanke scoring by kicking guehis leg out from under him from behind is one of the worsr var misses of the season. Pep is going to be livid after this one

[Senator Clay Davis]

I mean yeah terrible VAR error, but that's to be expected. But it's been a Trading Places second half, City look like relegation fodder and Spurs the only possible title challenger to Arsenal.

[Matty81]

They have definately played a great 2nd half. Its mystifying where this football has been the other 33 and a half games this season for spurs

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Pep is going to be livid after this one

good.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Ignoring the bogey team thing, again watching City it's the lack of effort that stands out. Almost conceded the winner there by just standing and ball watching. I guess maybe you could argue Spurs lulled them to sleep being so bad the first half, but still a shameful effort this half.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by devo22

good.

I mean I dont support either of these teams but its bad for everyone in the prem to have goals like that allowed it looks bad on the league when the officiating is at that standard. He has every right to be mad.


But not to take anything away fron spurs 2nd half effort.


And that 2nd goal by Solanke was crazy, absolute worldie

[Senator Clay Davis]

Really top tier reffed game, pretty solid penalty shout against Haaland denied, Rodri should be off with a clear second yellow. Just horrific.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I mean I dont support either of these teams but its bad for everyone in the prem to have goals like that allowed it looks bad on the league when the officiating is at that standard. He has every right to be mad.

yeah, no doubt. Was a clear foul and should have never counted.

won't stop me from some Schadenfreude though. Pep can suck it.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Good day for Arsenal.
Thanks Spurs & Brentford, never doubted you!

[devo22]

Asked about City bringing in both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi in January, Guardiola said: "Yeah, really good. I'm a little bit sad and upset because in net spend in the last five years we are seventh in the Premier League.

"I want to be the first. I don't understand why the club don't spend more money. I am a little bit grumpy with them.

"But like we won in the past because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and FA Cups because they spend more in the last five years.

"These are facts. It's not an opinion. You can say an opinion, like you say you play good or bad against Spurs -- we can agree or disagree. But they are facts. Good luck to the six teams who are in front of us for net spend for the last five years. Let's go. I'm waiting. That's a nice quote, eh?"

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...-pep-guardiola


cocaine really kicking in again, I see.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Not watching, but checked the box score at halftime and a smooth 0.34 xG combined from this one. Sounds like peak 9/11 ball.

[agulati]

Arsenal into the Carabao Cup finals. They score at death.

Not the most thrilling game, but doesn’t matter. They just needed a draw to get through.

Chelsea’s strategy was a head scratcher. They played the game as if they were needing a draw to go though. Not complaining though.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Perfect match for background TV on a work day; boring enough to get important things done.
Off to Wembley!