Premier League 25/26

[MonteCuler]

Arsenal are the hardest team to beat in Europe right now but think they are inferior not just to us but even many mid tier teams in top 5 leagues

But if we meet it will be hard. From corners alone they might easily score something like 5 goals over two legs, and then they will get lucky with a few more. And sit in a low block in time between. Very very frustrating team

 

[Haraldinho]

Set piece of shit.

 

[Birdy]

Arsenal are the hardest team to beat in Europe right now but think they are inferior not just to us but even many mid tier teams in top 5 leagues

But if we meet it will be hard. From corners alone they might easily score something like 5 goals over two legs, and then they will get lucky with a few more. And sit in a low block in time between. Very very frustrating team

Worst match-up for Barca IMO.

I would rather play Bayern, who are rampant going forward but very prone at the back

 

[Birdy]

It's ok guys, it's just a phase

Maybe in 20 years and after 5 trilion more he will be able to make a squad that wins games and plays good football

Arteta made a huge mistake in 2023 when he changed his style of play

From 2020 when he took over Arsenal up until 2023, it was steady progress every season not just in results, but most importantly in football.
22-23 Arsenal were playing free flowing positional football, best football in the league better than City, despite City being the better team overall and winning everything that season

That was the first season Arsenal challenged for the league.
Then, for some reason, Arteta decided to abandon beautiful football, buy Rice and Havertz, and turn into 'not concede FC' and 'set piece FC'.
Ok, they have become much more difficult to beat, but much more boring, and that detour added another 3 seasons (till now).

He should have not changed course. I think they would have won the league in 2024 in that case

 

[Jenks]

It's now or never. You would have to think EPL will clamp down on these corner tactics come next season and updating the statutes. [...]

I seriously doubt it. The mentality in England will be that they're playing within the rules and it's for everyone else to find a way to stop it.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Arteta made a huge mistake in 2023 when he changed his style of play

From 2020 when he took over Arsenal up until 2023, it was steady progress every season not just in results, but most importantly in football.
22-23 Arsenal were playing free flowing positional football, best football in the league better than City, despite City being the better team overall and winning everything that season

That was the first season Arsenal challenged for the league.
Then, for some reason, Arteta decided to abandon beautiful football, buy Rice and Havertz, and turn into 'not concede FC' and 'set piece FC'.
Ok, they have become much more difficult to beat, but much more boring, and that detour added another 3 seasons (till now).

He should have not changed course. I think they would have won the league in 2024 in that case

His 180 is beyond absurd, being a total control freak became more important than honest football. I don't think he'll be able to beat City this season but if he does will be horrible for the team and sport.

 

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

A team winning the EPL title when they are SEVENTEENTH in the league for goals scored from open play would be a terrible indictment on the so called ' most entertaining league in the world '.

 

[Birdy]

His 180 is beyond absurd, being a total control freak became more important than honest football. I don't think he'll be able to beat City this season but if he does will be horrible for the team and sport.

City are not ready yet.
They haven't yet absorbed the new football Pep introduced this season under the influence of Linders.
Probably they will be very strong next season, and heavy favorites...

.... unless (and hopefully) the 115 charges kick in

 

[Haraldinho]

Where is Mudryk guys ?

 

[delancey]

A team winning the EPL title when they are SEVENTEENTH in the league for goals scored from open play would be a terrible indictment on the so called ' most entertaining league in the world '.

Yup. EPL looks amazing on paper, but the games are seldom anywhere near as good as they should be considering some of the best managers and players are there. 🥲

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

City are not ready yet.

You saw the stats on Arse's entire frontline goal drought. Makes Haaland's look milder and we know he'll start scoring again.

 

[Birdy]

Yup. EPL looks amazing on paper, but the games are seldom anywhere near as good as they should be considering some of the best managers and players are there. 🥲

EPL from 2016 to 2024 was the absolute pinnacle in everything: competitiveness, spectacle, drama, state of the art tactics, rivalries between WC managers and WC players, etc.

Klopp's retirement and Pep's recent transformation, along with the rise of more 'physicality/set-piece' approaches (led by post2023 Arteta of course, but spread out to mid and lower table sides) have tainted the image this and the last season.

At the same time, still no other league (LL, Serie A, or Bundesliga) looks close, let alone overtaking EPL in all the above parameters.

Let's see where the development of the sport goes

 

[delancey]

EPL from 2016 to 2024 was the absolute pinnacle in everything: competitiveness, spectacle, drama, state of the art tactics, rivalries between WC managers and WC players, etc.

Klopp's retirement and Pep's recent transformation, along with the rise of more 'physicality/set-piece' approaches (led by post2023 Arteta of course, but spread out to mid and lower table sides) have tainted the image this and the last season.

At the same time, still no other league (LL, Serie A, or Bundesliga) looks close, let alone overtaking EPL in all the above parameters.

Let's see where the development of the sport goes

As far as on field entertainment is concerned, LL is way ahead of the EPL (for many). Thats why I watch football... to be entertained.

Drama? I'd say that LL has more drama with corruption and Tebas.

Money, competitiveness... I agree.

Spectacle? You mean illusion? We expect a great game and get long balls galore instead?
😄

U fortunately even brilliant foreign managers have to compromise on beautiful tactics to counter boring English football tactics. 😄

Rivalries? LL has the greatest rivalry. Just not as many as many as EPL.

 

[JamDav1982]

Dont find the average La Liga game more exciting at all.

Part of excitement is seeing the better players going against one another and what happens from there.

 

[Iniesta Ultra]

Barca have best player in the world and I don't enjoy watching us play. Troopz ranted he hates his team and Gunner hates watching Arse play too.