19 Feb 2026 11:15:53
After spending 2 hours listening to my other half analysing the game last night, his main conclusion was nerves. In particular 2 titans Big Gabi and Rice. I had noticed this too in a few games previously.
I have a different take. I hate all the rhetoric of "best team in the league" "in for all 4 trophies" etc etc. I have never thought we are the best team in the league. City have by far the more superior team and manager and with a striker like Haarland I've always thought they would come back strong.
Does that mean we are rubbish? No. But City at the moment I believe will always steal our glory. Final of the Carabao Cup - City's to lose. League - they will be stronger. FA cup probably City again if thry prioritise this competition and CL, now we are at the business end, probably quarters or semi finals.
I've always been a realist, hubby is more emotion driven so we see and react to things a bit differently.
Will I still support Arsenal? - 100% through the good and bad times!
I won't take offence if anyone wants to shout at me ? lol.
{Ed025's Note - no shame in being a realist Sally, i still expect you to win at least one trophy mate but which one im not sure now, i have to say im very disappointed with the way you have gone about things because you are much better than what you are showing at the moment, i dont know myself if its the manager or the players who insist on this passive style of play or if its just nerves but for me you have to snap out of it or what could be a stellar season could end up being a damp squib..
19 Feb 2026 12:00:10
Hello Sally, hope you are well and I definitely would not shout at you for voicing an opinion.
Where we are losing it is our tactics which are not making the best of the squad we have but City are streets ahead of us in their mental toughness.
NLD on Sunday and Spurs with all their problems will fancy thereselves.
They're be up for it and in our faces and be out to impress their new manager.
Mikel needs to look at himself and question his tactics and secondly read them the riot act because if we cannot respond on Sunday then in regards to the premier we will be the runners up again
Take care Sally.
19 Feb 2026 12:03:39
Hi Sal, I am with you City will get stronger in the next few weeks and a realist and yes I can be critical but it's deserved.
I'm not a believer in being nervous, not at that level and that type of fixture, a title decider last game of the season. yes or a CL final of course but playing Brentford and Wolves away, nerves shouldn't come into this, these are bog standard run of the mill fixtures.
BUT I stand by what I have said our best chance is the CL but only if we avoid a British side. but we have to be better than last night otherwise " The Fraud" ( as he is now called ) Arteta should pack his bag.
19 Feb 2026 12:28:18
Definitely no excuses ed, but as our midfield were getting pushed off the ball a lot last night, I wonder if any of Otimendi, Havertz or Merino were available if that would still have happened?
The next game against Spurs will be interesting.
{Ed025's Note - interesting...or frightening Sally?.. :)