English Football Season 2025-2026. Here we go again.
Welcome 2+2 to the English football season of 2025-2026.
This year I am going to make the thread officially for all of E
Third choice CF, second choice GK, a 30 yo DM (who’s injured already), a project winger, a project CB…only Zubi was our original target.
I’m not at all happy so far and it seems like more of the same from the financially constipated board after we were told that this summer was going to be huge. We’re still at least two quality signings short and it feels similar to the later Wenger years when we consistently underperformed in the market.
Also, sales have been non existent thanks to the stupid wages some players are on so what do they do? Why, give Trossard a pay rise of course!
7/10 window so far when we needed a 9/10.
Gyokeres is a third choice CF?
In similar situations in championship manager I’d relegate the player to the reserves and put him on intensive goalkeeper training. Idk what the Saudis will do but they are clearly pissed off.
In similar situations in championship manager I’d relegate the player to the reserves and put him on intensive goalkeeper training. Idk what the Saudis will do but they are clearly pissed off.
Why though? What if what Isak is saying is true? I don't see how selling Isak for a small fortune makes less sense than benching him for an entire year.
It was very clearly Isak, then Sesko, then Gyokeres. They even had Watkins on standby if they couldn't get the Gyokeres deal done. lol
I can see how it would seem so to an outsider looking only at the big headline signings like Rice and to a lesser extent Kai but, no. Last summer was catastrophic and they're still playing catch up.
The two positions that had to be filled now were CF and LW (and a DM when the rapist was charged), and they've only managed one. People are crossing fingers for Noni but no one's counting on him, a project signing, making it.
I don't care if what Isak is saying is true tbh, he's labour and allowed to not work somewhere if he's not happy like the rest of us.
Fans are allowed to hate him for it too.
Why though? What if what Isak is saying is true? I don't see how selling Isak for a small fortune makes less sense than benching him for an entire year.
Read what Collymore's been saying usually happens. You sign up and they say verbally if you have a great season and a big offer comes in they won’t stand in your way, then a year later they change their minds. Says it’s Isak and his agents fault for not getting it in writing, and Isak's behaviour has been terrible for not putting in a transfer request because he didn’t want to lose his bonuses etc. Accuses him of wanting to have his cake and eat it.
It was very clearly Isak, then Sesko, then Gyokeres. They even had Watkins on standby if they couldn't get the Gyokeres deal done. lol
Oh right I thought you meant that he was third behind, I guess, Havertz and Trossard (?) as third choice.
I can see how it would seem so to an outsider looking only at the big headline signings like Rice and to a lesser extent Kai but, no. Last summer was catastrophic and they're still playing catch up.The two positions that had to be filled now were CF and LW (and a DM when the rapist was charged), and they've only managed one. People are crossing fingers for Noni but no one's cou
No - it seems like you've spent a ****load because...... you've spent a ****load. To call the board "financially constipated" when you've spent 600+M net across 5 years (and more than anyone except Chelsea/Man Utd) is hilarious.
They've backed Arteta (or whoever is in charge of recruitment) beyond belief.
That's all money that was earned through the usual revenue streams, and it's been enough to get within spitting distance of the biggest trophies but not enough to give quality in depth (hence the outsized effect of injuries), which is what this window was supposed to address, but the board seem to have other ideas having completely blown everyone out last summer and January.
If he’s really adamant he won’t play again and Newcastle are adamant they wont sell he’s pretty ****ed? Think his contract runs till 2028. That’s a long time to miss as an elite footballer with a short career. Can they just keep docking his wages if he doesn’t turn up for training/games? Seems dumb for them as well when they can get £100m+ for him and move on. Something has to give.
No - it seems like you've spent a ****load because...... you've spent a ****load. To call the board "financially constipated" when you've spent 600+M net across 5 years (and more than anyone except Chelsea/Man Utd) is hilarious.
They've backed Arteta (or whoever is in charge of recruitment) beyond belief.
No Arsenal fan but Jalfrezi thinks this btw.
Yes we needed a striker and a LW last season but nobody believes they're ''financially constipated''. We can see the money being spent. Not to mention we essentially got what we wanted this season minus the LW(not holding my breath on Noni). Gyokeres was a signing most wanted and Zubimendi is a great addition.
I for one am excited with this squad even though we were horrendous vs Man U.
If he’s really adamant he won’t play again and Newcastle are adamant they wont sell he’s pretty ****ed? Think his contract runs till 2028. That’s a long time to miss as an elite footballer with a short career. Can they just keep docking his wages if he doesn’t turn up for training/games? Seems dumb for them as well when they can get £100m+ for him and move on. Something has
You'd imagine they just sell him and collect somewhere between 120 and 150m. I get the owners got ''**** you'' money but seems silly to pass on that kind of money from a business perspective.
Plenty of Arsenal fans think this, including most of the knowledgeable podcasters. And then there's you.
Pool and City have improved a lot, as have Chelsea. I make Arsenal third favourites for the PL.
You'd imagine they just sell him and collect somewhere between 120 and 150m. I get the owners got ''**** you'' money but seems silly to pass on that kind of money from a business perspective.
Of course Isak is going. What planet are people here on?
Third highest spend in the prem since Arteta took the reins. There's no Arsenal fan but you who thinks they're ''financially constipated''. If you want to argue the money has been spent poorly, sure, we can agree there for some part.
And lol at ''knowledgeable podcasters''. Why am I not surprised your sources are podcasters.
Contracts > promises. Isak was far from a sure thing when Newcastle bought him, and have every right to refuse to sell.
I have no sympathy for Isak.
Also don't think we weren't good in this window. Eze would make it perfect.
I'm a big Gyökeres believer and wanted him over Sesko.
With Ode, Ethan and now Max they think they've got enough 10 types for full coverage and a succession plan and Eze doesn’t give any more width than Martinelli. I don’t know how many minutes you can give an 18 year old and a 15 year old so Im not totally convinced but with WC year coming a 27 year old Eze would want to start a lot of games.
The heart says Eze but the mind says a LW or an upgrade on Martinelli. But either way we’re one attacker and probably a LB short still.
I was under the impression Eze can play on the left easily. You are probably right though he wants guarantees and just makes sense with Maddison out for the whole season.
I'd want a winger ideally. Defender I'm kind of happy with what we got there.
An upgrade for Martinelli would be a must imo.
Trying to reconcile the "we don't spend enough to compete" with "Arteta Out" vibes.
Perhaps they want a Tony Bloom hired type manager, or a Glasner type, who gets the most out of lesser squads?
Maybe it's time to try the F1 model with a manager that pays for his seat
Praying that this Havertz knee injury isn’t too serious.
Beyond that, if we do need a long term replacement, the fact that Nicolas Jackson is out there and available is absolutely terrifying.
