The 2025-2026 Football Thread

[martint235]

Fr

Alas, Chelsea v Arsenal cannot (not remotely) be classed as an advertisement for the game of football.

Too many nasty fouls (on both sides); neither side are exactly covering themselves in glory, just now.

Approaching half time, with the score at nil all, Chelsea, playing at home, are down to ten men, as Caicedo has been dismissed with a red card for a disgusting foul on Merino (a studs in shin bone sort of foul).

From a Liverpool perspective a draw works

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Fr

From a Liverpool perspective a draw works

This is true.

However, this particular gunner would far prefer a (grubby, if necessary) victory over Chelsea.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Fr

From a Liverpool perspective a draw works

Seriously? Given how poor Liverpool are I’m sure they are well passed caring who will win the league or even come second.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Don't know - let alone understand - why Lewis-Skelly has been summoned from the bench during the half time break; his form at present is less than inspiring, while his judgment - under pressure - is questionable.

Ten man Chelsea lead by a goal to nil.

Arsenal have been underwhelming so far today.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Excellent: Arsenal equalise.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Arsenal claim a point, with a hard-fought if sub-par display, (however, both Saliba and Maghalaes were absent through injury, and I will further note that Gyokeres - who has been injured also, but returned today - has not really impressed since he joined the squad), while ten man Chelsea defended superbly.

 

[Alphazoid]

We didn't play well but happy to take the point and move on.

Pep should send a nice bottle of wine to Maresca for the assist.

I'm glad Caicedo self-sabotaged himself. Fell for the media hype clearly. The whole Chelsea team were running on far too much adrenaline. Cucurella getting a yellow also helped nerf himelf for the goal

Anyway, Dec seems to be relative kinder in terms of fixtures (Brighton and Villa will be tricky). But no Chelsea/LFC/MCI which is good considering the typical holiday fixture congestion.

And hopefully our injury situation improves further

 

[Sal09]

1-1 not end of the world tbh.

Take a point and move on.

We were never in the game.

 

[martint235]

Seriously? Given how poor Liverpool are I’m sure they are well passed caring who will win the league or even come second.

We would like to make top 4 though and if West Ham proves a turning point (unlikely I know) then the title itself is still open, bigger leads have been lost in the past.