England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

He's spent an absolute fortune. Far more than wenger. Wenger was totally unappreciated

 

I'm also convinced emery would have won them more trophies

 

I agree they are tougher to beat and score against, but the idea they’re much tougher and/or much more reliable is a myth.

City have only conceded four more goals than Arsenal now after tonight, albeit have played a game fewer. This is despite having not had Rodri for large parts of the season and having been much less settled than Arsenal generally.

Prior to tonight, I’d have agreed with your hypothesis of Arsenal will get over the line despite being uninspiring, even when there was a meltdown after the Brentford result.

Tonight has swung it for me though. I’m actually not sure anymore. I genuinely think their game model is now not just ugly to watch, but fundamentally flawed. Playing on fine margins in the modern day when there is so much quality throughout the league, leaves you vulnerable to dropping points too often.

Add in the amount of pressure they are under and I think it’s really in the balance.

 

I know we say it every time on here but he sucks the soul out of the game. Like I say, I think they'll win it this year but I wonder at what point Arsenal fans get sick of him. I feel like you'd need your team to win the league every year to stomach watching that week in, week out. Maybe they'll evolve and open up a bit, but they're an absolute slog to watch.

 

Do they ever criticise it. I never really come a lot of criticism of Arsenal’s style in the media or on social media from their fans and supporters.

 

He's such a flapper. Looks like an outfield player made to go in goal

 

]It's a shame that it is happening to Arsenal on the 10th anniversary of them last winning the title

 

I think they enjoyed it initially because it was an antidote to the worst aspects of the final few Wenger years (physically soft, weak defensively, uncompetitive in big games). I think you’re right though that for all the siege mentality they portray online over it, deep down they know that the ends will have to justify the means otherwise it’s just a terrible product.

 

Gomes, Mane and Armstrong started for Wolves. Edozie was used from the bench. Johnstone and Rawlings were unused.
Rice, Madueke and Saka started for Arsenal. Eze was used from the bench. White and Lewis-Skelly were unused.

Edozie and Saka scored.
Rice got an assist.

 

Pope, Tripper, Burn, Hall, Willock, Barnes and Gordon started for Newcastle. Neave, Murphy and Ramsey were used from the bench. Ruddy, Ramsdale, Harris and Shahahr were unused.

Quansah started for Leverkusen.

Gordon x 4 (2 pen) and Murphy scored.

Burn, Tripper and Hall got assists.

 

Manchester United are regretting their decision to agree to sell England forward Marcus Rashford to Barcelona for £26m because they believe the 28-year-old is now worth around £50m. (Star)

English striker Liam Delap, 23, is likely to leave Chelsea this summer, sparking interest from clubs including Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton.(Caughtoffside), external

Manchester United are prepared to let 25-year-old England winger Jadon Sancho leave for free at the end of the season. (Sun)

Tottenham could spend big this summer with a potential move for Aston Villa’s 23-year-old England midfielder Morgan Rogers on the cards. (Football Insider), external

 

Bet Rogers can't wait to move to Spurs.

 

Anderson and Gibbs-White getting assists.

 

Wharton has been average so far but on Palace, what do teams see in brennan Johnson? He's so mediocre it's untrue. 35 million plus the huge fee spurs paid for him. He wouldn't look out of place in league 1

 

Anderson outclassing kante and ghendouzi. Meanwhile Wharton struggling with Palace. Anderson is a far better player

 

He has his limitations but any player that scores 18 goals a cross the PL and Cup comps is not a league one player.

 

He scores a few goals but the rest of his game is league 1

 

You really hate the Welsh….

 

Yep but I'd still say he's shit

 

Just looking at some of the comments from that post, seems there’s a few Utd fans not having him. ‘ Just a sideways and backwards player ‘ and he’s just another McTomminey ‘

 

Tottenham’s 27-year-old Argentina defender Cristian Romero and England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 26, are among those who would almost certainly leave Spurs this summer if they are relegated. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Newcastle’s England winger Anthony Gordon, 24, says he will not let transfer speculation affect him after being linked with Liverpool and Arsenal. (Sun), external

Manchester City’s English goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, is prioritising a move to Aston Villa over Newcastle United this summer. (Football Insider), external

 

I’m not sure if it’s a misconception on Wharton but I believe he’s a killer ball type of player, he’s extremely aggressive when it comes to moving the ball, I don’t see him as a player who could become a teams main ‘controller’ in possession & sit in front of the defence, this is…

— h (@htomufc) February 18, 2026

Wharton belongs a bit further forward. The tweets above are a good analytical take imo. I'm taking purely stylistically here, but he's closer to Cesc Fabreges than a Xabi Alonso or a Rodri.

He hasn't scored a single goal for Palace but we know from his Rovers days that he has an eye for goal that isn't really being unutilised right now. He can contribute in all phases of the game in possession but his final ball is his bread and butter.

 

I think his stats will improve in a better team. Numerous times he had the chance to shoot at goal yesterday but instead passed it to a teammate. He needs to be more selfish

 

Clueless armchair fans