
Anton Bäckstedt
10.2K posts








Arsenal have nothing to fear but fear itself. Fear cripples a good group of players. And they are good players, we’ll see that at the World Cup, three have a very realistic chance of winning it (Raya and Zubimendi with Spain, Saliba with France). Rice and Gabriel are contenders for FOTY/POTY, Dowman for YPOTY. It’s just fear holding Arsenal back. That was clear with their nervy response to a more confident Bournemouth. Fear inhibits attacking instincts; wide players check back rather than attack, midfielders pause before releasing, defenders pass the ball between them rather than progress it quicker. Fear stalks the crowd. Fans can help dispel the fear by staying to the end and not booing a team top of the table. But really it's down to Mikel Arteta to confront this fear threatening to ruin Arsenal's season. How? Partly through body language: Arteta looks almost anxious in the technical area, transmitting doubt rather than defiance. Partly through selection: give the fearless Max Dowman a start wide, believe in Eberechi Eze more (nb injuries). Partly tactical: adopt a more front-foot philosophy, tell wingers to take on their full-backs, tell Raya to distribute the ball quicker; attack, make the opposition fearful, get Viktor Gyokeres in behind. Partly messaging: make it simpler, stating belief in the players, and less scripted “bring your dinner”; learn from Pep's mastery of press conferences. No need to panic. Still top. Still have good players. Just have to fight the fear. And believe. #AFC


🚨 Arne Slot on Alisson absence: “We prepared for the game and if it goes as I hope, we don't need the goalkeeper but is that realistic? PSG score in all their games except for one. They are so offensive with quality and you need a good goalkeeper but for 35 mins at the Etihad, we didn't need one. I was hoping he'd save a few."


Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool Football Club at the end of the 2025-26 season. The time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield ❤️



CAF have overturned the result of the 2025 AFCON final declaring that Senegal forfeited the match after leaving the pitch. Morocco are awarded the title through a 3-0 win.










