Dean Marks

@McFlybowy City's recruitment has been very average, apart from they spend they're way out of it. If they're in the league next year, think they'll be third or forth

The whole league will allow Manchester City replace Bernardo Silva with Elliot Anderson nd later reduce it to “they’re just spending money,” like squad building is some kind of crime. That’s the part people ignore. It’s not just about spending, almost every top club spends. The difference is recruitment quality and timing. City rarely wait until there’s a visible decline before acting. They identify when a player is approaching a certain age, when the physical level might start dropping, or when a tactical refresh is needed, and they move early. That’s why the machine barely slows down. Other clubs get emotionally attached to players or delay obvious decisions for 2-3 extra seasons, then suddenly need 5 positions at once and spend even more trying to fix years of neglect. City replacing key players one by one is what keeps them stable. One summer it’s a midfielder, next summer maybe a fullback, then a winger. No chaos, no panic buys, just gradual evolution. So when people say “they’re only winning because of money,” it oversimplifies it. Money gives you access, sure but smart succession planning is what keeps you at the top. Plenty of clubs have money and still spend like they’re shopping with a blindfold on. Anderson delivered a master class to push Nottingham Forest closer to the Europa Final, 62passes with 91% accuracy, 2 key passes, 4/5 long balls, 2 interceptions, 3 tackles and won 7/9 ground duels. It’s just a normal day for him, imagine what he will do in a better environment.

@McFlybowy Shame he didn't go to a top European club ten years ago. Especially to a second rate league. A 23 year old Kane for 10 years at Barca, Madrid or BM...His performances would be recognised more than the 50 goals a season he would score, every season, with ease!!! Like this season

Ronaldo did (60+) for 4 seasons on a row. Absolute mental.

@McFlybowy For the Ballon D'or: Champions League seems over important; only performance in last third of the season seems over important; and attacking players who have great stats in second rate league seems over important. It de-values the point if its not actually about the best player

Closest Ballon d’or ever. Harry Kane, Mbappe, lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, Dembele. Five front runners all deserving.

@McFlybowy Think Arsenal fans, and anyone that's watched Arsenal games (who know football), knows how good he's is. But there's so much noise around Arsenal the football gets lost. He could have been motm many times (from LB isn't easy). Looks top top quality. And like all he knows...is win

I know Saliba and Gabriel gets all the hype, but he’s been one of the best defender this season. He’s just not play enough games to lay claim to that. But he’s been good every time he plays.

@GuillemBalague @LaLiga Its one of the least competitive leagues. The Spanish FA favours top clubs for European status, rather than equality to build a competitive league and quality at the bottom. They favour the main teams, creating a boring league with no competition. Hence poor commercial revenue

@GuillemBalague @LaLiga Top La Liga teams play less than half of their games at a high competitive level. They can be fresher and peak in the last third of the season. Almost like the league doesn't matter? La Liga teams wouldn't be as successful in Europe if they had to play 60 hard games a season

So @LaLiga has managed yet again to do exceptionally well in Europe Six teams in the quarters. No other league has been that successful Still the league with the biggest amount of European titles this century (52 for 33 of the PL and 14 of Serie A) The fact that it is is the most competitive domestic league in Europe (with regularly the shortest point difference between top and bottom sides) helps. Having to get close to Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two biggest clubs in the world, makes everyone better. And it also helps the clever usage of money and control of finances, the focus on match understanding and the continuously rich production of the quarry of players #Vamos #LaLiga

@TheFalseNein I think it's also the ebbs & flows of prem vs all other European teams, and how much fitness plays a part. In the prem teams were ready and 95%+ fitness and in full flow early on the season, now begin to fatigue. Whereas top European clubs don't need to be, but peak after March.

Tbh there’s no surprises. Gala is a tough place to go and Liverpool are in bad form. PSG are much better than Chelsea. City v Real is a toss up, City not in form, Real CL heritage. Spurs…😂 Arsenal went through. Only surprise would be if Liverpool don’t progress.

@ItsMeFletch_ @Tyler_avfc @lacantheory This is one of the ridiculous parts of the game (rules). Why, just because a player is shooting, can the defender or the keeper get none of the ball and smash into the player/ foul them, and it's not considered a foul?? (Can understand contact with the attackers follow through)

@Tyler_avfc @lacantheory Yes totally agree, the players should have been all over it.

This is absolutely tragic. x.com/astonvilla___/…

@afcDW It would just be best if they had a summer international period. Mid may - mid July. Games start June, 6 weeks all fixtures. Domestic seasons starts first week of September. International football would be better as the manager gets to work with the squad on actual tactics

I prefer it this way. Honestly it would be better if they merged them even more. Maybe one autumn break and one spring break each season, rather than the four breaks we have currently.

@95taeucci @67Incog @GAFC_04 Again, I have my annoyances but Arsenal have more goal contributions from subs than any other team (I think). Think he's freezing a bit & over relying on his favourites, & he's not learnt from previous seasons about over playing everyone. But he's one of the best in the world

@Deanomarks4 @67Incog @GAFC_04 his constant wrong decisions making/subs. his egotistical and stubborn self got us coming 2nd for almost what? 3 or 4 years. not gonna put it all on the 115 charges cause even without that teta is a prick he just dont got the minerals to get us over the line lets see this season

Arteta has to go regardless of what happens this season. These performances aren’t sustainable to winning the big trophies

@CFCDaily As an Arsenal fan, I think you look better, and the players are listening /respecting him. He's not trying to change everything, this period is just about getting results. Depends if he's good enough to create a style 'A' & 'B' that can beat top teams, not just counter tactics

Last thing tonight, I’m not going to want Rosenior gone if he can’t get CL because anyone with common sense can see the tough hand he’s been dealt with but if we were to finish outside of the Europa League places then we do have to look at the manager as well as the poor recruitment and decision making. Just deliver the bare minimum so we can just enjoy the World Cup in peace. And for those saying no Europe is better, I’d rather have 2 tickets for the raffle next season than 1 when it comes to CL football because getting Top 5 can’t be trusted.

@95taeucci @67Incog @GAFC_04 ? I didn't know what copium means? But just checked it out lol I've got my annoyances with Arteta, but he changed everything about where the club was going, and created one of the best teams in Europe. And if it wasn't for a city (115) team, could/ should already have two prems

@Deanomarks4 @67Incog @GAFC_04 ye yall trynna cope buh sorry to break it for you. arteta aint that guy we must move on from him

@95taeucci @67Incog @GAFC_04 Copium?

@67Incog @Deanomarks4 @GAFC_04 y’all really think arteta will fix up copium is hella of a thing

@cfcmorson Technically and tactically Chelsea aren't top level. Don't think anyone thinks they are at the moment? Agree? Individuals played well and for what Chelsea wanted to do, they played well. But tactics and good performances doesn't mean they deserved to win, just played well

@cmbftbl Which feels like a big factor no one is focused on at the moment. If or when Arsenal get a world class LW and 9, they go to another level.

Has there ever been a team as good as Arsenal in the last few years but with a worse frontline than Arsenal have had

@67Incog @GAFC_04 @95taeucci 👊 Absolutely. This season is definitely 'just get it done season'. For 2 seasons we were probably the best team, playing the best football, but it allowed flaws. Players we signed were hard work first, technical ability and flare second. Next year Arsenal are different

@GAFC_04 @95taeucci Lol once he wins he’s definitely going to change his style of play because he won’t be under any stress to win. We’ll definitely play attractive football next season.

@TheFalseNein Yep! Such a shame we didn't get a chance to see the best of him.

@Deanomarks4 Yeah agree. Jesus will be off in the summer, he’s done well to contribute in some games so hopefully he can continue in the FA Cup, maybe some CL games dependent on draw? some home PL fixtures, send him off with some trophies. Good guy, but his body has been through too much.

I generally agree with this, but you have to consider why. Kai has not been fit all season, and if Viktor gets injured or burns out we’re completely screwed. I think a lot of Arteta’s decisions have been fitness / availability related, don’t forget we’ve had a lot of injuries.

@charles_watts And again, no pressure on the ball, allowing a cross to come in

@charles_watts You allow Premier League players to shoot without any pressure from there, they can score. Poor again. The amount of pressure we don't put on players around the final third and allow them to shoot or cross has cost us, and we keep doing it

Well, that's just a very good goal out of nothing for Wolves. Game on again.