16 Aug 2026 17:02:32
City very poor today but Arsenal were impressive. United need to press as a team like they did. Gave City no space or time.

1.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 18:20:37
Let's get over Hull and Ipswich 1st. ?
I see Arsenal as red-hot favourites, but it's not easy playing as champions.
If Arsenal do falter, it's wide open, imo.
It's the most open it's been for years; lots of question marks over all the big sides, with the exception of Arsenal.


I think all the other traditional big clubs have new coaches, so there will be ups and downs for them all.
I think it will be as close a season as we've had for a long time.
I don't know why, but I think Arsenal will not find it easy.

2.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 19:12:29
I disagree. I think Arsenal will walk the league this year. They are so far ahead of everybody else.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea finish second.

3.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 19:22:38
Agree with above. Arsenal's strength in depth, quality and continuity will have them miles ahead. As for the rest, who knows, but I won't be shocked to see Chelsea and Spurs in the top 4 and having good seasons. I expect City will drop off, but not off a cliff; too much quality. As of now, that's my top 4.

4.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 19:27:52
Fallguy, Arsenal have had the best squad for the last 3 seasons. They could walk the league, but I think they are going to continue to be hamstrung by their coach. He seeks out drama like a heat missile, and he just doesn't seem to trust the team to express themselves.

Maybe they'll push on from last year and dominate, but I don't see it.
As for Chelsea: to finish second, everything would have to fall on place for them, but they could do it for sure.

5.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 21:18:43
Arsenal, Liverpool, City, I think, top three in that order. We will be fourth, and I think that Santos and Tielemans are going to make us a lot better than last year. I think these two signings are being slept on somewhat.

Liverpool, I think, will be the team to push Arsenal, with Szlobowhatsit being Player of the Year.

6.) 16 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 21:46:14
Nah Oakbark, Liverpool's defence isn't good enough.

7.) 17 Aug 2026
16 Aug 2026 23:57:50
They're way ahead as much as it pains me to say it. ?

8.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 06:25:41
For me, Arteta reminds me of Simeone. Both love themselves and love attracting drama. Both deploy the dark arts of football, and both are their own downfall at times.

Due to that, I reckon Arsenal might be on and off with titles. Like Simeone, I think they will win the league sporadically if Arteta was to stay.

I don't think the Arsenal fans will be as forgiving as those Athleti fans if he doesn't win consistently.

This is a very good year for Utd if they can just be consistent. The issue is, that's the thing we find hard, and European football will really impact us.

9.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 10:46:29
I'm not sure on the outcome of any refereeing meetings the FA hold with clubs pre-season - I wonder if there have been any official conclusions or rule changes regarding holding/blocking/wrestlemania from set-pieces? Without any bitterness or disrespect to them, it's a big part of Arsenal's game. Will they do as well with more scrutiny on deadballs? Otherwise, they've strengthened well with Guimaraes and the Greek lad looks useful.

But I digress...
United will indeed need to be pressing monsters, and this looks to have become a positive upgrade to our game in recent months, and has definitely continued preseason.

10.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 12:19:47
Arsenal are the clear favourites for a reason. They have one of the best squads in the league (maybe the best), and they are settled.

City might take a little time to adjust to the post-Pep era. 10 years with the same manager is a long time in modern football. They have also had a fair amount of experienced players leave over the last couple of years, and have just lost Rodri as well.

As for us, I think the trick to doing well is to keep the focus on yourself and not your rivals. You can't affect their results, only your own.

We have Hull on Saturday, and I think it might be a slightly trickier match than most fans give it credit for. Yes, they are a promoted side, but they are in the league on merit, and you are only as good as your last game, which for us wasn't great.

A theme of pre-season has been our susceptibility to conceding from set-pieces and crosses into the box.

With MdL out and with Casemiro moving on, we don't have much aerial dominance in the side beyond Maguire (although Yoro did well against Leeds in the air). I mention this as crosses and set-pieces were a real strength of Hull last season, with nearly 45% of their goals coming from crosses and set-pieces.

This means Hull's biggest strength is also our biggest weakness. I think we might have to rely on outscoring Hull on Saturday, as it seems likely they will get a goal or two from set-pieces or from crosses. We will likely need to score 2 or 3 goals at least to ensure the win.

Dropped points, or even a loss, especially one that highlights our biggest weakness, would not be a good start to the league.

11.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 12:57:35
I would suggest we have to outscore anyone to win games, or at least that's my understanding of the game. ?

12.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 13:30:39
Keefy, essentially yes. ? But there is outscoring them like how Arsenal did last season (not conceding and only needing a single goal to win most weeks), and being a side that is likely to concede a goal or two and therefore needing to score multiple goals to win any given game.

I like the side we are building, but we do have a potential soft centre, that lacks a little in physicality and experience.



We are a couple of injuries/suspensions away from having a CB pairing of Heaven and Yoro, who are shielded by a midfield duo of Mainoo and Santos. Literally 19, 20, 21, and 22-year-olds, respectively. Given that Lammens has just turned 24, and Sesko is 23, that is a very young spine.

We are bound to have a few weaknesses. These young lads are not the most physically dominant players (yet).

13.) 17 Aug 2026
17 Aug 2026 13:44:01
We are not physically dominant in defence, midfield, or attack. That's why we will struggle this season. Long way still to get back on the perch.

14.) 18 Aug 2026
18 Aug 2026 13:08:14
Why didn't we struggle last season, Salford?