General Premier League Thread 2025/2026 - See Post #1 for Mod Note

jacool · 11-05-2026 03:37PM

Thanks to the Arsenal fans for engaging levelly.

Despite my dislike for the way they play, I'm actually going to be rich when they do win the league, and am still convinced that Bournemouth take at least a point from Man City. They are still unbeaten since Semenyo left, and are the longest unbeaten team in the top 5 European leagues. It could be one of those "winning the league without kicking a ball" scenarios, as I expect them both to win their next games.

Regarding tonight, its no forgone conclusion.

Leeds will play without fear, will know Spurs relegated them previously, whilst also helping themselves to Archie Gray.

Tottenham haven't won a home league fixture since December 6th, that's over 5 months ago. Pressure.

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 05:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460320#Comment_124460320

Firstly Arsenal deserve to win the league, they have been the most consistent team.

The whole season has been a complete mess in the PL at corners, it is rugby and not sure why it is allowed.

Clear foul on the keeper yesterday.

For me the more important issue is how the referees manage this and the long throws in next season as it is terrible to watch as a neutral.

Suvarnabhumi · 11-05-2026 05:33PM

In the NFL it would be "fouls on both sides, retake the corner".

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 05:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460911#Comment_124460911

So the entire match could be one corner in the PL

G1032 · 11-05-2026 06:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460847#Comment_124460847

Agreed. It is terrible to watch. But there seems to be an online misconception that this kind of tactic at corners is a recent development. I'm watching top fight English football for 40 years and hand on heart honestly can't remember a time when there wasn't fouling of opponents to one degree or another at corners. It's probably worse now than ever but it's been an issue since time immemorial.

I'm not sure how it's stopped either. Penalty for every infraction isn't the answer. It's a contact sport after all. I also think that by not allowing defenders some sort of mechanism to stop the goal threat we'll end up with huge scores in matches. We can say what we like about how awful it is to watch but the guys taking the corners nowadays are able to put the ball on a sixpence. So all the advantage can't be just given to the attack. Anyway, it's not an issue any of us in here will solve, and definitely not any time soon.

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 06:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461026#Comment_124461026

I think the rules that apply in general play should apply to corners, after 10 penalties in the opening few weeks then teams will change their approach.

Defenders should be able to defend, they get paid enough.

Did you smash it · 11-05-2026 06:55PM

no one seems to ever say that the main difference with corners is that after around 100 years footballers have got the hang of delivering them

Dr Robert · 11-05-2026 07:56PM

Leeds players are probably still drunk

eh i dunno · 11-05-2026 08:00PM

Hoping for a Leeds win to keep things interesting at the bottom. Spurs win and you'd imagine that's it

Fitz* · 11-05-2026 08:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461026#Comment_124461026

Guys able to put the ball on a six pence have always existed to be fair. Before this season there was Trent and before Trent there was James Ward Prowse and before JWP there was Beckham and so on and so on.

It's what's happening inside the box now that has changed. Set pieces have turned into NFL set plays with blockers and wrestling.

It has set the tone for the league. There are numerous teams that are filling the team with 6 foot lads across the pitch so there is a bigger collective pack. Every 'full back' at Arsenal played as a CB at their previous club. Every Leeds player signed last summer was over 6'1". Physical players more than technicians or ball players. Sunderland had a similar recruitment strategy. Man Utd, Brentford, Newcastle are at it, Everton, Villa, West Ham too.

Bruno is on course for setting a new assist record in the PL. He's currently on 19 assists with the record being 20. Over half of those 19 assists are from set piece routines. Most involve landing the ball on the big heads of Casemiro & Maguire while the other players block, shuttle, grapple opposition etc just to make space for those 2 to get on the end of it.

tom1ie · 11-05-2026 08:15PM

De Zerbi getting a slap on the wrist off the ref for leaving his technical area- does that happen to all other managers?

Dr Robert · 11-05-2026 08:17PM

He's a wannabe Arteta!

JohnDoe2025 · 11-05-2026 08:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460847#Comment_124460847

Saka and Rice are the best corner takers in the league, with Madueke not far behind.

If the mess is cleared up, Arsenal will be the ones to benefit the most. Gabriel has scored a lot of goals, but he would have won twice as many penalties if the rules had been enforced.

Kiith · 11-05-2026 08:35PM

Corner given to Spurs for Darlow taking more than 8 seconds. Think that's the first time I've seen that given.

theoneeyedman · 11-05-2026 08:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461296#Comment_124461296

Problem is that this will filter down to junior and Kids football too

Why pick that pair of knacky 12 year olds when you can pick that pair of bigger lads who can push and bully other kids and head the ball instead?

Game will be a complete mess in a few years

giveitholly · 11-05-2026 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461396#Comment_124461396

I was at an u11s game a couple of months ago and it was already happening,everyone crowding around the goalie with lots of pushing and shoving. In fairness the child taking the corner had a sweet left foot and could land it right under the centre of the goal posts each time. It was funny yet sad to see.

breezy1985 · 11-05-2026 08:54PM

Won't someone please think of the children.

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 08:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461310#Comment_124461310

I am not an Arsenal fan so I have no interest in them.

All my comments are in relation to the league as a spectacle.

More goals from corners would make games more exciting for most fans

pjohnson · 11-05-2026 08:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461364#Comment_124461364

Dubravka got pinged opening day and I think Pickford around Christmas but it hasn't happened much.

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 08:59PM

Exactly, start drafting in some of the NBA lads who don't get a pick, they would be brilliant at corners.

They could probably throw it 60 yards so for teams trying to stay up, think of all the 90 second throw ins, definitely would improve their chances of staying up

Infoseeker1975 · 11-05-2026 09:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461303#Comment_124461303

Give managers a tag to wear at matches, once they leave their technical area then they get an electrical shock:)

Kiith · 11-05-2026 09:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461436#Comment_124461436

Arteta after 10 mins.

Mushy · 11-05-2026 09:15PM

Ah well, the dream was fun while it lasted

doc_17 · 11-05-2026 09:22PM

The pulling and dragging isn’t new, but what is new is VAR. When you have it, and you review things like Rice on Mavrapanos, and don’t give the penalty, then it’s a farce. Similarly, you can’t have VAR and allow yesterday’s WH goal. Referees can help themselves by avoiding long delays from when the corner is awarded to when it’s taken, and then once it’s hit blow for the first free you see. It’s actually not that hard to sort out.