Miguel Delaney
@migueldelaney.bsky.social
Chief football writer at the Independent. Author of 'States of Play'
Pinned
‘States of Play’ is out today in paperback, featuring new material and a brand new chapter on football in the age of autocracy and billionaires, with focus on Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump and the new Manchester United.
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
In my free Monday newsletter today
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In my free Monday newsletter today
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
And a video piece on how a recent change in Eze's game saw him make Arsenal history
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
Miguel Delaney: How a change in his game saw Eze make Arsenal history
YouTube video by Independent Sport
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM
And a video piece on how a recent change in Eze's game saw him make Arsenal history
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
For the last few months, Arsenal staff felt Eze was a bit "tight" in his play as he adjusted to Arteta's demands without a pre-season
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Inside Eberechi Eze and Mikel Arteta’s plan that allowed Arsenal to finally click
Eze’s work ethic and desire to fulfil his talent have impressed Arteta’s coaches but patience has been required since his move from Crystal Palace. Against Tottenham, they started to see his impact
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
For the last few months, Arsenal staff felt Eze was a bit "tight" in his play as he adjusted to Arteta's demands without a pre-season
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arteta says Eze had two days off after international duty, but after one he wanted to get back into training as he wants "to keep learning"
November 23, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Arteta says Eze had two days off after international duty, but after one he wanted to get back into training as he wants "to keep learning"
Spurs were close to Eze in the summer, but here couldn't get near him
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eze made a mockery of Tottenham and changed Arsenal’s Premier League fate
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eze wrote his name in history with a north London derby hat-trick
www.independent.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Spurs were close to Eze in the summer, but here couldn't get near him
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
The stuff of club history, and maybe future champions
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eze made a mockery of Tottenham and changed Arsenal’s Premier League fate
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eze wrote his name in history with a north London derby hat-trick
www.independent.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The stuff of club history, and maybe future champions
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Only the fourth ever hat-trick in this fixture, after Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Spurs, August 1961) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978) according to Opta.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
November 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Only the fourth ever hat-trick in this fixture, after Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Spurs, August 1961) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978) according to Opta.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
And now it's 2-0 - no less than both teams deserve given the emphasis of play
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
And now it's 2-0 - no less than both teams deserve given the emphasis of play
Spurs' entire gameplan had seemed to be to sit deep as a physical bloc, so it's going to take some shift in emphasis now.
November 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Spurs' entire gameplan had seemed to be to sit deep as a physical bloc, so it's going to take some shift in emphasis now.
In what had been quite an industrial match, one beautiful clipped assist from Merino opens it.
November 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
In what had been quite an industrial match, one beautiful clipped assist from Merino opens it.
New Arsenal “tifo” - one for @jameshorncastle.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
New Arsenal “tifo” - one for @jameshorncastle.bsky.social
I'm sure it'll change in second half of season when new players have adapted but something of a irony to Guardiola now
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I'm sure it'll change in second half of season when new players have adapted but something of a irony to Guardiola now
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
Even allowing for the many issues you can logically point to, especially lopsided team, Liverpool shouldn't be this bad.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
November 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Even allowing for the many issues you can logically point to, especially lopsided team, Liverpool shouldn't be this bad.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
My newsletter piece on the north London derby - from Arteta's "obsession" to Eze's adaptation and evolving role, as well as Frank's "teaching"
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
New tension, old rivalries: Arsenal brace for derby test against Spurs
As Arsenal assess injuries and Eberechi Eze’s role ahead of facing a newly physical Tottenham Hotspur, Miguel Delaney examines why Mikel Arteta knows the main test may be mental in the latest edition ...
www.independent.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 12:25 PM
My newsletter piece on the north London derby - from Arteta's "obsession" to Eze's adaptation and evolving role, as well as Frank's "teaching"
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Encouraging news for Sheffield Wednesday as joint administrator Begbies Traynor say “We are now entering the next phase where initial interest turns into formal bids", with 12 parties having demonstrated proof of funds.
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Encouraging news for Sheffield Wednesday as joint administrator Begbies Traynor say “We are now entering the next phase where initial interest turns into formal bids", with 12 parties having demonstrated proof of funds.
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
- Josh Kroenke wasn't involved in Berta, but wanted Sesko over Gyokeres, and pushed for Hincapie in first sign of new era
- the Lewis children have rebuffed two firm offers of interest to buy Spurs, and Qatar have now moved on
"They have the taste for it"
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- the Lewis children have rebuffed two firm offers of interest to buy Spurs, and Qatar have now moved on
"They have the taste for it"
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eberechi Eze to Arsenal changed Tottenham’s future forever
The north London derby rivals have endured major changes in the boardroom in recent months, with Sunday’s encounter setting the scene for a new era in the Premier League
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
- Josh Kroenke wasn't involved in Berta, but wanted Sesko over Gyokeres, and pushed for Hincapie in first sign of new era
- the Lewis children have rebuffed two firm offers of interest to buy Spurs, and Qatar have now moved on
"They have the taste for it"
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- the Lewis children have rebuffed two firm offers of interest to buy Spurs, and Qatar have now moved on
"They have the taste for it"
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
"Succession" and how the children of billionaire Spurs/Arsenal are owners are taking charge
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eberechi Eze to Arsenal changed Tottenham’s future forever
The north London derby rivals have endured major changes in the boardroom in recent months, with Sunday’s encounter setting the scene for a new era in the Premier League
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
"Succession" and how the children of billionaire Spurs/Arsenal are owners are taking charge
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
"Succession" and how the children of billionaire Spurs/Arsenal are owners are taking charge
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eberechi Eze to Arsenal changed Tottenham’s future forever
The north London derby rivals have endured major changes in the boardroom in recent months, with Sunday’s encounter setting the scene for a new era in the Premier League
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
"Succession" and how the children of billionaire Spurs/Arsenal are owners are taking charge
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
It has led to quips about the TV show, and "luckiest sperm"
It will lead to change, and has already cost two of PL's biggest figures in Daniel Levy and Tim Lewis
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Spoke to @TimKrul about his post-career and being an executive, but also the future of goalkeeping
- why a return to an aerial might bring a huge shift in goalkeeping again
- how to spot the difference between a safe goalkeeper and a good goalkeeper
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why a return to an aerial might bring a huge shift in goalkeeping again
- how to spot the difference between a safe goalkeeper and a good goalkeeper
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tim Krul: I had to lump it to Andy Carroll at Newcastle – Alan Pardew demanded it
The former Netherlands shot-stopper discusses the evolution of the goalkeeper with Miguel Delaney and why Andre Onana struggled so much at Manchester United
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Spoke to @TimKrul about his post-career and being an executive, but also the future of goalkeeping
- why a return to an aerial might bring a huge shift in goalkeeping again
- how to spot the difference between a safe goalkeeper and a good goalkeeper
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why a return to an aerial might bring a huge shift in goalkeeping again
- how to spot the difference between a safe goalkeeper and a good goalkeeper
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
A Friday @podcast_libero North London derby special, with me, @jonawils and @JackPittBrooke - and discussion on what might have been one of most far-reaching decisions in football history
pod.fo/e/356f92
pod.fo/e/356f92
Libero: Libero 072 | Arsenal v Tottenham: Who Really Owns North London?
A team of interlopers from Kent are now arguably London's biggest club and with the pendulum of power swinging back Arsenal's way in recent years, a league title appears possible again. Did North L...
pod.fo
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
A Friday @podcast_libero North London derby special, with me, @jonawils and @JackPittBrooke - and discussion on what might have been one of most far-reaching decisions in football history
pod.fo/e/356f92
pod.fo/e/356f92
In my subscriber Friday newsletter this week, on the North London derby:
- Arteta's tunnel vision about this season
- Arsenal looking at soft-tissue injuries
- Eze's evolving role
- Frank's bedding in
- Liverpool's long-term view
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- Arteta's tunnel vision about this season
- Arsenal looking at soft-tissue injuries
- Eze's evolving role
- Frank's bedding in
- Liverpool's long-term view
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In my subscriber Friday newsletter this week, on the North London derby:
- Arteta's tunnel vision about this season
- Arsenal looking at soft-tissue injuries
- Eze's evolving role
- Frank's bedding in
- Liverpool's long-term view
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- Arteta's tunnel vision about this season
- Arsenal looking at soft-tissue injuries
- Eze's evolving role
- Frank's bedding in
- Liverpool's long-term view
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tim Krul has just retired and wants to become a director - unlike in Holland, he says player experience is now too absent from boardrooms - from the calendar to play
eg, data says long shots are inefficient, but he says goalkeepers find them the worst
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
eg, data says long shots are inefficient, but he says goalkeepers find them the worst
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tim Krul: I had to lump it to Andy Carroll at Newcastle – Alan Pardew demanded it
The former Netherlands shot-stopper discusses the evolution of the goalkeeper with Miguel Delaney and why Andre Onana struggled so much at Manchester United
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Tim Krul has just retired and wants to become a director - unlike in Holland, he says player experience is now too absent from boardrooms - from the calendar to play
eg, data says long shots are inefficient, but he says goalkeepers find them the worst
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
eg, data says long shots are inefficient, but he says goalkeepers find them the worst
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
Video piece on why Ireland and Parrott's moment was a long time coming, and all the more special because it was against all odds - which is why it offers a lesson for football
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETiT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETiT...
Why Parrott’s moment meant more than World Cup play-offs to Ireland
YouTube video by Independent Sport
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Video piece on why Ireland and Parrott's moment was a long time coming, and all the more special because it was against all odds - which is why it offers a lesson for football
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETiT...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETiT...
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
And a video piece on why this international week was so good
Also: Uefa's four-team groups work
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lX...
Also: Uefa's four-team groups work
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lX...
Miguel Delaney: This was the best week of football ever (and here's why)
YouTube video by Independent Sport
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
And a video piece on why this international week was so good
Also: Uefa's four-team groups work
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lX...
Also: Uefa's four-team groups work
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lX...