Naph Torrance
@naphtor.bsky.social
Nominally a brand strategist, but I mainly tweet boring shit about Arsenal FC.
That was fucking incredible.
Most pumped I’ve been about a result since… Real? And before that maybe Spurs (A) last season
Most pumped I’ve been about a result since… Real? And before that maybe Spurs (A) last season
September 28, 2025 at 5:40 PM
That was fucking incredible.
Most pumped I’ve been about a result since… Real? And before that maybe Spurs (A) last season
Most pumped I’ve been about a result since… Real? And before that maybe Spurs (A) last season
I'm sorry but Kelly McJunkin Blaha and R. Otto Maly do not seem like real people.
September 19, 2025 at 9:13 AM
I'm sorry but Kelly McJunkin Blaha and R. Otto Maly do not seem like real people.
Slightly diminish a book:
Relatively Large Expectations
Relatively Large Expectations
Slightly diminish a book:
Capo Quixote
Capo Quixote
Slightly diminish a book
Wuthering Hillocks
Wuthering Hillocks
September 8, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Slightly diminish a book:
Relatively Large Expectations
Relatively Large Expectations
Spurs’ process has been a mess, and they’ve had some big embarrassments - but Simons for €60m is better for them than either MGW or Eze.
Just looking at signings, not sentiment, they’ve had a good summer IMO.
Just looking at signings, not sentiment, they’ve had a good summer IMO.
August 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Spurs’ process has been a mess, and they’ve had some big embarrassments - but Simons for €60m is better for them than either MGW or Eze.
Just looking at signings, not sentiment, they’ve had a good summer IMO.
Just looking at signings, not sentiment, they’ve had a good summer IMO.
A slightly different view of the Trossard extension:
If you told me at the end of the season that Leo would be our 7th attacker to replace Sterling minutes, I would've been happy.
The issue is I expected the people who came in above him to be bigger upgrades.
If you told me at the end of the season that Leo would be our 7th attacker to replace Sterling minutes, I would've been happy.
The issue is I expected the people who came in above him to be bigger upgrades.
August 20, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A slightly different view of the Trossard extension:
If you told me at the end of the season that Leo would be our 7th attacker to replace Sterling minutes, I would've been happy.
The issue is I expected the people who came in above him to be bigger upgrades.
If you told me at the end of the season that Leo would be our 7th attacker to replace Sterling minutes, I would've been happy.
The issue is I expected the people who came in above him to be bigger upgrades.
The last week of the transfer window is going to be a face off between PL clubs desperate for reinforcements (West Ham, Palace, Fulham, etc) and PL clubs desperate to offload players (United, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc).
Who will blink first?
Who will blink first?
August 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The last week of the transfer window is going to be a face off between PL clubs desperate for reinforcements (West Ham, Palace, Fulham, etc) and PL clubs desperate to offload players (United, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc).
Who will blink first?
Who will blink first?
A random assortment of PL predictions:
Liverpool win the league
Arsenal 3rd, but < 3 points between top 3.
Chelsea 4th, Estevao wins YPOTY
Spurs 5th.
Bournemouth finish 13th, Iraola leaves in Summer.
All 3 promoted teams go back down again.
Xhaka injures Bruno G in a Tyne-Wear derby.
Liverpool win the league
Arsenal 3rd, but < 3 points between top 3.
Chelsea 4th, Estevao wins YPOTY
Spurs 5th.
Bournemouth finish 13th, Iraola leaves in Summer.
All 3 promoted teams go back down again.
Xhaka injures Bruno G in a Tyne-Wear derby.
August 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A random assortment of PL predictions:
Liverpool win the league
Arsenal 3rd, but < 3 points between top 3.
Chelsea 4th, Estevao wins YPOTY
Spurs 5th.
Bournemouth finish 13th, Iraola leaves in Summer.
All 3 promoted teams go back down again.
Xhaka injures Bruno G in a Tyne-Wear derby.
Liverpool win the league
Arsenal 3rd, but < 3 points between top 3.
Chelsea 4th, Estevao wins YPOTY
Spurs 5th.
Bournemouth finish 13th, Iraola leaves in Summer.
All 3 promoted teams go back down again.
Xhaka injures Bruno G in a Tyne-Wear derby.
Saw this simple table in @thetransferflow.bsky.social Arsenal Season Preview, and IMO neatly summed up what we've tried to do this summer.
Obvious caveats to the stats apply, but we've prioritised
Goals & Assists✅
Impact ✅
Availability ✅
Fingers crossed it translates
Obvious caveats to the stats apply, but we've prioritised
Goals & Assists✅
Impact ✅
Availability ✅
Fingers crossed it translates
August 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Saw this simple table in @thetransferflow.bsky.social Arsenal Season Preview, and IMO neatly summed up what we've tried to do this summer.
Obvious caveats to the stats apply, but we've prioritised
Goals & Assists✅
Impact ✅
Availability ✅
Fingers crossed it translates
Obvious caveats to the stats apply, but we've prioritised
Goals & Assists✅
Impact ✅
Availability ✅
Fingers crossed it translates
Hey @towells.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social really enjoying the Snapshots (as usual) – was wondering, was there a Mosquera one that I missed? Or was he skipped?
July 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Hey @towells.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social really enjoying the Snapshots (as usual) – was wondering, was there a Mosquera one that I missed? Or was he skipped?
Arsenal have made big gambles this summer.
On quantity over elite quality
On older players w/ little resale value
And perhaps the biggest, on a DoF who ‘prizes relationships over data’
Not what I would do and I worry it’ll set us back long term. But if we win something major, will have paid off 🤞
On quantity over elite quality
On older players w/ little resale value
And perhaps the biggest, on a DoF who ‘prizes relationships over data’
Not what I would do and I worry it’ll set us back long term. But if we win something major, will have paid off 🤞
July 27, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Arsenal have made big gambles this summer.
On quantity over elite quality
On older players w/ little resale value
And perhaps the biggest, on a DoF who ‘prizes relationships over data’
Not what I would do and I worry it’ll set us back long term. But if we win something major, will have paid off 🤞
On quantity over elite quality
On older players w/ little resale value
And perhaps the biggest, on a DoF who ‘prizes relationships over data’
Not what I would do and I worry it’ll set us back long term. But if we win something major, will have paid off 🤞
Newcastle’s implosion would be SO much more enjoyable if they weren’t selling their best players to our biggest competitors.
July 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Newcastle’s implosion would be SO much more enjoyable if they weren’t selling their best players to our biggest competitors.
Honestly quite disappointed with how we've approached the whole Isak thing.
Caved far too early, rather than acting like a big club and trying – at least trying! – to force the issue.
Also: Newcastle, quite pathetic for all their chat beforehand.
Caved far too early, rather than acting like a big club and trying – at least trying! – to force the issue.
Also: Newcastle, quite pathetic for all their chat beforehand.
July 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Honestly quite disappointed with how we've approached the whole Isak thing.
Caved far too early, rather than acting like a big club and trying – at least trying! – to force the issue.
Also: Newcastle, quite pathetic for all their chat beforehand.
Caved far too early, rather than acting like a big club and trying – at least trying! – to force the issue.
Also: Newcastle, quite pathetic for all their chat beforehand.
Liverpool are going to sell Diaz and Nunez and sign Isak, aren't they.
It's going to really piss me off, ngl.
It's going to really piss me off, ngl.
July 24, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Liverpool are going to sell Diaz and Nunez and sign Isak, aren't they.
It's going to really piss me off, ngl.
It's going to really piss me off, ngl.
Honestly feel that if our summer shopping ends with Gyokeres joining, we've had a 6/10 window.
Kepa, Norgaard, Mosquera smart deals for backups.
Madueke a good addition IMO, but not an improvement on Martinelli at LW currently.
Gyok I have huge doubts over.
Zubi the only level-raiser.
Kepa, Norgaard, Mosquera smart deals for backups.
Madueke a good addition IMO, but not an improvement on Martinelli at LW currently.
Gyok I have huge doubts over.
Zubi the only level-raiser.
July 22, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Honestly feel that if our summer shopping ends with Gyokeres joining, we've had a 6/10 window.
Kepa, Norgaard, Mosquera smart deals for backups.
Madueke a good addition IMO, but not an improvement on Martinelli at LW currently.
Gyok I have huge doubts over.
Zubi the only level-raiser.
Kepa, Norgaard, Mosquera smart deals for backups.
Madueke a good addition IMO, but not an improvement on Martinelli at LW currently.
Gyok I have huge doubts over.
Zubi the only level-raiser.
Looks like Arsenal have gone for numbers and variety of profiles with Noni + Eze alongside Gyokeres.
As opposed to pure ceiling-raising talent with Rodrygo alongside VG.
I get the rationale, but I find it a bit disappointing – and it's not the route I would've taken.
As opposed to pure ceiling-raising talent with Rodrygo alongside VG.
I get the rationale, but I find it a bit disappointing – and it's not the route I would've taken.
July 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Looks like Arsenal have gone for numbers and variety of profiles with Noni + Eze alongside Gyokeres.
As opposed to pure ceiling-raising talent with Rodrygo alongside VG.
I get the rationale, but I find it a bit disappointing – and it's not the route I would've taken.
As opposed to pure ceiling-raising talent with Rodrygo alongside VG.
I get the rationale, but I find it a bit disappointing – and it's not the route I would've taken.
I so, so hope that I’m wrong on this, but I really hate this Gyokeres deal for us.
July 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I so, so hope that I’m wrong on this, but I really hate this Gyokeres deal for us.
One thing I will say; looks like we might be going more direct more quickly next season.
Potential signings of Gyok and Madueke have a lot more to offer like that than the slower football we played last season. Zubi prob helps with it too.
Potential signings of Gyok and Madueke have a lot more to offer like that than the slower football we played last season. Zubi prob helps with it too.
July 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
One thing I will say; looks like we might be going more direct more quickly next season.
Potential signings of Gyok and Madueke have a lot more to offer like that than the slower football we played last season. Zubi prob helps with it too.
Potential signings of Gyok and Madueke have a lot more to offer like that than the slower football we played last season. Zubi prob helps with it too.
The other thing is I don’t think it is positive we’ve spent 2 years chasing Šeško & Williams to get neither.
And could’ve signed Gyok & Eze last year for basically same fee, but didn’t.
It’s been the same names for 3-4 windows now and little to show for it (Zubi excepted)
And could’ve signed Gyok & Eze last year for basically same fee, but didn’t.
It’s been the same names for 3-4 windows now and little to show for it (Zubi excepted)
NGL I just don’t really love the squad building we seem to be doing with our attacking options.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
July 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The other thing is I don’t think it is positive we’ve spent 2 years chasing Šeško & Williams to get neither.
And could’ve signed Gyok & Eze last year for basically same fee, but didn’t.
It’s been the same names for 3-4 windows now and little to show for it (Zubi excepted)
And could’ve signed Gyok & Eze last year for basically same fee, but didn’t.
It’s been the same names for 3-4 windows now and little to show for it (Zubi excepted)
NGL I just don’t really love the squad building we seem to be doing with our attacking options.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
July 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NGL I just don’t really love the squad building we seem to be doing with our attacking options.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
Hope there’s more surprises to come, but right now I don’t think it’s smart.
My unwelcome take:
I really, really like Eze. I think he has lots of qualities Arsenal need. I think there are a few things we need in a LW he doesn't have, though not insurmountable.
But I have reservations about spending ~£70m on a 27yo.
I really, really like Eze. I think he has lots of qualities Arsenal need. I think there are a few things we need in a LW he doesn't have, though not insurmountable.
But I have reservations about spending ~£70m on a 27yo.
June 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
My unwelcome take:
I really, really like Eze. I think he has lots of qualities Arsenal need. I think there are a few things we need in a LW he doesn't have, though not insurmountable.
But I have reservations about spending ~£70m on a 27yo.
I really, really like Eze. I think he has lots of qualities Arsenal need. I think there are a few things we need in a LW he doesn't have, though not insurmountable.
But I have reservations about spending ~£70m on a 27yo.
Random thought, but if we were to sign Hato, I think that in terms of quality & depth (not necessarily profiles/availability) this is probably the best defensive group in the world?
Lewis-Skelly & Hato
Gabriel & Calafiori
Saliba & Tomiyasu
Timber & White
Lewis-Skelly & Hato
Gabriel & Calafiori
Saliba & Tomiyasu
Timber & White
June 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Random thought, but if we were to sign Hato, I think that in terms of quality & depth (not necessarily profiles/availability) this is probably the best defensive group in the world?
Lewis-Skelly & Hato
Gabriel & Calafiori
Saliba & Tomiyasu
Timber & White
Lewis-Skelly & Hato
Gabriel & Calafiori
Saliba & Tomiyasu
Timber & White
I read the Guehi > Liverpool news last night just before bed.
Had a dream where we'd missed out on him and Huijsen, so we decided to cross-breed Saliba and Timber.
We then had these two 18yo CBs called Salimber and Tiba. Unsurprisingly, they were excellent.
Had a dream where we'd missed out on him and Huijsen, so we decided to cross-breed Saliba and Timber.
We then had these two 18yo CBs called Salimber and Tiba. Unsurprisingly, they were excellent.
June 20, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I read the Guehi > Liverpool news last night just before bed.
Had a dream where we'd missed out on him and Huijsen, so we decided to cross-breed Saliba and Timber.
We then had these two 18yo CBs called Salimber and Tiba. Unsurprisingly, they were excellent.
Had a dream where we'd missed out on him and Huijsen, so we decided to cross-breed Saliba and Timber.
We then had these two 18yo CBs called Salimber and Tiba. Unsurprisingly, they were excellent.
With Nico W, Barcola, and Leao all out, just thinking about LW options if Rodrygo is also a no-go.
Increasingly coming round to the idea of Semenyo as the best of the rest.
Don't think he's a ceiling-raiser like the others but offers a lot of what we need, in a PL-proven package.
Increasingly coming round to the idea of Semenyo as the best of the rest.
Don't think he's a ceiling-raiser like the others but offers a lot of what we need, in a PL-proven package.
June 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
With Nico W, Barcola, and Leao all out, just thinking about LW options if Rodrygo is also a no-go.
Increasingly coming round to the idea of Semenyo as the best of the rest.
Don't think he's a ceiling-raiser like the others but offers a lot of what we need, in a PL-proven package.
Increasingly coming round to the idea of Semenyo as the best of the rest.
Don't think he's a ceiling-raiser like the others but offers a lot of what we need, in a PL-proven package.
A small thing, but tonight I'm playing football for the first time in 6 months after an incredibly frustrating series of hip issues.
A bit nervous but also so excited to finally be able to play again 🙌 ⚽
A bit nervous but also so excited to finally be able to play again 🙌 ⚽
June 16, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A small thing, but tonight I'm playing football for the first time in 6 months after an incredibly frustrating series of hip issues.
A bit nervous but also so excited to finally be able to play again 🙌 ⚽
A bit nervous but also so excited to finally be able to play again 🙌 ⚽