PB
@olipb.bsky.social
Write/Talk Arsenal. UFC. Comms. BBC Sport Arsenal contributor.
Read my weekly free substack: https://fresharsenal.substack.com/
Read my weekly free substack: https://fresharsenal.substack.com/
Pinned
PB
@olipb.bsky.social
ยท 19d
Line in the sand: What Arteta has to change for Arsenal to win this league
15 games to go - Arsenal have to take a step back and rise to the run-in
fresharsenal.substack.com
If you are ready for some forward-thinking reading, I've just penned a long read.
'Line in the sand: What Arteta has to change for Arsenal to win this league'
15 games to go - Arsenal have to take a step back and rise to the run-in
Free to read & sub ๐
fresharsenal.substack.com/p/line-in-th...
'Line in the sand: What Arteta has to change for Arsenal to win this league'
15 games to go - Arsenal have to take a step back and rise to the run-in
Free to read & sub ๐
fresharsenal.substack.com/p/line-in-th...
Wigan
Kepa
White Salmon Mosquera Calafiori
Norgaard MLS
Noni Eze Martinelli
Jesus
Kepa
White Salmon Mosquera Calafiori
Norgaard MLS
Noni Eze Martinelli
Jesus
February 13, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Wigan
Kepa
White Salmon Mosquera Calafiori
Norgaard MLS
Noni Eze Martinelli
Jesus
Kepa
White Salmon Mosquera Calafiori
Norgaard MLS
Noni Eze Martinelli
Jesus
Man City got torn to shreds a few games ago at United (shouldโve lost 5-0) and dropped a 2 goal lead at Spurs a week ago. Whole narrative has spun on them because of Liverpoolโs collapse.
Yes they could go on a 12 game winning run but I think thatโs very unlikely.
Yes they could go on a 12 game winning run but I think thatโs very unlikely.
February 13, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Man City got torn to shreds a few games ago at United (shouldโve lost 5-0) and dropped a 2 goal lead at Spurs a week ago. Whole narrative has spun on them because of Liverpoolโs collapse.
Yes they could go on a 12 game winning run but I think thatโs very unlikely.
Yes they could go on a 12 game winning run but I think thatโs very unlikely.
These opponents positions in the home form table...
Wolves (20th)
Spurs (18th)
Brighton (13th)
Man City (1st)
West Ham (17th)
Crystal Palace (16th)
Wolves (20th)
Spurs (18th)
Brighton (13th)
Man City (1st)
West Ham (17th)
Crystal Palace (16th)
Arsenal's remaining away games.
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
February 13, 2026 at 12:01 AM
These opponents positions in the home form table...
Wolves (20th)
Spurs (18th)
Brighton (13th)
Man City (1st)
West Ham (17th)
Crystal Palace (16th)
Wolves (20th)
Spurs (18th)
Brighton (13th)
Man City (1st)
West Ham (17th)
Crystal Palace (16th)
Away games have proven to be very hard for every team this year. Man City have only won 6/13.
We have to go and beat Wolves and Spurs now - that will give us a 7pt lead (having played a game more) and just have 4 away games left.
We have to go and beat Wolves and Spurs now - that will give us a 7pt lead (having played a game more) and just have 4 away games left.
February 12, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Away games have proven to be very hard for every team this year. Man City have only won 6/13.
We have to go and beat Wolves and Spurs now - that will give us a 7pt lead (having played a game more) and just have 4 away games left.
We have to go and beat Wolves and Spurs now - that will give us a 7pt lead (having played a game more) and just have 4 away games left.
Gyokeres did amazing hold up and flick through in the 93rd minute, and it's Jurrien Timber, our gassed out defensive right back, the furthest man forward. I just don't get it.
February 12, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Gyokeres did amazing hold up and flick through in the 93rd minute, and it's Jurrien Timber, our gassed out defensive right back, the furthest man forward. I just don't get it.
Media is looking to be definitive again, we have 12 Premier League games and 4 competitions left to play for.
We are in a position anyone would dream of pre-season. Which players want to become a legend and step up and do it?
We are in a position anyone would dream of pre-season. Which players want to become a legend and step up and do it?
February 12, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Media is looking to be definitive again, we have 12 Premier League games and 4 competitions left to play for.
We are in a position anyone would dream of pre-season. Which players want to become a legend and step up and do it?
We are in a position anyone would dream of pre-season. Which players want to become a legend and step up and do it?
Ultimately you are never going to win a league when you donโt have any attacking player delivering at the level.
Someone needs to go and win us this title.
We have come second when Jesus, Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka were playing MUCH better than this.
Someone needs to go and win us this title.
We have come second when Jesus, Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka were playing MUCH better than this.
February 12, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Ultimately you are never going to win a league when you donโt have any attacking player delivering at the level.
Someone needs to go and win us this title.
We have come second when Jesus, Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka were playing MUCH better than this.
Someone needs to go and win us this title.
We have come second when Jesus, Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka were playing MUCH better than this.
White has to play against Wolves.
Give him the Wigan game to get some rhythm.
Give him the Wigan game to get some rhythm.
February 12, 2026 at 10:18 PM
White has to play against Wolves.
Give him the Wigan game to get some rhythm.
Give him the Wigan game to get some rhythm.
Arsenal's remaining away games.
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
February 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Arsenal's remaining away games.
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
Man City
West Ham
Palace
So frustrating we lost Havertz for that game because its exactly the game we needed him for.
Still, Mikel needs to do more with the players he had at his disposal.
Still, Mikel needs to do more with the players he had at his disposal.
February 12, 2026 at 10:07 PM
So frustrating we lost Havertz for that game because its exactly the game we needed him for.
Still, Mikel needs to do more with the players he had at his disposal.
Still, Mikel needs to do more with the players he had at his disposal.
Not too bothered by it because Brentford looked the more likely at the end, but how there was only 5 mins added in that second half is pretty scandalous. Ball was in Kayode's hands for about 20 mins of the half.
February 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Not too bothered by it because Brentford looked the more likely at the end, but how there was only 5 mins added in that second half is pretty scandalous. Ball was in Kayode's hands for about 20 mins of the half.
Odegaard changed the tempo for 15 mins, but then lost his man for the goal and disappeared.
It's really annoying that between Odegaard / Eze / Havertz we don't have a player who can just consistently be good & fit.
It's really annoying that between Odegaard / Eze / Havertz we don't have a player who can just consistently be good & fit.
February 12, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Odegaard changed the tempo for 15 mins, but then lost his man for the goal and disappeared.
It's really annoying that between Odegaard / Eze / Havertz we don't have a player who can just consistently be good & fit.
It's really annoying that between Odegaard / Eze / Havertz we don't have a player who can just consistently be good & fit.
Why on earth are we not using a fresh Ben White who can offer something to our attack?
Timber looked knackered. Through on goal and couldn't run - so costs us a chance to win it.
Then a tired pass and slow running meant he nearly lost us it.
Timber looked knackered. Through on goal and couldn't run - so costs us a chance to win it.
Then a tired pass and slow running meant he nearly lost us it.
February 12, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Why on earth are we not using a fresh Ben White who can offer something to our attack?
Timber looked knackered. Through on goal and couldn't run - so costs us a chance to win it.
Then a tired pass and slow running meant he nearly lost us it.
Timber looked knackered. Through on goal and couldn't run - so costs us a chance to win it.
Then a tired pass and slow running meant he nearly lost us it.
Finally Hincapie showing his quality delivery! Wicked ball and a very good header from Madueke
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Finally Hincapie showing his quality delivery! Wicked ball and a very good header from Madueke
Need Eze to do what Semenyo has done for City in the last 10 games or so, consistent G/A output.
He will get a run in the team, his time is now.
Take the opportunity.
He will get a run in the team, his time is now.
Take the opportunity.
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Need Eze to do what Semenyo has done for City in the last 10 games or so, consistent G/A output.
He will get a run in the team, his time is now.
Take the opportunity.
He will get a run in the team, his time is now.
Take the opportunity.
Can't really predict the XI to face Brentford given the ambiguity around Leo/Saka/Odegaard fitness - but vs. Wigan it needs to be heavy rotation
Kepa
White Mosquera Calafiori Hincapie
Ode/Eze Norgaard MLS
Madueke Jesus Martinelli
Kepa
White Mosquera Calafiori Hincapie
Ode/Eze Norgaard MLS
Madueke Jesus Martinelli
February 11, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Can't really predict the XI to face Brentford given the ambiguity around Leo/Saka/Odegaard fitness - but vs. Wigan it needs to be heavy rotation
Kepa
White Mosquera Calafiori Hincapie
Ode/Eze Norgaard MLS
Madueke Jesus Martinelli
Kepa
White Mosquera Calafiori Hincapie
Ode/Eze Norgaard MLS
Madueke Jesus Martinelli
If Man Utd win their remaining 12 games (never happening) they'd only finish on 81 points, with a terrible GD. Quite hilarious some of their fans were claiming they could win the title before today.
February 10, 2026 at 10:44 PM
If Man Utd win their remaining 12 games (never happening) they'd only finish on 81 points, with a terrible GD. Quite hilarious some of their fans were claiming they could win the title before today.
I did the league predictor thing a few weeks ago and it came out both Arsenal and Manchester City finishing on 84 pts - Arsenal with one better GD.
February 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM
I did the league predictor thing a few weeks ago and it came out both Arsenal and Manchester City finishing on 84 pts - Arsenal with one better GD.
2 pts gained on Villa this week. City's charges are coming...
February 8, 2026 at 6:46 PM
2 pts gained on Villa this week. City's charges are coming...
Man City do the double over Liverpool for the first time in 90 years but we are being told this PL is being gifted to Arsenal with no competition.
February 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Man City do the double over Liverpool for the first time in 90 years but we are being told this PL is being gifted to Arsenal with no competition.
Liverpool you are a disgrace. Absolutely shocking performance. Not getting CL football after spending half a billion.
February 8, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Liverpool you are a disgrace. Absolutely shocking performance. Not getting CL football after spending half a billion.
Liverpool terrible in that half, Hugo Ekitike absolutely awful after being praised so much.
February 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Liverpool terrible in that half, Hugo Ekitike absolutely awful after being praised so much.
3 changes for Brentford
Then don't let Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice or Zubimendi near the Wigan game.
Then don't let Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice or Zubimendi near the Wigan game.
February 8, 2026 at 12:01 AM
3 changes for Brentford
Then don't let Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice or Zubimendi near the Wigan game.
Then don't let Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice or Zubimendi near the Wigan game.
Spurs are going to win the Championship next season and call themselves Champions of England
February 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Spurs are going to win the Championship next season and call themselves Champions of England