Ahmed Walid
@ahmed-walid.bsky.social
Football Writer for The Athletic. Views are my own
Piece on the attacking roles of Manchester City’s full-backs this season, and the team’s switches of play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The tactical lesson from 2024-25 that is paying dividends for Manchester City this season
How the width of their full-backs is helping Pep Guardiola's midfield overload in midfield
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Piece on the attacking roles of Manchester City’s full-backs this season, and the team’s switches of play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🔺 The positivity being stoked at Sunderland
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔺 The afternoon he was booed from the field at the Emirates
🔺 The chaos Mikel Arteta confronted at Arsenal
Ahead of the visit of his former club Arsenal, Granit Xhaka talks exclusively to @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Managed to tear myself away from the Parrott goal on infinite loop long enough to write about Ireland’s madcap week.
A remarkable resurrection.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
A remarkable resurrection.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
How one of the most dramatic and jaw-dropping weeks in Irish football history unfolded
Five goals from Troy Parrott stole the show – but it was a group effort from Heimir Hallgrimsson's side that has kept World Cup hopes alive
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Managed to tear myself away from the Parrott goal on infinite loop long enough to write about Ireland’s madcap week.
A remarkable resurrection.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
A remarkable resurrection.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
🎙️🇫🇷 Leny Yoro interview
• 'really emotional' last season + what's changed
• United's 'no bad energy' policy
• no regrets over €62m move
• that Homer Simpson celebration
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
• 'really emotional' last season + what's changed
• United's 'no bad energy' policy
• no regrets over €62m move
• that Homer Simpson celebration
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Leny Yoro: Man Utd’s ‘no bad energy’ policy, ‘tough’ last season – and that Homer Simpson dance
Yoro is finally settling in at United after a difficult first campaign. 'This year is different,' he says
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
🎙️🇫🇷 Leny Yoro interview
• 'really emotional' last season + what's changed
• United's 'no bad energy' policy
• no regrets over €62m move
• that Homer Simpson celebration
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
• 'really emotional' last season + what's changed
• United's 'no bad energy' policy
• no regrets over €62m move
• that Homer Simpson celebration
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Nolberto Solano interview: From Lima to Lahore via ‘home’ in Newcastle.
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Nolberto Solano interview: From Lima to Lahore via ‘home’ in Newcastle
Solano speaks to The Athletic about playing with Alan Shearer, managing Pakistan and why football needs to embrace proper wingers again
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Nolberto Solano interview: From Lima to Lahore via ‘home’ in Newcastle.
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
#NUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
🔺 What players think of coaching, feedback and system
🔺 Amorim's football board meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
🔺 Wider staff impressed by Amorim's candour and passion
@lauriewhitwell.bsky.social goes inside Ruben Amorim's first year as Manchester United head coach one year on from his arrival ⤵️
🔺 Amorim's football board meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
🔺 Wider staff impressed by Amorim's candour and passion
@lauriewhitwell.bsky.social goes inside Ruben Amorim's first year as Manchester United head coach one year on from his arrival ⤵️
Inside Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United: Sharp words, hands-on coaching, and how players feel
Ruben Amorim has completed a tumultuous first year as Manchester United coach - this is the story of what happened and how he tackled it
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:22 AM
🔺 What players think of coaching, feedback and system
🔺 Amorim's football board meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
🔺 Wider staff impressed by Amorim's candour and passion
@lauriewhitwell.bsky.social goes inside Ruben Amorim's first year as Manchester United head coach one year on from his arrival ⤵️
🔺 Amorim's football board meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
🔺 Wider staff impressed by Amorim's candour and passion
@lauriewhitwell.bsky.social goes inside Ruben Amorim's first year as Manchester United head coach one year on from his arrival ⤵️
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Manchester United haven't eradicated their problems on defensive corners yet, despite the arrival of Senne Lammens improving the situation.
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Manchester United haven't eradicated their problems on defensive corners yet, despite the arrival of Senne Lammens improving the situation.
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Manchester United haven't eradicated their problems on defensive corners yet, despite the arrival of Senne Lammens improving the situation.
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Manchester United haven't eradicated their problems on defensive corners yet, despite the arrival of Senne Lammens improving the situation.
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
However, Ruben Amorim's side has transformed their attacking corners to a point of strength.
Piece on United's corners.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
How Manchester City's midfield passing combinations have been cutting through opponents this season.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
How Manchester City's midfield passing combinations have been cutting through opponents this season.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
How Manchester City's midfield passing combinations have been cutting through opponents this season.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
How Manchester City's midfield passing combinations have been cutting through opponents this season.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Piece on Bayern Munich's incredible man-to-man press in the first half against PSG.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Piece on Bayern Munich's incredible man-to-man press in the first half against PSG.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Piece on Bayern Munich's incredible man-to-man press in the first half against PSG.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Piece on Bayern Munich's incredible man-to-man press in the first half against PSG.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Was very impressed by Chelsea's pressing against Tottenham on Saturday.
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
How Chelsea’s press smothered Spurs – the perfect illustration of exploiting weakness
The most impressive thing about Chelsea's press against Tottenham was that they covered the majority of Tottenham's solutions
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Was very impressed by Chelsea's pressing against Tottenham on Saturday.
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Was very impressed by Chelsea's pressing against Tottenham on Saturday.
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
How Chelsea’s press smothered Spurs – the perfect illustration of exploiting weakness
The most impressive thing about Chelsea's press against Tottenham was that they covered the majority of Tottenham's solutions
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Was very impressed by Chelsea's pressing against Tottenham on Saturday.
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Piece on how Enzo Maresca's side prevented Spurs from progressing the ball and limited their solutions.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
EXCL: A year since MUFC announced Ruben Amorim. Here's a detailed article about secret meetings in Seville & Lisbon beforehand.
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
The secret meetings behind Ruben Amorim's Manchester United appointment, one year on
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:56 AM
EXCL: A year since MUFC announced Ruben Amorim. Here's a detailed article about secret meetings in Seville & Lisbon beforehand.
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Also explains De Zerbi & Tuchel, plus Amorim not featuring in first search. And the other rated coach. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Arsenal's corner deliveries have been a big part of their set-piece success in recent seasons.
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Arsenal's corner deliveries have been a big part of their set-piece success in recent seasons.
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Arsenal's corner deliveries have been a big part of their set-piece success in recent seasons.
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Arsenal's corner deliveries have been a big part of their set-piece success in recent seasons.
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
To the naked eye, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's deliveries are incredible, but how do they shape up in terms of the numbers?
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
The history of the 4-4-2, its modern embracers, and how it declined in possession and rose out of possession.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The Tactics Board: How the 4-4-2 works
Part two of The Athletic's series on football formations takes a close look at the classic 4-4-2
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The history of the 4-4-2, its modern embracers, and how it declined in possession and rose out of possession.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The history of the 4-4-2, its modern embracers, and how it declined in possession and rose out of possession.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The Tactics Board: How the 4-4-2 works
Part two of The Athletic's series on football formations takes a close look at the classic 4-4-2
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The history of the 4-4-2, its modern embracers, and how it declined in possession and rose out of possession.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Plans to hold the La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami in December spectacularly crumbled on Tuesday.
How did it happen?
Our writers explain the full picture — and what we can expect to happen next ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
How did it happen?
Our writers explain the full picture — and what we can expect to happen next ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
October 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Plans to hold the La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami in December spectacularly crumbled on Tuesday.
How did it happen?
Our writers explain the full picture — and what we can expect to happen next ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
How did it happen?
Our writers explain the full picture — and what we can expect to happen next ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
How the constant occupation of the full-back space helped Arsenal manipulate Atletico Madrid’s defence.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Timber, Lewis-Skelly… Rice? How Arsenal’s full-back strategy unpicked Atletico Madrid
Mikel Arteta's tweak helped Arsenal win in Tuesday's Champions League game at the Emirates Stadium
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
How the constant occupation of the full-back space helped Arsenal manipulate Atletico Madrid’s defence.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
How the constant occupation of the full-back space helped Arsenal manipulate Atletico Madrid’s defence.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Timber, Lewis-Skelly… Rice? How Arsenal’s full-back strategy unpicked Atletico Madrid
Mikel Arteta's tweak helped Arsenal win in Tuesday's Champions League game at the Emirates Stadium
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
How the constant occupation of the full-back space helped Arsenal manipulate Atletico Madrid’s defence.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Why winning the second balls was key to Manchester United's victory at Anfield.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The Manchester United second balls strategy that underpinned a famous Anfield victory
Ruben Amorim's approach on Sunday was designed to win possession in Liverpool's territory – and it worked
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Why winning the second balls was key to Manchester United's victory at Anfield.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Why winning the second balls was key to Manchester United's victory at Anfield.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
The Manchester United second balls strategy that underpinned a famous Anfield victory
Ruben Amorim's approach on Sunday was designed to win possession in Liverpool's territory – and it worked
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Why winning the second balls was key to Manchester United's victory at Anfield.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
It's strange enough that Mjällby are about to win the Swedish title considering they come from a fishing village of about 1500 people. It's stranger still that their 'expected goals' numbers are the joint-seventh best in the league. What's happening here?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
How are a small club from a fishing village about to win the Swedish title?
"If you look at the underlying numbers, Mjallby have been overperforming quite a lot."
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
It's strange enough that Mjällby are about to win the Swedish title considering they come from a fishing village of about 1500 people. It's stranger still that their 'expected goals' numbers are the joint-seventh best in the league. What's happening here?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...