@ironline.bsky.social
Let’s talk about Beth. Are we biting our nose off to spite our face. Arsenal obviously want a refresh but it seems poor if we don’t at least give her a 1+1 because as much as some people don’t see it she is still delivering all over the pitch. Her adaptability and football IQ alone is worth it.
January 24, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Let’s talk about Beth. Are we biting our nose off to spite our face. Arsenal obviously want a refresh but it seems poor if we don’t at least give her a 1+1 because as much as some people don’t see it she is still delivering all over the pitch. Her adaptability and football IQ alone is worth it.
Given our day we can beat anyone. Our losses/draws are mainly our own making (not converting our chances). Do you see us getting reinforcements this window, I still think they are needed considering our bench today.
January 24, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Given our day we can beat anyone. Our losses/draws are mainly our own making (not converting our chances). Do you see us getting reinforcements this window, I still think they are needed considering our bench today.
Players do what they’re told otherwise they don’t get picked
January 18, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Players do what they’re told otherwise they don’t get picked
The midfielders were told to run beyond the wingers when close to the box. Meads through pass to Kim (yes they know each other) to break the line and then the calmness of the pull back and positioning of the Stina. This tactics first and player ability 2nd, cont…
January 18, 2026 at 7:11 PM
The midfielders were told to run beyond the wingers when close to the box. Meads through pass to Kim (yes they know each other) to break the line and then the calmness of the pull back and positioning of the Stina. This tactics first and player ability 2nd, cont…
I think it’s lost on most watching fans that players regardless of what they want to do are playing under a system and tactics set by the manager/staff. I find it frustrating that the player is judged when the instructions are more likely to blame. Take the first goal the tactics changed, cont…
January 18, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I think it’s lost on most watching fans that players regardless of what they want to do are playing under a system and tactics set by the manager/staff. I find it frustrating that the player is judged when the instructions are more likely to blame. Take the first goal the tactics changed, cont…
We’ve dealt with only having 2/3 wingers for years. We’ll be down to 2 soon, surely there are options for Arsenal in the market (other clubs making signings). Unless Rosa is being recalled? It’s really bad planning all round. Arsenal leave stuff late as well which mean signings are not up to speed.
January 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
We’ve dealt with only having 2/3 wingers for years. We’ll be down to 2 soon, surely there are options for Arsenal in the market (other clubs making signings). Unless Rosa is being recalled? It’s really bad planning all round. Arsenal leave stuff late as well which mean signings are not up to speed.
Renee mentioned other players at the 9 position. Out of the squad who are your guesses and the reasons.
January 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Renee mentioned other players at the 9 position. Out of the squad who are your guesses and the reasons.
Renee has moved players into different positions before I.e. Catley to CB. If we don’t add another attacker I’d be inclined to try Holmberg at RW and tuck Mead into the 10. Beth has all the attributes to be a great 10, her Mario and Russo as an attacking trio in the midfield I think would work.
January 14, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Renee has moved players into different positions before I.e. Catley to CB. If we don’t add another attacker I’d be inclined to try Holmberg at RW and tuck Mead into the 10. Beth has all the attributes to be a great 10, her Mario and Russo as an attacking trio in the midfield I think would work.
Don’t make me bang my Viv drum lol!There’s not many players out there available that meet that profile, which puts us in a bind! Michelle is potential but untested.Though I feel Arsenal profile of player would still want them involved more than just out and out 9 and maybe that’s part of the problem
January 12, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Don’t make me bang my Viv drum lol!There’s not many players out there available that meet that profile, which puts us in a bind! Michelle is potential but untested.Though I feel Arsenal profile of player would still want them involved more than just out and out 9 and maybe that’s part of the problem
The fox underlap? towards the end of the games pre Xmas Beth was taking the inside 10 better results. If Fox was racking up assists/chance or shots I’d understand but that isn’t happening. Can you see a tactical reason for Beth staying wide and dropping back defensively when fox goes inside?
January 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The fox underlap? towards the end of the games pre Xmas Beth was taking the inside 10 better results. If Fox was racking up assists/chance or shots I’d understand but that isn’t happening. Can you see a tactical reason for Beth staying wide and dropping back defensively when fox goes inside?
I often see similarities with the men and women and as the men have struggled in attack so have the women. Both go through bouts of huge goal leads and then 1 goal/ draws. It seems part of the foundation is to have a stable structure and defence which can hamper attack.
January 12, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I often see similarities with the men and women and as the men have struggled in attack so have the women. Both go through bouts of huge goal leads and then 1 goal/ draws. It seems part of the foundation is to have a stable structure and defence which can hamper attack.
Something has got to give, the player profile that is recruited needs to adhere to the team philosophy and it just feels there is a disconnect. fans disagree with some squad being here so long but you want players with football IQ that can adjust to different styles, we need more of that type tbf
November 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Something has got to give, the player profile that is recruited needs to adhere to the team philosophy and it just feels there is a disconnect. fans disagree with some squad being here so long but you want players with football IQ that can adjust to different styles, we need more of that type tbf
Players having multiple roles is fine if it doesn’t impact their strengths i.e. Beth is 93% in defensive actions but her sht/90 are 68%. Current structure requires the wingers to drop back defensively when the fullback goes forward which negates the overload and puts them outside the danger zone…
November 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Players having multiple roles is fine if it doesn’t impact their strengths i.e. Beth is 93% in defensive actions but her sht/90 are 68%. Current structure requires the wingers to drop back defensively when the fullback goes forward which negates the overload and puts them outside the danger zone…
Great piece Tim. I feel introducing more fluency (which was needed) has impacted structure and it seems players are caught between the two. Which is impacting the ability to then balance the team to allow base level performance. Cont….
November 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Great piece Tim. I feel introducing more fluency (which was needed) has impacted structure and it seems players are caught between the two. Which is impacting the ability to then balance the team to allow base level performance. Cont….
Inherited that framework and the same issues are arising. It feels the strategy is only to the next 1/2 windows when there should be a rolling 3/5 year plan. As this is a repeated pattern do you think the club will take steps to address it?
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Inherited that framework and the same issues are arising. It feels the strategy is only to the next 1/2 windows when there should be a rolling 3/5 year plan. As this is a repeated pattern do you think the club will take steps to address it?
The issues persist over seasons and managers. Joe hardly had any recruitment, I felt the small squad line was more to do with protecting the club than Joe’s rule. Jonas had recruitment but took shots at the club on the way out alluding to having to effectively manage more than the team. Renee…
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The issues persist over seasons and managers. Joe hardly had any recruitment, I felt the small squad line was more to do with protecting the club than Joe’s rule. Jonas had recruitment but took shots at the club on the way out alluding to having to effectively manage more than the team. Renee…
I’ve made my peace with the team needing a rebuild and the time to complete that. The current team is capable of competing but it seems the system isn’t playing to some players strengths and it’s creating low confidence.What would you change for ‘any player of ur choice’ to play to their strengths?
November 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I’ve made my peace with the team needing a rebuild and the time to complete that. The current team is capable of competing but it seems the system isn’t playing to some players strengths and it’s creating low confidence.What would you change for ‘any player of ur choice’ to play to their strengths?
We did enough yesterday. Other than the unexpected back four adjustment needed after the 15mins I think the tactics, fight, subs were enough to win the game (ref decisions aside). However, it’s injuries/player fitness which still impacting us. Do you expect a busy January window for us?
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
We did enough yesterday. Other than the unexpected back four adjustment needed after the 15mins I think the tactics, fight, subs were enough to win the game (ref decisions aside). However, it’s injuries/player fitness which still impacting us. Do you expect a busy January window for us?
Arsenal every season have a slump regardless or manager, squad. Is it now justifiable to look at the wider framework for the cause. It also seems that Arsenal should be a great place for players to want to join but proven high calibre players still choose elsewhere, are those things linked?
October 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Arsenal every season have a slump regardless or manager, squad. Is it now justifiable to look at the wider framework for the cause. It also seems that Arsenal should be a great place for players to want to join but proven high calibre players still choose elsewhere, are those things linked?
Fanfocus has been on why certain players don’t start.I’m more concerned about what is stopping players from taking shots or even getting the opposition to run back to their goal without us stoping our attack and allowing them to set defensively.Seemingly issues are caused by looking for perfection.
October 13, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Fanfocus has been on why certain players don’t start.I’m more concerned about what is stopping players from taking shots or even getting the opposition to run back to their goal without us stoping our attack and allowing them to set defensively.Seemingly issues are caused by looking for perfection.
Do you think Renee will pull something different for Barca or will it be the predicted line up and usual subs?
May 20, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Do you think Renee will pull something different for Barca or will it be the predicted line up and usual subs?
Do you think these last 2 games can be put down to exhaustion mentally? It’s been a long season! Creation isn’t an issue (maybe execution) 25 shots / 12 were on target but the old rigidity of style which stopped us conceding has completely gone last 2 games. Seems the foundations were lacking…
May 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Do you think these last 2 games can be put down to exhaustion mentally? It’s been a long season! Creation isn’t an issue (maybe execution) 25 shots / 12 were on target but the old rigidity of style which stopped us conceding has completely gone last 2 games. Seems the foundations were lacking…