Published: Monday, 23 February 2026
Not for one minute have I thought Arsenal won’t win the title this season. They were my tip before a ball was kicked and I still believe in them.
That’s not to say their bid to win the title won’t include scary moments - it will. And I stand by what I said when I made my prediction - that Mikel Arteta would be the sole reason if they didn’t - largely because he doesn’t like taking risks.
I do know how Arsenal fans feel when a result doesn’t go for you though - the draw at Wolves was frustrating but not terminal. I’ve been watching Coventry drop daft points recently as well, but neither team will achieve anything this season without some drama. And there’s more to come yet.
A few things struck me after Arsenal’s romp at Spurs. It was great to see Eze in the side. Who knows why he hasn’t been playing? Perhaps there’s a very good reason - or is it more likely Arteta feels he can’t trust him?
I think it’s the latter. But players like Eze are always a risk. They’re mavericks - something Arteta clearly doesn’t like. So that makes you wonder why he bought him?
Eze made Arsenal look a whole lot smoother at Spurs. And it was no co-incidence they scored four goals from open play as a result. That’s the difference he makes. All of a sudden Arsenal were more creative and didn’t have to rely on a set-piece to win it.
And it was no surprise to me to see Gyokeres have arguably his best game yet for Arsenal. I don’t care who you are - a striker (well - Haaland apart maybe) won’t score goals unless others are creating chances for him/her.
Gyokeres had his best season at Coventry playing with Gus Hamer - who is Eze like in many ways. Hamer is a terrific player and we’ve got to contend with him Weds night at Sheff U. Let’s hope he has an off night. Eze and Hamer see things ordinary players don’t.
Arsenal fans need to hope Arteta continues to free his team up a little and keeps playing the X-Palace man. They’re better with him.
Another player in the same mould as those two is Phil Foden. He was massive for City in their last title season, scoring 19 goals in 35 appearances. He was every bit as good in the treble season. Never mind Rodri, City aren’t the same for me without Foden.
Last season wasn’t a good one. He scored just seven goals in 28 appearances - and that word can be deceptive, because the three minute cameo he made against Newcastle at the weekend counts as an ‘appearance’.
What’s happened? Clearly he doesn’t have a physical injury because he’s always on the bench if he doesn’t start.
Do you remember Guardiola passing his problems off as ‘illness’ last season? What’s the illness I wonder? I’m told Foden struggles with the demands of being a top end footballer. If that’s true then we can only have a whole lot of sympathy for him and hope it’s something he can conquer.
A quick word on Spurs. How on earth has it gone so wrong? I agree now with those that believe they could be relegated. I hadn’t really seen it as a realistic prospect until now but you’ve got to. They’re awful.
I remember saying I thought they’d got it right with Thomas Frank. Wrong. They’re in big trouble.
If not Spurs - maybe Forest. Their fans jumped all over me when they came up and I predicted their future - one that saw them slide ignominiously back to the C’ship, just before the owner got bored and packed his bags. If they’re not careful it’s coming.
What on earth was Liam Rosenior talking about? Chelsea drew because ‘an assignment was missed’. Fuck off Liam. Stop trying to be so clever all the time. You mean Burnley equalised because ‘a player didn’t do his job at the corner’.
I’ve never walked into a pub and heard football fans talking about ‘missed assignments’. Nor will I. Ever.
Did I really see Alisson making changes on the pitch at Forest? There was one point where he ran to Lost and said something - I don’t know what, but very soon after Szoboszlai moved into midfield and Curtis Jones went to right-back.
I can only imagine that’s what the keeper said he wanted to happen - and it did. I’ve never seen that before. Amazing. And perhaps indicative of what’s happening at Liverpool right now?
I’ve said many times big money moves aren’t an exact science and that people can change their minds about what they want - right up to the moment a deal is signed.
It’s not long since I said an agreement to take Mo Salah to Saudi was done. And it was when I made that statement, only for the player to have a change of heart.
Liverpool also had a change of mind about letting him go and were happy to offer him a new deal - but only for one reason. I’ve said this before as well - so they could get money for him rather than see him walk away.
I think he’ll leave Liverpool at the end of this season, but I don’t think he’ll go to Saudi. The smart money is on a move to Italy.
It looks like Sunderland are finding a level, but I really do hope they stay up. And Leeds. The teams coming up this season need a reason to believe they can too. It gets very dull if the same three coming up go straight back.
On that subject - good luck at Bramall Lane boys. I’ve got a lot of time for Chris Wilder and his team - but not this week.