My honest opinion? I think the manager and the players need to move off of this..."trophies, trophies, trophies, trophies" mindset and talk...sounds weird, but, I think it's exerting undue pressure on them and it's affecting optimum performance when we need it most...I'm also a fan of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL....and they have a similar issue where the talk by the QB is only Super bowl, super bowl, super bowl...and..like Arsenal, they perform at their worst when it's required....they "bottle" lol
Trophies will come (Theoretically), we're a good team, but we're "in our head" and we need to loosen up, Liverpool is running away with the league because of having an established world class core, luck with large scale injuries and lastly...they were "loose", there was absolutely no pressure or expectation on them to win the PL this season whatsoever...and now.....here we are
I'm not of course saying that expectations to "win" shouldn't be there (it's a literal must)...but..I'm starting to sense that the team is buckling under all the trophies talk, at the moments we need to them at their peak mentally and physically
Trophies, Trophies, Trophies etc
posted on 11/3/25
Trophies don't always come though. Spurs are an example of being close but ending with nothing. Newcastle United in late 90s looked destined to win something, anything.
The big question will be if we can keep Saliba, keep Gabriel, keep Odegaard, even Saka etc if we go another season or two without trophies when the giants of Europe come calling. You say players have to get out of a "trophies" mindset, but in 10 years they will be retired and will want a few medals in their collection.
posted on 11/3/25
Surely Arsenal's lack of top quality players in forward areas (bar Saka) is a far bigger impediment to trophies than any perceived mental tightness?
posted on 11/3/25
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 2 minutes ago
Surely Arsenal's lack of top quality players in forward areas (bar Saka) is a far bigger impediment to trophies than any perceived mental tightness?
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Depends who you ask. Roy Keane for one would have you believe that it's all about mentality.
posted on 11/3/25
Having a free scoring striker will ease the mental pressure. The defence at the moment know if they concede 1 that is dropped points, the midfield have more pressure to attack and the attack feels the burden of the situation being above their level.
posted on 11/3/25
In a single season, yes no one is entitled to a trophy no matter how good you are.
This is Arteta's what, 5th season now? And one FA cup in that time. Players will want trophies, no matter how much they love the club - they will want to go somewhere they can. Saka, Odegaard, Saliba will be high on other clubs lists.
I think next season might be Arteta's last chance to win the league or CL, otherwise you could maybe see him moving on after that.
posted on 11/3/25
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 12 minutes ago
Surely Arsenal's lack of top quality players in forward areas (bar Saka) is a far bigger impediment to trophies than any perceived mental tightness?
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I think it can be (and is) both mate...sports psychology IS a "thing" after all lol...it's literally why Real Madrid have that talk of "champions League" aura about them...Liverpool at Anfield too! There's just a mentality in sports sometimes and a pressure that either forms you or breaks you and you gotta find the balance...Arsenal at present...don't have it, and I don't think all of the trophy, trophy, trophy talk is helping them
posted on 11/3/25
Next seasons title is defo up for grabs and despite having this poor end to a season and I think you are well placed. You probably won't get as many injuries and all your main players are a good age plus you have the wonderkid.
With us, can a 33 and 34 year old Salah and VVD do it for another year. Is FSG going to spend?
Will Pep be able to form a new team into title winners? Will Rodri find that form again so soon.
posted on 11/3/25
comment by (K̇ash) - Welcome to Mo Trafford - Free Pales... (U1108)
posted 48 minutes ago
Next seasons title is defo up for grabs and despite having this poor end to a season and I think you are well placed. You probably won't get as many injuries and all your main players are a good age plus you have the wonderkid.
With us, can a 33 and 34 year old Salah and VVD do it for another year. Is FSG going to spend?
Will Pep be able to form a new team into title winners? Will Rodri find that form again so soon.
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Will Rodri ever be the same as he was again?