Other Games 2025-26

[Toronto Villa]

Imagine Arsenal winning the Champions League.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

I’m praying that never happens and the one of the superior sides on the other side of draw end all thoughts of that. The ultimate nightmare is we laughed at them for losing out on the league cup and FA Cup only to win the league CL.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Imagine Arsenal winning the Champions League.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

I'd rather not... (row of vomit emojis)

[Dave]

...but I really think we should read what the actual point being made is before responding to it.

Fair enough - which "level playing field" are you wondering about, and if you think it's a concern, who is "unlevelling" it, and for what purpose?

Who is the ref "sucking up" to, and why?

I don't mean to be a dick about it, but there are enough gullible people around already who want to lean into conspiracy bullshit without the cleverest doing so too.

I don't think there's a conspiracy - I don't think there needs to be. I think the testimonies of referees like Clattenburg, their obvious need to be loved by the famous and powerful (for which in turn I must reach for Freudian explanations), explain decades of decisions.

I don't disagree. The problem here is that it's a match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.

It's two biggish, also-ran European clubs, neither of whom the powers that be, or the referees who control their matches, give a toss about one way or the other.

It's like saying in a Premier League context that referees are going to be inherently biased to give favourable decisions to, I dunno, Crystal Palace over Everton.

[Monty]

...but I really think we should read what the actual point being made is before responding to it.

Fair enough - which "level playing field" are you wondering about, and if you think it's a concern, who is "unlevelling" it, and for what purpose?

Who is the ref "sucking up" to, and why?

I don't mean to be a dick about it, but there are enough gullible people around already who want to lean into conspiracy bullshit without the cleverest doing so too.

I don't think there's a conspiracy - I don't think there needs to be. I think the testimonies of referees like Clattenburg, their obvious need to be loved by the famous and powerful (for which in turn I must reach for Freudian explanations), explain decades of decisions.

Edit: I don't necessarily think it's the biggest problem in the world, nor probably in football's top ten biggest problems. But, likewise, it does strike me as rather obvious!

Come on, we've all had a negroni.

I mean, speaking of things that are obvious...

[Monty]

...but I really think we should read what the actual point being made is before responding to it.

Fair enough - which "level playing field" are you wondering about, and if you think it's a concern, who is "unlevelling" it, and for what purpose?

Who is the ref "sucking up" to, and why?

I don't mean to be a dick about it, but there are enough gullible people around already who want to lean into conspiracy bullshit without the cleverest doing so too.

I don't think there's a conspiracy - I don't think there needs to be. I think the testimonies of referees like Clattenburg, their obvious need to be loved by the famous and powerful (for which in turn I must reach for Freudian explanations), explain decades of decisions.

I don't disagree. The problem here is that it's a match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.

It's two biggish, also-ran European clubs, neither of whom the powers that be, or the referees who control their matches, give a toss about one way or the other.

It's like saying in a Premier League context that referees are going to be inherently biased to give favourable decisions to, I dunno, Crystal Palace over Everton.

I feel like the purposes are still quite stubbornly being crossed our. The Arsenal penalty was, to me, perfectly justifiable. It just also struck my as the kind of penalty decision that Sunderland are never getting at Stamford Bridge.

[BoVillan esq]

Imagine Arsenal winning the Champions League.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

It would need him to make that happen, if they get through this no chance v PSG or Bayern.

Actually its staggering they are top of the Premiership.

[dorsetvillian]

As if Arteta doesn't behave like Someone. What is Keown talking about. So biased...

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I'm chuffed it was overturned and didn't think it was a pen at all. Contact doesn't equal penalty, and to be honest, there was barely any before Eze initiates it.

[Sexual Ealing]

As if Arteta doesn't behave like Someone. What is Keown talking about. So biased...

He tells himself he's a Someone in the mirror every morning at 4.22am while reflecting on Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Imagine Arsenal winning the Champions League.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

It would need him to make that happen, if they get through this no chance v PSG or Bayern.

Actually its staggering they are top of the Premiership.

I don't think they will win, but they can defend, so there's always a chance.

[Villa Lew]

At half time I thought the tie might be over tonight, but so much better from Atletico in the 2nd half, they've given themselves a chance now, but they badly need Alvarez fit for next week.

[FatSam]

And Keown of course always acted with the ‘decorum’ that he thinks Sineone should have exhibited. Fucking hypocrite: 

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

At half time I thought the tie might be over tonight, but so much better from Atletico in the 2nd half, they've given themselves a chance now, but they badly need Alvarez fit for next week.

I don't fancy their chances without Alvarez, he really is quality. A shame we didn't get him before Man City!

[BoVillan esq]

Imagine Arsenal winning the Champions League.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

It would need him to make that happen, if they get through this no chance v PSG or Bayern.

Actually its staggering they are top of the Premiership.

I don't think they will win, but they can defend, so there's always a chance.

I'm being flippant really, they must get something right across an entire season and Champions league.

[FatSam]

I'm chuffed it was overturned and didn't think it was a pen at all. Contact doesn't equal penalty, and to be honest, there was barely any before Eze initiates it.

Agree entirely. This is the biggest problem with modern football. Why isn’t Eze punished for simulation?