Arsenal
Arteta’s cautious Anfield game plan surrendered initiative to Liverpool
Arteta’s cautious Anfield selection left Arsenal short of invention, costing them control. and risk.
Mikel Arteta’s decision-making at Anfield on Sunday was interpreted by many as conservative and cost Arsenal the initiative. The side produced a single shot on target and started with three defensive midfielders, including Mikel Merino. Gabriel Martinelli was picked on the left, praised for his defensive contribution but described in the match as reluctant to shoot.
The selection also included a packed backline and the late introduction of Eberechi Eze. Arteta explained Eze was still familiarising himself with teammates, but Eze only arrived with Ødegaard with 20 minutes remaining as Liverpool grew into the game. Arsenal lost their most mobile centre back, William Saliba, after five minutes and were missing Bukayo Saka. Those absences, and Anfield’s recent strength where Liverpool had suffered only three league defeats in the previous four seasons, were offered as mitigating factors.
Opposing coaches were flagged as contrasting examples. Oliver Glasner’s Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth forced late goals from Liverpool to prevail, and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle produced a 3–2 epic while playing a man down. The argument made was that others had attacked Liverpool’s early-season vulnerability; Arsenal did not.
One bright spot was Noni Madueke, the direct right-winger acquired from Chelsea for £48.5 million, who showed purpose. The club’s recruitment and squad improvement over six years under Arteta were acknowledged, though questions were raised about whether his approach has limits. A supporter poll cited in the original piece was roughly split 50-50 on whether he should remain.
Arteta’s coaching strengths were also emphasised. Sterling recalled how Arteta changed his body position and reception of the ball, with Sterling saying he would occasionally take an extra touch, even roll his foot over the ball, “chewing” it to use his word. The manager’s motivational and man-management methods were noted, including the 2021 request for Stuart MacFarlane to give an emotional team-talk before the north London derby that Arsenal won 3–1, and the quirky touches such as bringing a Labrador called Win to Colney.
Arteta remains backed by the board, but the Anfield performance prompted debate about risk, tactics and what is required to secure silverware this season.
“[Thomas] Edison invented the light bulb,” Arteta told his players before a game against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. He was holding a lightbulb. “Today, I want to see a team that is connected because a bulb by itself is nothing. Go out there, f—ing turn the light on, and play football. Let’s go!”
Arsenal
Five notable absences from the 2025 FIFPRO World XI nominees
Five absences from 2025 FIFPRO World XI: Kane, Gabriel, Szczęsny, Mac Allister and Caicedo shortlist
The 2025 FIFPRO World XI nominees were announced on Monday and the shortlist left a number of established performers off the list. Several omissions have prompted debate over which players deserved recognition.
Harry Kane was one of the most surprising names absent. He led the Bundesliga in scoring last season, finished with 41 goals in all competitions and won his first major trophy. Kane also finished fifth in the European Golden Boot race behind Kylian Mbappé, Viktor Gyökeres, Mohamed Salah and Robert Lewandowski. The shortlist included two of those names and excluded two, making his omission notable given his scoring numbers.
The exclusion of Gabriel also raised eyebrows. “It’s honestly preference comparing Gabriel and William Saliba, but for many who watched Arsenal closely the Brazilian was arguably the better of the two last season.” The piece highlights Gabriel’s role as a defensive leader who also poses a significant threat from set pieces and notes he is being spoken of as a potential player of the season for the current campaign.
Wojciech Szczęsny was another overlooked name. He returned from retirement midseason to join Barcelona in crisis and made his debut on Jan. 4. By the end of the campaign he had added three more trophies as Barcelona completed a first domestic treble. He subsequently earned a new contract extending his stay through 2027.
Liverpool’s midfield pairing also suffered from the voting. The article points to Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch being left out and argues both had strong claims. Mac Allister missed only three Premier League games last season, contributed 10 goal involvements and was an important part of the title-winning engine room.
Finally, Moisés Caicedo was highlighted as a major snub. Caicedo played every Premier League match last season as Chelsea secured a top-four finish under Enzo Maresca, scored in the UEFA Conference League final and played a major role in Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup victory over the summer.
These five absences underline the difficult choices in assembling a World XI and why the 2025 shortlist has drawn criticism.
Arsenal
FIFPRO World XI nominees: 26 names revealed as voting on 2024–25 season continues
Twenty-six nominees for the 2025 FIFPRO World XI were revealed, with PSG and Arsenal Women prominent
The debate over individual awards never quiets. A frequent critique aimed at the Ballon d’Or is that it is determined by journalists rather than those inside the game, summed up by the sceptical refrain, “What do they know?”.
Voting based on the 2024–25 season is already under way and the initial list of 26 leading men’s and women’s players has been published. The longlist reflects last season’s major honours and high-profile performances, with the reigning European champions well represented among the nominees.
Paris Saint-Germain feature prominently. Seven members of Paris Saint-Germain’s starting XI for the men’s Champions League final received nomination, a showing that underlines the influence of that successful side on this stage. Arsenal Women also register strongly on the list, while England’s triumph at the summer’s European Championships has left a clear mark, giving the nominee pool a distinct Lionesses twang.
Those 26 names will not form the final teams. More votes will be compiled to produce two definitive XIs, one for men and one for women. Each final lineup will include a goalkeeper and at least three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, ensuring balanced formations rather than arbitrary position counts.
The finished FIFPRO World XIs will be announced on Nov. 3, 2025. Until then the process will continue to attract scrutiny, both for who is included and for who decides. The shortlist offers a snapshot of the 2024–25 season’s standout performers, but the final selections will be decisive in shaping the year’s official best elevens.
Arsenal
Rooney: Arteta Could Face Managerial Change If Arsenal Fail to Deliver Title
Rooney warns that if Arsenal do not win the 2025/26 title, the club may consider a managerial change
Wayne Rooney suggests the stakes for Mikel Arteta are high as Arsenal sit top of the table after nine games. The club have opened a seven-point lead over Liverpool, with Manchester City six points behind. Bournemouth are four points adrift, while Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland lie five points back.
That positional advantage has encouraged talk of a genuine title opportunity, even while questions remain about Arsenal’s ability to create open-play chances. Rooney, speaking on his podcast after Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace, reflected on the squad’s readiness. “The squad is good enough now and I think they’ve had the experiences which have got them close, but I think they’re ready for it,” he said.
Rooney then outlined the consequence he believes would follow a failed title bid. “If they don’t win it now, you’d probably see a change of manager,” he predicted.
Arteta is contracted to the club until 2027 and there has been no suggestion internally that he intends to depart before then. He was heavily involved in the contract renewals for Gabriel and William Saliba, which extended both defenders through to the summer of 2030, an indication of long-term planning under his leadership.
Gary Neville voiced a similar conviction about Arsenal’s prospects. “This has got to be them, hasn’t it?” he asked on his podcast. Neville argued the club need not rewrite the record books to secure the title. “They’re not going to have to go and get 100 points, they’re not going to have to get even 90 or 95 points to win the league, mid-80s, high 80s will win them this title, and they can do that,” he said.
Neville added that Arsenal’s consistency and defensive organisation set them apart from rivals. He listed attacking and set-piece threats including “[Eberechi] Eze,” “[Noni] Madueke,” “[Gabriel] Martinelli,” “[Leandro] Trossard” and “[Declan] Rice” and praised the balance across the squad.
Pep Guardiola has also predicted that Arsenal and Liverpool, along with a third unnamed contender, would be difficult to catch this season. The debate now centres on whether Arsenal can sustain their start and convert it into a first league title in 21 years.
