World Cup 2026: Page 68 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One more in the Tolly

World Cup 2026

Rohit

It will just be amazing if an African team could just somehow go all the way to the final.

Don Pacifico

You can smash it and still miss it. There's plenty of historical evidence of that fact.

Don Pacifico

Burnwinter yeah. The inference that he's mentally weak because he misses chances is off. If anything, to come back from the mental state he was in at Chelsea and then prove the critics wrong whilst playing for us shows a type of resilience and mental strength you don't see with every player. In essence, he falls down but he gets back up again (sounds a bit like Gyokeres on the pitch 😉).

Burnwinter

Don Pacifico

I think Gyök's shown a similar high degree of mental strength to flourish to the extent he has as well. But to be honest most top footballers possess it, tunnel vision is the trait that most often distinguishes the long-term professionals from the great talents.

I find it a bit much to be hammering either of these blokes for a lack of sangfroid considering the output they do have scoring and assisting at the level they play … but on the other hand it's not like it can ever be expected to feel like enough for us as fans.

Mirth

The bloated group stages did Germany and the Netherlands a favour. No way would they get through the group stages if there were fewer teams. France now have a fairly straight forward path to the semi finals.

Qwiss

Too many people acting like the Morocco win is a bit of an upset, its not. Morocco have been a top team for at least 4 years. Are we forgetting they got to the semis last WC by dumping out Spain and Portugal?

Gurgen

Morocco are good but a very dirty team. Hope they go out in the next round.

It's interesting how nervous players are taking penalties, the shootouts have been atrocious.

Qwiss

Gurgen Canada are annoying too though. The way they all surrounded the ref after he correctly called for no penalty that their player tried to manufacture really soured me on them. Would love to see Mexico and Canada go further than the US though. Their arrogance after winning a couple of matches would make even the English blush.

GooneriC

Gurgen How are they a dirty team? I dont see it at all in their playing style

Rohit

If Norway go through to face Brazil then Gabriel vs Haaland would be fun.

USArsenal

Qwiss

Canada are a terrible team. They were extremely lucky to play v. S.Africa in their first game (who were equally terrible of a team). That was one of the most dour games i've seen.

The US arrogance is mainly down to the media, not really the players, which is to be expected. The players believe they can do some damage, and from the look of it, maybe they can.. But all the other nonsense is from idiots like Lalas. (Even Tim Howard has said some stupid things). I want Mexico to go out as soon as possible (I'm not so sure they will beat Ecuador), with Canada to follow suit (Morocco should be able to beat them).

Im not sure that any of the host nations will go past the Round of 16 or Qtrs at best.. The US would have to play (probably) Belgium in the next round, who seemed to come alive finally even if they were playing against a pretty poor NZ team.

Mirth

Speaking of arrogance:

HomeSteak

Mirth He has always been an idiot

Claudius

One of the issues with money in the modern game is that it has created a massive resource gap between the top professional teams and the national teams. So national teams can only afford washed up jokers like Martinez, Koeman and Nagelsmann while excellent managers are wasting away at clubs like Chelsea and Spurs. None of those guys could walk into an Arsenal or City and command respect.

Tam

Claudius I don't think that's an issue with money as much as it is to do with the role. Does Alonso want to be a coach for only a few months of the year with largely static resources or does he want to develop as a coach, be shaped by, and shape, things around him? If the money on offer from Spain was on par with Arsenal do you think Arteta would choose the national team job over the club side?

Gurgen

GooneriC well for one they should have had a red for an elbow

GooneriC

Gurgen that doesnt make them a dirty team , you make it sound like they somehow roughed up that Netherlands side . Nothing of the sort , they were technically good and playing against a low block and negative tactics and if not for the keeper could have won in regulation time.

Asterix

A couple of players have interested me from an Arsenal point of view so far besides the big stars.

Summerville seems to be capable of really making things happen. Not sure he’s better than Trossard but I think he could provide something interesting.

And we may need a new backup keeper. The Paraguay guy has done well. Plus he’s huge - bring him on for shootouts.

Gurgen

This tournament is generally dire. I thought we had hit rock bottom with slave state Qatar but this is possibly even worse. International football as a serious sport is basically dead. It’s just a freak show for advertisers.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Gurgen yeah I've been really unenthused by the whole thing. I also think I'm burnt out from football after that exhausting season we just had. Need a bit of a break!

Mirth

Gurgen the quality gap between international football and club football keeps getting larger and larger.

I'm not saying club football is more entertaining necessarily but your average top CL team would take anyone in this world cup except maybe France.

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