AFC Dreamer

A disciple of the Lego-haired genius //

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@andershoffman @GoonerSwarny @BravesFan299 @JimBeaky Brentford have been effective at this for years (presumably you’ve been signalling them out?)

Brentford pinned Leno’s arm, scored from a corner. Villa pinned ramsdales, Luiz scored directly from a corner - we were told to toughen up

We adapted. Now the rules need changing?

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

A fantastic read, wonderful memories of where it all began

Thoughts of what could have been with Auba & AMN who were key to that left side - it’s not just about talent, culture ultimately comes first

Xhaka’s importance from the outset

Foundations of our world class OOP set

[RohanJivan @RohanJivanAFC]

11000 words on 2019/2020 under Arteta

A long read on chapter one of the Arteta journey, covering tactical periodisation, build-up, principles that are still used today, pressing, patterns, intentions, the 4-2-3-1, the 3-4-3 and much more.

The link is in the replies, enjoy! 🔴

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@_PhilCosta Gnabry all over again.

We absolutely will regret this departure. In my opinion Ethan has a much higher ceiling than Serge

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@charles_watts Unexpected item in the bagging area

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

This is what we have been and are up against. A massive stain on the game we love

Why Football’s Biggest Scandal Is WAY Worse Than You Think https://t.co/TtOfVvDMap via @YouTube

[Magic hat 🎩 @themagic_tophat]

Tuesday 19th May 2026 will be the first time Kroupi wins us the League

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@Tim_Cahill @m8arteta @Arsenal north london remembers.

like us, you saw the vision and invested early, let’s enjoy this together my friend!

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

He did to us what was done to him,
https://t.co/90CZxO6XIr

In hindsight the line up was wrong (no problem with Kepa starting) but Martinelli/Cala should have started or come on an half time

Really missed Eze/Ode. Also needed a centre forward that could drop, hold up and link

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

Fantastic victory, just what was needed today!

Enjoy this - players, staff supporters!

1 week off to recover. Another 30 points to fight for, don’t rush players back (still good to see Odegaard fit), use the squad, ride on the wave of good form/partnerships!

#COYG

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

Honour Arsenal legend Ian Wright with a statue at Emirates Stadium https://t.co/PSizR6bskH via @UKChange

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@billycarpy The Rice conundrum - at the moment not doing enough going forward at left 8, and not as progressive as Partey at 6. With the return of Odegaard, and signs it’s starting to click for Merino, how do we get the most out of Rice in our current game model?

[Magic hat 🎩 @themagic_tophat]

𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗚𝗠𝗢𝗟?

PGMOL. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

A private company, backed by guarantee (not shares), funded by its members (the FA, the Premier League and the EFL), to provide football match officiating for its members.

Like any company, it has a Board, Articles of Association and a Memorandum of Association (you can find the docs on Companies House).

PGMOL was founded in April 2001 with the aim of improving officiating standards in the English game.

I think it’s fair to say it has failed to achieve this.

A simple twitter poll reveals only 7% of fans are happy with the calibre of Premier League officiating.

Of the 93% who are unhappy with the calibre of officiating, the biggest reason was for:
Inconsistency of decisions (68%)
Followed by the beliefs of:
Conscious bias (18%)
Unconscious bias (8%)
Being overly officious (6%)

And it’s not as if the narrative of poor, inconsistent decision-making is new either. It’s (rightly) been a big talking point for years and it would seem, getting worse.

80% of fans believe Howard Webb has made PL officiating worse during his 2 years in charge.
64% much worse.

Yet he is not held to account by the PGMOL Board. Standards keep dropping. Deadlines are missed (e.g., the introduction of semi-automated offsides).

And, in my opinion, the officials are not ever held to account because there are too many layers between the clients of the PGMOL’s service (the clubs) and the service providers (the officials).

The clubs could influence the PL Board.
The PL Board could influence the PGMOL Board.
The PGMOL Board could influence the Chief Refereeing Officer of the PGMOL (Howard Webb).
Howard Webb could influence the officials.

3 layers in between client and service provider in terms of accountability. That’s 1-2 layers too many.

The PL only has to give 7 days notice to withdraw its membership from PGMOL. Why not form its own officiating body with an independent head that answers directly to the PL Board?

It would be very similar to the current situation, but by cutting out the EFL, the FA and the PGMOL Board, the clubs would be closer as clients to their service provider.

They could pay more and go outside the UK for officiating talent too. Cherry-pick the best referees across Europe by offering good salaries.
If you watch UCL football, you will know that some of the officiating is miles better than in the Premier League. (some, not all).

Better officiating makes for a better entertainment product and brand, improving revenues.

And if the majority of the clubs are unhappy with the officiating, they have the power to replace the Chief Refereeing Officer through a vote - creating actual, meaningful accountability.

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@ReidTheGame Arsenal version 2.4 with bug fixes for attacking metrics, defensive metrics, set pieces etc?

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

An entire backline that can invert as required?

White, Timber, Calafiori, Zinchenko

I can see some the problems, but isn’t it just beautiful @billycarpy?

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

Hey @clivepafc, if you are back on the YouTubes, check out this channel! Might be right up you alley, have learnt so much from their videos!

https://t.co/EnzHTzqaNE

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@mariEscobarPME

[Haji Wright @HajiWright]

Arsenal.

[thomas hobbs - freelance culture journalist @thobbsjourno]

For the @guardian, I tracked down a bunch of real life rollercoaster designers to ask them how one of my favourite games - Rollercoaster Tycoon - changed their lives.

I also spoke to the game's creator, Chris Sawyer, and Atari's CEO. Proud of this 1:

https://t.co/LD4dGxwoob

[AFC Dreamer @afc_dreamer]

@billycarpy Here for it!

[Fox @the_arsenal_fox]

🔴⚪️ Lights blaze. Hearts race. 🔥

The stage is set at the Emirates. 🏟️

Arsenal. Porto.

A Champions League showdown that promises fireworks! 🎆

Are you ready to stand with the Gunners as they battle for glory? 💪

#ARSPOR #UCL #COYG
🏆💥 Let's make history together! ⚽️🔥🔴⚪️