Miguel Delaney
@migueldelaney.bsky.social
Chief football writer at the Independent. Author of 'States of Play'
Pinned
‘States of Play’ is out today in paperback, featuring new material and a brand new chapter on football in the age of autocracy and billionaires, with focus on Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump and the new Manchester United.
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
In my subscriber newsletter today:
- Liverpool still intent on keeping their nerve over Slot
- realisation a response is needed
- rival dressing rooms stunned by PSV display
- how Wirtz allowed Karl to flourish
- Rice's new levels
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- Liverpool still intent on keeping their nerve over Slot
- realisation a response is needed
- rival dressing rooms stunned by PSV display
- how Wirtz allowed Karl to flourish
- Rice's new levels
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:27 AM
In my subscriber newsletter today:
- Liverpool still intent on keeping their nerve over Slot
- realisation a response is needed
- rival dressing rooms stunned by PSV display
- how Wirtz allowed Karl to flourish
- Rice's new levels
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- Liverpool still intent on keeping their nerve over Slot
- realisation a response is needed
- rival dressing rooms stunned by PSV display
- how Wirtz allowed Karl to flourish
- Rice's new levels
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
A sign of how the Champions League season might be finished, and not just in another utterly convincing Arsenal win
Also, a potentially decisive contrast between major sides
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also, a potentially decisive contrast between major sides
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How their Bayern demolition proves Arsenal are the best side in Europe
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich: The Gunners cemented themselves as Champions League favourites with a masterclass against perhaps the second-best side in Europe
www.independent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A sign of how the Champions League season might be finished, and not just in another utterly convincing Arsenal win
Also, a potentially decisive contrast between major sides
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also, a potentially decisive contrast between major sides
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arteta: "It's just the beginning of the season. It's just the incredible the energy the teams bring in the stadium. We just have to sustain it. It's every three days."
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Arteta: "It's just the beginning of the season. It's just the incredible the energy the teams bring in the stadium. We just have to sustain it. It's every three days."
Must be said, and I know it's not the story of the night, another utterly comprehensive display from Arsenal.
As with Spurs at the weekend, they could have had a hatful in the second half.
As with Spurs at the weekend, they could have had a hatful in the second half.
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Must be said, and I know it's not the story of the night, another utterly comprehensive display from Arsenal.
As with Spurs at the weekend, they could have had a hatful in the second half.
As with Spurs at the weekend, they could have had a hatful in the second half.
And, from a fine team move, Bayern's 17-year-old revelation Lennart Karl equalises.
November 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
And, from a fine team move, Bayern's 17-year-old revelation Lennart Karl equalises.
Maybe an inevitability to that given that all of the last five goals Bayern have conceded were from set-pieces.
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Maybe an inevitability to that given that all of the last five goals Bayern have conceded were from set-pieces.
1-0 Arsenal, Timber header from a corner.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
1-0 Arsenal, Timber header from a corner.
Arsenal could have had two by now, really. A strong start, with some strangely wayward finishing.
November 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Arsenal could have had two by now, really. A strong start, with some strangely wayward finishing.
Tonight sees Europe’s two form teams play, as Bayern enjoy a resurgence, but does it matter?
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arsenal v Bayern Munich should feel momentous - here’s why it doesn’t
Last season’s change to the Champions League format produced high drama and plenty of jeopardy – but by now the top teams are wise to it
www.independent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Tonight sees Europe’s two form teams play, as Bayern enjoy a resurgence, but does it matter?
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
In my free Monday newsletter today
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In my free Monday newsletter today
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
- why the new PL financial rules currently favour the big boys, and work against a more competitive league
- Arsenal's dressing room after Spurs and injury news
- the issue of defending champions struggling
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
And a video piece on how a recent change in Eze's game saw him make Arsenal history
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
Miguel Delaney: How a change in his game saw Eze make Arsenal history
YouTube video by Independent Sport
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM
And a video piece on how a recent change in Eze's game saw him make Arsenal history
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fph...
For the last few months, Arsenal staff felt Eze was a bit "tight" in his play as he adjusted to Arteta's demands without a pre-season
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Inside Eberechi Eze and Mikel Arteta’s plan that allowed Arsenal to finally click
Eze’s work ethic and desire to fulfil his talent have impressed Arteta’s coaches but patience has been required since his move from Crystal Palace. Against Tottenham, they started to see his impact
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
For the last few months, Arsenal staff felt Eze was a bit "tight" in his play as he adjusted to Arteta's demands without a pre-season
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Yesterday they saw "the shoulders drop" and a player in form
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arteta says Eze had two days off after international duty, but after one he wanted to get back into training as he wants "to keep learning"
November 23, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Arteta says Eze had two days off after international duty, but after one he wanted to get back into training as he wants "to keep learning"
Spurs were close to Eze in the summer, but here couldn't get near him
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eze made a mockery of Tottenham and changed Arsenal’s Premier League fate
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eze wrote his name in history with a north London derby hat-trick
www.independent.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Spurs were close to Eze in the summer, but here couldn't get near him
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
The stuff of club history, and maybe future champions
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
How Eze made a mockery of Tottenham and changed Arsenal’s Premier League fate
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Eze wrote his name in history with a north London derby hat-trick
www.independent.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The stuff of club history, and maybe future champions
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
But what were Spurs trying - play through us if you dare... oh
Arteta gets aggravated at descriptions of Merino as defensive and how not enough focus is on opposition approach - he had a point today
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Only the fourth ever hat-trick in this fixture, after Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Spurs, August 1961) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978) according to Opta.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
November 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Only the fourth ever hat-trick in this fixture, after Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Spurs, August 1961) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978) according to Opta.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
Seems mad, but suppose it's always been a game between two teams relatively close to each other - unlike today.
And now it's 2-0 - no less than both teams deserve given the emphasis of play
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
And now it's 2-0 - no less than both teams deserve given the emphasis of play
Spurs' entire gameplan had seemed to be to sit deep as a physical bloc, so it's going to take some shift in emphasis now.
November 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Spurs' entire gameplan had seemed to be to sit deep as a physical bloc, so it's going to take some shift in emphasis now.
In what had been quite an industrial match, one beautiful clipped assist from Merino opens it.
November 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
In what had been quite an industrial match, one beautiful clipped assist from Merino opens it.
New Arsenal “tifo” - one for @jameshorncastle.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
New Arsenal “tifo” - one for @jameshorncastle.bsky.social
I'm sure it'll change in second half of season when new players have adapted but something of a irony to Guardiola now
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I'm sure it'll change in second half of season when new players have adapted but something of a irony to Guardiola now
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
One of the points of his ideology was goals coming from anywhere, but his team now doesn't do much if one player doesn't score, having geared the team to him (way more than Messi)
Even allowing for the many issues you can logically point to, especially lopsided team, Liverpool shouldn't be this bad.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
November 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Even allowing for the many issues you can logically point to, especially lopsided team, Liverpool shouldn't be this bad.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
It feels less explainable than City last season, Leicester 2016-17 (obviously) or Chelsea 2015-16.
My newsletter piece on the north London derby - from Arteta's "obsession" to Eze's adaptation and evolving role, as well as Frank's "teaching"
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
New tension, old rivalries: Arsenal brace for derby test against Spurs
As Arsenal assess injuries and Eberechi Eze’s role ahead of facing a newly physical Tottenham Hotspur, Miguel Delaney examines why Mikel Arteta knows the main test may be mental in the latest edition ...
www.independent.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 12:25 PM
My newsletter piece on the north London derby - from Arteta's "obsession" to Eze's adaptation and evolving role, as well as Frank's "teaching"
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
sign up for full piece:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Encouraging news for Sheffield Wednesday as joint administrator Begbies Traynor say “We are now entering the next phase where initial interest turns into formal bids", with 12 parties having demonstrated proof of funds.
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Encouraging news for Sheffield Wednesday as joint administrator Begbies Traynor say “We are now entering the next phase where initial interest turns into formal bids", with 12 parties having demonstrated proof of funds.