Kixsmiths Football

"The biggest things in life have been achieved by people who, at the start, we would have judged crazy. And yet if they had not had these crazy ideas the world would have been more stupid."

My ideal scenario would be Sesko over Gyökeres but have to admit Gyökeres would be the perfect now signing for Arsenal in 25/26. If he can hit the ground running. His clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and proven mentality under pressure are exactly what's missing.

If Arsenal refine their positional awareness, master transitions, and sharpen their decision-making under pressure… They won’t need to outwork opponents. They’ll outthink them. That’s how they win the league. #Arsenal #EPL

Under Arteta, Arsenal are building a project meant to sustain success. The exit hurts, but it’s a necessary lesson. The team and manager will come back wiser, stronger, and more equipped next season.

Saka in the Ødegaard role makes sense—he’s press-resistant, creative, and can dictate tempo. Nwaneri wide right adds unpredictability + 1v1 flair. Ødegaard off the bench keeps him fresh + gives Arsenal game-changing control late.

Arsenal need forwards who can operate in multiple contexts: breaking down low blocks, pressing aggressively, and exploding in transition. The data points to Delap as the more complete option for Arsenal's system, despite Gyökeres' headline-grabbing goal tallies.

Apparently Delap spent his youth excelling as a javelin thrower, ranking third nationally in his age group before focusing exclusively on football. This multi-sport background is essential and may contribute to his precise movement timing and angle creation when attacking crosses.

At his age, Delap possesses an extraordinary ceiling. His underlying metrics suggest a player who could develop into a complete forward—combining physical dominance with technical refinement.

His first-touch progression (moving the ball forward with his initial contact) sits at 76% success rate—compared to Gyökeres' 61%. This seemingly minor detail becomes critical in Arsenal's possession-to-transition system where split-second advantages determine attacking success.

Delap's off-ball intelligence is superior. His movement creates space for others—a characteristic Arsenal desperately need. Heat maps reveal a player comfortable dropping deep to link play (23 progressive passes received per 90) before exploding into attacking channels.

While Gyökeres boasts superior raw goal numbers, we must account for league context. The Portuguese league's defensive metrics suggest a significant step down from EPL intensity. Delap is already performing in the world's most demanding league, showing remarkable efficiency.

When tracking his heat maps at Ipswich, we see a player comfortable operating across the entire front line, not just as a central focal point.

Delap's acceleration metrics in the first 10 metres (clocking 1.6s in recent tests) put him in the 92nd percentile among Premier League forwards. His movement profile shows a player constantly stretching defensive lines rather than primarily receiving with back to goal.

While Victor Gyökeres has garnered headlines with his goal haul at Sporting CP, Liam Delap offers something altogether more suitable for Arsenal's requirements in my opinion.

2 Corinthians 12:9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being pe... but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is com

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
[9] but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed ...
bible.com/bible/1588/2...

I don’t think people are looking at the MLS incident in isolation but as part of a larger pattern. Dismissing fans' concerns is never a good idea—feeling unheard fuels frustration. That said, abuse and threats are unacceptable and should be fully investigated and prosecuted.

It's really surprising they don't do this already. It's appears they would rather accept the accusations of corruption and incompetence rather than just be transparent.

Agreed, measurable indicators like xF, xR, and xY could help assess referee quality objectively. But would the FA argue they already do this? Any model is only as good as the data and analysis behind it—how do we ensure it's robust and unbiased enough to drive real improvement?

Interesting take! Scrapping VAR could reduce delays, but wouldn’t we lose the ability to fix clear errors in real time? Semi-automated offsides is a great idea for speed. Retrospective reviews for violent conduct and suspensions work too, but would they fully solve on-field inconsistencies?

11/ What do you think? Are foreign refs and AI the future? Or is this too radical for the Premier League? Let’s discuss! 👇

10/ Football is global, and refereeing should reflect that. Foreign refs and AI tech could improve fairness, consistency, and trust in the game. But change needs to be gradual, thoughtful, and inclusive.

9/ A Hybrid Model might be the way forward:

Use AI for objective decisions like offsides and goal-line calls.

Leave subjective calls (e.g. fouls) to human refs with AI assistance.

Test the system thoroughly in lower leagues first.

8/ But let’s not get carried away:

AI relies on programming and data, and mistakes could still happen.

Over-reliance could remove the human element that makes football special.

Costs may make it inaccessible for lower leagues.

7/ AI refs bring transparency too. Real-time data could explain decisions, making the process more trustworthy for fans, players, and managers.

6/ AI Officiating 🤖
Imagine eliminating human error from key decisions. AI systems could ensure consistency in offside calls, fouls, and goal-line technology, free from bias or fatigue.

5/ Solutions?

Provide language and cultural training for foreign refs.

Start with high-profile matches and gradually increase their involvement.

Collaborate with international refereeing bodies for oversight and evaluation.

4/ But it’s not all smooth sailing:

Language barriers might make communication tricky.

Referees may need time to adjust to the intensity and culture of the Premier League.

Resistance from fans and domestic refs is inevitable.

3/ Foreign refs have experience with different playing styles and cultures, which can enhance game management. Plus, rotating refs internationally creates a more competitive environment, improving standards globally.

2/ Foreign Referees 🌍
Bringing in officials from abroad could reduce accusations of bias, introduce diverse perspectives, and encourage accountability. Leagues like the MLS, Saudi Pro League, and Chinese Super League already use foreign referees—why not the Premier League?

1/ 🧵 Refereeing in football is under more scrutiny than ever. With controversial decisions in the Premier League and Europe, is it time for bold change? Let’s talk about foreign referees and the role of AI in the beautiful game. ⚽️👇