Sign in

Ahmed Walid

@ahmed-walid.bsky.social
4.2K followers 389 following 195 posts

Football Writer for The Athletic. Views are my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
There's a trend in Tottenham Hotspur's past four PL games: - Start well - Miss chances - Game state suits opponent - Confidence drops - Unable to create against deep block - Collapse The result is two points, two goals and 20th place. Analysis. www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
The trend that explains Tottenham’s terrible start to the 2026-27 season (Gift Article)
Tottenham have started well in their past four Premier League matches, before their execution and decision-making has failed them
052
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
There's a trend in Tottenham Hotspur's past four PL games: - Start well - Miss chances - Game state suits opponent - Confidence drops - Unable to create against deep block - Collapse The result is two points, two goals and 20th place. Analysis. www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
The trend that explains Tottenham’s terrible start to the 2026-27 season (Gift Article)
Tottenham have started well in their past four Premier League matches, before their execution and decision-making has failed them
052
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The 26-27 PL feels like an extended pre-season for half of the teams -- new managers, players... etc The stability at Arsenal, Leeds and Hull isn’t the main reason behind their strong start, but it plays a role Conclusive judgement after GW5 is fallible www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
The Premier League is in complete flux. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet (Gift Article)
Between them, the 20 Premier League clubs have appointed nine new managers and signed 155 players - things will take time to settle down
012
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The 26-27 PL feels like an extended pre-season for half of the teams -- new managers, players... etc The stability at Arsenal, Leeds and Hull isn’t the main reason behind their strong start, but it plays a role Conclusive judgement after GW5 is fallible www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
The Premier League is in complete flux. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet (Gift Article)
Between them, the 20 Premier League clubs have appointed nine new managers and signed 155 players - things will take time to settle down
012
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Analysis of what Manchester United did wrong against Manchester City’s 10 men, and what Enzo Maresca’s side did right. www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
What Manchester United did wrong against Manchester City’s 10 men – and what City did right (Gift Article)
City's resilience was built upon the security of Elliot Anderson's cover runs while United's wastefulness saw them stutter at Old Trafford
181
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Analysis of what Manchester United did wrong against Manchester City’s 10 men, and what Enzo Maresca’s side did right. www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
What Manchester United did wrong against Manchester City’s 10 men – and what City did right (Gift Article)
City's resilience was built upon the security of Elliot Anderson's cover runs while United's wastefulness saw them stutter at Old Trafford
181
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
If Real Madrid are going to press high under Jose Mourinho, there were some positives against Inter. However, there were negatives too and a sense of the same out-of-possession problems. Analysis of Madrid's high press in their 2-1 victory against Inter. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
Why Real Madrid’s pressing against Inter was good… and bad (Gift Article)
Madrid's off-the-ball work led to their two goals against Inter. It also left them exposed on multiple occasions...
000
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
How Club Brugge, AZ and Red Bull Salzburg have become the new exporters of talent in Europe. Piece on how these three clubs broke the oligopoly of the Netherlands and Portugal’s big three selling talent into the top five European leagues. 🔗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
0124
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A little more exposition on how Christos Tzolis is finding the diagonal and increasing Arsenal's threat from the left. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
Did You Notice: How Christos Tzolis is breaking down Arsenal’s opponents with diagonals (Gift Article)
Every season under Arteta, Arsenal have evolved in one way or another — and with the arrival of Tzolis, they have unlocked the diagonal
0302
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
How Club Brugge, AZ and Red Bull Salzburg have become the new exporters of talent in Europe. Piece on how these three clubs broke the oligopoly of the Netherlands and Portugal’s big three selling talent into the top five European leagues. 🔗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
0124
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Jon Mackenzie @jonmackenzie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
My Did You Notice? video this week is on Christos Tzolis and how he's helping Arsenal generate left-hand side threat. Enjoy!
410410
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
One interesting aspect of Kai Havertz's roams towards the right wing is that he can attack the defensive line from a vantage point when Arsenal move the ball inside. Analysis of Havertz's right-sided roams against Chelsea. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
How Kai Havertz’s movement makes Arsenal’s right side even more dangerous (Gift Article)
The German's roams to that flank repeatedly gave the Premier League champions an overload against Chelsea, which they took full advantage of
0182
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
One interesting aspect of Kai Havertz's roams towards the right wing is that he can attack the defensive line from a vantage point when Arsenal move the ball inside. Analysis of Havertz's right-sided roams against Chelsea. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
How Kai Havertz’s movement makes Arsenal’s right side even more dangerous (Gift Article)
The German's roams to that flank repeatedly gave the Premier League champions an overload against Chelsea, which they took full advantage of
0182
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Analysis of Pedro Neto's wing-back role in Chelsea's 4-3 victory against Brighton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
nytimes.com
Pedro Neto offers Chelsea and Xabi Alonso something different as a wing-back (Gift Article)
The 'winger' has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer but could play a vital role this season at Stamford Bridge
082
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Analysis of Pedro Neto's wing-back role in Chelsea's 4-3 victory against Brighton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
nytimes.com
Pedro Neto offers Chelsea and Xabi Alonso something different as a wing-back (Gift Article)
The 'winger' has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer but could play a vital role this season at Stamford Bridge
082
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Since the beginning of last season, only Man Utd (8) and Chelsea (13) have scored more back-post goals than Everton (7) in the PL. Thierno Barry's header against Crystal Palace was one of them. Piece on why Everton are good at attacking the back post. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
032
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Since the beginning of last season, only Man Utd (8) and Chelsea (13) have scored more back-post goals than Everton (7) in the PL. Thierno Barry's header against Crystal Palace was one of them. Piece on why Everton are good at attacking the back post. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
032
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
How Brentford's high press destroyed Tottenham's build-up. 🔒 Free to read www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
nytimes.com
Premier League pressing has changed, as Brentford showed Roberto De Zerbi (Gift Article)
Pressing high against lethal quick build-ups used to be a risk - now it's an opportunity
0164
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
How Brentford's high press destroyed Tottenham's build-up. 🔒 Free to read www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
nytimes.com
Premier League pressing has changed, as Brentford showed Roberto De Zerbi (Gift Article)
Pressing high against lethal quick build-ups used to be a risk - now it's an opportunity
0164
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Why Spurs are signing Savinho #THFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
nytimes.com
Why Savinho makes sense for Spurs: An elite tight-space dribbler who can operate on both flanks (Gift Article)
The Brazilian offers an attacking profile that would enhance almost any side
381
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Why Spurs are signing Savinho #THFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
nytimes.com
Why Savinho makes sense for Spurs: An elite tight-space dribbler who can operate on both flanks (Gift Article)
The Brazilian offers an attacking profile that would enhance almost any side
381
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
How could Egypt win 7 AFCONs and not reach/perform at the World Cup? For many years, the WC had proved to be Egypt’s stumbling block, but the hoodoo is finally over. Piece on what reaching the round of 16 means after decades of misery. 🔓 FREE TO READ www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
Egypt breaking World Cup hoodoo ends decades of hurt, incompetence and misfortune (Gift Article)
They beat Australia in a round-of-32 penalty shootout at the World Cup, overwriting years of pain
094
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
How could Egypt win 7 AFCONs and not reach/perform at the World Cup? For many years, the WC had proved to be Egypt’s stumbling block, but the hoodoo is finally over. Piece on what reaching the round of 16 means after decades of misery. 🔓 FREE TO READ www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
Egypt breaking World Cup hoodoo ends decades of hurt, incompetence and misfortune (Gift Article)
They beat Australia in a round-of-32 penalty shootout at the World Cup, overwriting years of pain
094
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
How Arsenal won the Premier League after 22 years of wait: 🏗️ Dynamic build-up and progression of the ball 📐 Riding the PL's set-piece wave 🪨 Out-of-possession prowess ⚡️ Embracing transitions FREE TO READ 🔓: www.nytimes.com/athletic/726... @theathleticfc.bsky.social 🔴⚪ #AFC
0142
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
How Arsenal won the Premier League after 22 years of wait: 🏗️ Dynamic build-up and progression of the ball 📐 Riding the PL's set-piece wave 🪨 Out-of-possession prowess ⚡️ Embracing transitions FREE TO READ 🔓: www.nytimes.com/athletic/726... @theathleticfc.bsky.social 🔴⚪ #AFC
0142
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Gunnerblog @gunnerblog.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
22 years in the waiting, 6 years in the making: the title is Arsenal’s again. The squad gathered at Colney to watch tonight’s game, as they became champions. Here’s how #AFC won the #EPL - a title not simply won, but engineered. @theathleticfc.bsky.social 🔴⚪️🏆 www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
‘Toxic’ to title: Inside Arsenal’s first Premier League for 22 years and how they nailed their ‘win window’ (Gift Article)
Twenty-two years in the waiting, six years in the making: the Premier League title is Arsenal’s again. This is the story of how they did it
411559150
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
If any type of six-yard occupation rule had been applied since 2021, Arsenal would still have been the best set-piece team in the world in this timeframe. The team’s understanding and application of corner principles is levels above anyone. They were going to find other ways.
3545
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
If any type of six-yard occupation rule had been applied since 2021, Arsenal would still have been the best set-piece team in the world in this timeframe. The team’s understanding and application of corner principles is levels above anyone. They were going to find other ways.
3545
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
How Harry Kane and Desire Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
How Kane and Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic (Gift Article)
The pair both thought outside the box with their off-the-ball movement, and made their teams all the more dangerous for it
051
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
How Harry Kane and Desire Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
How Kane and Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic (Gift Article)
The pair both thought outside the box with their off-the-ball movement, and made their teams all the more dangerous for it
051
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
It was short corners again when Arsenal defeated Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday, but rather than using them to disrupt the defensive organisation and put crosses into the penalty area (Merino's goal at SJP), they created space for Eze outside the 18-yard box. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
The Arsenal corner routine that riled fans, surprised Newcastle and sent them top of the league (Gift Article)
Arsenal's short-corner routine against Newcastle was well planned and executed - this is how they created their winning goal
071
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
It was short corners again when Arsenal defeated Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday, but rather than using them to disrupt the defensive organisation and put crosses into the penalty area (Merino's goal at SJP), they created space for Eze outside the 18-yard box. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
The Arsenal corner routine that riled fans, surprised Newcastle and sent them top of the league (Gift Article)
Arsenal's short-corner routine against Newcastle was well planned and executed - this is how they created their winning goal
071
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
"Bruno (Fernandes) can just create moments. That little bit of freedom suits him," Michael Carrick told TNT Sports in February. "He has got a natural brain for (how) the game adapts and evolves." Piece on Fernandes' wide overloads in Manchester United's attack. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
020
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
How Bruno Fernandes' wide overloads are empowering Manchester United's attack under Michael Carrick. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
021
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
How Bruno Fernandes' wide overloads are empowering Manchester United's attack under Michael Carrick. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
021
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Michael Cox @zonal-marking.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Nico O'Reilly was key to Man City's gameplan yesterday. His unpredictable positioning caused Arsenal's press problems, and his runs inside Doku into the channel led to good chances. The two factors came together for the winning goal. (free to read) ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
How Nico O’Reilly helped break Arsenal’s press – and their hearts (Gift Article)
After scoring the goals that won City the Carabao Cup against Arsenal, this was an even more significant performance from O'Reilly
5224
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Matt Woosnam @mattwoosie.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
I lost my dad over Easter Going to watch Palace with him was special, to both of us. For so many years it was a shared bond. It brought us joy Loved sharing memories with him, about the grounds I visited & him recalling when he went there before This is a piece of my memories, in his memory #CPFC
nytimes.com
Crystal Palace, Dad and me: Special memories that will live with me forever
Football has an almost unique power to bring people together, as it did for our Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam with his dad, Andy
7352237
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Against Bournemouth’s high press, Arsenal played out on multiple occasions, but their next action failed them. Then technical shortcomings kept occurring. Piece on how Arsenal's disastrous execution prevented them from playing through Bournemouth. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
6346
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Against Bournemouth’s high press, Arsenal played out on multiple occasions, but their next action failed them. Then technical shortcomings kept occurring. Piece on how Arsenal's disastrous execution prevented them from playing through Bournemouth. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
6346
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Was impressed with Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann's positioning and movement against Barcelona yesterday. Piece on how Griezmann and Alvarez's deeper positions on the counter-attack swung the game against Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
nytimes.com
How Atletico Madrid’s clever positioning unlocked a Champions League win at Barcelona (Gift Article)
Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann were the key protagonists, dropping deeper to help Diego Simeone's side to success at Camp Nou
031
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Why Brighton's open-play crosses are dangerous #BHAFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
nytimes.com
The inevitability of Brighton’s open-play crosses (Gift Article)
There's nothing flashy about how Fabian Hurzeler's side use crosses, but they are incredibly effective at doing so
293
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Why Brighton's open-play crosses are dangerous #BHAFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
nytimes.com
The inevitability of Brighton’s open-play crosses (Gift Article)
There's nothing flashy about how Fabian Hurzeler's side use crosses, but they are incredibly effective at doing so
293
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Piece on Mohamed Salah's Premier League legacy from a different perspective, the Egyptian one 🔒 Free to read كلمتين عن إرث محمد صلاح الكروي في الدوري الإنجليزي المقال مفتوح للجميع www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
nytimes.com
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian idol who trod an unlikely path to Premier League summit (Gift Article)
Mohamed Salah created his own path to the top of the Premier League. His story has had an incredible impact on his homeland.
1226
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
How Arsenal's midfield transitions cut through Bayer Leverkusen. Analysis of Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Leverkusen in the second leg of the round of 16. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...
nytimes.com
Arsenal’s transitions are hard to handle – just ask Bayer Leverkusen (Gift Article)
Knowing Mikel Arteta's side have become a dangerous threat on the transition is one thing. Stopping it is another
000
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"It's not total free-for-all where you can kind of go and decide — it's a little bit of where you end up," said Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, last month. Piece on United's flexible front four under Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...
nytimes.com
Manchester United’s flexible front four is driving renaissance under Michael Carrick (Gift Article)
How decoy runs, Fernandes' brilliance and a carefully struck balance are behind their rise to third
061
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"It's not total free-for-all where you can kind of go and decide — it's a little bit of where you end up," said Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, last month. Piece on United's flexible front four under Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...
nytimes.com
Manchester United’s flexible front four is driving renaissance under Michael Carrick (Gift Article)
How decoy runs, Fernandes' brilliance and a carefully struck balance are behind their rise to third
061
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Chris Weatherspoon @cweatherspoon.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
It is one year since Manchester United announced plans for a new home. Projected cost: £2bn. Today, debt nears its highest level, transfer debts top £300m and cash is tight. A deep look at #MUFC's debt, in the shadow of a new stadium: @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
nytimes.com
Analysing Manchester United’s £1bn debt – and what it means for a new stadium one year on
A significant portion of Manchester United's long-term debt is due for refinancing, this is what their borrowings mean for a £2bn project
162
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Newcastle United should maintain their proactive approach and diverse runs in behind at the Camp Nou. Analysis of Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
nytimes.com
How do Newcastle beat Barcelona? Repeat their bold, proactive approach at the Camp Nou (Gift Article)
Eddie Howe's side were denied victory in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg, but their positive approach shows a path to progress
071
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Newcastle United should maintain their proactive approach and diverse runs in behind at the Camp Nou. Analysis of Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
nytimes.com
How do Newcastle beat Barcelona? Repeat their bold, proactive approach at the Camp Nou (Gift Article)
Eddie Howe's side were denied victory in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg, but their positive approach shows a path to progress
071
Reposted by Ahmed Walid
Ahmed Walid @ahmed-walid.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Top 10 Premier League corner goals analysed. The idea of the corner alone doesn’t put it onto the list, its execution and applied principles also factor into the equation. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
nytimes.com
The 10 cleverest corners from this Premier League season so far – Arsenal, Man Utd and plenty of Fulham (Gift Article)
To narrow down the selection from more than 2,500 to 140, only those that resulted in a goal were in contention...
021