Arsenal Top but Tedious? You're Not Alone – Seven Sides We All Loved to Hate
Arsenal's lead in the 2025-26 Premier League has drawn flak for dull tactics, but they're far from alone. From Greece's dour Euro 2004 triumph to Spain's tiki-taka tedium and various gritty English sides, history's full of successful teams neutrals despised. This piece rounds up seven prime examples of winning ugly.
Arsenal Top but Tedious? You're Not Alone – Seven Sides We All Loved to Hate
Picture this: Arsenal sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League in 2025-26, yet fans are whinging about their no-frills approach. Sound familiar? History's littered with winners who won ugly, turning triumph into a national groan. We've dug into the archives for seven squads that triumphed but left neutrals reaching for the sick bucket.
International Killjoys: Greece and Spain Steal the Show (Badly)
Kick off with Greece at Euro 2004. Otto Rehhagel's lot were the ultimate buzzkills, as The Guardian's Barry Glendenning nailed it: the only underdogs nobody rooted for. Their man-marking masterclass and set-piece obsession dismantled flashier foes – think 1-0 wins over Spain, France, the Czech Republic, and hosts Portugal. Galacticos like Zidane and Figo flopped, while these face-for-radio grafters lifted the trophy. Pure misery.
Fast-forward to Euro 2012, and Spain had everyone yawning through their third straight major. No David Villa? No problem – or recognised striker, more like. Vicente del Bosque's tiki-taka tore the web in two: genius or torture? Dull draws against France and Portugal (decided by pens) had viewers nodding off, but a 4-0 final thrashing of Italy shut up most critics. Relief came quick – they crashed out of the 2014 World Cup after hidings from Holland and Chile.
Domestic Drudges: Liverpool, Leeds, and More Grit Than Glamour
Over to club football, where Gerard Houllier's Liverpool nabbed a 2001 treble – FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup. But it was grim: park the bus, pray Michael Owen nicked one. They even delayed a semi against Barcelona for EastEnders during a 0-0 snoozefest. Sidelining Robbie Fowler for Emile Heskey to feed Owen? Effective, sure, but Jamie Carragher called pre-season 2002 a depress-fest in his book. Houllier bolted in 2004, title dreams dashed.
Don Revie's Leeds United were Arsenal's spiritual predecessors: talented but throttled, paranoid gaffer included. Revie preached style, but Elland Road delivered spite over sparkle. They racked up silverware yet felt like bullies who cheated to win.
Don't forget George Graham's Arsenal – 'Boring, Boring Arsenal' for their 1989 and '91 titles. Offside trap wizardry and 1-0 specials bamboozled Parma in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup. Joy for the nation when Nayim lobbed David Seaman from halfway in '95. Nan-approved magic.
Underdog Antics: Porto, Wimbledon, and Pure Chaos
Jose Mourinho's Porto in 2004? Celtic tried warning us after their gamesmanship UEFA Cup win, but nobody saw a Champions League triumph coming. Deco, Maniche, and co were sly foxes – skilled, but shady. Dark arts done right.
Then the Crazy Gang's Wimbledon, 1988 FA Cup heroes. Long balls, lavatory blockages, and brawls – manager Bobby Gould blamed 'personal issues'. They stuffed Liverpool at Wembley without a care for neutrals. Agricultural? Aye. Unforgettable? Damn right.
These lot prove it: results rule, but style sparks love or loathing. Mikel Arteta's Gunners? Just the latest in a long line of winners we wish played prettier. Fancy a pint to debate?
(Inspired by Planet Football's deep dive)