FootballBias looks at the 5 Things We Learned From This Past Week’s Fixtures.
As the European football calendar transitions from the cold mid-winter grind into the high-stakes pressure of late February, the narrative of the 2025/26 season has taken several definitive turns. This week provided a series of results that did more than just alter league tables; they served as psychological markers for the battles ahead. From a historic statement in North London to a growing sense of inevitability in the title races of France and Italy, the landscape is shifting. At the same time, individual struggles and systemic disciplinary issues have begun to cast shadows over some of the world’s most expensive projects. The following analysis explores the five primary lessons learned from a weekend that may have fundamentally decided the destiny of multiple domestic trophies.
1. Arsenal’s Victory Over Spurs Was a Statement Performance
The North London Derby has rarely felt as consequential as it did this weekend, as Arsenal delivered a performance that combined tactical superiority with a grit that suggests they are ready for the final title charge. The Gunners secured a resounding 4-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, an achievement that stands as their largest away win against their fiercest rivals since 1978. Beyond the scoreline, the match was a testament to the squad’s “great character” and mental fortitude. When Spurs found an equalizer in the first half, the atmosphere in the stadium shifted, threatening to tilt the momentum toward the hosts. However, Arsenal remained unfazed, producing a dominant second-half display that saw them net three unanswered goals to put the game beyond doubt.
Central to this second-half surge was Eberechi Eze, whose brace underscored the attacking depth that has kept Arsenal at the summit. This victory was not just about local pride; it was a critical injection of title momentum. By reaching 61 points, Mikel Arteta’s side has successfully calmed the nerves that often plague a frontrunner in February, maintaining a vital five-point cushion over a relentless Manchester City. Furthermore, the win allowed Arsenal to complete a rare league double over Tottenham for the second consecutive season. Having won both meetings this year by a clear three-goal margin, the Gunners have established a level of dominance over their neighbors that mirrors their standing in the broader Premier League hierarchy.
2. Kylian Mbappé Needs to Do Better
In Spain, the conversation has shifted from Real Madrid’s title credentials to the puzzling form of their marquee superstar. While Kylian Mbappé maintains a high goal tally for the season overall, his recent performances have entered a significant slump that is beginning to affect the team’s rhythm. This dip in form reached a low point during Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Osasuna on February 21, where the Frenchman delivered a scoreless 90-minute performance that earned him a meager 6.4 match rating. The lack of impact was palpable, as his usually clinical edge seemed blunted against a disciplined defensive line.
This domestic struggle has mirrored a broader lackluster trend in European competition, specifically highlighted by his scoreless outing in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-offs against Benfica. Statistically, the decline is impossible to ignore; over his last five matches, Mbappé’s expected goals (xG) and his frequency of touches in the opposition box have trended steadily downward. His output is currently failing to meet the elite standards he set earlier in the campaign, creating a vacuum in an attack that was built to revolve around his brilliance. The timing of this dry spell is particularly damaging, as Real Madrid’s lead over Barcelona has now completely evaporated. With Barcelona reclaiming the top spot in La Liga, the dependence on Mbappé to rediscover his form has become a major point of concern for a fanbase that expects perfection.
3. Lens Have Let PSG Back In And This Time, It Might Be Permanent
For much of the season, Lens has provided the most compelling underdog story in European football, but the past week suggested that the “fairytale” may be reaching a bitter conclusion. The title race in Ligue 1 underwent a massive psychological shift after Lens suffered a catastrophic capitulation at home. Entering the weekend with a one-point lead, they surrendered a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 against Monaco on February 21. This result was particularly jarring as it marked their first home defeat since August, dealing a massive blow to the title hopes of a side that had previously looked impenetrable in their own stadium.
Paris Saint-Germain, a club that rarely allows such opportunities to pass them by, seized the moment with ruthless efficiency. By brushing aside Metz 3-0, the Parisians leapfrogged Lens to establish a two-point lead at the top of the table. The collapse by Lens was described as “stupid” by their own staff, reflecting the frustration of handing momentum back to a PSG side that has historically been near-perfect once they reclaim the summit. With only 11 games remaining, the margins for error have vanished. Lens appears to have lost the defensive edge that defined their earlier success, and given PSG’s superior squad depth and experience in closing out title races, this return to the top looks increasingly permanent.
4. Chelsea Need Better Discipline
At Stamford Bridge, the tactical progress intended under the current regime is being consistently undermined by a persistent and damaging lack of discipline. Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Burnley on February 21 was yet another example of a winning position being squandered due to a moment of avoidable madness. The dismissal of Wesley Fofana was Chelsea’s sixth Premier League red card of the season, the highest count in the division. This recurring “red card crisis” has created a pattern of game management failures; the Blues have repeatedly proven unable to secure wins once they are reduced to 10 men, as evidenced by Burnley exploiting the numerical advantage to snatch a point.
The statistics regarding Chelsea’s conduct are becoming historic for all the wrong reasons. With eight total red cards across all competitions this season, the club is currently on pace to set a new Premier League record for a lack of discipline. This trend has placed an immense tactical strain on manager Liam Rosenior, who has been forced to consider implementing “10-man training sessions” as a standard part of their preparation. The team’s inability to maintain composure in high-pressure moments has become their most urgent tactical issue, often rendering their talent and game plans irrelevant when they are forced into defensive survival mode for long stretches.
5. The Gap Between Inter and AC Milan May Be Insurmountable
In Italy, the race for the Scudetto appears to have reached a point of no return following a weekend where the divide between the two Milanese giants became a chasm. AC Milan suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Parma yesterday, a result that has left them sitting a staggering 10 points behind their city rivals. While AC Milan has stumbled, dropping five points in their last two matches, Inter Milan has maintained a standard of ruthless consistency that has demoralized the chasing pack. Inter’s 2-0 win over Lecce extended their lead at the top with only 13 games remaining, leaving them in a position of total control.
The statistical disparity between the two sides suggests that a comeback is now statistically improbable. Inter boasts a massive +41 goal difference compared to AC Milan’s +22, reflecting a level of dominance that covers every phase of the game. While the Derby della Madonnina is scheduled for March 9, many pundits suggest the title race is already functionally over. A victory for Inter in that derby would likely serve as the mathematical and psychological end of the competition, confirming that the current gap between the two sides is not just a temporary dip in form for Milan, but a reflection of a permanent shift in power within the division.
This week’s results have clarified the hierarchies of European football as we enter the most critical phase of the season. Arsenal has proven they possess the mental toughness to handle the pressure of the Premier League, while in France and Italy, the traditional powers of PSG and Inter Milan appear to have broken the will of their challengers. Simultaneously, the struggles of individual stars like Mbappé and the self-destructive tendencies seen at Chelsea serve as reminders that talent alone cannot overcome a lack of form or discipline. As the final months of the campaign approach, the lessons from this week suggest that the trophies will be won by those who can combine tactical brilliance with an unwavering consistency, a trait that, for now, seems to be separating the champions-elect from the rest of the field.
