Imagine starting your trophy collection with not just one, but four major titles in a single season. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for nine players from Arsenal and Manchester City, this seemingly impossible feat is within reach as they chase the elusive Quadruple. Among them is William Saliba, who’s openly expressed his frustration with finishing seasons empty-handed. But here’s where it gets controversial: could this be the year these players finally break their trophy drought in the most spectacular way possible? And this is the part most people miss: while the Quadruple is statistically near-impossible, the personal journeys of these players—from Saliba’s rise to stardom without silverware to Riccardo Calafiori’s string of near-misses—make this chase even more compelling.
William Saliba has been vocal about his desire to win. After Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Chelsea, he admitted, ‘I’m tired of finishing the season with nothing in my pockets.’ Despite being hailed as one of the world’s best center-halves, Saliba’s trophy cabinet remains sparse, with only a couple of Community Shields and a list of individual accolades to his name. His delayed ascent at Arsenal, timed after their 2020 FA Cup win, has left him trophy-less despite his undeniable talent.
Riccardo Calafiori knows all about coming close but falling short. He’s reached the final four five times at senior level, only to be denied by injuries, extra-time losses, or bench roles. His most heartbreaking moment? Missing Roma’s 8-5 Europa League defeat to Manchester United due to a hamstring injury. While he was part of Roma’s inaugural Conference League win in 2022, he was on loan at Genoa at the time—a technicality that keeps his trophy count at zero.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman find themselves in a similar boat, having joined Arsenal years after their last trophy win. Lewis-Skelly, despite his talent, has missed out on England’s age-level triumphs, while Dowman’s only international experience ended in a group-stage exit at the U17 Euros. Both players are more focused on securing their spots in the team than their empty mantelpieces.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Manchester City’s £31m signing, has spent eight years as a professional without a single trophy. He’s never even reached a semi-final with Angers, Wolves, City, or Algeria—a fact that’s both surprising and relatable in today’s competitive football landscape.
Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki represent the irony of joining trophy-winning clubs during rare off-years. O’Reilly made his City debut in their first trophyless season in nearly a decade, while Cherki, once the youngest player in a Champions League semi-final, has yet to lift a major trophy despite his undeniable potential.
Antoine Semenyo, a £62.5m signing, has already made an impact in both domestic cups, scoring goals and providing assists. Yet, his career path—from Bristol City to Bournemouth with loans at lower-tier clubs—has left him trophy-less until now. Similarly, Omar Marmoush is still chasing his first major title, with his only ‘win’ being the 2018/19 Regionalliga Nord—a trophy that hardly counts in the grand scheme of things.
But here’s the real question: Is the Quadruple a realistic goal, or just a pipe dream? History tells us it’s nearly impossible, with teams like Plymouth and Liverpool falling short in recent years. Yet, the personal stories of these nine players—their near-misses, frustrations, and relentless pursuit of glory—make this chase worth watching. What do you think? Is the Quadruple achievable, or are these players setting themselves up for heartbreak? Let us know in the comments!
