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We’re at our fourth game of the Champions League, and I cannot believe how quickly the season is going. I want it to slow down, to savour the moments, and I want it to speed up, to see the season’s outcome, for The Arsenal.

It’s quite the conundrum.

We need to be commended for our pragmatism, and talk of being pragmatic, should NEVER be spoken of, in a negative light.

Arsenal have submitted a solution, for EVERY problem, we’ve been presented with.

The fixture list, the injuries, incomprehensible officiating… and the negative narratives, surrounding us. Arsenal have powered through, not allowing tumultuous train of thought, to derail us.

We’ve closed the window, on ALL outside noise.

With already nine points on the board, I’m hoping Arteta makes changes for this game. We’re not in a “Must Win” position, thanks to all our previous hard work… so that gives Arteta, a little flexibility.

By the way, all the naysayers, and Arsenal haters…that tune in to our games, hoping we lose… You’re just fans at this point… because we haven’t been losing. It’s ok to embrace your love for Arsenal… because the whole “Hate Watch” thing, isn’t working out for you. (HAHAHA!!)

Ok, so the lineup…

Raya in goal… Hincapie started at left-back, Gabriel, and Saliba, central…and Timber at right-back.

Rice, Norgaard, and Nwaneri, in the midfield.

I was surprised Rice started, as a booking would mean he’d miss the game against Bayern Munich. (I trust Arteta though, and I trust the process)

The front three was, Trossard on the left… Merino through the middle, in for the injured Viktor Gyokeres… and Saka on the right.

Slavia Prague haven’t lost a game at home, since December 2024, and they started the game confidently, and looked ready to protect their excellent home record.

They were pressing high up the pitch, and made it difficult for us to build an attack of substance,

Saka forced a save from the keeper, after a shot from long range… but this didn’t happen until the 20^th minute.  We were struggling to create, but were warming into the game.

We earned a corner in the 29^th minute, that at first glance… looked to be headed clear by the Slavia Prague defender, but upon closer inspection from VAR, there was a suspected handball. The referee was advised to review the incident on the screen, and while said review took place… I prayed for an Arsenal penalty.

Prayers were answered swiftly, and the referee pointed to the spot. PENALTY FOR ARSENAL!

Admittedly, it was a harsh decision, but Arsenal have had waaaaay too many of those, for me to feel sorry for Slavia Prague.

Saka placed the ball down… it’s the 32^nd minute now… he looked the keeper in the eye, and without words… he let the keeper know, he’s NOT saving it. The Starboy did a quick jog on the spot, took a short run-up, and emphatically dispatched his penalty to the keeper’s left. An excellent penalty! So calm, so composed, so dependable, so Saka.

1-0 to the Arsenal!!

That’s how the first half finished too… 1-0 to the Arsenal. It was an ok first half, but I’m sure Arteta will be demanding more, in the second half, as we were playing within ourselves… and we allowed Prague to make the game scrappy, ugly, and devoid of all fluidity.

Mikel Arteta’s team talk, must’ve been nothing short of spectacular, because it only took 1 minute into the second half, for us to double our lead.

The ball was passed out to Trossard on the left, and he carried the ball to the edge of the Prague box, and put in a perfect cross for our makeshift striker, Merino… and he adjusted his body, to side-foot the ball in, from close range. A well worked goal, a much needed second goal, and… an OPEN PLAY goal. The Arsenal haters, must’ve been incandescent with rage! (HAHAHAAA!)

No Gyokeres, no problem. I love it! 2-0 to the Arsenal!!!

After the second goal went in, you could hear the air leaving the Slavia Prague sails.

Their ship was sinking, and nothing they tried, helped them to stay afloat. The Arsenal, were just too… Praguematic… and, unapologetically so.

Eze came on for Nwaneri in the 65th minute, and personally… I would’ve rested Eze for the whole game… simply because I just feel he’s played A LOT of football, in a short space of time.

He was never playing 2-3 games in a week, for Palace. He needs time for his body to adjust to the demanding schedule. But anyway, he was on.

It just felt like the game was over, and the Arsenal faithful, received confirmation of this… in the 68^th minute, when Timber passed the ball to Rice, and he chipped the ball over a bewildered Slavia Prague defence… that caused the keeper to nervously rush off his line, and miss the ball completely. Merino, with a defender in close proximity… managed to head the ball goal-wards, and off the back of his head… the ball nestled in the back of the net. A glorious ball from Declan Rice. A deft headed finish. A potentially new record broken, for this Arsenal team.

A brace for Mikel Merino. 3-0 to the Arsenal!!!!

With Arsenal now 3-0 up, Arteta made changes.

In the 72^nd minute, Trossard made way for Max Dowman… and Max became the youngest player EVER, to play in the Champions League, at 15 years old.

Another good performance from Trossard, and yet ANOTHER assist.

Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Hincapie. Hincapie had a solid game, and I can see why we signed him. It was a battling performance, from a player who looks like he relishes the fight, and LOVES defending.

Benny Blanco… AKA… Ben White, came on for Timber. Jurrien Timber had another flawless game, and in case I haven’t said it in a while… HE’S THE BEST RIGHT-BACK IN THE WORLD!!!

We were cruising to victory, and another clean sheet… until the referee decided to try and give me a heart-attack, by awarding Slavia Prague a penalty. WHAT?!?!?!! WHAAAAAAAT?!

Ben White’s foot was high, but so was the Prague player’s foot. Both were also going for the ball… and no contact was made by Ben White.

Is this how we lose our clean sheet record… to a dubious, refereeing decision?

It didn’t seem right, it didn’t feel right… and thankfully, after checking the monitor, the referee realised his initial decision…WASN’T, right. Decision reversed… NO PENALTY!!

PHEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!!!! Clean sheet, very much intact.

Declan Rice made way for Andre Harriman-Annous. A Champions League Debut, for the 17 year old striker.

An excellent performance from Rice, and another assist for him too. He also DIDN’T get booked, so he’ll be available to face Bayern Munich. YEAH-HEH-EH-EEESSSS!!!

It finished 3-0, and it was a well deserved win for The Arsenal.

That’s now 4 wins from 4, in the Champions League… 12 points on the board, 11 goals scored, and 0 conceded.

My fellow Arsenal fans, don’t let ANYONE, try to play this down. We’ve been magnificent!!

Also, Bukayo Saka became the first player in Arsenal’s history, to score in 4 consecutive, Champions League away games. (SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!)

Our Starboy, just doing Starboy things.

That’s 10 wins in-a-row for Arsenal, in all competitions. We’ve kept a clean sheet, for the 8^th game in-a-row… which something we haven’t done, for 122 years!!

Like I said… DON’T LET ANYONE PLAY THIS DOWN! We’re playing at a level, that’ll make you doubt, your very eyes. There aren’t yet adequate superlatives in the English language, capable of describing our current form.

By the way, we’ve been without key players, for large parts of the season.

Martin Zubimendi was suspended today… but injury wise… Jesus is still out, so is Madueke, No Kai Havertz, no Odegaard, no Martinelli, and most recently… no Gyokeres.

We’re an injury ravaged team, still competing at the very highest level. I’m in awe of what Arteta, his coaching staff, and the players, are doing.

Sunderland away next… Let’s ensure The Black Cats, lose some lives. Lets disturb their agility, and prevent them from landing on their feet. Let us be the laser pen, that confuses The Black Cats, and forever remains elusive, regardless of how hard they try to catch it.

Let’s keep this Prrrrrfect form going. GOYG!!

Aaaaah, the warm embrace of the precious Premier League, has returned. Obviously, it’s only a warm embrace, if The Arsenal win.

It’s a cold death grip, if we lose. (Hahaha!)

We arrive at Burnley, and we HAVE TO be focused. They’re not to be taken lightly. Burnley have only lost one game at home, in the last eighteen months.

These are the type of games that can ruin a good run, if the professionalism, concentration, and the commitment, isn’t right.

Arteta though… simply won’t allow even a smidge of complacency to creep in… and neither will the players, for that matter.

I’m sure that the hurt from last season’s shortcomings, aren’t far away from the Arsenal players’ thoughts. I’m certain that the bitter taste in their mouth, of another second place finish, has been the catalyst for the incredible run we’re currently on.

So yes, a potential banana skin, but instead of a slip-up, I foresee us slipping into overdrive, collecting all three points, and using said banana, to make a smoothie.

Okaaaay, so on to the line-up…

Raya back in goal, Calafiori returned at left-back, Gabriel, and Saliba, central. Saliba, fully recovered from his injury… and the irrepressible Jurrien Timber, at right-back.

In the midfield… Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze.

Up top, Trossard on the left, who has his 100^th league appearance for Arsenal.

 Gyokeres through the middle, and Bukayo “The Starboy” Saka, on the right.

The game started as most predicted, with Burnley in a low block, well organised, and in an extremely disciplined shape.

Arsenal had all the possession in the opening exchanges, as they often do, looking for weaknesses to exploit.

We earned a corner in the 14^th minute, which was taken by Declan Rice.

He put a deep cross into Gabriel at the far post, who delicately side-footed the ball back across goal, and Gyokeres headed the ball in, from close range. A much needed early goal, to disturb Burnley’s defensive shape. An intelligent pass from big Gabby. 1-0 to the Arsenal!!

I think it’s safe to say that it’s been well documented, that The Arsenal are DEADLY from set-pieces, but what’s less spoken about… is our ability to limiting teams to even having a shot on target against us. The things we’re taking in our stride, have never been done before. Give The Arsenal their flowers, while they can still smell ‘em… is all I’m saying.

In the 23^rd minute, Gyokeres put Saka through on goal, one-on-one with the keeper… but unfortunately, Saka’s shot was straight at him. So unlike Saka, by his own high standards.

We’re so used to Saka doing superhuman things, that when he does something human, it’s alien to us. Unlucky Bukayo… but it should’ve been 2-0.

Gyokeres has been exceptional in this half… his runs, and hold-up play, have been awe-inspiring. This is what he’s been doing in previous games, but it’s just been less noticeable. TODAY though, everyone can see! Him terrifying the opposition, is undeniable.

Trossard, who I spoke about in previous pieces… has been running the Burnley defenders rugged. They don’t know if he’s going to go left, or right… pass, or shoot. His unpredictability, is causing chaos in the Burnley ranks.

From a Burnley throw-in in the 35^th minute, Arsenal defended well, from a commanding header by big Gabby, that was helped on by Bukayo Saka, to Gyokeres.

Gyokeres, just on the halfway-line… spotted a great run from Trossard, and he picked him out with a pass, that had a surgeons precision. Trossard on the left, and on the edge of the Burnley box… saw Rice powering through, and floated an inviting cross in, that Declan Rice dispatched, with a towering header. What a wonderful counter-attack, from The Arsenal. So aesthetically pleasing, to the football purist.  It really was, a thing of beauty. 2-0 to the Arsenal!!

The first half finished 2-0… and it’s nothing less than Arsenal deserved. We’d been the MUCH BETTER team, and asked ALL the questions, that Burnley couldn’t answer.

Put simply, we were just too good for Burnley.

The second half began, and to the dismay of the Arsenal faithful, Gyokeres didn’t emerge for the second half. He was replaced by Mikel Merina, due to a suspected muscular injury to Viktor Gyokeres. Let’s hope it’s just purely a precautionary substitution. We’ve suffered enough, injury-wise.

For anyone who’s STILL doubting the impact Gyokeres has had on this team, the effect his absence had on his teammates, was instantaneous. Our whole attacking energy changed. It’s like Burnley collectively breathed a huge sigh of relief, and the confidence in their defensive line, shifted for the better.

Yes, we know Mikel Merino is a quality player, but he’s NOT, a No.9… and because he’s NOT a No.9, he was coming A LOT deeper to receive the ball, and wasn’t trying to get in behind the Burnley back-line.

Everything we did thereafter, seemed a little slower… there was less urgency, and it seemed like retaining possession, became more important than passing with purpose.

Burnley came into the game much more, as a result of that… and both Eze, and Saka, having a quiet day, didn’t help matters.

We were still in control, but it felt like we were one pass away, from unnecessary nervousness.

I think the Arsenal players started to cast an eye on the upcoming Champions League game, against Slavia Prague… and who can blame them, for taking their foot off the gas, to conserve energy?!… Well, certainly not me.

Though saying that, an unwelcomed sloppiness, crept into our game, which gave Burnley a hope, and a new lease of life, that the Arsenal players didn’t need.

Arteta, animated as ever on the touchline… kept complacency at bay, and reminded the players, the three points were not quite in the bag.

In the 72^nd minute, Eze was replaced by Nwaneri, and Calafiori was replaced by Hincapie.

The Arsenal fans were reminded that Hincapie can also play at left-back. A pleasant reminder, of the player’s versatility.

Also, Ethan Nwaneri had a great cameo appearance. He looked confident, was making direct runs, and dangerous passes. He’s growing in stature, and has established himself, as an important player in this team.

In the 77^th minute, Zubimendi made way for Norgaard. Yet ANOTHER great game for Zubimendi… and I feel that his consistently superb performances, are being taken for granted.

We had a couple of half chances, but we knew the game was won, and didn’t try to force the issue. We were professional. We were efficient.

Lewis-Skelly came on for the magnificent Leandro Trossard, in the 91^st minute, but that was merely a token gesture. The game was won, and we were just wasting time.

We saw the game out, and took a 2-0 victory, and all three points.

This win made it ten wins in-a-row, and this is something that we hadn’t done, since 2018. Our level of consistency, is rendering rival fans, and agenda wielding, mainstream media… SPEECHLESS. It’s wonderful to witness!

Declan Rice was absolutely SENSATIONAL, by the way. He ran, he tackled, he passed, he assisted, he scored, he instructed, he came, he saw, he conquered! What a performance!

An incredible work rate, and will to win, from Deckers.

We’re still top of the league… (It’s early, so I won’t mention our points advantage) we’re still limiting teams to a zero, or a one shot maximum… so, yet ANOTHER, good weekend for The Arsenal.

Next up, is the Champions League, and it’s an away tie to Slavia Prague.

A difficult game, as there’s no easy games in the Champions League… but I think we have too much in our locker, for Slavia Prague.

We’re just far too, Praguematic.

COYG!!

It’s Carabao Cup time, and The Gunners take aim, against Brighton & Hove Albion F.C… Or, just Brighton, to his mates.

The last time we played Brighton, we drew 1-1 with them at the Amex Stadium.

That was back in January… and we’re a different team now, and we’re playing at Emirates Stadium… under the lights, on the carpet. It’s time for them to get hoovered up.

Fresh from our gritty 1-0 win over an excellent Crystal Palace side, we’ll be confident coming into this game, regardless of the changes in personnel, that Arteta will inevitably make.

Brighton are on the back of a 4-2 defeat, to Manchester United… but I’m sure they’ll have some misplaced optimism, due to us not playing our strongest 11, and them playing their full strength team.

Brighton play good football, but I’m expecting the usual low defensive block, that we’ve faced in every single game this season. (I hope I’m wrong)

Ex-Gunner Danny Welbeck, has been excellent for Brighton since joining them in 2020.

He’s 34 now, which is knocking on a bit in football terms… but he’s playing with a hunger, and a youthful exuberance, that is inspirational to watch. Welbeck was loved at Arsenal, so I’m sure he’ll get a good reception, when he steps out onto the carpet.

Okaaaay, so on to the starting lineup. As suspected, Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes…and rightly so.

Kepa Arrizabalaga started in goal (His first start at the Emirates, in a competitive game.

Ben White came in at right-back, Cristhian Mosquera continued to deputise for the injured William Saliba… Piero Hincapie was handed his first start, and Myles Lewis-Skelly came in at left-back.

In the midfield, Arteta went with Ethan Nwaneri, Christian Norgaard, and Mikel Merino.

Merino was captaining the side, in Saka’s absence.

Up front…and yes, he’s STILL just 15 years old.. Max Dowman (The Wonder-Kid) started on the right. Through the middle… 17 year old Andre Harriman-Annous, made his debut. (Our academy isn’t celebrated enough!)… On the left, Eberechi Eze… AKA, Kung Fu Master.

The Match started at an exceptionally quick pace, but unfortunately…the pace was set by Brighton, and we were struggling to keep up with them.

Arteta made 10 changes to the team that started against Crystal Palace, and the players who came in, had never played together before, and it showed.

We were sloppy in possession, our usual aggression wasn’t there, our defending was somewhat casual, and we were caught on the break, MULTIPLE times.

Kepa was called into action EARLY in the half, and he answered the call emphatically… with a string of superb saves. He closed the shooting angles down, and made himself big, in the one-on-ones. He kept us in the game, because Brighton could’ve easily been 2, maybe 3-0 up, in that first half.

Thankfully, the half finished 0-0, and Brighton must’ve been kicking themselves that they didn’t make more of their opportunities. They were most certainly the better team, in that first half.

The second half started more evenly, and our more creative players were getting on the ball a lot more.

Max “The Wonder-Kid” Dowman in particular, was running at the Brighton players at will, repeatedly causing sheer terror in their defensive ranks… just in time for Halloween. (Hahaha)

The boy really is, scarily good.

We were passing better now, and putting moves together. One of those moves came to fruition in the 57th minute.

Eze played a lovely ball to Merino, and he played a no-look, disguised, sumptuous backheel, through to Lewis-Skelly, on the left side of the Brighton box…and Lewis-Skelly cuts it back for Nwaneri, stroked the ball home expertly… to the keepers left. A lovely finish by Nwaneri. A wonderful Arsenal move, that oozed quality, smelled like victory, and was sprinkled with technical ability. 1-0 to the Arsenal!!

Eze had a shot deflected over, almost straight after our goal. He was unlucky, but I think the better option was to square it to Harriman-Annous, who was in acres of space.

However, if you’ve just scored a goal, using Martial Arts… I suppose you can shoot whenever you like. (Hahaha!)

With Brighton having a couple more half chances, and some Arsenal players just coming injury, or just looking tired… Arteta made some changes, in the 70^th minute.

Gabriel came on for Hincapie, Timber for White, and Saka for Dowman.

Hincapie had an excellent game. He showed all the qualities you want from a central defender… he’s quick, brave, good in the air, has good reading of the game, he’s aggressive, and he can tackle.

He can also play left-back, which just underlines for me, that he’ll end up being a superb addition to the Arsenal squad.

Ben White played well, after shaking off a little rustiness from the first half. I’m sure he’ll be back to his best  in no time.

Anyway, it didn’t take Bukayo “The Starboy” Saka, long to shine brightly… on Brighton… to brighten, up my day… HAHAHA!!

He was only on the pitch 6 minutes, when Jurrien Timber picked up the ball on the right, DEEEEEEP, deep, inside his own half… and he carried the ball, almost the full length of the pitch, taking four Brighton players out in the process. He then put Harriman-Annous clean through on goal, but the keeper was off his line quickly, and his shot was blocked.

Saka pounced on the rebound, controlled the ball with his right, and banged it in with his left. A great finish that killed the game, killed all the “Set-Piece FC” noise, and killed Brighton’s hope.

The Starboy, doing Starboy things. 2-0 to the Arsenal!!

In the 77^th minute, Declan Rice came on for Harriman-Annous. It was a good debut for the 17 year old, who didn’t allowed himself to be overawed by the occasion.

A shame he didn’t finish his chance, but without his run, and his shot on goal… Saka doesn’t score the winner, so I’m chalking that up as a Harriman-Annous assist. I’ve put it in writing, so it’s official. (Hahaha)

In the 83^rd minute, Torssard came on for Eze.

Eze had a decent game, and was involved in most of our attacking play. He was instrumental in our first goal. I’m sure his good form will continue.

Trossard had a great shot towards the end, that knocked the living daylights out of the post. So unlucky with the strike. He’s been excellent this season, by the way, and he’s finally getting the credit he deserves. He’s so dependable, and scores BIG goals, in BIG games.

The game finished 2-0. We’re through to the quarter-finals… and have a home tie against Crystal Palace to navigate…just like we did, at the same stage last season.

It’ll be a tough game, but I’m not entertaining anything less than a win.

As I’ve said before, I’m desperate for us to win the League Cup, simply because we haven’t won it since 1993.

We broke some records yesterday, that aren’t being talked about enough.

Ahem…allow me…

Max “The Wonder-Kid” Dowman, became the youngest EVER player to start a competitive match for Arsenal… at just 15 years, and 302 days old. An amazing achievement!

Arsenal are the first top flight, English team… to play six games in a month, and win them ALL, without conceding a single goal. The level that we’re playing at right now, should be marvelled at, celebrated, discussed, and analysed… but nooooo… the so called pundits, would rather waffle about set-pieces, and any other anti-Arsenal foolishness, that they dreamt up this week.

Anywhoooo… next up for The Arsenal, is Burnley away in the Premier League. It’s a Saturday 3pm kick-off, which feels weird… because we haven’t had one of those for a while.

It’ll be a tricky game, one that I consider to be a potential banana skin… as Burnley are well organised, defend well, and can score goals too. They also have a very good home record.

Let’s keep our remarkable form going, and take ALL 3 points! COYG!!

We’re back to Premier League business, with yet another London Derby. Our final of the trio that we’ve had, back-to-back.

The last time we hosted Crystal Palace at the Emirates, we drew 2-2. We dropped some much needed points, at the business end of the season, and we need to get them back for that.

I hold malice in my heart towards them, so our revenge tour, MUST continue.

Palace drew their last Premier League game 3-3, with Bournemouth…After coming back from 2 goals down.

Their in form striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta, bagged a hat-trick.

Our last Premier League game, was a 1-0 win over Fulham.

I’m hoping our defence will be as stingy as ever.

In case you’ve lost count, we’ve conceded 3 goals, in 12 games, across all competitions.

In Europe, we’ve just beaten Atletico MEH-drid, within an inch of their lives… with a 4-0 walloping… and Crystal Palace lost 1-0  to AEK Larnaca, in the Europa Conference League.

Palace losing will have no bearing on this game. I’m STILL expecting a full blooded, crunching tackling, uncompromisingly chaotic…London Derby.

Okaaaaay, so team news… I’m not going to lie, I was concerned, because there had been murmurs leading up to this game, that Gabriel, AND, Saka…were injured. Yes, we have a deep, DEEEEEP, squad…But missing two players of THAT calibre, in a game of THIS magnitude… is unsettling, to say the least.

I breathed a HUUUUGE sigh of relief, when the team-sheet was confirmed.

The back four was… Calafiori at left-back, Saliba & Gabriel, in central defence… and Jurrien Timber at right-back.

Midfield was… Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze. Eze was playing his first game against Crystal Palace, since leaving them, so his emotions must’ve been all over the place.

Up top, it was… Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.

We would’ve been desperate to win this game, because of our last result at home, to Crystal Palace. (A costly 2-2 draw! Yes, I’ve mentioned it AGAIN.)

The Arsenal players would’ve known before kick-off, that Liverpool lost to 3-2 to Brentford, and Chelsea lost 2-1 to Sunderland.

This added EXTRA pressure to the game, because we simply HAD TO capitalise on our rivals slipping up.

The game started at a casual pace… and it looked like there was a little hangover, emotionally, and physically, from our demolition of Atletico Madrid.

Legs looked heavy, and our play looked laboured.

Palace sat deep in a low block, and teased Arsenal into breaking them down.

The fact that we saw Palace in their low block, and we  just continued to stroke the ball around, with ZERO urgency… makes me think that this is something Arteta has instructed the players to do.

Now, the reason why I think this, is because we’ve done this in the last three, to four games.

I’m wondering if Arteta is telling them to slow the tempo down in the first half, so the opposition are chasing the ball, while we conserve energy.

It’s not necessarily something that I agree with… but, I understand the thinking behind it. It makes sense. (I could be wrong though)

The play was bitty, it was scrappy, we battled, we tackled… But we were unable to really dominate the game, and that was due to how well Crystal Palace were playing.

They were closing down the space quickly, and they consistently disrupted our attacking phases.

In the 9^th minute, a ball was played over the top,  to Mateta… who was closely marshalled by Saliba. Mateta brushed Saliba off, like an unwanted piece of lint, on a fine suit… and powered towards our goal. Thankfully though, Timber, and Gabriel… combined, to clean up.

Danger averted.

It was a warning shot from Crystal Palace, and we didn’t manage to return fire, until the 33^rd minute… when Timber played a great ball down the right to Gyokeres… who held the ball up, awaiting more support. He found Zubimendi, who passed first time to Rice, and he laid it off to Trossard in the box… who had a decent right foot shot, but the keeper saved it comfortably.

I started to feel that if we didn’t get a goal before half-time, against this well drilled, well organised, Palace team… It’ll be ten times harder, in the second half.

Cue Eberechi Eze, who must’ve somehow read my thoughts, and agreed.

Saka earned a free-kick in the 39th minute, which was taken by Declan Rice.

He put great ball into a dangerous area, which was partially cleared with a defensive header… but the ball broke to Eze, and sat up perfectly… Eze connected with the ball on the half-volley, with a scissor-kick, turned kung-fu kick, generating tremendous power in the process. The ball flew in past the keeper, before he even knew what was happening. Incredible technique!!

What a fantastic goal, by Eberechi Eze, against his old club. He didn’t celebrate, and almost looked apologetic, for his moment of magic. It just had to be Eze… it was written in the stars.

1-0 to the Arsenal!!

The first half finished 1-0, but it most certainly wasn’t straight forward. We hadn’t been dominating the game, the way we would’ve liked.

There was no William Saliba for the second half, he went off with an injury, and was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera. (Let’s hope Saliba’s injury is nothing serious)

In the 49^th minute, we won a free-kick on the edge of the box, on the left side.

Declan rice took the free-kick… and by the way, I may have to start calling him “Royal Mail” because of all his special deliveries. (HAHA!)

Anyway, Royal Mail put a great ball into the box, after a one-two with Eze… which was aimed towards Gabriel, at the far post. Big Gabby rose the highest, and guided a powerful header goalwards… that rattled the crossbar. So unlucky not to score there. It should’ve been 2-0.

Palace couldn’t clear the ball, and it was passed to Saka on the right. He cut in on his left, and let fly, but his shot was jusssst wide of the target. (Unfortunately)

More scrapping, battling, grabbing, pushing, and shoving, followed… as we tried to keep possession, and break Palace down.

Space was still a scarce commodity, but in the 58^th minute, Trossard managed to find some, after a wonderful ball over the top to him, by Zubimendi. Trossard got to the byline, and squared the ball towards Bukayo Saka… but he couldn’t quite reach it, and Palace survived again.

In the 66^th minute, Martinelli came on for Saka.

Saka had a decent game, considering he was triple marked for most of the game, and was fighting illness. As we all know, “Man Flu” is the worst strain of the flu.

Get well soon Bukayo.

Spaces began to open up, as we increased the pressure on Palace, in search of that illusive second goal.

We earned a corner in the 68^th minute, which was taken by Royal Mail (Declan Rice)… and his special delivery, was signed for by Gabriel, at the back post…but he couldn’t quite hit the target, and collided with the post, and hurt himself. He was able to play on, the colossus that he is.

Crystal Palace found their way back into the game, but still not really threatening our goal, as we prevented them from having clear cut chances. They had a couple of corners, that we defended comfortably.

We were the better team, but were unable to create nothing more than a couple of… nearly, should’ve, could’ve, would’ve, moments.

Piero Hincapie was brought on for Riccardo Calafiori, in the 82^nd minute, and Mikel Merino was introduced for Declan Rice.

Both Calafiori, and Rice, had suspected knocks, and I’m hoping that them going off was just precautionary.

Myles Lewis-Skelly came on for Eze, in the 88^th minute.

Considering Eze must’ve been going through a wide range of emotions, I think he handled himself, and the occasion, BRILLIANTLY!

Even though the referee tried to add extra, EXTRA TIME, onto the extra time…we managed to see the game out, and it finished… 1-0 to the Arsenal.

A hard fought 3 points.

A deserved, 3 points.

Pundits like to talk about how heavily reliant we are on set-pieces, and how boring we are, but they neglect to tell the WHOLE story.

Every team we play defend deep, and sit in a low block…and because of that, when we put pressure on these teams, we get more corners, and free-kicks.

It’s makes sense for us to work on our set-pieces, as we force so many of them. Arteta recognised that, and the rest is history.

Teams defend in a low block, to stop us playing football, and we have ensured we’re deadly from set-pieces, to counteract their low block.

Cause, and effect.

Up next, is Brighton at home, in the Carabao Cup… The Seagulls will NOT be taking flight at Emirates, and they’re definitely not, stealing our chips! (I hope)

Players will no doubt be rested, but whatever team Arteta plays, the focus, defensive stability, and will to win… will be the same.

COYG!!

Champions League football, has returned… and The Arsenal are here to greet it, and hopefully, be terrible hosts, to Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal haven’t played Atletico Madrid in European competition, since the 2017/18 season, when we played them in the semi-final, of the Europa League.

We drew 1-1 at the Emirates, and lost the second leg 1-0. (Our revenge tour continues)

It’ll most certainly be a VERY different game, this time around. Our home record in the Champions League is excellent, we have a MUCH BETTER team, and I have no doubt in my mind, that Atletico Madrid will be reminded of that.

Atletico Madrid were complaining on social media, because APPARENTLY… there was no hot water at the Emirates Stadium. (Cry-babies)

ALLEDGEDLY, after Atletico’s training session, they hit the showers, only to find that the water was ice cold. Players had to scramble to their hotel, to have a shower. (HAHAHAHAHA!!)

I LOVE that this type of gamesmanship, is still in the game. This is no different from teams letting the grass grow long, so the footballing sides can’t pass the ball quickly….or, the footballing sides making the grass overly wet, so they can zip the ball around quicker.

Heating used to be turned off in the away changing rooms, the home sides used to hold back ticket allocation for the away fans. There was tea with no milk, custard creams with no custard in them… and pizza with no toppings. (Ok, maybe I made up the last couple, but you get the point)

I don’t know why Atletico are being all dramatic about it. I imagine that when they realised there was no hot water, they put the back of their hand on their forehead, and fainted… theatrically. (HAHAHA!!)

Gamesmanship has existed, since football was founded, back in 1863… But predictably, the mainstream media will pretend it’s a thousand times worse, because it’s the Arsenal.

We’re used to it by now, and it only makes us stronger! COYG!!

Arsenal come into this game on the back of our 1-0 win against Fulham, and Atletico Madrid come into this game, also on the back of a 1-0 win… against Osasuna.

Both teams are solid defensively, so tactically, I’m expecting an intriguing encounter.

I’m also expecting Atletico to do persistent fouling, merely to break up our play, and also do A LOT of timewasting.

The referee needs to stamp his authority on the game, EARLY!

Arteta adjusted the back four slightly, by bringing in Lewis-Skelly at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, central, and Jurrien Timber at right-back.

In the midfield, it was… Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze.

Up top, Martinelli on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.

The game started at a frantic pace, there was barely time to blink, or catch your breath. The Arsenal faithful, created a brilliant atmosphere…and encouraged the players to mirror their brilliance, on the pitch.

In the 5^th minute, Eze had decent shot from the edge of the box, that was partially blocked by the defender… and the ball looped up high into the air, over the keeper, and hit the bar. We were oh so close, to breaking the deadlock.

10 minutes later, we were in on their goal again, after some neat passing in a tight area. Unfortunately though, Lewis-Skelly scuffed his shot wide.

It’s like we just ignored Atletico Madrid’s reputation of being “Fighters”…and their reputation of being solid defensively, and just said “Meh” whatever… we’re just going to play marvellous football. Stop us if you can, Atletico MEH-drid.

David Raya had an extremely rare, moment of madness, in the 25th minute… when he rushed off his line to try and shepherd the ball out of play, but there wasn’t enough pace on the ball. Atletico earned a throw-in, which was taken quickly, as Raya sprinted back to his goal.

Before he could make it, Simeone took a long shot, but couldn’t quite guide the ball in to the empty net. (Thank God!)

Yes, we’re THE ARSENAL, but our guns aren’t for shooting ourselves in the foot.

Despite that crazy Raya moment, we were STILL in complete control of the game… and in the 35^th minute, Saka got to the byline, and put a great ball in to Martinelli, who tapped the ball in from close range. Unfortunately though, he was offside. No goal.

It was beginning to feel like one of those days. (Siiiiiiigh)

We continued pushing forward, passing, and probing… undeterred by our missed opportunities.

Our dominance not rewarded though, but we were playing so well, it felt like a matter of time before we score.

We went in 0-0 at the break, even though we deserved much more.

The early stages of the second half felt a little more even. Both teams were battling to assert themselves… when out of nowhere, in the 49^th minute…  Julian Alvarez hit a thunderous, curling, dipping shot, from outside the box… but the crossbar came to the rescue, just in time…like a superhero in the movies. PHEW!! Waaaaay too close.

The crowd was quieter now, as their voices were being strangled by concern.

We needed a goal, DESPERATELY…and in the 56^th minute we earned a free-kick, on the left side of the pitch…and Declan Rice put a scrumptious ball into the box, and Gabriel Magalhaes glanced the ball home! He made it look easy, but it wasn’t. That’s how good the timing of his run was, and that’s how good, the delivery from Rice was. 1-0 to the Arsenal!!

The crowd found their voices again, and they didn’t have to wait long to roar in celebration.

In the 64^th minute, Myles Lewis-Skelly picked up the all deep inside his own half… turned the player closest to him, ghosted past another, sprinted towards the Atletico goal…while maintaining close control of the ball. He got to the edge of the box, and played a perfectly weighted pass to Martinelli, who stroked the ball home with his instep.

Martinelli has now scored 3 goals, in 3 Champions League games, this season. He’s been on fire this season.

What a magnificent run by Lewis-Skelly though… it was the epitome of “Making a goal”. Just brilliant! 2-0 to the Arsenal!!

3 minutes later, Zubimendi played a great ball over the top to Martinelli… who put the ball in the box. Eze got to the ball first, but miscued his shot… thankfully, the ball broke to Gyokeres, and he squeezed the ball in, taking a slight deflection of the defender. He won’t care about that…WE, don’t care about that. They all count. A well-deserved goal for Gyokeres. 3-0 to the Arsenal!!

THAT’S why the showers were cold at the Emirates, because Arsenal knew they were going to put Atletico in hot water. (HAHAHA!)

The Arsenal fans began singing “Are you Tottenham in disguise?” and I honestly can’t think of a worse insult. (HAHAHAHAAAAA!)

The 70^th minute came bearing gifts… a corner, of all things.

Rice took the corner, and it was another exquisite delivery, that landed on Gabriel’s head. He headed back across goal, and the ball was met by Gyokeres, who bundled the ball home. It came off his thigh. Again…They ALL count! 2 proper striker’s goals from Gyokeres.

4-0 to the Arsenal!! Game well and truly over. The clock mercilessly demanded, 20 more minutes of Atletico suffering.

In the 73^rd minute, Mikel Arteta wisely made changes.

Cristhian Mosquera came on for Gabriel, Ethan Nwaneri came on for Eze, and Christian Norgaard came on for Zubimendi.

The changes in personnel didn’t disrupt our rhythm, or our control of the game. Our dominance was unrelenting… and with comfort levels at “Easy like Sunday morning”… further changes were made by Arteta, in the 83^rd minute.

Mikel Merino came on for Gyokeres, and Ben White came on for Timber.

We stayed professional, didn’t start showboating, didn’t take unnecessary risks, or try to force a fifth goal. We kept defending as a team, were determined to keep a clean sheet, and we did.

It finished 4-0. What a fantastic result! An awesome performance from the squad, because the subs that came in, did their jobs too.

We put 4 past a team who don’t concede goals, out fought a team who are infamous for being fighters, and we did it, emphatically.

This was a landmark win too, as this was our 100^th win, in the Champions League.

That’s 3 wins from 3.

9 points on the board.

8 goals scored.

0 goals conceded.

It’s incredible what we’ve done so far this season, across ALL competitions… and it’s just NOT talked about enough. I’ll talk about it though. I’ll scream it from the mountaintops!!

I refuse to believe, that it will be for nothing. We’re going to do something special this season, and I KNOW I’ll be proved RIGHT.

Next up, the Premier League pursuit… and It’s our final game in the trio of London Derbies. We host an in form Crystal Palace side, and we’re ready to clip the wings of The Eagles.

GOYG!!

After forty-two years as an Arsenal fan, and a football fanatic, you’d think that I’d be used to the rude interruption of the international break by now… well, I’M NOT!

I despise the international break, even though I love the major tournaments. The Euros, and the World Cup, are welcomed to my screen, with open arms… BUT, I just want the players to somehow be ready to play for their respective nations, with no training, and no breaks in domestic football, whatsoever! Now, is THAT too much to ask?!

Aaaaaanywhoooo… Before we were so rudely interrupted, Arsenal had been crowned champi… Nah.. HAHA!.. I’m just practicing.

No, Arsenal had returned to the top of the Premier League, for the first time since the 23/24 season.

It felt so good to reach the summit, at the expense of West Ham, because of their previous wins against us.

The revenge tour now continues, and after serving cold dishes to Newcastle, and West Ham, our next diners, are The Cottagers… Yes, that’s right, Fulham F.C.

Fulham are undoubtedly a good side, but our last couple of results against them, still annoys me when I think about it. We seem to drop points against them, when we need the points most.

Draws against them should’ve been wins, and the loses, should’ve been draws.

This is the second game, in our trio of London Derbies…and we have to make cottage pie, out of The Cottagers, to keep our place at the top of the league. We fought too hard to get there, and we have to fight just as hard, to remain… even THIS early in the season.

Mikel Arteta, and The Arsenal, arrived at Craven Cottage in pretty good shape. All the players returned from international duty, unscathed. No new injuries were reported. (Hallelujah!)

Which I’m sure was a huge relief for Arteta, as our injury record so far this season, has been HORRENDOUS! Maybe our luck is changing, in that area.

Ex-Arsenal players, Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi, and most recently… Emile Smith-Rowe, all now in the Fulham ranks… adds a little something extra to this fixture.

Fulham lost 3-1 in their last game, away to Bournemouth. Arsenal however, are on the back of a 2-0 win over West Ham. (Stop.. Hammer time!)

Fulham being the home side, means the impetus is on them to attack, so hopefully we won’t face the usual low block defending.

Arteta went with the back four that he’s favoured this season. Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, at the centre of defence… and Jurrien Timber, at right-back.

In the midfield, with Odegaard still injured, it was… Eze, Zubimendi, and Rice.

The front three was Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Saka on the right.

We needed a fast start, which we’ve done in our last couple of games… but we have to be more clinical, with the early chances we’ll inevitably create… and I’m sure Mikel Arteta will be reiterating that, to the players.

Despite nonsensical narratives from the mainstream football media, who’d like you to believe that we haven’t had a fantastic start to the season… and some disgruntled Arsenal fans, complaining that we don’t score enough goals… socks are too long, grass is too green, and water is too wet. Yes, despite all of that incessant whinging… Arsenal keep doing their talking, on the pitch… and they’re speaking loudly, and clearly, with perfect diction.

Here’s confirmation of just how well, The Arsenal, enunciate.

We’ve played 10 games in all competitions, and we’ve won 8 of those games… scoring 20 goals in the process, and only conceded 3.

Only lost 1, and drawn 1.

To STILL hear some Arsenal fans complaining, is both unfathomable, and disappointing.

I cannot help but wonder if these moaners, complainers, whingers, negative Nimrods, and malleable muppets… are even REAL Arsenal fans.

I mean, do they even LOVE Arsenal, or do they just like the club as a friend?

Not even a friend, an acquaintance that you don’t really like, but keep around, just to complain about them. (It’s exhausting to witness)

This whole “Thing” about not celebrating wins, or a run of good form, or goals… because we haven’t won a MAJOR trophy recently… is a foolish notion, and it’s sucking the joy out of football.

People seem to of forgotten what the sport is about! Passion, is being replaced with statistical data, over analysis, and incompetent officiating… and I just hope that for the sake of the game, we get back to BASICS… expeditiously.

Okaaaay, back to more positive Arsenal news… (Well, sort of positive). There’s been some talk of Arsenal increasing the seating capacity at the Emirates stadium, to 70,000… possibly, 75,000.

Now, I understand the thought process behind this, in terms of generating more revenue… BUT, at what cost?

Will this mean having to play all our home games at Wembley, again? (No thanks!!)

Does it mean we’ll have to go back to selling our best players, to help fund this expansion? (Dramatic, I know)

I don’t even want to entertain any thoughts of ground sharing with Tottenham!

They don’t deserve the honour of us gracing their stadium, with our presence. (I shuddered, and threw up in my mouth a little bit, at the thought)

Look, I just feel that we’ve only JUST got back to where we need to be, with regards to competing at the top level, for the top trophies… So doing a stadium development NOW, feels like… well,  the timing isn’t right.

Yes, increasing the seating capacity to an existing stadium, ISN’T the same as building a stadium from scratch… but I think back to when the Emirates was being built, and that was a horrible time in Arsenal’s history.

We had to sell our best players to team’s we’d consider to be our rivals, and we were unable to attract other top players to the club, due to the fact that we were languishing in mediocrity, and just didn’t have the funds.

I just hope that if this expansion goes ahead, that all the aforementioned concerns, are discussed… discussed again, and then… discussed again.

Now, on to the game.

We started rather sluggishly, and misplaced a few simple passes, which invited unnecessary pressure. A few of the players looked heavy legged, and the international duty hangover, seemed to take centre stage in our patterns of play.

Fulham sat back, deep in their own half, with ten men behind the ball… causing space to be a scarce commodity.

In the 16^th minute, Timber played a stupendous diagonal ball over the top, to Trossard on the left… and he played the ball first time to Calafiori in the box, who stroked the ball into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance!

What a goal, what an Arsenal move, and what a shame…the flag immediately went up, for offside. The goal was chalked off.

With Fulham still in their defensive low block, our creative players struggled to make things happen, and this coupled with Arsenal not moving the ball quick enough, gave Fulham a level of comfort, they were reluctant to relinquish.

We didn’t manage to carve out another clear cut chance, until the 37^th minute…  when Saka picked up the ball, slid a neat pass into Gyokeres, and through on goal, his shot was straight at Leno.

Gyokeres just wasn’t getting the service, due to how well Fulham were defending.

The slow tempo to the game continued, and created a subdued atmosphere in the stands.

Singing, and merriment, seemed to be held hostage, by frustration, and anxiety… with no sign of the gag being removed, in sight.

The first half finished 0-0, and the referee’s whistle felt like mercy… because we didn’t play particularly well, and the game wasn’t anything close to a spectacle.

We started the second half a lot brighter, and moving the ball quicker, opened up more spaces.

In the 49^th minute, Eze put a good ball into the box, and though Trossard dragged his shot wide… there were encouraging signs, that a goal was in our near future.

A minute later, Timber passed the ball out to Saka on the right, who was hugging the touchline like the touchline was distraught…and he was consoling it.

Saka at pace, skipped around Sessegon, and drove towards the Fulham box… making the left-back’s presence, seem irrelevant. Saka beat another onrushing defender, and then squared the ball into a dangerous area, but it was blocked, and then cleared. Fulham on the ropes, breathing heavily, but still standing.

Bukayo Saka was seeing much more of the ball now… He demanded it, and welcomed the added responsibility of the captains armband. He looked most likely to change our fortunes, with his driving runs, and intelligent passing. Our Starboy was beating players at will, and he gave Ryan Sessegon  a torrid time… as we continued in search of a goal.

Bukayo Saka, is back to his best.

The clock rudely reminded me, that time wasn’t on our side, but we earned a corner in the 58^th minute, that gave me hope.

Saka put a ball in, that was inviting to attackers, but instilled fear into defenders. Gabriel flicked the ball on with a commanding, towering header…that landed in front of Trossard at the back post… and Trossard turned the ball in from close range. GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The ball actually came off Trossard’s knee, but they all count. 1-0 to the Arsenal!

Shockingly, even though Fulham were 1-0 down, they still didn’t commit players forward, and they stayed in their low block, defensive shape.

Eze made way for Merino, in the 62^nd minute.

It was a difficult game for Eze, because there just simply wasn’t any space for him to create, or run in behind… and him being his own worst critic, he was visibly disappointed in his performance, when he came off.

Eze didn’t face many low block defences, when he was at Crystal Palace, and I feel he needs time to adjust to this…and I’m certain that he will, and be an even better player for it.

Time seemed to of slowed down now, and irritatingly, the clock only showed 65 minutes gone.

Saka, on yet another jinking run… earned a penalty, after being brought down just inside the box.

It most certainly WASN’T a clear an obvious error by the referee, but VAR advised him to look at the screens, nonetheless. The replays showed some contact was made on the ball, but this was AFTER contact was made on Saka’s knee. It was ABSOLUTELY, a penalty!

The referee however, overturned his decision, and not for the first time this season… Arsenal were robbed. No penalty.

Incompetent officiating, gave the Fulham crowd, and the players, a lift… and for a brief moment, Fulham acted like they wanted to score a goal. After a couple of minutes though, they were right back in their defensive shape, hilariously protecting a 1-0 deficit.

Martinelli came on for Trossard in the 81^st minute, and he had a couple of shots saved by Leno. The scoreline remained only 1-0, so the game wasn’t yet won. As we looked so solid defensively though, the 1-0 lead felt less narrow.

Norgaard was introduced for Gyokeres, in the 96th minute.

Gyokeres played well, in terms of creating space for his teammates, and occupying defenders… But it was another game where he didn’t get enough service, for his goal threat to be at optimum levels. It will change…and when it does, the rest of the league will be in all sorts of trouble.

The game finished 1-0 to the Arsenal!! A brilliant result, against a Fulham side that we’ve dropped points against, in the last two seasons.

In addition to that, we didn’t play particularly well, faced a low defensive block, and had a few jaded players, after the international break… yet we STILL found a way to win.

We showed incredible mental strength, and fought tirelessly, for the 3 points.

Fulham didn’t have a single shot on target, so for the second consecutive game, Arsenal have prevented their opponents from having a shot on target.

The last time Arsenal achieved this feat, was the 04/05 season…which just happens to be the last time we won the Premier League.

After this Fulham win, we’ve now only conceded 3 goals in 11 games. Unbelievable defensive display, so far this season… and long may it continue.

Long may our set-piece goals continue. Long may our will to win, mental strength, belief, and incredible team spirit… continue. Long may our place at the TOP of the league, continue.

We’re at home to Atletico Madrid next, in the Champions League. Let’s continue this win streak we’re on, and take our points tally to 9, which will put us in a great position in the table.

I dooooo LOVE the Champions League, and of course I want Arsenal to win it…BUT, there’s something about handling your business domestically, that I’ll ALWAYS love more.

Being the best team in the league, over a 38 game period, and being crowned champions at the end of it, is a special, special thing. So, I’m glad we’re back to the Premier League hunt… and West Ham United, are our latest prey.

As I mentioned briefly in my last piece, West Ham have beaten us on their last two visits to the Emirates, and we simply CANNOT allow them to make it a third. This is the first of three London Derbies in-a-row, that we have to contend with… and I want nothing more, than to start by hammering The Hammers. It’s… HAMMER TIME!

Oh yes, I said it. I want the Arsenal players to be dancing around West Ham, while keeping possession of the football, and pointing at it intermittently, and exclaiming… “YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS!”

The Emirates is our home, this is our ball, and these are our three points!

This is a Nuno Espirito Santo team though, and even though he hasn’t been the West Ham manager for long, they’ll be a new found defensive solidity about them.

We most certainly can’t be as wasteful with our chances, as we were against Olympiacos.

It’s imperative that we start on the front foot, show more efficiency in the final third, and if we’re able to get an early goal… build on that momentum, be ruthless, and kill the game off.

Easier said than done, I know… but if we want to win the league, these are the attributes we have to show, consistently.

This meeting with West Ham is extra special, as it’s Mikel Arteta’s 300^th game in charge, and it’s Bukayo Saka’s 200^th Premier League game for Arsenal.

Considering Saka is only 24 years old, that’s an amazing achievement. This young man gives everything for Arsenal, and gets better every season. He truly is, an inspiration to young players at the club, and other young players everywhere. Our Starboy.

I don’t wish to see any further comparisons made, with Phil Foden, or Cole Palmer, because they’re simply not in Saka’s league. They’re nowhere near him.

Mikel Arteta shocked us all with his team selection, and not for the first time this season.

It was the usual back four, with Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel, and Saliba, central… and Timber at right-back.

Now the surprising part was in midfield… It was Odegaard, Eze, and Rice.

This is probably the most attacking midfield I’ve seen Arteta play this season, and the first time that Eze, and Odegaard, have started a game together.

Up top, it was Saka on the right, Gyokeres through the middle, and Trossard on the left.

We knew before kick-off, that a win would take us top of the league, and we started the game exceptionally well.

In the 4^th minute, Odegaard picked up the ball near the edge of the West Ham box, he spotted a clever run from Timber, and put him through on goal… with a cheeky little pass. Timber took the shot, but it was saved by the Areola, the West Ham keeper.

As teams often do when they come to the Emirates (Including Manchester City) … West Ham, defended deep. Arsenal faced a familiar scenario, of passing the ball around the opposition, daring them to break their defensive lines.

West Ham though, remained stubborn, and refused to succumb to our footballing advances.

Refusing to be rejected, Arsenal continued their goal quest… and in the 13^th minute, Odegaard picked the ball up on the right, passed it to Saka, who got to the byline, and squared it to Gyokeres. He slipped at the vital moment, and the ball broke to Eze, and leaning back, seven yards out… he hit the shot waaaaay over the bar. I’m pretty sure that the ball hit the wing of a plane, on its way out of the Earth’s atmosphere, and up into orbit.

By Eze’s high standards, he’s GOT TO score there.

Gyokeres did a lot of thankless running, pulling defenders out of position, and creating space for others. I feel there needs to be more accuracy, in the passes into him, and we’ll reap more rewards.

He was holding up play well, and tirelessly leading the press. I think all the questions about his fitness, have been emphatically answered.

West Ham were committing little niggly fouls, purposely trying to disrupt our rhythm… but like a seventies disco, our dancing cannot be denied. Eager to blame it on the boogie… in the 24^th minute… Declan Rice showed off his moves, by playing a great ball over the top to Saka, in the box. He calmly side-footed the ball past Areola, but the offside flag immediately went up.

It was beginning to feel like, one of those days.

In the 30^th minute Martin Odegaard had to go off, after a clash of knees with the West Ham winger, Crysencio Summerville. Martin Zubimendi came on in his place.

He became the first player in Premier League history, to be substituted before half-time, in three consecutive games. A horrible record to have… but I’m sure that’ll soon be forgotten, and replaced with more positive records.

I just cannot believe how unlucky he’s been with injuries this season… and it happens when he was looking back to his best. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I know he’ll come back stronger.

The Emirates crowd began to quieten, and only groans of frustration could be heard. This was due to a combination of the Odegaard injury, and the fact that the 0-0 scoreline, wasn’t a true reflection of our dominance.

Surely West Ham couldn’t avoid defeat at the Emirates, AGAIN! No way… Surely, not.

The conversations with myself rumbled on… and I welcomed the interruption… when a crisp pass from Saka, found Zubimendi, in the 38^th minute. He played a perfectly weighted, quite exquisite through ball to Eze, whose shot was blocked by the keeper… but Declan Rice, against his old club, made no mistake with the follow-up. A brilliant, controlled finish, with his instep, into the roof of the net. 1-0 to the Arsenal!! (Thank God)

Calafiori almost made it 2-0, in the 5^th minute of injury time… with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, with his weaker right foot… that crashed against the post. In the words of ‘Brandy’… “Almost doesn’t count”.

The first half finished 1-0, and lady luck continued to don her West Ham shirt… looking me in the eyes, as she kissed the badge.

I was hoping that more spaces would open up in the second half, as West Ham went in search of a goal. I was wrong… and the deep, determined, defending… continued.

West Ham offered absolutely nothing offensively, so David Raya could’ve been sitting on the sofa, drinking a cuppa, catching up on his TV shows.

It was still only 1-0 though, so the game felt far away from a win. We needed that second goal, like my bald head needs follicle stimulation.

As the minutes went by, our lead looked narrower, and narrower. The game started heading towards “Rue the chances we missed” territory.

Unbelievably though, West Ham still sat back defending, like they were protecting a lead. I’m not sure if they fully understand how goals work.

Arsenal, still with ALL the possession… made it pay off in the 67^th minute… when Zubimendi, on the right hand side, played a magnificent ball over the top to Jurrien Timber. He was brought down in the box, and the ref pointed to the spot. PENALTY!!! A chance to kill off West Ham, who played like the walking dead, anyway.

The incomparable, the irrepressible, the dependable… Bukayo “Starboy” Saka, picked the ball up, and calmly paced it on the spot. After a short run-up, he blasted the ball in, to keepers left. An excellent penalty. 2-0 to the Arsenal!!

The goal took Saka to 100 goal involvements. That’s 55 goals, and 45 assists. An amazing achievement, for one so young… and what’s scary is, there’s even more to come from Saka.

He’s done that in only 200 games by the way. WORLD..CLASS!!

I heard a few mumbles about Saka should’ve let Gyokeres take the penalty, to which I laughed hysterically, and then continued with life.

The game continued with Arsenal dominating, and we had 68% of the possession, and had 21 shots on the West Ham goal.

I’m sure we’ll be more ruthless in front of goal, and kill teams off earlier in games…but until we do, we’re living dangerously.

Myles Lewis-Skelly came on for Riccardo Calafiori, in the 75^th minute… along with Ethan Nwaneri coming on, for Leandro Trossard.

Declan Rice made way for Mikel Merino, in the 79^th minute, and Gabriel Martinelli was introduced, for Eberechi Eze.

The game continued to be a scrappy, bitty affair… and West Ham ensured that it made horrible viewing.

Thankfully, it finished 2-0, and the win sent us to the top of the league…. and that’s where we’ll stay, until at least after the international break, due to Liverpool losing 2-1 to Chelsea. (Hahah!)

I want to give a special mention to Zubimendi, because he’s slotted seamlessly into our midfield, and hasn’t put a foot wrong. He was involved in both the goals today, and has been superb, since pre-season.

Gyokeres was excellent again today, and even though he didn’t score… he’s doing all the right things that a striker should be doing. I have a feeling that he’s going to go on a great scoring run, after the internation break.

Our next game is Fulham away… another team we’ve slipped up against in the past. We’ll put that right! In the meantime, let’s rewatch the highlights, and keep looking at the Premier League table.

The big games just keep coming, and now we must pause our pursuit of the Premier League, and face Olympiacos at The Emirates, in the Champions League.

Olympiacos are the most successful team in Greek football history, and have beaten us at the Emirates, the last three times we’ve played them… just a reminder, that there’s no easy games in the Champions League.

In Greek Mythology Zeus is the god of thunder, and lightning… and I was hoping that Arsenal strike on Olympiacos, and let our quality rain down upon them, with wave…after wave, of attack.

May the thunderous roar of the Arsenal fans, unsettle our guests, and make it apparent… that there’s no weathering THIS football storm.

Whilst we’re on the subject of myths, I think it’s fair to say that Mikel Arteta has expelled many myths, surrounding Arsenal.

We can’t challenge for the title, we’re not good enough, there’s no team spirit, we can’t win the big games, we lack battling qualities, we crumble under pressure… Blah, blah, blah.. Extra Jibber-Jabber.

All of these myths have been expelled, during Arteta’s tenure.

Yes, traditionally… a myth is explaining natural, or social, phenomenon.. involving supernatural beings, or events… BUT… another meaning of a myth, is a widely held but false belief, or idea.

Arteta has expelled the latter, and this is why the team is so positive, and mentally resilient. The Arsenal team showed that, as recently as Sunday, against Newcastle.

So, now that the myths have been dealt with… we can now focus on the margins.

This season, we’ve been getting most of the small margins right. Defending as a team, starting the defensive press from the front… making the other team rush their passing, which increases our chances of recovering the ball.

Offensively, I’ve noticed a shift communicatively. Even the new players are able to anticipate a pass, or the movement, of their fellow teammates. Yes, sometimes it doesn’t work… but it’s evident that the team are very well coached, and well drilled on our football identity.

We’re on the precipice of something special, and that’s why everyone wants to join Arsenal, and the existing players, don’t want to leave. This made Andrea Berta’s job easier… he was able to complete all the transfer deals, and did so, from a position of strength. He’s doing a fantastic job!

Don’t take my word for it, just look at our Summer transfer window, and the calibre of players we signed.

Also, all the existing players have extended their contracts. The most recent, being William Saliba. We hold on to our best players now, and that just underlines our position as a “Big club”.

The players, the staff, and the owners… all believe in Mikel Arteta, and I’m confident that he’ll repay that faith, with a plethora of trophies.

The competition for places in the squad, has also made all the players raise their game. They all want to make sure that they keep their place in the starting eleven, and this is so healthy to have in a football team… and will help us get the rest of those small margins, near perfect.

For example, it’ll make us more ruthless in front of goal. If we’d taken our first half chances against Newcastle, we would’ve been at least 3-0 up, before half-time.

This squandering of chances will be eradicated from our game, and not getting the small margins right, will soon become… marginal.

By the way, I’m still furious about the referee overturning the penalty decision, in the Newcastle game. It’s very hard NOT to have a conspiratorial mindset, when these terrible decisions, happen to Arsenal, repeatedly. Disgraceful decision, after disgraceful decision… and we’re just expected to get on with it.

Arsenal play against the opposing team, PLUS…the officials. Investigations into some of these referees, are long overdue!

We are officiated differently, to any other team, and if you’re watching football closely, you’ll agree that my statement is undeniable.

Aaanywhoooo… Moving not so swiftly on…

We came into this game on the back of the Magpies massacre, so we’re brimming with confidence, and were eager to play this game.

Olympiacos also came into this game on the back of a win, after they beat Levadiakos 3-2.

It was all set up for an intriguing encounter, on the flawless Emirates carpet, under the lights.

Arsenal went back to a 4-3-3 formation, and Mikel Arteta made six changes, to the team that started at Newcastle. David Raya kept his place in goal, Myles Lewis-Skelly came in for Riccardo Calafiori, at left-back, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, central, and Ben White came in for Jurrien Timber, at right-back.

In midfield, Mikel Merino was on the left, Martin Zubimendi central, and Martin Odegaard, completely free of that shoulder injury, started on the right. Our front three was Gabriel Martinelli on the left, Viktor Gyokeres through the middle, and Leandro Trossard, usually deployed on the left… had a rare start, on the right hand side.

We started the game at an extremely fast pace, and the passing accuracy, and clever moment, all over the pitch…was a joy to behold.

As early as the 2^nd minute, Raya played a lovely pass to Odegaard, who swept the ball out to the sprinting, Lewis-Skelly… and he put a delectable ball in to Martinelli, in the box, but Martinelli headed the ball onto his own shoulder… and the chance was gone. We should’ve been 1-0 up, or at the very least, he should’ve worked the goalkeeper.

Martin Odegaard was looking sharp, and in the mood to play football. He orchestrated our patterns of play, and our footballing symphony, showed no signs of quieting down.

In the 12^th minute, Martin “The Maestro” Odegaard, played a brilliant through ball to Viktor Gyokeres… and even though the defenders either side of him, looked favourites to get to the ball first… he bullied them both, got the ball, and powered into the box. Slightly off balance now, he managed to get a shot off, which squirmed under the keeper, and hit the post, but wasn’t going in.

Gabriel Martinelli ran on to the loose ball, and tapped the ball in, from close range. 1-0 to the Arsenal!

Martinelli now has 2 goals, in 2 Champions League games.

We continued to keep the ball, and like a toddler with a bag of sweets, we didn’t want to share.

However, Olympiacos began to grow into the game…and in the 20^th minute, their right-back Costinha, played a lovely ball out to Chiquino, who was in way too much space. He put a pinpoint cross into the Arsenal box, that Podence greeted, with a sweet right foot volley. The ball was heading into the top corner, but David Raya made a phenomenal, acrobatic save… and tipped the ball over the bar. Incredible reflexes from David Raya… who for me, has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world, for the past 2 seasons.

He communicates excellently with his defence, he rushes off his line quickly, when needed. He’s a brilliant shot stopper, he’s commanding on crosses, and his passing is superb.

I don’t think David Raya gets the accolades he truly deserves. I’m making it my business, to change that.

Arsenal enjoyed more possession, and in the 31^st minute, Odegaard found Gyokeres on the left hand side, with yet another awe-inspiring pass. Gyokeres raced into the box, and with the angle against him… he took a shot, but the defender made a crucial block, and we failed to convert ANOTHER good chance.

As much as I want Gyokeres to score more goals, he should’ve DEFINITELY squared the ball to Martinelli in this instance… who was unmarked in the middle.

We had a few more half chances, that the keeper claimed, or they were blocked by a defender… but no second goal, so we went in 1-0 up at the half-time break.

In the second half, Olympiacos made some tweaks defensively, that made it more difficult for us to continue our first half domination.

Clear cut chances became few, and far between… and the longer the scoreline remained 1-0, the more Olympiacos grew in confidence.

In the 58^th minute, Arteta decided that we needed more help to get the second goal… and Declan Rice came on for Mikel Merino, and Jurrien Timber came on for Ben White.

I agreed with both substitutions, as Merino started to tire, and Ben White has just returned from injury, and wasn’t expected to play the full 90 minutes.

With every Arsenal appearance, Jurrien Timber shows us just how good he is. Right now, he’s the best right-back in the world. He’s flawless defensively, and he’s flawless offensively.

He reads the game magnificently, he’s intelligent, has great positional sense, in addition to his pace, and power. He’s remarkably consistent, and is efficient in both boxes.

Timber already has 2 goals this season, and will definitely score more, and contribute to more clean sheets too.

We still huffed, and puffed, in search of a second goal…But couldn’t blow the Olympiacos house down. We seemed to be lacking the lung capacity, while Olympiacos breathed new life, into their game.

Frustration began to lean on me, and made my confidence unsteady on it’s feet.

Olympiacos were playing well now, and as the game opened up, they began to see more of the ball.

In the 66th minute, some sloppy play in midfield, allowed Olympiacos to mount an attack.

A decent ball was put into the Arsenal box, by Podence, and a header from Kaabi was saved by David Raya, but the ricochet broke kindly to Kaabi again, and he put the ball in the net.

Thankfully, the offside flag went up… and even after a VAR check, it was still deemed offside.

That was another warning to Arsenal, that Olympiacos still believed they can get something from the game.

The 73^rd minute tapped Arteta on the shoulder, and suggested reaching into the armoury, and bringing out the big guns. Arteta agreed, and brought on Bukayo Saka for Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze, for Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli had a decent game, and of course got the goal… and Trossard had a good game, got into some dangerous positions, but by his own high standards… he missed too many chances.

I’ll repeat what I said earlier… The squandering of chances, will soon become, marginal. Don’t worry my Arsenal family. Don’t worry.

With the “Big guns” now removed from their holsters, a kill-shot felt inevitable… But the target was well protected.

In the 75^th minute, Gabriel Magalhaes had to be withdrawn, after taking a knock, and the more than capable, Cristhian Mosquera, replaced him.

Hopefully Big Gabby’s injury, is nothing too serious.

We kept pushing for the second goal, while keeping our defensive discipline… wary of the possibility, of an Olympiacos counter-attack.

Into the 82^nd minute now, and I was painfully uncomfortable… like was sitting on broken glass.

My discomfort was eased a little, as Eze played the ball out to Saka on the right, and he beat his man, then hugged the touchline, like it was a long lost relative. He reached the byline, and cut it back to Odegaard, who shot first time… but had his shot saved by the keeper.

My discomfort, returned.

It wasn’t until the 92^nd minute, that my seat of broken glass, morphed into a recliner, made of the softest pillows… when Saka picked the ball up on the left, laid the ball off to Odegaard, and continued his run… demanding the one-two. Odegaard found Saka again with the return pass, and Saka, now through on goal, rifled the ball past the keeper! GOOOOOAAAAL!!!

Now, I’m comfortable. Now, I can rest easy. 2-0 to the Arsenal. Brilliant combination play, between Saka, and Odegaard.

It finished 2-0, and we made it 2 wins out of 2, put 6 points on the board, and have yet to concede a single goal. An excellent start to our Champions League campaign.

We entertain West Ham next, at the Emirates, and for the last two seasons, they’ve won this fixture. We owe them a battering, and hopefully, we’ll pay in full.

I’m sure their new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, will make it difficult for us.

That’s right, we face yet ANOTHER team, with a “New manager bounce”.

These are the games that Gyokeres was bought for, and I’m sure he’ll put in a good performance.

He was excellent tonight, and deserved to be rewarded with a goal. I’ve told myself he’s saving it for West Ham… and I believe me.

Newcastle, for the last two seasons, have been our bogey team… and quite frankly, it’s time to wipe our nose, and discard the tissue. It’s time for The Gunners to shoot The Magpies down, and ensure they never take a three points flight against us, for the foreseeable future.

I don’t know what it is about this fixture, that causes atrocious officiating, to take centre stage… But I hope that trend dies a horrible death, like Tie-Dye T-shirts.

We have to leave St James’ Park with all three points, and not just because Liverpool are five points ahead of us, but because it would lay a marker down. It’d let Newcastle know that their “Hoodoo” over us is finished, it’d show the doubters that we’re more determined this season, and have a winning mentality… But most importantly, it’ll give the players confidence. Confidence, and belief.

Confident players don’t overthink, and instinctively make the right decisions, all over the pitch, which reduces the probability, of making costly mistakes. Confident players, win you games.

Now, I’m not suggesting that these Arsenal players are currently low on confidence, but having more of it, will only aid them throughout the season.

Leading up to this game, there’s been A LOT of talk about our style of play. Some people feel we’re too defensive, don’t take risks, and rely too heavily on our set-piece prowess.

Some people think we’re boring, and easy to figure out…In terms of how we struggle to break teams down, who defend deep.

Well, I’m NOT one of those people. A couple of seasons ago, we played more attacking football, blew some teams away, but we’d ALWAYS get done on the counter-attack… and we played the same way, home, or away… regardless of the opposition.

We’d push too high up the pitch, commit too many players forward, and a simple pass through the middle, would be our undoing. Naïve defending, WAS most certainly an issue.

After finishing second, for the last three seasons, Mikel Arteta has rightly looked for solutions.

He realised that we need more than one style of play, and that conceding sloppy goals, is avoidable, if certain adjustments are made.

We now show more football intelligence when breaking forward, communicate better, and ensure two or more defenders… remain on the halfway line, which makes us less susceptible to the counter-attack.

Now we have the best defence in the league.

Our set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, working with the team on how we can hurt teams more from set-pieces, was a brilliant idea. It gives opposing teams something else to worry about, and it’s added another dimension to our game.

No, we’re not too heavily reliant on set-pieces, we’re just extremely good at them… and why wouldn’t you do the things you’re extremely good at, to win football matches?

Mikel Arteta identified areas in our team, and in our play, that needed addressing, and he addressed them. That’s what good managers do.

I don’t think he gets enough credit for this

Are we less exciting (So far) this season? Yes.

Are we better defensively? Yes.

Do I care about being less exciting, if we’re winning football matches? NO! Absolutely, not.

Arteta has tried the other ways, and failed. I think he deserves a chance to try this current way of playing.

I’m all for setting up a little more defensively, AWAY from home. I’m all for adjusting your team-sheet, and gameplan, in accordance to the opposition, and their personnel.

That’s what tactically astute managers do. Mikel Arteta has done, and IS doing, a good job.

Don’t let your judgement be compromised, by pompous punditry, ominous opinions, and by the new statistically driven way, the beautiful game is going.

Just use your eyes. Your eyes will never lie to you. Who cares what XG says.

What can a computer possibly tell ME, about the amount of goals to expect from my team?

XG is ridiculous, because a computer doesn’t know how to expect, the unexpected. Yet, it’s being used to praise, or ridicule teams, and managers.

Again, just use your eyes. We’ve played well this season, and we’ll get better, and better, as the season progresses.

Ok, on to the match.

Mikel Arteta surprised us all, with his attack minded team selection.

David Raya in goal, Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Cristhian Mosquera, in central defence, and Jurrien Timber at right-back.

Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi, sitting just in front of the defence….and ahead of them, Leandro Trossard on the left, Eberechi Eze central, in his favoured No.10 role, Bukayo Saka on the right, and Viktor Gyokeres up front. We were set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with our most creative players starting the game. Arteta’s message clear…START ON THE FRONT FOOT!

Arsenal gave Newcastle the runaround, in the early stages…With some slick, incisive passing. There was some intelligent movement, and one-touch play. Newcastle were getting a football lesson, and had no idea they were even in class.

In the 5^th minute, Eze had a great left foot strike, that was unfortunately saved by Nick Pope.

Every time we went forward, it looked as though The Magpies would get their wings clipped, and The Gunners would continue to fire upon their nest.

In the 14^th minute, Eze deep inside his own half, played a long ball over the top to Saka, but with three Newcastle players around him, he couldn’t quite control the ball. The Newcastle defender attempted a pass back to the keeper, but the pass was short… And Gyokeres ran onto it, charging into the Newcastle box. Nick Pope, in an attempt to snuff out the danger, clumsily took out Gyokeres… And without hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. Arsenal were awarded a penalty!

Saka picked up the ball, ready to dispatch the penalty…Only for the referee to go and look at the screen, under advice from VAR. This was bizarre, because it was a clear cut penalty.

The referee however, overturned his original decision, and the penalty was NOT given.

Yet ANOTHER controversial decision, had gone against Arsenal, at St James’ Park. I was absolutely, FURIOUS.

More shots from Saka, and Eze, were saved…and a wonderful strike from Trossard, hit the inside of the post, but somehow didn’t go in.

Concern started to whisper in my ear, as whenever we don’t take our chances, we get punished for it… And in the 34th minute, Newcastle’s striker Nick Woltemade, became the punisher.

Mosquera needlessly put the ball out for a Newcastle corner, which was a rare mistake from him. A short corner was taken, and Sandro Tonali floated the ball into the Arsenal box, Woltemade beat Gabriel Magalhaes in the air, and headed the ball home. Totally against the run of play, Newcastle were 1-0 up.

Arsenal continued to pass, press, and probe… Trying to erase the injustice of the penalty decision, and recover from the proverbial sucker punch… But undeservedly, went in at the half-time interval, 1-0 down.

William Saliba was brought on for Cristhian Mosquera, at the start of the second half. I don’t think this was a reflection on Mosquera’s overall performance, but I’m guessing Arteta wanted a bit more defensive experience, for the remainder of the game.

Newcastle camped out in their own half, and repeatedly broke up our play with persistent fouling, which the referee shamelessly ignored. This only made my frustration gather an unstoppable momentum, and hope bid me a tearful farewell… As the minutes ticked away, and the possibility of defeat, felt like it was heading towards an inevitable certainty.

In the 70^th minute, Bukayo Saka made way for Gabriel Martinelli, and Riccardo Calafiori, was replaced by Mikel Merino.

Arsenal were still dominating the game, but the breakthrough seemed further away, as Nick Pope continued to make save, after save.

In the 82^nd minute, Martin Odegaard came on for Martin Zubimendi, and the game shifted even more in our favour. Odegaard adopted a new profession as a seamstress, the way he was constantly threading through the eye of a needle.

Newcastle couldn’t cope with Odegaard’s vision, and passing accuracy… And Arsenal were quickly reminded, just how much we’ve missed him.

In the 84^th minute, we won a corner, which was surprisingly taken short by Declan Rice. He played a short pass to Eze, who passed to Odegaard, and he zipped the ball back to Rice, who whipped a dangerous ball in to Merino, who glanced the ball into the net. GOOOAAAAAAL!!!

Something we’d deserved from the opening whistle. Arsenal had equalised, and with enough time left on the clock, to go a get the winner.

Hope entered the chat, and was in deep discussion with belief, and determination. We can do this! Time suddenly stopped being our enemy, and begged to be on our side, which we gladly obliged.

Arteta took off Leandro Trossard in the 88^th minute, and brought on Myles Lewis-Skelly. Some much needed fresh legs… And he made a great run in the 94^th minute, and was found by an incredible through ball, from Martin Odegaard… But Lewis-Skelly’s attempted cross was blocked.

In the 96^th minute of injury time, Arsenal earned a corner, that Martin Odegaard took. He curled an inviting cross in, towards the keeper’s near post, Gabriel Magalhaes accepted the invitation, and with a towering header, he put Arsenal 2-1 up! GOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! The king of the castle!!!

The match finished 2-1 to Arsenal, and the precious three points we collected, was everything we deserved. We had more possession, more shots, and played the better football.

This performance had everything! We showed our battling qualities, and more than stood up to Newcastle’s physicality. We had the mental strength to stay composed, after some abysmal officiating… And we refused to give up, and pushed for the winning goal, after our late equaliser. That’s the winning mentality I mentioned earlier.

We capitalised on Liverpool losing to Crystal Palace, and closed the five point gap, to two points. BRILLIANT!!!

Champions League tie next, at home to Olympiacos. Let’s carry our excellent form into that game… But in the meantime, I’ll be rewatching how we massacred The Magpies.(HAHA!)

Here we are at the home of Port Vale, as we get our Carabao Cup campaign underway.

A “Vale” by definition, is a long depression in the land, often between two hills, and containing a river.

I think this is fitting, because if Arsenal don’t win a trophy this season, they’ll be depression across North London lands, and a river of salty tears.

I know the League Cup isn’t considered to be a prestigious trophy, but for the simple fact that we haven’t won it since 1993, I want to win it. It’s a trophy for the cabinet, and I NEVER turn my nose up at silverware…. ANY silverware, as it helps to cement the foundations of a winning mentality.

We’re still trying to navigate our way through the fog of overreaction, after the draw with Manchester City… and a convincing win tonight, would make our fog lights brighter, and help us steer through, toward the Newcastle game on Sunday.

Arsenal took the opportunity to rest some first team players, and play the fringe players… and players just returning from injury, needing minutes. Arteta made nine changes to the starting lineup, that played against Manchester City.

Kepa Arizzabalaga was handed his first start, Myles Lewis-Skelly came in at left-back, Cristhian Mosquera, and William Saliba, partnered for the first time in central defence, and Ben White came in at right-back.

In midfield, Eberechi Eze started on the left, Christian Norgaard central, and Ethan Nwaneri on the right.

Up front, Gabriel Martinelli started on the left, Mikel Merino through the middle, and Bukayo Saka, captaining the side, played on the right.

It was a very strong team, and another reminder of the strength, and depth of our current squad.

We had to ensure we approached the game focused, and professionally, and not take lower league opposition for granted. There’d already been an upset in the previous round, when Grimsby Town, knocked out Manchester United. (I wasn’t upset, and laughed hysterically)

The Arsenal, don’t need to be giving the loquacious, ludicrous, pundits… More to yammer about.

I saw us running riot over Port Vale, and racking up a disrespectful goals tally, but perhaps I had something in my eye, that distorted my vision.

The match started rather predictably, with Arsenal stroking the ball around, and in complete control. The difference in class was apparent, and the Port Vale contingent, must’ve felt that they were in for a long night.

In the 8^th minute, Ethan Nwaneri played a lovely ball out to Gabriel Martinelli on the left, edge of the Port Vale box…He squares the ball to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who with the faintest of touches, flicks the ball to Eberechi Eze.. and he slides the ball underneath the keeper. It was a cool finish, that was made to look simple, because of how Arsenal cut through Port Vale, like a razorblade through tissue paper. 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Here we go, I thought… They’re going to be well beaten, like eggs when baking a cake. My baking thoughts however, had to be put on hold, as Port Vale quickly recovered from conceding the early goal, and were suddenly well organised. As a result of this, like an unruly toddler, the game refused to be put to bed.

Port Vale switching between a 3-5-2, and a 5-3-2 formation, made Arsenal’s possession dominance, seem irrelevant, as we just couldn’t break them down.

Yes, we had a few shots in the first half… the most memorable, coming from Eze, but they were straight at the keeper.

Darren Moore, must be commended, for how well he set up his Port Vale team. They defended exceptionally well, and tried to play football, on the rare occasions when they had the ball.

Arsenal went in at the break, 1-0 up… and even though we were superior in all areas, the 1-0 lead felt narrow… even against league one opposition.

It was like both Port Vale, AND Arsenal, had forgotten Port Vale are in the third tier of English football. Their positive attitude, and overall tenacity, was unexpected, and admirable.

The second half began, and I couldn’t believe that I’d got it so wrong…In terms of how I thought we’d dismantle this team. We still had all the possession, but we still seemed incapable of breaking them down further.

An uninvited sloppiness, gate-crashed our game, and in the 51^st minute, we were given time to take stock, and compose ourselves… due to a tackle on Bukayo Saka. He stayed down, and of course, us Arsenal fans began to think the worst, because of the growing list of injuries that we’ve had to contend with this season.

Thankfully, it was just an impact injury, and Saka was able to shake it off.

Unfortunately, the sloppiness continued, and this made Port Vale grow into the game. We needed a second goal, but the game seemed to be stuck on a “Have all the possession, but do nothing with it” type pattern.

In the 63^rd minute, Bukayo Saka made way for Max Dowman. Saka had a good game, and it was clear that he was enjoying knocking his football fitness, cobwebs loose.

The same was clear for Ben White, just returning from injury. He got 71 minutes under his belt, before being withdrawn for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Mikel Merino also went off in the 71^st minute, and I think he had an ok game…but was very much a peripheral figure, through a lot of it. Viktor Gyokeres came on in his place.

The game seemed to be dragging now, and couldn’t even be considered a spectacle, such was the shortage of goal mouth action. Arsenal had no answer, to Port Vale’s defensive questions.

In the 78^th Minute, Arsenal asked an attacking question.. LOUDLY. Max Dowman played a perfect ball round the corner, to Viktor Gyokeres, who chased it into the box, and the ball sat up perfectly for a first time, thunderous volley… but Gyokeres decided to take a touch, and the chance disappeared, like a middle aged man’s hairline.

In the 81^st minute, Mikel Arteta decided to once again, freshen things up… and he brought on Declan Rice for Eberechi Eze, and Leandro Trossard, for Gabriel Martinelli.

Eze had an excellent game, and not just because of the goal, but because of the runs he was making, and his wonderful link up play.

Martinelli worked tirelessly, but very seldom looked as dangerous as he has done, coming off the bench, in recent games.

It took Trossard all of 5 minues, to impact the game, and in the 86^th minute… Deep inside his own half, Saliba played a searching ball over the top, to Trossard.. who was advancing dangerously, towards the edge of the Port Vale box. Trossard controlled the ball instantly, dropped the shoulder on the closest defender to him, made space… and drilled the ball low, and hard, to the keeper’s near post. A well timed run, and an even better finish, from Leandro Trossard. 2-0 to the Arsenal. FINALLY! …And that’s how the game finished.

Arsenal are through to the 4th round of the Carabao Cup, and have a home tie against Brighton Hove Albion, to look forward to.

Sadly, the fact that we won the game was lost on some… and the “Fickle Fans” that I’ve mentioned in the past, emerged from their complaining camps, frothing at the mouth… eager to spit negativity, into victory’s face.

These bumbling buffoons, would rather focus on the scoreline, and how boring the game was.

Well, it may be alien to them… But sometimes football matches lack excitement. SOMETIMES, you can’t just show up to lower league opposition, and beat them 6-0. That’s just not how football works. They raise their game when the big boys come to town, and defend tenaciously.

In addition to that, our team was made up of players returning from injury, and players who simply haven’t had enough minutes this season… So naturally, there’d be an element of rustiness there.

There were also players who had never played together before, so that would be a contributing factor, in the lack of fluidity… in some phases of play.

I take umbrage to the level of criticism that Arteta, and the players have faced… considering we’ve had injuries to key players, we’ve had extremely difficult opening fixtures, our new players need time to settle in… and of the seven games we’ve played, in all competitions … we’ve lost ONE GAME! That was against the current Premier League champions, and it was to an outstanding free-kick, that not even thirty-six goalkeepers could’ve saved.

YES… It was unexpected that we didn’t win by a bigger margin, but that’s football.

YES… People are entitled to their opinion, you’re currently reading mine… But I just think the mainstream football media, already does a superb job at overreacting, and being negative about Arsenal…So why make their job even easier, and get on our team’s back… when we’ve won the game? Look, I get that even if you support the same team, your views will differ from someone else’s… But lets show a united front. Let us not argue, in front of the kids.

I’m not saying lets be gregarious, every waking moment of the day, but lets at least agree that we have a fantastic team, that has a chance of winning something major this season, but they need our support! Celebrate when we WIN!!

If you need help finding positives from the match, I’m here to help.

Myles Lewis-Skelly looked hungry, sharp, and put in an assured performance.

Christian Norgaard was solid in that midfield, snuffed out danger efficiently, and his passing was flawless.

Kepa Arrizabalaga kept a clean sheet, and was a commanding presence at the back.

Ethan Nwaneri was exceptional, and was probably the best player on the pitch. He made direct runs, constantly passed the ball forward, and his decision making in the final third, showed a level of footballing intelligence, beyond his years.

Oh, and did mention that… WE WON THE GAAAAAAME?!

Ok, ok…let me take some deep breaths. Right, ok… We can now start preparing for the Newcastle game on Sunday. This will no doubt be doused in controversial refereeing decisions, and then set ablaze with nonsensical narratives, from unrelenting ignorami.

So lets get this win Arsenal, so when the unwarranted criticism inevitably comes, we can laugh in three points. HA….  HA….  HA!