gunnersayit.com

A fixture that used to cause a shiver down the spine. A fixture that used to induce a fear stricken shudder.

This was a fixture, that often resulted in not only disappointment, but embarrassment too. It’s safe to say that Arsenal v Bayern Munich, at the Allianz Arena… has been an unhappy hunting ground.

It’s time to change that record, as A LOT has changed since then.

We’re now the Premier League champions, and we were a penalty kick away, from being the champions of Europe.

We haven’t lost a Champions League game over 90 minutes, in 18 months!! We’re an excellent team now, a consistent team… a resilient team… and resolute team.

A team capable of greatness, a team on the precipice greatness… and I expect to see this reflected, in our performance against this old enemy.

Bayern Munich come into this game on the back of a 6-1 home win, over RB Leipzig… and The Arsenal are on the back of a 1-0 away win, over Nottingham Forest… so both teams will be fairly confident, going into this game.

A LOT has made about the players Bayern have missing, but when WE played Bayern at the Emirates last season, we had a plethora of injuries… and NOBODY said a word about it!!

The mainstream media KNOW we’re one of the best teams in Europe, and the champions of England, but it’s like they don’t want to acknowledge it. Hence them trying to diminish a possible good result for The Arsenal… before a ball is even kicked, by harping on , and on, and on… about key players being injured for Bayern Munich.

They’re being covert to the uninitiated, with their anti-Arsenal agenda, but they’re hopelessly transparent to ME… and their flagrant insidious idiocy, must be stopped!

Aaaaaanywhooo… The starting line-up was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Timber at right-back.

Bruno Guimaraes, and Declan Rice, in central midfield… and just in front of them, was Madueke on the left… Odegaard was in the No.10 role, and Bukayo Saka on the right.

Kai Havertz started up front.

We started the game well, and were unphased by the hostile atmosphere at the Allianz Arena.

The Arsenal were on the front foot, and took the game to Bayern in the early stages. They struggled to cope with our slick passing, and inventive movement.

Unfortunately though, in the 10^th minute, Bukayo Saka was forced off… after sustaining what looked like either a quadricep injury, or a hamstring injury.

It wasn’t from a tackle either, which makes it even more worrying.

He made a pass, and then fell to the floor grimacing. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.

Madueke moved over to the right side, and Eze replaced Saka, and went over to the left.

We didn’t allow the disruption to our starting eleven, to disturb the fluidity in our play. We still had more possession, and looked the most dangerous… but we couldn’t break the deadlock.

We got caught on the counter-attack in the 20^th minute, and David Raya had to make a great save, from a Gnabry shot.

The Gunners responded with return fire in the 26^th minute, when Odegaard played a sumptuous ball over the top to Eze… and Eze had to wait for it to drop, let it bounce a couple of times… and then he set himself, showed great composure… and struck it on the half-volley, with his left foot.

It was a great finish, from a difficult angle. 1-0 to The Arsenal!! The goal had to suffer the scrutiny of a VAR check, due to a suspected off-side, but it was cleared, and the goal was given.

I was happy for Eze, as his form of late hasn’t been to the usual high standards that he set… and most recently, he was taken off at half-time, against Nottingham Forest.

He has dealt with this in the perfect way, and has let his football do the talking.

Bayern reacted to going a goal down in the 35^th minute, after a good pass from Kane put Davies clean through. He slid the ball past Raya, to make it 1-1.

Sickening that Kane got such a superb assist, and I threw up in my mouth a little bit.

The first half ended 1-1, and I feel that their goal came against the run of play… BUT, that’s football.

Bayern started the second half better than we did. They were first to the 50-50 balls, and they were looking sharper than us.

In the 49^th minute, David Raya made a point-blank save , from a Upamecano header. I have no idea how Raya made the save… but making world class saves regularly, has now become as natural, as an inhale, and exhale, for David Raya… and because of that, he doesn’t get the accolades he deserves.

What a goalkeeper!!

The game once again started to even out, and it became hard to tell which team would get the next goal.

In the 61^st minute, Bayern took the lead… after a dubious penalty was awarded.

Timber was sliding on the floor to block a shot, and the momentum caused him to throw his arms up, and the pernickety plonker of a ref, gave a penalty.

Harry Kane must have it written into his contracts, that he MUST have a penalty, EVERY SINGLE TIME, he plays against The Arsenal.

Unsurprisingly, Kane buried the penalty… and it was 2-1 to Bayern Munich. Once again, I threw up in my mouth.

The ex-Tottenham talisman, broke Arsenal hearts… and NOT, for the first time.

We pushed for an equaliser, and even had a headed effort from Bruno Guimaraes… saved on the line, by the veteran keeper… Manuel Neuer.

I had accepted defeat… as an Arsenal loss began to feel inevitable.

THANKFULLY, in the 82^nd minute… Rice picked the ball up in midfield, laid it off, and kept running… Gyokeres found a perfectly weighted, perfectly timed pass, around the corner… and Rice finished the move with a great finish… that gave their keeper no chance. EQUALIIIISAAAH! The scoreline now 2-2, and it was well deserved. A wonderfully worked goal, from The Arsenal.

Oh, and THAT’S another two goals from OPEN PLAY!! (Hahahah!)

I’m delighted that such a great assist goes to Gyokeres, as some of the criticism he receives is unwarranted. Hopefully this can be a confidence building moment for the striker, and kickstart his season.

It finished 2-2, and I suppose a draw was juuuusssst about, a fair result.

The Arsenal made a good account for themselves, and long gone are the days, when we were a joke on the European stage… and that warms my heart.

We can now look forward to our next fixture, which is a home game against Everton in the Premier League.

The Arsenal need to make it sticky for The Toffees.

Should Zubimendi get some more game time in the coming weeks?

Does David Raya have the potential to be better than David Seaman?

If Saka’s injury is long term, should Arteta make Max Dowman a regular starter?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

The Arsenal have their Lumberjack shirts on, and they’re ready to do battle with Nottingham Forest, in the Premier League, at The City Ground.

This is a tricky fixture for any visiting team, hence why their nickname is… The Tricky Trees.

The Gunners must replace their cannon with axes, saws, and wood chippers… and go to work in the forest.

We must leaves nothing to chance, and I wood start the strongest team possible, as this is more important than the Champions League group stage game, against Bayern Munich.

Forest are on the back of a 3-1 defeat, at the hands of Crystal Palace… and The Arsenal are on the back of a 2-1 win, over Leeds United.

Regardless of form though, Forest ALWAYS give us a difficult game… and I’m expecting more of the same.

Our last two visits to The City Ground, have ended 0-0, and the time to remedy that has long passed!!

The starting line-up was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Benny Blanco at right-back.

Bruno Guimaraes, and Declan Rice, in central midfield… and just in front of them, was Eze on the left… rewarded for playing well against Lille. Odegaard was in the No.10 role, and Bukayo Saka on the right.

Kai Havertz started up front.

In typical Oliver Glasner fashion, he set his team up defensively.

Forest lined up in the lowest defensive block I’ve ever seen, and in typical Arsenal fashion, we struggled to break them down.

The Tricky Trees were there to frustrate, and frustrate they did.

The Gunners couldn’t get in behind them, because the ball wasn’t being moved quick enough… and in addition to that, we failed to get the ball consistently into wide areas, so no crosses were put into the box… which meant our aerial threat was wasted.

Also, our creative players failed to create, and a combination of all of those things… made it very easy for Forest to defend.

They were comfortable… like home on a Sunday evening, after just eating dinner, and you have no work on Monday… type of comfortable.

Our side-to-side, and backwards passes, were nothing but token gestures… gestures, that Forest accepted all too gladly.

The game as a spectacle, was about as pleasing to the eye, as shards of glass piercing the retina.

Arsenal will inevitably get the blame for that, but Forest have a huge share of said blame.

A horrible first half ended 0-0, and with neither team having a shot on target.

The Arsenal should take teams being scared to death to play football against us, as a compliment… but the tedium of these games, blurs the corneas, and obstructs the bigger picture.

Eze was taken off at half-time, and deservedly so… but NOBODY covered themselves in glory, in that first half… so I was surprised he got hooked off.

I spoke to my brother during the interval, and he had a different take on it.

He suggested that maybe Eze was taken off, because Glasner knows his game inside out, from his time as Crystal Palace manager… which means it was easier to mark him out the game, as a result of that.

I thought about it, and I’m inclined to agree with my brother. A truly excellent take, and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.

Sometimes it’s hard to see things clearly, during the emotions of a game… ESPECIALLY, the frustrating ones.

So anyway, the second half started, with Eze being replaced by Madueke.

The flow of the game didn’t change much, but the introduction of Noni Madueke, gave us more unpredictability, on that left side.

We still couldn’t muster a shot on target, but I must say, Forest were defending incredibly well… and to add insult to injury, we were making Liam Delap… yes… LIAM DELAP, look like prime Didier Drogba. He was getting into threatening positions far too easily, but couldn’t bully the backline… and of course, lacked goal scoring prowess.

It annoyed me that he saw so much of the ball, nonetheless… as I barely rate him as a footballer, let alone a striker, capable of breaching our backline.

Thankfully, Gabriel, and Konsa, said… “NOPE! NOT TODAY!!” and that, was the end of that… but, did I mention that I was annoyed? (Hahah!)

The clock showed 66 minutes has passed, and we still hadn’t had a shot on target… so Arteta rightfully, made more changes.

Havertz made way for Gyokeres, Timber replaced Benny Blaco, and Merino came on for Bruno Guimaraes.

Our tempo finally increased, and I started to get the feeling that we could nick a goal, and complete a smash and grab exercise.

Grabbing 3 points when NOT playing well, is truly the stuff of champions… and the fact that it’s a cliché, doesn’t make it any less true.

In the 80^th minute, we had our first shot on target, and guess what?!… It lead to a goal!

Declan Rice squared the ball to Madueke, and he cut inside, dropped the shoulder, and did a couple of stepovers… which created space. He then let a shot go, which took a deflection off the defender, and flew in past the keeper. 1-0 to The Arsenal!! Yet Another game, where Madueke was the difference maker.

There were blocks late on from Rice, and Konsa, that kept our lead intact… and we saw the game out, and got a hard fought win.

We didn’t play well, and still found a way to win… and that’s a quality, integral to any team with league winning aspirations… and even more so, when it’s a title defence.

Of the 11 games we’ve played so far, in all completions… we’ve won 10 of them! That’s a superb start to the season, and because we’ve started so well, it makes it harder for me to understand the doom and gloom analysis… from a huge percentage of our fanbase.

There’s just no pleasing some people!

Aaaanywhooo… We can now look ahead to the next fixture, which is a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, at the Allianz Arena.

An unhappy hunting ground for The Arsenal in the past, and righting those wrongs, is looooong overdue. We’ll be up for it!

Do you think we should be seeing more of Max Dowman?

Would you start Timber, or Benny Blanco, against Bayern?

Is it time to give Saka a try up front?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

Home again, but this time, it’s Champions League business.

We have a tricky game to navigate, against Lille… and we’ll need to play much better than we did against Leeds United, in order to get a positive result.

There’s a Lille link between The Arsenal, and Lille… as they’re the team we bought Gabriel Magalhaes from, and Olivier Giroud, currently plays for them.

I STILL haven’t forgiven Giroud for posting that video rubbing it in, after Chelsa beat us in the Europa League final.

As much as I love domestic football, I welcomed the break from the SHAMIER LEAGUE. I welcomed the reprieve, from the Mancheatster City soap opera.

Lille will be confident arriving at the Emirates, as they’re currently second in Lique 1.

They’ll be organised, and hard to break down.

I expected Mikel Arteta to make changes to the starting 11 that faced Leeds United, and that’s exactly what he did.

Raya started in goal, Timber came in for Benny Blanco, Konsa and Gabriel, central… and Lewis-Skelly replaced Calafiori at left-back.

Hincapie would’ve probably started at left-back, but he sustained an injury in the warm down, after the Leeds game. Zubimendi also got injured during the same warm down.

Hopefully both players won’t be on the sidelines for too long.

Anyway, back to the starting lineup.

The midfield was Rice, and Guimaraes… and ahead of them, was Madueke on the right, Merino in the No.10 role, and Eze on the left.

Leading the attack, was Viktor Gyokeres.

We controlled the game in the opening 10 minutes, and looked threatening in attack, but Lille quickly got organised, and sat back in a low block.

We struggled to cope with their defensive shape, and looked quite flat in our play.

The changes made to the team, caused a lack of cohesion… and we became ineffective in the final third.

There was a lot of side-to-side, and backwards passing from us, trying to tempt the Lille players out of their defensive shape… a temptation, they resisted.

The Arsenal had all of the ball, but were doing nothing with it.

Eze was trying to make things happen, by running at people, and tried to increase the tempo of our passing, by moving the ball quickly.

Madueke did the same on the right side, except he was putting some good balls into the box, that nobody was able to get on the end of.

Merino, and Bruno Guimaraes, both had good chances. Merino’s effort headed straight at the keeper, and Bruno had a shot that went just wide of the post.

At least one of those chances should’ve been converted… but it wasn’t to be.

Lille had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled offside… and that was about it, as far as goalmouth action goes.

The first half finished 0-0.

There was no change in the second half… we continued to have the lion share of possession, but our roars were falling on deaf ears.

I feared our endeavours would fail to bear fruit, but in the 64^th minute… as substitutes were readying themselves to come on… Jurrien Timber, produced a moment of magic.

Madueke cut the ball back to Timber, with expert timing… and Timber’s first touch was exquisite, and took two defenders out the game, as he moved towards goal.

He then dinked the ball over the keeper from an acute angle. It was a sumptuous finish from the Arsenal right-back. It was the type of finish that any accomplished striker, would’ve been proud of. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!

In the 65^th minute, Saka, Havertz, and Odegaard… replaced Madueke, Gyokeres, and Merino.

It didn’t take long for the substitutes, to impose themselves on the game.

In the 67^th minute, Eze made it 2-0, after some lovely work from Saka on the right, and pinpoint pass inside.

Eze finished first-time, accurately, and emphatically, past the Lille keeper. A well worked goal, and it was a goal involving the two players, that a lot of people have been demanding more from.

In the 71^st minute, we increased our lead.

Havertz got to the byline, and cut it back to Saka… and he calmly side-footed the ball home. That’s an assist, and a goal from our Starboy… and I couldn’t be happier for him. 3-0 to the Arsenal!! Game over.

Olivier Giroud came on for Lille in the 78^th minute, and I wanted him to get booed… but The Arsenal are so classy, he came onto the pitch to cheers, and applause.

Benny Blanco came on for Timber in the 78^th minute, and Max Dowman replaced Eze, in the 85^th minute.

The match finished 3-0 to us, and it was a victory that made it 14 straight wins for The Arsenal, in the Champions League group stage.

A winning run that stretches back 2 years. Incredible consistency!!

I’d also like to point out, that we’ve scored 3 more goals from open play tonight, and that makes it 21 goals in all competitions, and they’ve ALL been from open play.

The football media, and rival fans, are pretending not to notice… because they’ll have to admit that their ludicrous set-piece narratives, were bias, lazy, and lacked proper football analysis.

If I’m going to be overly critical of our form this season, I will say that I’m concerned that we took a while to get going, for the second consecutive game… but then I look at the context of the whole season thus far… and we’ve won all our games, in all competitions, except a defeat to Brighton.

When I look at it like that, my concern doesn’t seem warranted.

The Gunners can now turn their attentions to the next match, which is a difficult away game against Nottingham Forest.

We must be the Lumberjacks, to those Tricky Trees, and continue our current winning run.

Are you concerned by our slow starts to games?

Should Eze start on the left against Nottingham Forest?

Which central midfield pairing do you prefer… Rice and Lewis-Skelly, or Rice and Guimaraes?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

Oh what a looooooooooong, ruuuuuuude, interruption that was. We can now FINALLY, try and rid ourselves of the stench of that agonising defeat we suffered, at the hands of Brighton.

So long international break, and I’m glad to see the back of you!

The Arsenal host Leeds United at The Emirates Stadium, and the Arsenal faithful will be expecting nothing less than 3 points.

The Arsenal faithful will be demanding, bouncebackability.

Leeds are on the back of a 0-0 draw, at home with Crystal Palace… but they have been playing well so far this season… so I’m expecting them to give us a game.

Let’s get straight into the team sheet.

The starting line-up was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Benny Blanco at right-back.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Declan Rice, in central midfield… and just in front of them, was Madueke on the left… replacing the injured Tzolis… Odegaard was in the No.10 role, and Bukayo Saka on the right.

Kai Havertz started up front.

I would’ve liked to of seen Eze start on the left, and I would’ve liked to see Gyokeres start up front, as he had an excellent international break… scoring four goals for his country, and showed an all-round sharpness, in his general play. He seems to of rediscovered his confidence… and the Arsenal faithful, are hoping for him to transfer this form to the Premier League.

The Arsenal started the game, like they had a point to prove… and said point is, we’re the champions, we’re here to stay, and the previous result was merely a minor hiccup.

That quickly turned into… Yes, we have a point to prove, but we have absolutely no idea how to prove it.

We struggled to keep the ball, and couldn’t breach Leeds’ back five. The oh so familiar story of the defensive low block, made us revert back to passing side-to-side, and backwards.

When we took a break from doing THAT, we squandered possession.

Leeds looked like the better team, and they had more shots on our goal, and looked sharper, and hungrier.

We had one decent chance, which was a header from Kai Havertz, but it was straight at the keeper.

The first half finished 0-0, we were woeful, and the less said about that first half, the better.

Yes, we had fourteen players away on international duty, playing for their respective countries, but that’s no excuse. This is part, and parcel of being a big team, and having great players.

It goes with the territory… and it was imperative that we showed…BOUNCEBACKABILITY!!

We started the second half terribly, and everything we did on, and off the ball, began to look like a self-sabotage exercise… and conceding a sloppy goal, felt inevitable.

Unfortunately, I was right.

In the 55^th minute, James Justin made it 1-0 to Leeds, after The Arsenal as a collective, forgot how to defend.

I expected an immediate response, as even though we hadn’t been playing well, we’re still the champions, and we still had quality players all over the pitch.

In the 62^nd minute, the response came.

Noni Madueke picked up the ball on the left, floated in a deep cross, which was headed back across goal by Benny Blanco… into the path of Calafiori, and he cleverly hit his shot into the ground, which made it more difficult for their keeper to save. An equaliser!! We had FINALLY awakened, from our football slumber. 1-1 the scoreline.

In the 63^rd minute, The Arsenal made changes.

Guimaraes, Gyokeres, and Timber… replaced Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, and Benny Blanco.

I felt these substitutions should’ve been made earlier, but what do I know?!

The substitutions changed the game, and we started to look more like ourselves.

Movement returned, we were passing with more positivity, and purpose… and Leeds were now on the backfoot.

I could juuuusssst about see an Arsenal winner, on the football horizon… as I looked on through my rose-tinted glasses.

In the 70^th minute, my prayers were answered.

Odegaard slid the ball through to Declan Rice, who flicked the ball into Bruno Guimaraes on the edge of the box… and he drilled the ball low, and accurately, past the Leeds keeper. It was a wonderful goal! 2-1 to The Arsenal!!

Oh, by the way… that’s two more goals from open play. ALL of the 18 goals we’ve scored this season, have been from OPEN PLAY… and NOBODY in the mainstream media, is talking about it! Whenever we scored a set-piece goal last season, EVERYONE and their dog, spoke about it… tried to diminish our achievements, and even suggested that we should have an Asterix on our title win, because we scored from set-pieces! (HAHAHAHA!)

These pathetic, pompous, petulant, preposterous, pretentious people… need to highlight our open play goals, with the same vim, that they did our set-piece goals.

Aaaaanywhoooo, I digress…

The Gunners managed to see the game out, and despite not playing well for the first 60 minutes of the game, we collected all 3 points… and THAT’S what champions do! Find a way to win, when not at your sparkling best.

BOUNCEBACKABILITY, at it’s finest!! Well done Arsenal.

As the season progresses though, we’re going to need A LOT more from our attacking players.

I was a little harsh on Noni Madueke, in my post-match video. After I re-watched the match, my view changed.

Madueke was our most dangerous attacker. He constantly put balls into the box, and was involved in all our promising, attacking moves. Noni wasn’t great, but he was effective.

The same cannot be said for Saka, on the right.

It was another below par performance, by his own high standards.

He wasn’t beating his man, and there was no end product in his play. He looked laboured, and leggy, like he was still feeling the injury that kept him out for the majority of last season.

As I’ve said previously, I think Arteta needs to seriously consider playing Saka in a more central role, as he’s lost that explosive pace, that previously aided him in his wing play.

I’m confident he’ll rediscover the type of form that enabled him to carry The Arsenal on his back, when he was the youngest player in the team… but I’m not confident, said form will come from playing on the right-wing.

Kai Havertz offered absolutely nothing up front, and didn’t even look fully fit.

Every single attacking player, needs to play better going forward… or we’ll struggle this season.

Again though, we DID get all 3 points, and we move onto the next game… which is a Champions League match against Lille, at the Emirates… and we have to show Lille, that we have a Lille something for them.

Do you think Saka will rediscover his form on the right wing?

Should Gyokeres start the next game?

Are you concerned about Eze’s current form?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

FINALLY, our very first 3 o’clock kick-off of the season. I like a normal, non-televised, 3 o’clock kick-off… as that’s when we sometimes, do our best work.

It’ll be a 3 week international break after this round of fixtures, so we HAVE TO make it count.

The international break feels 10 times longer, if your team has suffered a defeat… and it’s already an extended break.

The Gunners are on the gully side… as we go up against The Seagulls, at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton always give us a difficult game, whether it’s home, or away… and this one will be no different.

The Seagulls are on form at the moment, and have just beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford, in the Carabao Cup.

They came back from 2 goals down, and won the game 3-2… playing expansive, attacking football.

They’ll be confident going into this game, no doubt… but I feel their attacking style will suit us, and we’ll exploit those spaces that they’ll inevitably leave behind.

The Gunners are coming into this game on the back of a convincing 4-2 win over Ipswich, and have won 6 games in-a-row, in all competitions.

This is our fourth away game on the spin, so it’d be an incredible effort from the players… to take all 3 points.

The starting line-up was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Jurrien Timber at right-back.

Bruno Guimaraes, and Declan Rice, started together in central midfield, for the first time… and just in front of them, was Tzolis on the left, Odegaard in the No.10 role, and Bukayo Saka on the right.

Leading the attack, was Kai Havertz.

The game started at a pace that couldn’t possibly be sustained, for the full 90 minutes.

Brighton flew out the traps, like a greyhound with its tail on fire. They were by far the better team in the early stages of the match.

They caught us cold, and we looked like a team that were struggling to navigate our fourth away game in-a-row.

The Seagulls were winning the second balls, they were going in harder in the tackles, they were winning all the duels, and their attacking threat looked far superior to ours.

In addition to that, they were closing down the space quickly, and forcing us into errors.

It wasn’t until around the 20^th minute, when we got the ball down and started playing. We even had a sustained period of possession too… but, it didn’t last very long.

In the 31^st minute, some sloppy play from The Gunners, gave Brighton an opportunity to have a shot on goal.

The ball was played to Pascal GroB on the edge of the box, and he fired the ball past an unsighted David Raya. 1-0 to Brighton… and deservedly so too.

I expected a an immediate response from us, but evidently… my expectations were too high, because we continued to play poorly.

Misplaced passes, and being easily dispossessed, became the theme of our game. We were there for the taking, and Brighton knew it.

On the stroke of half-time, in the 45^th minute… Kostoulas doubled Brighton’s lead, with a fierce shot from outside the box.

We were once again guilty of being sloppy at the back, which is something that hasn’t been associated with The Arsenal, for a few years now. 2-0 to Brighton.

The referee blew the whistle for half-time, and the Brighton players were cheered, and applauded off the pitch, by the home fans… and rightly so.

The Seagulls pecked our eyes out, like we were victims in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic movie ‘The Birds’.

When the second half began, I still felt confident that we could at least get a draw out of this game… based on the form we showed at the end of last season, and the form shown at start of this one.

Alas, our form had abandoned us, and The Seagulls continued to peck… flap their wings violently, and steal our chips.

The Gunners were armed with faulty weaponry, and zero ammunition.

In the 57^th minute, The Seagulls swooped in once again.

Andres scored from a corner. He was allowed to head the ball in, unchallenged, and while in acres of space. 3-0 Brighton.

I didn’t recognise my team… I don’t know who this FARCENAL was… but they were hurting my feelings.

Arteta brought on Zubimendi, and Merino… for Guimaraes, and Timber, in the 60^th minute.

Gyokeres, and Eze, were also brought on, for Tzolis, and Odegaard, in the 73rd minute.

Max Dowman replaced Saka in the 81^st minute.

None of the substitutions made a difference Arsenal’s fortunes, in fact… Brighton could’ve had 5 or 6 goals, such was their dominance.

The sound of the final whistle felt like mercy. It finished 3-0 to The Seagulls.

We were never going to win every game, I know this… but it’s the manor of the defeat that I find hard to accept.

Too many of our “Big players” went missing today, and it was glaringly obvious, that our attack lack the required potency, to score goals week-in, week-out, at this level.

Yes, we have made an excellent start to the season, and I’ve alluded to that… BUT, performances like this are a harsh reminder, that our attack is still devoid of ruthlessness in front of goal, and that magical ex-factor type of player, that will show up in games like this.

I believe we have that player in Eze, but he’s not showing the form he’s capable of… YET.

I also think we have that player in Max Dowman, but we shouldn’t be depending on a 16 year old. He must be allowed to develop slowly, and shouldn’t have the weight of expectancy, burdening his young shoulders.

My point is, we ABSOLUTELY should dip into the market, in the January transfer window… for an attacking player, or prepare ourselves for more days like today.

Kai Havertz was a peripheral figure, Tzolis was ineffective… but it’s his first season, so I won’t pass judgement.

Bukayo Saka is concerning me the most, because of late… he looks incapable, or lacks the confidence, to beat the full-back he’s up against.

He either passes the ball inside, runs into trouble, or his cross doesn’t beat the first man.

I love Saka, but he shouldn’t receive special treatment from Arteta. He needs to be taken off when he’s not performing, or have a stint on the bench for a game or two… to help him rediscover the form, that we all know he’s capable of.

It was an awful display collectively, and we looked all over the place at the back… but the defence has been so reliable, so consistent, that they should be allowed a game like this… and should be forgiven quickly, They’ve been THAT good.

There’s no need for The Arsenal to panic, but I hope there’s arguments in the dressing room today, I hope there’s heated confrontations, and civil unrest. I hope there’s extended team meetings, analysing today’s lacklustre performance… because that’ll show that they care.

We need a reminder, as today they played like they DON’T care… and I know they DO!

Now there’s a three week international break, and that’s loooooong time to wait, to put things right. Hopefully all our players return unscathed.

We face Leeds at home next, and only 3 points will do… to get the nasty taste of defeat, away from our pallet.

Does Bukayo Saka need to change position… play more centrally perhaps?

Should we dip into the transfer market in January?

Are you confident that we’ll bounce straight back from this defeat?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

The Carabao Cup is still a competition that I want us to win, DESPERATELY!

As I’ve said in previous posts, we just haven’t won this competition enough times in our history, and we haven’t won it since 1993.

We’ve already won some silverware this season, with the Community Shield… and I’d like to add to that, by winning the next available trophy… which is the Carabao Cup.

Ipswich Town host us at Portman Road, and The Tractor Boys will be up for this game… as they’re fresh from an excellent 3-2 win, over Crystal Palace, at Selhurst Park.

They play good football, and like to take the game to their opponent.

So if we’re to avoid being runover by the tractor, we’ll need to be outstanding in our field. (HA! You see what I did there?)

We must ensure, that there’s no traction… for The Tractor Boys. We need to plant a crop of goals, on their soil. (HA! I did it again)

The Gunners will also be up for this game, after an exceptional start to the season. Winning 6 of 6 the games played, in all competitions.

I’m expecting Arteta to make wholesale changes for this game, which will give the regular starters a breather, and the fringe players… and the youngsters… a chance to impress, and push for a place… in the next Premier League starting lineup.

Our squad depth has been well documented, so regardless of who plays… I’m not expecting a major drop-off in quality.

It’ll be interesting to see how this game is officiated, after Arteta’s comments regarding the ref, and the VAR team, after the Sunderland game.

The starting lineup was Kepa in goal, Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, Marli Salmon and Gabriel, central… and with Benny Blanco injured, and Timber only just back from injury… Zubimendi started at right-back.

In midfield it was Bruno Guimaraes, Merino, and ahead of them… it was Eze on the left, Max “The Wonderkid” Dowman, in the No.10 role… and Madueke on the right.

Viktor Gyokeres started up top.

Not the usual starting 11, as expected… but a strong team, nonetheless.

The way we started the game, underlined the aforementioned strength… and as early as the 7th minute, Max “The Wonderkid” Dowman, opened the scoring.

We were closing them down high up the pitch, and it forced them into an error, and they lost possession.

Eze picked up the ball, and rolled it to Dowman… who glided past the defender, ran at another… and his quick feet, and drop of the shoulder, sent the Ipswich defender to an undiscovered shadow realm, against his will.

Dowman then smashed it past the keeper emphatically. It was a great goal from the young man. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!

Max makes it extremely hard not to get overly excited, about his place in the team. He makes everybody that watches him forgetful, because we have to constantly be reminded… that he’s only 16 years old, and he’s playing at this level… looking right at home, against Premier League opposition.

We were all over them, relentless in attack… and our intelligent movement, and the speed with which we moved the ball… left The Tractor Boys looking like scarecrows.

In the 16^th minute, we had doubled our lead. The high press was their undoing, once again.

Merino gathered the ball, chipped it to Madueke in their box… and he finished on the half-volley, with his left foot. 2-0 to The Arsenal!! It began to look like a long night for Ipswich Town.

The first half finished 2-0, but it felt like more of a hammering, as the Ipswich players were only there just to make up the numbers, in that first 45 minutes.

Gabriel Magalhaes was taken off at half-time, and was replaced by Ezri Konsa.

We had the luxury of giving Gabriel a rest, and that rest-bite, and squad rotation in general… will be a huge benefit to the team, in the latter stages of the season.

The Gunners started the second half, just as quickly as they did the first… except this time, it only took 2 minutes to score.

In the 47^th minute, Zubimendi poked the ball into Dowman, and with still a lot to do… he effortlessly guided it past the keeper, by way of his far post. 3-0 to The Arsenal, and a second goal for Max Dowman. Surreal composure shown, from the school-leaver.

The Gunners continued to fire upon The Tractor Boys, and they  just couldn’t take cover, and lacked the required artillery, to return fire.

In the 58^th minute, Merino picked up the ball on the edge of the Ipswich box, and he didn’t give the keeper a chance to set himself… and he let fly with a low drive, that hit the post on the way in. We are LOVING hitting the woodwork at the moment, when scoring a goal. Long may it continue! 4-0 to The Arsenal!!

This match is about as one-sided, as one-sided can be… we’ll get 6 or 7, I thought.

I thought… wrong.

In the 62^nd minute, we got caught on the counter-attack… and Mehmeti pulled a goal back for them, and it was good finish, but who cares.

I was annoyed that we conceded, because they DIDN’T deserve that goal… BUT… at the same time, we had taken our foot off the gas, which IS understandable… but it also means, we have to take some of the blame. The scoreline now 4-1.

I got a grip of the situation, and remembered that we had 2 midfielders at left, and right-back, and we also had young players in the mix.

How could I possibly expect a clean sheet?! I’m being greedy.

Youngster Theo Julienne, replaced Bruno Guimaraes in the 64^th minute. It warmed my heart to see Arteta giving so many academy players, a chance to showcase their talent.

Bruno had a good a game, and was orchestrating things in the midfield. He keeps giving us examples, of why it was imperative… that we added him to our ranks.

He’s going to be special this season… and I have no doubt about that, whatsoever.

In the 76^th minute, Tzolis came on for Eze, and Odegaard replaced Madueke.

Eze had a better cameo than the others he’s had this season, but his level was still below the high standard he showed us last season.

Gyokeres was also waaaaaay below the required level, for THIS Arsenal team… and I feel a little bit sorry for him, because he was an integral part of our title winning team.

I do believe he’ll improve, because talent doesn’t just suddenly disappear. He needs a run of games.

In the 85^th minute, 18 year old Ife Ibrahim… came on for Zubimendi.

Zoobaah-Zoobaah had a decent game, considering he played ar right-back. He got an assist too.

In injury time, Akpom made it 4-2… and I couldn’t believe the goal stood, as it was a balatnt foul on Lewis-Skeely. Akpom dragged him to the ground, clumsily… and nonchalantly.

The referee wasn’t interested.

So, 4-2 the final score… and The Arsenal, through to the next round.

Now of course Max Dowman will get all the plaudits, after scoring 2and getting an assist… and rightly so.

It’d be criminal not to mention Marli Salmon though… who was impeccable at the back.

His decision making was excellent, he can pass, he can tackle, he’s good in the air… and he has composure on the ball, for days!

Yes, this was a good win… but it was also an excellent advert, for The Arsenal academy.

Oh, by the way… We’ve now scored a total of 16 goals, in all competitions, and they’ve ALL been from open play. The media however, have been quieter than a dead church mouse, in a soundproof room… about this.

When we were scoring from set-pieces, they were shouting it from the mountaintops, and were unrelenting… in their mission to discredit our football.

They need to be as loud with the praise, as they were, with the disrespect.

Perhaps they all have laryngitis.

Should Marli Salmon be included in our next matchday squad?

Would you sell Gyokeres in January?

Is Arteta’s system too demanding on our full-backs, and that’s why they always get injured? (The right side in particular)

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

The games are now coming thick, and fast… and with barely time to catch breath, we’re back to Premier League business.

Away from home again, The Gunners are hosted by The Black Cats, at the Stadium of Light. The 2 points we dropped there last season, are now in the forefront of my mind.

A Brian Brobbey injury time equaliser, gave Sunderland a hard fought draw, instead of an Arsenal, hard fought win.

The form we’ve shown so far this season, fills me with optimism… and I can see us giving Sunderland a real good hiding.

I’m not writing them off completely, as this is still the Premier League, and anything can happen… so we need to be ready for their aerial assault in this game, and prevent them from constantly putting balls into the box.

 We need a fine balance between focus, and ferocity… as The Black Cats like to impose their physicality on opponents.

Sunderland have had a mixed start to the season… with 1 defeat, 1 win, and a draw… so they’ll come into the game maybe feeling a little less confident, maybe a little apprehensive.

They’ll maybe start to over think the things, that usually come naturally to them… and HOPEFULLY, this comes at a detriment to their game.

The Arsenal in contrast, have won all the games they’ve played so far this season, so you could say we’ve won five games in-a-row if you include the Community Shield.

There’s wins against Mancheatster City, Villa away, and Cheating Chelsea… in that winning run too. We’ve been showing some sparkling form, and our football has been mesmeric at times. The Gunners will need to be firing on all cylinders, once more… to get all 3 points.

So, in our usual 4-2-3-1 formation… the starting line-up was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Benny Blanco at right-back.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Declan Rice, in the centre of midfield… and just in front of them, was Tzolis on the left, Odegaard in the No.10 role, and Bukayo Saka on the right.

Leading the attack, was Kai Havertz… who was up top on his own.

As expected, there was a rowdy atmosphere, created by the home fans… and the Sunderland players responded to the deafening support, and started quickly. They were playing some direct, ariel balls… trying to catch us off guard, and get an early lead.

The Gunners were unphased, and were eager to get the ball down, and play.

The Black Cats however, were eager to make the game a physical one. A grappling, grabbing, tough tackling, tussling one.

We were more than happy to oblige, and more than happy to remind the football world… that we can win matches by playing good football, by battling, and scrapping… and by flexing our set-piece muscles.

As both teams leaned on their physicality, there were A LOT of breaks in play, due to free-kicks being awarded.

MOST OF WHICH, were being awarded to Sunderland.

The referee was awful. He was out of his depth, and clearly had no idea what officiating a football match means.

In the 26^th minute, Angulo should’ve been booked, and could’ve been sent off… after a DELIBERATE stamp on Odegaard’s foot, but the referee ignored the incident, and so did VAR.

This pernickety plonker, even booked Mikel Arteta, for venturing outside his technical area… which is something that ALL managers do, but rarely get booked for it.

He loved his whistle like a high-school crush, but he loved making terrible decisions, even more.

I knew this referee wasn’t done with his idiocy, and that meant more frustration, and feelings of injustice, for the Arsenal faithful.

The match began to unfold in a familiar way, with us dominating the possession, the opposition sitting deep, and us unable to break them down.

In the 34^th minute, Havertz almost got us off the mark, with a spectacular effort.

The ball was played into him, and he chested it, and then volleyed it on the turn… which forced a good save from their keeper. (Unfortunately)

Neither team managed to break the deadlock, so the first half ended 0-0.

Changes were made at the interval.

Ben White picked up a knock, and was replaced by Jurrien Timber… and Bruno Guimaraes, came on for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The second half started, the way the first half ended… except the possession was more evenly balanced, as Sunderland began to impose themselves more in the game… and created some dangerous attacks of their own.

In the 54th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to The Black Cats, that was NEVER a penalty… but the ludicrous decision, was very on-brand for this referee, and the rest of his officiating team.

Ballard dragged Konsa to ground, via a hip toss, which is an OBVIOUS foul on Konsa… and the referee saw THAT, and thought… “Ooooh, good mixed martial arts there Ballard. Let me give you a penalty for that.”

I was incandescent, to say the least.

Up stepped Le Fee to take the penalty, and I had already resigned myself to the fact that we’d have to now come back from a goal down… but David Raya had foreseen a very different outcome.

The penalty was struck well by Le Fee, toward the bottom right corner… and with superhuman speed, and agility, David Raya dived… and his outstretched arm seemed to double in length, and he got a hand to it, and tipped the ball onto the post.

It was a world class save!! Justice was done!! I could’ve sworn that I saw a look of disappointment, of the referee’s face… but I could also be making that up. (HAHAHA)

Nope… I saw it!

Raya’s magnificent save galvanised the team, it re-energised the team, and made the outfield players almost want to pay Raya back for his heroics. They just couldn’t allow his brilliance to become an insignificant stat… it HAD TO mean something.

In the 58th minute Bruno Guimaraes received a ball from Declan Rice, outside the box… he took a touch, and hit a magnificent strike… which flew into the top right corner, off the underside of the crossbar.

It was a superb strike! A strike that plunged a dagger, deep into Sunderland fans’ hearts.

Bruno ran over to the Sunderland fans, and cupped his ears… which infuriated them even more, because he’s the ex-Newcastle captain. It was just poetic, that he had to be the one to break the deadlock, at the Stadium of Light. The part of the world where he is hated the most.

It was like Bruno had written the script himself… and I wanted him to keep on writing.

1-0 to The Arsenal!!

The Black Cats responded, and pushed for an equaliser… but we managed to keep them at bay, with our tenacious defending.

In the 81^st minute, Arteta made further changes.

Tzolis was replaced by Eze, and Zubimendi was introduced, for Declan Rice.

Odegaard made way for Mikel Merino… as Arteta tried to sure things up, and prevent even the possibility, of any late drama.

Oh, but there WAS some late drama, and unbelievably… it came in the shape of a penalty to Arsenal… deep into injury time.

Saka made a run towards the Sunderland box, and his shirt was being pulled repeatedly on the way. The infringement continued inside the box, and the pernickety plonker… awarded the penalty.

Bukayo Saka stepped up, and tucked away the penalty! The keeper got a hand to it, but was unable to keep it out. 2-0 to The Arsenal!! Game over.

A hard fought, 3 points gained… and our sixth straight win, in all competitions. We won ugly, just like champions do.

Next up, we have a Carabao Cup match against Ipswich Town, at Portman Road.

They’ll be wholesale changes for that game, and I’m looking forward to seeing some fringe players, and some of our youngsters, get a runout.

Who would be in your starting 11 for the Ipswich game?

Do you agree that our games are officiated differently?

Should referees receive more severe punishment, when they make terrible decisions in a game?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

I cannot believe how quickly the Champions League has come back around, but here we are.

Slates wiped clean, heartbreak from last season erased, and we’re ready to go again.

Ah… if only it were that simple.

If I’m honest, the heartbreak of the Champions League final defeat, is still fresh. The wound is still seeping, the stitches have re-opened… and the space for a Champions League trophy, remains in our cabinet.

Losing on penalties is always painful, but this defeat came with extra pain, because I genuinely believed that we would win it… but, it wasn’t to be.

We’ve added to the squad, and I feel that we’re better equipped to deal with the demands of a 60-65 game season.

Napoli away, is always a difficult fixture. They create a hostile, and intimidating atmosphere, for visiting teams.

The Arsenal will be ready, and we’ll be determined to start our Champions League campaign, with 3 points on the board.

We were tremendous in the league phase last season, and I expect more of the same.

The starting lineup was Raya in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa central, and Benny Blanco at right-back.

In midfield Merino and Rice… with Eze, Odegaard, and Saka, ahead of them.

Up front, it was Viktor Gyokeres.

A few changes made, but still a strong, more than capable team, has been selected.

We started well, and were unphased by the booing, and hissing, from the Napoli fans.

This isn’t our first rodeo, so we’ll remain bullish in our approach.

Straight away it was evident that Napoli sat back in a low defensive block and dared us to break them down. We’re no strangers to the low block, so it was a case of having to just break another team down, that are not being adventurous, and have no plans to be adventurous… as they know if they leave spaces… we’ll exploit those spaces, and they may be in for a heavy beating.

We were in complete control of the game, we were passing the ball very well, and keeping possession. Trying to find ways to open up the stubborn Napoli defensive shape.

We were patient, and our patience is something that I’ve been very impressive since the start of the season. We’re not trying to force the issue… we’re not trying to have a shot just for the sake of taking a shot… we’re not just trying to get the ball into the box blindly, and hoping something happens.

We’re making sure that a pass is definitely on, before releasing the ball… and minimalizing the risk of turning the ball over to the opposition.

Yes that sounds simple and quite obvious, but this is something that we were not doing last season, because we’d become frustrated by the low block, and we were trying to force something to happen, rather than being as patient as we are being this season.

I definitely believe that this is something Arteta has implemented. A new thing that he’s conveyed to the players, or it’s a case of because we’re champions… that belief is now there… well, MORE belief should I say, is now there… and we feel like we’re in less of a rush to make something happen, because we know we can do it, and eventually if we keep playing the football we’re playing… the opposition will concede a goal.

We had quite a few shots on Napoli’s goal, but it seemed like not just the attacking players, but ALL the players, had forgotten their shooting boots… because our shots were either straight at the keeper, or they were sailing over the bar.

Two of the memorable chances that we had in the first half, was a bicycle kick slash overhead kick, from Bukayo Saka, which the keeper managed to get to… and a diving header from Mikel Merino, which unfortunately was straight at the keeper.

It was positive that we were creating multiple chances, but us lacking that clinical edge in the final third, made the first half frustrating, and left “If only” and “Shoulda, woulda, coulda” reverberating in my mind.

We We needed much better in the second-half, in terms our shooting… but in terms of the football that we were playing… it was just a case of “Same again”… and I imagine that’s what Mikel Arteta would’ve been saying to the players at half-time, because we are we were actually playing well. It was just the finishing that was letting us down, and at this level, if we’re serious about winning the Champions league… we cannot squander the amount of chances that we squandered.

The second-half began and amazingly, Napoli were sitting even deeper in their defensive block… so if arsenal didn’t know before, they now knew that they had their work cut out even more, and it was going to take something special… and much more accurate shooting, to get that elusive goal.

We were still so dominant in the game but still the scoreboard displayed 0-0. It seemed unfair, but because we’d been so wasteful with our opportunities… we only had ourselves to blame.

It got to the 65th minute, and it was still the same pattern in the game… in terms of us dominating, but unable to find a breakthrough… so Arteta decided that he’d seen enough, and it was time to make a change in personnel, in hopes that the attacking pendulum, would swing in the favour of the Gunners.

Guimaraes replaced Merino, and Eze made way for Tzolis.

In the 73^rd minute, Gyokeres was replaced by a Kai havertz, and Madueke replaced Bukayo Saka.

I feel sorry for Viktor Gyokeres, simply because it was his first start this season… so naturally, he looked rusty, and he looked to be lacking in confidence.

I’m not worried about Viktor Gyokeres though, because I do believe that the more games he plays… the sharper he’ll get… and he’ll play plenty of games this season, as the schedule is so demanding, we’ll need the entire squad.

Bukayo Saka was getting doubled up on, so was unable to impose himself on the game, the way he would’ve liked. He ALWAYS has 2-3 opposition players around him.

He’ll keep learning from it, and develop his game even more.

I’m struggling to remember another time for Arsenal away in Europe, where we’ve dominated the game the way we have, against a team that just wants to defend for 90 minutes.

We struggled last season, and that was evident in the Premier League title race… but we seem to have found a way to overcome it.

The number of chances that we created tells me, that going forward, the low block is going to become irrelevant to us… and we’re just going to pick teams apart with the incisive passing, the unpredictable movement, and the intricate one, and two-touch play… in and around the box.

In In the 75th minute the goal that we had been searching for finally came, after some lovely pass, and move, mastery.

There was an exchange on the edge of the box between Martin Odegaard, and Tzolis, and the weight of pass back to Odegaard from Tzolis was perfect! So perfect, that Odegaard thumped the ball from just outside the box with his left peg, and the ball kissed the post on the way in, oh so tenderly.

It was a brilliant strike, and a brilliant move from The Arsenal, and we were deservedly 1-0 up. What an incredible start Martin Odegaard has made to the season, and what a start Tzolis has made to the season too… because that’s ANOTHER assist for him!

I’m soooooooo happy for our skipper though, because as I’ve said previously, he suffered injury, after injury, last season… so he couldn’t build any sort of momentum, when he did FINALLY come back into the team.

He had an excellent World Cup, and he has continued that form. He looks superb!

I’m sure all of the people that were saying it was time to get rid of him, as he’s “Finished” are now eating huge slices of humble pie… because he’s proven everybody wrong, and long may it continue. What a goal!! 1-0 to The Arsenal!! …and that’s how the match finished.

What a performance from Konsa by the way, he seems to have developed a great understanding with Gabriel Magalhaes.

What a great centre-back pairing they’ve been thus far.

Konsa looks like he’s played in this Arsenal team for a few seasons, and it’s only his second game!

He’s confident on the ball, he can he can tackle, he doesn’t get flustered when he’s under pressure, and he has good ariel ability too.

He could turn out to be one of the signings of the season, because we don’t know how long Saliba’s injury is going to keep him out for… but so far, Konsa looks like a great acquisition to the Arsenal squad. He had a GREAT game.

We had started our Champions League campaign with a win!! 3 PRECIOUS points on the board, after a hard fought win, away from home.

On to the next one now, which is Sunderland away, and that’s going to be a tricky, tricky, game. We drew there 2-2 last season… after a late goal from Brian Brobbey we can’t have a repeat of that this season. We need revenge!!

Yes ultimately we still became Premier League champions, but those 2 points dropped,  still hurt… because it was a late equaliser.

We need to go and be the “Bad luck” for the Black Cats.

If we play like we did against Napoli, in terms of the chances that we created… Sunderland are in trouble,  providing we remember to bring our shooting boots, of course. (HAHAH)

Who would your starting 11 be to face Sunderland?

Are you worried that we haven’t scored a set-piece this season? (HAHAHA!)

How do you think we can get the best out of Gyokeres?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

The curtain raises at the Emirates Stadium, for our first London Derby of the season. We host cheating Chelsea… “Self-Reporting” Chelsea.

Look how honest we appear to be about our cheating, so please don’t punish us too severely, Chelsea.

The self-proclaimed “Pride of London”… Who can’t perform consistently on the pitch, and frequent the dodgy dealings saloon, off the pitch. (Spent over TWO BILLION, on cannon fodder)

If multiple personalities was a football team, it would be them.

More like the “Jekyll & Hyde of London”. (HAHAHA!!)

I despise Chelsea, and not just because they’re cheats… but because they’re that small toddler team, who were invited to sit at the grownups table, and they started throwing food around… making a mess of the transfer market, appointing unsavoury captains, and… for thinking they’re bigger than The Arsenal, even though they’ve only won 6 league titles.

Yep… I look at them, and it just cements the fact, that London… is RED.

Mikel Arteta is about to battle his good friend Xabi Alonso for 3 points, for honour, for bragging rights, for an early foothold… in this speculation riddled, and unpredictable… title race.

For the first time in the Premier League, 5 of the “Big Six”… are in a “Transition” period, at the same time.

I WILL point out though, that these teams have spent terribly, and they DON’T face the same under-a-microscope scrutiny, and negative analysis… that The Arsenal face, week in, week out.

I can only deduce, that this is because we’re a GARGANTUAN club, and they expect MORE form us, and LESS, from the rest. (Insert shrug emoji here)

The Arsenal are unbeaten, in the last ELEVEN meetings, between the two sides. With The Arsenal winning EIGHT of those games, and drawing THREE, in all competitions.

I WOULD say this is a “Must Win” game, because it’s a chance to create some distance between US, and the “Pretenders”… But I won’t say that… even though I’ve said it. (HA!)

Aaaaanywhooooo… let’s see the team news…

Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Konsa, central… and Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back.

In midfield… It was Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Martin Odegaard.

The front three was once again… Tzolis on the left, Havertz through the middle, and Bukayo Saka, on the right.

The opening minutes of the game were fast, competitive, and purposeful… with an air of confidence, emanating from both teams.

Within two minutes, Chelsea drew first blood… and said blood, was drawn accidentally.

It was like two boxers in a clinch, and one boxer unknowingly headbutts the other, and causes a cut above the eye.

Their goal came from a set-piece.

The ball was put into the Arsenal box, and it was only partially cleared. The loose ball spilled to Morgan Rogers on the edge of the box, and he hit a scuffed shot, that squirmed past an unsighted David Raya.

Like I said… an accidental headbutt. (Sickeningly) it was1-0 to Chelsea.

The Arsenal players, and the Arsenal faithful, were unperturbed. There was no panic in sight, and the fans remained in full voice… showing unwavering support, regardless of the scoreline.

The nervousness, and anxiety, that ruled the Emirates atmosphere last season… had been overthrown… and only confidence, and unshakable faith… remained.

We got the ball down, and started playing football. Sexy football… sumptuous football. One, and two-touch play, with dizzying movement, that left the Chelsea players chasing shadows, and… their own tails.

In the 13^th minute, we had the ball in the net, after a goalmouth scramble. Calafiori with the final touch… BUT, after a VAR check, the goal was ruled offside.

As disappointing as the VAR decision was, I was filled with optimism, because we were getting closer to an equaliser. An equaliser that felt inevitable… because we were by far, the superior team.

Chelsea were an irritant at best. They were a Chiwawa, yapping at a Great Dane… and the big dogs, were in no mood to be playful.

In the 25^th minute, we got our equaliser.

Declan Rice laid the ball off to Kai Havertz on the right-hand side… and still with A LOT to do, Havertz cut inside on his left foot, and drilled a hard, low shot… past Martinez, at his near post. It was a beautiful goal, of his own making. Havertz had once again proved himself to be a thorn, in the side of his previous employers.

Martinez being beaten from outside the box, was the icing on the cake. 1-1 now the scoreline.

There was some high quality football on show, and all spectators were eager to see the drama unfold.

The curtain closed on the first half, with honours even… by scoreline only though, as The Gunners dominated in every department. This was a mismatch in class, of epic proportions.

Whistle blew for the start of the second half, and The Arsenal flew out the traps, like greyhounds chasing a rabbit, with their tails on fire.

I wish I could’ve heard Mikel Arteta’s team talk, because it was evidently inspiring. Somehow, the players looked even more determined, more confident, and more convinced… that an Arsenal win was inevitable.

This was borne out as early as the 50^th minute, when we played out from deep inside our own half… after a feeble Chelsea attempt, to break our defensive stronghold.

Tzolis received the ball on left, and in a tight space, he beat his man, and passed inside to Havertz… who let the ball go, knowing Odegaard was behind him… and his dummy, sent the entire Chelsea defence on a lengthy excursion. They were sent on a hike mid-match, and were under strict instructions to bring back souvenirs… and they had no idea why.

By the time they awoke from their football-admiration-trance… Odegaard was in on their goal, and he fired past Martinez emphatically, to put us 2-1 up. GOOOOOAAAAAAL!!! The Emirates erupted… and it was a sound that was a sweet caress, to Arsenal eardrums.

In the 67th minute, Hincapie replaced Calafiori… who had run Chelsea ragged. They struggled to defend against the unorthodox positions he’d take up… and that created space for others.

Also in the 67^th minute, Zubimendi replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had put in another mature, faultless, accomplished display.

It’ll be hard for Bruno Guimaraes to take Myles’ place, while he’s on this type of form.

In the 77^th minute, Merino came on for the irrepressible Martin Odegaard… whose man-of-the-match display, had football fans swooning. He was back to his best, and it was a reminder to the doubters, and a warning… to the so called challengers… that he means business this season.

Gyokeres was also introduced, after Havertz made way for him.

It was an awesome example of attacking prowess from Havertz, and in contrast… it was a rusty display from Viktor Gyokeres… who struggled to make a simple pass, and control the ball.

I’m confident Gyokeres WILL find form, but it’ll take time.

Given a run of games, I have no doubt Gyokeres will bang in goals this season.

Chelsea had some more half-hearted attempts, but deep down, they never believed they’d get anything from this game… and I don’t blame them.

Estevao had a speculative effort in the dying moments of the game, that Raya saved… but apart from that, we were comfortable.

The final substitution was Madueke for Saka. The latter had a good game, but he was somewhat restricted… because he was doubled-up on. I still have no doubt whatsoever, that our Starboy, will have an exceptional season… but games like this will happen, when teams sit in a low block.

The match finished 2-1 to The Arsenal, and our 5 year unbeaten run over Chelsea, continues.

That’s 3 Premier League games played, 3 wins, and 9 points. We move onto the next one.

London has been red, London is red… and will always be… RED!!

Next up we face Napoli away, in the Champions League. It’ll be an extremely tough game, and a hostile atmosphere.

We go there brimming with confidence, and eager to take that first step towards the trophy that has eluded us, for so many years.

I expect Mikel Arteta to flex our squad muscles, and give some players a breather… and others, a chance to sharpen up their football senses.

What would be your starting lineup against Napoli?

Is it too early in the season to rotate players?

Do you think we’re better equipped to challenge on all fronts?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com

Here we are, at a ground that we loathe. A ground that has been unkind to us, in recent times.

The ground where that scoundrel, where that villain, Emiliano Martinez… often has a great game against us, and then badmouths us, immediately after.

Yes, that’s right… we’re at Villa Park. It’s the champions, it’s the HEROES… taking on The Villains.

I did say in my previous blog though, that THIS season is a little different… as Villa have lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, and WE took their best defender. Welcome to The Arsenal, Ezri Konsa!!

In addition to all that, it looks as though Ollie Watkins wants to leave.

The Villains are very much, a club in disarray, and we HAVE TO capitalise on that, and take all 3 points.

It seems as though Arteta being compared to Unai Emery, will never end… even though it’s clearly a comparison riddled with futility, as Arteta has been managing for almost 7 years, but Emery has been managing for nearly 22 years.

Arteta should only be compared to managers who have been managing for the same number of years, or… a similar number of years.

This is a basic requirement, for honest, objective, football discussions.

As this comparison continuously rears its ugly head… I’ll point out that Arteta has finished above Emery, time, and time again… and last season, he lifted the Premier League title. Something that Emery has NEVER done. I’ll just leave that there… and let it simmer.

Aaaaaanywhooooo…. Swiftly moving on to the team news.

Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Mosquera, central… and Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back.

In midfield… It was Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Martin Odegaard.

The front three was once again… Tzolis on the left, Havertz through the middle, and Bukayo Saka, on the right.

We started the game well enough, and looked confident, but we lacked cohesion in the final third. It looked as though our terrible record at Villa Park, was at the forefront of the players’ minds.

The Villa Park faithful were in full voice… creating a hostile atmosphere, hoping to disarm the Gunners… and for the first 10-15 minutes, it seemed to be working.

We kept playing balls over the top, more than I’ve seen in our game for a while. I had to deduce that this was an instruction from Arteta. We did get the ball though, and start playing… but Villa rudely interrupted our rhythm, with persistent fouling.

Fouling, that the referee didn’t seem to mind… Especially when said fouls were made on Tzolis.

Due to the constant breaks in play, and the lack of cutting edge in our attacking play… the first half became a frustration fest, and ended 0-0.

Aston Villa sat in a low block for most of the half, and we failed to break them down.

Neither team covered themselves in glory, in that first half… and I’m sure both managers will be demanding more from their players.

When the Gunners emerged for the second half, there was a steely determination in their eyes. A refusal to leave this ground empty handed, AGAIN… started to show in our play.

Tzolis was withdrawn at half-time, and was replaced by Eze.

I think Arteta was trying to protect Tzolis, as he seemed to be singled out for particular rough treatment from the Villa backline, in the first half.

I’m sure as the season progresses, Tzolis will adapt to the physicality of this league.

I was pleased to see Eze on that left hand side though, as that’s where he did all of his best work for Crystal Palace, and I know he can be just as devastating for us, on that side.

The Villains continued to sit deep, and we continued gunning for them. We were approaching a stage of the game, where it felt like our breakthrough was coming… and in the 55^th minute, it nearly happened, when the referee awarded a penalty, after Saka was bundled over.

However after a VAR check, the decision was overturned… and a free-kick on the edge of the box, was given instead.

Odegaard took the resulting free-kick, but he put it just wide… after getting it up, and over the wall.

Thankfully, the deadlock was broken not long after that, in the 59th minute… after a lovely Arsenal move.

Eze made a difficult pass to Odegaard, who threaded the ball through to Calafiori… he made space for himself, and cut it back across the box. Bukayo Saka reacted quickest, and slid the ball home. 1-0 to The Arsenal!! It was ruthless, incisive play, from the Gunners.

With Villa now a goal down, they became a little bit more adventurous, and spaces began to open up for us. Unfortunately though, the second goal remained elusive.

Arteta decided he’d seen enough, and changes were made in the 71^st minute.

Bruno Guimaraes replaced the brilliant Myles Lewis-Skelly, who put in another flawless display. He seems to get better, and better, in that midfield area.

Also in the 71^st minute, Odegaard made way for Mikel Merino.

We were in complete control, defending from the front, and Aston Villa had no idea how to break us down. They couldn’t break us down… we wouldn’t allow it. They hadn’t even managed a shot on target.

Mosquera went to ground clutching his hamstring in the 79th minute, forcing the introduction of Ezri Konsa… who looked focused, and seemed unbothered, about playing against his old club.

Hopefully Mosquera’s injury isn’t a long term one. We’ve had more than our fair share of those.

Just to further flex our squad depth muscles, Declan Rice got a rare rest… and was replaced by Martin Zubimendi, in the 85^th minute.

An exceptional performance from Rice, who was absolutely everywhere on the pitch. Snuffing out danger, before it got a chance to even become danger. He’s a duel winning, touch tackling, exquisite passing, lung-busting running, machine.

As the game drew to a close, thoughts turned towards the late goal we conceding here last season, so everyone was on high alert.

As if I wasn’t nervous enough, the referee decided to add 9 minutes of injury time, out of thin air. I have no idea where that time came from… but the ref had been terrible all night, so I guess he fancied continuing the theme.

We should’ve had a penalty in injury time, when Guimaraes was clattered in the box… but the visually impaired referee, wave play-on… much to my disgust.

The Arsenal saw the game out, and picked up their second win of the season. So that’s played two, won two, 6 points collected, 4 goals scored, and no goals conceded.

The Villains, were GUNNED down… and it was particularly satisfying.

Next up, we face cheating Chelsea at the Emirates, in our first London Derby of the season.

Lets give The Blues, the blues… by beating them black and blue.

With the Transfer Window now closed, I’d like to reflect on what I consider to be a good window.

Martinelli was sold for 55-60M, depending on who you listen to… and that’s great profit, as we paid 6M for him.

He was here for 7 years, and is most certainly an honorary Hale End boy… and I wish him all the best.

Gabriel Jesus has gone to Barcelona for 8M, and that’s an excellent move for him, at this stage of his career.

He was magnificent for us, in that first season he joined… and he took us to that next level. Then, he was unfortunately plagued by injuries, and was never the same.

I’m sure he’ll get goals at Barca.

Fabio Vieira has moved to Hamburg for 8M, the club where he was on-loan last season.

He didn’t manage to nail down a regular place in our team, I think he just fell short of the required level.

We brought in Tzolis, Guimaraes, and Konsa.

Tzolis had an excellent pre-season, played well in the Community Shield, and has looked good in the Premier League thus far.

Guimaraes, and Konsa, are already Premier League proven, and are superb additions to our championship winning squad.

Yes we also signed a third choice keeper in Meslier, and some youngsters too… and yes we didn’t get a top left-winger, but I stand by my statement… that we’ve had a good window.

Over the course of the season, I feel I’ll be proved right… but let me know what YOU think.

How do you rate our Transfer Window?

Do you think we should make further signings in January?

Should Eze play on the left permanently?

Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!

Please check out my YouTube channel: @Gunnersayit

Also check out my TikTok: @gunnersayit.com