LukesOnFire

Have an absolutely irrational dislike of Fabian Hurzeler, I’m sure he’s a pleasant enough chap but he smirks… a lot & not in response to something funny, he does it when he’s talking mid sentence, like he’s farted or he just finds himself hilarious & can’t help himself, never trust a smirker #lufc

Liverpool left with no room for error as PL title picture becomes clear Liverpool has already lost four times in the Premier League this season, leaving it seven points behind leaders Arsenal and it could be a dangerous sign for Arne Slot's side

Liverpool has already lost four times in the Premier League this season, leaving it seven points behind leaders Arsenal and it could be a dangerous sign for Arne Slot's side

Excellent summary again! And I’m glad you addressed the wildly polarising tiger-fleece issue. Don’t be swayed though: those who set foot in the arena, deserve to be warm!

Nice podcast!

I have to ask though: I bet in person, Andrew Allen is quite a cheerful chap, right? Somehow though, where Arsenal predicting is concerned, he does “trend dark” rather quickly. Lol. Give the man more Guinness!

Arteta issues White promise as Arsenal star pushes for England recall The right-back last played for the Three Lions in March 2022

Mikel Arteta has told Ben White he will get enough opportunities at Arsenal to break into England’s World Cup squad.

“If Ben wants to do that, if Thomas believes he is the right player to do so, I am so happy for him.”

More here:

www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba...

Why we know Arsenal will win the Premier League (and how they could still be stopped) We're not even a quarter of the way through the Premier League season, but we're ready to call it: Arsenal are winning it all. Well, unless ...

An article I know all my Arsenal fan friends will greatly enjoy and value being out in the world!

Mikel is not afraid of title buzz: “That's what we want. I think when our people are excited and when we see that the team is competing at the level, consistently, they are the right reasons to believe and that's the main thing.” #AFCBelieve

Five Knee-Jerk Reactions to the Premier League Matchday 9 | Opta Analyst We return for another round of knee-jerk reactions to a single round of Premier League fixtures. Is the title race really over?

🏆 Arsenal are going to dominate the season like prime City
3️⃣ United's front three has clicked
🤑 Kroupi will cost someone £70m before long

We're back with our latest round of knee-jerk reactions to the Premier League action 🦵

theanalyst.com/articles/pre...

Nail on the head. It’s contextual. On its own there’s nothing wrong with the original graphic or post. But set against the backdrop of the criticism of Arsenal for being nothing more than a defensive set piece team it reads differently. We are those things. But we’re more than that.

“Here’s how many points Carlos Alcaraz would have won if aces didn’t count.”

“Here’s the Six Nations standings if only tries and conversions counted.”

I really need Arsenal to make the football media cry at the end of the season.

Im no Arsenal fan and think all football fans have a persecution complex but I think they’re right here. It’s very common (disingenuous) charge online that their success at *all* set pieces somehow cheapens their wins and I do think the graphic is nodding at that

This will 100% not be built.

Another goodly morning tomorrow.

If you have any questions or topics for discussion for the podcast, please send to me and @gunnerblog.bsky.social with the hashtag #arsecastextra

Recording at 10am

To @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com - Goodly morning chaps, happy 4 point lead! Question for #arsecastextra: the word said so much about our team now is “togetherness”. The 25-26 squad seems really dialled in now: who in your opinion are the players that make the difference for that?

Don’t read too much social media: it tends to be dominated by some truly miserable people.

On a day when Arsenal won and went four clear in the league, nobody can tell me that anything other than a medical issue should make Arsenal fans moan.

But you do you.

As for me? Come on you Gunners!!!

Moan about Arsenal all you like & their reliance on set-pieces - and I know I have - but ultimately, I'd take Liverpool doing that at the moment if it meant them being top & not 7 points behind them.

But they're not doing that, and so they are where they are.

Had this discussion at the pub today. The win over United looks better as the days go by just as the loss to Liverpool looks worse as the days go by.

Agreed, Andrew. I’d also say that given their quality, any win against this Palace side is a big one. Looking forward to more fluency though as Havertz, Jesus, Odegaard and Madueke return. At least we can grind. Definitely leggy after Athletico: but we beat both teams for a 5-0 aggregate. Let’s go!

Oooof - that was hard work, but exactly the kind of game you have to be able to grind out if you want to win the title.

Maybe a bit of a hangover from midweek, but Eze had the moment of quality to earn three points.

With Man City and Liverpool both losing, this was a really big win.

“Lovely” indeed. Get in!

Great summary, James: couldn’t agree more. No chickens being counted, but this is a great start, let’s enjoy the season, Gooners.

The most 1-0 of 1-0 wins. Take it. Move on. Four new injury concerns is far from ideal though.

Great result. There’ll be some discussions about our set pieces, and I couldn’t care less. We miss the fluency of Havertz, Odegaard, Madueke and Jesus: who should all be back soon. In the meantime, great to get this over the line, and a 4-point league lead. Exciting times for Gooners.

Massive goal for Eze, so happy for him, after what was clearly a nervy start with the ball. Cracking goal too: Karate Kid styles.

This game is far from clear though: important that we score early second half to make the game comfortable.

#AF

Darren Bent says pressure may threaten Arsenal’s title chances. Don’t get upset, it’s logic. We finished 2nd three times, succumbing to pressure. It’s a great reminder that games now, matter. If we build a points buffer now, that inevitable pressure is far less on us.

#AFCBelieve

Arsenal show they are much more than just set pieces and dogged defending The home win over Atletico Madrid showed how Mikel Arteta is evolving his team into an open, attacking force

“Arsenal are far more than they seem. Anyone who thinks they are nothing more than set pieces welded onto grisly defending is not looking properly. They have the ingredients of a team ready to blossom.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Although he’s admitted to a slow start, put Haaland aside, and Gyökeres’ total goals in all competitions this season competes well with leading strikers in the EPL:

Haaland - 15

Thiago - 6
Gyökeres- 5
Mateta - 5
Woltemade - 5
Richarlison- 3
Ekitike - 3
João Pedro - 2
Sesko - 2
Isak - 1

Absolutely fantastic second half, and that's a great result against top quality opposition.

Brilliant set-piece to crack the game open, amazing assist from MLS for Martinelli's goal, and great to see Gyokeres get his brace. He needed those goals, regardless of how they went in!

A v positive night

I like this second half

MLS WOW!

A strong episode. I get what James means about Gyökeres not being a natural fit in this team. Weirdly, it’s why I’m delighted he’s here. Post-Jesus, we may seek a third striker who’s a silky, fluid #9. For now, as our “big unit” fwd, Viktor’s a real reason we’re beating low-block EPL opponents.