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Went for a walk and bumped into Pat O’Connor. He started working for Arsenal in 1965 and did 50 years service looking after the stadium. He’s seen remembered staff being invited to the old chairman’s garden when a trophy got won. He’s seen it all.

"To external critics who have formed a caricature they choose not to see beyond, Arteta is not a manager they care to try to understand." But he has got Arsenal, and Arsenal have got him. Free to read piece on the roots of Arteta's passion for his club. www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Waiting for Godot. Waiting for a title. It felt endless and then it was over. Free to read. The tale of a 22 year road. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

Handbrake in the air. Enjoy x pod.fo/e/41a5d4

Getting the kids up for school after the night of their lives feels ambitious... Honestly, I am elated for all the young 'uns who grew up hearing about it, took endless stick of their mates, and now get to feel on top of the world. Anyone younger than their late 20s, this one's for you lot.

"Happiness and suffering are linked to the time you've had to wait." The wait is over. The suffering was prominent. Let the happiness in. Free to read if you have the head for it x www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

I can still hear fireworks, tooting horns, singing, in my neighbourhood. London N5 was a mad old carnival tonight. Islington came out in all its multicultural splendour. People ran out their houses and this community celebrated with absolute abandon. The looks on people's faces was so beautiful.

More than 8000 days since their last title. A long, meandering, complicated journey ends in joy. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

There’s bottle… And there’s bottle. Vamos ❤️

Here's today's Handbrake Off pod. On Arsenal 1-0 Burnley and all that. With @adrianjclarke.bsky.social Art de Roche and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social. Still not sure whether the best song choice is Closer than Close (Rosie Gaines) or Save Me (Aimee Mann) pod.fo/e/419730

Just finished The Bus - Netflix documentary about the mutiny within the French national team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Recommended viewing. An incredible fiasco and clash of personalities that spiralled out of control. Told with a touch of panache. 🇫🇷

An arm-blocker of a Handbrake Off. Goodness me. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social. Enjoy x pod.fo/e/412c5a

How's everybody feeling? Some words on a surreal pause at the London Stadium when everyone bar the officials watched on hopelessly as the title and relegation flashed endlessly before their eyes. Plus a little bit on the actual game, and the moments that counted. www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

How's everybody feeling? Some words on a surreal pause at the London Stadium when everyone bar the officials watched on hopelessly as the title and relegation flashed endlessly before their eyes. Plus a little bit on the actual game, and the moments that counted. www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

Props to the West Ham DJ getting us in the mood. XPansions - Move Your Body The Jam - Town Called Malice Oooof!

After last night... The Handbrake Off gang got together to drink it all in. Enjoy the moment. No more no less. X With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social @gunnerblog.bsky.social @adrianjclarke.bsky.social pod.fo/e/40f113

Recording Handbrake Off podcast in an hour. Anyone got a special message they feel compelled to share? We will read a few out. #HandbrakeOff

Disco time. And after 20 years, the Europa phase, clambering back up to compete at the top table, and shaking off their European imposter syndrome, they deserve to dance. Some words on Arsenal working like hell and enjoying the moment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

Annual eyeroll at UEFA for allocating more than 50 percent of tickets for the Champions League final to themselves/partners/sponsors/neutrals… 16,824 out of 67,215 to Arsenal. And €760 for a restricted view!

Morning all. Here's a Handbrake pod. Such an enormous week ahead. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and a super chilled Art de Roche pod.fo/e/40cf79

Lots of things to dislike about modern football, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz and Harry Kane all being on the same pitch at the same time is not one of them.

As many have pointed out, making the last home game of the season Monday night - the crappest slot - when one team is going for the title and the other has a mammoth journey is a choice that dumps on fans from the top of TV's ivory tower.

We had a little Handbrake hug after the game on Saturday. Big up and thanks to our lovely listeners ❤️

Here is today's Handbrake Off pod. Red carpets, attacking combinations, injury numbers, the joker in the pack, the Champions League semi - plenty to yak about with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social pod.fo/e/407ad0

Not a great look for a manager to pick on an on-loan teenager from another country who may well have a hard time with language/adaptation when the team he joined has been a mess this season. A cheap and poorly aimed shot.

Morning. That was fun! * The number of different attacking combinations Arsenal have juggled this season is crazy. Little wonder the chemistry splutters. (* If you like your fun to be a bit like torture.) www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

Highbury Fields Forever. This time of day, this time of year, London’s precious pockets of green space are food for the soul.

streaming live sport is such a technical mess Rochdale v York tomorrow to win the league, aka greatest game in football history York sold 5,000 tickets to watch a livestream of the game in their stadium on big screens… but are asking everyone to delay celebrations because they can’t reduce the lag

New Handbrake pod. Thanks for all the excellent questions. With @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social it is not all doom and gloom! pod.fo/e/4051ea

Any questions for Handbrake Off? Recording Thursday morning so leave any burning thoughts about Arsenal or anything vaguely related here. X #HandbrakeOffQuestions

Hands up who wants a go as Chelsea manager for a few weeks of a monster contract and a payday? It's not a bad gig really.

Handbroken? Not quite. In the possibly immortal words of Declan Rice "It's not done". New pod, with @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social pod.fo/e/402515

Fair play to the residents of the Arsenal penthouse in the block of flats directly opposite the Etihad.

Interesting stuff here from @migueldelaney.bsky.social

Handbrake Off is here. There was a lot to say. Emotions talking. Also hearing from Jack the 96 year old fan in Canada, telling tales of Highbury in the 1930s, is a must listen. X pod.fo/e/3ffb2d

Blessed memories of Alex Manninger. A stellar stand in for David Seaman who helped Arsenal win the 1998 double and a lovely person too. 💔

So we handbraked. Here's the latest pod with @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social Have a listen if you are not in the business of throwing in any towels. X pod.fo/e/3fcace

Celebratory dance in Hungary

Why let the facts get in the way of a good story? Arsenal have their issues which are fair game for discussion. But a widely shared graphic which is factually bonkers is not a sensible basis for criticism. Bizarre to omit 93% of wins. Check facts before believing everything you see!

Impressive Handbrake Off pod debut by young Athletic gun @nnamdionye.bsky.social. Big up Nnamdi 🔥

Happy 35th birthday to Blue Lines by Massive Attack, released on this day in 1991. Here's a playlist featuring the brilliant LP along with tracks that were sampled and covered in its making 🔥▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/3Pu...

Since they touched down in Lisbon Mikel Arteta wanted his players to rekindle their sense of identity. With a 1-0 to the Arsenal based on resolve and unity they did so. ‘A big moment’ for the season according to Arteta. www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

1-0 to the Arsenal is just what Doctor Mikel ordered.

Intrigued by the Sporting CP pre-game playbook. Definite pop fado vibes.

Bom Dia Lisbon

The last remaining international stragglers are back. I mean, some of the took their time ;) Now it’s time for Arsenal to strap in for the mother of all run-ins. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Rocky. Loved and remembered always. Everyone who knew him adored him. If you didn’t know him I’m able to share a free to read article in his honour. Here are memories from his family and friends to celebrate what made him one of a kind. ❤️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/248...

If you are missing an Arsenal fix this weekend, get involved in a special event at the British Library. Guests include Nick Hornby, Martin Keown, Rachel Yankey, Jazzie B, panels with writers, podcasters, a quiz and much more. Link to join in person or online ⬇️ events.bl.uk/events/footb...

The fallout, and some forward thinking. Here's a post-Wembley Handbrake Off, with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social. Plus, if it's ok to big up the song choice, The Dream Academy pick felt very apt. pod.fo/e/3ba6ad