Merry morning to you all. Don't they just look like happy elves arm in arm. Here's a few words on Arsenal, tightrope football, and acknowledging that it might not be perfect but when you are top of the two big leagues and cracking on in cups it could be worse... www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Pre-match stroll. Festive hat head count: Santa 19, Gingerbread 1, Xmas Pud 1.

FIFA's World Cup ticket prices are a betrayal to the most dedicated fans. At least $6900 to support your team from the first match to the final - nearly 5 times more than in Qatar. FSE calls for the immediate halt to ticket sales. 🔗 Statement: bit.ly/44Sqx9G

It shouldn’t be beyond the wit of FIFA to make it mandatory for anyone applying for the honour to host a World Cup to commit to cheap ticket guarantees for competing nation supporters clubs.

My lovely postie just saw me lugging a Christmas tree up the road and stopped what he was doing to carry it up the road. Shout out to all the posties out there - usually go above and beyond, old school heroes. X ✉️🎄

On Arsenal, fists beating the turf repeatedly, faces dropped into the ground, and reactions. It wasn't just hurt, which is normal, it was also angry, which tells you something about what the team expects of themselves. www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

As a treat Handbrake Off pod is up nice and early Monday morning to bring joy after 'a hairy weekend'. In extra good news, Adrian watched the game again so you don't have to. With @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social. Enjoy x pod.fo/e/361e14

That draw was an unbearable surreal-fest. It was like watching football's carcass being picked at by preening, self-satisfied vultures. A masterpiece here from @gunnerblog.bsky.social whose comedy background makes for some exquisite punchlines.

Popped over to the other place to check on someone and chanced on these. Got me thinking. I’m old enough not to be bothered by angry strangers. But exposure to faceless hate on social media must be very disturbing for young people who don’t have the tools or perspective. It worries me.

And he’s done it! Thank you to those who sent good wishes, encouragement and donations. You all rock.

Well, that was a slog. Some words on an intense game too far at the end of an intense week. Arsenal were too leggy to get everything they wanted. But for Arteta, being disappointed with a point away at Chelsea is a sign of what they are striving for. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Just reposting this as my teenage son does his last preparation this weekend for his big Movember run for mens mental health charities. Even the tiniest support means so much to him (and me). My love to anyone going through it. X

Enjoyed Arsenal-Bayern. Have to shout out Lennart Karl. Even aside from the goal he was an absolute dynamo. Arsenal have faced two forwards with such impressive craft and graft in their last two big Champions League games - Alvarez and Karl. Testing yourself against great players raises levels.

Who knows how long Arsenal can sustain this high-energy hunger? While it lasts it is making them a very powerful collective. Lots to chew over in the briefing from the Emirates, with @sebsb.bsky.social and @liamtharme.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Do football ethics matter? To these two they do.

A bonkers goal in any environment. Under-19s, Arsenal bring on a 13 year old, so the 15 year old shows him who is boss ;)

Handbrake Off indeed. Four open play goals, three for Eze, two more big games this week, one handsome tifo. Lots to chew over from the North London derby. With @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and, showing off his best crooning voice, @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social pod.fo/e/358ddb

What the…

Hello friends. Dropping this here to support my son, who has been through some stuff I wouldn't wish on anyone and is channelling his experience into a near marathon in laps around the Emirates for mens mental health charities. Any pennies, or goodwill messages, appreciated! ❤️ gofund.me/e46ca6106

Arsenal end Visit Rwanda sleeve sponsorship. www.arsenal.com/news/visit-r...

Been out tonight remembering a dear friend from Scotland (fittingly) so only now catching up on the action. My God Scotland did an absolute madness. I love football.

This photo popped into my head from the last time Ireland were at a World Cup. 2002. Living it up. Time again now lads!

Epic effort Ireland. Wow! 🇮🇪

Handbrake Off pod is here. Lots of Arsenal, plus a bit too much information from @adrianjclarke.bsky.social on his bubblebath retreat and we learn that @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social is not big on hats or nature... Enjoy x pod.fo/e/34ff35

What a lovely, original, piece of football writing here from @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social. The threads of history lend meaning to a modern match. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

Back on #HandbrakeOff for @theathleticfc.bsky.social with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social & @amylawrence.bsky.social Talking Prague, Sunderland and being chucked in at the deep end... podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

My son just asked if I remembered last time Arsenal went 8 games without conceding… in 1903. I’ve been totally done here 😆

Today's Handbrake Off pod. On fields full of Rice, defender's defenders, Trossard leading from the front, and some unexpected sound effects. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social Enjoy x pod.fo/e/349a96

Arsenal don't give a damn.* Some words from Burnley on Arsenal and the spirit of the spaghetti western. (* They give lots of damns but you know what I mean) www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

Memories of a trip to Turf Moor 25 years ago to report on Ian Wright’s debut… for Burnley!

Turf Moor. Sensational view.

Handbrake Off. Hale End strikes again. Plus a remarkable fan story and sumo wrestling. Enjoy. X pod.fo/e/347715

17 and 15. Homegrown Hale End. Mates. Living it together. How beautiful is this.

Max and Andre. Good luck lads. Enjoy the challenge and feel the love.

It is way past time for the UK government & the BBC to get off X & for Musk to be treated as a threat to national security. The world's richest man is using his site to promote civil war, ethnic violence & the overthrow of an elected government. You won't win him over with another conference on AI

I was always certain taking Arseblog off Twitter was the right thing to do, but stuff like this makes me very happy I did. This is a deranged billionaire unaccountable to anyone using his platform to incite violence. Grim.

New pod. I have decided for my brain to henceforth mute the words 'It's Arsenal's to lose' - I mean, come on. Lots of Arsenal conversation here if that's your thing. With @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and some listener input (thanks folks). pod.fo/e/3453db

Very encouraging that Max Dowman's scholarship, leading to a first pro contract, is agreed. With the best youth there is always a risk they will be lured away. Arsenal have been smart in handling his elevation by mixing a special amount of opportunity and care. www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

Thank you Dave Ball for one of the great songs of my youth. We used to sing this with heart and soul in break time at school and I love it still. Say Hello Wave Goodbye. Rest well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Kg...

Handbrake Off. Yes it was. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and Art de Roche on Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid. pod.fo/e/3426d5

On boring, boring Arsenal. Turns out there might just be more to them than set pieces bolted onto grisly shut-outs. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

On boring, boring Arsenal. Turns out there might just be more to them than set pieces bolted onto grisly shut-outs. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

A compelling half. Saka blistering at times. That right hand triangle with Timber and Eze is very promsing. Poised, as they say!

Excellent dugout watch fun just now as Simeone and Arteta were both flinging their arms around furiously in Olympic quality synchronised gesticulation.

I am looking forward to this. What a great idea for a love letter/book. Some people (ahem) can still quote lines from this classic of its very specific football-war-Stallone-Pele-Caine-Osman genre?!

Monday morning Handbrake Off pod. Reflections on a team that are serious about getting shit done. Have a lovely week out there. X pod.fo/e/34045a

Big Gabi, and the art of digging deep to pull your performance around. www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

Big Gabi, and the art of digging deep to pull your performance around. www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

New episode of Handbrake Off. Looking forwards to the weekend resumption of Arsenal. Also a remarkable story of three Declans puts some incredible perspective on fandom. Enjoy. X pod.fo/e/33e7d6