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

The league cup is Arsenal's enemy. A final with no redeeming features, like 68, 69, 88, 07, 11, 18... But it must be a game in isolation, not a defining moment of a season that still carries so much promise. Some words about how Arsenal process this and fight back. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

The league cup is Arsenal's enemy. A final with no redeeming features, like 68, 69, 88, 07, 11, 18... But it must be a game in isolation, not a defining moment of a season that still carries so much promise. Some words about how Arsenal process this and fight back. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Wembley. Countdown to kick off.

Last night's insomnia thoughts revolved around the 1987 Littlewoods Cup final. I was 15, and my step dad gave me his ticket which meant three of his friends suddenly had a spellbound teenage girl foisted upon them to take along instead of one of their mates. Weird? Maybe. But absolutely amazing.

Back in 2014, an American guy @blarsenafc1886.footy.social made this video of fans around the world watching Arsenal in a cup final. It was ahead of the curve - now so many people film gatherings. It’s great. Maybe watch it to get in the Wembley mood. www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-p...

Here's the Handbrake Off pod. Includes Eberechi Eze, Elton, Herbie Hancock, Thomas the Tank Engine, and a bit of Wembley build-up. With @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social. Enjoy x pod.fo/e/3afe7a

Arsenal wondergoals? Whatever next? On a blossoming Eze, who is warming up at a good time. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

Arsenal wondergoals? Whatever next? On a blossoming Eze, who is warming up at a good time. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

Boring Arsenal. All these fine goals from outside the box are such a drag.

Eze that was very beautiful

Mikel Arteta not the only Spanish-Arsenal-midfielder-turned-manager at the Emirates. Como manager Cesc Fabregas is in attendance. Oof, he did some stuff on this pitch once upon a time... 🔥

There is an inevitability about the Dowman hype machine in the media after such a moment. But I do wish everyone gave more careful thought about both quality and quantity of coverage. This very thoughtful piece from @oliverkay.bsky.social stands out from the crowd. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

This world... someone sending out a press release with "expert" opinion from a betting company representative talking about a 16 year old scoring a goal. Ugh. The football x betting relationship is a major problem for teenagers who are absolutely targeted on their phones by the way.

All max-ed out? If not, here's Handbrake Off, where @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social, @adrianjclarke.bsky.social and I cherish seeing something so far out of the ordinary over the weekend. pod.fo/e/3abb18

Hey, I am not saying I have found the *BEST* commentary for yesterday, but I think I have (Argentina). 😂 Covers both Arsenal goals, Gyökeres and Max Dowman. I promise you won't be disappointed. 🔴⚪🔊

Ageless talent.

Max Dowman Superstar. A supercharged moment for the ages. www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

There has been a results swing between the top two in the Premier League on 13 occasions out of 29 match days. It’s intense up there. Buckle up. www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Enjoyed this insightful piece from @mattspiro.bsky.social on how Gabriel Heinze has sharpened Arsenal's appetite for the challenge. Loved this quote from Edouard Cisse: "They're like two volcanoes. One that erupts occasionally (Arteta) and one that erupts all the time (Heinze)."

New Handbrake Off podcast. In that absolute sweet spot between Mansfield and Leverkusen, talking Max, the cluster of games leading to Wembley, and handling stupid questions. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and Art de Roche. pod.fo/e/3a272d

Who has laid on a bed of nails and torn their own fingernails out in shame because Arsenal dare to be top of the league playing in such a beastly way? If not, chirpier options are available. Here's Handbrake Off, with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @gunnerblog.bsky.social pod.fo/e/39d63f

A nice relaxing chat on Handbrake Off in keeping with the prevailing mood described by @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social as 'football is pain'. @adrianjclarke.bsky.social took it in his stride but still chose a song (which I didn't know) about making things complicated. After a win! pod.fo/e/39b3a4

Dr Raya, heart specialist, to the rescue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Welcome to an episode of Carry On Handbrake, which took an unexpectedly bawdy turn towards the end. A few giggles as well as the usual chatter as we look ahead to the weekend. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and Art de Roche. pod.fo/e/397a9d

30 years ago round about *now* I found myself sitting in the press box toilet at the back of the stand at Selhurst Park in a panic. It was my first time writing something to be published in a national newspaper. It was also the worst case of writers block I ever experienced in my life. 🧵

I think about this tweet every time I feel something online start to curl its annoying little grip into my head

Arsenal have waited ages for the attack to catch fire. Eze and Gyokeres, uninhibited and aided by Saka's renewed excellence, looked like the players Arsenal always wanted them to be. May not be such easy pickings every week so let's see if it is a turning point. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Handbrake? What handbrake? Eze and Gyokeres speed through the gears at Tottenham. A decent chat here with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social, @adrianjclarke.bsky.social pod.fo/e/3951f8

Arsenal have waited ages for the attack to catch fire. Eze and Gyokeres, uninhibited and aided by Saka's renewed excellence, looked like the players Arsenal always wanted them to be. May not be such easy pickings every week so let's see if it is a turning point. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

What it means.

The welcome on the approach up Tottenham High Road. Keep your wits about you on and off the pitch…

Overheard gallows humour on the (very) delayed last train out of Wolverhampton. “Bring back Chamakh!” “Bring back Park!” “Bring back Lord Bendtner!” “Bring back Lucas Perez!” We aren’t even at Coventry. X

Bukayo Saka is set to do a decade of first team football at Arsenal as a home-grown one club man. That is pretty rare these days. He keeps signing those contracts. Here's some words on a beautiful bond between player and club. 🔴 www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Also, Producer Robby has started putting together a Spotify playlist of our 'let's have a song' section, if that floats your boat. Some of it is pretty decent ;) x open.spotify.com/playlist/6cg...

Would it be a terrible thing if everyone on the Handbrake Off podcast agreed that the same person was due a custard pie? That and much less important Arsenal-related stuff here. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social pod.fo/e/39079f

If you want a little distraction to help you move on here's a beautiful account of the "greatest 15 minutes" of Kim Källstrom's life, during Arsenal v Wigan in the FA Cup. I really love this. arseblog.news/2016/07/kim-...

Time will tell the value of this point. It was certainly hard earned after Arsenal got Arsenaled via set piece hell. Mosquera and Rice produced game saving moments. Not so easy to find match winning moments though. Second hardest game of the run-in out the way. www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Here's an appreciation of the Rice-Zubimendi partnership. They remind me a bit of how Vieira-Petit, then Vieira-Gilberto, played with that lovely balance. If one goes, the other stays, and vice versa. Rice-Zubimendi is turning into a brilliant midfield heartbeat. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Here's an appreciation of the Rice-Zubimendi partnership. They remind me a bit of how Vieira-Petit, then Vieira-Gilberto, played with that lovely balance. If one goes, the other stays, and vice versa. Rice-Zubimendi is turning into a brilliant midfield heartbeat. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Handbrake Off pod got together to chew over the weekend football. My favourite bit was @adrianjclarke.bsky.social telling everyone to 'kill the vibe'. Also with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social. Enjoy x pod.fo/e/38b86c