Made by debut on Handbrake Off this morning. Spoke about the win over Sporting, why #Arsenal are training with pens, and previewed the Bournemouth game with Art de Roche (with cameos from @gunnerblog.bsky.social & @amylawrence.bsky.social) Enjoy! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...

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...

"I don't know how long my heart can take supporting #Arsenal." #AFC games this season have often been tense, holding onto slender leads or scoring late winners. So, I analysed my heart rate throughout the win over Everton. Story for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Also, very glad that it was the fantastic duo of Seb Hutchinson and Alan Smith commentating over Dowman’s big moment today and not you know who! #AFC

You genuinely could not write a better script than that. Max Dowman, welcome to your Kodak moment. #AFC

HT thoughts: - Nice moments but frustrating overall - Denied a STONEWALL penalty - Zubi showing signs of early-season form + Havertz's movement and link-up has been refreshing - #AFC rode their luck at times (Calafiori block was spectacular) - Mosquera coming on before White was intriguing

Could be Saka No.10 with Eze and Madueke wide Or the return of Madueke LW (first time since Chelsea away in November) Either way, a nice starting XI with some refreshing changes. Excited. #AFC

Handy news for #Arsenal Leverkusen hosting Bayern today, three days before the second leg on Tuesday. They haven't been able to rest too many players - only two changes from their line-up on Wednesday. They are three points off a Champions League place and need the points. #AFC

James and Saka have both signed new deals for #Chelsea and #Arsenal recently. Both came through their club's academies to become fan favorites, star players, and captains (Saka not permanent captain). Such a rare thing and a huge accomplishment.

your FIFA Peace prize winner, ladies and gentlemen...🚮

I too am in the 'Would like to see Myles Lewis-Skelly get minutes in midfield' brigade. It has been 63 days since he last played a Premier League game. #AFC

I too am in the 'Would like to see Myles Lewis-Skelly get minutes in midfield' brigade. It has been 63 days since he last played a Premier League game. #AFC

Reaction to Saka's performance is interesting. Hard to criticise a fan favourite with so much credit in the bank, but he struggled yesterday. Was also captain and just signed a big-money deal. The midpoint between defending him and rightfully expecting more from your best attacker. #AFC

Big games require big decisions. Arteta made one, withdrawing a disappointing Saka on the hour mark. Noni Madueke provided the manager with his reward and "changed the game". For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, from Leverkusen 🔴⚪️🇩🇪 www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Brighton's final shot of the game, per Opta, came with 68:28 on the clock. After that they had four touches in the box. Arsenal had nine in theirs. I'd stand by what I said that this wasn't a good Arsenal performance in totality but it was a very good last quarter.

What a night for Arsenal fans: 🔴 7 points clear after a nail-biting 90 mins ⚪️ Saka scores on his 300th appearance 🔴 City twice surrender lead to draw ⚪️ West Ham win sucks Spurs further into relegation battle @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

HT thoughts: - Gabriel phenomenal - main reason #Arsenal haven't conceded #AFC's build-up poor - Zubi & Rice (probs fatigue) making too many mistakes - Probably Gyokeres' worst half of football in an #AFC shirt - #AFC need to keep ball better (42% possession)

Tonight will be Gabriel Martinelli's 9th Premier League start of the season. He has no goals or assists in those 8 PL starts, and #Arsenal have won just 4 of those games. Not sure why we haven't seen Madueke on the left wing since Chelsea away on 30th November. #AFC

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

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...

Player is racially abused. Clubs/organisations post performative statements: "No room for racism" "No place in our game or our society" "We offer XXX our full support" "Football is for everyone" Cycle repeats🥱. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Declan Rice has described Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Wolves as “sickening” and revealed that “heated” discussions were had by the squad after the game. More from @nnamdionye.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Still don't get the reluctance to use the big squad that #Arsenal have built. Timber and Zubi have visibly fatigued recently but Norgaard and White (122) have played 132 minutes of PL football between them in 2026. Surely, there were times #AFC could have freshened things up?

Arsenal are introducing Safe Standing at the Emirates from next season. 🔺 What is being proposed & where? 🔺 What does this mean for stadium expansion plans? 🔺 How might it change the matchday atmosphere? w/ @amylawrence.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

29th November 2018: #Arsenal vs Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League. 17-year-old Bukayo Saka comes on in luminous yellow boots and the No 87 on his back to replace Aaron Ramsey. "The rest is his story." - wonderful from @amylawrence.bsky.social ✍️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/699... #AFC

When it comes to Jose Mourinho's comments about Vinicius Junior alleging he was racially abused by a Benfica player, it is difficult to know where to start. But the line about Benfica legend Eusebio is as good a place as any. ✍️ @nickmiller79.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Gyokeres was really good last night, especially in an aspect of his game that he has struggled with all season - hold-up play. Continuing to show signs of improvement. Also, Rice was fantastic. Best #Arsenal player on the pitch. Spoke really well after the game, too. #AFC

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...

🚨 Kai Havertz has suffered a muscular injury & is set for a spell out of the Arsenal team. 26 y/o now expected to miss #NLD on Feb 22. Not thought to be severe but blow for #AFC given his form. Story w/ @davidornstein0.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

CORRECTION: It will be the seventh time. vs United (Carrick's second game) #Arsenal have won 4 of those 5 games with Wigan and Spurs to come. #AFC

I’ve noticed #Arsenal keep facing newly-appointed managers this season: Vs Forest (Ange’s 1st game) Vs West West Ham (Nuno’s 2nd game) Vs Club Brugge (Leko’s 1st game) Vs Chelsea (Rosenior’s 2nd game) Vs Wigan (Whelan’s 2nd game?) Vs Spurs (?’s first game) #AFC

#Chelsea head coach Rosenior accuses #Arsenal of lacking respect. “There are certain etiquettes in football. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal. I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.” Full story on @theathleticfc.bsky.social - www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Pep Guardiola used a news conference to speak out on a range of humanitarian issues, including calling the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by U.S. federal agents indefensible and again expressing his support for Palestinians. More from Sam Lee & @lukebosher.bsky.social

Liverpool’s opening game of the new Premier League season was paused after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported he had been racially abused by a supporter at Anfield. More from @nnamdionye.bsky.social

I haven't got a problem with Zinchenko's comments btw. He acknowledges how difficult it is to go from the starting XI to an unused sub, says he is grateful to be getting the wage he gets, and heaps praise on MLS. Extremely candid and refreshing honesty imo. Full story below.

Visit Tottenham. Because anything would be better than Visit Rwanda. Sign the petition here. #GunnersForPeace www.gunnersforpeace.co.uk

Galacticos Schmalacticos. Wrote a shamelessly nostalgic revisit of the Arsenal-Real Madrid adventure in 2006. The oddest back four, Henry strutting his stuff, and the rest. It all came together to create something that felt impossible. www.nytimes.com/athletic/626...

Neymar has been included in the Brazil national team squad for their upcoming March fixtures. He has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven games for Santos since rejoining in January. @nnamdionye.bsky.social

Ousmane Dembele is hooping out there, my word.

It’s been said so many times by now, but Rice is fantastic in interviews. he’s not bad on the pitch either.

In dismissing the Africa Cup of Nations' status as a 'major tournament', Jamie Carragher reflected a wider issue of how the competition is regarded in football. @jaydmharris.bsky.social explains why there should be no doubting AFCON's importance. www.nytimes.com/athletic/615...

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that centre-back Antonio Rudiger is ready to return for his side’s Champions League play-off second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday. More from Guillermo Rai and @nnamdionye.bsky.social

After Havertz collapsed on the pitch against Wolves on January 25th (10 days before the transfer window closed), he played: - 20 minutes against Girona. -90 minutes against Man City. - 90 Minutes against Newcastle. Those three games were all in the space of 7 days.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is set to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a torn hamstring during the team’s training camp in Dubai. Full story from @david-ornstein.bsky.social and @gunnerblog.bsky.social ⤵️

Dead bodies are decomposing on the streets of Goma. The UN has described “immense human suffering” and a death toll nearing 3,000, following a Rwanda-backed offensive. Arsenal’s sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda has become impossible to justify. www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...

Kai Havertz has suffered a suspected muscular injury at Arsenal’s training camp in Dubai. Will be assessed. Considerable concern for Arsenal given their paucity of attacking options. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...

Do we all want this Rashford debut goal then?

Annoying because I felt that Martinelli was just starting to impress on the right wing. He was bright against Villa, Wolves, and City. I have no doubts that Nwaneri will be more than fine but I worry about his workload over the next month and a bit. #afc

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli faces more than a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury suffered in Wednesday’s EFL Cup loss at Newcastle United. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/612...