Arsenal vs Brentford FT thoughts: Almost made it a scrap in the end when we should have been comfortably 2–0 or 3–0 up. We got the job done, and Raya earns a well-deserved clean sheet. The only worrying thing is that we can’t catch a break with injuries and seem to lose a player every game.

Arsenal vs Brentford HT thoughts: Beautiful piece of play to open the scoring early on. White is causing all sorts of trouble with his overlapping runs on that RHS. Raya produced a blinder to keep Brentford from equalising. We need to bury these half-chances in the 2nd half and kill the game.

I would have wanted Rice rested as well, but with Saliba and Gabriel out, Mosquera and Hincapie need the technical security of Zubi and Rice ahead of them. Ben White and Madueke getting minutes is much needed for this winter stretch.

A soft landing after a soaring week for the Gunners.

Brentford (h) on Wednesday is a huge opportunity for Arteta to rest and rotate heavily. I would certainly like to see White, Nørgaard, Ødegaard, Madueke and Gyökeres get minutes. And ideally Timber, Rice, Saka and Merino should be rested.

Chelsea vs Arsenal FT thoughts: Our worst performance of the season since United away. But credit to Chelsea — they were relentless even with 10 men, and Reece James played a blinder. A draw seems a more than fair result in the end, but given the context, it is two points dropped.

Chelsea vs Arsenal HT thoughts: With both Saliba and Gabriel missing, we’re truly lacking composure at the back and picked up some needless yellows. We had no control of the game until that Caicedo red, which was a disgusting challenge. We need a big second-half performance.

That should end the Rice vs Caicedo debate. Thank you, bye-bye.

This weekend is another tricky away fixture. Our recent record at the Bridge has been pretty good, but Chelsea are building momentum with no goals conceded in their last 4 games. That being said, we should be looking to take all 3 points to further extend our lead at the top.

A symbolic win that shows how far Arsenal have evolved.

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich FT thoughts: We have slayed the demon in the form of Bayern Munich & that was a statement win. The second-half performance was some of the best football we’ve played this season. What’s frightening is that the scoreline flatters Bayern, as it could have been a drubbing.

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich HT thoughts: Bayern are by far the best team we have faced so far this season, & Arsenal are equally up for the challenge. We could have made it 2–0 but went on to concede at the other end. You can only applaud that Bayern goal. Hope Trossard’s injury isn’t too serious.

I was expecting one of Martinelli/Madueke to start instead of Trossard, but given the form Trossard is in, you definitely want him to start.

We are 24–11 down on aggregate against Bayern. So more than the three points, I feel that Bayern are the final demon Arsenal need to put to bed. If we do that, the belief will be sky high for the remainder of the season.

A North London Derby win where it all worked out.

I don’t think Arteta and Arsenal worked on tactics this week. It was all about getting the tifo right.

Arsenal vs Tottenham FT thoughts: What a result and what a brilliant hat-trick for Eze. Completely dominated and played Tottenham off the park. They didn’t even deserve the goal, but that’s the least of our worries. Derby wins are always sweet, but this one was extra special.

Let it all work out!

Arsenal vs Tottenham HT thoughts: The brilliant tifo pretty much set the tone for the derby. It looked like, for all our possession, we didn’t ask enough questions of Vicario. But then that Merino ball to find Trossard opened the floodgates, and Eze scoring was written in the stars.

They say form goes out of the window in a derby, but Arsenal have more than enough quality, even with all the injuries, to win comfortably. Also, it’s at the Emirates, so anything other than a win would be disappointing.

The old demons Arteta's Arsenal must battle in order to heal.

I get the pride in representing your national team, but if you’re managing your load, then risking it for a game with no jeopardy is asking for trouble. This could have been easily avoided, and somehow our players never learn.

There’s regulatory compliance in every other field, so how hard can it really be to bring it into football, especially the Premier League? The rules are already in place. All that’s missing is an independent third-party body with qualified auditors to review every single game.

Sunderland vs. Arsenal felt like a lesson in variance and a quiet reminder of what football can be sometimes.

Sunderland vs Arsenal FT thoughts: 🔹Plenty of ways to look at that result, but the immediate reaction is that it feels like two points dropped. 🔹Really gutting to see both our clean sheet and winning run end in the same game.

Sunderland vs Arsenal HT thoughts: 🔹Arsenal’s defence finally breached, and Sunderland have been really impressive in that first half. 🔹Rice and Gabriel both seemed to misjudge the initial ball, which gave Ballard just enough space for a well-taken goal.

This makes the Sunderland game even trickier. Eze and Saka have a big task ahead of them and need to step up.

Football’s quietest revolution is happening in the art of defending.

Slavia Praha vs Arsenal FT thoughts: 🔹The perfect start to the second half, that early goal completely killed the game. 🔹Trossard is quietly having a really solid start to the season, and his cross-ball to find Merino for the second was pure quality.

A thoughtful reflection on Mikel Merino.

Slavia Praha vs Arsenal HT thoughts: 🔹The starting XI pretty much picked itself given our attacking injuries. 🔹Slavia did well to keep us quiet in the opening 20 minutes. 🔹Saka hasn’t done much, but every time he’s taken a shot, their keeper’s looked troubled.

This makes the Sunderland game even trickier. Eze and Saka have a big task ahead of them and need to step up.

More than the three points tomorrow, I think it’s even more important that Declan Rice avoids a yellow card and suspension for the Bayern Munich game. It may just be the league phase, but I want us to go full strength for that one, and Rice is absolutely indispensable to that.

Once accussed of being soft, Arsenal now carry the kind of strength that doesn’t need to shout.

Burnley vs Arsenal FT thoughts: 🔹Another win and another clean sheet, making it seven in a row. 🔹Hopefully the Gyökeres sub at half-time was just precautionary and nothing serious. 🔹The second half was almost a non-event from Arsenal; it felt like we were inviting Burnley to have a go.

Unpopular Opinion: Declan Rice is Mikel Arteta’s version of Yaya Touré.

When I concede a shot on target, I’m upset.

Burnley vs Arsenal HT thoughts: 🔹After a slow and cautious start, we’ve taken total control of the game. 🔹Another corner and another goal, it’s just become the Arsenal norm. 🔹How is Declan Rice’s delivery not talked about more? The accuracy and whip on those balls are unreal.

Apart from continuing our winning run, today is another chance to put the pressure back on the traditional big six and even extend our lead at the top of the table.

Arsenal vs Brighton FT thoughts: 🔹A much-improved second-half performance to seal our place in the quarter-finals. 🔹Both goals were Vintage Arsenal. Hope the neutrals took notes. 🔹The opener was tika-taka at its finest, capped off by a composed Nwaneri finish.

Arsenal vs Brighton HT thoughts: 🔹We’ve looked disjointed and chaotic which is expected, given the number of changes made. 🔹Brighton have been the better side so far and created the clearer chances. 🔹Max Dowman has been our brightest spark, already showing impressive maturity in his play.

It’s actually a Hale End front four when you clock it.

Arteta channeling his inner Arsène is it?! What a beautiful moment for Dowman and Harriman-Annous.

Cup competitions are always tricky, and given Brighton’s recent success against us at the Emirates, this one won’t be straightforward. They knocked us out of this very competition back in 22/23 in the third round. We’ve built a strong run of form, so it’s important to keep that momentum going.

As much as I think Gyökeres deserves a rest, playing without a recognised #9 against Brighton in a cup tie feels like inviting pressure. I’d start Gyökeres and give him an hour. Also prefer Merino operating from that left #8 role as he gives the team better balance in buildup.

Arteta’s cup record, especially in domestic competitions, still needs improvement. Our League Cup history isn’t particularly impressive either. But now that we’ve built real squad depth, we finally have the luxury to rotate and still field a strong side. We need to go the distance this time around.

Some wins don't take your breath away; they steady it. Arsenal's win against Crystal Palace was one of those.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace FT thoughts: 🔹The first 15 minutes of the second half were much better, and Gabriel was unlucky not to see his header hit the back of the net. 🔹We looked knackered by the 70th minute, and Palace grew into the game as it went on.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace HT thoughts: 🔹Lacklustre first-half performance and we look like a team still carrying a Champions League hangover. 🔹For all the possession, there was no real threat for the Palace defence to deal with. 🔹Palace look the more dangerous side and were more likely to score.

There are no easy games in the Premier League. Chelsea’s home defeat to Sunderland and Liverpool’s loss away to Brentford are further proof that you just have to deal with whatever’s in front of you and not get carried away.