Hello one and all.
It looks like I’ll be doing the post game blogs this year, so I’m going to assume that everyone has seen the game, therefore I wont be going through the action because who am I to te
ll you what you have seen. So I will just let you know my thinking and in the comments you can all put me right.
There is much to be happy about and some to be less so happy about.
5-0 and top of the league after game day 2 is about as good as the numbers get. No complaints there then.
Gyokeres scored his first goal and it looked like a typical Gyokeres goal. He made a run into the left channel, cut in, kept good close control and slotted in through a now quit crowded box, into .the near post. The lad looks vey quick, strong and composed. Once his team mate learn to put early ball into the spaces, he could be just the ticket. He also lashed a penalty in with a confidence built on successfully scoring 28 of 29 previous attempts. I hope he take on, and is given, the responsibility of spot kick going forward.
Noni Madueke had a decent game on the left, for me doing better than Martinelli normally does, but the little spell when he moved to the right, he looked much more comfortable and dangerous. Which is good news because with the Saka injury that’s where he will be playing. The Saka injury is a worry, because if it’s the same Hammy, it migh indicate things to come. Let’s hope not, because he’s a bobby dazzler, the goal he lashed in yesterday, with his right foot no less, was a thing to behold.
Timber got MOTM for a good glancing header, a scruffy poke in and a great little through ball assits, on top of a very competent defending display. He’s quite the player too, Ben White has a job on to disloge him.
Max Dowman made his ELP debut and my wood, what a talent. There is no “over hype” with this lad, he’s incredible. 15 years old, hasn’t had his first shave, a year away from his GCSEs and playing like he owns the gaff. He won the penalty too. He’s my new favourite Arsenal player. I’ve never seen a lad anywhere near his level at that age. So exciting.
The defence and Raya look so good and with Zubimendi sitting in front of them, I can’t imagine there is a better defence in world football. Zubimendi looks quck and composed, gets passes away under pressure and I’m sure he will soon me more adventurous once he feels establish in the team.
Right, now the less good stuff. 3 of the 5 goal were from set pieces, so although they count exactly the same as open play goals, and are hugely important, it does indicate that we were not as free flowing and dominate as the 5-0 suggests. In fact until injury time in the first half, it was a tiresome game to watch. We scored of ever attempt on target, that is totally unsustainable. So I don’t think all is rosy on the carpet. But the early signs are encouraging.
Pedantic George.
Positively Arsenal 
I thought it was an exceptional game for the Gunners against an admittedly weak, newly promoted Leeds side who’s endeavour to play out from the back was a tad tragic against vastly superior opposition.
I’ve rarely seen such an accomplished result from a side bedding in so many newbies (with more to come).
Saka’s injury is a new one, different leg from the old, so presumably that’s ‘good’ news?
I read Gyokeres has been appointed penalty-taker-in-chief, which is further good news given Saka’s predicament.
Admired Madueke from afar last season so I’m thrilled he’s already having a big positive impact. But not as thrilled as I was by the news of Eze’s capture and the release of Max who did a madness winning a deserved penalty quite late on.
Looking forward to Liverpool, already a 6 pointer, it would seem.
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“my wood what a talent” yes I am excited by Max but I am not quite at hard on proportions just yet.
The penalty came from a dribble into the box so really that counts as coming from open play, so probably three-two in favour of open play. Even though Max done a Pires and left is leg there, he will have to be careful about that because if pigmol spot it he will never get a penalty again.
The results have been brilliant but it is difficult to see exactly where we are because this early in the season you just don’t know the quality of the opposition you have beat.
We do know historically getting a result at the old toilet is rare and Leeds play better when they have possession. So six points, six goals and none against is difficult to achieve. To get nine after three games will be even more difficult.
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Arsenal reach agreement for Shamrock Rovers 16yo Victor Ozhianvuna. Deal not signed but now in place + worth Ireland record fee. #ShamrockRovers midfielder to join #AFC on pre-contract & arrive Jan 2027
This is one Ed has been telling us about for a while now, Orstein now confirms, better late than never David.
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Arsenal have according to several media outlets in Ireland broken the League of Ireland transfer record by agreeing a €2m deal with Shamrock Rovers for 16 year old Victor Ozhianvuna, he will stay with Rovers till he turns 18 in January 2027. He is a regular in the Shamrock Rovers first team squad this season, as they top the League of Ireland and are going well in Europe. Ozhianvuna can play a variety of positions, but is best as an attacking midfielder or wide forward. Arsenal have been scouting him since he impressed in a tournament for Rovers at Hale End in 2022, seems Max Dowman played for Arsenal in that event.
Arsenal are also still scouting Michael Noonan a 17 year old striker at Shamrock Rovers too, but it seems Man City might be ahead of us for his signature.
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on Max Dowman’s penalty award, thank God the leeds defender trod on his toe before Max done a vardy like leg out to win it with a dive. I really don’t like it when players of other clubs do it, and I most certainly don’t like it when one of ours does it. Have had a few arguments online today with fellow Gooners over this. Some just point blank refuse to admit what their eyes have seen just cos he plays for Arsenal. I keep saying it, fans have to call out their own cheats if they want to be taken seriously when calling out opposing clubs cheats. As I said above, thankfully Max was fouled first, but that was by chance. Even Adrian Clarke on commentary for Arsenal.com spotted the leg dangle, and it took a second or third look for him to spot the toe being trod on before he could overlook the leg dangle to make contact.
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anyone see the freekick goal by first year scholar Malik Hashi for the U18’s yesterday, a real beauty from the edge of the D, left foot curler into top right corner at speed. the lad turns 17 in early September. He scored as a sub last week for the U18’s, as did fellow sub O’Neill, and both started yesterday with O’Neill scoring 2 and Hashi scoring again. So a good start to the season for both lads.
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some reports that the initial scans on Odegaard and Saka have good news, that neither is as badly injured as first feared, now what that means exactly I don’t know, other than Arteta was certainly concerned that Saka had a significant injury, so for Saka good news might be 4 to 6 weeks instead of 3 to 6 months. Odegaard could be days or back after the international break.
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one other injury update, Gabriel Jesus posted that he is back doing ball work as he comes back from his long term injury.
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the transfer window shuts tomorrow week. As things stand Arsenal have a full 25 man senior squad plus 4 u21 players who have played for the first team, MLS, Nwaneri, Dowman and Mosquera.
We also have many players in that 25 with injury concerns, Norgaard is currently out short term, as is White, we don’t know how long Saka, Odegaard, Havertz and Jesus will be out for. Calafirori and Timber have history of injuries too, as has Zinchenko and Nelson.
Reports suggest we are very open, even actively looking to move out Zinchenko, Kiwior, Lokonga, Vieira and Nelson. If we do move out all 5, surely we have to bring in at the very least one more left sided defender, and with the above injury concerns maybe a CF or/and wide forward.
I fear we move out all five, and bring in one defender more, Robinson of Fulham is being linked, as has Leif Davis, also liked is Jacquet of Rennes. With the only way another forward comes in is if Martinelli is sold for a big fee. But we would be leaving ourselves thin squaded once again. Yes a higher quality squad, but thin all the same.
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Piero Hincapié of Bayer Leverkusen being linked with a move to Arsenal, he is a left sided CB or left back.
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https://x.com/i/status/1959531702558294061
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reports that a move for Piero Hincapié is well advanced and is not reliant on others leaving as both Leverkusen and Arsenal are willing to do a loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer, as this would suit both clubs with financial fair play rules.
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Laila Harbert has joined the USA-based side Portland Thorns on loan until January 2026.
The 18-year-old midfielder will now continue her development with the National Women’s Soccer League club.
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Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli have both been called up to the Brazil national team squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month
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U18 Premier League Cup
Arsenal 4 (Marciniak 5, O’Neill 56, 61, Bailey-Joseph 83) Peterborough United 0
that’s now 5 goals in 3 games for O’Neill this season. Last season he was used mostly wide left and wide right, but so far this season he is at CF and the goals are flowing for him.
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Midfielder Dan Casey who was out U18’s top scorer last season is on verge of move to Crystal Palace, a compensation deal is being sorted out between the clubs. AFC did offer the lad a pro contract but by all accounts it was almost insulting how poor it was, and after how he was snubbed at U21 level last season it was no surprise that he decided to leave. Good luck to him.
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6 days of the transfer window left and most of the rumors of Arsenal out goings of senior players are loans, and loans with options or obligations.
Kiwior to Porto is said to be a loan with obligation to buy for €27M
Nelson to Fulham is said to be loan with option
and those in for Vieira and Lokonga are discussing loans with options.
Zinchenko is said to be on offer for less than £9M
As for in coming talks are on going with Leverkusen for Piero Hincapié with Arsenal looking to do a loan with obligation, but the stumbling block seems to be the fee we are offering is well below his buyout clause.
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Shamrock rovers manager Stephen Bradley says Victor Ozhianvuna”s move to arsenal is nearly complete. He also added that Victor will be involved in rovers conference league play off tomorrow as he’s returned from a knock
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Grimsby knock man utd out of the league cup 12-11 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw
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Arsenal have been drawn away to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup 3rd round
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Is Grimsby knocking this current manure side out of the league really newsworthy?
All the media, as usual, are banging on about utd, utd, it’d.
They will get better as the season goes on but quite frankly who cares.
Its long gone passed the time when manures air time should be reduced to the same as any other mid table side.
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Bayern (h)
Inter (a)
Atletico (h)
Brugge (a)
Olympiacos (h)
Prague (a)
Kairat (h)
Athletic Club (a)
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Arsenal’s Champions League draw
Bayern Munich (H)
Inter Milan (A)
Atletico Madrid (H)
Club Brugge (A)
Olympiacos (H)
Slavia Prague (A)
Kairat Almaty (H)
Athletic Bilbao (A)
well no really long trips, some big clubs in there, some lesser ones too, no one we can’t beat home or away. Wonder how these fixtures fit in with EPL games and sky games
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Kai Havertz is to have surgery on his knee, its not thought to be a major injuryy but some suggestions that he will be out no more than 3 months.
That has fed into stories linking Arsenal with a loan move with obligation for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, and it seems Villa want to sign Martinelli, again loan with an obligation to buy
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correction, Kai Havertz has had the surgery on his knee.
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Shamrock Rovers and fellow league of Ireland team, Shelbourne, have made it through to the group stages of the European Conference League.
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New post is up
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