Hello and how are you? So, for the second time in our history as a football club, I’m happy to say, the Mighty Cannon will play in the Champions League Final, as we take on the French champions, PSG. KO 6.00pm local ( 5pm UK) in the Puskas arena in Budapest. Expected weather in the Hungarian capital is 24° (feels like 28°) with humidity at 45%, dew point at 12°. There are some thunder storm warnings (yellow).
In many respects, such was the intense slog and grind of our last matches and then the eruption of utter euphoric celebration in reaction to winning the Premier League, that the CL and our run in it, seem to have been put on a back burner?
Perhaps(?) for many of our fans, this is just something of a novelty as the PL reigns supreme. For me it isn’t so.
Our last outing to me, was beyond my expectations as an Arsenal fan, not since I started watching in 77/78 had we reached such a personally exciting moment. It really seemed audacious and ambitious.
At that point we had become such a force, that winning domestic titles and cups was almost normal? But the Champions League was something else, a chance to take our place amongst the elite of the game, in a golden age of football and footballers.
To me Arsène brought a different perspective to Euro competitions, in the same way, from my perspective, he changed Arsenal into a cosmopolitan club. To see his face at the end of the loss to Barcelona, trying to hide such bitter pain, knowing we could have won the game, was almost too much to take. I’ve only watched the highlights once since that night. It was one of two games I couldn’t(can’t) watch, the other being game fifty, a match that leaves me still unable to look at again.
For two seasons we have a good run in the CL, played some good football, and have beaten some great sides. Sometimes we seemed able to breathe more easily as a unit than in the PL? In many ways the CL has been a lot of fun, to play in and for me to write about, more than the PL. Looking back at all the games I feel a bit melancholic, it’s a tough metaphorical mountain to climb, and we’ve quietly and efficiently gone about our business, all those games and here we are at the final of it all.
Saturday’s opponents, narrowly ejected us last season at the semi-final stage, but anything can happen this 30th of May, anything. And that’s why I’m not going to even attempt at predicting at any aspect of this match.
I’m grateful to be back and I hope we can take this one in our stride, and lay aside the ghosts of twenty years ago.
For the last time this season I called up Statto HQ, and they stopped looking on Instagram and blurted out that Arsenal (Champions of England) have a 30.2% chance of winning. PSG ( champions of France) have a 40.7%. Next up, the world cup and the excitement of transfer (mostly fake) news! Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
So COYG!
Mills.
Thanks Mills. a fine season you have had.
It’s fair tom say that this game is the biggest for 20 years, and maybe ever? I say “ever” because we are a target of mockery from other fans because we are the only , what people might call, super club, that hasn’t won it. 20 years ago City and Chelsea hadn’t won it either, but now they have and it’s now go to banter for others to claim we can’t be a super club.
Wining it will make this squad and their manager immortals.
For once I don’t really care how we go about wining as long as we don’t simply try to stop them playing and hope for smash and grab.
Good luck lads, may the force be with you.
Pedantic George.
Positively Arsenal 
Arsenal are actively pursuing plans to enlarge the Emirates stadium and intend making it look more traditional, they want to add some architectural features akin to the sort of stuff at Highbury.
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https://x.com/i/status/2061055641037238458
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A Message From Arsene Wenger To The Arsenal Family.
My dear Arsenal family,
Football can be the most beautiful thing in the world, and also the cruellest. Yesterday we saw both.
I watched our players give everything on that pitch in Budapest their hearts, their souls, their intelligence. They played with the spirit that has defined this club for so long: courage, technical quality, and a refusal to give up even when the moments became difficult. Kai’s early goal, the way we controlled large parts of the game… we were so close again. So very close.
I know how much this hurts. I felt it myself in 2006. That pain is real because the love is real. When you care as deeply as we do at Arsenal, defeat in a final cuts to the bone. But please, do not let this moment define the season or the progress we have made. This team has brought the club back to the very highest level. They have consistency, they have character, and they have shown they belong among Europe’s elite.
To the players: hold your heads high. You have made us proud. To Mikel and the staff: you have built something special keep believing, keep building. To the fans who travelled and those watching everywhere: your support was magnificent, as always. You are the soul of this club.
I had so hoped to be with you on the streets of north London for the parade, to see the smiles, the flags, the pride in every face. But sadly I won’t be able to attend. Travel and health make it difficult at this time. Still, know that my heart will be right there with every single one of you, cheering, singing, and remembering how far we have come together.
The trophy is still missing from the Emirates, yes. But the journey to get there has been magnificent, and the story is not finished. We have come so far. Pain today, but hope and pride forever. We will rise again. Because that is who we are.
Thank you, and I love this club with all my heart.
Arsène Wenger
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Let’s get a few more pillars in the East and West stands to obstruct the views.
Seriously though, I’m expect steeper banking in the lower tier, dropping into the podium and boosting the capacity by a few thousand.
Something I would love, and I think it would be an open goal for the club, is a local non-members’ ballot with a few hundred tickets available at discounted rates for fans who couldn’t usually go. Josh Kroenke surely noticed the power of an engaged fanbase yesterday.
Even more extreme would be the Arsenal equivalent of a ‘grada de animación’, terrace with below concession rates and an upper age limit for the blocks in say Clock End Lower.
So, Ashburton Army on steroids, but maybe more inclusive, and carefully positioned to negate the away fans. There’s a real chance to strike while the iron’s hot and make Arsenal something special while every other PL ground is overrun by depressive older folk.
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“There’s a real chance to strike while the iron’s hot and make Arsenal something special while every other PL ground is overrun by depressive older folk.”
Nah. mixture of everyone. Us old folk were keeping the club going when nobody turned up…14,821 lowest number at Highbury in 1985.
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Yeah Mills I remember on a couple of occasions in the 70’s and 80’s when Denis Hill-Wood issued statements asking fans to turn up as we needed an average of 22,000 to break even, and we were falling below that too often.
Anyway by making the stadium more traditional I think Josh Kroenke actually referenced the facade of Highbury, the iconic look of the outside of Highbury. Also its reported Arsenal want to increase the capacity to 80,000 by changing the incline and the design of the roof. It seems it could take up to 5 years to gain planning permission, and another 5 years to carry out the work. With an estimate of a cost of £500M. The aim is to increase match day revenue by £40M a year. Does anyone really want to see Arsenal move to Wembley for 5 years or more.
There was one wild rumor that Josh Kroenke actually wants to build a whole new 100,000 capacity Stadium akin to the SoFI stadium in LA but looking more like a traditional English football stadium.
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from football tweet
Having recently retired from professional football, 35-year- old Aaron Ramsey completed the Stockholm marathon in 2 hours, 59 minutes. That’s 6 minutes and 51 seconds per mile or 4 minutes and 15 seconds per kilometre. Absolutely insane pace to run.
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Josh Nichols (19) will join Croatian side NK Kustosija following the expiry of his contract at Arsenal at the end of this month
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Ed did you know Saliba was playing with a back injury in the final? Theres a chance he might miss the World Cup
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latest reports Mills on Saliba is that he is fit enough for the world cup but may miss some of the warm up games to help with his back injury.
its confirmed that Katie McCabe has joined Chelsea Women, she missed the parade yesterday.
lots of journalists running with the same list of Arsenal targets, Rodgers of Aston villa, Fernandes of West Ham, Livramento of Newcastle, Kroupi of Bournemouth. Also its reported that we are close to tying up a deal for Jermy Monga of Leicester City, he turns 17 in July. That little lot would not see £350M
Same journos say Arsenal willing to sell Kepa, White, Norgaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Martinelli and Jesus, also Nwaneri might be for sale too, this might depend on his willingness to remain with us if it means being loaned out again this coming season.
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Arsenal are paying the bill for the clean up in Islington after yesterday’s parade.
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it would make a lot of sense for Arsenal to sign players who are experienced in the EPL, should mean less adjustment time. I’d worry about signing Livramento as he has had injury issues and the last thing we need to add is another injury prone player.
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Will miss Katie, shes played well for us over the years. Trouble is she will play well for Chelsea against us! Is it true that she didnt get on with Sleggers? Rumours abound!
Is anyone gonig to take Ben whiles hes crocked, wouldnt that be more like a January sale? Im not sure Trossard will go, Real were interested in Martinelli. I know hes not popular but I like him.Should Kepa stay backup?
Ed do you think we should go in for Rogers? I dont think we should go in for Alvarez. 100 mill is too much.
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well on Katie the reports in Ireland are that she left cos Arsenal offered her only a one year contract, and even that was a late offer, while Chelsea have given her a 3 year contract. Arsenal do not want too many players over the age of 30 on more than one year contracts.
I don’t see Alvarez joining Arsenal, it seems Barcelona are in for him and he prefers to stay in Spain, also it seems Atletico Madrid are seeking nothing less than £120M for him, and for me that is not a good use of our resources.
Ben White is not having an operation and is expected to be fit for preseason. Everton are keen on him, but also have interest in Mosquera. There is rumors that Arsenal would allow Mosquera to go on a season loan to Everton but not willing to sell him. Also I’ve been told that one big reason Arsenal want to hang on to Mosquera is that we want to bring in his younger brother when he turns 18, as some thing the young lad is going to be world class.
On Trossard going, I actually think that Arteta sees Morgan Rodgers as the upgrade for left wing to replace Trossard, although Rodgers now plays mostly as a No.10 for Aston Villa, he actually has a similar playing style to Trossard and likes to take those Trossard type of shots from the edge of the area, likes to float in from wide.
Martinelli has loads of interest and his sale might actually help massively on the financial rules side as it would be almost all profit. Some Saudi clubs are interested, as are Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid.
Several EPL clubs have enquired about Nwaneri, with the interesting one Aston Villa, as we might see Rodgers in and Ethan out.
Reports today say that Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and several european clubs have all asked Bournemouth to name their price for Kroupi. I think this lad would be the perfect striker signing for us, he has massive potential, is versatile, and could ass much more to our attack than Jesus has in recent seasons. And if he develops well he could be our long term striker. I love how cleanly he hits the ball, and how instantly he hits it, as its one thing that drives me mad with our forwards, they all take a touch or two to set up their shot and get closed down and either end up blocked or rushed.
Jermy Monga would be an interesting development signing, he is a big talent with a lot of experience for a lad of his age.
Oh on development, some reports that Arsenal are not close to naming Per’s replacement and that Berta might take on the running of the Academy on a temporary basis, as Arsenal want to take the time to make sure we get the right man, and some rumors that the man we want is employed at another EPL club and it might mean a stint of gardening leave before we can employ him.
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the interesting transfer rumor is Fernandes of West Ham, with some suggesting that now we have moved MLS to midfield we might no longer pursue the west ham player despite us having done all due diligence on him.
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oh and the chelsea player we are linked with this summer is 20 year old defender Josh Acheampong
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youre our transfer man with the info Ed! Thanks, a lot of interesting information.. Whoever comes in I hope it gels thats all.
Im off Ed, see you tomorrow.
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Mills, part of the issue is that it’s not really a mix of everyone and all backgrounds. PL crowds have never skewed older than they do now, and it’s unlikely to change.
For a genuine mix, I do think further concessions need to be made to the people who have either been priced out, or stand, what, a 5% chance in a ballot with a Red Membership to get to the odd game.
Also convinced that a big part of Spurs’ problem in recent years is that enormous wall of lifeless fogies in that South Stand, actually undermining their team. They built this ostensibly intimidating stadium and ended up getting cowed by their own gloomy supporters.
If you build a ground with that kind of layout, you need a certain kind of fan in the parts where it counts. It needn’t be rabid ultras behind the goals—there is another way, and should be room for all. I hate to say it, but Liverpool have it right in this respect.
And I’m no spring chicken—far from it—but an re-injection of youthful energy would not go amiss.
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I use ageist language as self-deprecation btw! No offence intended!
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new world cup rules:
thrown-ins five seconds…
goal kick five seconds…
off field treatment, stay off for one min
anyone covering mouth in aggressive situ…face potential red card
var to check for correctly awarded corners
second yellows to be reviewed
players have ten seconds to leave field at nearest point when subbed, if not new player cannot come on for one minute/until stop in play.
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I have no knowledge about who is actually coming or going but personally I think we will max out squad numbers.
I think we will keep Trossard for an extra season. Martinelli still has the potential to get better and should be kept.
Tommy Setford can now step up and be the number two especially as his football skills puts him nearer to a replacement for Raya than most experienced keepers, who are on their way down in their career.
Ben, unfortunately will go. He is an absolute fan favourite partly for being THE master in the dark arts. During the parade he even threw Odegaards sunglasses into the crowd, not sure if Martin was to impressed.
Ethan has had one bad experience on loan and he could still be a world beater. If he goes his brother goes with him as well. I can’t see ARSENAL taking a risk at losing them both and having egg on their face if one or both turn out to be brilliant.
Christian will definitely go, Jesus should go, but the player that would get the most money in and most wages out is Martin Odegaard. I know Mikel loves him and it’s never going to happen but he is the most replaceable for the most reward.
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Ian, how was the parade?
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Ian would we really risk having Setford as our back up keeper, if Raya got a long term injury we’d have a complete novice in goals. I’d say if Kepa goes, and reports are that he has a £5M release clause and if any club triggers it then it would be up to Kepa.
Some worrying news re Saliba and his back injury, reports in France suggest he will play in the World Cup but have an operation on his back right after it and so would miss the start of next season for Arsenal.
Re – Jeremy Monga, the reported fee is up to £15M, some suggestions it will be £10M fee with another £5M in add ons.
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it seems Victoria Pelova will join Tottenham Women, after her departure from Arsenal.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/uid1XRyPk2h8L9dn7
This was our view at the parade, not sure who the bloke in the yellow shirt is.
The parade was fantastic, obviously much bigger than any of the many I had been to before.
When ARSENAL score you obviously cuddle strangers but I have never cuddled so many strangers in my life.
At times it was magical, quite surreal, like the world had just won or everyone there was right and everyone else was wrong and it had just been confirmed.
At the corner of Seven Sisters and Blackstock Road the crowd, when the buses had gone, was body to body squashed together. The people on the outside was kicking balls high in the air and watching who they come down on. They were mostly plastic but one was a real heavy football. Obviously that one came down and hit me in the face, to a huge cheer from thousands of people. It was one of the biggest achievements in my life.
Someone let a smoke bomb off in Finsbury park tube so that was closed for hours and we had to walk to Manor House which after a long day that was knackering and by the time I got home I was Fucked.
My dodgy knee is now not working and I’m dragging my leg around behind me, but it was totally worth it.
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brilliant Ian! thanks for describing and putting the vid up.
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Real Madrid are being linked with a move for Calafiori,
Everton are being linked with a move for Jesus
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some reports that Marcus Rashford’s agents have been in contact with Arsenal to see if there is any interest in doing a deal, it seems he is available for £25M and utd are willing to sell him to anyone willing to buy him. He is said to be on massive wages.
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reports in France that Arsenal have had a bid worth around €60m rejected by Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi (18), and that Lille want €70 for him. He has played all the way up to U21 for France but has now switched to Morocco and is part of their World Cup squad.
I’ve watched him a few times this season, he is a stylish defensive midfielder with a good passing range.
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Ed, going back to the keeper issue, big clubs have tried to use experienced journeymen keepers at the end of their careers to be number twos. This is changing and good young keepers are stepping up.
When you consider Raya’s standing must be job specific, as we see in the league cup final, recruiting from the ranks is sometimes better. The understanding, with teammates, should be better as well.
I know Tommy hasn’t had a decent loan spell yet but he has experience and must be near stepping up.
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ian he has no real first team experience, one FA Cup game and one League Cup game is not experience, it would be madness to risk having him as our main back up keeper. If he had even a season out on loan it would be something, but you don’t have a novice goalie as your back up if you are going for League and Champions League titles.
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the following young players have been released by Arsenal
Josh Nichols
Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko
Sam Chapman
Harrison Dudziak
Seb Ferdinand
Cam’ron Ismail
Will Lannin-Sweet
Samuel Onyekachukwu
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Lots of reports that Arsenal have won the race to sign Jermy Monga from Leicester City, it might not be announced till next month when he turns 17. A fee of £10m plus add ons of another £5M seems to be the most likely fee. He has played 37 times for Leicester City’s first team, including 7 in the Premier League, and as things stand he is the third youngest player to play in the EPL, behind Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri
talking of Nwaneri there are reports that Newcastle are very interested in him, as are Aston villa.
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Ceadach O’Neill made his senior international debut for Northern Ireland today as he came on as a substitute against Guinea
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have you guys ever seen the whole 1970 world cup final? Some outstanding moments, perhaps football played like that for the first time, (creating a myth?)and kicking us into a modern era yet some of it is real kack, super rhino foot free kicks into row z, some terrible passing.
Gérson was the main main for brazil really, he has some good moments and ok goal no 4 is great as we all know…but italy are knackered and beat at that point, andI realise its blasphemy to say it , quick get Piers to do a vid to say I thick as shit ( hes right), but after the opening 15 mins where brazil look great, much of the game is pretty average, some poor ( bees round the honey pot). Some crazy ref moments too. Its amazing ( as YT cut ups show us everyday?) how edited highlights ( which is all Ive ever seen till tonight), can paint another picture. of course brazil opened a door to football being really beautiful to watch.
What do you think of Piers as an Arsenal fan…having all those photos taken, yet as soon as any of those players disapoint he wont fail to give us his X opinion? Strange that hes always right…?
Nice goal for Martinelli in the Brazil /Japan game. The Japanese just dont give up..
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lots of reports that Newcastle are leading the race to sign Ethan Nwaneri on a season loan.
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Not sure Newcastle would be a good destination for Ethan. He needs a loan where he can play every week and won’t have a stellar signing come in and resign him to the bench.
He needs somewhere that it’s acceptable for the team to lose but can achieve something big if they do well.
A decent loan destination is really tricky as each player needs something different.
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ian it seems where ever Ethan Nwaneri goes on loan Arsenal want guarantees about playing time, he was meant to have that at Marseille with the clause his loan fee would be more if he did not play, but when they changed manager he barely featured after being well in the plans of the former manager.
its reported that 8 EPL clubs have enquired for him, but some of them want to sign him permanent
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loads of reports that Arsenal have made an offer to PSG U19 captian Emanuel Mbeumba who recently turned 18. PSG have offered him a pro deal, but he is weighing up his options. He can play left CB or left back. It seems Arsenal have mapped out a pathway to the first team for him at left back, but if he does sign he will seemingly have to go on loan till at least January as he does not yet qualify for a work permit in Brexit Britain
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Emanuel Mbeumba if signed would come in for a compensation fee, thought to be around £150K
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ethan nwaneri is a sub for England senior team in their friendly v New Zealand
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Arsenal have also made offers to Elijah Upson (18) of Spurs and to Samuel Amissah (19) of Fulham, both are out of contract this summer.
Upson is the son of former Arsenal player Matthew Upson, and like his dad is a CB.
Amissah is also a CB and was an unused sub on many occasions for the Fulham first team this season.
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Trossard and Havertz scored in International friendlies today.
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Arsenal now being linked with Morgan Gibbs-White
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Gibbs-White would be a fantastic signing, so versatile, but difficult to get.
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would be nice to see Elijah Upson join Arsenal, 29 years after his father, Matthew Upson joined Arsenal from Luton Town.
Its thought that he would be signed mainly for the U21’s who are in need of defenders.
spurs offered him a pro deal but he has turned it down, and I think that him being offered a pro deal would mean spurs would be entitled to some compensation.
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According to reports Ona Battle and Georgia Stanway have signed their respective pre-contracts with Arsenal Women, and the deals will be announced next month.
Arsenal women are being linked with several other top talents, the latest being Lisa Baum a 19 year old German midfielder/wide right
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Today Arsenal linked with Tonali of Newcastle and Scott of Bournemouth
Also David Ornstein said he expects Arsenal to make several high quality, high price signings this summer.
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Arsenal have sacked their head doctor Zafar Iqbal, seemingly it was an out of the blue sacking
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U21 manger Max Porter has left Arsenal and is joining up with Stoke as part of their first team management team.
it means Arsenal will be appointing their 6th U21 manger since 2018
Porter (2025-2026) Ali (2022-2025) Betsy (2021-2022) Bould (2019-2021) Ljungberg (2018-2019)
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