Arsenal slew Brentford and their negative tactics in the latest dramatic chapter of their 2023-24 Premier League season. In this #UncensoredArsenal podcast both Shotta and Blackburn George were impressed by the manner in which Arsenal gained the victory, increasing their intensity from the 1st to 2nd half as Expected Goals, Number of Shots and Corner Attempts significantly increased prior to the winning goal. Once again the podcast is “eating humble pie” for prematurely writing off Kai Havertz. George stresses that criticism was valid when he was playing the midfield Xhaka role but it must be acknowledged he has been outstanding playing as a false 9. The podcast concluded with thoughts about whether Arsenal’s title prospects are better than the failed challenge of 2022-23.

Arsenal spanked Newcastle in the first half with high energy pressing and total domination with the ball. Then showed the other side to their game by strolling through the second half while still doubling the total goals.

In this #UncensoredArsenal review of Burnly vs Arsenal Shotta and Blackburn George are eating loads of humble pie from start to finish. Contrary to their pre winter-break pessimism that the team was way off the standards of last season, the Gooners have gone on a goalscoring spree in the last 4 games together with an impervious defense that has rarely allowed more than 1 shot on target by the opposition. The first XI continue to put up sensational performances particularly Martin Odegaard who George has dubbed the “new Cesc Fabregas.”

In this #UncensoredArsenal review of Arsenal’s comprehensive 6-0 demolition of West Ham, Shotta and Blackburn George highlight the stats validating the sensational individual player performances of the entire starting XI. According to whoscored.com everyone had a rating of at least 8 out of 10 and all but one starter had over 90% pass completion. At the end of the day they were unable to select a Man-of-the-Match between Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

In this #UncensoredArsenal review of the latest Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Liverpool, Shotta and Blackburn George highlight that this was a big win for the #Gooners and give their opinion about its significance.

In this #UncensoredArsenal review of the FA Cup tie featuring Arsenal v Liverpool, Shotta and Blackburn George note that while it is difficult for #gooners to come out publicly and admit it, there is no denying Arsenal are in a slump. While Arsenal are an energetic, pressing team especially in the first half of games, it is clear opposing teams have sussed them out and the Gunners are finding it harder and harder to score goals as the game wears on. They recommend a rethink by Arteta while fans need to stand united behind the team if we are to at least make top-4 this season.

In their Arsenal-West Ham review for the #UncensoredArsenal, both Shotta and Blackburn George are critical of the goal-scoring impotence of the Gooners despite their massive superiority in possession. They both agree that it is time for a change; either a change the system or an upgrade to the strikers

In their #UncensoredArsenal match review of Liverpool v Arsenal, Shotta and Blackburn George are impressed by the improvements the Gunners demonstrated over prior years in fighting Liverpool to a standstill at their stadium. Despite the 2nd year in a row being top of the league at Christmas they have lagging doubts as to whether Arsenal have the quality to win the title. Given the evident progress of Arsenal these past years they are alarmed that some Gooners have made Zinchenko and Martinelli scapegoats for whatever shortcomings the team may have.

In their #UncensoredArsenal review of Arsenal vs Burnley Blackburn George and Shotta express mixed emotions over the manner the Gunners went about securing their victory. It was good to gain the points needed to stay second in the tables but, with the far superior squad, Arsenal resorted to the negative, retrograde tactics reminiscent of Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis; maintain a strong defense and rely on set plays to win the game. Will this be sufficient to win the title?

In this #UncensoredArsenal match review of Newcastle v Arsenal, Shotta and Blackburn George consider what was the primary reason for the Gunners first defeat of the season. They concur that both the on-field referees and VAR were awful when it came to both teams. This was most evident when the officials refused to call at least one blatant foul in the build up to Newcastle’s goal. But both commentators highlight the under-performance of the Gunners who only had one shot on target for the entire game. In George’s opinion performances this season are not as good as the previous and fears that Arsenal will struggle for top-4 unless they adopt more flexible tactics.