‘Arsenal decide to join the madness’
An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective.
Have you noticed how nuts this Premier League season has been?
People often say that anyone can beat anyone in the Premier league and that is true, but it actually doesn’t happen quite like it has this season.
It hasn’t been defeats as much as draws and dropped points, especially recently.
Beyond that, teams have been going up and down the league as frequently as a construction worker on his ladder.
Bournemouth in the Top 4, Bournemouth collapse. Villa down, Villa up. Brentford down, Brentford now in fifth. Sunderland in the top four, Sunderland in mid table.
Every three weeks Manchester United think that they are going to qualify for the Champions League and then they are back where they belong in mid-table.
Tottenham up (not much), Tottenham return to the bottom third of the league.
Liverpool good. Liverpool plummet.
Newcastle can’t decide if they are having a terrible season or could get into the top four.
Chelsea have spent the whole season on the ladder. Brighton consistently are the most inconsistent team in the league. Palace were recently in Champions League contention, and now are closer to relegation.
The bottom three are seven, eight and fourteen points adrift with half of the season remaining.
I’ve seen far worse teams than Wolves playing in the Premier League. Lots of them. But up until last week, Wolves hadn’t won a game.
Manchester City have been far more fallible than they should be.
Truly, the only consistent team in the league have been Arsenal.
That isn’t talked about and the media absolutely don’t want to recognize this because Arsenal are enemy number one for some reason.
Jealousy.
Before the Liverpool game started I felt so very confident that we were going to thrash them. I’m not normally cocky like that, but Liverpool have been trying to get their coach fired for quite a while and this seemed like a good game for them to fold quickly.
Liverpool were striker–less and are in fairly rotten form and so this didn’t seem too far-fetched.
Then, for some reason on Thursday, Arsenal decided to join the madness.
Not only was the result unexpected but the second half was unlike any other I’ve seen at the Emirates for a few years. Arsenal looked nervous and unable to play the way they do every single other game.
When was the last time that everybody apart from Raya was six out of ten? Raya wasn’t much higher because he was largely unemployed.
There were so many parts of the game that were so off.
Look at this stat…
No Duels Won " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-450x240.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-780x417.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49961" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-780x417.jpeg" alt="No Duels Won" width="780" height="417" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-780x417.jpeg 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-450x240.jpeg 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-200x107.jpeg 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won-768x410.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/No-Duels-Won.jpeg 1015w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px">
And this…..
LIV Clean Sheets " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-450x268.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-780x464.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49957 lazyload" alt="LIV Clean Sheets" width="780" height="464" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-780x464.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-780x464.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-450x268.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-200x119.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets-768x457.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-Clean-Sheets.png 993w">And then this….
LIV 207 Passes " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-450x244.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-780x423.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49956 lazyload" alt="LIV 207 Passes" width="780" height="423" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-780x423.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-780x423.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-450x244.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-200x109.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes-768x417.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LIV-207-Passes.png 1067w">
But then there is this….
8 games 24 Days " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-450x184.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-780x319.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49953 lazyload" alt="8 games 24 Days" width="780" height="319" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-780x319.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-780x319.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-450x184.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-200x82.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1-768x314.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8-games-24-Days-1.png 1003w">Then this…..
Time Off For Cups " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-450x319.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-780x554.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49967 lazyload" alt="Time Off For Cups" width="780" height="554" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-780x554.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-780x554.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-450x319.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-200x142.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups-768x545.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Time-Off-For-Cups.png 982w">
And then sometimes facts don’t make sense…
Liverpool Zero Shots On Target " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-450x261.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-780x453.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49958 lazyload" alt="Liverpool Zero Shots On Target" width="780" height="453" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-780x453.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-780x453.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-450x261.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-200x116.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target-768x446.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Liverpool-Zero-Shots-On-Target.png 981w">
…… because we should be the Talk of the Town with a statistic like this. This is truly very impressive! That is 16 years that Liverpool have gone without having a shot on target. Unreal.
I think it’s fair to say that we take our solidity for granted, but I think it’s also fair to say that if Arsenal are to win the big stuff this season, it would seem that we need to focus on the attacking end of the field. If we get at least two goals every game, then we will probably runaway with it.
It’s hard to match the thought that you are going to runaway with the league with a team that is not making it as easy as they should, but then I don’t believe that this league has seen a team so incredibly well organized in the history of the competition.
POSITIVES:
Mediocre:
Understanding that Liverpool aren’t in form, I suppose it’s somewhat impressive that arguably the worst performance of the season gets us a draw.
We live in an extreme world so it’s not cool to say things like this but there is truth to it. Even if one or two of our players were 8/10, we likely win.
Defending:
The same goes for our defending. We judge games by our attacking but Liverpool never troubled Raya. If you watch the game back (not advised) you will see the marked difference in the determination levels around the box in particular. Arsenal defend as if they are protecting their daughters and all other teams defend as if they are protecting their sons who need to be able to protect themselves.
Gyokeres:
Did very little but what he did was better. Clutching, I know.
What seems to be happening is that his improvements are occurring outside the box. Maybe this is where he is being trained first? It would make sense as there is little improvement in his proactive movement in the box.
This must all be so weird for him. A huge head game.
Last season he was scoring a goal a game. New country. New club. New house. New team. New expectations. New experiences. Experiences that he hasn’t been used to for a good while. The experience of not being successful. I still believe he will come good because I haven’t seen his best yet. When I see it, and let’s say it’s great/poor/decent and largely unreliable then I’ll cede that he’s not going to work.
His superpower is his ball striking and he is yet to score a banger, which he is most capable of. When he does the crowd will erupt and he may immediately go on a run. Male energy.
Saka:
He had a really good first half. I’ve started wondering if it would be more beneficial to the team if he played for 45 minutes and Madueke for the other 45.
I know that sounds nuts but over the course of the season you would see him likely just as much, as he would be less likely to be injured, have far more energy and perhaps be able to focus on ripping teams apart for a half as he seems to find it too tiring to do it for both. I know this is a radical suggestion, but I’m always wondering about new evolutions in coaching and I’ve been thinking about the ‘45 minute player’ especially in the age of football being a squad game now.
I’ve also noticed that if Saka is great, it has not been for both halves this season.
Madueke might even be quicker over 5 yards than Saka and seems to have a very similar skill set. Saka is of course, more consistent and one of the elite decision-makers in the sport, but it’s not a surprise anymore when Noni has the same or even a little more impact than he does.
Saka new contract " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-244x400.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-365x600.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49964 lazyload" alt="Saka new contract" width="365" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-365x600.jpeg" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-365x600.jpeg 365w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-244x400.jpeg 244w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-122x200.jpeg 122w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-768x1261.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-936x1536.jpeg 936w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract-1248x2048.jpeg 1248w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-new-contract.jpeg 1320w">
The new contract news was unsurprising, but brilliant nonetheless. Much like the expectations on the pitch, we are probably taking the club for granted as they re-sign so many of the world’s best players. I’m sure we won’t fully appreciate the group that work at Arsenal on and off the field fully until they are all gone.
NEEDS:
Fear over creativity:
It seemed to me that both teams were overly respectful of each other. Liverpool are out of form and should’ve capitalized on their second half advantage. Arsenal looked fearful of playing the ball behind Liverpool because of fear of transition.
What was most odd was that this game was somewhat of a freebie for both. Liverpool weren’t expected to win and Arsenal still had a 5 point buffer if they lost.
Opposite:
The last few years we have denied ourselves the big trophies by messing up the games against the mid and lower table teams. Strong against the big teams. Using the word ‘opposite’ is probably reaching as we don’t have a bad record this season but that has been where our struggle has been in the league.
Hype:
Does all the Arsenal media and crowd hype make our players tense?
There is a fine line between making you feel hyped-up and supported and nervous because you don’t want to let people down.
MLS:
I understand that he might be rusty, sad, mad, whatever.
What really concerns me is that he is occasionally giving 40% effort in recovery.
That won’t fly with Arteta or the players who really care about defensive effort.
You can be rusty and the fans will understand, but you can’t jog.
Crowded midfield conundrum:
Liverpool didn’t play with a striker. Wirtz was an extra midfielder. You could see in the second half that Arsenal’s midfielders were pointing at each other as to who to watch and where to shift.
In this scenario, we needed to get the ball wide quicker and absolutely needed to play balls behind the defense, navigating their midfield. VG made his usual runs, but was ignored yet again.
I’m really not sure why we continued to try to play through them in the second half. A coaching error or communication breakdown, perhaps.
HOPES:
Guehi:
Marc Guehi " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-241x400.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-361x600.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49959 lazyload" alt="Marc Guehi" width="361" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-361x600.jpeg" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-361x600.jpeg 361w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-241x400.jpeg 241w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-120x200.jpeg 120w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-768x1275.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-925x1536.jpeg 925w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi-1234x2048.jpeg 1234w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Guehi.jpeg 1320w">
I’ve been having heated debates with Max about this being a reality. You can logically come to the conclusion that we don’t need him. I’m fine with that argument. Then I start wondering if Arsenal will move Ben White on in the summer due to repeated injury issues and much like we have done with White himself, turn a centre back into a right back option.
Livramento:
Or….
Tino Livramento " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-246x400.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-370x600.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49968 lazyload" alt="Tino Livramento" width="370" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-370x600.jpeg" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-370x600.jpeg 370w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-246x400.jpeg 246w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-123x200.jpeg 123w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-768x1247.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-946x1536.jpeg 946w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento-1261x2048.jpeg 1261w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tino-Livramento.jpeg 1320w">
2026/27 kits:
Blue Kit " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-410x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-615x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49954 lazyload" alt="Blue Kit" width="615" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-615x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-615x600.png 615w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-410x400.png 410w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-200x195.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1-768x749.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-Kit-1.png 1320w"> Red Kit " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-402x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-604x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49962 lazyload" alt="Red Kit" width="604" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-604x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-604x600.png 604w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-402x400.png 402w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-200x200.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit-768x763.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Red-Kit.png 1320w"> Yellow Kit " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-406x400.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-610x600.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49970 lazyload" alt="Yellow Kit" width="610" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-610x600.jpeg" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-610x600.jpeg 610w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-406x400.jpeg 406w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-200x197.jpeg 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit-768x756.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yellow-Kit.jpeg 1320w">
Footy Headlines is normally very accurate.
I like all of these three kits for next season but like everybody, there is going to be comments about the red and yellow ones looking too similar to other recent tops.
On some level fans want ‘classic’ and ‘nothing too radical’ especially with the red and yellow.
The collar on the red one doesn’t work and needs some help.
If these are close to accurate then I don’t see those two selling as they should, but that navy one is delightful ❤️
Even better when you zoom in and see the bruised banana pattern 🔥
TWEETS and THOUGHTS:
Thomas Frank Bedroom " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-304x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-455x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49966 lazyload" alt="Thomas Frank Bedroom" width="455" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-455x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-455x600.png 455w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-304x400.png 304w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom-152x200.png 152w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thomas-Frank-Bedroom.png 750w">
AI is quite something!
Igor Tyjon " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-238x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-357x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49955 lazyload" alt="Igor Tyjon" width="357" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-357x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-357x600.png 357w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-238x400.png 238w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-119x200.png 119w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-768x1289.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon-915x1536.png 915w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Igor-Tyjon.png 922w">
No idea about him. I can tell you he’s handsome, but that’s of no help.
Tony Harrington Ref " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-244x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-365x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49969 lazyload" alt="Tony Harrington Ref" width="365" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-365x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-365x600.png 365w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-244x400.png 244w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-122x200.png 122w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-768x1261.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-936x1536.png 936w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref-1248x2048.png 1248w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tony-Harrington-Ref.png 1320w">
Is it odd that I get excited when Arsenal are refereed by somebody that I don’t recognize? In my mind, I think that they will be unbiased unlike some of the options we have in the Premier League
Saka Franchise Player " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-281x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-422x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49963 lazyload" alt="Saka Franchise Player" width="422" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-422x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-422x600.png 422w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-281x400.png 281w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-141x200.png 141w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-768x1092.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player-1080x1536.png 1080w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Saka-Franchise-Player.png 1320w">
Probably fair enough.
Slegers Contract Tweet " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-244x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-365x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49965 lazyload" alt="Slegers Contract Tweet" width="365" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-365x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-365x600.png 365w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-244x400.png 244w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-122x200.png 122w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-768x1261.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-936x1536.png 936w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet-1248x2048.png 1248w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slegers-Contract-Tweet.png 1320w">
The success in having patience with Arteta has probably led to this. I know she won the Champions League which was massive and unexpected but the league seasons have been disappointing.
FINAL THOUGHT:
MMcD Report " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-450x338.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-780x585.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49960 lazyload" alt="MMcD Report" width="780" height="585" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-780x585.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-780x585.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-450x338.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-200x150.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-768x576.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report-1536x1152.png 1536w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MMcD-Report.png 2048w">
I’ve been cleaning out at home and I found this. It is my report card from secondary school. I believe I was 14 at the time.
All I can say is… GET IN 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Positives Needs & Hopes with Mike McDonald
Former Highbury regular. Moved to TN, USA in ’99. Married with 3 kids. Coached in UK and US for 27 years.
Mike McDonald Soccer Academy in Morristown TN, Olympic Development coach, Regional Premier League Champion.
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