Is there hope?

Try as I might, it’s been hard to put the travesty of last weekend’s match behind me, but the tepid Tuesday Champions League win, did nothing to soothe my nerves.

We added Calafiori to an injury list that includes Saka, Timber, Ødegaard, and Tomiyasu. We will, of course, be without Saliba following his red card at Bournemouth. Not going to debate that sending off, just to say that the Premiership’s inconsistency might cause one to think Arsenal are held to a different refereeing standard.

Sunday the Gunners will have to contend with a Liverpool side clearly feeling their oats, having won 4 in a row. The pundits have already placed our title hopes squarely on the outcome of this match. I go into this match as I always do, with the belief that Arsenal will win. Hope springs eternal, right?

Hope to see you all Sunday, pulling for the lads! COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: On a personal note, many of you have met my wife at the pub. But you may not know, she’s the lead singer in Gutter Swan, an Americana duo. They’ve got a show TONIGHT, just blocks from Maggie’s. Would be great to see some familiar faces!

Everybody hurts

I’ve made no secret of my complete and utter contempt for international matches (particularly friendlies) played during the Premiership season. Which makes recent injuries to key Arsenal players even more enraging.

Saka limped off the pitch during England v Greece with a hamstring issue and Martinelli picked up a calf injury while on duty for Brazil. Add these two to Arsenal’s already daunting list of injured players which include Havertz, Ødegaard, Partey, Timber, White, Zinchenko and Tomiyasu, and it’s anyone’s guess what our starting 11 will look like this weekend.

But whoever takes the pitch Saturday has the full support of our group at Maggie’s.

And as the personality and character of this team continues to evolve, I’m loving watching the lads with all of you at the pub. Hope to see you Saturday! COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Opposing goals

Arsenal dispatched PSG in Champions League action on Tuesday with some aplomb. I particularly enjoyed Barney Ronay’s take on it in the Guardian.

Saturday brings us the return of Aaron Ramsdale and Southampton to the Emirates. Rambo was a likeable, capable fellow, but Arteta’s decision to replace him with Raya looks like genius now, as the Spaniard is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premiership.

At first glance, the Saints don’t look like much of a threat, having not won a match yet this season. But the Gunners can’t afford to take anyone for granted and no doubt our former keeper will have a point to prove.

Looking forward to being back at Maggie’s this weekend and seeing you all.

COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Red October

No time to dwell on Arsenal’s scrappy win against Leicester. Beginning with tomorrow’s Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain, you have 5 opportunities to watch Arsenal with us at Maggie McGarry’s (21+).

We had a decent enough crowd Saturday, but I was a little surprised it wasn’t more crowded. We’re lucky to have a pub that opens for us consistently, regardless of start time, so hope to see more of you soon.

I won’t make it to tomorrow’s match but will see you Saturday for Southampton!

COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.