Autumn Blues? 11 Red and White Arsenal Reasons to Cheer You Up

TotalArsenal

Over a quarter of PL games played and things are looking fabulous for Arsenal. Top of the League, third highest goals scored, meanest defence, shared biggest goal difference, four points clear of nr.2, and that all with a high number of injuries in the attacking third AND trying to embed a large number of new signings!

There is a long way to go and but there are well-founded reasons for optimism. Let’s try and sum them up:

  1. The obvious one, other than our current position at the top of the league, is our squad-depth. Arsenal have been praised for spending their money much better than most other PL clubs. There is quality everywhere, including the backup, and that is a necessary-luxury – to use an oxymoron – we have all dreamed of.
  2. The goals are spread out and we are as unpredictable as ever when it comes to who will score in a game. Haaland FC owe 14 of their 23 PL games to the berserker. That team are over-reliant on him and a drop of form, injury or suspension is likely to cost Citeh dearly. This does not take away that we need to score more goals: 20 in 11 games is okay but not great. But Arsenal had to do without our creator exceptional, Martin Odegaard, and our inability to use either Havartz, Jesus or Madueke for most of our PL games has surely also led to a reduced goal threat.
  3. Viktor Gyokeres has four PL goals which is certainly not a bad return. We all know that he does so much more for the team, and I am glad he is having a break from it all to take it all in and come out all guns blazing when he is fit again. Viktor is exactly the sort of player we were missing last season, and I am really glad he is Gunner now (sorry girlfriend).
  4. A really clever move by the club was the improved contract for Leandro. He is no longer paid peanuts and he certainly is no monkey. I think he has fought very hard for making the left wing as threatening as the right wing, and that is no mean feat. His interplay with Rice and Calafiori is clever, three-dimensional and deadly, and he certainly is playing his best football (in a red and white shirt) now.
  5. This also puts less pressure on Bukayo who, without Madueke available to give him a rest, needs to keep himself fit and play as efficient as he can. And as a result we have a much more balanced attack by using both wings equally. This is helped by Gyokeres’ tendency to play slightly more on our left. And when Odegaard returns we are likely to see even more balance in our attack, as he likes to play more on the right side of the pitch, with Bukayo being the biggest profiteer of this.
  6. The attackers are aided significantly by the the quality wing-backs Mikel can choose from. Calafiori and Timber, MLS and White, they are all just fabulous support for overlaps and passing mates to get through those doubled/tripled-up back-areas. I am still a bit shocked when I see one of them in the box to try and finish an attacking move, but I feel this will make a real difference this season.
  7. The duo of Rice and Zubimendi – RiceMendi – is a joy to watch, and there is even more to come from them. They are the complete midfielders with big football brains, and together they form a wall on which the defence and attack depend. And again, there is ample backup with Norgaard and Merino, which means that Mikel can rest our Kings-duo on a regular basis.
  8. Talking about Merino, what an incredibly versatile player he is, and we are lucky to have him. It will not be easy for Arteta to keep him happy, as his fellow Spaniard is the sort of player who wants to play as many games as possible (and is in high demand). But this season Merino is super important because of his many skills and attitude, both as a starter and a sub, and he is making a big difference for us.
  9. I think we are much less vulnerable to injuries this season, but Big Gabby is my only worry. He has become a real leader of the team, not just at the back but also during set-pieces. His contributions – in hard cash – are out of this world. Defensively an injury to Gabriel would be bearable, with Mosquera and Hincapie (or Calafiori) being good replacements, but the aerial threat during set-pieces AND his ability to inject energy and chutzpah into the team are almost irreplaceable.
  10. Our set-pieces are works of art that sell for top-dollar straightaway. Arsenal do not play to get set-pieces – the big difference with the likes of Stoke in the past – but realise that they are part of the game and it would be a waste to not try and maximise on them. And boy do Arsenal do that. We are leading the pack on this and long may it continue.
  11. Finally, I have been impressed with Eze’s contributions to the team so early on. Clearly, he needs time to settle in and understand Arteta’s style of play, but he is calm, silky, solid and just so mature by nature, and I love watching him. There is certainly even more to come. I am also happy with Nwaneri’s progress this season. He is without doubt finding his feet in the nr10 position and has not been as electric as I think he can be, but this is all part of growing from a ferocious talent to an effective squad/starting-11 player, and that is certainly the most difficult stage in a player’s career ask ESR). I think Arteta is managing this really well. My big hope is that Odegaard will return soon and play a big part in the second half of the season.

By TotalArsenal

62 thoughts on “Autumn Blues? 11 Red and White Arsenal Reasons to Cheer You Up”

  • A nice first X1, Total. Thanks.
    Autumn browns? According to the Mamas and the papas they are. But out of this Somerset window I see golds, scarlets, crimsons, oranges and reds in abundance, soon to disappear in this evenings encroaching mist. I’d forgotten how November closes in upon one in this part of the world at this stage of the year, so it is indeed nice to sit and read your encouraging post.
    Perhaps a couple of subs for that first X1… 12. Max’s continued emergence and the teenage rampage with four under 20’s appearing on the pitch. 13. The addition of Gabriel Heinze, Andrea Berta and the possibility of Maurizio Micheli joining.
    I can see blue skies in the month of May…

  • 12 an̈d 13 are excellent additions. I feel sorry for any team without a really good board able to recruit the right people in the key roles. Ajax is currently suffering from this and there is no end in sight, for example. Its a nightmare for supporters.

    Young super Max is indeed a huge benefit, and I think Mikel is managing his emergence really well.

  • Interesting move in the Netherlands. Koeman is opting to play JTimber as CB partner to Van Dijk despite having plenty of other (taller) CB options. JT has licence to push forward with the ball and so speed up play from the back.

    Unfortunately, I cannot watch their games from windy Scotland.

  • Very thorough positiveness as usual, T., thanks.
    We can indeed wonder where we’d be if Berta hadn’t worked his magic last summer; but it’s high time we were delivered from that injury curse anyway. We’ll be treated to some great performances time and again, but won’t end our trophy drought if we keep having 20-25% of this well-thought squad on the injury list. It is very likely Mick will have much more available players to pick from upfront, a week from now for instance but … Cala is rumored to have been injured with Italy, already. Will it ever end?
    Am I the only one to get the feeling next week-end will mark the actual start of the season? All of the title contenders look like they haven’t shown their true colors yet – starting with us, because of the above-mentioned injuries; but Cheaty once Rodri’s back for good and Donnarumma has found his feet, Chelsea when Palmer’s available again, lucky Pool when they stop being unlucky Pool etc. won’t have to be trifled with, will they?
    Point 9 is another way of expressing why I’m – just a lil’ bit – frustrated with BigBill. As far as making a dramatic difference for the team is concerned, there shouldn’t be such a gap between what BigGab delivers, and what Bill does. Now, the only guy who could get anywhere close to what Gabby provides us with on set pieces would be Merigol imo, but first he’d have to be picked, then Jover would probably have to reinvent himself, adapt his drills to the different qualities of our Basque Magpie – truth is I’d rather not consider BigGab being injured any further, though.
    There’s good Arsenal news coming from North-West London too btw, where it looks as though Jack brought the Hatters back to life already. They haven’t lost one of their last 5 games – they were held to a goalless draw by Rotherham today but the “Millers“ were a tough nut to crack, they are on a very good run too, even better than Luton’s. Jack and his boys are now 3 points away only from the play-off spots; I watched the extended highlights of their 3-0 win away to the leaders Stockport and to say I was impressed with what I saw would be an understatement. Our lad deserves a warm and heartfelt attaboy already; I just wish I knew what went wrong when his return at the academy was considered, but not brought to fruition …

  • When the All Blacks go 12 points ahead it’s almost always game over.
    So it’s good to see England playing the man and not the shirt.

  • Hey, Stuart. Only able to react to your enquiry on the previous tread. I had to prepare for and be at the funeral service of a dear friend in Canada; that comes with visitations and catching up with old friends from far and near.

    Very emotional experience too.

    So, you know I won’t be in Rabat for that final game; as it stands, I won’t be able to see it either as I am scheduled for New Jersey Sunday morning, for another (similar) event.

    While Cameroun has a richer history and pedigree, DR Congo are no pushovers and do defend very well. If my memory serves me correctly, Zaire (old Congo) are the first African team to go to the World Cup. They will play for pride so the Eagles have to be at their best to end the ambitions of the Leopards.

    I shall be rooting for my boys, though, as my money is on them.

  • Very thoughtful submissions, TA; I feel Stu’s 12 & 13 additions are equally useful. We have 4 very good teenagers who can play in the 11, then our recruitments have been top notch.

    – Our squad depth is unmatched. If only we can have our players stay fit for longer, we would be largely unstoppable. As stated, our goal threat will increase with Madueke, Odegaard and Jesus, for certain.
    – I can’t wait for Gyo to return and resume banging in goals; I agree he will do even better with fluid wing play and benefit greatly from Odegaard’s tendency to try a variety of penetrative passes.
    – On No. 9, unfortunately, Big Gab reportedly came off injured during Brazil’s friendly game with Senegal. It did look serious, if you ask me. Hopefully, it is not long term as he is turning out to be some leader in the team. He is the one CB we just must have fit for this crucial bend of the season.
    – Eze is sure taking a while to settle in to the side, but that’s understandable seeing as he has come from being the main man to a team where every player has a specific structured role that is primed to achieve the overall goal of the superstructure. Arteta will have to manage him delicately to bring him up to speed. Play him often and fans start to see what we miss in Odegaard. Drop him for too long, and it may affect his confidence. I believe he will come good for us.

  • Kevski, Kevski, Kevski… yours is a nation of drop kicks 🙂 Johnny Wilkinson came back to haunt us. But in truth, Ford was fabulous and we played as if “Twickenham” was more than one players middle name. And, if it took a defeat for the AB’s to get you back to BK, I can accept it.

    Groins are notoriously difficult to recover from if torn. I was out for 8 weeks with a torn abducter some years back. A slight pull usually means 3 weeks of recovery. Let’s hope Big Gab read it early and came off quickly.

    Eris, sorry for your loss, mate. Old friends are precious to the heart.
    Yes, Zaire made their World Cup bow in the same tournament as New Zealand did. I’ll never forget the moment one of their defenders charged out of the wall before the free kick was taken. Something Eboue might have done, bless him. Loved that fella.

  • F8ne comment, Legallos.

    I am also happy with Super JW good start.

    Yes injuries, especially in the same area, can still undo us. I like the thought of Merino becoming a set-piece copy of big Gabby. And agreed, the real season starts now. No more breaks, no more hiding. OGAAT OGAAT OGAAT

  • Injuries to Calafiori and Big Gab is indeed a worry for the NLD and Chavs derby.

    Eris, re Eze, I think he is different to Martin and helps the midfield to be more solid, BUT Odegaards ability to put an extra tempo into the game is unique and we’ll missed currently.

  • My condolances, Eris; I don’t know how far back your friendship went, but old friends can be so very special …
    Great indeed to have our wanderer of the London nights back. Will it last, or will it just be a TH14 2012 cameo, that’s the question now … you might have to pull off the cheque book, T.!
    I thought of you lately, Kev, but not for the good reasons, I came across that op-ed for “The Verge”:
    https://www.theverge.com/report/820324/wayve-driverless-robotaxi-london
    When will this insanity be put to an end? What’s wrong with these peope? Why do they hate so much actual human beings doing great at a job they love? Call me luddite, I don’t care; I just can’t get my head around that …
    As you were kind enough not to comment upon our trampling under (14!!) Boks’ feet; I wouldn’t have written a word about yesterday’s game, Stu. I’ll tell you the truth; before they started scoring I thought to myself England had a great team but for … their half-backs – that’s when Ford came to life: how about my rugby expertise? Now their confidence level will be through the roof, so that, with the uninspired Galthié we have to do with now, I’m afraid the Paris March 14th, 2026 Six-Nations game might be the moment of payback the Red Roses have been waiting for since March 11th, 2023.
    Just read Ancelotti apologized. Love you, Carlo (who doesn’t?), but you can stick those up into that part of your body where the sun don’t shine.

  • Stu it’s all about nibbling away at a lead, playing to your strengths and not getting drawn into a game that suits the opponent. Also it’s about having the right psychology and not playing the shirt, that All Black spiritual aura is worth a couple of tries. South Africa are next on the list for a walloping.

    Hi Total, hope you are well.

  • LG, not all progress is progressive, driverless cabs and cars are coming but you’ll still need a human passenger to make them worth the investment and if humans aren’t comfortable with a computer transporting them then there’s still hope. Driverless trains have in theory been around for years but we still have humans in charge due to safety concerns, thankfully.

    Sorry for your loss Eris.

  • Drop kicks are part of the game, Kev. Even purists will acknowledge that. But Stransky’s killer in the ’95 final put me and most of my compatriots off the tactic for a long time. I recall some healing when Dan Carter whacked one over to clinch the 2015 final. LG will remind us of the South African fella who kicked five in a World Cup quarter final in the Stade de France.

    In the last days there will be many troubles, famines, earthquakes, wars, rumours of wars, corruption, deception and … driverless cabs. I always knew there was something missing in that passage of scripture.

  • Great to read comments from you again, Kev. It’s been a while.

    Nigeria’s World Cup hopes have been dashed as the Super Eagles lost via penalty kicks to a hungrier Congolese side. While I couldn’t see it as it happened, I got a good second hand analysis from a trusted source. None of our big players fired and so the dream ended.

    Congratulations to Congo. I wish them the best of luck in the March 2026 play-offs.

  • Thanks guys for the commiserations. My friend was one of the good guys and has gone too soon. His family have stayed strong too. Cheers.

  • Kieraaaan!!
    Running out of words to say how happy for the lad I am … the “L’Équipe” guy commenting just went beserk.
    Hope you were watching this in an Embra pub, T.

  • At long last:
    https://www.arsenal.com/news/visit-rwanda-update
    The deal has always stunk to high heaven to me. If you haven’t already, just take a look at “1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda” on un.org and/or what the Security Council reveals about Paul Kagame’s Rwandan Defense Forces’ support to M23, the paramilitary group “responsible for carrying out mass killings of civilians, as well as raping women and children throughout various regions of the DRC” (the UNSC’s exact terms).
    (The French online media “Mediapart” ran a long, thorough investigation on this too, highlighting the shameful, unforgivable part the “Françafrique” system played there … as in so many countries in Africa).
    Good riddance indeed.

  • Good riddance, indeed, LG. Somewhat belated but I guess the club was legally bound to honour the contract for as long as they did. Idealism likely drove the project to begin, but it became an increasingly obvious amoral option as events unfolded. Thank God for the conscientious work of Gunners for peace. I thought their “Visit Tottenham” protest was bang on.
    I understand PSG are continuing with their sponsorship deal with Rwanda. How is their ownership model viewed in France?
    I served in Central Africa in the ’80’s and witnessed corruption on a truly horrifying scale. Not much has changed since Conrad rode those great rivers one hundred years prior.

  • Isn’t sport wonderful when we get willfully and wonderfully distracted by events such as we have witnessed over the past few days? Ireland (sorry PB) and Scotland have thrilled us all. And won’t it be great to see MO8 and Norway in the finals.

  • Scotland’s qualification thrilled me proper; something to do with the fight they showed…..and the fact a certain Tierney scored a beauty. I hope he stays injury-free and have a great tournament.

  • Our Ladies are down by a goal to Real Madrid. They seem to have lost a bit of their urgency and edge from last season.

    Such drops in form may happen after winning a big trophy as the UCL. The antidote is usually patience and persisting till things start to turn around.

    Unless, we find it necessary to effect a managerial change, if the coaching team aren’t up to it anymore.

  • VAR Just approved of a Russo equaliser. Looked close, the offside. Hopefully, they go on to win the game.

  • TA, … Hopefully!

    It is banter time as Arsenal go into a week of season-defining fixtures. See what my Man U supporting younger brother greeted me with, this morning…

    Good morning Big Bro, as you step into the weekend😎…..
    Here’s a reminder that ‘Spurs’ you into ‘Bayern’s’ arms, with a shot of Chelsea at the end 😜😁

  • Hornby at his very best. Right in the middle of tension building up, it’ll bring you joy, and (momentary) relief. Trust me on this.
    https://nickhornby.substack.com/p/a-potential-for-misery?publication_id=1987367&post_id=179542073&isFreemail=true&r=bgl4s
    Btw, Nick, neither Brown, nor Astle, were offside.
    It’s the linesman who put his flag up who had it all wrong.
    I hope, but have serious doubts about it that, come Sunday evening, Oliver will be as good as this 1971 ref was …

  • Absolutely onside, LG. The ref was brave enough to stick with his correct decision. I never saw it in live time as here in NZ we only got the results at 9am on our Sunday mornings. But I have loved that moment since I was 10. (Some of my closest mates were Leeds fans).

    All the leaves are falling off Luckypools tree. Come on you Tricky trees.

  • What a fabulous ad for rugby in Cardiff today, wasn’t it, Stu?
    The Welsh did much better than expected, so that’s not a win to be sniffed at. As for MacKenzie I think he’d have scored with a blindfold on today.
    Rugby football or Football football? St. Jame’s, or Landsdowne? Still sittin’ on a fence …

  • O what a night,
    Late November back in ’25
    Forest and Newcastle scoring five
    I’m a jumping, what a night…

  • Wales were brilliant, LG, just as against Scotland, those last 20 minutes when the A.B.s come into their own.

  • ….for**

    With our closest rivals losing their games, it is a chance to press home our superiority in the North London derby and just go on to get the 3 points. Don’t allow Spurs turn it into a game with no control because that’s what Thomas Frank would want to make it. When we maintain control, we win games. It’s that simple! I will even take a 1-0 .

  • On way back to the land of the Thistle, just in time to watch the game at home. What an opportunity to make a statement. We’ll miss big Gabby but I reckon a midfielder will steel the show today. Let’s mash the Spuddies.

  • They’re the only team whose injury list matches ours, so we’d have no excuses not to (mash them).
    We all know what midfield and attack will look like:
    Zubimendi-Rice
    Saka-Eze-Trossard
    Merino
    On the other hand, not two Arsenal fans seem to agree about our back-4, but it kind of makes me sad to see that no one seems to even consider Ben being brought back, even though Cala hasn’t trained properly for 2 weeks – or so it seems.
    Looks like anterograde amnesia to me; everyone seems to have forgotten how brilliant Ben was before his injury, individually, whether it be in defence or in attack (need I to mention his understanding with Bukayo?).
    Today’s the kind of game Ben thrives on; the only “bold” move would be to shift Jürrien to the left – even though we all know he would sleepwalk into annihilitating either Johnson, or Simons, there.
    Anyway … I want my fearless Benjamin Le Blanc back, in a Magalhaes-less, but still formidable back-4:
    White-Saliba-Hincapié-Timber
    COYG

  • Why not Ben at Centre back alongside Big Will? Prior to joining us, he always played Centre back for his clubs. I’m kinda hoping we get a glimpse of Jesus coming off the bench. It is, after all the season of advent.
    Welcome back to Albion, Total. I trust you had a good time catching up with family and friends.

  • Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Merino

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Mosquera, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

    Thomas Frank reverts to a back three for the match with Arsenal. Kevin Danso comes in at centre back while Mohammed Kudus starts.

    Tottenham starting XI: Vicario, Spence, Romero, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur, Richarlison, Odobert, Kudus

    Subs: Kinsky, Tel, Gray, Simons, Bergvall, Johnson, Porro, Sarr, Muani

  • That’s a real vote of confidence on Hincapie by the manager. I didn’t think he would risk that seeing as he is a lover of on-field relationships. Saliba and Hincapie not having played together before, I thought he will play safe and go Mosquera and Saliba.

    Still, Hincapie needs the game as Bayern come calling in midweek.

    COYG!!

  • Nice to see Martinelli and Madueke back in contention. That bench will strike fear in the hearts of the Spurs defenders but expect them to make it hard for us.

  • How’s that for team goals? Watch ‘n weep, you Arsenal critics!
    There’s something of a genius’s in Eberechi’s presence on a pitch. You can feel that’s the kind of game he’s bound to score in … just wait and watch him, from Feburary ’26 on. I like Hincapié a lot, you might think he’s played alongside Bill since forever – for a natural born defender like him, a NLD was the ideal game to get a home start; George G. would have loved him.
    I loved the way we were patient, as though the lads knew they were theirs for the taking, no need to rush things. Now what an ugly bunch they are, the worst team I’ve seen this season. At least last year I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for their Aussie Puskas’s disciple of a coach, but now … I juts hope we’re gonna crush ’em; a manita is on the menu for me.
    COYG

  • He slayed the dragon!
    He deserves the most beautiful St. George’s song:

    “Ej, sa o Roma, babo, babo
    Sa o Roma, o daje
    Sa o Roma, babo, babo
    Ej, Eberechi, Eberechi
    Sa o Roma, daje…”

    (Ej, sa o Roma, babo, babo
    Sa o Roma, o daje
    Sa o Roma, babo, babo
    Ej, Ederlezi, Ederlezi
    Sa o Roma, daje…

    All the Roma, dad, sacrifice sheep
    But me, poor drummer, I must stay away
    A Romany day, our day
    Our day, St. George’s Day)

    Of course, you may love the Bregović-Kusturica-“Time of the Gypsies“ version too …

  • You know it sounds funny
    but I just enjoy the pain
    inflicted upon those spuddies
    Seems to me, gooners
    you know he’s done all he can
    You see he bagged three
    In his first NLD
    Oh he’s Eze,
    Eze like Sunday morning
    That’s why he’s Eze
    Eze like Sunday morning…

  • Special mention should go to Piero Hincapie, all the pre-match angst was surrounding the absence of Big Gabby but the Uruguayan quietly came in, did a great job and to such a degree that we didn’t miss our defensive lynchpin.

  • Indeed, Kev. The fact we did not miss Gabriel speaks volumes of how well Hincapie did. He was aggressive, chasing down Kudus (his man, I guess) and doubke-teaming on Richarlison with Saliba… It was an easy evening fir them, save for that fluke goal they managed to score (I was mad Richarlison got it, to be fair).
    To think Hincapie was in action with Ecuador last Wednesday and should feature against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, this week, shows how much Arteta rates him.

  • “Ej, he’s come home to score hat-tricks
    He’s come home to mash Spuds
    He’s come home to score hat-tricks
    Ej, Eberechi, Eberechi
    Back, where he belongs.”

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