Morning all.
Here we go then. Arsenal’s 2025/26 campaign kicks off this afternoon in Manchester. There was a time when the winners of the Utd and Arsenal battle would pretty much decide which club would win the league. It was a battle like no other both on the pitch and off it. The feisty exchange of words in the tunnel, the rivalry between the two managers – I loved it.
Throughout this coming season, I’m sure comparisons will be made between Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres if for no other reason, Arsenal were allegedly interested in both. The back page scribblers are no doubt hoping the younger of the two forwards first season in England is a huge success, the elders a struggle. It’s not as simple as that though because it’s about what either player brings to their team and how that team gels over the next ten months.
Today the two go head to head, not literally of course but both will want to find the back of the net during what will be their first competitive debut for their new club.
Going to Old Trafford on the opening day of the season isn’t an easy thing for any club but we have to make the journey at least once this season so why not today. Why not go there and show the rest of the world watching, we are in this to win it!
Mikel Arteta’s team(s) have had a bit of a mixed pre season but I don’t think we can take much from that really because only from today does a top performance and positive result matter.
Man Utd’s pre season saw them travel to Sweden, USA and like us, their final friendly was at home. Unbeaten they might have been throughout pre-season but as said, it means nothing.
I think it’s fair to say that last season was the worst in a while for Utd and Ruben Amorim will be hoping his team fair much better this campaign. They’ve strengthened the squad with the addition of Mbeumo, Cunha, Leon and Sesko – all attacking players. Eriksen, Evans, Lindelof and Rashford have all moved on without a penny being made.
Arsenal have sold Nuno Tavares (4.5m) and Marquinhos (undisclosed) but I’m sure a few others will be added to the “sold” list over the next few weeks. Six additions have been made so far this summer, all very good in my opinion and I’m far from convinced the club are done as far as signings go.
Utd are without Mazraoui and Martinez for today’s game but Zirkzee and Onana are in contention to start.
Gabriel Jesus is the only absentee for Arsenal.
Despite finishing second for a third season running, Arsenal’s season wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. Injuries hit us before the season started and they just kept on coming. Surely to goodness we won’t go through something like that again this time around. Our football was at times ok, at others, really hard to watch. Another hope is that our football is quicker, more free flowing and a tad more exciting. It goes without saying, we need more goals and I think we’ll get them too if our football is played at a higher tempo. There are times when we’ll need to dig in deep and defend but we’re good at doing that. If we can be as good in all areas of the pitch then the season ahead could be a better one.
Let’s just go and beat Utd and get the season started in the best way possible.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico, Ignore my message. I can now comment. 😉
Morning campers,
Rico, according to the Guardian, we got £6.5m for Tavares and £2.5m for Marquinhos, now that might be including add-ons as modern day transfers are never simple, but the Guardian is usually ok in that regard…
Today, I reckon some controversial refereeing decisions and a draw…
And if Sesko scores but Gyokeres doesn’t expect all the useful idiots elsewhere to lose their minuscule minds.
Yep, 10 months of angst, but not for me, I’m going to enjoy it…
Today I’m more confident than ever, before a game against United.
Dare I say it? I expect us to win.
Morning Kev, Cicero, all.
The site might be up and down a bit as the master behind the scenes is working on it..
I think we can win, their defence is still vulnerable. Just have to stop their attacking players. 😂
Hi there!
I hope a good score….
Just have to stop their attacking players. 😂
Do you mean if they don’t score , we can’t lose ?
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Rice, Zubimendi, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Absolutely Potter, or we can win..
It’s all very well moving home but when you realise the garden is like Steptoe’s back yard, it’s a nightmare..
Good to see Viktor start..
https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/1957083586999325134
As long as they have’nt buried Hercules in the flower beds you should be fine.
At least he’d be able to help carry all the rubbish. 😜
Nothing like a bit of John Denver to start the game…
Are VAR awake?
Take that!!
Calaaafffiioree! 0 – 1
Hooper has lost the plot, allows Gok to be battered and the Fernandes gets a free kick.
Zubimendi learning early , get elbowed nothing touch one of theirs free kick
Good afternoon Rico and all
The first goal came from an unexpected source…..Calafiori. And it was scrutinized by VAR. Typical
My expectation today? Keep a clean sheet. That should be enough.
Why on earth didn’t Martinelli control the ball before going for the spectacular.
Afternoon Devil.
Calafiori is good fun to watch. You always think something will happen when he is on the ball.
He adds an unpredictability to the Arsenal attack which this side needs.
However, it can cause them issues, Bryan Mbeumo’s recent chance came from Calafiori being high up the pitch and the winger being left in space.
Alex Howell BBC Sport
He forgets his defensive duties too often for my liking.
So far we have attempted 3 shots and all three on target. We have scored one. We need to get another so we can settle down better
During this half we have seen heavy touches, sloppy play, poor passes and over commitment. This leads to too much space for Utd. After scoring the opener we would be better served going back to our controlled possession style against this Utd setup.
Don’t like this halftime interview. Ridiculous…
yep. me as well. Americanised version of football.
Utterly ridiculous, the player is entitled to a rest and to settle his thoughts. We should send someone from the bench to do the interview.
Mbeuno is worrying me, think with Cali on a booking, MLS will soon be called for and told stick with him
Agreed. He’s a captains talk to give..
I bet Hooper is waiting for the moment he can produce a red card.
Andrew, I thought that as well. Not necessarily at HT but around the 60th minute mark. But not MLS. It should be Timber imo. He has more experience.
Martinelli and VG14 make way for Noni and Havertz.
here comes Sesko
Timber for me too as long as White is ok.
Saka having a mare so off goes Martinelli
Hope he’s warmed his hamstrings properly 😜
Stay on your feet Havertz, it’s embarrassing…
we have been a bit poor on the counter. We need to get that right.
Timber and MLS on for White and Calafiori
Imo changing both fullbacks with Cunha and Mbuemo looking lively is a bit risky. White was injured so he had to go off. MLS and Timber need to play perfectly well from 1st second and not allow them space
Saka looks spent, has done for a while..
yep, I would change him with Nwaneri Rico. ASAP.
Shaw has him in his pocket
Not Norgaard?
It’s not an easy watch is it?
Slight injury rico, not travelled
we have been poor this second half and we have been pinned back. Madueke has been playing more at the back than up as a forward
6 minutes??
6minutes added on. squeeky bum time.
they seem like an eternity
Timber and MLS booked as well.
expect the ref to add on 2 more minutes
If the season goes on like this I can give up on the wegovy
Not at our best but three big away points. 👍🏻
see I told you……its already 98 mins
One goal,clean sheet, three points. Just another day at the office. 🔔
I thought he blew dead on 6 mins added time..
1-0 to the Arsenal.
Nothing beats that. 37 more boring 1-0 wins to go.
Clean Sheet.
Its awesome playing below par and winning.
How many times we have dominated games and lost??
The last time united have had 22 shots against us was during that 8-2 win. Well this time it was blanks from them.
I like the win. United thought they had a chance at home. Lol.
Actually think we did need Eze as we created very little. Saka off day, Zubimendi a but unsure, but who cares, 3 points away at Old Trafford is a fantastic opening weekend.
You can never be sure what team is going to turn up for the first game of any season, so to play as disjointed as we did against a much improved Man Utd at OT with a sympathetic referee doing his best to help and still hold onto a 1-0 is really encouraging.
We all know that this team will play far better than what we saw today but playing below par at a ground like OT, keeping a clean sheet and winning is a nice habit.
I’ll take it campers… ✌🏼
I too believe we are a creative player short..
Raya got MOTM.
we need to improve overall. True, it was first game (which always seem difficult whoever we play), the players had a demanding pre season, United were set in a 3-4-2-1 formation which is always difficult to play against. But we need to pass better and not give the ball away sloppily. Both Saliba and MO08 were giving cheap balls away.
Now its a whole week of recovering, training and preparing for Leeds.
Mikel Arteta after the win against Manchester United: “22 years at Old Trafford without winning before I came. Now I go into the dressing room, we won and they’re not happy. It’s a good sign.”
imo its difficult to judge players on the first game. Its always difficult and as Kev pointed out you never know which team is going to turn up on the firsrt day. Maybe today Martinelli and Madueke weren’t creative and they will turn up against Leeds and play a blinder. it depends which formation Leeds play and who is marking them.
As I pointed out….3-4-2-1 is difficult to play against. So we cannot jduge the players fully today. Yes we always need better creative players, however, with regards judgement on players we need to wait till the 5th game at least. True, the window will shut down, but I believe we have enough in the short term at least.
And remember, we were away with a home loving ref.
We’ve played better and lost so I’m happy. Lol
reading the comments from around the world on the blogosphere its hilarious.
The script everyone wanted was a United win. We upset that and now they are whining. The supporters are expected to do so, they support the team after all. But reading the ‘neutral’ comments and of some pundits makes it hilariously worthwhile.
At least GN made some positive comments with regards our team.
It’s good they are moaning as it means we’re doing ok.
I love to think that Arteta will instill the mentality of US against them for the rest of the season. At least for the EPL games.
I was very pleased to see that Viktor G is not afraid to put it about a bit, he certainly gave as good as he got. There are going to be some bruised defenders if they try mixing it with him.
Didn’t see enough of Madueke to make a judgment, but I like the look of Zubimendi.
I had to correct the spell checker it had Noni down as Mad Ukulele. 😕
Calafiori worries me, too fond of going walk-about leaving a huge gap behind him.
Just a word about the referee, piss poor!
Morning Campers, yes I agree with Cicero, Gyokeres gave a good as he got but EPL defenders are going to be a lot better than those he faced in Portugal and our referees allow more rough play as well, but he’ll know that already.
He didn’t really get any service and on the one occasion when he got free with the ball he stumbled and the chance went begging. The United fans loved that but let’s not forget that Sesko did bugger all, much to the disappointment of the media who saw their headline go up in smoke.
Hi-de-hi Kev, all.
New post up now.
First game and any nerves out the way, now we push on.