Stateside Gooners: An Arsenal FC Show

I don't know how Brentford were able to control this much possession and get the chances they created for themselves. They just kept forcing set pieces that Brentford are very chaotic and often effective. This game was my unfavorite, or at least one of ... moving on.

FA Cup on Sunday is Wigan. We should win by a lot. Let's all hope.

After that is a relegation battler, and then the NLD. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but I'd like to this about these two games as a way for our guys to get minutes and regain their fitness, as well as for our depth players to get minutes so that, after Tottenham, everyone is ready to fight in these last 10 games of the season.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Arsenal at home against Sunderland should be a totally different prospect than facing them away, and it was. I was surprised by how much possession they had. It wasn’t that we ceded possession as much as they earned it. But they didn’t know how to break our press in meaningful ways that would create big scoring chances. Three shots on goal, but only a 0.17xG. The result was deserved, even if the final goal came late. The way things went, the came could have had 4, perhaps even 5 goals for Arsenal. 3 points is what we celebrate more than 3 goals.

Up next is Brentford, surprisingly good despite losing their manager over the summer. Perhaps better under the new manager. Their recent defeats of Aston Villa and Newcastle are evidence that they aren’t afraid to play their game, whether that’s defending with their lives or scoring late goals to claim all three points. Ouattara comes off a game with 2 goal contributions and Igor Thiago has 18 goals in all competitions. Keeping them quiet will do wonders for Arsenal’s chances of both a clean sheet and a victory.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

On this Stateside Gooners Arsenal Women’s podcast, Eric and Matt recap a tremendous match from the World Champion Arsenal Women against league leaders by a mile, Manchester City. We discuss happy accidents and how one has impacted this season and how one is showing its green shoots. We have a quick preview of the next match which is Champions League against OHL Leuven in Belgium. We review the upcoming schedule for the women through February 22, 2026 which is the last match before an International Break until March 15, 2026.

As always we’d love to hear your comments to the episode, fan origin stories, and questions you may have for us. You can leave your comments via DM to Eric and Matt on the Bluesky app on @StatesideGooners 

On this Stateside Gooners Arsenal Women’s podcast, Eric and Matt recap the Arsenal Women’s first trophy of 2026. That’s right all - Arsenal Women are world champions! We recap the Inaugural Women’s Champions Cup, the teams involved, how difficult the final became, and we discuss the future of the tournament (hint: it becomes the Women’s Club Champions World Cup in 2028). We have a quick preview of the next WSL match against the league leaders Manchester City - I really think we can crown them WSL champions for 2025-2026. 

As always we’d love to hear your comments to the episode, fan origin stories, and questions you may have for us. You can leave your comments via DM to Eric and Matt on the Bluesky app on @StatesideGooners 

Finally, Arsenal have won a game that's more boring than reading a dictionary... OK, maybe not for the first time. But this one has sent us to Wembley, and a tournament final.

Way too many pundits are happy to remind Arsenal supporters that NO ONE HAS EVER WON A QUADRUPLE. Yup, that's a fact. I don't know a single supporter that has said we would. (If they did, that's foolish.)

Next up is Sunderland. Sadly, we may not see Xhaka back at the Emirates. We think that would be fun for him and for those at the stadium. The rest of us will have to settle if he somehow can make the journey.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Arsenal Dominate Leeds 4-0 in Week 24 of the Premier League

I love it when Arsenal with the games we’re supposed to win. It’s even better when we do it in style.

This was one of those games. Not easy because in the EPL, no games are. Leeds came out strong, physical, and with intent. Sadly for them, it didn’t matter at all. Eventually our squad took control, scored one goal after another, and won in easy fashion.

Next up is the second leg of the Carabao Cup Semi-Final. The winner to face Team 115 (City) or Newcastle. Who are you hoping gets to the final on that side? Let us know in the comments.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Sometimes good just isn't good enough, especially when the expectation might just be great.

I have to learn to be happy with every win, whether it's 1-0, 10-9, or 8-0. That's hard because the feeling is that this club can perform so much better. Accept reality me.

3-2 wasn't good enough, but we ARE 8 wins from 8 played and top of the F* Champions League. I need to be happy about that. (If you feel it, try to do the same.)

Gyökeres, Havertz, and Martinelli (but of course) are the goal scorers. Good to see all three score, to be honest. And why would I lie. As a loyal listener said, 6-1 feels like a score we should have seen.

Leeds up next on Saturday. Can we hold them to a clean sheet? See you Sunday night, Matt, when we talk about it and publish Episode 111.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

On this Stateside Gooners Arsenal Women’s podcast, Eric and Matt go on an extended discussion about how to shovel snow and then making bread - amusing for sure but that’s now why you came here. Eric and Matt briefly discuss the Arsenal Women’s League Cup defeat to Man United. Then they move on to the Arsenal v Chelsea WSL match that seemed to be another in a long line of similar matches this season with a lot of shots but no score. But then lighting struck from the right foot of Beth Mead and the rest was history.  This away to Chelsea fixture has been a difficult one for Arsenal for the past 7 years, so what happened to change the 7 year drought? Finally, we preview the Inaugural Women’s Champions Cup (becomes the Women’s Club Champions World Cup in 2028. 

As always we’d love to hear your comments to the episode, fan origin stories, and questions you may have for us. You can leave your comments via DM to Eric and Matt on the Bluesky app on @StatesideGooners 

New League Cup https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd0ykm84l48o

FIFA Prize money Inaugural Women’s Champions Cup (6 teams): https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd6wzqdgqx2o

Rory, ya bastid, you were just about right with your 1-3 prediction. Arsenal Nation couldn't wish more that you were dead wrong, but we got what we got.

We said there wasn't much to discuss, and then found 40+ minutes to debate.

Kairat isn't much to look at, so maybe we will, and despite everything, perhaps a big win will breed the confidence lost in this recent game.

Thanks for listening! Next us is to do the thing. Like, follow, share, and subscribe!

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Mikel Arteta made 7 personnel changes including Timber's switch back to his normal right back position. The inclusion of Cristhian Mosquera came as a big surprise to us as he wasn't expected to return until February. MLS's inclusion means the manager still has faith in him to be successful in the UCL, where he enjoyed himself last year.

The style and intensity of the Arsenal press was something to behold. Where did this mentality come from and when did the squad have time to practice it?

Gabriel Jesus looked like he's at his best again. We must hope that the depth of our squad helps ensure any player, Jesus included, aren't overused and at risk of injury.

This victory means Arsenal have already qualified for the knockout rounds and a draw against Kairat Almaty will secure the top seed overall.

In the Premier League, Arsenal next face Manchester United and Rory, the mailman, has predicted a 1-3 victory for his Red Devils at the Emirates. We wish them luck on their season, but no on Sunday.

Check out Matt's Top Ten List after the game on the Stateside Gooners Substack.

As always, like, share, subscribe, and follow our accounts. If you like what we're doing, tell the Arsenal world.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.