Stateside Gooners: An Arsenal FC Show

The biggest question around this match is whether Sean Dyche, and his controlling management style meant Ola Aina had to change is oversized shorts. It's definitely a Dych-ey thing to do.

This game was not fun. You'll have to listen to hear what we talked about instead. Or did we talk about the game?

Inter Milan are up next. They're first in Serie A and Arsenal are top of the Premier League. This is a battle of European titans. Last season Inter won this match 1-0 on a penalty. This year we have the opportunity to win our revenge. Because of our week 8 opponent (Kairat), Arsenal could top the UCL League Phase with a draw in the San Siro. Check out our predictions and send us yours.

Do the thing: like, follow, share, and subscribe.

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

In Episode 106 there's the conundrum about whether an Arsenal supporter should be happy with a 2-3 win, or are disappointed because it wasn't 1-4. Anytime Arsenal win is a happy day.

My offer to anyone unsatisfied after a win because it wasn't good enough is to sleep on it and consider what grateful will feel like when opening the eyes after sleep. ;)

Lots of action, a few surprises.

A horror show by Robert Sanchez, but his toenail saved them from the 4-1 we all think was the more deserved score. I've spent decades telling my kids that we get what we get and we don't get upset. So there's that.

Next us we're in to Forest that Sean Dyche is more likely to wish into a wall. But neither of your hosts believes they can succeed with a negative mindset.

Tune in Sunday night to hear our recap.

Until then, like, follow, share, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, Bluesky, and Substack. Do the thing.

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 catch up on the many moves the Arsenal Women have made since mid December 2025: recalling loanees, loaning out players, new signees, manager contract extensions, and a first for the Arsenal women - appointing a Technical Director. We also discuss the Arsenal Women’s game against Manchester United in the first match of 2026. We agree that this club is not as ruthless as it was last year and maybe some shooting drills are in order. We mention the variety of matches and competitions the women will be competing in January - it’s a lot. Finally, we preview the FA Cup match against potential bogey team Aston Villa. 

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 

In this episode of Stateside Gooners Eric and Matt recap the FA Cup win away at Portsmouth. Despite coming out hot and scoring in the first few minutes, Portsmouth couldn't keep an equally energetic Arsenal from scoring.

Matt and I expected (predicted?) 3-0 and 5-0 victory for this game, so 4 goals is 'just about' right. Conceding wasn't in the plan and while we don't place blame, Norgaard (playing in a position that isn't his norm) may have let his marker get past him, or he just wasn't ready for that rebound and couldn't defend the ensuing shot.

It didn't long to recover and despite conceding further opportunities, Kepa was up the task. Indeed, Martinelli, who had a hat-trick on the day, might have had one in the first half and even more in the second half.

Progress to Round 4 was the goal, and it's achieved. Lots to cover so give us a listen.

Chelsea are up next and it's the Carabao Cup (ahem, Soda Cup) semi-final so it's a two-game tie. The winner will face either Newcastle or Team 115 (Man City) in the final.

Thanks for listening. Be sure to like, share, follow, and subscribe.

"Do the Thing."

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

After the LOOOONG last episode, we make up for it with a quick one.

We started recording Thursday at 11:30 PM EST and finished quickly, I'm publishing Friday at 12:37 AM EST.

It wasn't 'boring,' it was another tale of two halves, but no matter what anyone says, it was a 0-0, and a game that matched what the rest of the top four did this week.

Nothing gained but nothing lost.

We skipped a few segments including 3QT.

Portsmouth should be a game we win handily. We'll have another quick Episode Sunday if we get our way and talk succinctly. haha, good luck when it's these two guys.

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

Every single Episode, Matt and I try to buzz through our content in an attempt to produce a 40-50 minute episode. Every week we end up with an episode that's 10-20 minutes longer than we endeavoured to make. This one is a killer on length at roughly 80'. It sets the new record for longest podcast ever. The thing is, I wouldn't change a thing. Despite what I'm sure are a few 'run on topics,' we feel proud of what we do and say, and hope you enjoy our podcasts. We make them for us AND for you. Win/Win? I hope so.

Who would you pick for Man of the Match in this game? This game was open and had a lot of positive aspects. Both teams were good on the ball, 'just about' good enough with their defensive actions, and had quality goals. (Maybe not THAT one, though.)

Ødegaard was as good as he's ever been, Madueke shows us his 1v1 skills every time he's on the pitch (if he had goal contributions to match he'd be giving Bukayo a run for minutes), and that line change to put Saka, Jesus, and Trossard on... Wow. What other team in the league can make THAT change while Kai Havertz (or their version) is still waiting for minutes? IDK, please tell me. (Liverpool? Maybe. Team 115? Maybe when Semenyo arrives? Money Club? Not yet, but they'll keep buying and rolling the dice.)

Liverpool is a big one on Thursday. All our energies as supporters need to start (*and stay*) positive. Whether you subscribe to that belief, that energy can positively or negatively affect sports, or not, try to be positive anyway.

Winning this game will have a huge impact on the title run. Now that Team 115 (City) have faltered in consecutive games (again) we can put our foot on their throats with a win. They still have a game against Liverpool, as do Chelsea, United, and Villa. That makes up the top 6...

I'm glad to have this at the beginning of the second half of the season. I want these games as early as possible so we can put down a marker and get ahead of them all one by one. Villa, check. Now lets check the next box.

Our side quests in this episode were fun. Check out the between review and preview and the end of the pod. We have a good bit of banter, prove each other wrong (as always) and I think you'll find that we enjoyed ourselves.

We hope you do, too. Thanks for listening.

Matt's Premier League Top Ten Reviews (Is that the title now?) is always on Substack.

You'll find us on Bluesky, too.

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

Happy New Year!

As Arsenal Supporters, we wrapped up the year with the type of win we've been waiting for since the week of Tottenham and Bayern.

The detractors, haters, and pundits got to see the Arsenal at our best. We had a Gabby set piece goal, an Ødegaard masterclass, a classic Trossard wonder-strike, and love him or not, we got a 2026 bookend goal from a very grateful Jesus.

Up next is Bournemouth. They're missing a handful of players that are playing in AFCON, but they've still got quality available to play, and to score goals. They're the 7th highest scoring team if my eyes can see right. However, with news about Semenyo suggesting he'll Semengo very soon, we're wondering if he will play on the weekend. If your club were buying him, would you want him playing this month?

Please share the links to whatever pod platform you're listening to our podcast. We're always looking to grow our listeners and your shares mean a lot to help us get there.

Social media accounts are @StatesideGooners. You'll find us mostly posting on Bluesky and Substack. Matt's EPL Top Ten is there, too. Give those a read and share! Do the thing.

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

When it rains own goals, it pours own goals.In the open, we reveal some fun facts about OGs this season and how historic this run of 4 in 4 games is for Arsenal. Can they win the league while claiming the record for most own goals benefitted? That would be an interesting discussion in June of 2026.For now, in Episode One Hundred and One (Whaaa?!?) Matt and Eric recap the details that matter in the victory over Brighton, another team that couldn't be mistake-free. Long may this OG run continue. However, there's a lot of chatter between us (*and everyone else*) about why we aren't scoring goals for ourselves.The Villans visit The Emirates on Tuesday, December 30th. In a weird scheduling twist, we play them in both league games within a month. We're playing them twice in the first half of the season (the first 19 games) and not in the second half at all. Instead, we get Bournemouth twice in 2026 during this season. Aston Villa haven't lost in 11 games in all comps, but they've conceded 9 times in the last 6, so there's something to be said for that. Let's hope we can score two or three this time out. Arsenal need a clean sheet. Now that we've got our centerback pairing together again in Willy and Gabby, it might become more normalized again. It's likely we don't have either starting FB available, and Matt and I pick an interesting pair for the Villa game.Ødegaard looks to be back to his best, Saka was highly influential in this game after looking off his best recently, and Raya continues to save us points with ridiculous 'worldie' saves. If we can convert a higher percentage of our shots on goal and convert more of our shots into shots on goal, we'll also score more. That's what we need. Captain Martin had his shooting boots on against Brighton, and he said it's been something he's focused on during training sessions. (Are you listening, Viktor, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, and Trossard?)It's the 28th of December as I write this. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or weekends, we hope you all had wonderful holiday time with family and friends. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Scoring goals to win games is highly overrated. Just let your opponents score for you.

More of that please.

Arsenal have won two of the last three games largely because our opponents have gifted us the wins.

Can we say 'Champions always find a way to win' when it's wins like these. I think we can.

Next up? Brighton and Hove. Let's see if we can score goals and win of our own volition.

Matt and I wish everyone a very Merry (& Happy) Christmas!

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 discuss the Arsenal Women’s game against OH Leuven in the Women’s Champions League (UCL) action on the last day of the League Phase. We discuss the drama of Arsenal clinching 5th in the table and the “draw” for the first round of the knockout phase. We discuss the Arsenal women deploying two to lead the press and the other adjustments being made to their out of possession form. We discuss the Crystal Palace match in the Subway League Cup quarterfinal. Win and move on is the point of Cup play and Arsenal move on. Finally, we talk about the women’s winter break and what awaits them in January (it’s a lot).

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