Anyone expecting an easy game tonight was mistaken. Tonight was once in a lifetime stuff for Athletic, who were clearly ready to cause an upset. It wasn't vintage Arsenal but we prepared for a fight + had quality off the bench to see us through. Isn't that the perfect away day?

Some really strong defensive performances again (Timber and Mosquera especially) and nights like tonight are why we have a deep squad. It's not Kabia and Sterling anymore - we brought genuine quality on to change the game. It's not about x being better than x, we're a squad!

I would've been fine with Trossard leaving this summer (for the right price) but he's been an output machine since signing for Arsenal - only Saka has more G/A in that timeframe. Another tangible impact tonight and can't argue with his record whenever asked.

There is no mention of Liverpool, their players or anything related to them in my tweets from tonight. You’ll never guess which fan base is currently flooding my mentions.

Who can be arsed with this stuff, really. This is Athletic’s third time (ever) in the Champions League, and they’re starting at home to Arsenal. That’s why it’s once in a lifetime. I’m well aware of the club and its history. I did a whole fucking podcast about it.

It's here if anyone wants to listen 🥰 open.spotify.com/episode/13n0TL…

Looking back on my Mosquera profile (when he signed) and I thought I was being generous at the time - turns out I wasn't being generous enough. So impressed with his early performances and it's what I alluded to in the piece, not needing to rush Saliba back is a luxury.

🚨NEW for Patrons🚨 Power Rankings - Schadenfreude and General Confusion @yankeegunner @_philcosta 📰Some quick CL chat 😂Schadenfreude for some obvious clubs 🤷‍♂️Confusion about the quality of some ⌛️What to make of last ditch LFC LINK BELOW 👇

🚨 EXCL: Tim Lewis leaves Arsenal in shock boardroom revamp. 62yo integral to #AFC rise but new-look hierarchy sees Richard Garlick become CEO + Josh Kroenke increasingly prominent, Ben Winston join & 3 more appointments including 2 from KSE The Athletic | Football nytimes.com/athletic/66187…

Way too easy from an Arsenal perspective (Calafiori silly, two lost duels in midfield) but City played everything perfectly there. Haaland was a freak motoring through the middle of the pitch.

Why are we stopping there? Fuck sake.

That was bad. Improved towards the end but our possession was so passive and unimaginative. Arteta was already on thin ice with his line-ups (which I understood) but surely we needed more against City at home. Giving the ball to Madueke and seeing what happens isn’t good enough.

Madueke must be injured. I’d be amazed if he isn’t.

These last 20 minutes have been absolutely horrible. So disappointed with this performance.

Good not to lose (and our goal was brilliant) but we threw away 45 minutes, and barely created anything afterwards despite going behind in the 10th minute. I love that we can be pragmatic and dig in - but we don’t have that inevitability gene to kick the door down. A point gives

Not really bothered about the Ballon d’Or but my feeling is that Salah should have won it. I love the redemption arc for Dembele, it’s amazing for him and he was fantastic last season (in a great team) but PSG barely break sweat for their domestic trophies.

Anyway - the real robbery is Aitana winning. She is the best women’s player I’ve ever seen, but Mariona was a clear and deserving candidate after her UWCL and Euros performances last season.

Considering our luck, we can probably be glad it's nothing more serious but this constant barrage of injuries and absences is becoming really tiring. We have a brilliant squad but what's the point if they are always stuck between recovery and finding match fitness. Madueke had

Max Dowman (2025)

Hincapié injured after playing about two minutes against Athletic. Welcome to the Arsenal.