The Loose Cannon Podcast

Seventh Heaven In Milan

Arsenal delivered a dominant performance at the San Siro, winning 3-1 to secure seven wins from seven in their Champions League group and clinch a top-two finish with a game to spare.Gabriel Jesus scored twice from a loose ball and a header from a set-piece, while summer signing Gyökeres sealed the win with a late long-range strike. Strong defending, key saves from Raya, and creative work from Saka and Trossard underpinned the victory.The result marks Arsenal’s longest Champions League winning run, their first win in Italy since 2008, and guarantees home advantage in the last-16 second leg. Next up: Kairat at home and a Premier League visit from Manchester United.

Arsenal Can’t Capitalise On City Slip

Arsenal were held to a 0–0 draw at Nottingham Forest, their second consecutive goalless league game, but still leave the City Ground seven points clear at the top of the table.Gabriel Martinelli missed the best chance, goalkeeper Matz Sels produced key saves, and Mikel Arteta's triple substitution of Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka brought pressure but no breakthrough. A late VAR check for a possible penalty on Ola Aina was ruled inconclusive.Forest managed no shots on target, while Arsenal created the better chances and extended their lead thanks to other results. Attention now turns to a midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan before returning to league action.

Gyo-goal Ignites Blue Touch Paper

Arsenal produced a chaotic, thrilling performance at Stamford Bridge to beat Chelsea 3–2 in the Carabao Cup semi‑final first leg, taking a slender lead back to the Emirates for the second leg.Ben White opened the scoring from a set piece, Viktor Gyökeres added a second after a goalkeeping error, and Martín Zubimendi coolly finished a team move to make it 3–1. Chelsea fought back through two Alejandro Garnacho strikes to set up a dramatic finale, but Arsenal held on.The game was frantic and end‑to‑end but Arsenal managed to bend without breaking, leaving with the crucial away advantage. Next up: Nottingham Forest in the league, then a Champions League trip to Inter at San Siro.

Martinelli Milestone

On a blustery afternoon at Fratton Park, Portsmouth stunned early with a 2½-minute opener, but Arsenal steadied and swung the momentum back quickly.An unfortunate own goal levelled the match before Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal ahead; he hit the post and a missed penalty raised the tension, but the second half belonged to him.Six minutes after the restart Martinelli completed a brace from a Gabriel Jesus assist, and later rose to head home a third from a Noni Madueke delivery to seal the hat-trick and the win.The match also featured Arsenal youth history with Marli Salmon's debut, and the victory keeps Arsenal pressing on multiple fronts with big fixtures to come.

Damp Squib At Home

Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool at the Emirates, leaving them six points clear at the top but short on spark. The match promised intensity but became a cautious, low-chance affair where control outweighed creativity.The Gunners started strongly with early pressure and chances from Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, while Conor Bradley struck the bar for Liverpool. After the break Liverpool dominated possession, Mikel Arteta introduced several attacking substitutes and Arsenal forced late saves, but neither side could find the breakthrough.Not pretty but not damaging: the clean sheet and the point maintain Arsenal’s lead. The team now faces a busy spell away from home, beginning with an FA Cup tie at Portsmouth, then a Carabao Cup semi against Chelsea, a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest and a Champions League trip to Inter Milan.

Double Portion of Rice

Arsenal survived a rollercoaster at Bournemouth to win 3–2, stretching their winning run to seven matches. The game swung wildly between chaos and control before a second-half brace from Declan Rice settled the contest.Gabriel gifted Bournemouth an early opener but redeemed himself soon after with a powerful equaliser. Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka played key roles in the second-half build-up to Rice’s goals, while Junior Kroupi’s long-range strike made for a nervy finish.Arsenal held on with composed game management to take the points. The win keeps them top as they head into a busy spell — Liverpool at the Emirates, an FA Cup trip to Portsmouth, and a Carabao Cup semi against Chelsea.

Top of the Tree Statement Win

Arsenal roared into 2026 with a dominant second-half display to beat Aston Villa 4–1 at the Emirates. Gabriel headed home from a Bukayo Saka corner, Martin Zubimendi doubled the lead after a fine Ødegaard pass, Leandro Trossard struck the third, and Gabriel Jesus curled in a fourth before Ollie Watkins grabbed a late consolation for Villa.The victory ended Villa’s 11-match winning run, returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, and sends the team into the New Year with momentum ahead of trips to Bournemouth, a home clash with Liverpool, and an FA Cup tie at Portsmouth.

Move On Up Back To The Top

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to Martin Ødegaard’s low long-range opener and a Brighton own goal from a Declan Rice corner. Brighton hit back through Diego Gómez, but goalkeeper David Raya’s late fingertip save preserved the victory.The match was dominated by Arsenal’s pressure and set-piece threat, a nervy finish but three crucial points that put Arsenal top of the table. Next up: Aston Villa at the Emirates on December 30, then Bournemouth away on January 3.