The Loose Cannon Podcast

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.

Kepa Keeps Out Own-Goalist Lacroix

Arsenal survived a dramatic night at the Emirates, drawing late before beating Crystal Palace on penalties after nine minutes of stoppage-time chaos. Kepa Arrizabalaga dived to deny Maxence Lacroix's spot-kick to clinch the win and send Arsenal into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.Key moments included Lacroix’s own goal from a Bukayo Saka corner, a stoppage-time equaliser by Marc Guéhi, and the game-changing introductions of Martin Ødegaard and Saka. Gabriel Jesus made his 100th Arsenal appearance during a high-pressure evening.Arsenal now face Chelsea over two legs in the semi-finals, with Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Aston Villa coming up next as the squad builds momentum.

Gabi at the gates of 100 – and Palace know exactly what’s coming

On his 100th Arsenal appearance against Crystal Palace, Gabriel Jesus finally gets his milestone after a long recovery from an ACL rupture. Short cameos since his return have shown the sharp, inventive forward who links play, teases defenders and can change games — a reminder of the five-goal burst that reignited his season last year.With Viktor Gyökeres offering a more direct option, a Brazil No.9 spot still up for grabs, and one year left on his contract, Jesus has clear incentives to force his way back into the team. Tuesday night is about whether Mikel Arteta will trust the creative spark that once "changed our world."