Bram Pijpers
@brammoker.bsky.social
Lifelong Arsenal fan from the Netherlands. Watches US sports regularly. Hates bigots. Loves cats.
I’ve read a few articles on Chelsea’s gameplan against us. While it might have been the wrong plan in hindsight, because Chelsea didn’t create anything of substance in the 30 minutes they did get their offensive quality on, the plan itself sort of made sense.
February 5, 2026 at 6:38 AM
I’ve read a few articles on Chelsea’s gameplan against us. While it might have been the wrong plan in hindsight, because Chelsea didn’t create anything of substance in the 30 minutes they did get their offensive quality on, the plan itself sort of made sense.
The City attendance for a league cup semi: 41.843. That’s roughly 79% full. More than one fifth of a stadium empty for a semi final. Ridiculous.
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 AM
The City attendance for a league cup semi: 41.843. That’s roughly 79% full. More than one fifth of a stadium empty for a semi final. Ridiculous.
By the way, the game yesterday wasn’t really on Howe. His front players missed chances at important moments and his defensive players made countless mistakes. Didn’t have a whole lot to do with structure for me. The first game however, is a whole different story.
February 5, 2026 at 6:13 AM
By the way, the game yesterday wasn’t really on Howe. His front players missed chances at important moments and his defensive players made countless mistakes. Didn’t have a whole lot to do with structure for me. The first game however, is a whole different story.
I’m not and advocate for firing managers because usually it’s harsh. But in the case of Newcastle and Eddie Howe, I’ve always been a firm believer that if they really want to consistently challenge, they have to move on. In fact, they’re probably late on that. I’d have done it 2 years ago.
February 5, 2026 at 6:04 AM
I’m not and advocate for firing managers because usually it’s harsh. But in the case of Newcastle and Eddie Howe, I’ve always been a firm believer that if they really want to consistently challenge, they have to move on. In fact, they’re probably late on that. I’d have done it 2 years ago.
I think the Noni Madueke chant on the last Handbrake Off is absolutely brilliant. ‘Noni Madueke, Madueke, Madueke, you’ve been hit by, you’ve been passed by, a smooth dribbler’. On smooth criminal.
February 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM
I think the Noni Madueke chant on the last Handbrake Off is absolutely brilliant. ‘Noni Madueke, Madueke, Madueke, you’ve been hit by, you’ve been passed by, a smooth dribbler’. On smooth criminal.
Newcastle’s defense is vying to provide a load of entertainment today to compensate for how ‘boring’ we are. What in the world was that?
February 4, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Newcastle’s defense is vying to provide a load of entertainment today to compensate for how ‘boring’ we are. What in the world was that?
I will not renew my The Athletic yearly subscription jn August. The ads have gotten ridiculous for a paid subscription and some (not the Arsenal content, mind!) content has really dropped the ball lately. Also they have a lot of gambling adjacent content. Will see what Arsenal alternative I pick.
February 4, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I will not renew my The Athletic yearly subscription jn August. The ads have gotten ridiculous for a paid subscription and some (not the Arsenal content, mind!) content has really dropped the ball lately. Also they have a lot of gambling adjacent content. Will see what Arsenal alternative I pick.
I’m glad we won but to deem that Chalobah challenge ‘natural contact’ when you can clearly see him purposefully move his leg up to trip Martinelli after the first tackle is not natural in any way. Absolutely ridiculous decision and we should treat is as such, especially after a win.
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 AM
I’m glad we won but to deem that Chalobah challenge ‘natural contact’ when you can clearly see him purposefully move his leg up to trip Martinelli after the first tackle is not natural in any way. Absolutely ridiculous decision and we should treat is as such, especially after a win.
Pretty ridiculous how short that check was. Especially compared to that absurd handball check a few minutes earlier.
February 3, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Pretty ridiculous how short that check was. Especially compared to that absurd handball check a few minutes earlier.
To me, that’s a penalty. His trailing leg lifts Martinelli on the 2nd situation. The first he gets the ball but the ball stays in play for Gabi to go on and he touches him clearly.
February 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
To me, that’s a penalty. His trailing leg lifts Martinelli on the 2nd situation. The first he gets the ball but the ball stays in play for Gabi to go on and he touches him clearly.
Why are Chelsea making some sort of protest out of everything? It’s their own time.
February 3, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Why are Chelsea making some sort of protest out of everything? It’s their own time.
Look we haven’t been great but we’re 82 minutes in and they have done nothing at all of note. We don’t need to. It’s not fun but it is the reality.
February 3, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Look we haven’t been great but we’re 82 minutes in and they have done nothing at all of note. We don’t need to. It’s not fun but it is the reality.
It’s absolutely nothing. Not even close to a handball. Terrible free kick by the way.
February 3, 2026 at 9:40 PM
It’s absolutely nothing. Not even close to a handball. Terrible free kick by the way.
Not the greatest foul there by Hincapié.
February 3, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Not the greatest foul there by Hincapié.
I’m so happy I’m able to watch this game without commentary because the timeline seems livid.
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 PM
I’m so happy I’m able to watch this game without commentary because the timeline seems livid.
Also think that Martinelli turn that Gusto blocked very well, while quite difficult, was executed well by Gabi and in turn became the best chance of the first half. On another day, that’s 1-0. Chelsea have had no real moments like that.
February 3, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Also think that Martinelli turn that Gusto blocked very well, while quite difficult, was executed well by Gabi and in turn became the best chance of the first half. On another day, that’s 1-0. Chelsea have had no real moments like that.
Chelsea have pretty much done nothing. Don’t think they realize every minute this stays 0-0 is a disadvantage. Clearly trying to play for extra time by getting one scruffy goal. Could even see them staying solid until the last 5 minutes just because they don’t want to risk opening up.
February 3, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Chelsea have pretty much done nothing. Don’t think they realize every minute this stays 0-0 is a disadvantage. Clearly trying to play for extra time by getting one scruffy goal. Could even see them staying solid until the last 5 minutes just because they don’t want to risk opening up.
Bit of a weird save from Kepa. Wasn’t the hardest shot in the world.
February 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Bit of a weird save from Kepa. Wasn’t the hardest shot in the world.
I was a bit critical of Hincapié this week. So far I think he’s been excellent, a few very good passes through the lines, which was mostly what I’ve disliked in his game. If he can do that consistently he will be fine.
February 3, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I was a bit critical of Hincapié this week. So far I think he’s been excellent, a few very good passes through the lines, which was mostly what I’ve disliked in his game. If he can do that consistently he will be fine.
Not a bad cutback from Martinelli. More unlucky that it was just between two.
February 3, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Not a bad cutback from Martinelli. More unlucky that it was just between two.
Good hit that by Hincapié.
February 3, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Good hit that by Hincapié.
Actually handball that. It’s a weird one but still.
February 3, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Actually handball that. It’s a weird one but still.
It’s not a player issue with these three. While I don’t love Big Vic he has some qualities. The other two I genuinely rate. They are just in no way compatible and in fact I can’t believe Mikel has picked this exact front three about 4 or 5 times to start a game.
February 3, 2026 at 8:14 PM
It’s not a player issue with these three. While I don’t love Big Vic he has some qualities. The other two I genuinely rate. They are just in no way compatible and in fact I can’t believe Mikel has picked this exact front three about 4 or 5 times to start a game.
Still the same issues so far with this three up front though. We just don’t hold the ball up well enough. I actually think Martinelli is probably the best at it from these three. In the past he’s been the worst at it, usually.
February 3, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Still the same issues so far with this three up front though. We just don’t hold the ball up well enough. I actually think Martinelli is probably the best at it from these three. In the past he’s been the worst at it, usually.
Sloppy start by Gabriel and Saliba.
February 3, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Sloppy start by Gabriel and Saliba.