Mark McFaul
@jmmcfaul.bsky.social
Husband. Father. Adopted Geordie. Mostly here to talk about Arsenal, Leicester Tigers and Irish rugby.
I think most Ireland fans aren't expecting much considering they play France and England away and have no experience at LHP. Personally think it is a good opportunity to blood some younger players. Farrell needs to bring players through before the next WC imo
January 28, 2026 at 4:10 PM
I think most Ireland fans aren't expecting much considering they play France and England away and have no experience at LHP. Personally think it is a good opportunity to blood some younger players. Farrell needs to bring players through before the next WC imo
Good thing PSG don't have any good attacking midfielders.... 🙄
January 26, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Good thing PSG don't have any good attacking midfielders.... 🙄
Tbh given aftv's history I'm sure there are genuine videos out there with even more ridiculous responses. The reality is most Arsenal fans aren't quite this mental, although I know all fan bases have their own clowns...
January 26, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Tbh given aftv's history I'm sure there are genuine videos out there with even more ridiculous responses. The reality is most Arsenal fans aren't quite this mental, although I know all fan bases have their own clowns...
Like the name of the pod, Arteta needs to take the handbrake off. Man United scored 2 worldies because they were willing to take risks in attack. Until Arteta enables the players to do that we will struggle to get the best out of our attacking players.
They need a quick trip to Dubai....
They need a quick trip to Dubai....
January 26, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Like the name of the pod, Arteta needs to take the handbrake off. Man United scored 2 worldies because they were willing to take risks in attack. Until Arteta enables the players to do that we will struggle to get the best out of our attacking players.
They need a quick trip to Dubai....
They need a quick trip to Dubai....
You create your own luck etc etc...
January 26, 2026 at 4:40 PM
You create your own luck etc etc...
I'm still in this phase tbh! 😂
a close up of a woman 's face looking at another woman .
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face looking at another woman .
media.tenor.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I'm still in this phase tbh! 😂
Well we all know that Spurs and Liverpool will both rollover to have their tummies tickled by City in the next few league games too. If we're going to do it it's going to be excruciating for all of us!
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Well we all know that Spurs and Liverpool will both rollover to have their tummies tickled by City in the next few league games too. If we're going to do it it's going to be excruciating for all of us!
It certainly felt like the end of the world when Cunha scored the winner. Horrible result after a horrible performance. Arteta needs to take the handbrake off and find a way to get the team believing. A long way to go but not a good couple of weeks in the league
January 26, 2026 at 2:45 PM
It certainly felt like the end of the world when Cunha scored the winner. Horrible result after a horrible performance. Arteta needs to take the handbrake off and find a way to get the team believing. A long way to go but not a good couple of weeks in the league
Definitely a system problem. Especially when you consider how we've played in the CL at times.
January 26, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Definitely a system problem. Especially when you consider how we've played in the CL at times.
It is working now thanks
January 26, 2026 at 11:36 AM
It is working now thanks
I find it an interesting discussion. Is it up to the fans to create the atmosphere or is some of it down to the players and the manager and how they set up and play? Fans pay a lot of money to be entertained and at the moment that isn't happening often enough. Still a long way to go though.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 AM
I find it an interesting discussion. Is it up to the fans to create the atmosphere or is some of it down to the players and the manager and how they set up and play? Fans pay a lot of money to be entertained and at the moment that isn't happening often enough. Still a long way to go though.
Link isn't working FYI @tomcanton.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Link isn't working FYI @tomcanton.bsky.social
Last year we lacked any 'moments' players, in the summer we signed several to seemingly resolve this, Eze, Madueke etc. However all of them have been largely ineffective. Are any of them ever going to succeed under a manager who is so risk averse? #arsecastextra
January 26, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Last year we lacked any 'moments' players, in the summer we signed several to seemingly resolve this, Eze, Madueke etc. However all of them have been largely ineffective. Are any of them ever going to succeed under a manager who is so risk averse? #arsecastextra
I've seen some people say that we are a team with a high floor but a low ceiling do you agree? #arsecastextra
January 26, 2026 at 6:37 AM
I've seen some people say that we are a team with a high floor but a low ceiling do you agree? #arsecastextra
Maybe not but I'm not convinced we win the league without improving our attacking output.
Our defence was imperious until recently but we can't keep wasting attacking opportunities as our opponents keep scoring from their only shots it seems sometimes!
Rest players against Kairat & then Leeds...
Our defence was imperious until recently but we can't keep wasting attacking opportunities as our opponents keep scoring from their only shots it seems sometimes!
Rest players against Kairat & then Leeds...
January 25, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Maybe not but I'm not convinced we win the league without improving our attacking output.
Our defence was imperious until recently but we can't keep wasting attacking opportunities as our opponents keep scoring from their only shots it seems sometimes!
Rest players against Kairat & then Leeds...
Our defence was imperious until recently but we can't keep wasting attacking opportunities as our opponents keep scoring from their only shots it seems sometimes!
Rest players against Kairat & then Leeds...
Ok fair enough I probably didn't word that quite right. They looked comfortable for the most part & they also seemed very organised & up for it. They got a bit lucky at times but Arsenal were their own worst enemies. How you score an 84th minute equaliser & concede straight away is infuriating
January 25, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Ok fair enough I probably didn't word that quite right. They looked comfortable for the most part & they also seemed very organised & up for it. They got a bit lucky at times but Arsenal were their own worst enemies. How you score an 84th minute equaliser & concede straight away is infuriating
Exactly. Only one team can win the big prize (or 4 in Arsenal's case).
Sure I'll be running around like a lunatic if we win a trophy but equally I don't need to ruin other people's days or my own when we lose it's just not that important.
It's supposed to be entertainment at the end of the day!
Sure I'll be running around like a lunatic if we win a trophy but equally I don't need to ruin other people's days or my own when we lose it's just not that important.
It's supposed to be entertainment at the end of the day!
January 25, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Exactly. Only one team can win the big prize (or 4 in Arsenal's case).
Sure I'll be running around like a lunatic if we win a trophy but equally I don't need to ruin other people's days or my own when we lose it's just not that important.
It's supposed to be entertainment at the end of the day!
Sure I'll be running around like a lunatic if we win a trophy but equally I don't need to ruin other people's days or my own when we lose it's just not that important.
It's supposed to be entertainment at the end of the day!
Maybe you are right but hopefully Arteta like all great coaches has people around him to challenge him & show him different ways to do things. Pep has completely changed his philosophy since Haaland came in so it can happen. Whatever happens I hope this is a blip & not a sign of things to come.
January 25, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Maybe you are right but hopefully Arteta like all great coaches has people around him to challenge him & show him different ways to do things. Pep has completely changed his philosophy since Haaland came in so it can happen. Whatever happens I hope this is a blip & not a sign of things to come.
Man United scored 2 worldies and were gifted the other but they were also better for a lot of the game. Arsenal struggled after scoring the opener & just like Vs Liverpool were terrible after half time. Not the end of the world but equally need to change things in the league
January 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Man United scored 2 worldies and were gifted the other but they were also better for a lot of the game. Arsenal struggled after scoring the opener & just like Vs Liverpool were terrible after half time. Not the end of the world but equally need to change things in the league
Absolutely. Being in my mid thirties means most of my friends are Man United fans. They've all been avoiding football recently, guarantee they'll be messaging me this week gloating...
January 25, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Absolutely. Being in my mid thirties means most of my friends are Man United fans. They've all been avoiding football recently, guarantee they'll be messaging me this week gloating...
We have fewer games in Feb which will help but tbh I think we need Arteta to release the handbrake a bit. The attack is so slow & predictable at times in the league. Maybe having Merino up top with Eze off him like Vs Spurs is worth trying again...?
January 25, 2026 at 7:27 PM
We have fewer games in Feb which will help but tbh I think we need Arteta to release the handbrake a bit. The attack is so slow & predictable at times in the league. Maybe having Merino up top with Eze off him like Vs Spurs is worth trying again...?
Tbh I think it is a relatively easy fix. We just need someone to help the players to attack with more freedom. Arteta could bring in a coach to help with that or it might be a case of releasing the handbrake. Personally I want to see Merino & Eze up front together like Vs spurs as that worked imo.
January 25, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Tbh I think it is a relatively easy fix. We just need someone to help the players to attack with more freedom. Arteta could bring in a coach to help with that or it might be a case of releasing the handbrake. Personally I want to see Merino & Eze up front together like Vs spurs as that worked imo.
Yeah tbh I think the Spurs game was some of the best attacking football we've played this season. Weird Arteta hasn't considered going back to that. I know Spurs were terrible but still surely it's worth a look?
January 25, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Yeah tbh I think the Spurs game was some of the best attacking football we've played this season. Weird Arteta hasn't considered going back to that. I know Spurs were terrible but still surely it's worth a look?
I think it's a good perspective to have. I often let results impact my mood too much but ultimately it's wasted energy. Being angry impacts everyone around me & I don't want my kids thinking I'm an angry person who can't be approached when Arsenal lose. Life's too short & results don't really matter
January 25, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I think it's a good perspective to have. I often let results impact my mood too much but ultimately it's wasted energy. Being angry impacts everyone around me & I don't want my kids thinking I'm an angry person who can't be approached when Arsenal lose. Life's too short & results don't really matter
Yeah maybe you are right. I also just think being captain makes it harder to drop him and I kinda wonder whether he needs to be dropped as he's been quite poor recently. For me Merino deserves to start but not sure if that works with Rice and Zubi. Maybe he should be upfront
January 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Yeah maybe you are right. I also just think being captain makes it harder to drop him and I kinda wonder whether he needs to be dropped as he's been quite poor recently. For me Merino deserves to start but not sure if that works with Rice and Zubi. Maybe he should be upfront