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shamsdale.bsky.social
(Sham)
@shamsdale.bsky.social
1.6K followers 160 following 950 posts
Patron saint of iced lattes. Guess The Gooner finalist. The target is to post so well that it becomes an art.

✍️ https://thenonnegotiables.substack.com/
🎙️ @notthatgooner.bsky.social
Posts Replies Media Videos
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝NEW: I know we’re all probably tired of the Gyökeres discourse, but I wanted to say my piece on the matter before we (hopefully) move on. On the good, the bad, and the Swede perhaps not being the star of the show at CF:

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/viktor-gyo...
Viktor Gyökeres Isn't the Protagonist We Think He is
Some thoughts on why Arsenal's underwhelming striker signing still has a role to play, but not the one we may have originally expected.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Wolves (h)

BALLERS

❤️‍🔥 Saka
😡 ???
💪 ???

FALLERS

😬 Gyökeres
📋 ???
📉 ???

I go over the encouraging and disappointing aspects of Arsenal’s rather diabolical 2-1 victory over Wolves.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Wolves (h)
Three Ballers and three Fallers from a win that doesn't feel like much of a win.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:22 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Club Brugge (a)

BALLERS

✌️ Madueke
🙏 ???
5️⃣ ???
👍 ???

FALLERS

🫥 Gyökeres
🤷‍♂️ ???

I go over Arsenal’s hits and misses from their sixth consecutive win in the Champions League this season.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Club Brugge (a)
Four Ballers and two Fallers from Arsenal's sixth straight Champions League victory.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
I’m watching Welcome to Derry and they use “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in a scene in episode 2. And I think that’s quite apt, because Liverpool have certainly been quite the horror show this season.
December 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Aston Villa (a)

BALLERS

⚽️ Trossard
💪 ???
🧤 ???

FALLERS

❌ Eze
😓 ???
🤔 ???
🧠 ???

This time, I go over some performances from a disappointing outing at Villa. But first, I chat about “toxic positivity”. Have a read 👇🏽

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Aston Villa (a)
Three Ballers and four Fallers from Arsenal’s first loss since August.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by (Sham)
billycarpy.bsky.social
There’s fit enough to make a bench, fit enough to meaningfully sub, fit enough to play multiple 90s in short succession, and fit enough to be at your best while doing so. Just because it’s explainable, doesn’t mean it isn’t brutal. They hit a wall.
December 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
Tough away ground against a team that always tries to stick it to us, at the end of an exhausting block of games, without both starting CBs, and the rest of the team running on fumes or just back from injury. It is what it is. Regroup and go on a run for the next few weeks.
December 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
Nothing says “I’m out of touch with my audience” like having Lauryn Hill perform a set an hour into a World Cup draw ceremony that has yet to feature a World Cup draw.
December 5, 2025 at 6:08 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW: In recent weeks, I’ve noticed some antsiness on the rare occasion Arsenal have dropped points or when their competitors win games. And while nothing is ever guaranteed in the PL, it must be said — this Arsenal team is great and deserves trust.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/arsenal-ar...
Arsenal Are Pretty Damn Good
A reminder for anxious fans of how encouraging the early signs are for the Gunners.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Brentford (h)

BALLERS

⭐️ Merino
📈 ???
😍 ???

FALLERS

😕 Martinelli
🐝 ???
🔵 ???

I discuss three Ballers and three Fallers from Arsenal’s 2-0 home win over Brentford. Hope you give it a read, and subscribe if you enjoy!

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Brentford (h)
Three standout performers and three that take a hit after Wednesday's win over the Bees.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Chelsea (a)

BALLERS

🧱 Saliba & Gabriel
😎 ???
👍 ???

FALLERS

🫥 Eze
❌ ???
🫵 ???

I go over three hits and three misses from a frustrating outing at Stamford Bridge. Have a read, and subscribe if you enjoy!

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Chelsea (a)
The best and worst from an annoying afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW: Nothing is won in November. But this is an excellent Arsenal team, and we need to enjoy going on the journey with them. These could be times we look back on warmly years from now — be present.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/enjoy-this...
Enjoy This Team, Arsenal Fans!
Some thoughts on thankfulness, where we've been, and being present in this current Arsenal era.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by (Sham)
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Bayern (h)

BALLERS

🌎 Rice
😮‍💨 Eze
💫 ???
📈 ???
⚽️ ???
💪 ???

FALLERS

😬 ???

It’s another tremendous result for Arsenal! I go over six outstanding performances from Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Bayern and… another performance.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Bayern Munich (h)
Six Ballers and one Faller from yet another wonderful European night.-
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Bayern (h)

BALLERS

🌎 Rice
😮‍💨 Eze
💫 ???
📈 ???
⚽️ ???
💪 ???

FALLERS

😬 ???

It’s another tremendous result for Arsenal! I go over six outstanding performances from Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Bayern and… another performance.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Bayern Munich (h)
Six Ballers and one Faller from yet another wonderful European night.-
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
Back in the top 100 for Substack’s “Rising in Sports” category 💪🏽
November 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Spurs (h)

BALLERS

3️⃣ Eze
⚽️ Trossard
💨 ???
💪 ???
😍 ???
🎆 ???

FALLERS

🐓 ???

I go over six Ballers and one Faller from Arsenal’s tremendous 4-1 win in the North London Derby. What a night.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Spurs (h)
A lot of Ballers and one Faller from an absolutely magical North London Derby.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW: In the wake of Gabriel’s injury while on international duty, we’re all frustrated. Many of us want someone to blame. In that spirit, I started writing about who it should be and the conclusion I reached was… surprising.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/on-gabriel...
On Gabriel, International Football, and Competing Priorities
Why figuring out who to blame for Gabriel's injury on international duty actually isn't all that simple.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by (Sham)
demidinho.bsky.social
Really good insightful & analytical article! Enjoyed reading this. I hope it gets a wider reach cos there are some interesting points worth looking at for even the football administrators! Brilliantly written by @shamsdale.bsky.social 👏🏿 open.substack.com/pub/thenonne...
On Gabriel, International Football, and Competing Priorities
Why figuring out who to blame for Gabriel's injury on international duty actually isn't all that simple.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW: A season after his breakout, Myles Lewis-Skelly now faces challenges for minutes for both club and country. I discuss how for him and Ethan Nwaneri, time out of the spotlight isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s all part of the process.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/the-arsena...
The Arsenal Kids are Still Alright
On Lewis-Skelly’s quiet season, his and Nwaneri’s development, and why their futures are still bright.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Sunderland (a)

BALLERS

⭐️ Zubimendi
🚀 ???
🔥 ???
😮‍💨 ???

FALLERS

9️⃣ Merino
🗑️ ???

I discuss the best and worst performances from Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland. Give it a read, and subscribe if you enjoy!

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Sunderland (a)
Four of the best performances and two of the worst from Arsenal's 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW: On Saturday, Arsenal will play newly-promoted Sunderland. But it’ll be an emotional one; the Black Cats are now captained by a man who used to captain Arsenal — Granit Xhaka. I say a few words on what the former Gunner once meant to this team. 👇🏽

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/granit-xha...
Granit Xhaka, We Had Granit Xhaka
An ode to the former Arsenal captain before he faces off against his old club on Saturday.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Slavia Praha (a)

BALLERS

✅ Saka
🧠 ???
✌️ ???
👍 ???
🤩 ???

FALLERS

🤷‍♂️ Nwaneri
📉 ???

I go over the best and worst performers from Arsenal’s 3-0 win in Prague. Have a read, and subscribe if you enjoy.

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Slavia Praha (a)
Five rising stocks and two falling stocks from Arsenal’s fourth Champions League win this season.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by (Sham)
lgambrose.bsky.social
I don't think we will but it would be worth trying something that isn't Merino up front tonight, ahead of the weekend.
November 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Burnley (a)

BALLERS

🔥 Gyökeres
⭐️ ???
👍 ???

FALLERS

😕 Saka
🚫 ???
😡 ???

I discuss the best and worst individual performances from Arsenal as they got the job done up north. Have a read, and subscribe if you enjoy!

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Burnley (a)
Three Ballers and three Fallers from yet another win and clean sheet in the Premier League.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
shamsdale.bsky.social
📝 NEW — Ballers & Fallers: Brighton (h) (EFL Cup)

BALLERS

🧤 Kepa
👀 ???
💪 ???
👍 ???

FALLERS

📉 Nørgaard
😂 ???

I give my thoughts and some individual performances from Wednesday night. Have a read, and subscribe if you enjoy!

thenonnegotiables.substack.com/p/ballers-an...
Ballers & Fallers: Brighton (h) (EFL Cup)
Four positives and two negatives from Arsenal's progression into the EFL quarterfinals.
thenonnegotiables.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM