BIG NEWS BIG NEWS, HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

Cast your mind back if you dare to two seasons ago, Arteta taking charge of Arsenal for his first full season and things were far from perfect. A team heavily reliant on an outstanding Aubameyang to score Arsenal out of trouble, still could not prevent a run of 8 defeats in 12 matches! Yes, you heard me right, 8 defeats! And only 2 victories to ease the pain during that period. The lowest point probably losing at home to Aston Villa 0-3.

Why, you ask, am I bringing up all this now? Well, I could not help noticing the reaction to our defeat this weekend to a rejuvenated Everton. Normally an Arsenal defeat is met with mockery, ammunition for more banter towards the club, memes and tiktok's going viral as the world of football laugh at our latest embarrassment. This just did not happen this time. Yes, there was joy amongst those who have a general enjoyment at our demise like Rio Ferdinand. Why he is so happy to see a result that is a positive for Manchester City I have no idea, has Wenger really scarred him that much? But the overwhelming response to our loss was shock. Yes, shock! It became huge news that Arsenal lost a game of football! An Arsenal defeat is just not expected now.

We cannot take for granted the transformation Arteta and his team has made on our great club. As mentioned, we have gone from not long ago not knowing when we would next win a game to absolutely changing the perspective of where the club sit now.

It really does remind me of when George Graham took over The Arsenal in 1986. Terry Neil had taken us to a few FA Cup finals and an almost glorious Cup Winners Cup final, but he struggled after losing huge players in Brady and Stapleton. The exciting and equally surprising signing of Charlie Nicholas in the summer of 1983 was not enough however, to prevent Terry Neil's sacking that winter when Don Howe took control. A period of inconsistency followed, although the arrival of promising new arrivals of Adams and Rocastle from the youth set up with a promise of more to follow created genuine excitement.

George Graham was installed as our manager, and in his first season lead us to our first piece of silverware since our 1980 FA Cup success by beating Liverpool at the old Wembley against all odds in the League Cup final. Very much like Arteta orchestrating a victory over the heavy favourites Chelsea in the FA Cup final, again in his first season in charge.

In George Graham's third full season Arsenal were champions thanks to that glorious night at Anfield! This season is Mikel Arteta's third full season as Arsenal manager....you just never know!!

I am sure I was not alone in having concerns prior to the Everton game. Goodison Park has always been a tough place to go, the home fans can really create an intense atmosphere at an old school fantastic stadium, and they were absolutely up for this game thanks to their new manager Dyche making the right pre match noises. The Everton players responded to both the manager and the fans and looked like they would run through walls for their club. Arsenal on the other hand I felt dealt with the pressure very well. There was no sense of panic and they started to take control in the second half despite conceded from a corner for the only goal of the match. We seemed to have huffed and puffed, but we were missing a spark, the moments of absolute class that we have become accustomed to and we left empty handed. What effect this result will have on both teams will be crucial. I find it quite incredible that a group of professional footballers can suddenly raise their game to this level. I understand a new manager will have a natural effect as players try and prove their worth and respond to the new challenge, but their performance was chalk and cheese to what they have been producing. If I was a fan I would be incredibly upset with the attitude of the players, and I do wonder how long the new manager effect will last.

As for Arsenal, I have no concerns at all that we will respond positively to this loss. They have proved time and again this season that we can rely on them, and now is the time to continue this trend as we face high flying Brentford, and then the little matter of Manchester City. It is a massive week, but then again, are they not all massive now?

REF WATCH

Refereeing performances had reached a critical level prior to the world cup, with cases of the VAR official basically refereeing the game due to the overbearing influence they were having with the on-field referee, which was resulting in the most mind-boggling decisions. It is now however quite evident that there has been a complete turnaround, with incidents that were begging for VAR intervention just not materialising. The most blatant incident being the horrendous foul by Fabinho on Brighton's Ferguson. The referee Coote issued a yellow card, but anyone watching was just waiting for the inevitable VAR check and Coote having to watch his poor judgement on the TV screen provided. But incredibly it just did not materialise. Post-match the PGMOL even admitted this was an error. Are the VAR referees too hesitant now to refer their colleague on the pitch of a possible error in their judgement? Maybe we will eventually see some balance in their decisions, but I am not holding my breath.

So, Brentford awaits, and an old fashioned 3pm kick off as well. Let's hope we are celebrating being back on winning ways come final whistle.

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Bye for now,

Rob - @Gooner145