You know, I do worry about society sometimes. Everyone is offended by everything these days.

‘Why did you look at my soy milk that way’

‘You did a face like you were going to say something offensive’

‘You broke into my house and stole my car’

People are constantly on the hunt for new ways to engineer offence. It’s worrying.

Then I go to the Le Grove comments sections and you’re all brutally cutting each other down… and no one bats an eyelid.

You give me hope.

You know what else gives me hope? The young kids at Arsenal.

I don’t know where they’re going to end up this season, but for me, my disdain for the football style is hugely outweighed this season by the overall likability of the squad.

I know that sounds like a really bland thing to say. The sort of thing that comes from a purists mouth, someone that fondly remembers the 80s when you could have a pint and share a hooker with George Best after a game. But be honest with yourself, when was the last time you really liked an Arsenal squad?

2006? 2008? There haven’t been many. Even when we went close in 2016, the squad was very questionable. That would have been the least interesting league winning side we’ve ever put out (in my living memory at least).

Matteo G has great hair, lots of personality, and he’s growing with every game. I think he needs a bit more aggression and I think he still needs to find his flavour, but he’s a talent and the world really is his lobster

Joe Willock, what a find. He looks like he belongs. He was giving as good as he got against Burnley. He never shies away. He has a high ceiling and the fans already love him. Struggling to think of a young player in that role since Jack to cause such excitement?

AMN, he earns some bad reviews, but the guy gives his all. He’s playing at right-back when he’s a midfielder and he’s not complaining. Put that work rate and power into its correct position and we have a very handy player.

Reiss Nelson has come in for some stick. He hasn’t scored 5 goals in the opening two games. But he’s young, he’s learning a craft, and not everyone can be Jadon. He scored a great disallowed goal and I’m hoping that when this meteoric rise he’s dealing with hits home, he’ll calm down and take a more aggressive approach to his game. He has the tools, let’s see if he can activate them. I think it’s a confidence thing.

Then we have the pretenders. ESR, Saka, Martinelli, and Medley could all sniff out places this season.

It’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan. Move on Mustafi and I can live with all the players we have in the squad. Raul has shifted us on a long way in a few weeks, if Emery can execute his ideas effectively, it could be a really good season.

There will be bad games, no doubt. I will bitch and moan for absolute certain, but one thing I won’t complain about is the state of the squad or the kids.

This isn’t a transition year… it’s a top 3 attempt.

Let’s see where we land!

Podcast lands later! x

P.S. ORNSTEIN WITH THE BIG GOSS this morning… can’t believe I’m sleeping through it!