Matthew Wade
Matthew Wade or @lomekian on Twitter. Slightly unhealthy fascination with Arsenal full-backs since watching Lee Dixon's debut from the East Stand Lower. Football Manager and tactical geek, who has won the quadruple on every version since 1992, and before that on the Kevin Toms Classic in the 1980s. Also a Middlesex Cricket Club and Detroit Red Wings Fan. Now a professional actor and voice-over artist, but formerly employment advisor and project manager. See my part time blog http://edgeofthearea.wordpress.com/ or actors website www.matthewwade.co.uk
Coquelin costs us – but he is still key to Arsenal’s hopes
Despite Saturday’s aberration against Tottenham, Francis Coquelin is still the best player we have in his role at the club. Matthew Wade explains why.
A pivotal week, for this season and beyond
Occasionally as a fan with unconventional career choices, I am forced to miss big games. Sometimes it's no bad thing.
As Arsenal were once again...
Arsenal’s floundering against Hull’s rocks is not a sign of things to come
Saturday lunchtime was an uninspiring start to Arsenal's nightmare run of fixtures.
I suppose one could say that it was a decent run-out for those...
Assessing Arsenal’s title chances
Following the last gasp Welbeck winner at the weekend, Arsenal are back to being the bookies' favourites for the title, but despite hope, can...
Cherries professionally popped, but Gooners still feel jilted
On Sunday, Arsenal finally returned to winning ways in the League, leapfrogging the oil billions of Man City in the process.
Yet the merest glimpse...
Ref focus: Does anyone think Lee Mason is a competent referee?
Having watched Arsenal drop points against a Fraser Forster inspired Southampton, I was livid.
Toys out of the pram, forcing myself not to hurl inarticulate...
Arsenal’s dead deadline day reflects surprise squad strength
Apart from Wenger's pre-Ozil smirk, and the mad trolley dash after the 8-2 debacle at Old Trafford, Arsenal invariably seem determined to disappoint whichever...
What can we expect from Elneny’s debut?
It's always an exciting time for the fans.
The chance to see a brand spanking new signing actually doing his thing on the pitch, particularly...
Injuries once again threaten to break our hearts
With just two points from a possible nine, Arsenal's title challenge has faltered in the deep midwinter, and the usual questions have been raised...
Injuries catching up with Arsenal, but two out of six ain’t bad…
In the context of the season it's hard to know how to feel about the last week's results. The draw at Anfield felt like...
Comfy cup win suggests surprise depth in shallow squad
So another week and another win, albeit against opposition lacking in both talent and ambition, and the good ship Arsenal is still on course,...
Arsenal’s lingering demons
While our modern definition of hubris may differ from that of the ancient Greeks, it seems higher powers are still perfectly happy to punish...
Don Howe: An Arsenal hero in the shadows
December 23rd December, 2015, saw the passing of an unsung Arsenal hero - Don Howe
Although for those of an older generation, Don Howe was...
Is the Wenger-Era the last managerial dynasty?
So the Managerial merry-go-round continues to spin, hurling esteemed (and not esteemed) men off in all directions, and with plenty of others waiting in...
Could Arsenal be growing into genuine title contenders?
After a week that exceeded even my most optimistic podcast prediction, it's hard to not start considering this team as one of the title...
Can Özil’s will triumph?
This weekend saw the wounded animal that is Arsenal limp past the finishing line against a spirited but limited Sunderland. Despite impressive performances from...
Arsenal’s injury curse rolls on – but should we blame the manager?
Sunday's disappointment at Norwich has once again led to meltdown in the twitter-sphere, and those Gooners with hair-trigger emotions cast words around with impotent...
The Le-Coq-alypse is upon us…
'And so it is, just like you said it would be...'. Without wishing to speculate, it wouldn't be inappropriate if Damian Rice's lyrics, accompanied...
Football’s importance only magnified by weekend horrors
So another international break is drifting by, rendered even more insignificant than usual by events in Paris, and the myriad of similar attacks elsewhere...
Arsenal almost drown but are coming up for air
After a disappointing week, the international break could not have come at a better time for the Gunners - assuming there are no more...
Depth doubtful as first team continues to fly
Do Arsenal have enough competent bodies to sustain a real title challenge?
A mixed week in Arsenal world has made two things abundantly clear.
Firstly, If...
Flexible Arsenal finding ways to win
After a week with another two tight but very creditable home victories, The Gunners seem to be exploring every different route to three points...
Possession wears down Watford but we’ll need to blitz Bayern
Arsenal returned to domestic football with a reminder that late kick-offs don't disrupt this team as much as early ones, and will be hoping...
Why should Arsenal fans care about international football?
As we descend further into the chasm of a largely tedious interlull, are we right to dismiss the importance of national team fixtures?
For those...
Maybe Theo Walcott is the answer…
In a week where crushing disappointment was followed by elation, in what has already been a season of remarkable ups and downs, the continued...
Arsenal in ruder health heading into big week
With Olympiakos and surprise league leaders Manchester United on the horizon, last week's turnaround in form and fortunes was vital.
The last time I put...
Chelsea cheats can’t mask Arsenal’s ongoing issues
So we got screwed at the weekend.
An unholy alliance of Diego Costa, Mourinho, Mike Dean, and now the FA disciplinary process working together to...
After Stoke, can Walcott be the answer?
At the weekend, Stoke City were kind enough to roll over and have their tummy tickled, as is their want when visiting Islington, but...
Why have Arsenal missed the boat on superstar signings?
Undoubtedly this is a dangerous article to be writing the afternoon before transfer deadline day given Arsene's form for trolley dashing, but it's as...
Pace vs control: The Arsenal conundrum
Ahead of Monday night's annual visit from the scousers, Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal must 'play with good pace' to get a result.
Much to...
Zlatan to Arsenal? Thanks but no thanks…
With Benzema rumours finally subsiding after both managers, the player and his agent all denied a move was on the cards, the media's 'pin...
Arsenal bounce back, but questions outweigh answers
On Sunday, Selhurst Park once again proved a happy hunting ground for Arsenal as a well balanced Crystal Palace side were defeated, but didn't...
Opening day blues remind Arsenal of what they need
What went wrong against West Ham and how should Arsenal solve it?
Does the Community Shield victory actually mean anything?
Does beating Chelsea in the community shield actually mean anything?
So on Sunday the Mourinho blue dragon was finally vanquished, although in more of a...
What have we learnt from the Emirates Cup?
With another pre-season trophy in the bag, pre-season has gone well, but what have we learnt about Arsenal from the Emirates Cup weekend?
With Arsenal...
How should Arsenal set up their midfield in 2015/16?
By Matthew Wade
Arsenal's midfield has an embarrassment of riches: does more mean merrier?
With Arsenal's improving squad strength, other challenges arise - how does the...
Do Arsenal need another striker?
by Matthew Wade
With the usual summer links to Higuain and Cavani, and rumours now extending to Lacazette, do Arsenal actually need another striker? And...
Don’t believe the hype – Arturo Vidal, Newsnow and the information generation
by Matthew Wade
The Vidal "Transfer Saga" reminds us why the summer holidays are a good time to take a break from following club football...
Jennings, Seaman, Lehmann…Cech? – Welcoming another goalkeeping game-changer
By Matthew Wade
Does Petr Cech's signing and the subsequent likely departure of Ospina demonstrate a new ambition and ruthlessness from Arsenal?
So Arsenal have finally...
Arsenal 2015/16 – Victory Through Harmony?
by Matthew Wade
Most Arsenal fans of any pre-Wenger vintage will have firm memories of (and probably miss) the old Arsenal club crest, and its...