Tom Curren
@tomoc.bsky.social
Writer; making beautiful things about the beautiful game. Editor-in-Chief @scoutedftbl.com + Redstory, an Arsenal blog
Pinned
Tom Curren
@tomoc.bsky.social
· Sep 15
No indecision
You always, always come home.
open.substack.com
An ode to Noni Madueke, and the story we didn't care to tell
is there any better sight than Kai Havertz gliding around a football pitch. The world feels right again
January 14, 2026 at 9:52 PM
is there any better sight than Kai Havertz gliding around a football pitch. The world feels right again
staphylococci hates to see him comin'
My new long-read is out. Something for everybody: "the next five actions," the hidden layers of football athleticism, what happened against Liverpool, the new midfield geometry, box arrivals, promising Eze undercurrents, fresh defensive tweaks, and the Return of the Kai.
Time and space
On "the next five actions," the hidden layers of football athleticism, what happened against Liverpool, Arsenal’s new midfield geometry, box arrivals, fresh defensive tweaks, and the Return of the Kai
billycarpenter.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:51 PM
staphylococci hates to see him comin'
Reposted by Tom Curren
SCOUTED is changing in 2026. Let us walk you through our exciting new direction as we enter an exciting new year.
An announcement on our future
SCOUTED is changing in 2026.
scoutedftbl.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:22 PM
SCOUTED is changing in 2026. Let us walk you through our exciting new direction as we enter an exciting new year.
Reposted by Tom Curren
On loving something you can't control
God is dead
A reaction to Liverpool, and winter.
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
On loving something you can't control
On loving something you can't control
God is dead
A reaction to Liverpool, and winter.
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
On loving something you can't control
I forgot what it felt like to be really bone-deep disgusted with Arsenal
January 8, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I forgot what it felt like to be really bone-deep disgusted with Arsenal
I could try to write about how much I miss Kai Havertz but my words would fail
January 8, 2026 at 8:57 PM
I could try to write about how much I miss Kai Havertz but my words would fail
Liverpool deserve an absolute whacking. That's all I'll say. UTA
January 8, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Liverpool deserve an absolute whacking. That's all I'll say. UTA
Reposted by Tom Curren
Benjamin Henrichs returned to training today after a year out.
An interview with him, about what it’s like to hear your own Achilles rupture and what the long road back is like.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
An interview with him, about what it’s like to hear your own Achilles rupture and what the long road back is like.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
Benjamin Henrichs interview: ‘I heard my Achilles go bang. I was crying on the floor’
The Germany defender has swapped notes with an Olympic rock climber and a breakdancer, and taken inspiration from Kobe Bryant, in his rehab
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Benjamin Henrichs returned to training today after a year out.
An interview with him, about what it’s like to hear your own Achilles rupture and what the long road back is like.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
An interview with him, about what it’s like to hear your own Achilles rupture and what the long road back is like.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...
Reposted by Tom Curren
We are going down to THE WIRE with The Fence's Fighting Fund. There are 22 hours left and we've got about £1,400 left to raise - we need a few of you to step up to the plate and help us get our year off to the best possible start.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fences-fig...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fences-fig...
January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
We are going down to THE WIRE with The Fence's Fighting Fund. There are 22 hours left and we've got about £1,400 left to raise - we need a few of you to step up to the plate and help us get our year off to the best possible start.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fences-fig...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fences-fig...
Reposted by Tom Curren
According to YouGov, 40% of Britons have not read or listened to a book in the past year. Of the remainder, 22% read 1-5 books per year and 4% (me) read more than 50 books.
If that's you, please stop doomscrolling and open a book. Let's each recommend a title.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
If that's you, please stop doomscrolling and open a book. Let's each recommend a title.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
New poll finds 40% of Britons have not read a book in the past year
The median British adult has read or listened to three books in the past 12 months with reading habits also split along gender, class and political divides
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
According to YouGov, 40% of Britons have not read or listened to a book in the past year. Of the remainder, 22% read 1-5 books per year and 4% (me) read more than 50 books.
If that's you, please stop doomscrolling and open a book. Let's each recommend a title.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
If that's you, please stop doomscrolling and open a book. Let's each recommend a title.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
Everything I've said / written about Chelsea Football Club in the last month was a psyop and it has succeeded. You may now disregard. Wonderful institution
January 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Everything I've said / written about Chelsea Football Club in the last month was a psyop and it has succeeded. You may now disregard. Wonderful institution
resting a player as good as Bukayo Saka for a player as good as Noni fucking Madueke. What is this world
January 3, 2026 at 7:04 PM
resting a player as good as Bukayo Saka for a player as good as Noni fucking Madueke. What is this world
Reposted by Tom Curren
Madueke is so intoxicating because of how little you have to squint to see him as one of the few best in the world. He's got the juice.
January 3, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Madueke is so intoxicating because of how little you have to squint to see him as one of the few best in the world. He's got the juice.
someone dig up Henry Kissinger and perform an exorcism or something
January 3, 2026 at 12:57 PM
someone dig up Henry Kissinger and perform an exorcism or something
I saw a Chelsea fan recently comment 'private equity has ruined everything else and now it's come for my football club' my brother in Christ your patron saint defrauded his own people to the tune of $13b before turning his sights on Palestinians
Amidst recent chaos at Chelsea, there's been a wave of nostalgia for the Abramovich era. But let's not forget his links to the illegal settler movement in Israel
This is a BBC News report from 5 years ago. I've edited it down but search 'FinCEN Files Abramovich' on YT for the full 10 minute report
This is a BBC News report from 5 years ago. I've edited it down but search 'FinCEN Files Abramovich' on YT for the full 10 minute report
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
I saw a Chelsea fan recently comment 'private equity has ruined everything else and now it's come for my football club' my brother in Christ your patron saint defrauded his own people to the tune of $13b before turning his sights on Palestinians
Reposted by Tom Curren
60 people away from 11,000 subscribers to my little free newsletter.
Poorly Drawn Arsenal
I have questionable artistic skills and a love of Arsenal. Here is where I combine the two.
www.poorlydrawnarsenal.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
60 people away from 11,000 subscribers to my little free newsletter.
Fuck guys. I know it's tough sometimes but there really is nothing else like this
December 30, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Fuck guys. I know it's tough sometimes but there really is nothing else like this
I fucking love Jim Cameron's Avatar movies I don't care who knows
December 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I fucking love Jim Cameron's Avatar movies I don't care who knows
Reposted by Tom Curren
I’m not a paid endorsement guy. I’m not even a reciprocal endorsement guy.
I’m just recommending Tom’s free blog, Redstory, because I read it regularly and I like it.
It’s Arsenal focused. Its quality comes from its authenticity.
If you want the origin story, go here:
I’m just recommending Tom’s free blog, Redstory, because I read it regularly and I like it.
It’s Arsenal focused. Its quality comes from its authenticity.
If you want the origin story, go here:
December 22, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I’m not a paid endorsement guy. I’m not even a reciprocal endorsement guy.
I’m just recommending Tom’s free blog, Redstory, because I read it regularly and I like it.
It’s Arsenal focused. Its quality comes from its authenticity.
If you want the origin story, go here:
I’m just recommending Tom’s free blog, Redstory, because I read it regularly and I like it.
It’s Arsenal focused. Its quality comes from its authenticity.
If you want the origin story, go here:
I'm 30 today. I don't really enjoy asking for things but if there's anything I want for the next year or ten, it's to keep writing my silly Arsenal blog, so if you could share or subscribe, it'd mean a lot. It's called Redstory and occasionally worth reading, I hope x
Endless
That's faith, man.
redstory.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
I'm 30 today. I don't really enjoy asking for things but if there's anything I want for the next year or ten, it's to keep writing my silly Arsenal blog, so if you could share or subscribe, it'd mean a lot. It's called Redstory and occasionally worth reading, I hope x
Reposted by Tom Curren
My new Arsenal long-read is out. On Madueke, Gyökeres, Hincapié, and building chemistry under pressure.
Connections
On building chemistry under pressure, Madueke’s fresh legs, Gyökeres and the Pinnock Test, Hincapié’s trial by fire, and the ripple effects of Saliba’s absence
billycarpenter.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
My new Arsenal long-read is out. On Madueke, Gyökeres, Hincapié, and building chemistry under pressure.
Reposted by Tom Curren
There is no relief if the jaws could never close. Time to lock in.
On the beach
Things start to slip.
redstory.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
There is no relief if the jaws could never close. Time to lock in.