beautifulgroan
@beautifulgroan.bsky.social
Arsenal, former blogger, Dad of three, lover of dogs, politics addict and oligarch/tech bro disliker.
2005. 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses. And there we have it! 20 years ago, the perfect November.
Admittedly, the six opponents were Sparta Prague, Sunderland, Wigan, Thun, Blackburn and Reading....but in many other Novembers we've contrived to mess games like that up.
Finally!
Admittedly, the six opponents were Sparta Prague, Sunderland, Wigan, Thun, Blackburn and Reading....but in many other Novembers we've contrived to mess games like that up.
Finally!
December 1, 2025 at 9:34 AM
2005. 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses. And there we have it! 20 years ago, the perfect November.
Admittedly, the six opponents were Sparta Prague, Sunderland, Wigan, Thun, Blackburn and Reading....but in many other Novembers we've contrived to mess games like that up.
Finally!
Admittedly, the six opponents were Sparta Prague, Sunderland, Wigan, Thun, Blackburn and Reading....but in many other Novembers we've contrived to mess games like that up.
Finally!
2007. 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. Pretty easy month of fixtures, with wins over Reading and Wigan, but a loss to Sevilla and two draws, one against, you guessed it, United.
2006. 3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. A win over Liverpool was the highlight, losses to Bolton, Fulham and West Ham were anything but.
2006. 3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. A win over Liverpool was the highlight, losses to Bolton, Fulham and West Ham were anything but.
December 1, 2025 at 9:34 AM
2007. 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. Pretty easy month of fixtures, with wins over Reading and Wigan, but a loss to Sevilla and two draws, one against, you guessed it, United.
2006. 3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. A win over Liverpool was the highlight, losses to Bolton, Fulham and West Ham were anything but.
2006. 3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. A win over Liverpool was the highlight, losses to Bolton, Fulham and West Ham were anything but.
2008. 4 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses. Stoke, Villa, City. Three sides we have had so much trouble with over the years, three defeats. We did beat United though (why always November for them!)
December 1, 2025 at 9:34 AM
2008. 4 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses. Stoke, Villa, City. Three sides we have had so much trouble with over the years, three defeats. We did beat United though (why always November for them!)
2009. 3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Just like 2025, the two sides that ruined November were Sunderland and Chelsea, but in 2009 we lost both rather than drew both. And Sunderland were awful then.
Chelsea were a good side, but awful for all the reasons Chelsea are still awful.
Chelsea were a good side, but awful for all the reasons Chelsea are still awful.
December 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
2009. 3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Just like 2025, the two sides that ruined November were Sunderland and Chelsea, but in 2009 we lost both rather than drew both. And Sunderland were awful then.
Chelsea were a good side, but awful for all the reasons Chelsea are still awful.
Chelsea were a good side, but awful for all the reasons Chelsea are still awful.
2010. 4 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses. Yeah, November sucks. Lost to Schalke and Braga in Europe, and Newcastle and Spurs (both at home) in the league.
I'm also reminded that back then, there weren't international breaks in November, hence eight games. Heady times.
I'm also reminded that back then, there weren't international breaks in November, hence eight games. Heady times.
December 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
2010. 4 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses. Yeah, November sucks. Lost to Schalke and Braga in Europe, and Newcastle and Spurs (both at home) in the league.
I'm also reminded that back then, there weren't international breaks in November, hence eight games. Heady times.
I'm also reminded that back then, there weren't international breaks in November, hence eight games. Heady times.
2011. 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. Nearly another unbeaten month after a lot of easier fixtures (West Brom, Norwich, Fulham, Wigan), but a EFL loss to City prevented that.
It should've been a good November with those fixtures, but wasn't.
It should've been a good November with those fixtures, but wasn't.
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
2011. 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. Nearly another unbeaten month after a lot of easier fixtures (West Brom, Norwich, Fulham, Wigan), but a EFL loss to City prevented that.
It should've been a good November with those fixtures, but wasn't.
It should've been a good November with those fixtures, but wasn't.
2012. 2 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss. Guess who the loss was to? Correct - United once again - this was becoming an annual tradition.
Some really poor draws in 2012, but it did contain one of the 5-2 wins over Spurs. So that's something.
Some really poor draws in 2012, but it did contain one of the 5-2 wins over Spurs. So that's something.
December 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
2012. 2 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss. Guess who the loss was to? Correct - United once again - this was becoming an annual tradition.
Some really poor draws in 2012, but it did contain one of the 5-2 wins over Spurs. So that's something.
Some really poor draws in 2012, but it did contain one of the 5-2 wins over Spurs. So that's something.
2013. 5 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Really good month with wins over Liverpool and Dortmund, tempered by yet another loss to United. Arguably as good a November as 2025 - if you go by points, it's one better. But do we have an equal or better unbeaten month? Let's continue...
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
2013. 5 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Really good month with wins over Liverpool and Dortmund, tempered by yet another loss to United. Arguably as good a November as 2025 - if you go by points, it's one better. But do we have an equal or better unbeaten month? Let's continue...
2014. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. The fixtures in 2014 were pretty easy, but we never really got going, and consecutive losses to United and Swansea hurt.
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
2014. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. The fixtures in 2014 were pretty easy, but we never really got going, and consecutive losses to United and Swansea hurt.
2015. 1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses. A 5-1 shellacking at Bayern (I know, which one, you ask...), a 2-1 loss to West Brom with Arteta scoring an own goal (yes, really) and a rubbish month overall.
December 1, 2025 at 9:29 AM
2015. 1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses. A 5-1 shellacking at Bayern (I know, which one, you ask...), a 2-1 loss to West Brom with Arteta scoring an own goal (yes, really) and a rubbish month overall.
2016. 2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss. We nearly got through a tough November (Spurs, United, PSG) unbeaten, but then lost at home to Southampton in the EFL Cup in the final match.
This was the period where we were going out in Oct/Nov of the League Cup every year.
This was the period where we were going out in Oct/Nov of the League Cup every year.
December 1, 2025 at 9:29 AM
2016. 2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss. We nearly got through a tough November (Spurs, United, PSG) unbeaten, but then lost at home to Southampton in the EFL Cup in the final match.
This was the period where we were going out in Oct/Nov of the League Cup every year.
This was the period where we were going out in Oct/Nov of the League Cup every year.
2017. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Wins over the minnows of Burnley, Huddersfield and Spurs were countered by really poor European results and a customary (at the time) City loss.
I'm reminded that around this period there were some awful league sides.
I'm reminded that around this period there were some awful league sides.
December 1, 2025 at 9:29 AM
2017. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Wins over the minnows of Burnley, Huddersfield and Spurs were countered by really poor European results and a customary (at the time) City loss.
I'm reminded that around this period there were some awful league sides.
I'm reminded that around this period there were some awful league sides.
2018. 2 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses. Our last unbeaten November. A creditable draw with Liverpool was followed with that baffling 0-0 at home to Sporting where we had about 30 attempts. Another draw at home to Wolves was followed with wins at Bournemouth and a Vorskla Poltava team I have no memory of.
December 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
2018. 2 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses. Our last unbeaten November. A creditable draw with Liverpool was followed with that baffling 0-0 at home to Sporting where we had about 30 attempts. Another draw at home to Wolves was followed with wins at Bournemouth and a Vorskla Poltava team I have no memory of.
2019. 0 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses. The sort of season that typified Novembers in years past. The fixtures weren't even bad - Wolves, Vitoria, Leicester, Southampton, Eintracht Frankfurt. No wins.
In every way, horrible.
In every way, horrible.
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
2019. 0 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses. The sort of season that typified Novembers in years past. The fixtures weren't even bad - Wolves, Vitoria, Leicester, Southampton, Eintracht Frankfurt. No wins.
In every way, horrible.
In every way, horrible.
2020. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. We contrived to lose 3-0 at home to Villa, 2-1 at home to Wolves, and draw at Leeds. Wins over Molde in the Europa papered over severe cracks.
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
2020. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. We contrived to lose 3-0 at home to Villa, 2-1 at home to Wolves, and draw at Leeds. Wins over Molde in the Europa papered over severe cracks.
2022. 3 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Even with FIFA's money grab in Qatar curtailing it, we still lost to Brighton in the EFL Cup before it was done.
2021. 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Only three games, and one of those was the 4-0 spanking at Liverpool which really showed the gulf that existed at the time.
2021. 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Only three games, and one of those was the 4-0 spanking at Liverpool which really showed the gulf that existed at the time.
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
2022. 3 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Even with FIFA's money grab in Qatar curtailing it, we still lost to Brighton in the EFL Cup before it was done.
2021. 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Only three games, and one of those was the 4-0 spanking at Liverpool which really showed the gulf that existed at the time.
2021. 2 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Only three games, and one of those was the 4-0 spanking at Liverpool which really showed the gulf that existed at the time.
2024. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Recovered after a poor start to the month, losing 1-0 to Newcastle and Inter.
2023. 4 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Similar story - opened with losses to West Ham in the EFL Cup and Newcastle in the league (THAT game), before recovering.
2023. 4 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Similar story - opened with losses to West Ham in the EFL Cup and Newcastle in the league (THAT game), before recovering.
December 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
2024. 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Recovered after a poor start to the month, losing 1-0 to Newcastle and Inter.
2023. 4 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Similar story - opened with losses to West Ham in the EFL Cup and Newcastle in the league (THAT game), before recovering.
2023. 4 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses. Similar story - opened with losses to West Ham in the EFL Cup and Newcastle in the league (THAT game), before recovering.
Oof good spot!
City's January looks rough, so perhaps they'll be ok in December. Chelsea have it harder for sure.
Villa is the interesting one for me. We have them twice, they've caused us problems before but I think their current position flatters them.
City's January looks rough, so perhaps they'll be ok in December. Chelsea have it harder for sure.
Villa is the interesting one for me. We have them twice, they've caused us problems before but I think their current position flatters them.
November 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Oof good spot!
City's January looks rough, so perhaps they'll be ok in December. Chelsea have it harder for sure.
Villa is the interesting one for me. We have them twice, they've caused us problems before but I think their current position flatters them.
City's January looks rough, so perhaps they'll be ok in December. Chelsea have it harder for sure.
Villa is the interesting one for me. We have them twice, they've caused us problems before but I think their current position flatters them.
Today was the first match I really felt the team were affected by the injuries. Previously, they've gone about their business but today you could tell they were a little more hesitant without Gabriel and Saliba tidying everything up. Felt like we were constantly 5-10 yards deeper as a result.
November 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Today was the first match I really felt the team were affected by the injuries. Previously, they've gone about their business but today you could tell they were a little more hesitant without Gabriel and Saliba tidying everything up. Felt like we were constantly 5-10 yards deeper as a result.
To be fair, 'when have you ever seen that before' is not a useful barometer with Arsenal red cards...
November 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
To be fair, 'when have you ever seen that before' is not a useful barometer with Arsenal red cards...