This comparison has a two part meaning. We’ll start with the lesser of the two. A ham is also a type of person that enjoys themselves. Given how much hair product Giroud puts on before matches, I would say he enjoys himself a bit. Ham.
Now, onto the more exciting comparison. Ham is also like the sidekick of turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. Some people go for a change of flavor, or maybe the turkey is dry. When that is the case, look no further than the ham. Olivier Giroud will be waiting.
Olivier Giroud is starting to score consistently. When Theo Walcott took the starting role from the Frenchman, there was a good chance that he would go caput. Giroud would sink into the background and become the napkin at Thanksgiving dinner, thrown away. But instead of letting that happen, Giroud picked himself up, capitalized on the opportunities that he had and now it is going to be up to Walcott to get the job back, because Giroud is just too clutch at the moment.
Plus, Olivier Giroud is excellent at hold up play. One of the best, arguably. Kind of like when people eat ham and are like ‘Hold up, this is even better than turkey sometimes’. That was the stretch joke of the slide.
Moving on to the final meat of Thanksgiving.

Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Francis Coquelin is hurt. The one man that Arsenal could not do without is the one man they are going to have to learn to do without. It’s not pleasant. It’s not fun. But it is reality.</p>
<p>But anyway, enough of that drabble, let’s get to what Arsenal have to be thankful for. As mentioned, they won. In a do-or-die matchup against Dinamo Zagreb, with Arsenal needing a win and a win by Bayern Munich against Greek Champions Olympiakos, fate was on Arsenal’s side. Not only did a depleted Gunners put a beating on the Croatians, but Bayern Munich did their part as well. Now Arsenal is in control of their own fate. A win of 2-0 or any win by a goal or more with Arsenal scoring in excess of three goals will see their improbable Champions League run continue on past the group stages.</p>
<p>So that is what we have to be thankful for. Now, let’s start talking about which Arsenal man would be which Thanksgiving dish. Just because we can and because we are being thankful and stuff.</p>
<p>We begin with the main courses of Thanksgiving dinner.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Turkey</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 67.508418% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498630506?et=DY9ZmL-2QQtSgBV65zy4iA&viewMoreLink=on&sig=ivz8vpkNulzlwe_McC--4IwqhTsRhJ83fu08IghHMGw=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="401" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498630506" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Turkey – Alexis Sanchez</h3>
<p>The main course of Thanksgiving also has to be the main course of Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez came over to Arsenal at the start of the 2014/15 season and he immediately made a huge impact, proving just how astute Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy is at times. There was no Angel Di Maria situation here. Alexis Sanchez carried Arsenal for the first half of the season.<div class="recent-posts ">
<h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4>
<ul>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/">
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Take the Chilean out of the team and Arsenal would probably be able to cope. Notice, I said cope, not excel. Just like if you take the turkey out of Thanksgiving, everyone would be able to cope, but no one would necessarily be pleased about it. After a while, though, people would start to realize that this isn’t even Thanksgiving at all. And then everyone would leave.</p>
<p>Alexis Sanchez and Turkey are staples on their respective menus. We saw that staple in full force again against Dinamo Zagreb as Alexis stapled two balls to the back of the net in rather convincing fashion.</p>
<p>The dynamic attacker is also prone to dry spells in terms of goals though, and as anyone who has seen the movie Christmas Vacation knows, the turkey can be dried out. But even when it is, it is still turkey. Eat it. Alexis Sanchez’s dry spells are not as bad as people say. He can look tired sure, and his goals falter, sure, but in the end, he is always a threat.</p>
<p>Alexis Sanchez can also carve up opposing defenses. Just like the turkey is carved. That was a stretch.</p>
<p>Anyway, we move on to the second main course.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Ham</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 68.518519% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498634386?et=K8sBoEZKTXdX9O87DOgaWg&viewMoreLink=on&sig=cGb4PeJI1wefLa_vDTTC9fjw1qVD65u5Q6TtU3tKKjc=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="407" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498634386" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Ham – Olivier Giroud</h3>
<p>This comparison has a two part meaning. We’ll start with the lesser of the two. A ham is also a type of person that enjoys themselves. Given how much hair product Giroud puts on before matches, I would say he enjoys himself a bit. Ham.<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Arsenal All-Time Lists</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/30/every-german-to-play-for-arsenal-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Every German to play for Arsenal – ranked</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/05/xhakas-best-moments-in-an-arsenal-shirt/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Granit Xhaka’s 7 best moments in an Arsenal shirt</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/14/arsenals-top-five-goals-vs-west-ham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s top five goals against West Ham</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/23/mesut-ozils-top-5-moments-during-arsenal-career/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Mesut Ozil’s top 5 moments during Arsenal career</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/19/arsenals-worst-europa-league-exits-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s worst Europa League exits – ranked</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Now, onto the more exciting comparison. Ham is also like the sidekick of turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. Some people go for a change of flavor, or maybe the turkey is dry. When that is the case, look no further than the ham. Olivier Giroud will be waiting.</p>
<p>Olivier Giroud is starting to score consistently. When Theo Walcott took the starting role from the Frenchman, there was a good chance that he would go caput. Giroud would sink into the background and become the napkin at Thanksgiving dinner, thrown away. But instead of letting that happen, Giroud picked himself up, capitalized on the opportunities that he had and now it is going to be up to Walcott to get the job back, because Giroud is just too clutch at the moment.</p>
<p>Plus, Olivier Giroud is excellent at hold up play. One of the best, arguably. Kind of like when people eat ham and are like ‘Hold up, this is even better than turkey sometimes’. That was the stretch joke of the slide.</p>
<p>Moving on to the final meat of Thanksgiving.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Steak?</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 67.003367% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/482248430?et=BBXAL6xwTVB9KtR1AMC0_w&viewMoreLink=on&sig=LpnoFbocB0QTlJUMzmHxrp_5uoLzyIyRgo0uzTU_6xY=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="398" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/482248430" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Steak – Jack Wilshere</h3>
<p>Steak is good. It is probably the best meat out there. But it is not part of the Thanksgiving festivities. Kind of like how Jack Wilshere is never a part of the Arsenal festivities. And honestly, once you’re sitting at the table eating ham, turkey and taters, who is thinking ‘I wish we had steak?’ Only a real jerk.</p>
<p>Steak would be cool and all, because people go into Thanksgiving supper starved because it is a ritual to bankrupt your stomach for weeks leading up to the big meal. But it just is not a reality and after so many years, most of us have come to terms with it. Some have not though. Some still want steak at Thanksgiving. What rogues.</p>
<p>Jack Wilshere could be something special. If he ever makes it, it will almost be like Arsenal have too many weapons. If he could just stay healthy and deliver on all of that promise, like we have seen him do in his brief stints of health, then I think we will all be thrilled to have another source of protein on our plate. Is it overkill? Absolutely not.</p>
<p>Stretch: Most people like steak rare, just like it is a rarity to have Jack Wilshere in the Arsenal first team. Alright, no more stretch jokes.</p>
<p>Next up, enough of the protein.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Taters</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 61.952862% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498627618?et=26_cffOKSFtJ22OM36Hm7Q&viewMoreLink=on&sig=PmdtIZaYfnSH6pMoVrsj1ArA43XINkqdhPms1EGYQpc=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="368" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498627618" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Taters – Aaron Ramsey</h3>
<p>You know how much those people from the United Kingdom love their taters. In the words of Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings, what can’t you do with taters? “Boil’em, mash’em, stick’em in a stew.” Taters are universal. They are fantastic and go superbly with any meal out there. Except maybe cake.</p>
<p>The same can be said of Aaron Ramsey. He can stand all on his own, in a stew or in soup, or he can serve as a tertiary food, sitting on the edge of the plate next to the ham, the turkey or the … steak. Aaron Ramsey proved that taters can stand alone in the 2013/14 season. He dominated. He carried Arsenal like Alexis Sanchez did in 2014/15 and like <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/12015230/Mesut-Ozil-is-carrying-Arsenal-just-like-Alexis-Sanchez-did-last-year.html" target="_blank">Mesut Ozil is doing now</a>.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_37986" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p><strong>Related: <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/01/if-every-arsenal-player-was-a-pokemon/" target="_blank">If Every Arsenal Player Was A Pokemon</a></strong></p>
<p>But again, as we have seen in the past two years, when taters no longer have to stand alone, when they become mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, they are still just as good and just as tasty, even if they are not so dominant on the plate.</p>
<p>Potatoes are the ultimate, versatile side dish but they can also rock out at the entrée.</p>
<p>Moving on, we get to the most often-underrated piece of Thanksgiving dinner.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Stuffing</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 65.824916% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498628746?et=t-uRCYIfQ8N8kiLJfnp78Q&viewMoreLink=on&sig=Fhqw7vz3gEAMNSEgBnegp7dzt5XikqTTurnidFErI6M=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="391" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498628746" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Stuffing – Mesut Ozil</h3>
<p>How often do people forget to think of the stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner? I mean, when you have all these dominant pieces of food on your plate, it is often hard to notice the stuffing that is sprinkled all about the plate, wherever you had room to fit another piece of food. But you would be absolutely miserable if you did not have that stuffing on your plate.<div class="recent-posts ">
<h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4>
<ul>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/">
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Without Mesut Ozil, Arsenal would be a much lesser meal. Mesut Ozil fills all the gaps. He finds space and he turns that space into brilliance. And dare I say that stuffing is the ultimate assisting food? Combine it with literally anything and it tastes fantastic. Except maybe cake.</p>
<p>However, it is not until you taste stuffing on its own that you realize how gosh darn tasty it really is. That stuff(ing) is good. And yet it still manages to never really feature. It does its work in the shadows of the turkey, the ham, the taters. But stuffing is always there. Waiting and watching for the perfect opportunity to remind you just how great it is. Arsenal has raised everyone’s stuffing awareness with how much Mesut Ozil is featuring.</p>
<p>And if you dare doubt stuffing? When you are looking at your plate and you are starting to get full and you think ‘I think I’ll throw the stuffing away,’ you feel that subconscious urge to keep eating. And you never regret it. Not the stuffing that is. You can certainly have too much of the other foods.</p>
<p>Next up, the essential that you may not have needed, but you definitely needed.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Vegetables</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 66.498316% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498167388?et=jBFOsoN7RTRlOSlJzRVSBw&viewMoreLink=on&sig=sqoJ6zRygK6CKpQpqntNsIEM1esB8uyDLaP78rap78c=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="395" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498167388" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Vegetables – Petr Cech</h3>
<p>Arsenal finished the 2014/15 season with David Ospina looking pretty solid. He had one of the best saves-per-goal ratios in the world. There were still questions about his stature and some aspects of his play, but he had proven to be more than adequate.</p>
<p>And suddenly, Arsene Wenger added Petr Cech. He took a spoonful of vegetables and threw them on the plate. Here we are, sitting at Thanksgiving dinner with a spoonful of things that we did not even know we needed, but that are helping us to be big, strong human beings.</p>
<p>Petr Cech is a blessing to Arsenal. He has already saved Arsenal so many points and many more are sure to come. He makes Arsenal a bigger, stronger club where they need it most. You cannot compensate for a shoddy goal keeper. If you’re missing the turkey, have some ham. If you’re missing the taters, double up on stuffing. But if you have no vegetables, then the most nutritious part of Thanksgiving is gone. And then we are just barbarians, eating meat and potatoes but nothing more.</p>
<p>Well, turns out Arsenal did need Petr Cech. And from now on, I will be eating my vegetables, because I was one of the naysayers to downplay his move to the Emirates.</p>
<p>Next up, we get to that nice runny stuff that makes everything better.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Gravy</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498628756?et=H3T7KB9kQxZ78gunJV7WTQ&viewMoreLink=on&sig=RsaqMmShA179nMqQ_YiQV6cMLEJ006fpe_fzr8f2fMY=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="396" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498628756" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Gravy – Hector Bellerin</h3>
<p>Gravy is another thing that just makes Thanksgiving better. What could make a seventeen-pound plate of turkey, ham, (steak), taters and stuffing even better? Drizzle some more flavor on it. It will make everything better. And it does! No matter what you put the gravy on, it tastes even better. Except maybe cake.<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Arsenal All-Time Lists</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/30/every-german-to-play-for-arsenal-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Every German to play for Arsenal – ranked</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/05/xhakas-best-moments-in-an-arsenal-shirt/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Granit Xhaka’s 7 best moments in an Arsenal shirt</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/14/arsenals-top-five-goals-vs-west-ham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s top five goals against West Ham</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/23/mesut-ozils-top-5-moments-during-arsenal-career/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Mesut Ozil’s top 5 moments during Arsenal career</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/19/arsenals-worst-europa-league-exits-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s worst Europa League exits – ranked</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>The same can be said of Hector Bellerin. When you look at the Thanksgiving plate prior to the gravy train, you’re thinking to yourself ‘I have quite the feast here.’ But when you add the gravy, that thought immediately changes to ‘Hell yes!’</p>
<p>Hector Bellerin stepped in for an injured Mathieu Debuchy and after initially struggling, he sank into the role like gravy sinks into a mashed potato bowl. Everything just felt right about it. He gave Arsenal an added tool with which to enjoy their Thanksgiving. Not only is he a demonstrative defender but going forward he is one of the best. There’s no question about it.</p>
<p>I may find myself inevitably calling Hector Bellerin the gravy train now. This may or may not be a good thing. Also, consider this. If you were to stick each piece of Thanksgiving dinner on a 45-degree incline, which would hit the bottom first? The gravy. It’s just the fastest.</p>
<p>Next up, that piece that makes every meal complete.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Bread/Rolls</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 64.814815% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/496293750?et=WwjZC7gzTYZFS3qiMWXFRQ&viewMoreLink=on&sig=qg399yoFsntq4wk-EDZSI4kx3T7VUF3XW-904Gc0Zn8=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="385" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/496293750" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Bread/Rolls – Francis Coquelin</h3>
<p>What would any meal be without rolls? Literally, think to yourself a meal where bread does not make it better. Cake? Okay, that is the only one. And that is hardly a meal. Bread is essential to just about every meal and it can never be forgotten. Without it, what would we rely on to expand in our stomach and make us even more miserable than we already are?<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Arsenal All-Time Lists</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/30/every-german-to-play-for-arsenal-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Every German to play for Arsenal – ranked</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/05/xhakas-best-moments-in-an-arsenal-shirt/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Granit Xhaka’s 7 best moments in an Arsenal shirt</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/14/arsenals-top-five-goals-vs-west-ham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s top five goals against West Ham</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/23/mesut-ozils-top-5-moments-during-arsenal-career/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Mesut Ozil’s top 5 moments during Arsenal career</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/19/arsenals-worst-europa-league-exits-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s worst Europa League exits – ranked</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Of course, in that analogy, misery is the inverse when applied to Arsenal. In terms of devouring a well-balanced meal, Coquelin expands to become even more than we could have ever thought. The guy is a staple to this Arsenal team.</p>
<p>Even when you are full and done and afraid of the thought of more food, bread is always there, encouraging you to eat more. And naturally, you oblige.</p>
<p>Arsenal need Francis Coquelin. There is going to be a hole on the plate that they are going to try to fill with green bean casserole (we will get to that later). Who wants green bean casserole over a warm, soft roll? Not me.</p>
<p>I make no apologies if you are one of those gluten free people.</p>
<p>Moving on, we get to the sweetest part of the supper.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Cranberries</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 73.063973% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/496299128?et=Ow5EiBFBTe56fwVQ-_oScw&viewMoreLink=on&sig=JA2QzrJDXTaGEJxiKm5vPFqIClipjMlgkOSoytXqLZE=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="434" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/496299128" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Cranberries – Nacho Monreal</h3>
<p>When scanning over a full plate of Thankgiving extravaganza, one piece of food cannot be excluded. It is also the most unique tasting of the mass. That piece is the cranberries, or Nacho Monreal.</p>
<p>Monreal is a nice change of taste. When you’re getting tired of the taters and the meats and the breads, shoot the ball over to the left and let the cranberries have a go. They’ll cleanse your palate, start things over, and reinvigorate your taste buds for another round of the good stuff.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_37986" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>But cranberries are good too. Again, when surrounded by hearty foods, a little spoonful of sweet can make the meal that much better. Arsenal has that spoonful of sweet in Nacho Monreal. The Spaniard was never expected to do much more than back up Kieran Gibbs but he has risen to become one of the best left backs in England.</p>
<p>Partnering him with the gravy train gives Thanksgiving so much more flavor and so much more excitement.</p>
<p>Plus, you really can’t mess the cranberries up. You know what you are getting. Every now and then they will still surprise you but for the most part, consistency is the name of the game. Such is the case with Nacho Monreal at Arsenal.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Green Bean Casserole</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 70.875421% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498632702?et=jooez8FzSqZEjkZehICHZQ&viewMoreLink=on&sig=Mey3193TR8BoqmCjb5lPE3tp-sHdte2wOs4v2cXBrt0=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="421" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498632702" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Green Bean Casserole – Mathieu Flamini</h3>
<p>Remember how we are trying to fill that hole on our Thanksgiving plate, where the bread should be, with green bean casserole? That is Mathieu Flamini.<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Arsenal All-Time Lists</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/30/every-german-to-play-for-arsenal-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Every German to play for Arsenal – ranked</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/05/xhakas-best-moments-in-an-arsenal-shirt/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Granit Xhaka’s 7 best moments in an Arsenal shirt</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/14/arsenals-top-five-goals-vs-west-ham/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s top five goals against West Ham</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/23/mesut-ozils-top-5-moments-during-arsenal-career/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Mesut Ozil’s top 5 moments during Arsenal career</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/19/arsenals-worst-europa-league-exits-ranked/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Arsenal’s worst Europa League exits – ranked</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>When you start piling up your plate with the heavy hitters like the turkeys, the taters, the hams and the stuffing, that huge dish of green bean casserole that your grandmother brought is lurking at the end of the table. By the time you get there, with your grandmas smiling and waiting to see if you will take any, you can use the excuse ‘Well, there’s no room on my plate’. Casserole is no gravy. You can’t just dump it on the plate.</p>
<p>Grandma will have to get over the fact that she brought Mathieu Flamini to Arsenal’s feast. Green bean casserole is not the first choice, but once everything is gone and the casserole remains, you are reminded that is has some upside. It’s mostly a filler for space, but it really doesn’t taste all that bad.</p>
<p>Plus, you made grandma happy by eating it. In case you have not figure it out by now, Arsene Wenger is grandma. Digest that image for a bit.</p>
<p>Moving on, we get to something sweet.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Pie</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 65.319865% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498634456?et=ie1x72JZQtZQA_AQq-Diiw&viewMoreLink=on&sig=R72Vgvd4hDhaR6cAGl_rj-WxeAsJEJossWlrfUfYtM4=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="388" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498634456" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Pie – Santi Cazorla</h3>
<p>I have a very love/hate relationship with Santi Cazorla. I still hold the penalty miss against West Brom against him. I wonder why he can’t shoot a ball anywhere but the fourteenth row. But I revel in how well he can dribble out of trouble. There are few people I trust on the ball more than Cazorla.</p>
<p>But a job like that will often get you overshadowed. Arsenal’s often dominant attack is led by the turkey, the ham, the taters and the stuffing. You often forget about Santi Cazorla.</p>
<p>And yet, once you fully digest all of those hearty pieces of food, there is the pie, waiting for you, smiling. Everyone enjoys the pie, yet few think of it when they are gobbling down wads of that hearty stuff. Suddenly, when all that hearty stuff is gone and it’s just you and the pie, you feel more confident than ever that life is going to be fine. There may be no more room in your stomach, but surely your body can find a spare compartment to put the pie in.</p>
<p>And don’t worry, even though grandma is still smiling and judging you as you pass up going for seconds that would include her green bean casserole, she will understand, because it’s pie. Who doesn’t like pie?</p>
<p>Next up, something not everyone has.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Yams</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/494687020?et=DWAVxi_eQ_p1sNdcmsQ3zA&viewMoreLink=on&sig=fc0f5EN7o4w2lr8NnXmSeQWM7nJiZAF7qa_Mc11dznA=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="396" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/494687020" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Yams – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</h3>
<p>I don’t think I actually knew what yams were until I was in college. I had always thought they were those bighorn sheep that can walk up mountains. I was wrong. And honestly, I’m still not entirely sure what they are. But I think I know enough to know that they are tasty and not everybody has them at Thanksgiving supper.<div class="recent-posts ">
<h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4>
<ul>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/">
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Such is the fate of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Arsenal. When made correctly, yams are fantastic. They complement a meal incredibly well and everyone has to have some. Arsenal gave Chelsea a nice helping of yam in the FA Community Shield. Yam right to the face. And I bet they enjoyed it too.</p>
<p>But so often we see Thanksgiving supper without yams. Either because no one thought to bring them or because the person that did, thought that they were bighorn sheep that can walk up mountains. It’s a lose-lose.</p>
<p>The point is, if yams were more consistent and more frequent at the Thanksgiving table, then they would be such a staple. But they aren’t. And until we raise yam awareness, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will forever be misunderstood.</p>
<p>Finally, we get to the beverage of choice.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Wine</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 69.360269% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/498634444?et=tWgPZFF1QllPOjiqiDzfRg&viewMoreLink=on&sig=4AN_vupjPS7kcXxW3qKyFEpBNAF2ZbIQJ6kuj71eD30=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="412" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/498634444" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="font-size:34px;">Wine – Laurent Koscielny</h3>
<p>Everyone drinks at Thanksgiving. It helps ease the pain that you put yourself through. Even when Arsenal is in the midst of a drought or in the middle of a wreck of injuries, Laurent Koscielny stands tall and says ‘drink me, I will help you forget everything.’ As Arsenal fans, we often oblige.</p>
<p>Basically, wine is always there. And it is always going to make things better. That is what Laurent Koscielny does for Arsenal. He defends with such gusto that he can, even if just for a moment, make us forget that the attack is stumbling. Not only that, but you can’t have a meal without a beverage. Just like turkey needs to be washed down with wine, Arsenal’s formation needs to be supported by Laurent Koscielny.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/26/if-every-arsenal-player-was-thanksgiving-dinner-item/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/23/arsenals-top-10-champions-league-moments/">