Arseblog Arsecast, The Arsenal Podcast

In this episode I'm joined by James Benge, who must strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with statements I put to him (suggested by our Patreon members). Topics include, the quality of the World Cup, expanding it from 32 to 48 teams, whether or not the maverick players can exist in the modern game, Gabriel Jesus and his injury, Arsenal's January transfer plans, the weight of winnin...

On this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim talks to broadcaster, journalist and author Abdullah Abdullah, who wrote the book Olympique Lyonnais: Queens of Europe. Tim and Abdul look ahead to Thursday night's Champions League game between Lyon and Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, how Lyon reclaimed their Champions League crown last season, as well as their domestic dominance and then Abdullah s...

In this episode, we chat about the World Cup quarter-finals, focusing on England's exit against France, and the fact it means Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale return home. We also talk about Morocco's defeat of Portugal, Gabriel Martinelli, and the semi-final line-up, before we take listener questions about our favourite World Cup tears, Mikel Arteta's Christmas wish (in terms of a January signing),...

In this episode I'm joined by Lewis Ambrose to discuss the slight return of Arsenal after a 3-0 win over Lyon, the importance of these second pre-season games for players like Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira, the lads still at the World Cup and the impact the tournament can have on players – something Mikel Arteta will have to contend with. We also discuss the injury to Gabriel Jesus, what it might...

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing Arsenal involvement in the 2022 World Cup, with mixed fortunes for some of our players. Granit Xhaka is through, Thomas Partey is out, and Gabriel Jesus is injured, which is a bit of a worry. We chat about the games, the players involved, and some of the surprise results of the tournament, before answering questions about Luis Suarez and his lake of tears, X...

With the World Cup ongoing, I chat to Miles Coleman, the writer and producer of FIFA Uncovered – a four part documentary series available now on Netflix. We chat about the origins of both the film itself and FIFA as an organisation, as well as decisions that were made and moments which set it on a course to corruption. We also discuss some of the key figures, including Joao Havelange and the man w...

This landmark episode of the podcast is beset by technical difficulties – how typical! – but we muddle through to mark the occasion of episode 500. We talk a bit about the World Cup and the Arsenal players involved, before we take lots of listener questions who ask questions about questions, memories of the 500 episodes published to do, some football stuff re: the January window and a couple of ke...

In this episode I'm joined by Clive Palmer to chat about the World Cup and Arsenal. We discuss the time keeping in the tournament so far, how it might be rolled out across the big leagues, and the potential impact it might have on the game. We also focus on some of the Arsenal players involved, not least Bukayo Saka, as well as our Brazilians, and how the club have a window of opportunity right no...

In this episode we chat youthful pitch invasions, what Edu's promotion to Sporting Director means, how the Academy pathway becomes more challenging the better we get, as well as discussing Gianni Infantino's comments ahead of the World Cup which starts later today. Then there are listener questions about Arsenal players at the tournament, some scenarios which might be better or worse for them, Jan...

 In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Hunn to assess Arsenal's season so far, as we sit top of the Premier League. We chat about the improvements that have got us there, on and off the pitch, as well as discussing favourite players of the season, what we're excited about when football returns and lots more. Then attention turns to the World Cup which starts on Sunday, and around which there are...

In this episode we chat about the 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday evening, which consolidated Arsenal's position at the top of the table. James was at Molineux and gives us his first hand thoughts on the Arsenal performance, some refereeing decisions which went our way, two goals from skipper Martin Odegaard, what the Gunners did differently in the second period, all while dealing with some pre-ga...

In this episode I'm joined first by Andrew Allen to chat a bit about the 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup. We discuss fringe players failing to make an impact, but with so much rotation, is that realistic? We chat about the likes of Rob Holding, Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Then I talk to Amy Lawrence about the overall picture at Arsenal right now, sitting top of the table and b...

Tim Stillman and Alex Ibaceta get together to answer listener questions, including questions on whether we are all freaking out a little too much about Vivianne Miedema, women's football culture being more player oriented, whether it is time for Arsenal Women to follow Manchester City's lead and ditch the white shorts for the women's team, thoughts on how the squad will deal with the tough schedul...

In this episode it's nothing personal as we enjoy a 1-0 win away at Chelsea, and although we've won there before in recent seasons, this was something different. We chat about the quality of Arsenal's performance from start to finish, and how the technical level of this team is key to what we're doing right now. There's discussion of Gabriel Jesus and his performance versus another striker's; othe...

In this episode I'm joined by Charles Watts to talk about the 1-0 win over FC Zurich in the Europa League. We chat about a game that was more nervy than it probably should have been, but which ultimately saw Arsenal top the group and avoid a problematic play-off round. There's discussion of Eddie Nketiah and Albert Sambi Lokonga, assessing their contributions during the group stage, plus Kieran Ti...

In this episode we enjoy the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday and discuss a fast start, some half-time worries, a fantastic second period and a huge contribution from Reiss Nelson who got two goals and an assist after he replaced Bukayo Saka. We talk about this being the reset Mikel Arteta was looking for, Saka's treatment by opponents and officials, and then a superb second half from the...

In this episode I'm joined by Philippe Auclair to discuss the 2-0 defeat to PSV in the Europa League on Thursday night. We chat about the poor performance from an Arsenal perspective, a scoreline that could have been worse, and try to find some explanation for why the Gunners were so poor on the night. There's also discussion of the January transfer window, the impact of the upcoming World Cup, an...

In this episode we look back on the 1-1 draw with Southampton, on a day of some frustration. Arsenal didn't make the most of their chances to win the game, but nor did we get the rub of the green when it came the officiating – with some glaring errors by the referee. We chat about that balance, but also about how heightened expectations this season make a draw away from home feel quite so bad. The...

In this episode I'm joined by Clive Palmer to chat about the 1-0 win over PSV in the Europa League on Thursday night. We discuss attacking efficiency, Granit Xhaka's nimble winner, Bukayo Saka's stand-out performance, as well as some analysis of Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga. We then react to Mikel Arteta's very interesting comments about top players being able to play every 3 days, how hi...

In this episode I'm joined by Andrew Allen who fills in for James who's away on holiday, and we have an extraordinary 1-0 win at Elland Road to discuss. Starting with the referee/comms delay and the suspension of the game just 60 seconds in, then to an even first half, a sensational Bukayo Saka goal to put us in front, followed by a second half full of incident and which was a exercise in enduranc...

In this episode I'm joined by James to discuss the 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. We chat about the goal we scored, the poor performance from Arsenal and how much the pitch might have played a part in that, some good chances for the home side, and how potentially interesting aspects of last night's line-up didn't really develop in the game. We also talk about Kieran Tierney, Matt Tu...

In this episode we relive the 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates yesterday, discussing the team selection and Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back; a blistering Arsenal start and an early goal from Gabriel Martinelli; Liverpool with more control in the first half but Bukayo Saka putting us in front before the break; a better second period from us even if Firmino scored, and lots of focus on our reac...

In this episode I'm joined by James Benge to discuss Arsenal's 3-0 Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening. We chat about the changes Mikel Arteta made, Eddie Nketiah's goal, Fabio Vieira's contribution, the issue of using 'first team' players in Europa League games, Matt Turner's hands versus his feet, and more, as well as a little look ahead to Liverpool on Sunday. Follow James @ja...

In this episode we talk about a very enjoyable a 3-1 North London derby win, and three points which keep us top of the Premier League. We chat about the respective approaches of both teams, Thomas Partey's superb strike undoing Sp*rs' relentlessly negative approach, the penalty and a bit of a wobble, before a superb second half and goals from Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka sealing the win. We disc...

Welcome to another Patreon Premier League preview podcast. In this episode I'm joined by Phil Costa, and we look ahead to the game against Spurs on Saturday lunchtime. On the agenda: The Emile Smith Rowe injury The North London derby as the 'nicest game of the season' Mikel Arteta giving nothing away re: fitness William Saliba and a stronger back four than last season Balancing attack when at home...