The Athletic FC Podcast

Liverpool have picked up six points from their first two games, but have conceded four goals... So, should Arne Slot be concerned with how his new signings are adapting to his system as they look to defend their Premier League title? Jon Mackenzie and JJ Bull joined Ayo Akinwolere to delve deeper.  You can watch the show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSK-xIEtU8k Hosted on Acast....

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Liverpool vs Arsenal. Arne Slot's side are without a Premier League victory over Arsenal in six matches but the Gunners haven't won at Anfield since a 2-0 victory back in 2012, a game Mikel Arteta started in midfield. Tim Spiers and Megan Feringa join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their...

Manchester United have been knocked out the Carabao Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town. Three games into the season they have one point and they've spent almost £200m to get here. So can Ruben Amorim survive this latest humiliation? Plus we're joined by Grimsby owner Jason Stockwood to describe the night and achievement from their perspective. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton, Mark Critchley a...

With just days left in the transfer window, the pressure is on Premier League clubs to trim their squads. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by David Ornstein and Carl Anka to discuss Manchester United’s so-called “bomb squad,” Chelsea’s long contract headaches, and Arsenal’s attempts to balance the books. Plus, could Donnarumma be on the move to Manchester City? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein an...

It was a thrilling night at St James’ Park as Liverpool nicked it in the last minute thanks to teenager Rio Ngumoha. Newcastle showed spirit but it's clear their squad needs some serious work before the transfer window closes next week. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by George Caulkin and Oli Kay to chat through the key talking points from the match, and later on, David Ornstein joins to give us the lat...

Nuno Espirito Santo says he won't walk away from Nottingham Forest after publicly throwing into doubt the state of his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis. After an explosive press conference, The Athletic revealed the breakdown in relationship between Nuno and Global Head of Football, Edu, is at the centre of the head coach's frustrations.   So what's going on, and can it be fixed? H...

Welcome to The Week in Football, where we dig into the biggest tactical shifts, storylines, and surprises shaping the football world over the past seven days. The new season has just begun , but the Premier League has already thrown up a lot of surprises. So, which teams have changed the most tactically, and how will this shape the rest of the campaign?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by JJ Bull an...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Newcastle vs Liverpool. Despite the fact he’s got about as much chance of starting up front for Newcastle on Monday as Alan Shearer, Alexander Isak’s future dominates much of the discourse around the game which marks the first meeting of these sides since the Carabao Cup final, in which Isak scored. Stu James and Megan Fe...

Arsenal have hijacked Tottenham’s move for Eberechi Eze So how did we get here? And could Spurs have avoided this? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Adrian Clarke and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wants more players - and it got us thinking… are new signings always the solution? Or should coaches be more adaptable? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Spanish FA have approved the request for the La Liga fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona to be played in Miami. So what is the likelihood of the December fixture happening - and what does it mean for the Spanish game? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

At Old Trafford all the talk pre-match was about the new strikers on show, but in the end it was a set piece that made the difference, as Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0. So is it the same old Arsenal or can they evolve under Mikel Arteta? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Adrian Clarke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Welcome to The Preview from The Athletic FC, where every Friday we’ll look ahead to the weekend’s Premier League action. This week it’s all about the start of the season and the big one at Old Trafford – well, it was the big one 10 years ago – it’s Manchester United vs Arsenal. Tim Spiers and Stu James join Matt Davies-Adams to discuss Amorim and Arteta’s attempts at an A star start, before castin...

In the last two seasons, the three promoted clubs have been relegated from the Premier League. So will Leeds, Sunderland or Burnley survive this time around? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jon Mackenzie and Nick Miller Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he won’t play for them again — can he force a move to Liverpool? We bring you the latest. Plus, how are Spurs addressing their urgent need for players, and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma faces an uncertain future. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

David Ornstein dropped the news this morning that Alexander Isak is adamant he won’t play for Newcastle again   and that he has no desire to reintegrate into the squad. So what happens now? And are there any glimmers of hope for Eddie Howe’s side going into the new season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Chris Waugh, Jacob Whitehead and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer:...

Title holders Liverpool have been the talk of the transfer window, but couldn't claim the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.  So, are they ready to defend their Premier League crown? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Referees are integral to football. But with every decision scrutinised, why would anyone want to be a referee? The Athletic has been given insider access to the life of Premier League referees. From a gruelling pre-season training camp to matchday, join Adam Leventhal as he finds out what it takes to take command of the football pitch. We'll explain the new laws you'll see this season and the refs...

Manchester United have spent over £200m and counting.  But after continuous false dawns, will they deliver this season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Andy Mitten & Mark Critchley Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re focusing on strikers today.  In the latest twist to the transfer story of the summer - Benjamin Sesko looks to be on his way to Manchester United  So what does this mean for Newcastle and their wantaway striker Alexander Isak?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Jacob Whitehead Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou and Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. Se...

15-year-old Max Dowman has been the talk of Arsenal’s pre-season and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha has shone for Liverpool. But can either break into the first team and when is too soon to get excited? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Stuart James and Jacob Tanswell Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another chance to hear Anatomy of a Transfer, your one stop guide to how transfers happen. Join Adam Leventhal as he goes behind the scenes at training grounds, stadiums and offices to explain the anatomy of a transfer and to breakdown the complex process of what a player goes through when they move from club to club. Host: Adam Leventhal Exec Prod: Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains. Today we’re heading back to July 2001, when Sol Campbell completed perhaps the most controversial move in Premier League history. More than 20 years on, why are feelings still so strong? And was Campbell vindicated in swapping Spurs for their bi...

Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal’s new No.14. Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Cole Palmer have all switched to take the No.10 for their clubs. So, how significant is a squad number? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Lang, Stuart James, Pol Ballus Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson Producers: Jay Beale & Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander Isak has refused to go on tour with Newcastle United and wants to leave. So who could afford him and do Newcastle have any chance of keeping him? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Chris Waugh and Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.