The Athletic FC Podcast

After Arsenal slumped to defeat Man City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League with a statement win on Sunday. Defeat to Bournemouth now makes it three losses in four in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side. So, are Arsenal losing their nerve, again ? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton & James McNicholas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & Guy Clarke...

Coming up today, we have a truly special interview. Manchester United legend Patrice Evra in conversation with The Athletic’s Adam Crafton. They cover a huge amount of ground, including his relationship with ‘the boss’ Sir Alex Ferguson, the highs and lows of his Champions League final appearances and his take on whether Michael Carrick should be handed the United job permanently. Host: Adam Craft...

Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge. Can the Citizens keep the pressure on in the title race? Elsewhere Arsenal host Bournemouth, Manchester United face local rivals Leeds, and Roberto De Zerbi begins his Tottenham tenure away to Sunderland. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Tim Spiers & Mark Critchley Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted...

After more than 20 years of waiting - Atletico Madrid have won at Camp Nou and it was Barca target Julian Alvarez who played a starring role! So - does his performance underline their determination to sign the Argentine? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus and Dermot Corrigan Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Kane’s 49th goal of the season helped Bayern Munich to victory in the Bernabeu. Luis Diaz and Michael Olise played a starring support role. With a front three to be feared - are Vincent Kompany’s side the best in Europe? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Carl Anka & Seb Stafford-Bloor Producers: Guy Clarke, Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

After losing 4-0 at the Etihad, Liverpool’s season is at risk of unravelling. With so much uncertainty surrounding the club's hierarchy, are FSG allowing Liverpool to drift?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Simon Hughes & Matt Slater Producers: Jay Beale & Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend see's FA Cup quarter-final action as squads return from the international break. Manchester City host Liverpool in a mouthwatering tie, and one that will be Mohammed Salah's final trip to the Etihad Stadium as a Red. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Cerys Jones & Andy Jones Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Marc Cucurella has lamented Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca. He joins Enzo Fernandez who earlier this month said he ‘did not understand the decision’. So, are Chelsea’s players now losing faith in the club’s ownership?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus, Liam Twomey, Chris Weatherspoon Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast...

The 48-team line-up for the World Cup has now been determined, after a night of drama in the play-offs. And for the third successive tournament, Italy miss out… So what now for the four-time champions? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Felipe Cardenas, Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fallout from the AFCON final in January continues to rumble on. On Saturday - Senegal paraded the trophy in Paris …. despite having their title stripped and handed to Morocco. So what happens next? And how much has this saga damaged the reputation of AFCON? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Simon Hughes, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thoms...

Igor Tudor has left Tottenham Hotspur, after just one win from seven games in charge. They’re now pursuing Roberto De Zerbi to replace him. So, can he save them from relegation?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle & Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke & Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're into the final international break before this summer’s World Cup. Harry Maguire and Kobbe Mainoo are back in the England squad while Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out by Thomas Tuchel. So, who should be on the plane come June? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Stu James & Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast...

The Premier League currently and historically has seen a wide range of ownership models from local businessmen to sovereign wealth funds. But what actually makes a good owner? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Andy Mitten Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nine years and more than 250 goals, Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool. The Egyptian King has helped fire the Reds to Champions League & Premier League glory. So how much of a loss will he be, and can Liverpool replace him? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Oli Kay, Mark Carey Featuring: John Gibbons Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavro...

From players and managers to executives and owners, the Premier League is made up of some big personalities. But who are the most influential? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City claimed the first silverware of the season, thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace. For Arsenal it was another opportunity missed, but what impact will it have on the title race? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton & Art de Roché Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast, the panel discuss an enthralling round of Champions League Round of 16 ties. From Premier League struggles and Pep Guardiola’s European record, to how good Bayern and Madrid really are. Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Duncan Alexander Producer: Mike Stavrou  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Ahead of the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus sits down with The Athletic FC for an exclusive interview.  In conversation with Mario Cortegana Santos and Jack Lang, they get into how his move to Arsenal came about, the team’s mentality after three consecutive 2nd places finishes and how they’re coping with the current title race.  Plus, the narrative around set pieces, the diff...

Arsenal and Manchester City take to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final. Will Arsenal pick up their first major trophy since 2020, or will Pep Guardiola get his hands on his fifth League Cup with the Citizens? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Tim Spiers & Cerys Jones Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Chelsea have been fined more than £10m and handed a suspended transfer ban for making secret payments in relation to transfers. So does the punishment fit the crime? And what precedent does this for future cases such as the 115 charges Manchester City face? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Simon Johnson Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted o...

Chelsea are out of the Champions League after an 8-2 humbling at the hands of PSG. So where does such a damaging defeat leave head coach Liam Rosenior? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: James Allcott, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jay Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 12 wins, six draws and 12 defeats in the Premier League - Newcastle have been struggling to find consistency this season. So a year on from their historic Carabao Cup win at Wembley - are Eddie Howe’s side actually progressing? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jacob Whitehead & George Caulkin Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Once again, boos rang around Anfield as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Spurs. After missing the chance to go 4th, is it Champions League qualification or bust for Arne Slot? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton & Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford for a massive game in the race for Champions League football. Can the Red Devils bounce back from their first loss of the Michael Carrick era against the out of form Villains? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Tim Spiers & Mark Critchley Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

For all the talk of Premier League dominance in Europe no English sides won in this week's Champions League. So, ahead of the second legs next week is this just a blip or a rude awakening? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Twomey and James McNicholas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.