THE NORTH BANK - An Arsenal Podcast

To distract us from the tedium of another international break, we invited questions from our listeners. And boy, did they deliver. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we ponder a season's best premier league 11 of non-Arsenal players, Arteta's approach to the low block, treating Fulham and Everton as if they're Real Madrid, whether or not there's a price high enough to accept for selling...

After sending Chelsea packing with comparative ease, we enter into another international break. Join Holly and Stef as we look back on Sunday's game. When did Chelsea become so bad? So much money spent, so little to show for it. We highlight Merino's contribution, praise Martinelli and the defence. We also run through who's off with their countries - at least we don't have to worry...

All the talk is about the Real Madrid quarter final, but there's the none too small matter of Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday to discuss. Join Holly and Esteban (Stef) as we look ahead to a hugely important game in terms of securing our top 4 berth. Who gets the nod in midfield and up front? Does Martinelli start through the middle? Who gets the nod at left back? Thoughts return to the champ...

Another disappointing result and performance, this time in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to work out whether it's a personnel problem or a systemic one. Positives include the Martinelli return, Rice and Raya. Negatives too numerous to mention. We also talk about waning defensive solidity, Arteta, Andrea Berta and PSV.  And Holly doesn't disappoint on th...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to work out just how we managed to score 7 (seven) goals away at PSV. We run through a whole host of records that were smashed. Holly even predicts a chance to avenge the 2006 final loss against Barcelona, such is the unfettered joy in this pod! We also turn our attention to the small matter of Sunday's visit to Old Trafford. Will it be goals goals goals, o...

The league season is over and we've just entered March. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we debate where it all went wrong for us. Is it the player, the manager, the board, or what about the refereeing or injuries? We also look ahead to PSV and wonder where the goals are coming from. Calafiori in the middle, Tierney out wide? Or opt for Sterling and hope for the best!  Please follow and rate us w...

Will we ever score again? At least we didn't lose 3-0 eh! Join Holly and Stef as we attempt to analyse a game that has quickly become irrelevant. We discuss the team selection - was there much different that Arteta could have done? Could Ben White have started, or Sterling (stop laughing at the back!)? Where do we go from here? Are we going to have to get used to this for the next few weeks? P...

Our title bid, such as it was, went the same way as West Ham's hopes today (fade and die). Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we pick the bones off that particular carcass. We trace today's defeat back to a missed opportunity in the summer transfer market, compounded by further negligence in the January window. Players running on fumes, with no support off the bench to make any meaningful impac...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we get rather excited, reacting in real time to the Liverpool draw at Villa. Eight points behind with a game in hand - we couldn't, could we? With that in mind we look back at what worked well against Leicester - in particular, Nwaneri and Merino, along with the defence. We also look ahead to West Ham at the weekend. Should Merino start up front? Should Sterling g...

Join Holly and Chris as we ponder what might have been. Who is to blame for our current plight? Poor squad management, or simply bad luck with injuries? Is the season over, or have the wheels started to come off for Liverpool - dropped points and red cards galore! We look ahead to the Leicester game - not the most difficult team selection we've ever been tasked with predicting, but what format...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we bemoan our tactical naivety...or was it arrogance, or was it stubbornness? Either way, no Wembley outing for us this season. We map out how the game should have been played, with Anfield '89 being the blueprint. We have our final say on the lack of action in the January transfer window and wish the team a relaxing warm weather training camp in Dubai. Please follow...

Join Holly and Stef as we fail miserably to stay humble! We devote this episode to reliving all that was superb and sublime about our absolute hammering of City. Enjoy! Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky @northbankpod.bsky.social Twitter / X @northbankpod TikTok @northbankpod Instagram @northbankpod https://www.youtube.c...

Join Holly and Stef for a far happier Arsenal chat than the previous pod! We chat Champions League progression, revisit the Oliver debacle from the weekend, and wonder if our surprising bid for Watkins isn't some kind of smokescreen, but for what, we're not sure. There's also a look ahead to the visit of Humble FC at the weekend. Not a VAR controversy in sight! Subscribe to the North B...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we rant our way through a look back at our 'against the odds' victory over Wolves, Michael Oliver, VAR and PGMOL. There was only one talking point - that shocking decision to send Lewis-Skelly off for a trip. We also heap praise on the team's resilience and mentality, with some standout performers in Raya and Rice. And fair play to Stef, he joined us havin...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we finally have a comfortable home win to look back on. With qualification to the knockout stages almost guaranteed now, there were plenty of positives tonight - Havertz, Martinelli, Rice, Gabriel, Zinchenko. We discuss Kiwior's performance at centre back and wonder if Arteta will select him again at Wolves on Saturday. We, quite remarkably, all select the same st...

Join Holly, Stef & Chris for some cathartic conversation following our 'snatching a draw from the jaws of victory' performance v Aston Villa. Why is Mikel persisting with Partey at right back when other options are available? Are we capable of putting together a sustained run to be considered title contenders? Is that much-needed January signing going to happen? We also look ahead to t...

Join Holly and Stef as we struggle to contain our excitement and relief looking back at the North London derby. Is this the turning point in our season? We heap praise upon several players, but Lewis-Skelly in particular. We discuss the atmosphere, Rice's post match interview as well as some familiar failings. There is also talk of signings and a look ahead to Villa on Saturday.   You can also...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we look back at the painful defeat to United. Did we play well, creating all those chances, or was it a poor performance because we couldn't take any of them? Is it an individual problem or a systemic one? Is Arteta in danger of losing the fanbase? With Spurs visiting on Wednesday, we need an instant uptick in performance and mood, will we get it? We also discuss the...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris for our instant reaction to the deeply disappointing, but not wholly unexpected loss to Newcastle in the first leg of the League Cup semi final. We ask if it is poor form from our attackers, or are they simply not up to the requisite standards. Looking on with envy at Isak, we fear what may become of our season from here on in. Stef asks, is this a team in the image of i...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to analyse a frustrating draw at Brighton. From a winning position were we undone by our own conservatism as much as that disgusting penalty decision? We discuss/rant at VAR, collectively decide that we don't like Brighton or their manager. Stef enjoys a mixed day of afternoon tea and the AA (the car related organisation). We also look ahead to Newcastle on Tue...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we discuss the win over Brentford. Positives include Nwaneri, Partey, Jesus and Martinelli scoring and our overall game management. We also look ahead to another potential footballing banana skin with a visit to Brighton. Six games without a win for Brighton, we hope to extend that to seven, and enact some sense of revenge after their role in Rice's ridiculous red car...

Join Producer Chris and Home & Away Stef for a review of the tight 1-0 win over the Tractor Boys. How did the team perform in our first game without Saka? How will we cope in his absence? And will Mikel shuffle the pack for Brentford away? There's also a nod to the boss' 5th year anniversary at the club with a quick quiz to test your 2019 squad knowledge... You can also join the conversation o...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we digest part 2 of the Palace sandwich. The scoreline would suggest that we witnessed a resounding five-goal thumping, but strangely, it didn't feel that way at the time. Arteta is clearly still grappling with getting the balance right between defensive solidity and attacking fluency. Plenty of positives though, Raya with some key big saves, Lewis-Skelly again, Jesus...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we digest part one of our Palace sandwich. We discuss the team selection - was Arteta arrogant with his starting 11, or was he being pragmatic and simply utilising a very talented squad? Will Jesus start the next game? Was Nwaneri unlucky to be hooked at half time? How nice was it not having to worry about VAR? We predict our starting line-up for part two on Saturday,...

Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we digest yet another frustrating performance and result. Is there an internal fix to how we approach low block teams? Should Odegaard and Nwaneri both play? Is there something we can do with our left hand side that makes it more effective? Or is this a problem that can only be fixed by an external January signing, and who may that be? On to the League Cup quarter fin...