Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates. The result all-but guarantees second place, barring an unprecedented defeat at Southampton. The panel discuss Declan Rice and David Raya's performances, and why both players in the running for player of the season. They give Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior and Ben...

Arsenal play their penultimate game of the season against Newcastle on Sunday in a bid to secure second place this season. Art de Roché and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to look ahead to the match. They discuss the injury concerns going into the game, the lack of midfield options and a potential start up front for Gabriel Martinelli. Plus Arsenal’s open training session this week and potential u...

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's 2-2 comeback at Anfield, after being 2-0 down at half time. Despite turning the game around, Mikel Arteta was seething at full time. The panel discuss the manager's comments, after what has been an emotional week for everyone involved at the club. Unlike the Arsenal of old, the second half performance was a reminder of the chara...

Arsenal exit the Champions League after a tough night losing 2-1 (3-1 agg) to an elite PSG side. Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to reflect on a game where Arsenal played really well in the Parc des Princes but couldn't capitalise on their chances. Hear the team speak about those Donnarumma saves, the missed chances, and how Arsenal can build on this going forward. Amy Lawrence d...

It was another disappointing result for Arsenal in the Premier League as they lost 2-1 to Bournemouth. Art de Roché and Jordan Campbell join Ian Stone to reflect on a strange game where both players and the fans possibly had their attention on the big Champions League game to come. Plus, we get excited for the huge second leg against PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday and how Arsenal could o...

It was a tough night for Arsenal on Tuesday, losing 1-0 at the Emirates in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final to an excellent PSG side. Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to reflect on the game, finding the positives in a disappointing performance that the team will look to take into the second leg in Paris. The significance of Partey’s suspension, Odegaard’s continued...

Adrian Clarke and French football specialist Tom Williams join Ian Stone to preview Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against PSG. Arsenal ran out convincing winners when these teams met back in October, but the French side have evolved drastically since that night. The panel discuss how both teams have changed, where each will look to hurt each other, and predict the XI's Mikel Arteta and Lui...

Arsenal had one of their more forgettable evenings of the season as they had drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s 13th draw of the season. Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to reflect on a disappointing game and performance with both teams possibly distracted by bigger games to come. They speak about the recent errors by Saliba despite being imperious otherwise, and the positives...

Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's demolition of Ipswich at Portman Road. Mikel Arteta opted for a strong side, the panel discuss why rhythm and momentum is as important as rest in the lead up to Arsenal's Champions League semi final. Leandro Trossard got the nod up front scoring a brace, the Belgian dovetailed beautifully with Mikel Merino who was deployed in a...

Arsenal dominated Real Madrid to deservedly win 2-1 at the Bernabeu, dumping the holders out of the Champions League and marching on to the semi-finals. Hear what it was like in Madrid from Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas, as Art de Roche and Ian Stone reflect on a monumental night for Arsenal - we even managed to get Adrian Clarke away from the snooker to send over his thoughts too. We talk abo...

Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to preview Arsenal's Champions League quarter final second leg against Real Madrid, in which the Gunners lead 3-0 on aggregate. The panel touch on Saturday's 1-1 draw against Brentford - in which Mikel Arteta made five changes to his starting XI - before turning their attention to Wednesday's tie. The magnitude of the fixture, how Arteta should approac...

Tuesday saw a historic night at the Emirates as Arsenal emphatically defeated European giants Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League. Amy Lawrence, James McNicholas and Art de Roche join Ian Stone to reflect on what was possibly the greatest match of the Emirates era. We talk about the entire team’s incredible performances — but one man in particular — MOTM Declan Rice and those out of this world...

Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park and look ahead to Real Madrid's visit in the Champions League. Ben White returned to the starting XI against Everton, the panel discuss his importance ahead of Tuesday's tie and ask whether Bukayo Saka is ready to start. Plus we talk Gabriel Martinelli's potential against Real Madrid's high line, the ba...

The long awaited return of Bukayo Saka took place as Arsenal saw off Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday night. James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on the win, Bukayo's return and winning goal, Gabriel’s injury and excellent performances from both Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino. We also reflect on the life and career of Arsenal legends David Rocastle and Kevin Campb...

Welcome to a special episode of The Athletic’s Arsenal podcast, Handbrake Off, in honour of a much loved Arsenal great Kevin Campbell. Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke are joined by a quartet of legends. Alan Smith twice won the golden boot as the best goalscorer in England as well as delivering Arsenal’s last European trophy. Lee Dixon played a phenomenal 619 games for the club over 15 years of ser...

Arsenal Women are through to Champions League Semi-finals after an incredible comeback against Real Madrid, and the final men’s international break of the season is over. Ian Stone is joined by James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke to reflect on a marvellous night for Arsenal in the UWCL and discuss the performances of the men’s players on international duty. Plus, they look ahead to the Fulham at Th...

Hale End graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have made waves at Arsenal during their breakout season, despite playing in positions relatively unfamiliar to them. With major contributions in both the Premier League and Champions League, their seamless integration into the first team has been nothing short of remarkable.  Over the course of this episode The Athletic details both Myles and...

Ian Stone is joined by Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché to conduct an audit of the men's first team squad, discussing who they think Arsenal should keep and sell this summer. Plus, they answer your questions including Gabriel's Saudi Links, where they think Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly will play going forward and the contracts of Saka and Saliba. Producer: Robby Williams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea. Our makeshift forward Mikel Merino was the difference, as Arsenal got back on the scoresheet via a set piece for the first time since January. The panel give Jurrien Timber his flowers, talk about the petulance on display from some of Chelsea's players and discuss Martinelli's return to th...

Ian Stone is joined by James McNicholas and Art de Roché to discuss Arsenal’s incoming Sporting Director Andrea Berta, including how they feel about him joining the club and the challenges he’ll have to tackle in his new role.  The Athletic’s David Ornstein drops by to give us the details behind the appointment and we also hear from Spanish football writer Dermot Corrigan on Berta’s time at Atleti...

It was yet another maddening trip to Old Trafford for Arsenal on Sunday, playing out a disappointing 1-1 draw. Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on a frustrating game but excellent performances from both David Raya and Declan Rice. The panel also touch on Arsenal’s new Sporting Director Andrea Berta, reflect on 200 games for Arteta and speak to Martin Keown ahead of Wednesda...

On Tuesday night, Arsenal became the first team in Champions League history to score seven goals away from home in a knockout stage match after they destroyed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 to all but book their place in the Champions League quarter finals. Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on a historic night including the performances of our Hale End teenagers, Odegaard’s return to for...

How much are football perceptions coloured by age? To what extent is the football experience consumed and digested differently according to how new or old you are to the game? These questions came up when one of our Arsenal correspondents, Art De Roché, had what he described as an “existential” conversation with his friend in the wake of the week which virtually extinguished hopes of a Premier Lea...

On Wednesday night, the gap to Liverpool increased to 13 points as Arsenal drew 0-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.   Art de Roché and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to reflect on the game including the team’s struggles in front of goal, Calafiori’s eventful first half and Ødegaard’s continued lack of form.  Plus, the importance of luck, and a discussion around Mikel Arteta’s changing st...

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on where Arsenal's defeat to West Ham leaves them. Post match Mikel Arteta said his side were 'nowhere near the level to challenge', the panel ask the question as to why. Is there a formula to beating this Arsenal side that managers such as Potter, Howe and Emery have cracked? Why are Arsenal struggling to create chances and what needs to ch...