Stay ConnectedThe Athletic’s flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening – and why it matters.
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After Rodri's red card at the weekend, Pep's Manchester City will have to find a way to cope without the most reliable player in the Premier League... But is he more than that?
With the trip to Arsenal looming, Ayo is joined by City writers Sam Lee and Mark Critchley, to talk about how the Spaniard became the lynchpin of Pep’s all-conquering champions, a sliding doors moment for Kalvin Phillips and how the best 'problem-solvers' in football might try to adapt to this temporary set-back.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Jay Beale
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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David Ornstein and Art De Roche are alongside Ayo Akinwolere following Arsenal's 2-2 draw in the North London Derby at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Within the game, Gabriel Jesus missed a presentable chance to put the Gunners 2-0 up in the first half while Eddie Nketiah also drew attention later in the game too, for Mikel Arteta's men, leading to debate around whether or not Arsenal possess the firepower needed to mount a Premier League title challenge.
As well as the panel getting stuck into the debate, Mark Carey also drops in to dive into the data regarding Arsenal's attacking output.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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Adam Leventhal welcomes a packed studio to preview this weekend's biggest clash: Arsenal vs Spurs plus David Ornstein pops up to bring us exclusive details on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard's bumper new contract.
In the red corner, Jay Harris and Jordan Campbell represent the Arsenal side of things, while in white we have Tim Spiers and Alex Kay-Jelski. Who will emerge victorious, both in the studio and on the pitch? And as a cherry on top of the cake.
To finish the episode we also hear briefly from Spanish football expert Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero on the upcoming Madrid derby.
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Following the signing of David Raya on loan from Brentford, Mikel Arteta has maintained his view this season he can rotate between the Spaniard and last season's first-choice goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale.
With Raya having started each of the last two matches Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and former Arsenal and Tottenham stopper, and now Women's Football Editor at The Athletic, Chloe Morgan to debate the possibility of rotating goalkeepers.
Plus The Athletic's Arsenal writer Jordan Campbell drops by having been at Goodison Park as Arteta floated the idea of making in-game goalkeeper substitutions.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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Barcelona had failed to win by a five-goal margin in any game since Lionel Messi left for PSG back in 2021... So after back-to-back 5-0 wins in La Liga and last night in the Champions League, are Xavi's side finally ready to entertain again?
Ayo is joined by The Athletic's Spanish football writers Pol Ballus and Dermot Corrigan to find out who 16 year-old sensation Lamine Yamal is, if Joao Felix has finally found the perfect home and why a first La Liga title in five years wasn't enough for Xavi.
Plus, how AI is helping the team cope with their rigorous fixture schedule and whether any more financial 'levers' will be required in the coming transfer windows.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chelsea were booed by their own fans away at Bournemouth on Sunday but are they actually playing better than results would suggest?
Ayo is joined by Adam Crafton, Dom Fifield and Chelsea writer Liam Twomey, to talk about footballing 'projects' - What they really mean and if Chelsea are really built for one?
Plus, why the fanbase still bear the scars of the Roman Abramovich era and the external pressure for 'Project Chelsea' to fail, because of all the excessive spending.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides
Additional Production: Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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Ayo Akinwolere is alongside The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Carl Anka to reflect on Manchester United's 3-1 humbling defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday at Old Trafford.
The panel not only analyse where things went wrong on the pitch for United, but also the difference in infrastructure and preparation behind the scenes at both clubs with Brighton set for the start of their first-ever European campaign this week.
How both clubs are set up for, and approach the transfer window, football identities within their squads as well as the respective roles of Erik Ten Hag and Roberto De Zerbi are also debated.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nick Miller, Tim Spiers and Luke Bosher join Adam Leventhal to preview round five of the Premier League.
They attempt to answer the weekend's big questions, such as: can Liverpool avenge the 3-0 defeat to Wolves from last season? Will Harry Maguire get the nod for an injury-hit Manchester United vs Brighton? And can Arsenal break their Goodison Park hoodoo after five consecutive winless trips?
There’s also a review of the Athletic's Agent Survey which the panel discusses, as well as a quick preview from Seb Stafford-Bloor as the top two clash in Germany.
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Following his public fallout with manager Erik Ten Hag, Jadon Sancho's Manchester United future looks uncertain.
Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon to explore and debate Sancho's spell at Old Trafford from the promise he showed in Germany prior to making the move through to the present day after being criticised for his performance in training by Ten Hag after Man Utd's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal prior to the international break.
Raphael Honigstein also offers up the view from Germany on how things have panned out for the England international since leaving Dortmund for £73m back in 2021.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
***
• This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL
• Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/COOLIGANS
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Are Spurs actually better without Harry Kane? ... Of course not, but new manager Ange Postecoglu's personality and James Maddison's 'swagger' are certainly helping the club move on.
Today, Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Tottenham writer Charlie Eccleshare and data writer Thom Harris, to discuss their fast start to the season - as well as - to urge a little caution after just four Premier League matches.
How James Maddison became the new 'technical leader', why Big Ange is the perfect manager for Richarlison right now, why Bissouma and Romero feel like new signings, the stark contrast to last season under Antonio Conte and why it's so difficult to replace a talismanic figure like Kane.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
***
• This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL
• Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/COOLIGANS
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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