Arseblog - The Arsecasts, Arsenal Podcasts

On today's show we discuss the weekend's big story: the departure of Raul Sanllehi as head of football. All concerned are trying to play it as amicable, mutual decision, but does that really make any sense given the timing of it, and how closely it's come to an internal investigation by owners KSE. We chat about the former Head of Football and the work he did at the club, how the spotlight now falls on Technical Director Edu, and we explore his closeness to Sanllehi, the agent led approach and what he needs to deliver. There are also questions about new signing Willian, whether Vinai Venkatesham is the right man to lead the club at executive level, how our recruitment might work now and the big gap that exists within the structure, Willian's signing and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show I'm joined by Clive Palmer to discuss the needs of the Arsenal squad going into this transfer window. We cover all areas - goalkeeper, defence, midfield, and attack – to try and work out what we might do, who might be vulnerable to a departure, and the kinds of players Mikel Arteta wants to bring to the club. We start though with some thoughts on the arrival of Willian who has signed a three year deal with the club after his contract at Chelsea expired. All that, and more.Follow Clive @clivepafcIf you want to become an Arseblog Member on Patreon, you can sign up at patreon.com/arseblog for just €5 per month.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's show we begin by discussing what appears to be the imminent arrival of Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea, weighing up the pros and cons of his experience with his age and contract length. We then chat in some depth about the changes made to the club's scouting network, letting Francis Cagigao and many of his team go, and the way we recruit players. Is our approach sufficient in the modern game, particularly when both your scouting and analysis departments feel somewhat marginalised in the process? We also touch on the redundancies and how the players might feel, before answering questions about Wilfried Zaha, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and the Alexandre Lacazette situation. James has a controversial Lucas Torreira opinion, and there's lots more besides.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's Arsecast is a day early, but comes in response to yesterday's club statement regarding the 55 redundancies being sought. I'm joined by Philippe Auclair to discuss that, the framing of the statement as something necessary to keep team investment going, social and moral responsibility from the owners KSE, the timing of the communication, the fact our Head of Recruitment is being made redundant, how the players feel about his after being given assurances their pay cuts would save jobs, the executive structures, and lots more. We finish with a positive chat about Mikel Arteta and his impact at the end.Follow Philippe @PhilippeAuclair  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's show we look back on our record extending 14th FA Cup, following the 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. We chat about the excitement of the occasion, from watching at home to being at the match; the way it all played out from Chelsea's opener to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's winner and beyond; our tactical approach, the game plan, some good fortune along the way, and ultimately yet another FA Cup win. After that, we discuss what it means in this crazy season to have ended with success, the job Mikel Arteta has done and the impact he's made since taking the job in December, what the future holds for the club and certain players, how European football has an impact, and we also relive some of the best/funniest moments from the day along with LOTS more in this almost two hour long episode.Also, a big thanks to all our listeners for being here throughout this long, trying season, and we're so happy we've been able to end it on a high note for everyone!  See acast.com/privacy for priva

It's a special FA Cup final Arsecast Extra, in which James and I chat about how we're feeling ahead of game, whether it's more anxiety or excitement, before we discuss our team selection and how Mikel Arteta might set up his team and approach the game. Then we're joined by the legend that is Ian Wright to talk all about the final, his thoughts on the team, our strengths and how we should play, what it's like to experience the occasion as a player and lots more. And as usual we take listener questions which are, for the most part, centred around tomorrow's big game at Wembley.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Premier League season is over and we look back on the final day victory over Watford, in what was a fairly meaningless game for us. There's discussion of Kieran Tierney's first Arsenal goal, David Luiz conceding another penalty and setting a record in the process, and we reflect on an 8th placed finish overall. We're glad to see the back of the season, and lessons have to be learned, but we try to end part 1 with some positives to take from this campaign. In part 2 we answer listener questions about our central defensive options and what on earth we can do about them. We pick our FA Cup final team, do some Aubameyang/Arsenal role play over his future, Ozil and his likely absence from Wembley, how to stop Olivier Giroud and loads more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's show starts with a recap of what has been a truly bizarre Premier League season, one which is ending on Sunday against Watford. From Laurent Koscielny's no-show to £72m on Pepe, Unai Emery's departure, three managers in one campaign, 'super' agents, Mikel Arteta saving lives, a European exit, pay cuts, lockdown and a chance to end it all with a trophy. All that and more, before I chat with Lewis Ambrose about creativity in the team and the current tactical set-up, how recruitment should be focused this summer, selling a goalkeeper, selling a striker, Arteta's long-term vision and lots more. Plus, you can win one of the brand new home shirts in an easy to enter competition.Follow Lewis @LGAmbroseApologies: We had an issue with the sound on the first upload, this is a new version.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's show starts with a recap of what has been a truly bizarre Premier League season, one which is ending on Sunday against Watford. From Laurent Koscielny's no-show to £72m on Pepe, Unai Emery's departure, three managers in one campaign, 'super' agents, Mikel Arteta saving lives, a European exit, pay cuts, lockdown and a chance to end it all with a trophy. All that and more, before I chat with Lewis Ambrose about creativity in the team and the current tactical set-up, how recruitment should be focused this summer, selling a goalkeeper, selling a striker, Arteta's long-term vision and lots more. Plus, you can win one of the brand new home shirts in an easy to enter competition.Follow Lewis @LGAmbrose  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A crafty midweek bonus Arsecast for you, looking back on last night's frustrating, if not that surprising, defeat to Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta rotated but didn't get enough out of the fresh legs he brought in. We chat about the performance, lots of things we already know about it, the lack of creativity and the calls for Mesut Ozil to fill that gap – as well as the German's situation overall. Squad building, a reality check after two big wins, the imminent end of a frustration season, the Arteta/Kroenke thing, and lots more with Andrew Allen.Follow Andrew @aallensport  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this very goodly morning we look back on Saturday's FA Cup semi-final win over Man City, which sets up a repeat of the 2017 final against Chelsea. We chat about the approach to the game, Mikel Arteta's tactical set-up, some fantastic individual performances but more importantly a brilliant collective effort. We analyse the two goals we scored, our defensive rearguard action, Ainsley Maitland-Niles selection and performance, and what this result and this week has meant for Arteta and the club. Then there are questions about Alexandre Lacazette, how we deal with games against teams in which we're expected to be dominant, whether or not the results will have a negative effect on our transfer business, playing without fans, playing it out from the back and LOADS more.Here is Lewis' tatics column as mentioned in the podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here's a bonus Arsecast for you because we love you. In this episode I chat with James Benge about Mikel Arteta's comments about squad building, after he told his press conference today it wasn't about challenging the board. We discuss the boss's relationship with Josh Kroenke, how he has now assumed the position of leadership which had been somewhat vacant, his desire for improvement and how it might happen. We also chat about Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Dinos Mavropanos and his loan move, rumours of a loan for Coutinho and, of course, the FA Cup semi-final against Man CityFollow James @jamesbenge  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this extra Arsecast Extra we discuss the rather hilarious 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League. It was a game in which we were dominated and which sparked multiple incidents of amusement, not least the defensive errors which led to our goals. However, we had to be alert to make the most of them, and in the second period a committed defensive rearguard put everything on the line to keep the Mugsmashers at bay, so the team deserve credit for that. We chat about Alexandre Lacazette's excellent contribution, our strange set-up, Emi Martinez's brilliant late save, and Reiss Nelson's first Premier League goal, before we answer questions about Mikel Arteta's very pointed post-game comments about the need to improve the squad, the Martinez v Leno situation, what we might bring in if we sold Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the formation for Man City on Saturday and LOADS more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode we talk about the 2-1 defeat to Sp*rs in the North London derby, a discussion which revolves in large part around our calamitous defending and some of our sub-par defenders. We ask how much Mikel Arteta can do with such error-prone individuals but reflect on his selection decisions playing a part too. We also chat about the lack of creativity in the team, and how the defensive issues are a significant influence on that side of our game. We also answer questions about losing from winning positions, the need for European football because of the financial implications of a season without it, how at least there's clarity to what we need to do, the work Edu is doing as Technical Director and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast Tim is joined by Australian Women's football writer Sam Lewis as they discuss Arsenal's new signings Lydia Williams and Steph Catley. Tim and Sam discuss why so many Australian players are coming into the WSL this year and what it means for domestic football in Australia. Then Sam talks about Australia and New Zealand's recent successful bid to host the 2023 World Cup and what it could mean for women's football in Asia and Oceania. We also hear from Gunners winger Lisa Evans on this month's edition of 'Teammates'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode I'm joined by Amy Lawrence to discuss Arsenal's form since the restart, Mikel Arteta's demanding and forthright manner with his players and the executive committee, the contrasting fortunes of Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendouzi, squad building and how much the manager is involved in the overall club strategy, some compromise in elements of our recruitment, the need to strengthen the spine, Edu's plan, and a brief North London derby chat. There's some of the usual waffle too.Follow Amy @amylawrence71  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this show we chat about a result tinged with relief but also frustration. Arsenal should have taken more of their chances in the first half of the 1-1 draw against Leicester, but in the end had to hang on with 10 men after a late equaliser. There were plenty of positives in that first period though, including another impressive Dani Ceballos performance and Bukayo Saka's contribution from the right. We discuss the missed chances, the red card for Eddie Nketiah and whether Jamie Vardy should have had one too, and Mikel Arteta's post game comments about the officiating and if that's a good thing or not. We also have questions about the front three for the North London derby, if it's time to play Aubameyang up front, Xhaka as a central defender, the prolonging of the 5 subs rule and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this show we look back on the very encouraging 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday, and a performance full of effort from the Arsenal players. It looks like they're buying into the manager's methods, and we discuss the decisions Mikel Arteta made with his team, another set of very effective substitutions, containing a very strong Wolves side, and keeping a clean sheet in the process. There's also some chat about Matteo Guendouzi who is seeing the Good Ship Arteta sail off into the distance without him, before we answer questions about the back three and if it's here to stay, whether Shkodran Mustafi should get a new deal, similarly if new terms should be offered to Alex Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac in the back three, Santi Cazorla and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode we have an enjoyable romp through Arsenal's 4-0 win over Norwich at the Emirates on Wednesday evening: including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the apex goal predator, midfield goal-getter Granit Xhaka, a debut strike for Cedric, Arteta's in-game management, and impressive Emi Martinez. We then chat about the positive news regarding Bukayo Saka's contract extension, before we answer listener questions about Auba's contract, Hector Bellerin facing competition, extending the Dani Ceballos loan, a new addition to the board, the William Saliba situation and loads more besides.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode we go back over the 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup. It was tight but there were some real positives, including the performances of Kieran Tierney and Nicolas Pepe, as well as a late winner from Dani Ceballos – which makes a lovely change from what happened at Brighton last week. We also discuss the continued use of the back three, Joe Willock, and dreadful TV commentary, before taking questions from listeners about Bukayo Saka, dealing with teams who have an aerial threat, our contract guru and how we might judge his work, the reported departure of exciting young forward Folarin Balogun, the absence of Matteo Guendouzi and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.