Football Weekly — Arsenal Run Riot at Spurs but Manchester City Keep Pace
The Guardian | February 23, 2026 | Host: Max Rushden | Guests: Barry Glendenning, John Brewin, Jonathan Wilson

Episode Overview

This episode of Football Weekly dives into a dramatic and revealing Premier League weekend. The panel — Max Rushden, Jonathan Wilson, Barry Glendenning, and John Brewin — break down Arsenal’s statement North London derby win over a hapless Spurs, Manchester City’s dogged title charge, and an array of tested title contenders and relegation battlers. The conversations range from tactical insights and memorable celebrations, to the more sobering realities of managerial pressure and persistent online racism.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. North London Derby: Spurs 1–4 Arsenal

(00:41–15:46)

• Arsenal Thrash Spurs: Arsenal record their biggest away derby win since 1978. The hosts are in disarray with mounting injuries and poor form, while Arsenal, recovering from recent slips, display urgency and composure.
• Eze and Gyökeres Shine: Eberechi Eze bags another North London brace, tallying five derby goals in just two games. Viktor Gyökeres silences his detractors with a physical, clinical display.
• Tactical Notes: Despite Arsenal's dominance, a recurring issue remains: conceding soon after scoring. As Jonathan Wilson notes, “for the fourth game in the last six and third in a row, they did concede within five minutes of scoring” (03:01).
• Spurs Desperation and Tudor’s Start: Igor Tudor, in his managerial debut (only 13 fit players), inherits an “emergency situation” (12:50). The panel debates if Spurs, currently four points from relegation, are the league’s worst team.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Tottenham, as performances go… in a second half performance, has got to be one of the worst of the season.” — John Brewin (13:54)
• Hypothetical Shifts: Several moments — a disallowed goal for a “technical” push (08:47), and a crucial Richarlison flick stopped on the line — underline the thin margins and hypotheticals in Arsenal’s favor.

2. Manchester City 2–1 Newcastle

(15:47–22:55)

• City Keep Pressure On: Guardiola’s side dig deep for a vital win and maintain a five-point gap to Arsenal. Nick O’Reilly stars as a creative No. 10.
• Controversies: Newcastle unlucky as Dan Burn's equalizer is chalked off for offside, though it “was blatantly pushed offside by Ruben Dias” (16:57) — prompting debate over the offside law’s application.
• Pep’s Mood and Tactical Shifts: Pep Guardiola’s supposed D-mob mood (“just kicking back, free jazzing it”— John Brewin, 21:27) contrasts with Arteta’s intensity. City’s late-game nerves, dropping deeper and relying on last-ditch defending, are observed.
• Memorable Line:
  • “How come City have become a team who now cling on to leads in the last 20 minutes, sitting on the edge of their own box?” — Jonathan Wilson (18:05)

3. Liverpool Scrape Past Forest

(24:11–30:06)

• Difficult Win at the City Ground: Liverpool “were as bad as [Carragher’s] seen them” in the first half (24:19). A last-minute winner saves the day, but John Brewin acknowledges Liverpool are still “having to grind this season.”
• VAR Controversy: Alexis Mac Allister’s disallowed goal, penalized for a marginal handball, sets off a classic Football Weekly debate about the absurdities of VAR interpretations:
  • “Can anyone think of a more perfect analogy to prove that those at Stockley Park don't know their arse from their elbow?” — listener Carl/Max Rushden (27:46)
• Forest Improved Under Pereira?: Positive signs that Forest, under new management, have hope — vital in the context of Spurs’ struggles.

4. Relegation and the Palace Soap Opera

(30:06–35:43)

• Crystal Palace “Desperate to Get Sacked”: Oliver Glasner’s increasingly public friction with fans is both comedic and tragic:
  • “The most important thing is to stay humble… Never forget where you’re coming from…[If not], in life you are punished for this.” — Oliver Glasner (30:31)
• Palace’s Unstable Managerial History: From Ian Holloway to Hodgson, the podcast traces the club’s odd relationship with managers and how Glasner’s public outbursts might harm his future prospects.
• Wolves Show Fight Despite Probable Relegation: The panel credit Rob Edwards for steadying Wolves, noting they could still play a decisive role in the relegation shakeup.

5. Chelsea’s Set Piece Vulnerability & Burnley’s Pluck

(36:12–40:46)

• 1–1 at Stamford Bridge: Chelsea’s persistent frailty on set pieces costs them yet again, as Burnley earn a deserved point. The pod has fun with managerial “missions,” with Burnley’s Fleming described as a “chaos element.”
• Credit to Fighting Relegation Sides: Both Burnley and Wolves are notable for refusing to give up, prompting praise despite their likely demises.

6. Racism Blights the Matchweek

(40:46–42:23)

• Multiple players (e.g., Fofana, Hannibal, Orade, Mundell) suffer racist abuse following missed chances or match incidents.
• Strong condemnation: “It is disingenuous of Meta to claim that they're doing everything in their power to stop it.” — Barry Glendenning (41:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Max Rushden on Spurs' flaws:
  “Tottenham have no players. What are they doing? There's no idea. There's nothing.” (10:26)
• Jonathan Wilson on Arsenal’s mentality:
  “It's significant that Mikel Arteta seemed incredibly relaxed afterwards… He was so relaxed he even played along with Gary Cottrell as he was asking one of his quirky questions.” (02:09)
• Barry Glendenning on the derby’s sliding doors moments:
  “If that [Richarlison] creeps over the line to make it 3–2 with 10 minutes to go, who knows what might have happened. But… we're clutching at straws.” (08:47)
• John Brewin on Palace’s managerial soap opera:
  “Palace and managers…they don't stick around for a particularly long time…often straining against a club that’s ambitious but with limited scope.” (33:02)
• Jonathan Wilson on City’s change in character:
  “How come City have become a team who now cling on to leads in the last 20 minutes, sitting on the edge of their own box? That's not something that was ever there with Guardiola before.” (18:05)
• Discussion of VAR confusion:
  “Can anyone think of a more perfect analogy to prove that those at Stockley Park don't know their arse from their elbow?” — (27:46, listener Carl/Max Rushden)

Other Matches & Talking Points

Villa 1–1 Leeds

(43:02)

• Leeds impressive, heartbreak at the death as Abraham rescues Villa a point. Anton Stack’s free-kick gets special mention as a rare “big man’s” curling effort (44:19).

West Ham 0–0 Bournemouth

(45:25)

• Unremarkable game, West Ham’s revival faces a tough schedule. Barry: “First half so bad you watched Michael McIntyre’s Big Show instead” (45:25). Areola’s post-game DJ cameo gets a laugh (48:01).

Brentford 0–2 Brighton

(49:56)

• “Massive” and potentially safety-securing win for Brighton; James Milner breaks the Premier League appearance record.

Fulham 3–1 Sunderland

(51:34)

• Sunderland’s season characterized by missed opportunities; Alex Iwobi’s late goal clinches it for Fulham.

Sheffield Wednesday Relegated

(53:21)

• Earliest-ever SBL relegation after loss to Sheffield United, punctuated by a Calvin Phillips red card.

Scottish, European, and Kiwi Updates

(53:56)

• Hearts surge in Scotland; the panel enjoys a viral own goal from the New Zealand “Kiwi Derby”.

Tone and Style Highlights

• The pod maintains its trademark blend of light-hearted banter and informed analysis (e.g., Tudor monarchy puns, running gags on odd managerial quotes, and pub pints discussions).
• Openly critical and honest (e.g., about racism, club atmospheres, managerial posturing), respecting listener intelligence.
• Embraces the absurdities and drama — both ridiculous and profound — of Premier League football.

Listen for These Memorable Segments

• Arsenal’s Performance & Mikel Arteta’s Post-Match Mood (02:09)
• Spurs’ Dire State & Igor Tudor’s Challenge (10:39–14:47)
• Manchester City’s Defensive Nerves & “Free Jazz” Pep (17:50–21:27)
• VAR’s Identity Crisis in the Forest–Liverpool and McAllister’s “Arse/elbow” Goal (27:46)
• Oliver Glasner’s Palace Exit Audition (30:06–34:15)
• Meta’s Token Response to Racism (41:33)
• Atmosphere at Chelsea (“Bit Empty”) & Set Piece Chaos (39:35)

Conclusion

A packed episode featuring Arsenal’s derby masterclass, City’s dogged pursuit, and a Premier League table still brimming with jeopardy at both ends. Amid the laughs and tactical debate, the shadow cast by online racism is given necessary weight. For both fans and neutrals, the pod is a reminder of why we love — and sometimes loathe — the beautiful game.