Football Weekly – Arsenal Swoop for Eze but Where Will He Fit In? (August 21, 2025)

Overview

This episode of The Guardian’s Football Weekly, hosted by Max Rushden with Barry Glendenning, Will Unwin, and Seb Hutchinson (plus Sanny Rudravajal joining later), dives into the seismic Arsenal hijack of Tottenham’s move for Eberechi Eze, the fallout and implications for both North London clubs, and a full tour of the weekend’s Premier League and European action. There’s also an in-depth discussion on Newcastle’s Isak transfer saga, Notts Forest’s Europa League adventure, and an insightful segment on the new dawn at Morecambe FC. As always, the conversation is lively, sharp, irreverent, and deeply informed.

Arsenal’s Transfer Masterstroke: Eze Steals the Headlines

Main Theme: Arsenal's hijacking of Tottenham's attempt to sign Eze, and what his arrival means for the Gunners' squad and ambitions.

Key Discussion Points

• The Eze Hijack:

  • Arsenal swooped in to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, reportedly for up to £67.5m, after Tottenham had seemingly sealed the deal (02:22).
  • The move is "objectively hilarious – unless you’re a Spurs fan" (02:52, Unwin).
  • Details emerge that Arsenal had actually completed the deal 11 days prior but stalled for strategic reasons, keeping Spurs in the dark. Havertz’s injury was mooted but deemed irrelevant.

• Spurs Fans’ Perpetual Caution:

  • The panel jokes about Spurs fans' trauma with failed signings, evoking memories of the Morgan Gibbs-White saga (05:56, Glendenning).
  • "Until I touch the hole in his side and in his palms, I will not believe – I will be a Doubting Thomas." (05:56, Glendenning).

• Where Does Eze Fit at Arsenal?

  • Eze is a natural No. 10, but Arsenal already have Ødegaard in that role. Panelists explore options for accommodating both:
    • "I’ve got a suspicion he’ll be playing on the wing more often than not... He’s got the skill set to beat players inside and out on either wing." (07:44, Hutchinson).
    • Comparison to Man City’s strategy of maximizing attacking options.
  • Eze brings dynamism and directness that is "missing" from Ødegaard’s game – especially the willingness to shoot and run at deep-set defenses (09:20, Unwin).
  • Eze’s London roots and history with Arsenal make the signing extra popular with Gunners fans.

• Psychological and Squad Impact:

  • Arsenal’s coup seen as a "power play" that rubs salt in Spurs’ wounds (09:12, Rushden).
  • The signing is unifying for Arsenal fans, especially contrasted to more divisive targets like Viktor Gyokeres or Noni Madueke (09:20, Unwin).

Notable Quote:

"It’s extra brilliant because they’ve put one over on Spurs. It’s always a major concern with these big high profile signings that they might not actually work out. Getting the player in is just half the battle – but it’s very hard to see how Eze won’t add to this Arsenal squad."
— Barry Glendenning, (05:56)

The Transfer Window Pendulum: Modern Anxiety & ‘Here We Go’ Culture

Beat-by-Beat Analysis

• Transfer Window Tension:

  • Unwin: Following transfers online is an emotional rollercoaster; fans live in micro-updates, leading to widespread anxiety (03:20).
  • The panel skewers Fabrizio Romano and other "in the know" accounts for their breathless pronouncements ("here we go!") that sometimes prove wrong (11:06).
  • Glendenning dismisses their importance:

    "It doesn’t matter to me... I don’t care how in-the-know Fabrizio [Romano] is, because I’m not really interested in the transfer window." (11:35, Glendenning).

• Bigger Picture:

  • News scoops matter, but insightful analysis is more valuable than first-to-report exclusives (12:03, Rushden).

Premier League Weekend Preview

Man City vs. Spurs: A Test for Post-Eze Tottenham

• City’s New-Look Squad:

  • Man City look reinvigorated; Reinders in midfield called a "game changer," and a bevy of attacking options (12:24, Hutchinson).
  • Haaland is in confident form; squad depth is restored after looking "leggy" last spring.

• Spurs’ Challenge:

  • Panel ponders whether Spurs can "take the gamble" against City as they did a season ago (14:22, Unwin).
  • Expectation City will be a stern test for this version of Spurs.

Newcastle-Liverpool: The Isak Transfer Saga Overshadows Clash

• Isak’s Statement:

  • Amid Liverpool transfer bids, Isak breaks his silence via social media:

    "Promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time... When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue." (18:07, Rushden quoting Isak).

  • Panel derides the melodramatic, "Olivia Rodrigo ballad" tone of the statement (18:49, Glendenning).

• Fan Reaction:

  • “If the window closes and he’s still there and he gets back on the pitch, it’s forgotten so quickly.” (17:56, Rushden)
  • Newcastle/Liverpool fans trade accusations of bad faith. Glendenning notes Liverpool’s low offer seems designed to unsettle Isak without expectation of immediate success (22:08).
  • If Isak remains, he’s likely booed briefly then forgiven after a goal (23:34, Glendenning).

Leeds-Arsenal: Will Jokeres Step Up?

• Leeds have started well but doubts linger about their goal threat (29:49, Unwin).
• Arsenal are tipped to "steamroll" teams at home if Eze and others are utilized as intended.

Other Fixtures

• West Ham-Chelsea:
  • West Ham look sluggish and face brutal fixtures before the international break (32:13, Glendenning).
  • Opportunity to gauge the seriousness of their malaise under new management.

Fitbar Corner: European Woes for Celtic & Rangers

• Celtic:

  • Stuttering 0-0 draw with Kairat from Kazakhstan in Champions League qualifying; lack of transfer activity infuriates fans (37:59-39:18, Glendenning).
  • Adameh cannot fill the striker void left by Jota and others; “Brendan Rodgers looks totally fed up and as if he almost doesn’t care.”

• Rangers:

  • Dismal 1-3 home defeat to Club Brugge – fans exiting after 20 minutes, restless over Russell Martin’s tenure (34:14-37:59, Glendenning, Hutchinson).
  • Martin’s "long-term plan" called out as hollow when reliant on loan players.

Forest, Palace & Europa League Drama

• Forest’s Progress:
  • "They were a lot better on the ball than last season," with strong recruitment and more depth (26:22, Unwin).
  • Concerns about Europa League schedule and squad rotation.
  • Palace fans reportedly planning protests in response to Forest’s role in Palace's Conference League demotion.

Morecambe FC: A Club Saved, but a Gamble

Segment with Sanny Rudravajal

(41:12–48:55)

• Morecambe’s Survival:

  • Club was on the brink; takeover by Punjab Warriors saves them at the 11th hour.
  • "When you think the 20th of August was going to be the deadline when Morecambe were probably going to be expelled – now they're OK." (48:55, Rudravajal).

• Managerial Upheaval:

  • Derek Adams, beloved and savior in the crisis, is sacked immediately by new owners. “He’d been working essentially for free... One of the staff told me they’d be homeless without Derek Adams. He paid their rent.” (41:41, Rudravajal).
  • Ashvir Singh Johal becomes new boss – "the British Asian Will Still" – and is the first Sikh to manage in the professional game.
  • Candid reflection on diversity in football and unfair burdens of representation:

    "If I mess up on air and I have done on telly, my ethnicity, my background will become a factor in the conversation… If he doesn’t do well, wrongly, it sets us all back, which is a horrible situation." (46:27, Rudravajal).

Lower Leagues Whirlwind

• League One:
  • Stevenage only side left with a 100% record.
• League Two:
  • Crew top on 12 points; Grimsby chase.
  • Shoutouts for Harrogate keeper James Belshaw (even if “he did very little, to be fair” per Hutchinson, 50:39–50:43).
  • Humorous segment on Colchester’s ‘kickoff to goal kick’ tactical innovation (50:59, Rushden).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "It feels like Arsenal are the real deal, but we need to see them steamroll teams at home. That’s what Liverpool did last season." (32:01, Unwin)
• “There were times reading [Isak's statement] when I thought I was scanning an Olivia Rodrigo ballad.” (18:49, Glendenning)
• “If you want a long term plan, you’ve got to make it a pretty sturdy one. Russell Martin’s long-term plan at Southampton was to get into the Premier League and then just keep playing the same way, get beat every week.” (37:26, Hutchinson)
• On lower-league managers: “British Asian managers have that extra weight. If [Johal] fails, it gets seen as a setback for all of us – wrong but real.” (46:27, Rudravajal)
• On floating heads: “I don’t think anyone needs that, me hovering – my disembodied head, hovering over them while they’re sweating and shaking.” (52:22, Glendenning)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:22 | Arsenal hijack Eze deal from Spurs, panel’s response | | 05:56 | Barry’s “Doubting Thomas” quote – waiting for official confirmation | | 07:44 | Where will Eze fit? Panel explores tactical implications | | 09:20 | Eze offers what Ødegaard doesn't; Arsenal fans’ reaction | | 11:06-12:03 | Transfer window culture, journalists like Fabrizio Romano | | 12:24 | Man City’s approach and new signings dissected | | 14:22 | Thomas Frank’s tactical flexibility before facing City | | 16:26 | Newcastle-Liverpool, Isak saga, red cards predicted | | 18:07 | Isak’s social media statement read out | | 18:49 | “Olivia Rodrigo ballad” line (Glendenning) | | 23:34 | Panel agrees transfer drama is soon forgotten if player performs | | 26:22 | Forest’s on-ball improvement and European preparations | | 29:49 | Leeds/Arsenal preview, doubts about Leeds’ attack | | 32:13 | West Ham’s woes and tough fixture list ahead | | 34:14 | Rangers’ defeat to Club Brugge, managerial instability | | 37:59 | Celtic’s goalless draw, transfer inaction frustrates fans | | 41:12 | Morecambe segment – club’s rescue, new Sikh manager (Ashvir Singh Johal) | | 46:27 | Responsibility and challenges for British Asian figures in football | | 50:39 | Harrogate keeper James Belshaw shoutout, League Two roundup | | 52:22 | Barry as a floating head in listeners’ fever dreams |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Football Weekly’s trademark style:

• Witty asides
• Light-hearted but incisive analysis
• A healthy dose of self-deprecating or gallows humour (especially regarding Spurs, lower leagues, and Scottish teams)
• Personal anecdotes and irreverent commentary

For Listeners Who Missed It

You'll come away with a deeper understanding of:

• The Eze transfer drama and its wider significance in London football
• The evolving emotional landscape for fans in the social-media-driven transfer era
• Tactical dilemmas for Arsenal, Spurs, and other big teams this weekend
• The real-world fallout and stories behind lower-league football survival
• How the experiences of managers and fans in the lower leagues and smaller clubs connect to bigger social issues within the game

And you’ll have plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to go with the serious football analysis.