Loading summary
Transcript77 lines
- [00:00]
Progressive Insurance Announcer
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with progr between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
- [00:36]
Verizon Wireless Announcer
Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walk in running Hogo, sticking teleport. If you can, ride on the back of a Rollerblading yak or fly in on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the best Network based on RootMetric's best overall mobile network performance US 2nd/2025 all rights reserved. Must provide a very recent postpaid consumer mobile bill in the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply.
- [01:06]
Adam Grant
Hey, this is Adam Grant, host of ted's podcast Rethinking with Adam Grant. Have you heard of Bill? It's the intelligent finance platform that uses AI to help you avoid costly errors and optimize cash flow. In fact, Bill reports that over 90 of the top 100 US accounting firms trust them to manage, move and maximize money. Proven by over a trillion dollars in secure transactions. Eliminate the friction and start scaling with the proven choice. Visit bill.com proven to talk with an expert about automating your business finances and get a $250 gift card as the thank you. That's bill.com proven terms and conditions apply. See Offer page for details.
- [01:46]
Ayo Akimolere
The Athletic FC welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Ayo Akimolere. After Arsenal slumped to defeat, Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League with a statement win on Sunday. So are Mikel Arteta's side losing their nerve again? All right, joining us for this one from the Athletic, we've got Adam Crafton. We've also got James McNicholas, who was at the Emirates for us as well,
- [02:15]
James McNicholas
touch for Alex Scott, who buries it. SHARP INTAKE OF breath Right around the Emirates.
- [02:25]
Adam Crafton
Bournemouth in front for a second time.
- [02:27]
Ayo Akimolere
James. I was at the stadium. It wasn't great viewing for Arsenal fans. You wrote that they looked equally short on energy and ideas. About as poor a performance as Arsenal have produced all season.
- [02:40]
James McNicholas
Yeah, and terrible timing as well. I mean, they had an extraordinary opportunity coming into this game to go 12 points clear with just six of their own games remaining. A very, very commanding position, and it's passed them by and it's turned into a bit of a nightmare weekend for them. At a point in the season where momentum can be everything, Arsenal look entirely devoid of it. And Manchester City, meanwhile, sort of building up steam. So a really disappointing performance, a really bad result and a very, very bad weekend for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta. Everything's still to play for. I think it's important to say that, you know, they're still in a decent position in the league. They're still in the Champions League, headed seemingly potentially, for a second consecutive semifinal in that competition. But the Arsenal fans will be feeling pretty nervous this morning.
- [03:26]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, it's definitely a big week for Arsenal. Item. Three defeats in four games out of the Carabao Cup. Well, they lost to Manchester City out of the FA cup after losing to Southampton, obviously losing to Bournemouth as well in the Premier League. I don't know about you, but this team definitely looked devoid of the confidence in their ability that has got them thus far in the Premier League, at least.
- [03:47]
Adam Crafton
Yeah. And it's strange in that they'd actually won their previous four Premier League games. It doesn't feel like that because it's been so long since we've kind of had Premier League games and it feels like a lot's happened in between. And in some ways, I thought they might be able to just separate, you know. Okay, we had a couple of freak results in Cups. Now let's get back to the real business of the Premier League. They weren't able to do that. And it. It did strike me watching the game. First of all, you know, Bournemouth were a really good team and. And they could do this, actually, to anyone. I think it's interesting City still have to go and play Bournemouth as well later in the season, but there has been this feeling of, you know, if you keep playing games on the margins, as Arsenal so often do, there's going to be games where that goes against you and where confidence becomes more fragile and more mistakes creep into games, those margins become more vulnerable. So there is something, I guess, strategic as well as perhaps in the mind that's going on now with Arsenal.
- [04:44]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, it does feel somewhat psychological, James. Look, there was a real lack of urgency from Arsenal even when they got the penalty, freak penalty, but they got away back into that match. But also, I'm just thinking about just the. The theme of Arsenal thus far, you know, is it fatigue? Are they being overly coached by Mikel Arteta? You know, Amy Lawrence on the Handbrake off podcast said since Arsenal and Bournemouth both played each other on January 3, Bournemouth have played just 13 matches and Arsenal 24 matches. Are these players just tired and knackered?
- [05:17]
James McNicholas
They certainly look it and I think it might be a factor. You'd have to say Arsenal have got a substantially bigger squad than Bournemouth and a squad built to kind of challenge across multiple fronts at huge expense. So I think sympathy will be in relatively short supply. I think there does appear to be a psychological component to it. I think the weight of expectation and pressure does seem to inhibit this team's performances at times. But I also think there are kind of technical and tactical failings in what they're doing at the moment. I think that they're basically not playing particularly well. And I think actually a lot of Arsenal fans will tell you that a performance or result like this has kind of been in the post, that since the turn of the year, there have been little sort of warning signs here and there in what Arsenal have been doing that suggested they're maybe not quite where they were in sort of September, October, November in that early period of the season. And I think another interesting factor in this is that the run in is almost its own distinct entity. And I think that the timing of the international break adds to that. It sort of creates this kind of playoff season almost at the end of the Premier League. And it's one in which historically Arsenal have struggled a little bit. I mean, their record under Mikel Arteta in kind of April and May is not the best. So they will need to change that this year if they are to become champions.
- [06:34]
Ayo Akimolere
Is it a matter of history repeating itself, Adam? I guess this is what's really stark and glaring from an Arsenal fan perspective, is that Arsenal have been here before in the last two seasons, and yet the same situation seems to be unraveling the same way again.
- [06:48]
Adam Crafton
It feels like that a little bit. I think it's early. You know, they've won for the last four games and some difficult games in that, in theory, you know, going to. Going to Spurs, Chelsea, even, you know, Everton at home's not an Easy game to win. So title races aren't easy. You're not going to just go and win unless, you know, you are Manchester City three years ago. You're not just going to go and win 16 games in a row and not have any disruptions or challenges or complications. And I think if Arsenal fans thought that that was how it was going to be, then they were the ones who were mistaken kind of in the first place. So there were going to be slip ups. It's now how you respond to it. I know next week now feels very kind of doomsday in some ways because, you know, you have this four day period where if Man City win their two games, they, they go ahead. But also it's a, you know, if Arsenal go and win at Man City, they win the League. They've got to get that into their heads. Like this isn't necessarily the week that breaks them, it could be the week that makes them as well. So I know that feels a long way away, but the other thing I was thinking just last night was in some ways actually like the fact that they can now almost go to City and maybe just think about, you know, being solid and getting back to what they're good at, rather than actually being like the team that has to go, has to go and win, you know, because they could draw that game and that'd be a great result as well. That, that might make them a bit more comfortable in some ways, just in terms of Arteta and Arsenal going back to their basics rather than having to chase a game. But clearly, I mean, it's a huge, huge week. It's going to be fascinating to see how Arsenal as a team, as a coach, as a, as a fan base deal with this because there is a psychological element to it. You can feel that kind of sense of it's happening again, that we're losing control, that we are emotional and they have to find a way to get a grip of it. I mean, I don't. I mean, you guys were in the stadium on Saturday, like, what did that feel like? What was the interaction like between fans, between fans and players? Booze at the end of the game for a team that, you know, could be a week away from going within touching distance of winning a title. So what was that like?
- [09:04]
James McNicholas
Well, Arsenal gave it the big build up before the game. You know, a lot of the messaging was around Mikhail Arteta in his press conference saying, it's a big day for us.
- [09:12]
Ayo Akimolere
The players know it, our supporters know it. It's 12:30. Kickoff is an early Kickoff. So get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, how you say in England, and let's go all together for it because it has to be a big day.
- [09:29]
James McNicholas
And I think they, they sort of lent into certainly externally they lent into the hype. I think what happens is when you ramp up that tension, when you ramp up that level of expectation, when the performance falls short, sometimes that leads to frustration. And I think that's what we heard at full time. I think frankly we heard it in the course of the game. At times, you know, Arsenal were playing or trying to play, I should say, that patient game going back to David Rya looking to find the pass through the Bournemouth press. And I think that had the crowd a little bit edgy and agitated. They wanted to see more urgency, I think, in the way that Arsenal approached it. So there was kind of an interesting tension maybe between the team's intentions and the crowds. And, and I think that, that, that did make for a slightly fraught atmosphere. It's going to be an interesting thing, isn't it? In what remains the title race, the distinction may be between Arsenal playing at home and playing away. And you know, that's one factor in the City game. Listen, it's not never an advantage to go to the Etihad, but if there is tension in that stadium, there'll be at least be escaping that.
- [10:30]
Adam Crafton
James, just on the hype aspect.
- [10:33]
James McNicholas
Yeah.
- [10:33]
Adam Crafton
Who is deciding this? Because I really do think there is something in this. So this sense of the way that this game, it just seemed to me to be overly built up for what was, you know, if you take a step back, this was a home game against a mid table team. You know, it wasn't a title decider, it was a big game but it wasn't, you know, it wasn't the biggest game of all time. And you know, if you look even in the week leading up to the game there was that like, was it right? You did play the TikTok Edit at
- [11:04]
James McNicholas
training a London KO owner.
- [11:05]
Adam Crafton
Yeah, that was. I genuinely wasn't sure if that was like, I didn't know if that was like an AI thing or I don't know what's real anymore.
- [11:12]
James McNicholas
It's good to check in this era, isn't it?
- [11:14]
Adam Crafton
But no, I believe that's real good to check. So that was real. And then you had a big social media montage that the club did. I think on the morning or day before the game you had Odegaard put something out about like bring the noise, you've got Arteta saying, bring your lunch, bring your breakfast, bring your dinner. And therefore, like, when something does go wrong early in the game, that sense of, oh, God, this is huge. If this goes against us, surely that does have a psychological impact that isn't kind of like being smart after the event. It feels to me like there is something in that, and I'm curious who is deciding it.
- [11:54]
James McNicholas
Yeah, I think it's really interesting. I mean, Michael Arteta takes a pretty active role in some of this build up. I mean, I think he did a voiceover for one of the videos that Arsenal showed that was kind of a quote from one of his recent press conferences. And he has appeared in videos before, before big games. I remember the Paris Saint Germain home leg. He did, like, film something at pitch side, urging the crowd to rally behind the team. I mean, one thing we have to say is that there's the kind of external messaging and the internal messaging. We don't know that what Mike La Teta is putting out publicly and what the club are putting out publicly is exactly the same message they're giving to the players. You would like to think that as much as they're keen to kind of amp up the crowd, the messaging to the players is surely more about relaxation, about approaching this game like any other, about doing the things that have got them to this point in the season. But of course, it's going to all bleed into each other. And I agree with you on this occasion. This game sort of became so big partly because of the cup defeats that preceded it as well. It felt like with every passing game, the emphasis on this one grew and grew and grew, that when it doesn't work out, not only do you get a reaction in stadium, in ground, from fans, which obviously can have an impact on performance, but then you see what happens after. And if you go on social media or speak to Arsenal fans, there is this kind of despair, despite the fact that they are still in a healthy position. So I think it'll be really fascinating to see. There's two big games this week. There's obviously sporting in the Champions League and then City at the weekend. Yeah, it will be interesting to see what kind of external messaging there is from Arsenal because, yeah, there may be some lessons learned, I think, from. From this Bournemouth one.
- [13:29]
Ayo Akimolere
The thing is, Adam, on one side, I can understand the messaging because you can understand you're trying to manage the ebbs and flows of the emotions of the fan base, but you do want to create what might feel like a, I guess, a siege mentality. So get Everyone up on their feet. There've been some serious disappointments, but I guess from an external standpoint, for someone who isn't a fan of Arsenal, you're watching that thinking, okay, spend all this money on these messaging, but actually the football itself just is reminiscent of what has come before. I wonder what other fans are looking at, thinking, well, Arsenal, here they are doing it again.
- [14:00]
Adam Crafton
And also, you can't imagine Manchester City doing it. You know, you can't. You just can't. You can't imagine Pep Guardiola saying something like that before playing Bournemouth at home. You know, he might do something halfway through a season that sort of digs out his own fans and says, you know, everyone's got a bit comfortable. We've seen that a few times. But you wouldn't see that. You just wouldn't. And I think it does give the sense of like, these people who are kind of still learning how to win and learning how to get over the line, trying to kind of like calculate it rather than actually just knowing how to do it. So, yeah, as someone kind of more external, I'm looking at that and just thinking, there's a team here who know how to get it done and there's a team that's learning how to get it done. What's going to be interesting is, you know, none of this might matter in a week's time. And in a week's time they might have got a fantastic result at Man City. But to me, it did feel like it was made bigger than it needed to feel. And, you know, you can see it's easy to say all the players aren't affected by that. All the players are on social media. You know, there are no players anymore who aren't on social media. They might say they're not, but they'll get sent stuff by family and you can see the strain in their faces. You know, you can see it at the full time whistle. These aren't players that don't care. They're players who are feeling the pressure of, you know, the final stretch of the season. And that is having an impact on
- [15:32]
James McNicholas
them on the sort of fan engagement point. It is a really interesting one because I think Arsenal have been really proactive about kind of trying to engage and engender that sort of more raucous support.
- [15:46]
Adam Crafton
And it's made the Emirates a better place to be. In general.
- [15:49]
James McNicholas
Yeah, in general it has worked. Like, I think it has been a pretty successful drive, but it's a fine line, right? It's like at some point there are there are certain situations when you have to take the temperature down, to use a phrase. Michael Arteta used himself recently, and one wonders if a home game against Bournemouth might have been that. When you talk about the faces of players, Adam, I must say, as someone who watched Arsenal at close quarters on Saturday and then tuned into the Manchester City game on Sunday, that was a really palpable striking difference to me. The degree to which the City players look to be of course it's different when you're winning, but sort of enjoying their football and relishing their position. And of course they're the chasers, right? They are the team hunting the league leaders down and that comes with a lot less pressure, frankly. And I think at this point in time that feels like a major distinction between the two teams
- [16:43]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
this is the Athletic FC podcast with IO Accumulere. This host city guide on the Athletic is brought to you by the Capital One Venture X Card.
- [16:54]
Toronto Host City Guide Narrator
Toronto has the longest and coldest winters of the host cities, but few towns celebrate the rare months of sun the way the smoke does. It's a laid back place covered with trees, and Toronto will not run from the fact that it offers a more tolerant way of life than many American cities. Toronto celebrates soccer. Toronto FC's MLS cup win in 2017 made them one of the best single teams in league memory. For a moment, the side competed with the NHL's Maple Leafs and the NBA's Raptors for the attention of sports fans in the city. Ubers in Toronto are plentiful, but the subway system is safe, clean and low cost. You can also hop on a streetcar, but you'd have better luck scoring a ticket to the World cup final than having your streetcar show up on time.
- [17:40]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
This host city guide on the Athletic is brought to you by the Capital One Venture X Card. Venture X offers premium benefits like a $300 annual capital one Travel Credit for less than you expect. Terms apply seecapitalone.com for detail sales
- [17:56]
Adam Grant
this
- [17:57]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
is an advert for Mint Mobile. Now if you're anything like me, you'll like keeping your money right where you can see it. Unfortunately, traditional big wireless carriers also seem to like keeping your money. So if you're overpaying for wireless and fed up with sky high wireless bills, bogus fees and free perks that actually cost more in the long run, it's time you switched to Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile is here to rescue you with premium wireless plans starting at just 15 bucks a month. All plans come with high speed data and unlimited talk and text delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. You can bring your own phone and number with you. Activate an ESIM in minutes and you'll start saving immediately. No long term contracts, no hassle. What's not to love? I switched at the start of the year and I'm saving money every month and I can spend that on my kids and I get really fantastic all round wireless service on top. So if you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans@mintmobil.com athleticfc that's mintmobile.com athleticfc upfront payment of $45 for 3 month 5GB plan required equivalent to $15 per month new customer offer for first 3 months only then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra Seedmint Mobile for details. Whether you're a founder, CEO or HR leader, building a global team usually means deciding to set up a local entity or not. And that's either exactly why pebble is here, so you don't have to pebble is an AI powered global human resources platform built for founders, HR leaders and operators who are hiring and supporting teams around the globe. Pebble helps you hire, pay and manage talent in over 185 countries with fast onboarding that can be done in minutes. Instead of juggling separate tools for contracts, payroll, benefits and compliance, pebble brings everything together with built in guidance and local experts expertise to support you. The fastest growing companies in the world use pebble to stay organized and reduce risk and founders use it to scale faster without feeling like they need to become HR or compliance experts. Here's the bottom line. Pebble simplifies global people operations so you can spend more time growing the business and supporting your team. Pebble's new standard discounted price at $399 per month per employee helps you contain costs. Go to High Pebble AI to get a free estimate that's hip EBL AI for a free estimate. Now you've got weight loss goals, but hitting them is another story. Enter Weight Loss by hims. It's designed to support you in losing the weight and keeping it off and HIMS now offers access to an affordable range of FDA approved GLP1 medications including the Wegovy pill and the Wog wegovy pen. With wegovy at himss lose up to 20% or more of your body weight when combined with diet and exercise. It helps you regulate your appetite and eat less so success is within reach. Hims makes hitting your goal seamless by offering access to 24.7 messaging with your care team and in app, lifestyle and nutrition support like recipes, meal plans, fitness videos, sleep content and more. Ready to reach your goals? Visit himss.com athleticfc to get a personalised, affordable plan that gets you that's h I m s.com athleticfc hims.com athleticfc Weight loss by HIMS is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk as to get started and learn more, including important safety information, WeGovy clinical study information and restrictions, visit hims.com.
- [21:32]
Adam Crafton
And that is a fairly pointed message
- [21:35]
Ayo Akimolere
from City's travelers at the expense of Arsenal. I wonder how Arsenal shake off that tag of being botless. James it's been doing the rounds, but I've seen that clip of the Manchester City fan with a bottle with an Arsenal logo on it, just, you know, looking down the camera, drinking it down.
- [21:54]
James McNicholas
Where did he get it? That's my question. I don't know. Thomas Frank must have given it to exactly.
- [22:02]
Ayo Akimolere
But you know, how do Arsenal cope with this pressure? Because, you know, we, we talk about the look on the PED's faces, but this is, this is, this is a season where Mikel Arteta's brought Gabriela hen. This is a season where Mikael Arteta's bringing loads of things into, into the mix to try and take the pressure off them, to try and get them to feel at ease. How does he get them now thinking we are actually the team at the top of the league here. You are the giant in the Premier League right now.
- [22:26]
James McNicholas
It's a really difficult one because next Sunday at the Etab was already a big game. It becomes even bigger now. It isn't, but it has that feel of a final. But Arsenal played Manchester City in a final a few weeks ago and it didn't go too well. So how exactly you approach that and how you manage the mood of the squad is Arteta's challenge at this point in time. I don't know how he does it, but I feel like he really needs to get Arsenal to reclaim the identity that sort of got them to this position. The idea that Arsenal are going to suddenly become the Invincibles or some free flowing attacking team and is very unlikely in the remaining portion of the season. But they don't need to be to win this Premier League. They don't need to be to even win at the Etihad. They need to keep it tight, keep their structure and make sure they get a few corners. I'm being slightly facetious, but I think they need to lean into what's got them this far.
- [23:17]
Adam Crafton
Arsenal need to remember what they're good at. All the messaging this week from Arteza should be, this is what we do well, let's go and do it brilliantly against, you know, the first or second best team in the country, I guess, to be decided on that. But I think James is absolutely right. I mean, they have to go to the Etihad and be themselves. They can't just all of a sudden rip it up and start thinking they're a different team with a different identity, because that's confusing. So, yeah, it might just be. You have to go and stink the place out. No Arsenal fan will care less, right, if Arsenal go to the Etihad, stink the place out and get out of there with a nil nil, a one one or a one nil win, that would be fantastic. So for all the people on podcasts all season long have said he has to get the handbrake off and all this sort of stuff. Not next week, next week. They have to be themselves and be their best selves at being themselves. And the question is whether they're actually still got that ability to do that. In terms of the players who have been injured, who should be back for that one, and how fit will they be?
- [24:18]
James McNicholas
Well, to be honest, we don't know a great deal. Miklostas was very reluctant to give any kind of update on Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka. Saka's not been seen since the Carabao Cup Final.
- [24:30]
Adam Crafton
Anywhere.
- [24:31]
James McNicholas
Anywhere. Yeah, no, he has been seen. He has been spotted, but not been seen on a football pitch. Obviously withdrew from England duty. Martin Odegaard has been available. Played in Portugal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final. Seemed to pick up an injury there. I don't think he should be too far away. Jurian Timber is another who they'll hope to get back, you know, if they. If they're able to go to the Etihad with In Capier and Timber, for example, either side of Gabriel and Saliba, David Rye behind that, Declan Rice in front, that gives them a really, really solid platform. As well as City are playing, there are few teams as well equipped as Arsenal to frustrate them. And I think that is going to have to be the game they played. I remember a couple of years ago, Arsenal were hugely criticized, weren't they, for going to the Etihad and grinding out a nil nil at a time when many felt they could deliver a knockout blow. If they do that this time, I mean, they'd bite your arm off. I Think for that right now, because a draw in that game keeps Arsenal in a very, very strong position. And I think we'll just kind of stop the rot and sort of reintroduce some belief that they can go on and do this.
- [25:38]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, I mean, there is all belief that Arsenal can do this. Well, maybe in a small sector of the fan base to a certain degree, James. But I just want to touch on this idea of overcoaching Adam. I was speaking to John McKenzie and he was at that match and he said at moments of crisis, it looked like none of these players had an idea of what to do next. And I wonder if that's also a bit of a danger in what we're looking at in terms of where that personality comes from. Because you want sometimes in football mavericks, you want sometimes a lack of control that produces moments of magic. There were times there where a lot of players were pointing on the field, looking at who wants to take that responsibility, and it just never came.
- [26:16]
Adam Crafton
I always feel as, as a journalist, I have to be very careful about saying who is overcoached, under coached, because there's a part of the game we really don't see. Yeah, you know, and it's also, I would say, part of the game that even, you know, most sources don't really see either. You know, agents aren't on the training ground mostly. They might hear bits from players here and there. So I'm always cautious of that. And I think sometimes the. The teams who look under or over coached are in fact the opposite. You know, like people might sometimes think that like a Jose Mourinho team is in a straitjacket. But actually often, you know, if you speak to him or people who have worked with him, they'll say in the final 30s, kind of do what you want. But sometimes that can come across as having too much instruction because of just the way it looks on the field. James might know more from, from an Arteta perspective from watching Arsen. To me it just seems like it is the psychological burden that is having an impact more than anything. Even if you've played football at the most amateur level, if you are 5% less confident or more confident playing football, it makes you more nervous, it impacts your decisions, your passes go a bit quicker, a bit looser, and if you elevate that to playing against a really good team in Bournemouth, then that's how it's going to have an impact on the field. I do think there's also something in. I don't like the kind of havertz Gyokerez combination. I think it's a bit awkward. It lacks a bit of guile if you compare it to sort of having Essay or Erdogan, someone who can play that, that final pass or the pass before the final pass, and then also having, you know, your two usual fullbacks out is also quite disruptive as well, you know, to things like build up and overlaps and all that sort of stuff. So I think there's. There was a mixture of different things that went into it, but I'm wary of kind of mass generalizations about what Arteta, who. Look, I think we all think Mikel Arteta has been a fantastic coach for Arsenal over a period of time. The only question is, can he take them from being the team who are the best in the country for six or seven months into the team that confirms that in the final six weeks of a season. But maybe James knows more about what he's doing on the training ground.
- [28:32]
James McNicholas
Well, like you say, Adam, we're not pressure, we're not privy to that. What we can do is make observations. Having watched a lot of Arsenal over a number of years and I think there are certain things that are. I don't know about over coaching, but I think there are elements of this team that we can identify. And I do think that one thing that was really evident on Saturday and can be evident in Arsenal is that slight risk averse quality to their play. I think that they do tend to select passes which offer the least risk. You know, there's a lot of thought given to what if we can see the ball in this position or in this area of the field, what is the transition risk for us there? And it can lead to some conservatism on the ball. You know, I was watching Bournemouth play passes between the lines and I don't think it's that those Bournemouth players are more technically able or gifted than the Arsenal ones. I think it's. I think it's instruction. So over coaching, I don't know. But coached to a system and a style certainly. Now I wouldn't be too critical of that style because it could yet win Arsenal a Premier League and a Champions League this season. And I wouldn't want to lose sight of that. But I think what it did is sort of create an interesting tension between the supporters expectations and the supporters demands and the football they were seeing. They wanted to see a team going for it basically. And instead what they got was a team who more often than not were looking backwards or inside or back to David Raya. I don't think that's going to change from Arsenal between now and the end of the season. And I'm, I'm, I'm. I don't think I'd say it will ever necessarily change. I think Mike La Teta has a style, but yeah, it's a style that's certainly not to to the taste of all Arsenal fans. Although if they win the Premier League, I don't think they'll care. One shot.
- [30:28]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
It's finally spring and that means more sunshine, more walking, more social plans, more everything really. Now I want clothes that can actually keep up with those needs from the change of season. But updating your wardrobe every single spring gets expensive fast. And that's why I signed up to Fabletics as a vip. It's completely changed how I do my spring edit new VIPs at Fablet Athletics get 70 to 80% off everything. It made it easy to grab new pieces without overthinking it. The quality really, really surprised me and it will surprise you too. Everything feels premium, soft, breathable and built to last. I absolutely love the Don 5 pocket pant in deep navy. They look like jeans but don't have any of the stiffness, and they're made from this amazing water and wrinkle repellent material. Pair it up with the Don Cruiser jacket in onyx like me and you'll stay looking sharp no matter what the day throws at you. Shop now@fabletics.com athleticfc to get 70 to 80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP, just take a quick style quiz and be sure to select Athletic FC when prompted to unlock your 70 to 80% off. This is a limited time offer, so don't wait. Again, that's fabletics.com athleticfc for 70 to 80% off everything as a new VIP.
- [31:44]
Verizon Wireless Announcer
Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walking, running, Hogo, Sticking, Teleport. If you can ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or flying on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the best network based on root metrics. Best Overall Mobile Network Performance US Second Half 2025 all rights reserved. Must provide a very recent postpaid consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional Terms, conditions and restrictions apply.
- [32:14]
James McNicholas
Spring break isn't what it used to be. It's better this spring. Stay three nights and get a $50 Best Western gift card. Life's a trip. Make the most of it at best Western. Visit bestwestern.com for complete terms and conditions.
- [32:36]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast
- [32:38]
James McNicholas
with Ayo Akamolere one back by Doku Doku all the way and Manchester City are right in the thick of it again.
- [32:51]
Ayo Akimolere
Let's talk about Manchester City because they responded to Arsenal's defeat in Stalin Sunday. They absolutely smashed Chelsea 30 at Stamford Bridge. Adam, look, we've seen them turn things around. We know about the 2223 season and they just ate up that mileage that Arsenal were ahead. Is it that time again? Do you think they can do it?
- [33:12]
Adam Crafton
I think they can do it. We, we were asked to give our predictions on the Athletic side last night.
- [33:18]
Ayo Akimolere
I read that. I was really surprised many of you, you turned your back on Arsenal.
- [33:23]
James McNicholas
It's all right, mate, I get it.
- [33:24]
Adam Crafton
I've turned my back on Arsenal. Having said all season that I really couldn't see a way that they wouldn't win it. And I genuinely, as I've said on here so many times, I thought the only people who were doubting it were Arsenal's own fans because of that kind of, kind of paranoia of what's happened at the end of seasons in recent years. And now I'm like, maybe you're right, guys. So I'm not turning my back on you. I'm joining you. If anything, I would say, I mean, we kind of were asked to do that, right in the kind of heat just after Man City go to Chelsea and kind of tear them apart and look very ominous. An Arsenal win is worth remembering. Like man, City have drawn two of their last three Premier League games. I know those games now feel a very long time ago and City have had some good results in cup competitions and now obviously a great result. But, you know, having beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all to nil in their last three games, there is something that feels ominous about that. You can see that they smell it. I think you could see that they were lifted by what had happened on Saturday at Arsenal. I went with City, but I'm really, I'm on the margins in terms of I can completely see Arsenal going to City next week and getting a point, but I could also see City actually just taking Arsenal apart as well. Neither outcome would really surprise me next week. The thing that just tips it to City for Me is like, sorry, my voice has gone.
- [35:00]
James McNicholas
We're all emotional about it, Adam.
- [35:01]
Ayo Akimolere
It's all right, mate. I feel you're one of us now, Adam.
- [35:05]
Adam Crafton
No, no, no. I think from a. From a City perspective, when I look at them, they don't have, potentially, as Arsenal do, Champions League semi final double header. I think that adds a lot of stress and pressure into a situation for Arsenal. And then I just look at kind of the spine of City and I think Pep Donna, Roma, Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Rodri Gay and Kusanov, who all of a sudden look like a strong partnership. Ruben Diaz not even there. And there's something about that that feels ominous. And then I look at the players kind of who are a bit more kind of maybe decorative, you'd think, you know, players like Nico O'Reilly and Doku and Turkey, and there's a lightness about the way they're playing now. If I have a doubt about City, it's that I'm not sure they will win every game because I don't think they are as much of a machine as we've seen in previous seasons. But when I look at Arsenal at the moment, I'm not sure, man, City actually need to win every game. Now. That's what's changed in my head, that I have doubts that Arsenal themselves are going to go the rest of the way, you know, winning every game, obviously, except the City game as well. So that's why I've tipped a little bit towards City, but neither outcome would surprise me and I'm really excited about that game next week. I think it's like the most exciting Premier League fixture for, for a long time in terms having a real genuine title showdown where no one really knows what's going to happen.
- [36:42]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, it's definitely good for the product, James, but I do wonder, I do wonder, you know, Gary Neville, oh, good on his sort of post match, post match was basically saying, sort of counteracting what Adam just said, that he thinks having a, a Champions League game before that man City game is actually quite good for these players. That having a week off with that, having to think about what's just happened might actually be quite heavy for them. What do you think heading into that Manchester City game? Because you can understand why they are more doubts now after the way they dismantled Chelsea.
- [37:14]
James McNicholas
Definitely. I mean, look, City are looking really good. I mean, I do wonder to what extent those two Premier League draws Adam mentioned might haunt City come the end of the season. I mean, those were bad points to drop against Nottingham Forest. And West Ham and, you know, had they not dropped those, imagine the position they'd be in right now. I don't. I don't think there'd be much debate, really, about who was the favorites for the Premier League title. I think City. Yeah, they'll feel good about going into the game at the Etihad. Arsenal, yes, it's not ideal to have a midweek game, but it gives them the opportunity to kind of change the mood music, which may be necessary maybe to rediscover a bit of their identity and who they are, as we talked
- [37:54]
Adam Crafton
about earlier, if they win.
- [37:56]
James McNicholas
If they win, yeah. Which is not, you know, guaranteed. Sporting had some decent openings against them in the first leg and David Rya was named man of the Match, So there you go. But I think. I think City have the tougher fixtures, to be honest, in what remains. They've got more games in the Premier League at least, which, you know, they have to go and do the job. They've got to go to Bournemouth, they've got to go to Everton. I think those are, you know, tough tasks. But then you looked at Stamford Bridge as one of their tougher remaining games, and they've absolutely walked through that one. And as I said earlier, they seem to be really feeling it and enjoying their football, and I feel like that counts for a lot at this stage. They're playing with a freedom that Arsenal aren't. So it's incredibly finely balanced and it's impossible to avoid the conclusion that whatever happens at the Etihad is going to have a huge, huge, huge impact on. On this title.
- [38:55]
Ayo Akimolere
Is it too much to look at the recruitment? James Adam spoke about players like Turkey giving that little, you know, fairy dust into Manchester City's proceedings. Semenya is another one. It has come in almost like, freshened the squad in a weird way. Look at Marghe at center back. Freshen the squad. Feels like he's been playing for Manchester City now for more than just a couple of months. I mean, do we need to look at that as well in terms of how this Arsenal team look. Fatigue, look a bit languid, maybe?
- [39:21]
James McNicholas
I mean, look, those two have both made a big impact, Semenya and gay, and it's £100 million worth of talent and they have delivered their Premier League proven players and they've done exactly what they were bought to do. That said, I don't remember in January too many people saying Arsenal needed to go out and do business. I mean, they have had a really big squad. They felt at that time they could Let Ethan Renery go out on loan. Whether they regret that choice now, I don't know. But, you know, their squad was, if anything, I think, too big at that point in the season. Yeah, I don't. I don't look at January with regret from an Arsenal perspective. And you mentioned players like Turkey. I mean, what a brilliant signing he's been. But, you know, Arsenal bought a credit midfielder of their own in Eze, you know, that spent big money on a player like that. Noni Madawake was another brought in to bring flair and variety to the Arsenal attack. And I was watching City yesterday and thinking, would Mikel Arteta, Grant Cherokee, this degree of freedom in the way that he plays the game, I'm not convinced that he would, to be honest. So I think it's more about style and systems than recruitment in this instance. And it's an intriguing battle from that perspective. I think, you know, Arsenal and City, there are parallels in the way they play, but there are also pretty sharp differences and it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top.
- [40:37]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, it's. It's worth mentioning that this is still Michael Arteta's first ever managerial job. I know me using that as a small caveat, but, you know, Pep Guardiola has been here and done it, Adam. Those street smarts make a massive, massive difference when it comes into this time of the season, especially when you're chasing to win the Premier League. And there's no better person that that kind of thing motivates than Pep Guardiola.
- [40:59]
Adam Crafton
Yeah, of course. It was actually when I was watching Nico O'Reilly yesterday and I was. I was just thinking about just. Just actually how amazing Pep has been as a coach. Because I can't really imagine another coach who would have taken Nico O'Reilly from the city Academy, where he was sort of playing in a completely different part of the. Of the pitch, and created this kind of special role for him as a kind of left back. Come central midfielder, come poacher. It's really just amazing. I think that aspect of Pep, I think we will miss a lot if, you know, as many people suspect he may go, whether it's the end of this season or next season as well. I mean, I have to say, I mean, imagine if City win at the Etihad and then the 115 ruling drops next week. I mean, that'd be entertaining, wouldn't it? We are still waiting on that. We should. And we should, by the way, we should remember that because, you know, when we talk about City spending, you know.
- [42:00]
James McNicholas
Yeah.
- [42:01]
Adam Crafton
However much it was on Semenya and Gay in January as well. Like these are questions that are still we're waiting so long to get to get the answer to when I know it almost feels like forlorn to even mention it now and as though it's an inconvenience to mention it. But, but we should, I would say, because, you know, they've taken their probably Bournemouth's best player and Crystal Palace's best player and that is a, you know, a disruptive thing within, within the Premier League to, to be able to do and it is important obviously City, City deny everything as, as well we should say what was the question. I pivoted.
- [42:41]
Ayo Akimolere
He got caught in 150 charges. Whether or not this is the kind of thing that still motivates Pep Guardiola to come from behind in a season where his team are out of it and win the Premier League.
- [42:50]
Adam Crafton
Yeah, I don't think he was expecting it. I imagine after, you know, the, the Forest game and the West Ham game, maybe even after they lost a Man United earlier in this calendar year, he probably thought this, you know, this is a team that's still being built. I just think everyone thought Arsenal were going to win the League and I don't think it's been like a meltdown per se or anything like that. But I think if they were to lose next week, it would start to feel like that because I really do think that Arsenal were in a fantastic position and they are now vulnerable to letting it go. And it's up to them to prove everyone, you know, prove to everyone, you know, that they have what it takes.
- [43:33]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah. Next two games definitely key for Arsenal. That'll be Sporting on Wednesday and also Manchester City away at the Etihad on a Sunday. Gents, appreciate your time. James, Adam, thanks for joining us and also thank you guys for joining us as well. We'll catch you soon.
- [43:50]
Athletic FC Podcast Announcer
You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producers were Guy Clark, Mike Stavro and Jay Beal. The executive producer was Aimee Morehead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places. The Athletic FC podcast is an athletic media company product.
- [44:21]
Farnish Tarabi
Hey everyone, it's Farnish Tarabi from the so Money podcast. If you're self employed or running a small business, tax season can feel overwhelming, especially if you're doing it all on your own. TurboTax experts for business is here to help. They match you with an experience, experienced expert who understands your industry and works with you to save money by finding every deduction and maximizing your savings. They're there to help you every step of the way, virtually or in person to help you prepare and file your taxes. Plus, you get unlimited year round tax support at no extra cost, along with audit protection and seamless integration with other intuit tools like QuickBooks. This tax season, skip the stress and get expert help. Learn more and find a tax expert in your industry@turbotax.com business think Verizon is expensive?
- [45:09]
Verizon Wireless Announcer
Think again. Anyone can bring their AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walk in running hogo, sticking teleport if you can ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or fly in on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the Best Network based on RootMetric's best overall mobile network performance US 2nd half 2025 all rights preserved must provide a very recent postpaid consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply.
- [45:39]
Lowe's Home Care Plus Announcer
Introducing Home Care Plus, a new subscription service from Lowe's that helps make life easier by giving members a hand with home maintenance. Let Lowe's tackle the tasks you keep meaning to do, like electric dryer, vent cleaning, replacing hard to reach light bulbs, and more. More subscribe to Home Care plus for just $99 a year and consider your to do list done. Members get more at Lowe's available and select zip codes only. Cancel anytime Non refundable fee. Product purchase required Terms and service restrictions apply. Details@lowe's.com Terms subject to change.