The Athletic FC Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Can Man City challenge Arsenal for the title?
Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Ayo Akimolere
Guests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Adam Crafton

Overview

This episode examines Manchester City's prospects of catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race following Pep Guardiola's milestone 1000th game in management, focusing on City's recent 3-0 victory over Liverpool. The panel also dives into tactical changes at City, the emergence of Jeremy Doku, Liverpool’s stumbles, and where the true title threat lies. The latter section shifts to Liverpool’s issues and wider Championship talk, including an unexpected discussion about Frank Lampard’s managerial renaissance at Coventry City.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. City’s Shift and Their Win Over Liverpool

[02:17–08:26]

• One-sided Game:
  • Jack Pitt-Brooke: “City were just much better than Liverpool. They looked like scoring every time they went forward... it didn't have that kind of tension that you get when it's the two best teams in the country.” (02:53)
  • City, while now within four points of Arsenal, appear “a bit of the way off,” with Liverpool “probably further away.”
• Possession, Style Evolution:
  • Adam Crafton: “City have been doing that in a few games this season... far more happy to go without the ball... it's not like it was four or five years ago where every Man City game is 65 to 70% of the ball.” (03:56)
  • Jack Pitt-Brooke notes Pep’s pragmatism: “They’ve moved to a style which... is more conventional. It’s less distinctly Pep. It's less based around possession, it's more direct, it's more pragmatic. But he's decided that... this is probably the best way to win games now.” (04:50)
• Enjoyment Factor:
  • Adam Crafton: “I think they're more enjoyable now, but it's a matter of taste... I actually find it more exciting to have Haaland up front... It’s kind of like a mixed-use setup now – a team that can play, a team that can battle.” (05:47)
  • On Haaland: This direct approach “is probably the way you have to play” to get the best out of him.

2. Guardiola’s Stamina & The Arsenal Comparison

[08:08–08:26]

• Pep has won 395 out of 550 games with City; Adam Crafton highlights: “That's a win record of like 70% pretty much just at Man City, which is insane... that's like not far off, you know, the best sports teams of all time.” (08:26)
• Arsenal seen as “a more complete team” right now, but City’s “spine” and ability to close the gap still makes them dangerous if they maintain form and fitness.

3. Jeremy Doku’s Emergence

[12:40–14:17]

• Breakout Star:
  • Ayo Akimolere: “The star of the show and man of the match was Jeremy Doku... We’ve seen raw talent, but I guess we're now seeing a finished product.” (12:52)
  • Jack Pitt-Brooke: “[Doku] has been the most improved player in the Premier League... he was so powerful, so positive, so confident... It just shows how different Pep is, right?” (13:06)
• Contrast With Grealish:
  • Jack: “When Grealish was in that position... all about slowing things down... But now he's got Doku in and Doku is so quick and positive and tries things... what Pep wants from a winger has probably changed.” (13:06)
• Tactical Freedom:
  • Adam Crafton: Less emphasis on keeping the ball means “maybe that does give more freedom” to players like Doku. (14:36)

Notable Stats:

• Doku won 11 duels, completed 7 dribbles, created 3 chances, and had 3 shots on target—“only Eden Hazard for Chelsea vs West Ham in April 2019 can boast such amazing numbers.” (16:55)

4. City's Goal Spread and Dependence on Haaland

[16:55–17:27]

• Concern about over-reliance on Haaland; Doku’s emergence and Foden’s form could make them less predictable.
• Adam Crafton: “If Harlan's fit and scores two goals every game, you don't need that much more, to be honest.” (17:27)

5. City’s Midfield and Fullback Options

[18:05–19:23]

• Nico Gonzalez's Role (Rodri’s absence):
  • Jack: “He's obviously not as good as Rodri. I thought he did pretty well yesterday... He had Bernardo Silva alongside him.” (18:21)
• Nico O’Reilly’s Rise:
  • Jack: “It's totally plausible that he could be the starting England left back at the World cup... I think he's very confident, big and physically imposing.” (19:23)

6. Liverpool’s Stagnation and Wirtz’s Adaptation

[21:46–28:57]

• Liverpool's Form:
  • Adam: “They’re kind of flimsy at the moment... Their problem is more at the moment defense and the goalkeepers.” (21:58)
  • Several new signings (Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike) haven’t adapted or delivered. Salah “is really having a poor season, quiet season.”
  • On defense: “Since Alisson's fallen out of the team they've got a lot poorer in terms of results and outcomes.”
• Florian Wirtz:
  • Jack: “Not doing what they paid the money for... a very difficult environment to go into for a player like this.” (24:03)
  • Liverpool are “in a real transitional moment,” with new players unsettled, reminiscent of City’s struggle with an aging squad in the previous season.
• Coaching & Title Defense:
  • Adam: “It isn't an easy thing to go for... that ability to go again and maintain a level and keep hunger, that's a really hard thing to do. It's why, you know, only City have been able to defend the title...” (26:11)

7. Title Race: Experience, Mentality, and Psychological Edge

[28:57–31:35]

• What City Must Do:
  • Adam Crafton: “If City are going to win the League, I think they're going to have to hit probably 93, 94 points, because I think Arsenal will get pretty close to that... If City carry on losing three games out of 11... they won't win the League.” (29:14)
  • Arsenal look unlikely to “capitulate,” so City must be nearly perfect.
• Psychological Pressure:
  • Jack: “This City team is probably less experienced than that City team [that chased down Arsenal]... City are miles more dependent on Haaland than Arsenal are on any one player—And I think that has to be a positive for Arsenal.” (30:42)

Standout Quotes

On the Guardiola Evolution

• “He's like 18 years into his elite managerial career now or something, and he's realized that, actually, I'm going to do it differently. I'm not as wedded as people thought I was to this particular style that I made my name with.” – Jack Pitt-Brooke (07:10)

On Doku’s Freedom

• “When he first came through in Belgium, people were talking about him like as a new Thierry Henry... There’s always been excitement about Doku.” – Adam Crafton (14:36)

On Liverpool’s Decline

• “I would have Arsenal and City way ahead of Liverpool at the moment.” – Adam Crafton (23:54)

On Arsenal’s Edge

• “I think Arsenal are fundamentally better than City. I think they've got more depth, more to them. I think City are very brittle because... they're miles more dependent on Haaland than Arsenal are on any one player.” – Jack Pitt-Brooke (30:42)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Opening discussion on City-Liverpool: 02:17–05:38
• Jeremy Doku’s breakout: 12:40–16:54
• City’s midfield / fullback depth: 18:05–19:23
• Liverpool’s struggles, Wirtz adaptation: 21:46–28:57
• Title run-in, psychological edge: 28:57–31:35

Final Segment – Lampard at Coventry

[31:57–34:54]

• Adam Crafton highlights Frank Lampard's success at Coventry: “They’re now 15 games, the Championship season, one defeat... they are just way outperforming the division at the moment. And it is amazing how bad the relegated teams have been as well.” (31:57, 34:08)
• Panel agrees Coventry’s rise with Lampard is impressive, achieved without parachute payments, an oligarch owner, or a “gimmicky documentary.”

Conclusion

• Manchester City are evolving under Pep Guardiola, shifting tactics to be more pragmatic and less possession-focused, but are more reliant on Haaland than ever.
• Arsenal are currently the most complete and consistent team, but their challenge will be seeing off City's experience and psychological strength.
• Liverpool are in transition, suffering from inconsistent form, a leaky defense, and difficulty integrating pricey new attackers.
• Jeremy Doku’s rise adds unpredictability and flair to City's attack, further bolstering their title credentials.
• Pep’s longevity and ability to adapt is celebrated, while Arsenal remain favorites barring a near-flawless run from City.
• The episode ends with praise for Frank Lampard’s unexpected managerial success at Coventry, suggesting a more open Championship race than usual.