The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Can Semenyo help City catch Arsenal?
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Ayo Akimolere
Guests: Sam Lee (Man City correspondent), Michael Brown (former Man City midfielder)

Overview

In this episode, host Ayo Akimolere is joined by Sam Lee and Michael Brown to dissect Manchester City's stuttering title challenge, the impact of recent signings like Antoine Semenyo, and whether City can realistically catch Arsenal at the top of the table. Amidst discussions of City's dropped points and tactical evolution under Pep Guardiola, the panel evaluates gaps in the squad, how the recruitment of Semenyo could shift dynamics, and the club's ongoing rebuild both on and off the pitch.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manchester City's Recent Form & Missed Chances

(01:08 - 04:23)

• Sam Lee identifies City's wastefulness in their draw with Brighton, referencing missed chances by Silva and Haaland:

  • "The chances that they missed were so obvious... if Haaland just puts that away, then okay, they've still got problems with the defense and fatigue in the squad. But they just needed to win last night." (01:51)

• Highlights that although City's performance wasn't terrible, their inability to finish crucial opportunities cost them points.

• Ayo Akimolere frames the context: City are now five points behind Arsenal, who still must play Liverpool.

• Michael Brown reflects on Pep's post-match tone, noting the manager’s outward positivity in public:

  • "Pep's reaction... is he trying to psychologically give the confidence to the team... we've seen pep sides win 4-0 and still be critical." (03:09)

Memorable Quote:

• Michael Brown, on City's performance: "The last couple of games, just as it looks like City were going really well, have faulted. I think defensive backline is there for all to see of how frail that is." (03:49)

2. City’s Tactical Evolution & Loss of Control

(04:23 - 07:49)

• Sam Lee: Discusses shifts in City’s playing style—less control, more energy and dynamism:
  • "They can't play out from the back anywhere near like they used to. They've just brought in players who don't do that… Like Donnarumma. Going to give you loads of saves, but he's terrible with the build up." (04:42–05:34)
• Emphasizes the team's adaptation to the physicality of the Premier League but admits that, despite more pace, City have lost the ability to reliably 'flick a switch' and dominate possession.
• Exhaustion and lack of rotation have contributed to recent staleness:
  • "They've played the same 11, 12 players for two months… I think they've all just got a bit of mental fog or physical fog." (06:38)
• Foden and Cherki highlighted as examples of creative output that has recently stalled.

Memorable Exchange:

• Michael Brown gently challenges Sam’s criticism of Donnarumma’s buildup play:
  • Brown: "But I think he's done okay, to be fair, Sam."
  • Lee: "The balls are behind defenders… it's fine because he brings loads of stuff to the team. [But] they're not going to keep the ball more. It's more pace, but it's more energy." (05:30–06:01)

3. Can City Still Go on a Winning Run?

(07:49 - 10:05)

• Ayo Akimolere asks if this City team still has the confidence and capability to string together a title-winning run after recent draws.
• Michael Brown believes City retain that potential but raises defensive injuries as a critical weakness:
  • "Can they go on a run? Yes... It's going to depend on the two centre halves now. Do they have to go into the window?" (08:27)
• Notes the importance of squad depth, Rodri’s return, and tactical flexibility, but underscores centre-back and fullback vulnerabilities.

4. Antoine Semenyo Signing: Impact & Psychology

(12:37 - 17:19)

• News breaks that City have reached a £62.5m deal for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, paid over 24 months.
• Sam Lee on Semenyo’s fit:
  • "Right now they need somebody who could put their foot on the ball and help them keep it. But that's not to say he's not going to be useful. He is going to be useful. They're obviously adding in dynamism and pace and physicality." (13:56)
• He regards Semenyo as "so unpredictable... both feet, not a problem. Defenders don't know what they're going to do."
• Michael Brown raises that defense remains a more urgent concern for many fans than another attacker.

Notable Banter:

• Lighthearted interruption as Lee apologizes for his running washing machine at home.

  • Brown jokes: "He's brought his washing machine to work. I mean, you're supposed to be at work here, doing a little bit, you journalists sit at home, do washing." (13:31)

• Discussion on squad psychology:

  • Brown: "When you see someone come in, it is a big lift, the training ups... But yeah, it can be quite hurtful... That's the top end, isn't it?" (17:50)

5. Squad Management, Player Mindsets & Rotation

(17:19 - 21:13)

• Ayo asks from a player perspective: How does another big signing affect the mood among existing attackers?
• Michael Brown: Recalls his own playing days—competition pushes standards but can also unsettle and demotivate.
• "Most of these players will get better under Pep Guardiola if they've been given the chance and the opportunity, but... I can't be left out. I can't play one week then not the next." (20:12)

6. City’s Transfer Strategy, Wage Bill & Financial Context

(27:12 - 31:10)

• Ayo notes with the Semenyo signing, Man City have spent about £460m since last January.
• Sam Lee: This rebuild was necessary to overhaul the squad after lots of core players left ("They had to rebuild the team. Grealish has left on loan, Akanji's left, De Bruyne has left, Gundogan's left, Ederson's left—five major players that won the treble"). (27:50)
  • Also highlights that the club aimed to lower the wage bill while refreshing the squad.
• Michael Brown: Argues City's player sales fly under the radar, noting "all the academy players that have been sold, they just go under the radar." (29:01)

7. Premier League Experience vs Imports

(30:45 - 32:54)

• Ayo asks about the importance of Semenyo’s PL experience.
• Michael Brown: Many of City’s recent signings have been promising but unproven in England ("You look at Mahmoud, Gonzalez, beyond Cherki, a lot of those players are wonderful, but… very few have played the Premier League. You'd have to go back as far as Grealish.") (30:45)
• Brown admits some signings from last window were underwhelming, especially those not ready to feature immediately.

8. Defensive Problems & January Priorities

(32:54 - 36:27)

• Ayo and Sam Lee: With Gvardiol and Dias injured, City are turning to young, less proven defenders—risky when chasing a relentless Arsenal.
• Sam Lee: "If they're going to buy a defender this month, which I think they do need to do, he's going to have to fit in long term... They've got to be good to go straight away." (33:01)
• Michael Brown adds that Nathan Ake is essential for stability, but Pep's decisions are often deeper than they appear to the outside ("That would have been the question... why two of the youngsters when Ake is available?" (34:23)).
• Praise for Gvardiol's attacking contribution as a defender.

9. Title Race: Can City Catch Arsenal?

(36:27 - 39:45)

• Ayo: Sets up the big question—can City realistically catch Arsenal, especially if their lead grows to eight points?
• Michael Brown: "Of course they can. That's what I'm gonna say. Of course they can." (36:52)
  • Stresses Pep's past success in closing gaps and the psychological pressure that still exists for Arsenal.
• Sam Lee: More measured—says "I've always thought they could do it... [but] without the centre backs it's like that makes it harder... My concern is obviously without the two defenders, they don't look like they did a week ago" (37:55)
• Both agree that while the odds have lengthened, City aren't out of it—especially with previous experience, Pep’s expertise, and the potential for fixture swings.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sam Lee (07:54): "Six months worth of thoughts."
• Michael Brown (19:56): "[At] this level now, the players just realize that if they're not on top of it either, there's two players for each position..."
• Sam Lee (27:50): "The headline figure, the money they've spent. They had to rebuild the squad... five major players that won the treble [gone]..."
• Michael Brown (36:52): "Of course they can. That's what I'm gonna say. Of course they can."
• Sam Lee (37:55): "I've always thought they could do it. I've always thought they would do it. Obviously... if they go to eight points tonight it looks bad. But it's 8th of January and people have been making this mistake all year."
• Michael Brown (39:26): "That's a yes, what he's saying. He's going round, yes, of course they can. He's not going to go against it because he goes in that press room."
• Sam Lee (13:54): "Where are we, Sam? Before the washing machine interrupted us. No, it's fine. It's on pause now, mate. Nothing could possibly go wrong."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Title Race & Brighton Draw Analysis: 01:08–04:23
• Tactical Evolution & Squad Energy: 04:23–07:49
• City's Ability to Go on a Run: 07:49–10:05
• Semenyo Signing News & Impact: 12:37–17:19
• Squad Mindsets & Rotation: 17:19–21:13
• Squad Rebuild & Financial Context: 27:12–31:10
• Premier League Experience Discussion: 30:45–32:54
• Defensive Injuries & January Priorities: 32:54–36:27
• City’s Title Prospects vs Arsenal: 36:27–39:45

Tone and Dynamics

The discussion is deeply analytical but lively, with Sam Lee and Michael Brown offering expertise from journalistic and player perspectives, peppered with banter and realism about the pressures at Manchester City. The episode is candid, occasionally irreverent (e.g., the unexpected "washing machine" break), and always rooted in the current realities facing City as they chase Arsenal.

Summary

This episode thoroughly analyzes Manchester City's current form, tactical tweaks, squad management, and transfer activity—most notably the move for Antoine Semenyo. Despite recent setbacks and an injury-ravaged defense, the panel believes City are still in the title race, albeit with less margin for error. The signing of Semenyo is seen as emblematic of a shift toward a more direct, energetic City side, even as fans and pundits make the case for urgent defensive reinforcements before January ends. The episode closes with the panel agreeing that City's experience and Pep Guardiola’s leadership mean they cannot be counted out just yet.