The Athletic FC Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Does Pep still have the edge over Arteta?
Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Adam Crafton, Arthur Rocher, Sam Lee

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, examining Pep Guardiola’s continued tactical superiority over Mikel Arteta, with a particular focus on the evolving title race. The discussion unpacks key managerial decisions, the rise of academy talent like Nico O'Reilly, the mental state of Arsenal in high-pressure games, and wider Premier League narratives including Tottenham and Sunderland’s recent fortunes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pep Guardiola's "Old Master" Moment (02:35–06:54)

• Reasserting Dominance: The panel highlights Guardiola's 40th trophy win, underscoring his enduring hunger and tactical adaptability.
  • Adam Crafton: “It did feel like he was reasserting himself a little bit... kind of one of the old masters, just reasserting, hey, I’m still here and I’m still a problem.” (02:35)
• Tactical Layers: City’s passive, calculated first half and their controlled possession after halftime set the match’s tone.
  • Arthur Rocher: “They didn’t really go and chase Arsenal... they just kind of sat off and let Arsenal’s indecision and confusion do the work.” (04:02)
• Emotional Stakes: Pep’s emotional celebrations and bringing his daughter onto the field were seen as further evidence of his deep connection to this City side.
  • Sam Lee: “For me, him getting his daughter on the pitch to celebrate is incredibly moving. It means a huge amount to him.” (06:14)

2. Nico O’Reilly – Academy Star (06:30–13:57)

• Match Winner and Versatility: O’Reilly’s brace and positional fluidity are praised, with doubts discussed about how another coach or even England manager might deploy him.
  • Adam Crafton: “He’s one of those players... Pep’s just sort of turned him into this Swiss army knife for a player that can basically… play anywhere on the pitch.” (10:49)
• Comparison to Arsenal’s Academy: Arthur draws a parallel to Arsenal’s own versatile academy product, Miles Lewis-Skelly, and debates the challenge of integrating youth amidst squad depth and competition.

3. The Goalkeeper Dilemma – Arteta’s Decision Questioned (19:06–25:51)

• Controversial Selection: Adam Criticizes Mikel Arteta for starting Kepa in goal over David Raya, suggesting Arsenal haven't "won enough" to take such risks.
  • Adam Crafton: “He’s wrong because... he’s not won enough trophies to be doing this. You’re trying to just get over the line, get your best players on the pitch. Don’t overthink it.” (19:21)
• Football Ethics vs. Pragmatism: The nature of rewarding ‘cup keepers’ versus fielding the best XI in finals is debated.
• Mental Schooling: These decisions feed into a wider theme of Arsenal still learning to shift momentum and display the decisive edge seen in City’s more experienced squad.
  • Arthur Rocher: “When you’re having that shared experience as a group, you learn how to shift momentum like Manchester City did.” (25:04)

4. Impacts on the Title Race (25:51–29:56)

• Psychological Blow to Arsenal?: Adam suggests the defeat may dent Arsenal fans’ belief ahead of their looming trip to the Etihad, especially given how City managed the final minutes with composure.
  • Adam Crafton: “It felt a bit like City being there and basically saying, you know, you stay where you are, we’ll go back with a trophy and then we’ll come for you.” (26:10)
• Risk-Averse Arsenal: The panel notes Arsenal’s lack of courage to risk and chase the game after going two down—raising concerns for the title run-in.
  • Adam Crafton: “That was what disappoints me most… A team going for a quadruple... didn't seem capable of coming back and didn't seem to have the belief to come back.” (27:16)
• The Eze Factor: Arthur points out that Eze’s absence removes much of Arsenal’s risk-taking from midfield.

5. Bukayo Saka’s Form and Arsenal’s Big Game Mentality (29:20–32:52)

• Is Saka Fatigued or Out of Form?: Both panelists and fan debates question whether Arsenal’s talisman is showing signs of overuse or stagnation.
  • Arthur Rocher: “There are moments where the ball comes out to him and it’s just him and O’Reilly... and he just kind of settles for a corner. And that’s not what you want to see in a cup final.” (31:14)
• Expectation vs. Reality: For a supposed talisman, Saka has not delivered decisive moments in big fixtures this year.

6. Showboating and Personality in the Game (32:52–35:10)

• Cherki’s Keepy-Ups: The panel enjoys City’s Ryan Cherki showboating, noting its symbolism for City’s current swagger—and the need for entertaining personalities in football.
  • Adam Crafton: “One of the reasons you might not showboat is you think you might look stupid in 20 minutes time. And I think it kind of said something that... they're not coming back.” (33:17)
  • Arthur Rocher: “You need to see it. I mean, everyone talks about how boring football is becoming... when you can see someone who's having fun on the pitch, you just gravitate towards them.” (34:31)
• Ben White’s England Recall: Noted as a small but significant postscript in the ongoing storylines.

7. Tottenham’s Crisis and Sunderland’s Surprise (38:13–45:56)

• Tottenham’s Freefall: Discussion turns to Spurs’ embarrassing 3–0 home defeat to Forest. Adam calls for a managerial change, criticizing a lack of belief and tactical direction.
  • Adam Crafton: “By the moment they are sleepwalking into relegation.” (40:19)
• Sunderland’s Derby Joy and Premier League Progress: Sunderland’s impressive results, style of play, and squad depth as a promoted side are highlighted.
  • Arthur Rocher: “For a promoted side to go and attack the Premier League has been a real breath of fresh air.” (44:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Pep’s Legacy:
  “40th trophy. I mean, 40 is nuts, you know, as an amount of trophies… no one’s had him as long as English football’s had him.” — Adam Crafton (06:54)
• Guardiola’s Adaptability:
  “He had both experience and hunger yesterday.” — Adam Crafton (07:28)
• On Arsenal’s Missed Mental Step:
  “That fire in the bellies line really is so tiring to hear… you want to see actions.” — Arthur Rocher (24:59)
• On Saka’s Recent Output:
  “It is strange that, you know, as we get towards the end of the season, you think about individual awards. You wouldn’t even really think about him as, you know, someone you put in the team of the season.” — Adam Crafton (31:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guardiola’s tactical edge and passion: 02:35–06:30
• Nico O’Reilly’s coming of age and the challenge for academy talent: 10:23–13:57
• The Arsenal goalkeeper controversy: 19:06–25:51
• Title race implications and Arsenal’s mentality: 25:51–29:56
• Bukayo Saka’s status and expectations: 29:20–32:52
• Cherki’s showboating & personality in football: 32:52–35:10
• Tottenham’s struggles and potential relegation worries: 38:13–41:42
• Sunderland’s bright season: 42:48–45:56

Conclusion

This episode provided a sharp, honest look at the current Premier League landscape, with particular focus on the enduring brilliance of Pep Guardiola and the learning curve still ahead for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The hosts blend tactical analysis, squad insights, and big-picture discussions, showcasing The Athletic’s trademark mix of reporting and opinion. Arsenal’s near-misses and City’s swagger defined the headline, while subplots at Tottenham and Sunderland round out a lively and varied episode.