Has Arsenal’s recruitment set them apart?

Summary

The Athletic FC Podcast: Has Arsenal’s Recruitment Set Them Apart?

Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: James McNicholas (Arsenal Correspondent), Adam Crafton (Reporter, Monday regular)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on Arsenal’s standout recruitment strategy and its impact on their rise to the top of the Premier League, epitomized by a dominant 4-1 victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby. The panel discusses the summer’s key signings, squad depth, contrasts with Spurs and Liverpool, and assesses Arsenal's prospects for silverware. A memorable hat trick for Eberechi Eze and the club’s adaptation to injuries are dissected, along with broader themes of team-building and psychological readiness to sustain a title push.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Arsenal’s North London Derby Triumph

• Match Reflection: Arsenal demolished Spurs 4-1, cementing their six-point lead atop the league.
  • “Eber Eze scoring a hat trick in his first North London Derby, having declined to join Spurs in the summer. It’s kind of storybook stuff really for Arsenal fans.” — James McNicholas (02:07)
  • Spurs' away form came to nothing against a much stronger Arsenal side; key attacking stats highlighted Arsenal’s dominance (07:00).
• Arsenal’s Momentum: With City dropping points and performances like this, the Gunners’ position looks fortified.

2. Arsenal’s Recruitment and Squad Building

• Eberechi Eze Signing:
  • Arsenal spent big to secure Eze, outbidding Spurs in a “bidding war,” signaling a new, aggressive recruitment approach.
    • “That was a player... they were looking at, but... Kai Havertz gets injured and suddenly Arsenal's priorities shift and they end up paying a fee that could total, I think, £67.5 million... I don't think you could ever envisage [them previously] going above and beyond their valuation like that. But they fell in love with the player.” — James McNicholas (19:41)
  • Eze immediately justifies investment, not just with the hat trick, but by offering attacking dynamism and a willingness to shoot from various positions.
• Winning Mentality and Age Profile:
  • Arsenal now targets “win now” players, often just pre-peak, hungry for titles rather than squad status.
    • “They've started signing players at a really good age, like, win now players…who are going to go on a journey together towards silverware.” — Adam Crafton (21:31)
  • Contrasted with Man United’s transfer approach, Arsenal’s focus brings a healthier group morale.
• Squad Depth against Injuries:
  • Built with intentional depth: despite injuries to big players (Gabriel, Odegaard, Havertz, others), Arsenal coped seamlessly.
    • “It almost feels like this summer they’ve said we’re going to build a squad that effectively ensures us against every outcome... The depth Arsenal have is a massive difference between the two squads.” — James McNicholas (14:07)
  • Now able to rotate without a discernible drop-off, unlike previous seasons (26:07).

3. Tottenham’s Troubles and Squad Quality

• Pragmatic, Uninspired Approach:
  • Thomas Frank’s tactics criticized as timid, not matching club identity or fans' expectations.
    • “It seemed to me like it was a plan to contain and stay in the game. But they didn’t really offer any sort of threat on the break and once they went behind, it felt like that entire strategic approach was kind of out the window.” — James McNicholas (10:12)
  • Forward players especially underperform compared with top teams.
  • Wages still lag a substantial £100m behind Arsenal, limiting squad quality.
• Squad Ceiling:
  • Spurs seen as a “fifth to seventh place” squad, lacking players who’d start for Arsenal.
    • “Who are you looking at here from the Tottenham squad that is like getting in the Arsenal team?” — Adam Crafton (12:47)

4. Comparing Arsenal to Liverpool in Recruitment

• Liverpool’s Recent Struggles:
  • Historic praise for Liverpool’s recruitment, but this summer’s incomings lack cohesion and positional fit.
  • Failed to adequately replace key stars (Diaz, Alexander-Arnold's unique qualities) and now face a possible major rebuild.
    • “They've spent 450 million and you almost look at it like they need to spend the same to fix it.” — Adam Crafton (33:25)
• Contrast with Arsenal:
  • Arsenal sign players still on an upward trajectory and fitting the tactical and cultural requirements.

5. Arsenal’s Mentality, Discipline, and “Title Readiness”

• Psychological Shift:
  • Recognition that the biggest doubters of Arsenal may be their own anxious fanbase due to past collapses.
    • “There is a bit of trauma there. Arsenal have been usurped in the past… But I really think they have all the tools.” — James McNicholas (35:05)
  • Calmness and maturity evident in the squad’s improved disciplinary record.
    • “They are very, very calm at the moment. And there is a sort of serenity about this group and that... gives them a fantastic chance.” — James McNicholas (37:43)
  • No longer prone to emotional meltdowns after setbacks—rebounds quickly from defeats and injuries.
• Fixture Run-in:
  • Remaining matches look favorable; panel suggests this could drive a strong finish in both league and Champions League.
    • “Their last 10 games…we will know by the end of February…I think the most important period of this season is going to be this period up until the next international break.” — Adam Crafton (36:31)

6. Managing Competition and Rotation

• Juggling Strength in Depth:
  • Rotation expected, especially given Arsenal’s Champions League position, e.g., possible rest for Eze and Trossard.
    • “I think there are changes that you could make without destabilizing the team.” — James McNicholas (27:59)
  • Less playing time for youth prospects, as focus is on experienced, title-ready squad.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arsenal’s squad depth:
  “They don’t just have an 11... Whereas this is a group with the capacity to make three or four changes and still look every bit as strong.” — James McNicholas (26:07)

• On Eze’s hat trick and “storybook” story:
  “This is the story the football ball loves.” — Ayo Akimolere (19:08)

• On Liverpool’s transfer difficulties:
  “You watch the team and they've clearly got it wrong so far... they've spent 450 million and you almost look at it like they need to spend the same to fix it.” — Adam Crafton (33:25)

• On Arsenal’s newfound discipline:
  “They find themselves top of the fair play table right now, which is a hell of a turnaround from a team that had six red cards last season.” — James McNicholas (38:37)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Arsenal’s Derby Win: 01:34–04:17
• Eze’s Impact & Recruitment Approach: 04:38–06:23, 19:08–25:48
• Tottenham’s Tactical Failures: 07:00–14:07
• Comparison to Liverpool’s Recruitment: 30:40–34:45
• Arsenal’s Mentality & Fan Psyche: 34:45–39:14
• Reflections & Final Thoughts: 39:14–40:18

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Conclusion

Arsenal’s proactive, high-caliber recruitment—focusing on prime-age, ambitious players such as Eberechi Eze—has put them in prime position to challenge for silverware, providing depth and flexibility even amidst injuries. The club exudes newfound maturity and composure both on and off the pitch, starkly contrasting the current issues at Tottenham and Liverpool. The podcast closes with a look to the run-in, echoing the sense that Arsenal’s destiny may finally be shifting into their own hands.

Transcript

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[James McNicholas]

The Athletic FC.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Ayo Akimolere. Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and Eberici Eze has been playing a starring role so far. So how important has their summer been? Business be here with us today. We have our Arsenal Correspondent James McNicholas who was at the Emirates. We've also got Adam Crafton as well, our Monday regular. Right, James. Come on. What a day at the Emirates for arsenal, beating Spurs 41 in a North London Derby. Wow. Arsenal fans must be jubilant.

[James McNicholas]

I think so, yeah. Going six points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Eber Eze scoring a hat trick in his first North London Derby. Having declined to join spurs in the summer. It's kind of storybook stuff really for Arsenal fans and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. So yeah, fantastic weekend for them as well with City dropping points at Newcastle. So things are looking very good for the Gunners right now.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Yeah. What do you think of the match, Adam? What did you think of Spurs? The golfing Class showed in, in many respects.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah, right. I just said this before the podcast, but it does feel like the only people that don't really fully recognize maybe yet how good Arsenal are might be Arsenal fans because of like the experience of the last few years where there is this kind of, I think pre. Predisposition. Is that a word supposition that things might go wrong at some stage. But actually, you know, from a more objective standpoint, I think the coach has been building to this for a very long time. The squad is incredibly strong, I think, and this isn't to take anything away from Arsenal. I do think the field this year is probably as generous as it's been for quite a while. And I do think there is the potential there for Arsenal to really pull away because the lack of consistency other teams are showing. And then, you know, never in previous seasons would, you know, Odegaard not be playing. And then as they could, someone like, as they could commit and Gabriel not be playing. And I'm sure there will be games where he's. Where Arsenal are challenged more or the games tied to and they miss him at the other end of the pitch. But I really noticed yesterday, and that's partly because of Tottenham, but I do think Arsenal are probably, maybe along with Bayern Munich, the best team in Europe at the moment, certainly at the start of the season. So what they're doing doesn't really surprise me. You know, they don't really concede goals. Um, they find ways to score goals. They have goals from different positions, um, and it's really strong. So we should probably end the podcast there because that's most of the season sorted.

[Ayo Akimolere]

That'd be James happy to say the least. I mean, James, much has been made about Arsenal set pieces, right? And every time I feel like I watch Arsenal, the commentaries about how their set pieces are so effective. They didn't have Gabriel yesterday, who was injured, who's has been effective on those set pieces. Great to see that the goals have been spread out, including a hat trick from Eberichiese.

[James McNicholas]

Listen, that's exactly, exactly what Ezra was brought in to do, really to give them a kind of varied threat in the final third. And it was really interesting hearing Mikola Test to talk last night about how much of an asset is that he's just prepared to take shots on that maybe other players wouldn't. And I think if you look at two of Arsenal's, you know, most productive attackers, it's Trossard and E and they both have a willingness to shoot off either foot in a Variety of situations. The ball doesn't have to sit perfectly for them. They can take it first time, they can take it when it's under their feet. They've got short back lift and I think that's really, really brought a different degree of threat to Arsenal's front line. The set pieces thing, look, there is a value in it. Certainly there'll be games where Arsenal are sort of faced with the deep block and struggling to break them down, where maybe they do miss Gabrielle as that difference maker. I think Arsenal are brilliant at set pieces. I think Gabrielle is. Is absolutely the key to that. I mean, the delivery from Declan Rice and Gabriel's capacity to get on the end of stuff is second to none, really, in the Premier League. But Arsenal have got so many options at their disposal now. They've got a very varied threat. As Adam mentioned, you know, Odegaard absent, no Eucarez yesterday, no Havertz, Martinelli and Madueke fit enough for the bench. Gabriel Jesus still recovering from an acl. And yet, you know, they still had more than enough to see off Spurs. And I think actually when you look at the players Arsenal are getting back, particularly in attacking areas, you can make the case that they ought to get better going forward and in open play as these attacking players get used to combining, playing together. You know, we haven't really seen EZ and Odegaard in the same team, for example, when Arsenal have that at their disposal, if they get the balance right, you know, that they could still improve.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Yeah, we'll talk about those options a little later on. I guess we have to talk about spurs right now, Adam. Look, this was a team coming into this, I think, with either, I think the best away form in the Premier League at the moment, if not one of the best away forms. But yesterday, spurs only managed four touches in Arsenal's penalty area. Two shots on target. Finished the game with an XG of 0.07. Spurs made 72 passes in Arsenal's half. Arsenal made 186 passes in spurs half. What would you put that down to the lack of desire yesterday because it was still a North London derby played.

[Adam Crafton]

Against a much better team. I think that's the first thing. It's good to see Tottenham finally take their away form, sorry, their home form on the road, because that's basically what they've been doing at home for the last few weeks as well. I think there are. I think Tottenham fans are very frustrated that, you know, that's the first thing. So, you know, it's never nice, obviously, to get battered and it, you know, it could have been like, five, six, seven, you know, towards the end of that game, as they had more chances to score more goals. What I would say about spurs is, first of all, I do think, like, what they were last season was such a mess. And I know there's some Tottenham fans of eight devices on this. You know, some Tottenham fans think and should have been given more time, that the trophy kind of forgave everything, that the Premier League form wasn't real because they prioritized the Europa League. I just don't buy it, like, because if you go way back to kind of October, November even, it was really poor last season. The injuries, you know, to key creative players. Kulusevsky, Madison. You know, when we talk about why aren't Tottenham expressing themselves? Well, I think that is a part of it. You know, if you're missing two of your best creative players, I think they are also in this transition period coming out of having probably two of their best attacking players of all time in Kane and Son, that they've replaced so far pretty poorly. They have spent money, but not spent money that well. And I think, you know, although rival fans will often look at, you know, all Tottenham have spent, you know, 150 million, 200 million, whatever it is. One of Tottenham's biggest differences still is what they spend on wages. You know, if you compare what Tottenham spend on wages to what Arsenal spend on wages, it's probably 100 million or so behind. And that is a big. To me, that is a far bigger. In, like the kind of inflated transfer market of transfer fees. That's a far bigger kind of signpost of success and failure than transfer spend. What you spend on wages really defines the level of player, the category of player that you're signing. Some of the signings just haven't been as good as people thought they would be. Kudas and Xavier Simons, and then I think Frank has to take the XG that they've been recording in games like this. And Chelsea, I thought they were lucky again against Man United to get the point that they got. United weren't great in that game either, but they. They're not offering enough. And I suppose the question is, is Frank just, like, going through this period where he's really trying to sort out the defense to build a foundation in order to then build more going forward, or is this just who he is? And I think he needs to try and demonstrate in the next couple of, well, probably weeks that there is more to him?

[Ayo Akimolere]

Well, I do think about it, James, and you Know, it's still a North London derby. And regardless often what the team's positions are in the leagues, the North London Derbies end up being this kind of just madness. Anyway. Were you surprised about how poorly spurs turned out?

[James McNicholas]

I mean, I, I understood what, what they were trying to do. You know, they went with the back five and I think actually in that first half hour or so they did kind of spoil the game a bit, which I think is what they were playing for. You know, it was very bitty stop start, broken up by a lot of fouls. Arsenal had an early chance through Declan Rice, but other than that, not a great deal in that first half hour. The problem is that it was kind of half a game plan for Spurs. It seemed to me like it was a, a plan to contain and stay in the game. But they didn't really offer any sort of threat on the break and once they went behind, it felt like that entire strategic approach was kind of out the window. And it seemed to me that probably they thought, well, we're one nil down, we'll get to half time, we'll regroup, we can make a change. They did indeed make a change at half time, but by then they were two down and it's sort of game over really. I mean, so if not game over then, then certainly game over within two minutes of the restart when, as it gets a second goal. So I think that one of the interesting things is I think with spurs there's always this kind of cultural question around the way the team plays. And it's something that they have in common with Arsenal fans, I think, where they have aspirations to play a certain type of football. And I think if you're Thomas Frank, he comes in with a reputation for very pragmatic football from his time at Brentford. And when spurs fans see that and they're not getting the results that they want on top of it, I do think it sits a bit at odds with their ideas, however well founded or not, about the kind of club they are.

[Adam Crafton]

I think you're right, but like, Brentford weren't boring.

[James McNicholas]

No, I agree.

[Adam Crafton]

You know, they were direct at times, but I mean, they weren't direct in a kind of like Stoke Wimbledon way. You know, they were a team that were that pressed well, that had, yes, they had threats from set pieces, but they also had power and pace and skill and their forward scored goals. I mean, they scored an incredible amount of home goals over the last couple of years. And what's also strange is we're kind of in this area where Everyone's a bit more pragmatic now. So it's kind of weird to see it go the other way for spurs where it's just not working for them at this moment in time. But I don't think like the kind of football Thomas Frank wants to play is. Is so backwards. I just think they're not. I might be wrong, this might be who he is but. And it might turn out that way but I, I just think that their forward players are really quite poor at the moment relative to the other ones at the top of the league, you know. And look, I've got myself into trouble in the past with Combined Arsenal, Tottenham Elevens. But you know, who are you looking at here from the Tottenham squad that is like getting in the Arsenal team.

[James McNicholas]

Van der Ven maybe, but not ahead.

[Adam Crafton]

Of Gabrielle and Saliba. No, no. You know, so I do think it is a particularly like seventh place squad that spurs have at the moment. Not seven, like kind of fifth to seventh, you know, kind of where they are in that mix. I don't think it's a squad that is like pushing the envelope really at all. But you know, you see some performances and now we're starting to see a bit more inconsistency but like from teams like Bournemouth and villa and newcastle etc. Where it's more exciting. And I think spurs, if they're going to be in that mix, they have to have more days like that where they show promise of what this could be rather than just kind of what it is at the moment.

[Ayo Akimolere]

James, like any other manager, I mean Mikel Arteta, you know, those first couple of seasons Arsenal's league position wasn't that great and then obviously they've gone on to consistently be. Isn't it just a matter of time to see what he can actually do, bring his players in. Let's see if Thomas Frank can actually graduate from the Brentford. Thomas Frank perhaps.

[James McNicholas]

So I mean I think a lot of clubs look at Arteta and sort of envision maybe following that model. And certainly Arteta did build from the back. You know, we saw him play with the back five plenty of times in that first year or so in the job. I do think it's a bit dangerous sometimes the way in which clubs think I would just do what Arteta did, you know, I think he is maybe kind of the exception that proves the rule. I think actually the way in which he was sort of seemingly on the cusp of potentially losing his job, certainly losing the goodwill of the fans and has seen that through and turned it round is relatively unusual, but he was given time, he was given patience and he was given vast amounts of money. Let's be clear about that. I mean Arsenal and Spurs both have big injury lists at this point in time, but I think what we saw yesterday is an Arsenal squad that has been built to be kind of copper bottom really to be, you know, insured against that because they experienced that last season where they lost a number of key players through injury and it, it derailed things for them. And it almost feels like this summer they've said we're going to build a squad that effectively ensures us against every outcome if we lose Gabrielle, we've got a guy like in Capri to come in who's a League title winner from Germany and you know, international captained his country. Serious, serious, serious top level player to come in. Odegaard's out. Well, we've signed Eberse from Crystal palace and scores a hat trick for us in the Derby, even at center forward. I mean listen, they wouldn't have expected necessarily to be without both Kai Havertz and Victor Yokerez, but you've got to take your hat off to Mikel Marino who in difficult circumstances has really found a way to make it work for him as a kind of center forward. False 9 figure so Arsenal. The depth Arsenal have is a massive difference between the two squads.

[Ayo Akimolere]

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[Ayo Akimolere]

Well, we've touched on it, James, but Eric e became the first Arsenal men's player in almost 50 years to score a hat trick against Spurs. I mean, you've spoken about it before. In a piece, you revealed that there was a phone call he made to Mikel Arteta before he finally signed. This is a fairy tale story. This is the story the football ball loves. I Mean, how important is it that that signing was made and we are seeing it pay dividends right now in big games. Look, look at the Crystal palace game. And obviously a hat trick in a North London derby.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah.

[James McNicholas]

And I think what Arsenal did on the E deal kind of shows the degree to which they shifted their strategic approach in the summer, because that was a player who they were looking at, they liked. They were thinking maybe at the right price he could be a good option for them. In their mind, I think that price was topping out around £50 million, something like that for a 27 year old like. Then Kai Havertz gets injured and suddenly Arsenal's priorities shift and they end up paying a fee that could total, I think, £67.5 million, essentially getting into a bidding war with spurs, which they end up coming out on top in because of the player's preference. But Arsenal, in the past, I don't think you could ever envisage going above and beyond their valuation like that. But they fell in love with the player. They believed he could deliver. Magic moments. He gave three to the Arsenal fans yesterday. And I do think there was just this, this sense of the summer where Arsenal just didn't want to leave anything to chance. And having lost Havertz, they felt they needed someone who could give them something extra in attack. And it was a big, big day for us because, look, I, I think he was obviously superb, but in his first few months at the club there have been some discussions about his impact. You know, is he being played in the right position? Is he settling system? Are Arsenal getting the best out of him? Has he got enough freedom? All these questions, but yeah, not too many questions this morning. So hopefully this can be a big platform for him to, to kick on and do even more for Arsenal in the coming months.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Yeah, the big conversation, Adam, is can, can a player step up to the plate? You know, we knew what he'd offered at Crystal Palace. We've seen the growth from his times at Queen's Park Rangers. But you feel it's a player that wanted more, obviously a player that didn't want, want to go to Tottenham of wanting to go to Arsenal. Are you surprised by how well he's doing at Arsenal?

[Adam Crafton]

No, not really. He's really good. He's really good. He was really good at Palace. You know, he's one of those that in the summer when you saw Arsenal linked with him, you just thought, yeah, that makes sense. That makes loads and loads of sense both for, as a, you know, he's also really good yeah, Arsenal have started signing players at a really good age, like, win now players, you know, and I also like that they don't. You know, I think, like, one of the mistakes that, like, Man United have made a lot over the last few years is like buying players coming from other big clubs, you know, taking a player who's, you know, I don't know, someone like Yubayu Gaurtay from psg, someone who's not really done it at a big club, but you kind of think there's a name there and a player there because they've been at a big club and you sign them. And Arsenal are very good at signing players who still are kind of on that journey towards the top. And I think they've done that pretty, pretty consistently. You know, even like a Declan Rice, you know, okay, he'd won a Conference League, but he was going to achieve the best things in his career when he's at Arsenal. And, you know, Zobimendi, similar kind of thing, you know, lots. Lots of these, you know, David Raya, Ben White, all of these. All of these signings really have been players who are going to go on a journey together towards silverware. Now, there is a counter argument which is, you know, you could go and sign, I don't know, a Donna Roma, right, who's won it all. He walks into the team, he brings personality, character, but I just don't think that's what Arsenal have been trying to do. And I think it's also better for the. The spirit, the morale character of a group where you've not got these players who, like, think they're doing you a favor in some way by being there. They're doing that. They're going there because they want to win things together. And I think as it was, another one, you know, 27, 28, go in, go and achieve everything you want to achieve. I think it also suits it. I think, you know, profile wise, it gives them a better chance. From an England perspective, got. I mean, who knows who will start as the number 10 for England now? I mean, like, the options are absolutely amazing. And every week, you know, just this weekend, you know, you've had as a score a hat trick. You've had Bellingham score for Real Madrid, Morgan Rodgers score two. That's without Cole Palmer and Foden really doing much this weekend. It is incredible. And then you still got, you know, Sacky still think will probably start. So the options from that perspective, but as a. Is, you know, technically an unbelievable player and also, I mean, I can't I was listening to someone yesterday say like the last 15 minutes, it was like watching a Brazilian player play, play for Arsenal. And just like the level to which he was enjoying himself and the freedom that he had on the field, having scored a couple of goals, looks to have all the time in the world. And he can do lots of different, you know, he can do lots of different things. He can play off the left. I don't think that suits Arsenal. I don't know what you think, James. I think he, like, he is probably at his best as the 10. I don't know. Who do you play when Odegaard's fit?

[James McNicholas]

I think on the left at the moment, it's hard to look past Leandro Trossard, the way he's playing. I mean, he's in superb form and he's got a great partnership with Riccardo Califuri. Califuri started every Premier League game this season at left back has been terrific. And I think there's a really good relationship there with Trossard who is having, you know, maybe the season of his life. I mean, he's another guy who's at an age. I think he's 30 now, 31 in a few weeks time where this is the time for him. This is his moment. It was interesting. Arsenal, they gave him a contract adjustment in the summer. They raised his salary, but they didn't extend his deal. I think he knows the club knows it's kind of now or never and he is delivering on that. So I think it'll be hard to displace him. Yeah, I, I think, you know, after what has they produced against spurs, he'll. He'll. He'll feel like it's. The shirt is his. And that's interesting because we. You have got the club captain, Martin Odegaard coming back. Arteta has started them together. He started them with, I think as on the left and he started them as two eights in one of the home games with Declan Rice in behind. But it was interrupted by an injury to Martin Odegaard about 20 minutes into that experiment. So it remains to be seen if we see that again.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Do you think it helps this squad that actually that strength in depth as we're talking about E and Odegaard means that actually not anyone is guaranteed to start in that respect. There is competition in the squad in a way that I probably would say we haven't seen for about, I'd say, the last two or three seasons at Arsenal.

[James McNicholas]

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, Arsenal fans aren't shy of letting people know when they've had injuries or problems in their squad. And what's interesting is that that's just not been a. A key narrative in Arsenal's season. You know, they have had a number of big players absent and to be honest, they've maintained momentum despite that. You know, Gabriel is out now, Saliba's been out, Odegaard's been out, Saka's been out, Martinelli's been out. Jocherez Havertz has missed basically the whole season so far. You wouldn't know it really. And, and I think that it is testament to the work that they've done building this squad. You know, they don't just have an 11. If you think back to Arsenal's sort of title charge of 20, 22, 23, for example, you could name the arsenal 11. And beyond that, they weren't looking too strong. Whereas this is a group with the capacity to make three or four changes and still look every bit as strong. And, you know, it has come at significant expense. There's been a massive financial commitment to make that happen. But you do get the sense that for this season at least, these players are happy to be on the boat, right? They're happy to play their part. It's meant less minutes for some. You know, the likes of Ethan Ranieri and Miles Lewiskelly haven't had as many opportunities maybe as they did in the second half of last season. And I think that's just because the emphasis is on a team, a group that are in prime age and ready to win right now.

[Adam Crafton]

James, do you think, given how strong Arsenal's position is in the Champions League. I know obviously Bayern is a, on paper, big game, but you've got two, I think two of Arsenal's hardest games of the Premier League season over the next, what, two weeks, 10 days, Chelsea away, Villa away. Does he rest players against Bayern?

[James McNicholas]

It could be an opportunity to rest. Eze, for example, played, you know, the majority of the game and maybe the whole game, in fact, that could be one. And give Odegaard some minutes if he's available. I think Trossard maybe is one who could get a rest. I think at fullbacks you can make changes. They've got Louis Skelly, as I mentioned, who can come in at left back. Ben White, who we haven't seen very much of at all recently, could come in for Jurian Timber. I think there are changes that you could make without destabilizing the team. And given Arsenal's strong position in the group stage of the Champions League, like you say, I think they can afford it. And I think that Chelsea game is so big, I mean almost the prize of if they went to Chelsea and won there, they would just be in such a strong position. I'd like to see him take a few out for the behind game.

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[Ayo Akimolere]

You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with Ayo Akimolere.

I'm just thinking about the difference though in terms of Arsenal and let's say Liverpool. Adam, in terms of the recruitment and we touched on it not long ago, what do you think the difference is in Liverpool's recruitment? That they seem to be struggling and for some reason Arsenal seem to be better with their recruitment because they've both spent a lot of money.

[Adam Crafton]

Yeah, it's weird to have a conversation about Liverpool not having good recruitment because it's something we praise them for for a very long time. Just but clearly just this summer hasn't worked yet. But you know, we're taking a what, a 10 to 12 game sample size. You know what their biggest signing is? I think clearly that saga kind of dis just kind of disorientated their whole Preseason and their whole preparation. Not only there's Newcastle's as well, clearly the players own as well. You know, he clearly had his head on turn towards a move from probably February, March onwards last season. He's not really played well since. So that's an issue. You know, I think it's hard because I think probably two months ago everyone was like Liverpool have had the best transfer window ever. Right. You were looking at the players that signed, you know, players from Bayer Leverkusen who had been kind of one of the outstanding teams in Europe over the last couple of years in Frimpong and Vertz and Kirk has, who was probably one of the best left backs in the division last season. Ekatike, who's, you know, I think he's been pretty good although hasn't really done much for the last few weeks. And Isaac who probably second to Haaland in terms of number nines in the world. So it's. It's hard on paper to be like, well Liverpool have got this wrong. But you watch the team and they've clearly got it wrong so far. And it's, you know, I would say kind of the things that I'm trying not to say. Things which like completely undermine other things that I've said on this podcast in previous weeks, which is always difficult for me. But you know, again if we go back to like probably what I said after the community Shield, which was one. I think some people in that kind of haste to like emotionally move on from Trent Alexander, Arnold kind of went from he's one of the best players in the world to well, he wasn't a very good defender, was he? When actually I think what he brought to Liverpool was just completely unique and quite irreplaceable in many ways without really changing the structure of the team. And I think that seemed to have been underpriced. And I also think I thought Wirtz at the time I said it then still think I think he's a man City, a man City player of a few years ago in terms of like the time he takes on the ball and the kind of style that he has. And then I just don't really understand why you need both Ekatike and Isaac for one position when they needed something probably from the left to replace Diaz, obviously Jota as well. And then also I felt they needed something else in as a kind of holding midfielder because I'm worried whether Gravenberg could do another season of the level that he showed last season. And now, now you start to look at Them and you're like, they've spent 450 million and you almost look at it like they need to spend the same to fix it. Because you start to think like Salah kind of looks not past it, but like past his best and who's going to play from that position? That's going to cost a lot of money. Then you're like, konate's fallen off a cliff and looks like he might leave. So they need a world class centre back. Maybe van Dijk, you know, over the next couple of years needs replacing and, and obviously and Alisson's having injuries. They've got a goalkeeper, they brought in Mahmudashvili who looks okay but not fantastic. So you start to look at them and kind of worry about them from being in a place in the summer where, you know, some people like, they won't even need to buy a player next summer. It's a really weird kind of way that the conversation has moved on.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Yeah, James? Arsenal are six points clear after 12 games. And some might say, you know, they can drop a few points in the Premier League against Chelsea, for instance. They've still got Bayern to come in the Champions League on Wednesday. Do you think Arsenal fans are ready to be the team to beat? Because this fan base can be a bit fragile from time to time.

[James McNicholas]

No, And I'm interested in that, like, and I understand it fully because there is a bit of trauma there. Arsenal have been usurped in the past when it looked like it might be their year in the very recent past too. But I do think there'll be an interesting point in this season where Arteta's language, for example, changes. I do think there will be kind of a step Arsenal take where they go from one game at a time. You know, we could win the League to we are going to do this, you know, that becomes that kind of positivity in there messaging to the players, to the fans. And I wonder when fans will come around to that idea as well, because I think, you know, I put my journalist hat on and I, I sit here with you guys and I think this group absolutely could win it. I think for the position they're in, they probably should win it and I think they will. That's my, that's my objective opinion on it. But there is still a support part of me that, you know, holds me back. It's the fear of being clipped up, isn't it, by Manchester City fans in May. But I really think they have all the tools.

[Adam Crafton]

Have you, have you seen their running, by the way? It's an absolute guinea.

[Ayo Akimolere]

I mean, this is the problem. Some fans will look at that. We will.

[James McNicholas]

No, if he had relatively, relatively late.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Think about Sunderland. That was a chink yet again. And people are going, oh, oh, are the wheels falling off?

[Adam Crafton]

Right, their last 10 games, Brighton, Everton, Wolves, Bournemouth, City, Newcastle. Home, Fulham, West Ham, Burnley, Palace. I mean, we will know by the end of February, I think, because you'll have played by then. Liverpool twice, Manchester United twice, Chelsea twice. I'm not. Obviously there's no games that are Guinness, but I really do think, like Arsenal, I think the most important period of this season is going to be this period up until the next international break for Arsenal. I think that's the period that will define if Arsenal are able to get over the line. Because I think also now I'm getting really carried away because of some of those fixtures. Actually, towards the end, it also gives Arsenal a real chance in the Champions League. If you had in those final seven, eight, nine games, five or six of the big teams to play, that really changes, you know, the week to week in April and May. So, you know, look, it's hard to get past the quadruple at the moment. Oh, that's a joke, by the way.

[Ayo Akimolere]

I know, I got it. I got it.

[James McNicholas]

I wasn't going to contradict you, but I think I do just get the sense that this group is much more mature at this stage. There is a kind of calmness about them. You see that in their disciplinary record, for example. Like they are. They are very, very calm at the moment. And there is a sort of serenity about. About this group and that. That I think gives them a fantastic chance. They're mature. It's.

[Adam Crafton]

There also hasn't been, you know, remember last season. And look, some of the decisions weren't great, but it felt like every week like Arsenal were moaning about something, that there was some kind of hysteria about something, that there was some grievance. And clearly some of those were real. But. But this season there just isn't. And that's because they're not also making some of the mistakes that they made last season. And some of the lapses, the emotional lapses, they're not giving the referees a chance, you know, they're not putting the games in the balance.

[James McNicholas]

No. And Arteta said that I think it was after their third sending off last season, he basically came out and said, we just cannot continue to sustain this. Whether that we feel the decisions are right or wrong, it has to end, it has to change. And they find themselves top of the fair play table right now, which is a hell of a turnaround from a team that had six red cards last season. And they have had setbacks too. You know, I mentioned the injuries, but they were beaten by Liverpool at Anfield. They dropped the points at Sunderland. That doesn't seem to have disturbed them. I think in previous seasons we've seen Arsenal go on little bad runs where one defeat might beget another. They stabilize very, very, very quickly.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Okay, Adam, let's wrap it up. Time for final whistle. 60 seconds to tell us what's on your mind from the world of football, football this week. 3, 2, 1. Off you go, son.

[Adam Crafton]

I actually didn't have one, but I just saw, I just saw that Rangers have let go of Rangers who are owned, majority owned, by the guys who own the 49ers in the NFL who also own Leeds. And it just got me thinking about, you know, I think sometimes these NFL owners come into the soccer in Europe and find real challenges. And I think that's what you're seeing now with both Rangers and Leeds. You know, there was the Russell Martin episode at Rangers. Now they've just got rid of the CEO Patrick Stewart, sporting director Kevin Thelwell, and I really wouldn't be surprised if there was a change at Leeds over the next few weeks as well. They've got a really tough run coming up and they had a really, I think, deficient transfer window from an attacking perspective. So I think big challenges ahead for the men who own the 49ers.

[Ayo Akimolere]

Okay, nice. We'll leave it there. Adam James and also thank you for joining us as well. We'll see you soon.

You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producers are Guy Clark, Mike Stabre and Jay Beal. Executive producers are Abby Patterson and Aiddy Moorhead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows, search for the Athletic on all the usual places. You'll also find us on YouTube at the Athletic FC Podcast. So make sure you subscribe. The Athletic FC Podcast is an athletic media company production.

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