The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: "Same old Arsenal or a slow evolution?"
Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Adam Crafton, Adrian Clarke, James McNicholas

Episode Overview

This episode dissects Arsenal’s contentious Old Trafford victory over Manchester United on Premier League opening weekend. The panel debates whether Arsenal’s scruffy win signals “same old Arsenal” luck, an evolving tactical identity under Mikel Arteta, or flashes of vulnerability. Key topics include the team’s new approach with Victor Gyökeres up front, Manchester United’s promise under Amarine, and the greater context of Arsenal’s ambitions and Arteta’s evolution as a manager.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arsenal's Tough Win at Old Trafford (03:09–06:23)

• Match stats: Arsenal managed only 38% possession, a 22–9 shot deficit, and a meager 0.29 open play xG but eked out a win via a set piece.
  • Adrian Clarke: "It was a tough watch...I don't think Arsenal will be worried about the possession stats at all. I think there is an intention to become more of a transitional team this year to be a bit more punchy on the counter because of Victor Jocherez up front."
• Man United's best against Arsenal in a while: Despite Arsenal’s struggles, Clarke highlights United's improved performance—possibly their best vs Arsenal in recent seasons. Still, Arsenal won.

2. Was Arsenal Lucky? (05:11–08:44)

• Discussion on Arsenal’s controversial goal: Resolved that it was legitimate, more due to “weak goalkeeping” and clever set play than foul play or VAR controversy.
  • Adam Crafton [05:21]: "I can't really believe that was even a discussion that this goal could be disallowed. I just thought it was weak goalkeeping."
• Luck as a league-winning factor: Panel agrees Arsenal—historically unlucky—may need and deserve a few lucky breaks.
  • Adrian Clarke [08:00]: "100%, yeah...I just said more luck. So, I mean, hopefully we've not used it all up in one game..."

3. United’s Progress & Perspective Shift (08:44–10:51)

• Improvement but higher expectations: New signings and better squad understanding, but home performance is only a first step.
  • Adam Crafton [09:55]: "Is that a signal of where Man United are right now, that you just want to see this team can play well? ...Yeah, for sure, because they've not played well for two years."
• Next week's away at Fulham is a bigger test than beating Arsenal at home.

4. Arsenal’s Early Season Pressure (10:51–13:17)

• Expectations after rivals’ wins: Arsenal’s Sunday kickoff added pressure after Man City and Liverpool scored four each.
  • Adrian Clarke [11:13]: "Winning's all that matters. Performance ultimately gets forgotten, doesn't it? And in a way, if you play badly and make mistakes, yet still get three points, it's almost perfect..."

5. Victor Gyökeres’ Debut: Assessment & Arsenal Attack Discussion (15:14–18:25)

• James McNicholas’ live report: Highlights adaptation struggle—Arsenal didn’t play to Gyökeres’ strengths, likens to City’s initial challenges with Haaland.
  • James McNicholas [15:35]: "Arteta felt that particularly in the first half...there were several moments where Arsenal had the opportunity to play someone through on goal and they failed to execute."
• Clarke & Crafton agree: Gyökeres lacked service; Arsenal’s other forwards (Saka, Martinelli) were poor; adaptation will take time.

6. Arsenal’s Style Shift & Tactical Evolution (18:34–21:23)

• Post-lead conservatism: Arsenal’s low possession after going ahead suggests new pragmatism—possibly reflecting rising pressure to get over the title line—but can cause fearfulness.
  • Adam Crafton [18:34]: "They sometimes play with a bit of fear or a bit of 'we have to protect these points' more than 'we have to go and win these points...'"

7. Reliance on Strikers & Attacking Cast (21:23–25:39)

• Both clubs’ new strikers (Gyökeres for Arsenal, Šeško for United) are “win-now” and must settle quickly for success:
  • Adam Crafton [22:01]: "Arsenal clearly are going to make him the centerpiece of their attack and therefore he has to produce probably 15 league goals, I would say as a minimum."
• But goals must also come from Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard. Liverpool-style attacking depth is an aspiration.

8. Transfer Philosophy: Premier League Proven? (26:46–28:34)

• Shift to domestic signings: Elite clubs are targeting proven Premier League talent (e.g., Cunha, Mbeumo) for less risk and more immediate impact.
  • Adam Crafton [26:46]: "We are seeing a kind of a bit more of a pivot towards signing Premier League proven players..."
• Adrian Clarke backs this, favoring signings “hungry on the way up” (like Eze) over “demoralized” players from super-clubs.

9. Mikel Arteta’s Evolution (32:02–39:29)

• Interview insight: He adapts to players’ changing needs and is learning to evolve tactically, especially with a new type of striker.
  • Mikel Arteta [32:02]: "...the manager that the boys needed three years ago is a different manager than they need today...they need somebody else and that somebody else has to adapt..."
• Clarke’s analysis: He’s calmer, more experienced, increasingly pragmatic, potentially shifting style to more Liverpool-esque transitions.
  • Adrian Clarke [32:56]: "I think this season we are set to see quite a big shift in Arteta's evolution as a tactician because of Jocherez, because it's such a different stylistic striker..."
• Arteta’s success despite lacking a title: Both Crafton and Clarke stress the transformation from a “directionless, wasteful, a very split fan base” to stability, purpose, and ambition.
  • Adam Crafton [34:53]: "I think there's elements of lots of different other teams in there and I also know there's also quite a few Premier League teams who...have studied the way Arsenal plays and studied the way Arsenal do set pieces..."

10. Pressure & the Path Forward (37:31–39:29)

• Arteta’s embrace of pressure: He wears expectations fairly well, but needs tangible success (a trophy) soon to retain the dressing room’s belief.
  • Adrian Clarke [37:50]: "You've got to embrace it. If you're a manager of a big club, you've got to gobble up pressure and just use it in a positive way, haven't you?"
• Tough run ahead: Next 4-5 weeks are pivotal—Liverpool away, Newcastle away, Man City at home.
  • Adam Crafton [39:29]: "...if they can come through, you know, the next five games with 10 points out of that or 11 points out of that, I think Arteta will be thrilled."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arsenal’s win:
  • Adrian Clarke [04:00]: "This was certainly...one of Arsenal's weakest performances in the last two seasons at least. Yet they won."
• On United’s goal worries:
  • Adam Crafton [06:25]: "Manchester United...have not been good enough in both penalty boxes for a very long time."
• On Gyökeres’ debut:
  • Adrian Clarke [17:07]: "I felt a bit sorry for him, really. He's feeding off scraps, wasn't he? No service."
• On Premier League signings:
  • Adam Crafton [26:46]: "It feels like a bit of a pivot away from what we've seen the past few years, which has always been, you know, Man United just taking...players from Holland or...different markets and try and get them into the Premier League."
• On Arteta’s evolution:
  • Adrian Clarke [32:56]: "He's much calmer now. He's learned on the job. It was a massive risk for Arsenal to go for Arteta in the first place. And year on year, he's just picked up more knowledge."
• On what success means:
  • Adam Crafton [34:53]: "...I think there's elements of lots of different other teams in there and I also know there's also quite a few Premier League teams who...have studied the way Arsenal plays and...set pieces..."

Important Timestamps

• 03:09 — Show proper intro, match stats breakdown.
• 04:00 — Adrian Clarke’s analysis of Arsenal’s performance.
• 05:21 — Adam Crafton’s take on the controversial goal.
• 08:00 — Clarke discusses Arsenal’s need for “more luck.”
• 13:17 — Transition to Gyökeres’ debut discussion.
• 15:35 — James McNicholas on Gyökeres’ adaptation.
• 18:34 — Crafton on Arsenal’s style shift and tactical caution.
• 21:23 — The striker conversation: Gyökeres vs. Šeško.
• 26:46 — Signings from within the Premier League.
• 32:02 — Arteta interview clip: evolving as a manager.
• 32:56 — Clarke on Arteta’s growth in demeanor, style, decision-making.
• 37:50 — Pressure for Arteta and Arsenal's challenge this season.
• 39:29 — The pivotal upcoming run for Arsenal.
• 41:49 — Adam Crafton’s “winner/loser of the week” segment: David Brooks’ comeback.

Segment Summaries

Arsenal: Luck, Adaptation, and the Shadow of Expectation

• Despite a weak performance, Arsenal took the win—emblematic of either new luck or slow evolution under Arteta.
• The Gyökeres era starts with misfiring service more than player failure; attacking cohesion still needed.
• Title hopes rest on new recruits settling and a stronger goal return from wide forwards.

Manchester United: Encouraging Defeat?

• Home loss overshadows real strides in energy, tactical buy-in, and transfer strategy. The next weeks will better test United’s resurrection.

Arteta’s Arsenal: Not Just a Pep Copy

• Arteta is recognizing the need for continual personal and tactical evolution. Arsenal’s set-piece innovation and blend of English and Spanish influences are making the club a touchstone for others.
• Success measured in steps taken—“trophy or bust” may soon be a reality, but the club’s transformation from the pre-Arteta doldrums is real.

The Big Picture

• In a Premier League where rivals are reloading with proven talent and tactical flexibility, Arsenal and United’s ability to adapt and extract the most from new signings may define their seasons.

Closing

• Highlight: David Brooks praised in the new “winner/loser of the week” segment for his comeback performance after recovery from cancer. [41:49]
  • Adam Crafton [41:49]: "...for him to be doing the most sprints in a Premier League weekend, I thought was extraordinary."
• Final wrap-up: The coming month will be crucial for Arsenal’s campaign and for Mikel Arteta’s continued evolution as a top manager.