The Athletic FC Podcast – The Preview: Arsenal vs Spurs

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Alex Barker, Reuben Pinder

Episode Overview

This episode of The Athletic FC Podcast breaks down the highly anticipated North London Derby: Arsenal vs Spurs. Host Matt Davis Adams is joined by analysts Alex Barker and Reuben Pinder to dissect the key narratives ahead of Matchday 12. The trio discuss managerial pressure, tactical nuances, injury news, and strategic match-ups while offering predictions and extending the discussion to key Premier League fixtures across the weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Managerial Pressure Heading into the Derby

• Alex Barker: Thomas Frank at Spurs is under the most pressure:
  • "It's almost his Nuno moment... their fan base is just on the edge of saying Thomas Frank's football is just far too pragmatic and not entertaining enough for our expectations." [02:42]
  • Spurs' style is under scrutiny; poor performances and unentertaining football could be decisive.
• Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face some pressure from Man City’s resurgence but are better placed.

2. Arsenal’s Big Week & Derby Stakes

• Reuben Pinder: Arsenal are favorites but focused on the title race above all:
  • "The most important thing for them... is that they don't cede any ground to Manchester City... they won't want that gap to get reduced to one point." [03:46]
  • Arsenal’s improved squad depth is vital for coping with injuries.

3. Spurs’ Away Record & Tactical Comfort

• Matt Davis Adams: Spurs remain unbeaten away but are historically poor at Arsenal.
• Alex Barker:
  • "Thomas Frank's put a lot of effort into changing Tottenham without the ball... that's where he seems to thrive." [05:00]
  • Frank may prefer an away derby, given the tactical freedom.

4. Fan Sentiment & Managerial Dynamics

• Spurs fans’ impatience is noted; Frank’s talks of being considered for other jobs doesn't help.
• Reuben Pinder: "A Derby win buys a manager a lot of credit... Spurs are quite heavily underdogs in this one." [06:15]

5. Potential for a Tactical Stalemate

• Alex Barker:
  • Both sides have been cagey; could this be the first goalless draw at the Emirates?
  • Both bottom of the league for shots from high turnovers—a sign of relatively conservative pressing.
  • "Arsenal surprisingly aren't pressing that aggressively... you could see both Tottenham and Arsenal giving each other a bit of breathing space." [07:42–08:20]
• Matt Davis Adams: “There’s never been a goalless draw at the Emirates.” [07:39]
• Set pieces could be crucial, especially with Arsenal leading the league in set-piece goals, but missing Gabriel.

6. Injuries & Line-Up Challenges

Arsenal’s Defensive Headache

• Matt Davis Adams: Gabriel’s injury is a “huge loss” [11:57].
• Reuben Pinder:
  • Arsenal’s squad is better equipped now: "They have way more options now where there's less of a drop off in quality." [12:16]
  • Set pieces may be less threatening without Gabriel.

Potential Replacements

• Alex Barker: Hincapié is likely to deputize; concern over his aerial weakness:
  • "He's a totally different profile of player to Gabriel... I'll have a very close eye to see how Arteta replaces Gabriel." [13:37]
• Reuben Pinder: Suggests other options, but all entail pros and cons. [14:52]

Attacking Absentees

• Arsenal could be without Gyökeres, Martinelli, Madueke, Ødegaard, and Havertz.
• Reuben Pinder:
  • Mourinho likely to start up top, making Arsenal potentially more predictable.
  • “They're so good at it... I don't think it will trouble them too much.” [15:40]

Spurs’ Injuries

• Kudus and Bergvall might return, Solanke could make the bench, but Madison and Kulusevski out.
• First North London derby in a decade without Kane or Son Heung-min.

7. Key Battles and Players to Watch

• Alex Barker:
  • Spurs’ right side key—Kudus could target Calafiori’s defensive limitations and restrict Arsenal’s build-up. [17:06]
  • Set pieces a shared focus; Arsenal must adjust without Gabriel.
• Reuben Pinder: Spurs must maximize delivery from Kudus and Poro for set-piece threats. [18:27]

8. Predictions

• Alex Barker: 0-0 draw:
  • "I have to now. I've committed so hard to that scoreline." [19:21]
• Reuben Pinder: 1-0 Arsenal, Eze to score from outside the box. [19:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Thomas Frank’s Pressure:
  "If he loses this, then it's almost his Nuno moment." – Alex Barker [02:42]
• On Fan Discontent:
  "Spurs fans are not shy to show their dissatisfaction towards managers these days." – Reuben Pinder [06:15]
• First Goalless Draw?
  "It's a crazy stat. Look, there's never been a goalless draw at the Emirates… It genuinely might be the game to change it." – Alex Barker [07:36]
• Set Piece Threats:
  "Arsenal have scored both more goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, both overall and as a percentage than any other side in the Premier League." – Matt Davis Adams [09:05]
• On Squad Depth:
  "They have way more options now where there's less of a drop off in quality." – Reuben Pinder [12:16]
• On Arsenal Attack:
  "Mourinho will start up top. He proved last season that he could do it as a bit of a stopgap, temporary solution." – Reuben Pinder [15:40]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [02:42] – Who's under more pressure: Thomas Frank or Mikel Arteta?
• [03:46] – Arsenal’s priorities and season context
• [05:00] – Spurs’ away form and tactical differences
• [07:39] – Emirates derby history—no goalless draws
• [09:05] – Set piece stats and importance
• [11:57] – Gabriel’s injury and Arsenal’s defensive reshuffle
• [15:22] – Arsenal’s attacking injury problems
• [17:06] – Key threat areas for both teams
• [19:21–19:28] – Score predictions

Premier League Quick Hits

• Discussion extends to Man City vs Newcastle, Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest, Man United vs Everton, and other fixtures.
• Newcastle’s struggles: Fixture congestion & away form highlighted; set-pieces targeted as a chance to exploit City [24:34, 25:48].
• Liverpool’s issues: Fitness and rotation woes; Forest’s tactics for a potential upset discussed in detail [27:12–32:40].
• Man United vs Everton: Debate over Amorin’s progress at United, Everton as underdogs but “everyone has a chance” [36:21–39:33].
• Quickfire predictions for Burnley vs Chelsea, Bournemouth vs West Ham, Wolves vs Crystal Palace, Brentford vs Brighton, Fulham vs Sunderland, Leeds vs Villa. [39:39–44:25]

Tone & Style

• Analytical, insightful, occasionally light-hearted with banter.
• Objective with a touch of fan perspective (e.g., Matt on Forest, Reuben on Palace).
• Plenty of stats, relevant context, and honest uncertainty where appropriate.

Conclusion

The episode delivers a thorough tactical and narrative preview of Arsenal vs Spurs, covering manager dynamics, squad health, and key match-ups. The hosts’ predictions and wider Premier League insights are sharp and informed, making it a must-listen for anyone following this weekend’s action.

End Note:
"Loads of great games to look forward to this weekend... Enjoy the football. We'll catch up with you again soon." – Matt Davis Adams [44:25]