The Athletic FC Podcast – The Preview: Newcastle vs Arsenal

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Jacob Whitehead, Oli Kay

Overview

This episode of The Athletic FC Podcast is a comprehensive preview of the weekend’s Premier League highlight: Newcastle United vs Arsenal at St. James’ Park. Host Matt Davis Adams is joined by Jacob Whitehead and Oli Kay to dissect both teams’ starts to the season, assess tactical questions, analyze key players, and provide predictions. The team also takes a quick tour around the weekend’s other key Premier League fixtures, discussing storylines, form, and tactical nuances.

Main Feature: Newcastle United vs Arsenal Preview

Recent Form and Context

• Newcastle:
  • Strong defensively (4 clean sheets in 5 league games), but only 1 win and three goalless draws—uncharacteristically cautious for their usual all-or-nothing approach.
    • “Probably quite a frustrating one and quite out of character…they’ve sort of been struggling to score. And yeah, although defence has been really, really solid, work in progress on the attacking side so far.” — Jacob Whitehead (03:47)
• Arsenal:
  • Defensive solidity, but accused of being too cautious and less expansive than in previous seasons.
    • “He’s gone that way in order to try to make the next step, the last step really…since going a little bit more defensive, a little bit more attritional, a little bit less expansive, they haven’t won as many points.” — Oli Kay (08:40)

Notable Stat:

• Newcastle have won their last three home games vs Arsenal without conceding a goal (02:55).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Newcastle’s Tactical Evolution and Attacking Issues

• Newcastle’s defensive strength stems from a stable backline and settled midfield trio (Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton).
• Attacking fluidity hindered by rotation and absences (notably Isak), with Anthony Gordon's return expected to boost their threat.
• Midweek win over Bradford provided a morale boost—Eddie Howe fielded a notably strong team to "play some of them into form" (04:26).

Anthony Gordon's Importance

• Gordon is seen as a “big game” player. His mentality, runs, and unpredictability are key:
  • “He does go well in big games…became the second player in Premier League history to score against each of the big six in one season…mentality-wise as well, so come in fiercely this weekend.” — Jacob Whitehead (07:48)

Arsenal’s Tactical Approach and Title Race

• Arteta’s Arsenal are more pragmatic, sacrificing some attacking flair for defensive security.
• The pundits debate whether Arteta has overcorrected, making Arsenal less dynamic and, arguably, less effective at picking up points.
  • “He feels that this is the way to win games and win the league…since going a little bit more defensive…they haven’t won as many points.” — Oli Kay (08:40)
• Despite being five points adrift, “must-win” narratives are played down:
  • “We're not in October yet…it's the sort of, the title's gone if they lose already.” — Jacob Whitehead (10:02)

New Signings and the No.9 Situation

• Both clubs have new strikers:
  • Victor Yokaresh (Arsenal): Struggling to adapt—hasn’t had a shot in three of his five PL games (“…he got most of his goals against the lower or middle ranked teams in Portugal…It’s much harder [in the PL].” — Oli Kay, 13:05)
  • Nick Volta Marder (Newcastle): Impressive adaptation, “really impressed with his link up play…goal and the winner in his full debut against Wolves…” — Jacob Whitehead (14:58)

Injury Updates and Selection Dilemmas

• Arsenal: Noni Madueke out for several months. Saka expected to start after easing back from injury.
  • “It’s a real blow for Madueke because he started really promisingly…But probably worth remembering… he was really signed as a backup.” — Oli Kay (16:18)
• Newcastle: Anthony Gordon expected to return, adding pace and directness to Newcastle’s attack (17:48).

Predictions & Odds

Match Predictions

• “I went for a very cliched 1 nil to the Arsenal.” — Oli Kay (19:31)
• “No, I’m going to go 2-1 Newcastle. I think the home advantage is significant in this one.” — Jacob Whitehead (19:41)
• The panel agrees it’s likely to be a cagey, low-scoring encounter.

Betting Preview (With James Mackey, Betfair)

• Newcastle are the outsiders at 9/4, Arsenal odds-on favorites at around 10/11 (20:42).
• Expectations: Tight, defensive game; value in betting on under 2.5 goals and goal involvements for Saka or Gordon.
• “All we want to see is goals, isn’t it?” — Matt Davis Adams (20:33)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “His [Arteta’s] approach over the last 12 months has been a bit more, sort of, handbrake as Arsene Wenger would have said.” — Oli Kay (08:40)
• “Newcastle seem to quite like having wingers who quite often inverted, cutting in ahead in a sort of pincer like motion.” — Jacob Whitehead (17:48)
• “In a world where journalists find themselves under threat from AI and from readers and subscribers who know far more than we do…I’m really putting myself out there and exposing my shortcomings, or having my shortcomings exposed by the algorithm.” — Oli Kay, on The Athletic’s predictions challenge (19:00)

Other Premier League Storylines and Headlines

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (23:27)

• Palace are flying under Glasner (17 unbeaten); Liverpool have a 100% PL record but skeptics question if their run is sustainable.
• “If you look at Liverpool's performances so far…it has felt watching each game like they’ve kind of got a bit lucky…” — Oli Kay (24:36)

Chelsea vs Brighton (28:58)

• High-stakes for Maresca after a nervy run of form and tough tests looming.
• Brighton’s inconsistency persists, but Diego Gomez's midweek showing is a bright spot.

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland (34:14)

• Sunderland’s spirited start highlighted; Forest adjusting to new management style under Postecoglou.

Manchester United vs Brentford (38:37)

• United seeking back-to-back wins under Ruben Amorim; spotlight on whether XG and shot volume reflect genuine progress.

Quickfire Fixtures & Quips

• Everton vs West Ham: “What’s less convincing, David Sullivan’s hair dye or West Ham’s defending from corners?” (42:52)
• Man City vs Burnley: “Burnley lost their last 13 against City...I just can’t see it happening [Burnley getting a result].” — Jacob Whitehead (43:22)
• Leeds vs Bournemouth: Praise for both managers’ under-the-radar work (43:51)
• Aston Villa vs Fulham: Villa’s underwhelming form noted; Fulham could exploit their fatigue (44:57)
• Spurs vs Wolves: Debate about Saturday night kickoffs (45:29)

Memorable Quiz Segment

• "Put Your Shirt On It": Matt has a 96/97 Newcastle away shirt. After clues, Oli Kay correctly guesses Keith Gillespie (12:30).

Key Timestamps

• Newcastle vs Arsenal Preview Begins: 03:02
• Anthony Gordon's Role: 06:45
• Arteta’s Approach / Arsenal Analysis: 08:10
• Newcastle & Arsenal’s New No.9s: 12:32 – 16:00
• Predictions Segment: 19:00 – 19:47
• Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: 23:27
• Chelsea vs Brighton: 28:58
• Quickfire Fixtures: 42:31

Tone & Style

The tone throughout is engaging and conversational, marked by detailed tactical insight and gentle humor. The hosts and guests balance technical breakdowns with accessible explanations and wry asides.

Summary for Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with:

• A grounded understanding of why Newcastle vs Arsenal is pivotal for both clubs
• Tactical reasons behind each side’s early-season stumbles
• The inside scoop on player rotations, injury impacts, and selection dilemmas
• A peek at other enticing Premier League storylines
• Entertaining banter and bold predictions that capture the show’s lively, expert tone

For in-depth, up-to-the-minute Premier League insight, this episode is not to be missed!