The Athletic FC Podcast: "Why Arsenal are the Team to Beat"

Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: James McNicholas, Adrian Clarke

Episode Overview

This episode of The Athletic FC Podcast dissects Arsenal’s blistering start to the Premier League season. With only three goals conceded in nine games and a string of significant wins, host Ayo Akinwolere and reporters James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke examine what sets Arsenal apart as title favorites. The panel breaks down the team’s defensive solidity, set-piece supremacy, the intensity (and challenges) up front, and how broader league unpredictability impacts the Gunners’ chances. They also point to potential threats and what it will take for Arsenal to go all the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of Arsenal’s Recent Results

• Solid Weekend for Arsenal: Arsenal extended their lead with a hard-fought win over Crystal Palace as rivals Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City all dropped points.

  • Adrian Clarke (02:52): “It was just a game they had to win to sort of just keep this momentum going... I value this victory more than any other.”

• Atmosphere at the Emirates: The Emirates crowd embraced the disciplined defensive display, reminiscent of Arsenal’s George Graham-era identity.

  • James McNicholas (03:43): “I think maybe for the first time in quite a long time there's almost a kind of... appetite for it among the Arsenal fans that they recognise that this is part of their identity.”

Timestamps:

• Arsenal’s defensive masterclass vs. Palace: [02:52–04:51]

2. Is this the Most Competitive Premier League in Years?

• Headline Table Surprises: Unexpected contenders like Bournemouth and Sunderland join the top four, shaking up the traditional hierarchy.

  • Adrian Clarke (05:10): “After a few seasons where things have been probably too predictable, things have sort of been shaken around this, this time around. I love it... It’s all in place I think for Arsenal to have a great season.”

• Early Title Probability: Data models now favor Arsenal but the panel cautions against complacency with 29 matches still to play.

Timestamps:

• Competitive league landscape: [05:10–06:05]

3. Arsenal’s Defensive Dominance

• Best Defensive Record: Arsenal are averaging just 0.33 goals conceded per game, close to record-breaking numbers.

• Squad Depth: Injuries haven’t derailed the defense, with signings like Cristian Mosquera and versatility from full-backs such as Calafiori and Timber stepping up.

  • James McNicholas (06:15): “Arsenal... have gone through the entire month of October without conceding a shot on target... They’ve got outstanding defenders, an outstanding goalkeeper and also it’s an entire team effort.”

• Defensive Culture: Resilience is now ingrained in the squad, and commitment comes from all players, starting with center-forward Viktor Gyökeres’ pressing.

  • Adrian Clarke (08:38): “I do think it’s a culture, I do think it’s a mindset. And the team definitely love defending. They, all of them, love it.”

Timestamps:

• Arsenal defensive stats, depth, and culture: [06:05–10:19]

4. Set Pieces vs. Open Play: Arsenal’s Attacking Balance

• Set-Piece Supremacy: Arsenal lead the league with nine goals from set pieces but have struggled in open play (17th in the league with just five).

  • James McNicholas (10:49): “Their ability at these set pieces is phenomenal... Gabriel... is just an extraordinary threat in those situations.”

• Workrate and Impact Up Front: Viktor Gyökeres’ intensity helps create space and stretches defenses, though his goal tally has dipped.

  • Adrian Clarke (13:26): “I described him on commentary as Arsenal’s set piece captain... he’s the orchestrator. So yeah, it’s a great thing. I think the open play goals will come.”

• Challenging Low Blocks: Most teams set up defensively against Arsenal, forcing Arteta’s men to rely on patient buildup and set-piece ingenuity.

  • Adrian Clarke (13:26): “Mainly it’s down to the fact that at the moment, everyone’s too scared to come out and play against Arsenal. Liverpool didn’t even do it at Anfield.”

Timestamps:

• Set pieces vs open play analysis: [10:19–14:48]

5. The Viktor Gyökeres Conundrum

• Analysis of Gyökeres’ Start:

  • Five goals in 13 Arsenal games, but a dry spell in the league.
  • Adrian Clarke (17:11): “He just looks a little bit uptight in Premier League matches at the moment because he’s so desperate to score.”

• Adjustment and Rotation: Fatigue and lack of pre-season are discussed as factors. The panel suggests resting him in the Carabao Cup and looks forward to Kai Havertz returning to offer rotation or partnership.

  • James McNicholas (19:20): “He arrived looking like a player who’d missed quite a big chunk of pre-season... he’s the only obvious true number nine in the squad.”

• Potential Solutions: Options include sharing minutes with Havertz, experimenting with Martinelli centrally, and flexibility in cup matches.

  • James McNicholas (21:53): "I'm really, really, really excited and interested to see Kai Havertz come back into this squad and those two players share that burden... when they're rotating... that's when we'll really see the benefit.”

• Shared Goals Reduce Pressure: With 11 different goalscorers this season, Gyökeres isn’t shouldering the load alone.

  • James McNicholas (24:12): “We'd probably be talking about Yokerez much more if Arsenal weren’t winning games, but they are, and he's part of that.”

Timestamps:

• Viktor Gyökeres’ performances and solutions: [16:37–24:59]

6. Rising Pressures and League Threats

• Title Rivals’ Stumbles: Liverpool and Manchester City—both experiencing issues—remain the main threats even as Bournemouth and Sunderland make headlines.

  • Adrian Clarke (29:50): “Both [Liverpool and Man City] have enough quality to string 10 consecutive wins... but both have issues to a point.”

• Squad Depth and Fixture Hardness: Arsenal’s ability to cope with injuries and a tough run of fixtures provides hope for lasting the title race.

  • James McNicholas (31:05): “If you were taking a slice out... I can understand the sentiment that you would make Arsenal favorites because they're a very, very impressive outfit, a very serious outfit.”

• Potential League Unpredictability: The panel lauds the competitive nature of the league, and regards Liverpool as the main team to watch for a challenge.

Timestamps:

• Who are Arsenal's true rivals? [28:27–36:25]

7. Can Defence Really Win You Titles?

• Statistical Perspective: Only six Premier League winners have finished top for defense but not attack; usually most goals = title.

  • Adrian Clarke (37:25): “I think goals are more important than goals conceded... I'm certain that Arsenal will finish this season with the best defensive record... but they're not going to be far away from being top scorers, trust me.”

• Balance Needed: Both analysts expect Arsenal’s open play scoring to pick up as the season continues and as injured playmakers return.

• Arsenal Fans Embracing Pragmatism: "One nil to the Arsenal" remains popular so long as results flow.

  • James McNicholas (38:17): “One nil to the Arsenal is a pretty popular chant at the Emirates Stadium. I don't think there’d be too many complaints.”

Timestamps:

• Do defences win titles? [37:13–39:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Defensive Identity:
  James McNicholas (03:43): “It’s quite rare. You see Arsenal penned in like that at home... but the fans really engaged with that — this is part of their identity.”

• On Gyökeres' Impact:
  Adrian Clarke (08:38): "No center forward makes more sprints than Viktor Gyökeres. No centre forward closes down defenders more... That sets the tone for the others."

• On Gabriel's Set-Piece Threat:
  Adrian Clarke (13:26): “He's the orchestrator. Every time there's a free kick or a corner, he has a chin wag with Declan Rice. He tells him, ‘This is what we're doing.’ He’s Arsenal’s set piece captain.”

• On League Unpredictability:
  Adrian Clarke (05:10): “I love seeing Bournemouth and Sunderland up there... It's great for the Premier League.”

• On the Race for Goals and Defense:
  James McNicholas (38:17): “Listen, one nil to the Arsenal is a pretty popular chant at the Emirates Stadium. I don't think there'd be too many complaints.”

Key Timestamps at a Glance

• [02:52–04:51]: Arsenal’s vital win over Palace and defensive praise
• [05:10–06:05]: Table surprises and competitiveness
• [06:05–10:19]: Breaking down Arsenal’s defense and “culture”
• [10:19–14:48]: Set pieces vs open play, Gabriel’s leadership
• [16:37–24:59]: Viktor Gyökeres’ role, rotation, and the goals puzzle
• [28:27–36:25]: Title rivals and League context
• [37:13–39:19]: Does defense win titles? Arsenal’s need for balance

Tone and Closing

The conversation remains analytical yet collegial—measured optimism for Arsenal, tinged with reminders about the unpredictable nature of a Premier League season. Both Clarke and McNicholas agree: while Arsenal look like favorites, history demands cautious optimism. Their blend of defensive resolve and squad depth could finally be the recipe for title success, provided the goals start flowing from open play.

For listeners new to this campaign, this episode lays out exactly why Arsenal are the team to beat—and what must improve for them to turn mid-season dominance into silverware come May.