Arsenal On The Brink: Drama In East London

Summary

The Rest Is Football — "Arsenal On The Brink: Drama In East London"

Date: May 11, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Episode Overview

This episode covers a dramatic weekend in the Premier League, featuring Arsenal's tense victory over West Ham and its major implications for the title race. The trio also talk VAR controversies, managerial fashion, Bournemouth's incredible run, Manchester City's fluctuating fortunes, and the relegation battle—peppered with personal stories and football nostalgia. The chemistry and experience of the hosts shine throughout, providing expert analysis, friendly banter, and genuine insight for football fans.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Arsenal's Nerve-Shredding Win Over West Ham

[06:17 - 14:53]

• Controversial VAR Decision:

  • The panel debate the VAR call on Arsenal's winning goal, and whether it was a foul.
    • Micah Richards: “Some people will think it was a foul, some won’t... I do think it was a foul, but I also think the one at Everton last week with Bernardo Silva... Where was VAR for that one?” [06:17]
    • Gary Lineker: “If I were a West Ham fan, or indeed a Manchester City fan, I think I'd be a little bit angry tonight because there was a lot of fouling.” [06:46]

• Arsenal's Pressure and Tactical Adaptation:

  • High praise for Arsenal's composure under pressure, especially after losing Ben White to injury and moving Declan Rice to right back, then correcting it.
    • Alan Shearer: “Does [Arteta] need criticism for putting Declan Rice right back, or does he need praise for saying, I made a mistake, let’s change it?” [09:38]
    • Gary Lineker: “All that really matters is that they got the three points and got over the line.” [09:28]

• Raya's Game-defining Save:

  • Arsenal goalkeeper Raya’s late save seen as potentially title-clinching.
    • Michael Richards: “You see Mikel Arteta’s reaction on the touchline... it was a huge moment.” [18:39]

Premier League Title Race: Is It Over?

[14:49, 19:24, 20:17]

• Arsenal within Grasp of Historic Double:

  • Alan Shearer: “What if they win the double, the Champions League and the Premier League... It'd be an unbelievable achievement, and it’s in their grasp. Three more games.” [14:21]
  • The panel agree Arsenal are heavy favorites with only Burnley (already relegated) and Crystal Palace (likely to rotate ahead of a European final) left.
    • Gary Lineker: “Hard to see them slipping up now… it’s worked out really well for Arsenal.” [13:57]

• But... “Another Twist” Still Possible:

  • Alan Shearer: “I just think there’s another twist.” [15:32]
  • Gary Lineker: “It’s never over till it’s over, is it? We’ve seen that.” [15:21]

Manchester City's Perspective and Defensive Weaknesses

[26:04 - 29:47]

• Disappointment and Pep’s Nerves:

  • City let their fate slip with a draw at Everton. The hosts note Pep Guardiola’s public reactions.
    • Alan Shearer: “[Pep’s] obviously... devastated, won’t they? They’ve only got themselves to blame against Everton, they didn’t turn up.” [26:41]

• Defensive Frailties Compared to Arsenal:

  • Gary Lineker: “If there is a difference between the two sides... it’s probably Arsenal harder to score against.” [28:04]
  • Alan Shearer: “I don’t like Man City’s high line... you just leave yourself too open at the back.” [28:32]

• Erling Haaland's Continued Goal Haul:

  • Gary Lineker: “Another goal for Erling Haaland. That’s 26 goals. Not bad, is it?” [29:47]
  • Michael Richards: “He’ll continue to smash every record if he stays there.” [30:03]

Bournemouth’s Unlikely Champions League Push

[31:43 - 34:32]

• Remarkable Overachievement & Managerial Situation:
  • Michael Richards: “There’s a real proper chance now that they could be playing in the Champions League. Yet their manager is not going to be the one that is going to manage them in the Champions League if they get there. It just seems crazy.” [31:43]
• Youth Recruitment:
  • Gary Lineker: “Only Liverpool in 94/95... and 97/98, 98/99 have scored more goals via teenagers in a Premier League season than Bournemouth this term. They’ve got 17...” [32:15]
• Player Spotlight:
  • Michael Richards: “I think [Creepy] has got potential to go right to the top.” [33:07]

Relegation Scrap, Spurs Dilemma, and Leeds’ Battle

[34:34 - 36:09]

• Spurs and Leeds – Key Fixtures Left:

  • Gary Lineker: “[Spurs have] Leeds, Chelsea and Everton... that's not easy, you know...” [35:42]
  • Michael Richards: “Tomorrow’s huge for them, isn't it, at home after two victories.” [35:57]

• Tottenham Fans’ Conflicted Loyalties:

  • Gary Lineker: “On the one hand they wanted Arsenal to win to keep West Ham down... On the other hand, would they want Arsenal to win the League? Would they? Hell” [35:08]

Notable Dressing Room Stories & Laughs

[20:17 - 23:12]

• Lineker's Missing Boots Story:
  • Gary Lineker: “We arrived at the ground... and they unpacked the skip and they’d forgotten to put my boots in. So I had to borrow a pair and they were size too big... and we lost one nil.” [21:20]
  • Alan Shearer: “But what do you mean they forgot the boots?... How did they forget your boots?” [22:25]

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Memorable Quotes

• Alan Shearer (on VAR and title race):
  “I don’t want to use the word ‘ruining’ our game because ultimately the correct decision you know, to follow certainly when the title’s on the line…” [07:34]

• Michael Richards (on Arsenal’s pressure):
  “You got to give them huge credit, Arsenal, because I know how they feel and I know the pressure and the stress they're under… they've got the, the points and they deserve great credit for that.” [19:39]

• Gary Lineker (on Arteta’s attire):
  “He always seems. He wears those grey trousers and black top every game. What do you think? Micah is our fashion consultant.” [18:50]

• Alan Shearer (on Manchester City’s defense):
  “I don’t like Man City’s high line. I don’t like it at all... you just leave yourself too open at the back.” [28:32]

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Discussion | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:17-07:56| Debate about VAR’s role in title race, West Ham-Arsenal controversy | | 09:38 | Arteta’s tactical adaptation (Rice at right back, halftime changes) | | 14:21 | Arsenal’s chance at a double and historic achievement | | 18:39 | Raya’s crucial save, his Footballer of the Year credentials | | 20:17-23:12| Lineker’s story about missing boots before a title run-in | | 26:04-29:47| Man City’s dropped points, Pep’s nerves, defensive frailties | | 31:43-34:32| Bournemouth’s Champions League potential, youth recruitment | | 35:08 | Spurs fans’ conflicting feelings about Arsenal’s title push | | 36:09 | Rochdale’s last-minute playoff heroics |

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Additional Insights & Banter

• Regular references to the emotional and psychological aspects of title chases, both from hosts’ playing careers and present-day observations.
• Side-discussion during the Arsenal segment as Rashford scores in El Clásico for Barcelona, prompting excitement and jokes about English players abroad.
  • Gary Lineker: “Marcus Rashford has just put Barcelona into the lead.” [11:32]
• Good-natured ribbing about fashion, goalkeepers, and legendary moments in football history.

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Conclusion

A packed episode featuring expert football chat and memorable chemistry, covering every angle of the title race, VAR’s lasting impact, the joys and anxieties of promotion and relegation, and plenty of nostalgic asides. Arsenal’s nerve, City’s regrets, Bournemouth’s fairy tale, and the realities of Premier League life are all dissected with humor, honesty, and deep understanding by three of English football’s best-loved pundits.

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Transcript

[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

Well, that's cool.

[Alan Shearer]

No, you don't understand. It went perfectly.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

That is the problem. Nothing in my life goes as smoothly.

[Gary Lineker]

I'm waiting for the catch. Maybe there's no catch. That's exactly what a catch would want me to think. Wow. You need to relax. I need to knock on wood.

[Michael Richards]

Do we have. What is this table wood?

[Gary Lineker]

I think it's laminate.

[Alan Shearer]

Okay. Yeah, that's good. That's close enough.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

Give no quits shop at a Duluth store near you [e-mail] coming up on today's show. Sort of sums things up a little bit that VAR could decide who wins the league. If I were a West Ham fan, or indeed a Manchester City fan, I think I'd be a little bit angry tonight.

[Alan Shearer]

What if they win the double, the Champions League and the Premier League? What would be remarkable? They've just got to win three more games.

[Michael Richards]

This will be the day that Arsenal look back and think, we did it that day.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't believe the title race is over yet, though, guys. I just think there's another twist.

[Michael Richards]

I mean, Bournemouth is incredible, isn't it? There's a real proper chance now that they could be playing in the Champions League. Yet their manager is not going to be the one that is going to manage them in the Champions League if they get there.

[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Sheer, and me, Gary Liner. Another pivotal weekend in the Premier League title race. But before that, big M. You've been Busy today.

[Alan Shearer]

Yes. Spec Savers. Wally. I went down. We had another game. Another win for Big Meeks and the team. Three out of three. I set him a target of 15 points. They've absolutely knocked out the park. They've got 29 points and they're finished in the top four. From the worst team in the whole of the Great Britain. How good is that?

[Michael Richards]

Big Meeks is in for manager of the month or manager of the year.

[Alan Shearer]

The oracle's at it again.

[Gary Lineker]

Worry. I think job offers could start to come in. I do. You know there's one or two clubs. I think there'll definitely be availability.

[Alan Shearer]

I'd miss you guys too much, would I?

[Gary Lineker]

We'd miss you though. You can't be doing that cuz then we'd have to slag you off even

[Alan Shearer]

I imagine that. What about you guys? How's your weekend been?

[Michael Richards]

My weekend's been brilliant. I've been in Belfast. I've been playing the world number one golf course, Royal County Down.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, it's beautiful. How was the weather?

[Michael Richards]

The weather was incredible. Beautiful. One day was a little bit windy but the next was clear. Blue sky, no wind. It was just amazing. What a spot.

[Gary Lineker]

You played all right, didn't you?

[Michael Richards]

Well, the first day I was okay. The second day I had one of the best rounds of my life.

[Gary Lineker]

I could tell that. You could just tell.

[Michael Richards]

The third day. The third day I had one of the worst rounds of my life.

[Gary Lineker]

You decel for that? Yeah, I would, yeah, I would, yeah. Do you see any football or should we get rid of you now?

[Michael Richards]

No, no, I watched. I watched much of the day and I've. I watched the new. I watched all the football today. Yeah, so yeah, yeah, all good.

[Alan Shearer]

You guys, what about you?

[Gary Lineker]

I. I was. I was hosting today. Some of my favorite people.

[Alan Shearer]

Could you name names or.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, yes, yeah, I can name names. My ex wife Danielle Aisha Hart was in line of duty.

[Michael Richards]

Nice.

[Gary Lineker]

Jill who's helping me. I'm doing a big renovation in my kitchen and she's helping me on that. And Lucy Pender is married to former Southampton manager Russell. Yeah, so it was lovely actually. Yeah. Nice bit of company. Very nice couple of glasses of wine and then. Then obviously I kicked them out to watch the football. All in all it was most enjoyable. Let's talk some football. Well after this. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off a quick pre match warm up from Fuse a question on the teams and players who make things count. Which Premier League team scored the most goals via substitutes in 2425 season.

[Alan Shearer]

I'll just go with the top one.

[Gary Lineker]

Brighton, Al Bournemouth. I can tell you now that Alan is wrong. Micah is wrong. Going with Brighton is wrong. The correct answer is Fulham. The closest to getting the number of goals that Fulham scored from the bench wins.

[Michael Richards]

I'm gonna guess 14.

[Gary Lineker]

Micah.

[Alan Shearer]

I'll go 70.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, Alan, 14. You were absolutely just three away because Micah with 17 is spot on.

[Michael Richards]

Spot on.

[Gary Lineker]

You take control of your energy like it's part of your game plan. Sign [e-mail] football using code football all uppercase to save on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football question on the pod Full terms and [e-mail] well, I mean, what a finale to that game between West Ham and Arsenal. Sort of sums things up a little bit that Var could decide who wins the league.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah, that's where we are with it, I guess. Some people will think it was a foul, some won. Some people will think, where on earth is a consistency? Because we see something like that every single week. I do think it was a foul, but I also think the one at Everton last week with Bernardo Silva, when that wasn't given in terms of Holden, clearly the defender. Where was Var for that one? There was the one first game of the season as well, wasn't there? Old Trafford. But yeah, that's where we are with it. Probably. Probably a foul, though, for me.

[Gary Lineker]

Probably a foul. But that's not quite what they are supposed to be, is it? If I were a West Ham fan, or indeed a Manchester City fan, I think I'd be a little bit angry tonight because there was a lot of fouling going on at that corner. There was a lot of grappling by Arsenal players on the West Ham attackers. I know that goalkeepers are protected more than anyone else and it was probably a foul on him, but do you not then look at what happened before where people have been held, which is probably more an obvious foul. But, you know, they. They turned it over. You know, it depends where the bar is at the moment. It must be a low bar at the moment to turn that one over, I would have thought. But yeah, it was probably a foul. He had his arm across him.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, but it depends what camp you're in. If you're Man City's camp, you say it's not a foul. Arsenal, are you saying it's a fast. Simple as that. The wider point that you raised because Var is, I don't want to use the word, ruining our game because ultimately the correct decision you know, to follow certainly when the title's on the line, like so.

[Gary Lineker]

Do you think they were perhaps influenced by the gravitas of the situation, the importance, the significance of it all? Do you think that, I mean, it took a long time.

[Michael Richards]

We're having this, all this discussion all the time is that they take far too long. And I know it's a hugely important decision, but so as every decision, every, every fan will give you a screenshot of a similar incident that's happened to them this season and probably didn't get the foul, so. And that's where the anger comes from. Having said that, you have to praise Arsenal, by the way, because you can tell they're under huge, huge pressure. I thought they started the game really well, the substit, clearly. I mean, the strength of the subs that they were able to bring on was a huge help for them. Trossard finishes off, but Odegaard the piece of skill. But to bring someone of that quality on is brilliant and ultimately that's helped them win the game as well as an unbelievable save again.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. What a goalkeeper he is. What a goalkeeper he is. Wow. The first substitution they made, though, it seemed to change things quite a lot after Ben White went off, obviously injured. They'd previously had seven shots in the first 14 minutes. They made 149 passes and 21 passes in the opposition half in the opening 27 minutes, but then recorded 108 passes and just 54 in West Ham's half in the period after Ben White was substituted. And, you know, it was interesting that he put Declan Rice, didn't he, at fullback to cover for a while and then realized he was missing Declan's energy probably in the middle of the park and changed things around at half time. But ultimately all that really matters is that they got the three points and got over the line.

[Alan Shearer]

Does he need criticism for putting Declan Rice right back, or does he need praise for saying, I made a mistake, let's change it, put Mosquera right back and Rice back into midfield, was all scratching our heads because in the Champions League game, Declan Rice went to sort of a right of the three at the back. I don't know if you guys remember it, but then putting Declan Rice at right back, where he's not going to influence the game. And I know we talk about inverted fullbacks, so Louis Kelly does it a lot, doesn't he? But I just thought it was a strange decision. But then he changed at halftime, so he probably needs a little bit of praise for that. In terms of the Game, though, it wasn't. It wasn't a classic, was it?

[Gary Lineker]

No. Too much tension for both teams. I think for that.

[Alan Shearer]

I just couldn't understand what West Ham were doing. They fought well all the way until they scored the goal, but they was trying to play out from the back. I don't understand why. Get the ball forward as quick as possible. I don't know. Trying to force Arsenal, but Arsenal wasn't going with like some sort of aggressive high press. Yokerez was going. At times he'd play to the left center half and then kick it long. I couldn't understand the tactics that they was trying to deploy, but it was strange. I felt a little bit sorry for West Ham giving all that effort. And then Fernandez going through and it was an unbelievable save by Raya. We know that because he got his foot to it. But surely guys, as forward thinking players just got to take a touch to the right and go to the far corner.

[Gary Lineker]

Surely I thought actually he didn't need the extra touch.

[Michael Richards]

Correct. I was just going to say that.

[Gary Lineker]

Just open yourself up and knock it in the far corner. It was even when he took the extra touch before he'd hit it, I thought, oh, no.

[Michael Richards]

I think that extra touch actually took him closer to the goalkeeper, which gave him more chance of actually getting some part of his body to it. Whereas I think if he takes it early and doesn't take that first touch, he's got more to aim at.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought exactly the same thing.

[Michael Richards]

Just.

[Gary Lineker]

Just before we carry on with this, the Clasico is currently taking place. We're recording this. It's now 13 minutes past 8 and a certain Marcus Rashford has just put Barcelona into the lead.

[Alan Shearer]

Go on, Rashford.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. Goal in a Classica. He might get a hat trick in a classico. Who's done that? I hope he does.

[Alan Shearer]

So we can stop talking about you. Oh, no, no.

[Gary Lineker]

It'll raise it again if he does. People will say, you know, the last English players to do that. Brilliant, Brilliant. Great stuff. Well done, Marcus. Yeah. So I think they just need a point to win the league. It would be the first time actually in history that Barcelona have won the league at a classico. Real Madrid did it once quite a long time ago. So that would be. That would be special.

[Alan Shearer]

Just one of the reports that said, oh, my God, Rashi. So I don't know if it's a worldly too.

[Gary Lineker]

We'll know by the end of this. We'll try. Well, we'll have a look at half. Time. I mean, the result Was obviously the main thing for Arsenal. And the result was the main thing for West Ham as well. You know, they're really in the mire now, aren't they? Especially the fact that, you know, it's pretty certain now Leeds will stay up, which might relax them a little bit, make things slightly easier. Who knows?

[Michael Richards]

Do you know, I was thinking it brought back memories, this game, for. For me, when we were going for the title of Blackburn, we were exactly the same. We're nervy as hell and we. What you probably see is just. He's just gonna see something else.

[Alan Shearer]

It's a free kick that. He's putting the stanch.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, got it here as well. We're gonna have a little look at this.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, my words.

[Michael Richards]

Oh, wow.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a beauty. It's a beauty. Check that out. Everyone on social media or wherever. Beautiful. Yeah, well done. Marcus Rashford. Good news for England as well, because when Rashford's in form, oh, he takes some stopping.

[Michael Richards]

So, yeah, I was saying about. It reminded me of the game when. When we were going for the title. Same with Arsenal. Very nervy, very edgy. And Newcastle absolutely battered us. And it was only. And it was. I think it's one of these games where you think if they go and win the title, that this will be the. Obviously with it, with the decision and everything else that went on in the game. It'll be the game they thought, this is probably when we won it. We did the same. Blackburn, Newcastle. Can you remember you. You might not remember it, Michael, but you might. Gary. When Tim Flowers did that interview afterwards, when he kept the word bottle. Brilliant that night and that. That was the night I thought. And I think this will be the day that Arsenal look back and think, we did it that day.

[Gary Lineker]

It's hard to see them slipping up now. I mean, Burnley at home already relegated, and then Crystal palace away, who will have shortly after that, the Conference League Final, which is obviously rest all the

[Michael Richards]

team, palace, wouldn't they.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, you would. You would have thought so. So it's worked out really well for Arsenal and as we've said in the last few weeks, they're on the verge of something really special and historic for that football club.

[Alan Shearer]

I was just about to say, what if they win the double, the Champions League and the Premier League and a team that on paper, I'm not going to say it's not that great, but we've seen better teams over the years, haven't we? If they could get this done, it would be remarkable. It'd be an unbelievable achievement, and it's in their grasp. What have they got? 3 more games to do it. They've just got to win three more games.

[Michael Richards]

Two league games in a final. Bloody hell. Wow. Incredible.

[Gary Lineker]

Manchester City, too are on the brink of a double, possibly treble if. If Arsenal falter.

[Alan Shearer]

It's not over yet, the League cup.

[Gary Lineker]

And then they've got the FA cup final against Chelsea, where they'll be strong favorites. So, you know, the two between them will sweep up all the trophies. And then Villa and Crystal palace could conceivably win the other two European trophies, and that'll be quite a season for some English clubs.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't believe the title race is over yet, though, guys.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, it's never over till it's over, is it? We've seen that.

[Michael Richards]

You said Man City were going to win every game, so that was rubbish, too.

[Alan Shearer]

I. I just think there's another twist.

[Michael Richards]

Do you?

[Alan Shearer]

I think there's another twist.

[Gary Lineker]

I'm not so sure. I thought that was always going to be the hard one. They've come off the back of a huge night in midweek, which you have to take into account to a degree, playing against a team fighting for their lives who've shown significant improvement in the second half of the season, albeit, you know, the last result was. Was a really poor one. So I think this was always the biggest test. I. I find it hard to imagine that they'll let it slip from here, but it's football and. And the Premier League is hugely competitive, and Arsenal's winning run at the moment is three games, which is the best currently in the Premier League. So it shows you how, you know, competitive it is at present. You know, we sometimes talk about the quality of the football when we've seen games like PSG and Bayern Munich, but overall, that intensity and the competitiveness of. Of the Premier League is. Is really strong. I mean, the one thing I would say about Arsenal this season, I think they've had really strong patches and they've had little dips. Everyone's going to do that. But what they do throughout the season, bloody hell. They defend well, as we've already mentioned in, you know, David Raya, yes, he's been absolutely magnificent. Talk of him. Possibly Footballer of the Year now. It's very rare that goalkeeper gets it, but, you know, I think if Arsenal clinch the League, I think it. Who else would there be from them? Declan Rice possibly has been, you know, he's so consistent, runs himself into the ground, is making massive difference in so many games. And outside of that what Bruno possibly.

[Alan Shearer]

He got football writers, didn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he got that. Which. Yeah, so. And I think that was deserved. I think, you know, what he's done, his consistency and the amount, you know, the number of assists he's had this season, contributed a lot. It's quite unusual. A player gets it that's not one of the title at least chasing teams. But so, you know, congratulations to Bruno Fernandes for that. He's been brilliant this season, no question. But I wonder when it comes to the players voting for their own. I wonder what they'll do.

[Alan Shearer]

Who would you choose? Because I would choose David Ray. Without. Without doubt. I think he's been Arsenal's best player.

[Gary Lineker]

I think Gabriel deserves a shout.

[Michael Richards]

Declan Rice for me.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I think I'd go Declan.

[Michael Richards]

I can't.

[Gary Lineker]

I just haven't got it in me to vote for a goalkeeper. I mean, I spent 17 years playing and the bastard's always getting in the.

[Michael Richards]

Tell you what, yo, you do not win the Premier League without having an outstanding goalkeeper. And he is exactly that.

[Gary Lineker]

He really is, isn't he? I mean, he's all round game. He's good with the ball at his feet. He's. I mean, some of the crosses he came out for. I know he got lucky with the one at the end and he was probably. He probably was fouled, but I thought he was. And that saved. I think that saved on the title for them, really.

[Michael Richards]

I mean, you see Mikel Arteta's reaction on the, on the touchline when, when he saved it, it was like, oh, my goodness me. It was. It was a huge moment. Huge moment.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Can I address Arteta's attire? He always seems. He wears those gray trousers and black top every game. What do you think? Micah is our fashion consultant.

[Alan Shearer]

I think he looks smart. He's a handsome looking chap, isn't he? His hair is always in place. Has he got a bit of dye on there though, or is that just know. I don't know.

[Gary Lineker]

It looks like he's surely not. I don't think so.

[Alan Shearer]

He's like jet black. It looks fantastic. He's got his gray pants, his nice top, his shoes on. Yeah, he certainly looks apart. It looks a business.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he looked happy when that, that goal went in from. From trust. So that was a huge moment you were predicting on the chat all along and I actually agreed with you. You went one nil. It's going to be one nil. Arsenal. It's definitely going to be one. And you even named the minute. But you Were what, five minutes out?

[Michael Richards]

Five minutes out. Yeah. Yeah. I just. You got to give them huge credit, Arsenal, because I know how they feel and I know the pressure and the stress they're under and all of those things. So for them to, to find a way and you're going to have sticky points in the season and Arsenal have had, had. They've been in some difficult situations and one of those again was today. But they've, they've got through it, they've got the, the points and they deserve great credit for that. And it's, it's, it's. Oh, I mean, can you imagine they're feeling now that how the relief and everything else that goes with it, knowing that they've got two games, two games to win that titles.

[Gary Lineker]

You've been in this exact position, Alan. What's the way to approach it?

[Michael Richards]

You try and sound as calm as possible, but I mean, that's very, very difficult because it's. I don't care who or what you are, you're going to have feelings, you're going to have emotions, you're going to have all of those things. And because these players have never been there in terms of, never won it and the pressure is on them hugely to go and win it, to finally get over the line. So. And they're only human, so there will be. They will. They are nervous and edgy and I get it and they understand it, but I do think the situation they're in now, and I said it, I think last weekend and last week was huge for them and I thought, thought even before, Even after what, five or 10 minutes, I thought that we'd have passed it, they would have moved it with, with pace and all of that, I thought, aye, this, this could be pretty easier than I thought, but obviously it wasn't. But I just think with the confidence that they'll have now and they will have it after, after the last seven or eight days that they've had that they'll, they'll go on and they'll beat Burnley and they'll beat Crystal palace.

[Gary Lineker]

Forty years ago I was in a similar position with Everton. We had three games to go. We needed to win them all to win the title from Liverpool and we had a few injuries, but we played away at Oxford and we arrived at the ground. Some people know this story, but we arrived at the ground and they unpacked the skip and they'd forgotten to put my boots in. So I had to, I had to borrow power and there were size too big and I think I hit the post. I had a couple of near misses and I didn't have my boots, Micah. And we lost one nil.

[Alan Shearer]

Seriously?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. We won the last two games and I scored five. But in that game I didn't have boots. And they were my lucky boots. They went on to the World cup and I won a golden boot. I've done well in this episode. I've got the hat trick in again in the camp. Now.

[Michael Richards]

You. But can you believe they forgot your boots?

[Gary Lineker]

It's unbelievable, isn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

But what do you mean they forgot the boots? Like, how do you. How did I forget your boobs?

[Gary Lineker]

But they carry. In those days, you don't really add one pair. And they put them all in a skip and carried them to the ground and they just, they. They weren't in there.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, my God. What did you say to the kitman at the time?

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I'm too nice.

[Alan Shearer]

Because if you're superstitious, that is a big thing, that, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

Definitely, yeah. If I wasn't superstitious before, I was. Well, after the game.

[Michael Richards]

Can you imagine Arsenal going to a game next weekend? The kit man forgetting to pack Bukaya Sako's boots.

[Gary Lineker]

Beggars belief. The game's moved on a little bit. I think the game's moved on a little bit nowadays. They all have their kit laid out, don't they? All this pair of different boots on the bottom. It's all very. It's all. All very different.

[Alan Shearer]

So what was it? What was the feeling going into the game, though, guys, it's 40 years ago.

[Michael Richards]

Yesterday, never mind four years ago.

[Gary Lineker]

What was yesterday?

[Alan Shearer]

What was it? Confident going into the game then?

[Gary Lineker]

Well, always. Yeah, it was just one of those days. We, we, we battered them. They got a breakaway, they scored a goal and we missed. It just wasn't to be. And it was just a nightmare. And then we lost the FA cup final and then we did the open top bus ride together on the day after Liverpool had the double and we had all.

[Alan Shearer]

That was the worst.

[Gary Lineker]

The worst decision ever. Ever in the history was. But anyway, we digressed. So. So Arsenal going into this, well, this spell now, they must be hugely confident.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah, yeah, they have to be. I mean, what, Burnley at home and palace away and palace are going to play a reserve team and that's, that's up to them, by the way, because they've earned that right to do that. It's their football club. They've got an agenda that they need to protect themselves in terms of winning their trophy. So they're entitled to put whatever team out they, they want. So yeah, they have to be super confident now.

[Alan Shearer]

No, but it's not, it's not going to be. Yeah, on paper, yes, but look at the QPR game with Man City. You think that was going to be easy game? It wasn't. You know, I, I just feel so, yeah, they probably will get it done now and they've got to be super confident. Totally agree. But palace sometimes when you, he's going to play second string but players who have got something to prove also. So sometimes they can be the hardest games, you know, we shall see.

[Gary Lineker]

We've got to get over the one. Let's, let's take a little bit, a little break and perhaps talk about the Manchester City perspective on this title race when we come back. This episode is brought to you by Snickers. Right, so Var goes up and whether you're watching with your mates or just watching on your own, it all kicks off, off. You're arguing, fuming, getting way too worked up.

[Michael Richards]

Honestly, it's like watching someone slowly turn into a different person. You're not you when you're hungry. Classic.

[Alan Shearer]

So maybe it's a sign. A sign for Snickers.

[Gary Lineker]

Never a bad call to help you avoid a full on meltdown. I've seen a few in my time.

[Michael Richards]

Remember Tamuri Kit's buyer and you wanted to prove a point to the manager that he should be in the team who scored the goal, whipped his shirt off and threw it into the Gallagher end and started absolutely smashing the advertising. Bought volley in it, didn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Full on volley.

[Michael Richards]

Can you remember? Var might test your patience, but it's a shared frustration everyone laughs about. Remember, it's a sign for Snickers.

[Alan Shearer]

Just remember everyone loses it sometimes. That's football.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, you're not you when you're hungry. It's a sign for Snickers. Visit snickers.co.uk to learn more. Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Sheeran, me, Gary Lineker. Can you imagine what Manchester City players and Pep Guardiola were going through watching, watching that, particularly that crazy finale. They'd have been all, and I absolutely guarantee you, jumping around their room and then suddenly they'll be demoralized. I mean that was, that must have been tough for them.

[Alan Shearer]

Did you see Pep at a press conference?

[Gary Lineker]

Come on, you Irons. I quite like that.

[Michael Richards]

That was.

[Alan Shearer]

That. I thought that was, was outstanding. Yeah, obviously they'll be devastated, won't they? Because they, they know they're going into the Game against Palace on Wednesday and they would have been going into that game full of confidence. However, they've only got themselves to blame against Everton, they didn't turn up. They might have thought that point in the end was a good point, but just concede free against Everton. It's not, it's not good enough.

[Gary Lineker]

Having said that, Mike, having said that, they did come from three, one behind and if they, if that game would have finished in a draw today, that would have like you'd have gone, wow, that comeback is.

[Alan Shearer]

But what have we talked about all season, guys? We've talked about Arsenal opening the door for Man City, aren't they? They should never give him that chance or opportunity. And now Man City, it's in their hands essentially. Goal difference and goal scored came into it at the time. But they go and draw against Everton and from their point of view, they've only got themselves to blame. Working all working so hard to get to that point. And then you go to Everton and there was one nil up. It's not as though there was one nil up at the time. Manage the game. We've talked about Man City so many times, they control it. You know, they'll pass you to death the starve you of the ball and then one moment of madness back into the game and then, yes, to get the draw in the end. But they, they've only got themselves to blame now they can blame the decision.

[Gary Lineker]

If there is a difference between the two sides and there's not a lot of difference because points tell you that it's probably the Arsenal harder to score against.

[Alan Shearer]

Yep.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Michael Richards]

Defensively, I think, yeah, I think they're slightly better defensively. There's not many better than Arsenal with. With the way they defend those two center also brilliant. I know G came in, made a big difference, as has Semenya, their signings in January. But Arsenal are better defensively.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I don't like Man City's high line. I don't like it at all. When Kusunov plays, it's fine because he's absolutely rapid. Gehe and Aki are fast enough, but not fast enough to play that high of a line all the time. And we always know why we do it. I've spoke many times on the podcast about starving the opposition and winning the ball back high and all that sort of stuff. And that's why they do it. Sort of trying to pressurise in certain areas of the field, but you just leave yourself too open, too open at the back. And they could have been punished. But they got away with it yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

In the end they ran out comfortable winners. Doku's found a bit of form.

[Michael Richards]

Great finish again, wasn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Three is curled in.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

In the last two games.

[Michael Richards]

Definitely found his form, but not sure it's going to be enough.

[Alan Shearer]

I think his end production look is getting a lot better now, isn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

He's got to keep that consistently. Yeah, he's got a period of time

[Alan Shearer]

but definitely improve confidence though, doesn't it? I think he knows that's his position. I think he was fighting for his place at the start, but now he knows, okay, this is my position. I'm. I know exactly what I need to do. And he can see his confidence building as well.

[Gary Lineker]

Another goal for Erling haaland. That's, that's 26 goals. Not bad, is it? He's four ahead now of Thiago. He's going to win another golden boot. Yeah, he's going to beat all the records if he stays at City, that's for sure. He's going to win a lot of golden boots and he might even chase you down now.

[Michael Richards]

I agree. Yeah. I think that's the big question is, is that at the end what you said, if he stays at City? I know he signed a long deal but he will, I think he will. He'll continue to smash every record if he continues. And stays there. And stays there.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Eight assists as well now this season. He got another one yesterday, didn't he? So. So is he the all round center forward these days?

[Alan Shearer]

I wouldn't say. Yeah. I still think there's certain parts of his game that he can improve. Even just his one touch sets, you know. So sometimes I feel like he's fighting with the defender all the time, but you don't need to. He could set it off and spin but he took his assist really well for Mamush in the game and I think he can do that a lot more. But the game's not that stretch. When Man City play, everyone's always played a low block but in terms of that he's definitely improving his all round game. Still think he's got a bit, a bit to go though.

[Michael Richards]

I do think also they're starting to put balls in earlier for him and I've done have done for a bit now and when that happens he's a much better center forward.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Surprise, surprise Al.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah, it's not rocket science.

[Gary Lineker]

Not really, no. I don't know how you were with wingers but if, if they weren't getting it in, though. Correct. They would make sure they get on the receiving end.

[Michael Richards]

Correct, yeah, exactly.

[Gary Lineker]

Elsewhere. Elsewhere. I suppose the other thing to look at, you know, the big game, obviously Tottenham, Leeds in the relegation fight. So. But perhaps European spots. Brighton and Bournemouth both going really well. Brentford as well this season, although obviously they lost their. Their game in the end. So, I mean, Bournemouth is incredible, isn't it?

[Michael Richards]

I mean, it's. Do you know what it's. It's thinking if. And there's a. There's a real proper chance now that they could be playing in the Champions League. I mean, even just saying Bournemouth Champions League and that yet their manager is not going to be the one that is going to manage them in the Champions League if they get there. It just seems crazy because to have their best season and then get to Champions League and for him not to do it just seems crazy. But they're unbelievable. They're. What a season they're having. Really, really good team, very well coached.

[Gary Lineker]

Obviously they're very good at finding players in recruitment sense. Young players as well. Only Liverpool in 94, 95 and Liverpool in two other years as well. 97, 98, 98, 99 have scored more goals via teenagers in a Premier League season than Bournemouth this term. They've got 17, which is, you know, speaks. Speaks volumes for the recruitment and the. And the, the bravery and confidence to put youngsters in.

[Alan Shearer]

You really like creepy, don't you, Al?

[Michael Richards]

I do, yeah. I think he's got a huge potential. Yeah. Huge potential.

[Gary Lineker]

Somebody might have a pop at him, take a little punt because obviously, you know, he plays up front, doesn't he? There are not many around that are that promising. So if you can. If you can get one early. So I wouldn't surprise me if they're big offers for him.

[Michael Richards]

Me too. I think he's. He's got. He's got potential to go right to the top.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Another bloody French player as well. My goodness, they produce some talent.

[Alan Shearer]

How did they do it? What are they doing that we're not doing? I don't understand because all the French players seem to be rapid and good technically from a young age. Like, what are we not doing? Is it coaching? We've got some, some really talented youngsters, haven't we? But they seem to have both. How can you have Dembele, Mbappe, Bacola do a. It's not fair that though, is it? It's not fair.

[Gary Lineker]

They're all rapidly say.

[Alan Shearer]

At least I'm not even mentioned. No, but that's. That. That's a Little bit of half. Half. Because he could have been English if he wanted to. You know,

[Gary Lineker]

we let that one slip, but they've got the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League. Sixteen games of any team this season.

[Michael Richards]

Believable, isn't it? Incredible.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, obviously they need Villa to win the final of the Europa League. I think they'll be favorites. Unai Emery, he's. He knows how to win that, that trophy.

[Michael Richards]

Who's the last two games? Who's the last two games? Bournemouth.

[Alan Shearer]

They've got City at their place.

[Gary Lineker]

Bournemouth, yeah, that. I mean, that again, is. You look at the fixtures between City and Arsenal and that is by far, I would say, the toughest.

[Alan Shearer]

And they've got Forest away, haven't they?

[Gary Lineker]

Forest will probably be safe, completely safe by then. Just need a point, don't they? If you're listening to this on Monday, obviously Spurs play tonight. Home to Leeds. Massive game. If they could somehow get three points

[Michael Richards]

out of that big opportunity for them

[Gary Lineker]

before points clear of West Ham, the

[Michael Richards]

relief that spurs would have had as well went off. Arsenal are winning that. That game that. When you would think after what, after how they played last week and getting the points last week, that that would give them the belief and confidence to go again. So it wouldn't surprise me if spurs would win.

[Gary Lineker]

I wonder how the spurs fans were reacting to that game. Because, you know, on the one hand they were. They wanted Arsenal to win, to keep West Ham down.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

And on the other hand, would they want Arsenal to win the League? Would they? Hell. So I don't wonder. I think there'd be a mix, you know, of Tottenham fans thinking, oh, a point, a draw, we'll take a draw. Because City then probably win the League and Arsenal don't. So I just wonder how they would have responded to that at the end of that game there.

[Alan Shearer]

Who've spurs got left to play? Or Leeds, Chelsea and Everton?

[Gary Lineker]

It's not easy that, you know, Nothing's easy, Mike, and not when you're fighting for your life at the bottom of the Premier League. But they're in a lot better position than they were a couple of weeks ago, that's for sure.

[Michael Richards]

Tomorrow's huge for them, isn't it, at home after two victories. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

It's a huge game for them, marching on together. Yeah, it's not going to be easy.

[Gary Lineker]

It's not going to be easy. Before we go, a quick word on. On Rochdale. I know we talked about it a couple of weeks ago when they. They missed out on promotion back to the League, didn't they? With York City in that mad injury time shenanigans really going on at the end of the game. Extraordinary scene. And then today in the, in the playoff, they were 2 nil down against Boreham Wood only to go on and score two goals in the last 10 minutes with an equalizer in the 98th minute. They went on to win on Pens. What about that? Yeah, to go up.

[Michael Richards]

Oh my.

[Gary Lineker]

I'm not sorry with Boran Wood at this difficult time. Boy, oh boy, that must have been brutal for them. But if they'd have missed out again, cool. It would have been grim. But you know.

[Michael Richards]

Yeah, well done.

[Alan Shearer]

Then the character to show losing that and then coming back and then going to the playoffs and then winning like that. That's amazing story that, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

Extraordinary stuff. Great way to end. We'll watch the game tonight and no doubt we'll discuss that at some point. So thank you, Micah. Thank you, Alan. That's it. Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye for me.

[Michael Richards]

Goodbye from.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

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[Gary Lineker]

For information on program outcomes, visit carrington. Edu Sci. Some Follow the Noise. Bloomberg follows the money. Whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion dollar swings, there's a money side to every story. Get the money money side of the story. Subscribe now at bloomberg. Com.