The Rest Is Football – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Arsenal’s Historic Form, Liverpool’s Crisis & Max Dowman Shines Again
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
Release Date: October 31, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah review a dramatic week in the Carabao Cup, discussing everything from Newcastle’s victory over Spurs and Liverpool’s controversial squad rotation to Arsenal’s historic defensive form and the emergence of 15-year-old Max Dowman. Their frank opinions, trademark banter, and unique insights keep the conversation lively throughout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Progress and Squad Rotation
[02:45 - 06:43]
- Alan attended Newcastle’s win over Spurs and praised the team’s depth:
- “Not as much as other teams as did. But I thought yes spurs did all right...Newcastle were the better team, had the better chances.” [03:34]
- Squad rotation: Newcastle and Spurs made several changes but still fielded strong teams, showing their intent to progress.
- Atmosphere: The crowd was energetic, and Alan highlighted how much the fans and players want success in the competition.
- Player Praise:
- Micah pushes for credit for Alexander Isak (Alpha Volta Mada), to which Alan responds:
- “He’s done really well. He’s definitely not a number nine but...another really good header last night...he’s had a brilliant start to his career at Newcastle really has.” [04:43-05:23]
- Micah pushes for credit for Alexander Isak (Alpha Volta Mada), to which Alan responds:
- Newcastle’s Turnaround:
- Alan acknowledges an upturn in form after a rocky start:
- “I think it’s starting to come together after a bit of a tough start and a bit of a tough pre-season...there are signs it’s just starting to happen for Newcastle now.” [05:33]
- Alan acknowledges an upturn in form after a rocky start:
- Upcoming Fixtures: Next up are important league and European matches.
2. Liverpool’s Rotational Gamble: Crisis or Caution?
[06:43 - 14:01]
- Liverpool rested a large number of key players and lost to Crystal Palace.
- Gary’s Critique:
- “I wouldn’t say thrown the game but...the games coming up, obviously they’ve got Villa at the weekend and then they’ve got Real Madrid and I think that’s taken priority.” [06:43]
- Micah’s Perspective:
- “I actually think it was the right decision...the fact that the League Cup compared to the Premier League and the Champions League, it’s not as big if we’re all being honest.” [07:38]
- Alan’s Concern:
- “I think it’s a massive gamble and you’ll only find out it’s the right decision if they win on Saturday night against Villa.” [09:16]
- If they lose to Villa and Real Madrid, “then it’s been a shocking decision because he’s left them out.” [12:00]
- Injuries Influencing Selection: Micah points to mounting injuries and fixture congestion.
- Stat Watch:
- Gary: “Liverpool ... have lost six games since September 27th – more than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues.” [10:59]
- Sympathy or Not?: Alan has little sympathy considering Liverpool’s summer spending:
- “He’s not going to get any sympathy after spending...£450 million in the summer, is he?” [12:59]
- Crystal Palace’s Credit:
- Alan: “We can’t make this all about Liverpool...have to also see how great Crystal Palace were and what a job he’s doing there.” [13:00]
3. Crystal Palace’s Performance and Jeremy Pino
[14:00 – 15:07]
- Skillful Play:
- Alan describes Palace’s goals: “What about two good finishes?...the way they passed it through and the ability and skill and then to finish it off. Brilliant. Some talented players in that team.” [14:19]
- Jeremy Pino Praised:
- Micah: “Since he’s come in...he’s really good on the ball, can see a pass, find space.” [14:37]
4. Multi-View, VAR, and an Unusual Corner Kick
[03:10 & 15:32 – 16:36]
- Technological Advances:
- Micah enjoyed the new multi-view feature for watching multiple matches.
- Jed Spence Incident:
- Alan describes a corner kick scored while Spurs’ Spence was still tying his boots:
- “Newcastle took the corner and scored from the corner, and all the Spurs fans were going mad.” [15:53]
- Gary: “I think you’ve got to get on with it ... get your position first.” [16:28]
- Alan describes a corner kick scored while Spurs’ Spence was still tying his boots:
5. Manchester City’s Squad Depth and Bounce Back
[16:46 – 18:16]
- City Goes Behind Early but Recovers:
- Gary: “Manchester City went a goal behind...but they came back as you expected.”
- Micah describes City’s response, highlighting individual performances (Mamush, Ryan Cherki, Doku).
- Swansea’s Star Goal:
- Micah: “The Swansea goal bent it right into the top corner...it was really good.” [17:48]
- City “Not Firing on All Cylinders”:
- Consistent with their season, but squad depth keeps them competitive.
6. Arsenal’s Historic Form and Max Dowman’s Emergence
[19:56 – 26:29]
- Historic Record:
- Gary: “Arsenal became the first English side in top flight history to win six games in a month without conceding a goal. Top flight history. I’m so, I’m shocked at that.” [20:53]
- Squad Depth:
- Micah cites the changed but strong defense: “That is a second choice back four. It’s ridiculous.” [21:03]
- Set Piece “Narrative”:
- Micah rails against fans/media branding Arsenal “Set Piece FC”:
- “Can we get rid of this narrative of set piece fc?...I’m like what’s that got to do with anything?” [21:53]
- Micah rails against fans/media branding Arsenal “Set Piece FC”:
- Max Dowman Reaction:
- Gary: “Max Downman, I mean he had the most dribbles, completed the most fouls, won and the most jewels won at 15 years old.” [22:04]
- Alan: “It’s incredible to go out and play on that stage...he belongs there. It’s mad.” [22:28]
- Humorous banter: “What was you guys doing at 15?”
- Gary: “Me, I hadn’t reached puberty. I used to hide in the showers, man.” [22:38]
- Arteta’s Quote:
- Gary reads Arteta’s glowing praise:
- “Max Dauman is a gem. If I’m not going to play him, that means I’m blind. When you look at Max Downman in training, you have to play him if you are not blind...he’s just different.” [23:16]
- Gary reads Arteta’s glowing praise:
- High Expectations, Caution Advised:
- Alan: “You can’t not talk about him, Gaz.” [24:11]
- Handling Young Talent:
- Micah’s concern: “To keep developing, he needs to play. That would be my only worry.” [25:54]
7. Chelsea’s Wild Win, Wolves’ Plight, and Coaching Challenges
[26:29 – 29:51]
- Chelsea vs. Wolves:
- Alan on Wolves’ play:
- “I’m thinking, you’re 2 nil down, you’re playing out from the back and you’re getting caught on the ball and it’s like, what are you doing?” [26:48]
- Chelsea’s Gittens scores a beauty: “How good was that, eh?”
- Alan on Wolves’ play:
- Wolves’ Managerial Situation:
- Gary: “He did a really, really good job and then...they sell their best two players...what do they actually expect?”
- Both Micah and Alan express sympathy for Wolves’ coach, Pereira, hindered by lack of resources.
8. Quarterfinal Draw Reactions
[30:09 – 31:51]
- Alan: “So what a few days it’s been for Brentford by the way...looking promising there. Tough quarter final draw for them though.”
- Draw:
- Newcastle host Fulham, Man City face Brentford, Arsenal vs. Palace, Cardiff vs. Chelsea.
- Who Wins?:
- Micah: “In a one-off game, I think Man City could beat anyone.” [31:45]
- Alan and Gary tease Micah about his affections for Newcastle, Arsenal, and Man City.
9. Fantasy Football Shenanigans
[31:51 – 34:43]
- Prize Controversy:
- Gary: New rules will give more people a shot at winning monthly fantasy football prizes.
- AI and Cheating?:
- Micah: “There’s a lot of websites out there using AI technology...it basically predicts the points that you’re gonna get and it suggests transfers. I think to make it fair, everyone...shouldn’t be going on them websites.” [33:19]
- Gary and Alan joke about everyone using these sites:
- Alan: “You haven’t got that address for the website, have you? Please.” [34:34]
- Next month’s prize is a Marcus Rashford signed shirt.
Memorable Quotes & Highlights
- Alan Shearer on young stars:
- “It’s incredible to go out and play on that stage and just look, just look right and just look as if he’s...He belongs there. It’s mad.” — on Max Dowman [22:28]
- Gary Lineker on Arsenal’s defense:
- “Arsenal actually became the first English side in top flight history to win six games in a month without conceding a goal.” [20:53]
- Arteta on Max Dowman (via Gary):
- “Max Dauman is a gem. If I’m not going to play him, that means I’m blind...He’s just different.” [23:16]
- Micah on set piece criticism:
- “Can we get rid of this narrative of set piece fc?...what’s that got to do with anything?” [21:53]
- Banter about puberty:
- “I hadn’t reached puberty. I used to hide in the showers, man.” — Gary [22:38]
- Micah on Fantasy Football “cheating”:
- “All the best players in the world on fantasy football are using some sort of AI tool.” [34:15]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:45 — Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win; Alan’s impressions
- 06:43 — Liverpool’s heavy squad rotation and defeat
- 10:59 — Liverpool’s bad form: “lost six games since Sept 27”
- 12:59 — Alan: “He’s not going to get sympathy after £450M spend”
- 14:19 — Crystal Palace skill and Jeremy Pino
- 15:32 — Spurs’ strange corner incident
- 16:46 — Manchester City’s comeback and squad depth
- 19:56 — Arsenal’s record streak and squad rotation
- 22:04 — Max Dowman performance
- 23:16 — Arteta on Dowman
- 26:29 — Chelsea-Wolves, management struggles
- 30:09 — Carabao Cup draw reactions
- 31:51 — Fantasy Football, AI debate
- 34:43 — Ending, next episode teaser
Final Thoughts
This episode captures everything that’s made The Rest Is Football a favorite for fans: incisive match analysis, inside jokes, strong opinions, and genuine football insight across the Premier League and beyond. From the rise of next-generation talents to debates on the cost of squad rotation and the ethics of AI in fantasy leagues, the conversation blends humor and expertise, making it both informative and entertaining.
End of Episode Summary