Liverpool’s Crucial Win, Chelsea’s Youngsters Shine & Arsenal Thump Atlético Madrid

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football

Episode: Liverpool’s Crucial Win, Chelsea’s Youngsters Shine & Arsenal Thump Atlético Madrid
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Overview

In this lively episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah dive into a big midweek of European football. They cover Liverpool's comeback win (and the striker debate for Slot), assess Chelsea's young surging side, marvel at Arsenal’s thumping of Atlético Madrid, run through standout performances across the continent (including Kane, Bellingham, and Fermin Lopez), and debate management dilemmas, tactical trends, and the youth explosion at Barcelona. The trio delivers strong opinions, trademark banter, and expert insight, making this a must-listen for football fans.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Tribute to Stuart Pearce

• The episode opens with heartfelt condolences to Stuart Pearce, who tragically lost his son.
  • Gary Lineker: “Absolutely dreadful news. We all knew Stuart, we all know Stuart. And I don't know how you deal with something like that.” (01:40)
  • Alan Shearer: “Just sending love and prayers and everything else. Just you and the family. This must be horrific time they're going through.” (02:07)

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2. Liverpool’s Vital Comeback Win at Frankfurt

• No Salah, New System: Liverpool came from behind, fielding Ekitike and Vertz, with Isak starting before a groin injury.
• Ekitike Impresses: The panel agree the new signing has been a revelation—speed, work-rate, and a calmness in front of goal.
• Squad Selection Dilemma: Injury to Isak offers a natural slot for Salah’s return but raises long-term questions about striker rotation.

Notable Quotes:

• Micah Richards: “Ekitike, he's the one for Liverpool who the fans can rely on. He works his socks off and when he gets a chance he takes his chance.” (04:37)
• Alan Shearer: “Best performance of the season, wasn’t it, for Liverpool.” (05:12)
• Gary Lineker: “Of all the signings this summer… Ekitike hit the ground running from day one.” (05:40)

Key Segment: Liverpool’s forward line debate

• Gary Lineker: “You go back to Ferguson… always liked four strikers, and you have to fight for places. Ultimately that’s down to the strength of Arne Slot and what he thinks is right.” (10:18)

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3. Chelsea’s Young Stars & Balance

• Easy Win Boosted by Red Card: Chelsea cruise with five goals; their youngsters impress.
• Positional Analysis: Debate over whether Chelsea lack a killer number nine, even as midfielders like Enzo and Caicedo shine.

Notable Quotes:

• Micah Richards: “I love the balance of the team. I love Caicedo. I love Enzo. Enzo… he’s one of the most… being able to adapt from one position to the other, the way he leads his team, he’s a top midfielder.” (12:15)
• Gary Lineker: “They have to be considered. That’s four wins in a row now. They're on a rich vein of form and they’ve had a lot of injuries.” (13:01)
• Alan Shearer: “Not sure they’ll have enough for the Premier League and Champions League. Might be a bit short defensively.” (13:31)

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4. Spurs Held by Monaco, Vicario’s Heroics

• Goalless Draw: Spurs grind out an away point, rescued by Vicario in goal.
• Missing Creativity: Kulusevski and Madison’s absences noted as a factor.

Quote:

• Gary Lineker: “They’re missing… a little bit of creativity. At the moment they’re doing all right. A solid start to the season.” (14:33)

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5. Across Europe: Kane, Bellingham, Mbappé

• Kane Thrives Deeper: Admiration for Harry Kane’s quarterback-like play at Bayern.
  • Gary Lineker: “He was spreading it around… almost a quarterback… pinging balls all over the pitch. What a versatile footballer.” (15:02)
• Micah’s Poem for Lennart Karl: A comedic and memorable moment as Micah recites a poem for Bayern’s young star. (16:21)
• Jude Bellingham keeps scoring for Madrid; Mbappé misses joining Haaland’s scoring run.

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6. Arsenal’s Rout of Atlético Madrid

• Alan on Co-Comms & Banter: Micah jokes about Alan not saying hello at the stadium.

• Statement Win: Arsenal dismantle Atlético, showcasing defensive solidity and set-piece prowess.

  • Alan Shearer: “Bit of a statement result… they made Atlético Madrid look very average, particularly in the second half.” (20:20)
  • Micah Richards: “Arsenal are the real deal defensively… they nullify threat. They attack and defend as a team.” (20:34)
  • Gary Lineker: “When it comes to defending… it’s hard to think of actually out and out better defender in world football [than Gabriel].” (21:19)
  • Alan Shearer: “The partnership with Saliba is amazing… in both boxes Gabriel is superb.” (22:11)

• Set Pieces “Back in Fashion”: Discussion on the tactical resurgence.

  • Micah Richards: “How set pieces have come back into fashion… it’s become fashionable.” (23:17)
  • Gary Lineker: “The game always goes round… most things have been done.”

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7. Newcastle’s Win over Benfica & Homegrown Talent

• Alan’s split attention: Frustrated covering Arsenal while friends message about Newcastle’s win.
  • Alan Shearer: “Much better performance… changed the midfield, brought Miley in, it worked.” (24:05)
• Gordon & Barnes Shine: Four goals in the competition for Gordon, Barnes praised as “one of our own.”
• Home/Away Form: The panel agree Newcastle need to carry that form into Premier League away games.

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8. Champions League Round-Up: Goals Galore

• Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool as Title Favorites: Micah says City look ready but Haaland is key.

  • Micah Richards: “If Haaland stays in this form, Man City could do it… teams aren’t as frightened, but his form is breathtaking.” (26:00)
  • Gary Lineker: “12 games in a row, 22 goals… equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.” (26:50)

• Goalkeeping Upgrade: Donnarumma’s presence at City highlighted.

  • Micah Richards: “He’s just… a world class goalkeeper.” (27:06)

• High-scoring Matchday: Record number of goals, La Masia generation at Barcelona.

  • Gary Lineker: “Of all Barcelona's starting midfielders… all 22 and under. 17 of the 23-man squad are from La Masia.” (29:54)

• The Rise of Fermin Lopez: Micah's praise for the Barcelona youngster, eager to see him play more.

  • Micah Richards: “Fermin Lopez… what a talent. When we mentioned Barcelona, it’s been Rashford, Pedri, etc. But Fermin Lopez… wow.” (29:12)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• Micah on Ekitike: “He’s the one for Liverpool who the fans can rely on. He works his socks off and when he gets a chance he takes his chance.” (04:37)
• Alan on Liverpool’s win: “Best performance of the season, wasn’t it, for Liverpool.” (05:12)
• Micah on Chelsea: “Enzo has changed his game completely… he leads his team, he’s a top midfielder.” (12:15)
• Gary on Kane: “He was, he was, he was playing almost. He was not quite a 10. He was more like a quarterback.” (15:02)
• Micah's poem for Lennart Karl: “Young Lennart Karl with the poise of a sage, plays well beyond his age…” (16:21)
• Alan on Arsenal-Atletico: “Bit of a statement result that was because they made Atletico Madrid look very average, particularly in the second half.” (20:20)
• Micah on set pieces: “How set pieces have come back in fashion… it's become fashionable.” (23:17)
• Gary on Barcelona youth: “17 of their 23 man squad are from the academy. La Masia. I mean, 17 out of 23, which is incredible, isn’t it?” (29:54)
• Micah on Fermin Lopez: “Fermin Lopez, wow, what a talent he is. I just hope he gets enough games at Barcelona because he’s top.” (29:12)

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Time-stamped Key Segments

• Liverpool’s selection dilemma and Ekitike analysis: 02:52 – 10:18
• Chelsea’s midfield talent and status: 11:17 – 13:45
• Arsenal’s statement against Atletico, set pieces, and defensive talk: 19:39 – 23:33
• Newcastle’s win, youth, and Alan’s mid-comm conflict: 24:05 – 25:43
• Haaland, Man City, Champions League overview: 26:00 – 27:29
• Barcelona’s youth spotlight and Fermin Lopez praise: 29:12 – 29:54

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Tone & Style

Casual, insightful, and highly entertaining—plenty of friendly banter, expert tactical breakdowns, and memorable off-the-cuff moments (including Micah’s poetry and ribbing over stadium encounters). The trio balances sharp analysis with humor, making for an engaging listen accessible to fans at all levels.

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Episode Takeaways

• Liverpool’s comeback is both a relief and a managerial puzzle, with young talent staking a claim in attack.
• Chelsea’s form (and injury adaptation) is earning respect; midfield evolution is pivotal.
• Arsenal are now seen as genuine forces in Europe, especially with their set-piece threat and defensive partnerships.
• Star youngsters (Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon, etc.) are making big impressions across Europe.
• Football’s tactical wheel turns: strength in set pieces is “back in fashion,” and club academies (notably La Masia) are producing again.
• Expertly delivered camaraderie and stories make this another classic Rest Is Football episode.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Gary Lineker]

Hello, and welcome to the Rest is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Of course, it's a Champions League week and we'll discuss the relevant matches very shortly. But firstly, I wanted to send some personal love and support to a former teammate, Stuart Pearce, who tragically lost his son Harley in. In a tractor accident. Absolutely dreadful news. We all knew Stuart, we all know Stuart. And I don't know how you deal with something like that.

[Alan Shearer]

Just sending love and prayers and everything else. Just you and the family. This must be horrific time they're going through.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, agreed. I mean, it was just shock when he saw the news. I didn't think it was real. Seems to be happening more and more. Someone closer to you in recent times. Absolutely devastating for the. For the family and, you know, send the family our condolences.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, absolutely. Stay strong, Stuart, as strong as you possibly can. Let's move on to the football. And Liverpool were trailing early in the game, weren't they, away at Frankfurt? And you thought, well, I mean, surely not five in a row, but they turned things around. A few notable changes to the team. Micah.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, it was there's the big question mark. No Mo Salah of course he sort of played a funny system because before the match Slot basically said he wanted verts a little bit more centrally and then but he had Curtis Jones and Saboslay. So you're thinking these are all number eights or number tensy. How is this gonna work? They're going to be so open. And it proved to be for the first goal of Liverpool was was all over the place. Frimpong gets injured and it's not really got going for him. How was he going to get Isak and E in the. In the game together Actually did all right together. I I thought then Isak comes off at Halim with a groin injury. Gakpo played as well. So there's array of this attacking talent sort of thinking figuring out how was this gonna work. But in the end it actually did work. When they went one nil down. I think it was 72 years since they've lost five games in a row. And I was giving Jamie Carragher a bit of stick because I was on CBS of him and they had a T shirt ready for me if it. If they did lose for 72 years. But that wasn't to be after they conceded. I don't know. Frankfurt are not the best of teams. A lot of their best players have gone now. But then Liverpool found something. I don't know if it was confidence, I don't know if it was just quality of the players that they had. But in the end they showed up and they showed up in a big way. And Ekitike he's the one. He is the one for Liverpool who the fans can rely on. He works his socks off and when he gets a chance he takes his chance. Things I like about him speaking to two strikers here now but the way he took it across the defender I'm thinking you can't. Can't do anything now Defender, you touch him it's a red card. And then has he got the composure to slot it?

No. No pun intended. But I just feel like Liverpool they needed. They needed that. That was a confidence booster for him. And in the end there is by far the. The best team on the night.

[Alan Shearer]

Best performance of the season wasn't it for Liverpool. And obviously a big talking point is Salah not playing. But whether that changes at the weekend or not. Isak there, there's an issue with him, with him going off. Said there was a bit of a tight groin but yeah, I thought the way they responded were brilliant. I mean they had to win the game. They couldn't go another one that they were going to be beaten in another game. But I thought they responded really, really well to going behind and it was a. It was an impressive performance in the end. A big win for them.

[Gary Lineker]

It solves a little dilemma for him, doesn't it? He sat groin injury. You can get Mo Salah back in Ekitike down the center and you write about Ekatike Micah. Of all the signings they've made this summer, obviously a couple of them have been kind of limited in terms of their training because of injuries. Frimpong again and Isak as well because of the nature of the move and the fact he missed preseason. But Ekitika hit the ground running from, from day one.

[Micah Richards]

What do you guys like about him Gus? What? What, what, what do you see?

[Alan Shearer]

Pace to get there. I thought you actually said it really well, Mike. The way he knocked the ball across in front of the defender. So if the defender's even going to get even attempt the tackle, he knows he's going to bring him down, he's going to get a red card. So I thought it was brilliant center forward play and the way he stuck the ball away I thought was great.

[Gary Lineker]

He's got an all round game, hasn't he? As a striker? I mean you can drop deep, you can link up play. As you said, Mikey works really hard. He likes to get behind as well and he's a good finisher and he's good in the air. I mean that's a hell of a combination you've got there to start. No, it is to start with though. And I mean the interesting thing is that. Funny we kind of joked, didn't we over when with theac at the Newcastle thing when EK hit the ground running that we said that, you know, do you actually need to bother with Isaac now? And obviously you need strength in depth and it was in jest but at the moment you would say that. I mean he's. He's not looked the slightest bit concerned about the price tag which was also a big one. It wasn't ESAC levels but it was a big one. And he's. He's just such a good all round game and he's calmness in his finishing. You're quite right to bring that up the way that's the thing you do whenever you go in clear of defenders and you're slightly ahead of them. If you can take it in front of them, it puts them in. In a desperately difficult position. They have to leave you alone. Otherwise they get a red card or they have to make a decision whether they want to take that chance or not.

[Micah Richards]

But.

[Gary Lineker]

So yeah, I think that's a. That's been the 1/ real plus this season. I thought Vert showed it a bit more. He obviously got his assist at last. It's a couple actually, wasn't it? So I think he showed nice touches throughout but he needs to involve himself a bit more, I think in other games. Having said that this was against opposition, that he would be accustomed to German football, but I don't know whether that made any kind of difference. What do you think?

[Alan Shearer]

It also shipped a lot of goals as well, haven't they?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So yeah, if it was going to happen then perhaps last night was it. But yeah, he's. I thought he did well. A couple of assists and that will do his conference the world of good. And that's what he needs, isn't it? I think, I don't think anyone's denying he's a quality player and he will come good. He just needs the belief in the conference, I think.

[Micah Richards]

What does the manager do though, guys? I mean the question, like you said at the start, guys, Isak's got an injury. It helps it out now because he can play ekitike, but. But what? You can't have both of them and then one playing 60 minutes and one coming on for 30 minutes and you're not having a great game. You know what it's like as strikers. You might not touch the ball for 70 minutes or in positions where you want to touch the ball, but you know, you could get a vital chance in a vital moment and score a goal. But if you're not scoring before 67, 70 minutes, you're looking over your shoulder thinking, oh, Akitike become. Is it now a case of does Isak need to think about like at Newcastle playing on that left hand side?

[Gary Lineker]

Well, Gakpo's been playing really well though, hasn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Definitely not his favorite position. I mean I. When I interviewed him last year he said his much preferred position is center forward down the middle. That's where he wants to play. So. And there's no doubt they didn't sign him as a left sided player. They signed him as a center forward.

[Micah Richards]

So I think it's too hard and I remember speaking to Jamie Carragher about this and I sort of disagreed with him at the time. I think the more players you can get with the amount of games, the quality and he said there's going to be a problem and I didn't quite see it because I always thought there's a lot of games people can adapt but to get Salah Vertz, Ekitike at Esac and Gakpo in the start, it's impossible. So the manager's got to. I think it's been highlighted more because I lost four games in a row. They still got the best start, 11 in the Premier League, I believe. But getting them all in at the right times with them being able to play at the level we all expect from them, it's proving quite difficult at the moment.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, that's a test of management and coaching, isn't it? You go back to say I know things were different and used to play with two up top. Maybe they'll switch to four, four, two or thus. Can't see Mo playing on the right of a 4 in MIDF. So I. You go back to say strikes Ferguson at Manchester United. Remember that the. The. The four strike. He always liked four strikers and they. You have to fight for places ultimately and that's down to the strength of Arne Slot, what he thinks is right at the right time. Generally these days there's little knocks and injuries that might help him make his decision as I'm sure that will happen in the weekend coming ahead with Isak getting that groin injury. So. But yeah that's. It's a test of his management. But I can tell you now it's a much better test than it is if you haven't got any good strikers at all. So anyway, a welcome victory for Liverpool. Let's move on. Chelsea had it easy, didn't they? And they were helped by sending off quite early in the game.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, that wasn't a problem for them. They breezed through it, didn't they Chelsea? It was almost a perfect night for them. It was. Didn't stretch themselves too much. Get ready for the weekend. Five goals looked very comfortable and made the most of a team that went down to 10 men. So yeah, it was a good night for them.

[Micah Richards]

Chelsea are a good side, you know.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, yeah.

[Micah Richards]

You know, everyone disrespected at the start of players how they're gonna. The manager was under pressure, all those sort of things. If you actually watch them, what they do. I think they could do with another. Well, I mean they've signed. Who's a striker from.

[Gary Lineker]

They've signed 158 in the last few years.

[Micah Richards]

No, they've signed Dilap. They need the lap back because Pedro and you did the analysis last week, didn't you? Where He's a number 10. He's number 10, isn't he, Pedro? He's not. He's not a number nine. And I just feel that Chelsea, to go to the next level, Denise needs someone who can stick the ball in the back, at net at any time. And then there will be a real threat. I love the balance of the team. I love Caicedo. I love Enzo. And Enzo has changed his game completely. He was a holder, but now he gets forward at every opportunity, takes penalties. He's one of the most. I don't want to say improved because he still bought for £100 million, but in terms of being able to adapt from one position to the other, the way he leads his team, he's a top midfielder, really. Top midfielder.

[Gary Lineker]

And the fella alongside him, Kai Sado, is a. He's. He's. He's a serious talent, isn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Very good. Very, very good. Excellent. There's a lot of money was shelled out to buy him, but he's. Yeah, he's a top player in the midfield.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

You're talking about them as though Chelsea kind of underdogs, but in many ways, if you look at them, they obviously just won the Club World cup, so they have to be considered. I think that's four wins in a row now. They're on a rich vein of form and they've had a lot of injuries as well, particularly at the back. So if they can sort that out, they really are. They could, you know, they could have a great season. I can't see them winning the Premier League quite yet. But can we rule them out, though?

[Alan Shearer]

I'm not sure they'll have enough for the Premier League and all the Champions League. I think they might be a bit short defensively. Yeah, not enough for me. But I didn't think they'd win the Club World cup either when they went into that, so who knows? But I don't think they've got enough.

[Micah Richards]

No, no, not for the Premier League yet. But there could be anyone on their day in the Champions League if fixtures are kind to them.

[Gary Lineker]

Yep. Okay. Monaco again. Spurs. Not much to go at there. It was a goalless draw, I suppose. A decent point away from home for spurs, but they were saved by an absolutely superb performance from Vicario in goal.

[Micah Richards]

Well, I didn't see. I didn't see any of that. I just saw the. The highlights of that game. But I watched the highlights, seen all the views and, yeah, Vicario was supposed to be outstanding, wasn't he? And Spurs. Spurs at the moment. The rope, the down the. I mean if you go to Monaco away it's. It's a good point no matter which way you're looking at. But they're just missing something. I don't know.

[Gary Lineker]

They're missing probably Mike. If you look at it, they've obviously Kulasevsky's been out a long time. A little bit of creativity in there. Madison as well. Obviously he's got a cruciate injury so perhaps your two most creative players are not available for them. So I mean they're doing all right. They're unbeaten in the Champions League. They're sitting about halfway in there. So it's early. It's only three games gone. We know this big league table can. It changes you, you win. So home game coming up next. But I think that it's been a solid start to the season. They're probably about where you would hope to be if you had Thomas Frank. Don't Forget there was 17th in the league last season so. And yes they had a lot of injuries last season and Thomas has come in. So let's see how they go in the weeks ahead. A couple of other notes from Wednesday's game. I mean Harry Kane scored again, didn't he for Bayern. I don't know whether you caught his performance in Der Classica at the weekend where he played as a 10 which he's done a couple of times now with Nicholas Jackson. Boy, oh boy, what performance he put on. I watched that game. I was at home. I mean he was spreading it around. He was, he was, he was playing almost. He was not quite a 10. He was more like a quarterback. He was playing even deeper and he was pinging balls all over the pitch. I mean what a versatile footballer he is. And he was beating people and. And absolutely breathtaking performance.

[Alan Shearer]

I thought you sound surprised he could do that in the 10 rule.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised at all. But if you. That that performance was, was, was amazing. Anyone see that? Lennart car. Old young player. What a finish.

[Alan Shearer]

That was straight, wasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

I wrote a poem for that yesterday when I was doing Champions League.

[Gary Lineker]

Poem. Did you?

[Micah Richards]

Let me see. Cuz we, we have something. It's a sponsor that doesn't sponsor us. I won't mention the sponsor but at half time it's called the something half time. So like it could be a goal or something or whatever. Yeah, we call it the Fuse Energy halftime. Okay, here we go. Young Lennart Karl with the poise of a sage, plays well beyond his age with flair and fire. He lifts Bayern higher. A star lighting up the stage. And I put some else on the. I started lighting up the stage.

He burst on the scene. He's certainly on the right page.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you write this?

[Alan Shearer]

Did he? Hell, are you joking? He's obviously had someone.

[Micah Richards]

I. I wrote. Of course I wrote that. Gas.

[Alan Shearer]

You never did that yourself.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, dear.

[Micah Richards]

So, yes, anyway, Karl's goal. It was fantastic.

[Gary Lineker]

It was a brilliant goal.

[Micah Richards]

Brilliant, brilliant goal. Yes.

[Gary Lineker]

Let's move on to just a brief mention. Jude Bellingham scored the only goal for Real Madrid. He's back playing again and scoring a vital, important goal. And Kylian Mbappe couldn't join Erling Haaland scoring run of 12 games in a row, which we'll talk about when we come back.

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[Gary Lineker]

Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Poet Laureate Micah Richards and Gary Lineker.

Let's talk about Arsenal. A really, really good performance. You were there doing co comms, Alan.

[Micah Richards]

Hold on, hold on.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, go on.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, he was there. He didn't come and say hello at all.

[Gary Lineker]

I seen everyone there as well.

[Micah Richards]

Then I saw all the Amazon team, everyone come to say. And this. Where was you, Alan?

[Alan Shearer]

I saw you. I walked past you whilst you were working. I tried to distract you. And if you had actually looked at me. I was going to put you off and chuck something at you, but you were actually working. You were doing. You actually did. In the middle of an interview. So that's why I just left you alone.

[Micah Richards]

Okay. Okay.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, it wasn't doing one of his poems, was it?

[Alan Shearer]

I thought Arsenal, bit of a statement result. That was because they made Atletico Madrid look very average, particularly in the second half. Once he got that first goal in the second half, then it was just a matter of how many they were going to get. They were brilliant. They were.

[Micah Richards]

Arsenal are the real deal defensively.

[Alan Shearer]

Superb set pieces. Everything about them are brilliant.

[Micah Richards]

Arsenal, if it's all there for them, if they want it, if they want to grasp it, it is all there for them. I'm. I'm telling you now what they did to Atletico, a team, okay, they're not in scintillating form. Athletico. But you know what they do. You know what they do best in the low block. They defend well. But Arsenal made him look average. Alvarez had a few chances. What a player he is, by the way. What a player he is.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

But in terms of what Arsenal do, just nullifying the threat. Always as a team, they defend and attack so, so well.

[Gary Lineker]

Atletico beat Real Madrid, didn't they? 5:2 recently, which was a bit of a turn up for the books, but by and large, they've not been brilliant this season, with the exception of that particular game. The goal, first goal was. Was Gabriel and. And we had a little kind of mini debate on the group chat that we have about how where would Gabriel rate in terms of defenders in the world at the moment, central defenders. And I think he'd have him right up there. Now, he may not be the most silky on the ball compared with one or two other perhaps playmaker type central defenders, but we're a bit old school, particularly Alan and me. But when it comes to actually defending, defending and also threats in both ends. And he's quick as well. I mean, he's. It's. It's hard to think of any actually. Out and out, better defender in world football.

[Alan Shearer]

Not only that, though, guys, the partnership, yeah, with Saliba, partnership is like amazing. They were brilliant with Saliba. They understand each other, they know each other. Yeah, they just work in tandem. But yeah, I agree. Gabrielles in both boxes. Absolutely superb. And a huge strength, as we know as Arsenal is those set pieces. And it's not only just putting the ball in, you're out. It's about getting. Having the hunger and the desire to actually move away because, you know how everyone's holding you and no one wants to let you go. Grabbing your shirt and so to get away from that and then get on the end of that. The cross coming in is brilliant thing going there. Arsenal with a set pieces. They're such a threat.

[Gary Lineker]

I've got a song now for it, haven't they? Set piece.

Did you? I did, yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

I could hear them singing it and I said, I made a little laugh about it and I goes. And then a minute later they got it and I go, here we go. Set piece again. Ole, ole. And that's the score from it.

[Micah Richards]

Brilliant.

[Alan Shearer]

Big, big win. Big statement, I think from Austin.

[Micah Richards]

Don't you think it's good? Before you move on, guys, quickly, how set pieces have come back in fashion. Remember 10, 20 years ago, managers were getting vilified for. For long throws and corners and now it's become fashionable.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, they'll be playing 442 again before, you know, a big lump up front and click ons and all that sort of stuff is the game, it goes around and people talk about new, you know, you get new inventions of tactics. But most, most things have been done. Most things have been done and sometimes if they work and contribute towards a victory, they're worth bringing back. I know you've been chomping at the bit to talk about Newcastle and a really good performance and result against Jose Mourinho's Benfica. Was it frustrating doing your game and not being able to watch it?

[Alan Shearer]

It was, yeah, because I've got my phone there and my phone is flashing up with everything that's going on and all my pals who were there much are sending messages and I'm trying to look at my phone and I can't look at it too much because I've got to concentrate on what's happening. Doing the art, the Arsenal game. So, yeah, it's very frustrating. But John said to me, said some good news. He'll be pleased about this. John Champion, who's brilliant as well, brilliant commentator. He'll be pleased about this, Alan. Newcastle have scored and they're one nil up. So much better performance than it was at the weekend against Brighton. He changed the midfield around it a little bit, left Joel now and Tonali was poorly, I think. So he brought Ramsay in and Miley Lewis. Miley I think it was, which obviously worked. So got some decisions to make for this weekend, but two on the spin, two wins on the spin. And they're sitting. Sitting, I think it's eighth, I think. Is it something like that in the in the league. So, yeah, it's been a good start for Newcastle with a home game coming next as well. I think they.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought they played really well. I mean, Anthony Gordon, that's four goals in the competition so far. He's looking good. And obviously Harvey Barnes, one of our own.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, they just need the trust. Transfer that into league games now as.

[Gary Lineker]

Well and they transform it perhaps more into away performances.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, that's what they need to do. Yeah. I mean, they've got Fulham at the weekend at home, so I would hope they would take that confidence and belief into that game and beat Fulham at St James's but then need to need to continue that in away games in the Premier League as well.

[Gary Lineker]

Talking about long throws, what about the long throw from Nick Pope? I know it's not that kind of long throw.

[Alan Shearer]

Barnes' goal.

[Gary Lineker]

Limely through that. That Miles. Long levers, Micah.

[Micah Richards]

Long levers.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay. Manchester City. Micah. I think Pep's getting it together gradually, isn't he resembling more perhaps the Manchester City performances and teams of not so long ago different from last season. Different feel.

[Micah Richards]

Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool can win the league, but if Haaland stays in this form, Man City could do it because they're not. They're not quite at the level they were put the scoring goals now and teams are not as frightened as they used to be. So they're opening up a little bit more, which is giving Haaland more space. And the form that he's in right now is just breathtaking. Some of the goals and I know I did it last week or match of the day about his movement, but his goal against Villarreal, the way he was just aggressive. He's sort of fighting with him and then just runs to that near post and then looks at him like, I'm in the form of my life. You can't deal with me. Yeah. And if Man City win the league, it'll be because of Harland this season.

[Gary Lineker]

12 games in a row, 22 goals equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's record. It's not bad effort, is it?

[Alan Shearer]

Madness. It's brilliant. Sensational.

[Gary Lineker]

Donna Rubens made a difference as well, I think. I don't know. It's such a presence at the back, isn't he?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, he's just. He's a world class goalkeeper.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, he was always gunner, wasn't he?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I mean, you've watched him al the Champions League at psg. He was outstanding. So to get him for the amount they did. Yeah, it was. He was always going to Be difficult for. For Trafford correctly signed. It was going to be difficult, wasn't it? But Domaruma is truly world class.

[Gary Lineker]

It was actually the second most goals in a Champions League match day ever on Tuesday after the final third league phase last year, which was the previous one. Don't forget that. There's a reason for that. There's way more matches and it's only the second season of this league system, so don't read too much into that. But the league format, I think it's so you don't get cagey first legs like you used to get, you know, or you know, you. I know in the group stage they're not legs but you play home and away and so it's. I just think it's slightly different and I've really enjoyed it. You got a nine goal thriller, didn't you? Leverkusen the PSG game, which was pretty nuts. Two red cards as well. Barcelona stuck six past Olympiacos. Bad week for Marianakis, obviously. The own Olympiacus as well as Nottingham Forest. Hat trick for firm in Lopez and also a mention of friend of the pod, Marcus Rashford. Blimey, he's flying, isn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

What about his second goal?

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, what a clever finish that. The touch.

[Alan Shearer]

The touch and the finish. Yeah, brilliant. The touch with the outside to push it back inside and then the finish with the no out. The look of the eyes, wasn't it? It was. It was a brilliant goal. It was.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

I know you like this phrase, Alan. The. He's got the most goal contributions for bar this season with. With 11, which is. There's some dodgy refereeing in that game though.

[Alan Shearer]

It wasn't there.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean they're sending off second yellow card.

[Micah Richards]

What was that?

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, that was nonsense. I think if that had been a straight red, they var would have overturned that because he. I mean if. If he flicked him, he might have. He might have touched one of his whiskers. It was absolutely absurd.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Furman Lopez though, guys.

Oh my God. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. The. The Spanish youngsters are just different level. Furby Lopez, what a poor. I'll mention him on the podcast many times. But when we mentioned Barcelona, it's been Rashford, it's been Pedri, it's been Raphinha lamin, the dream, etc. Etc. But Fermin Lopez, wow, what a talent he is. I just hope he gets enough games at Barcelona because he's top. Remember when he said he was linked to Chelsea where we had the pod earlier on into the season.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

And there's no chance of him going because you can't let him go. He's too good.

[Gary Lineker]

No, he's too good. Of all of Barcelona's starting midfielders in the Champions league, they're all 22 years old and younger. 7. Listen to this stat. 17 of their 23 man squad are from the academy. La masia. I mean, 17 out of 23, which is incredible, isn't it? It really is. Quite a stat. Good one to finish on. Before we go though, I just want to tell you we have our next fantasy football giveaway October and we'll be announcing the winner next week. Whoever is top of the rest is football Fantasy Football league. At the end of this Premier League game week will receive a signed England shirt from the three of us and some of our guests we've had on join the Euros. The likes of Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand are on there at the moment. We have Brian Alderson who is topped by just two points. Can he stay there and win the shirt? Good luck, Brian. There are people on your tail, including us. Actually, we're a bit further back, but we'll see you on Monday. Goodbye from me.

[Micah Richards]

Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me. Have a great weekend, everyone.