Arseblog Arsecast, The Arsenal Podcast

In this episode we discuss Arsenal's first meaningful pre-season friendly, and reflect on the 4-1 win over Girona on Saturday. There's discussion of Max Dowman and how important he might be in the early part of the season, some chat about the goalscorers and in particular Gabriel Jesus and what the future might, or should, hold for him. Then we get the latest on Arsenal's incoming transfer business, with deals for the two Brazilians – Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior – in the spotlight. There's some movement on the first, but the latter remains an intensely complicated situation, without any significant deve...

In this episode I'm joined by Lewis Ambrose to chat about Mikel Arteta's comments about how he wants better individuals as he looks to build the squad ahead of the new season. We chat about what exactly he means, and whether interest in someone like Vinicius Junior will require an evolution on the part of the manager in terms of what he asks of his wingers. We also talk about the potential arrival of Bruno Guimaraes as someone who can add a different dynamic to the dressing room, freshening up the squad and the team as we look to...

In this episode we start with the arrival of Christos Tzolis and some chat about the deal for the Greek international and what he might bring to the team, before we venture into the obvious territory: Arsenal's widely reported interest in Vinicius Junior. We chat about the player himself, the financial challenges we'd need to overcome in order to make it happen with fees and wages etc, and what actively trying to make a move like this says about Arsenal's transfer market ambitions. These are not the kinds of deals we're typically involved in. We also discuss how it...

In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Hunn, co-host of the Stadio podcast, to deal with statements provided by our Patreon members. He has to strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with them, and we deal with topics including William Saliba's back injury, Arsenal's valuation of players in the transfer market, breaking our record for a sale this summer, Noni Madueke's output next season, whether winning the league is harder than retaining the title, Arsene Wenger and Gianni Infantino, Spain's style of play and Mikel Arteta, and lots more.🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your fir...

In this episode James is back in London after his spell in Chicago, and we begin by talking about the World Cup final in which Spain beat Argentina and pretty much everyone outside of Argentina was happy about that. We have some reflections on the tournament as a whole, before we discuss the Morgan Rogers news and his decision to join Chelsea when he was strongly tipped to join Arsenal this summer. We chat about how it played out, whether the price paid is too high, and if we need to be more flexible in a summer market where...

In this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim is joined by women’s football analyst Yash Thakur, who writes for The Cutback, ESPN and Opta Analyst. They discuss Arsenal’s transfer strategy, the early prime age profiles they have targeted, looking at how Arsenal are trying to vary their attack and why four of the five signings so far have come from the Bundesliga. Then there is individual analysis of Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Geraldine Reuteler and Lisa Baum and the qualities they will bring to Arsenal.Yash wrote an excellent profile on Georgia Stanway on T...

In this episode I'm joined by Andrew Allen to chat about Wednesday evening's World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. Despite taking the lead, Thomas Tuchel's side retreated into a defensive shape and ultimately paid the price as Lionel Messi provided two assists. We chat about the England's manager's decisions, a highly fatigued Declan Rice, the lack of Bukayo Saka involvement at any stage, and the prospect of the final between Spain and Argentina. There's some transfer chat as Julian Alvarez interest continues, discussion of William Saliba's back injury which threatens the start of his season, the risible half-time...

In this episode we chat about the Arsenal lads at the World Cup, as England beat Norway after extra-time to set up a semi-final against Argentina. We discuss a sick Declan Rice, an ineffective Noni Madueke, as well as Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka off the bench, not to mention Martin Odegaard. There's focus on the game, the 'cable-gate' incident, Norway's disallowed goal and the impact of Jude Bellingham, and also the other game last night which saw Argentina beat Switzerland, with more focus/conspiracy on refereeing decisions in their games. After the break we answer listener questions about...

In this episode I'm joined by Kaya Kaynak to talk about Arsenal's pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes who has told Newcastle he wants to leave to join the champions. It has all the hallmarks of a protracted saga, so we examine it from all sides, and try and work out what this deal might cost in the context of other central midfield transfers this summer and in recent seasons. There's also discussion of our other CM options, why selling Ethan Nwaneri might be consequence of spending big on other players, William Saliba's reported ongoing back problems and how much that m...

In this episode we chat about World Cup goings on, starting with England's impressive 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca, and Norway's win over Brazil – both games had Arsenal players involved and we chat about Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Then there's a discussion about FIFA's decision, which appears to have come after political interference, to allow former Gunner Folarin Balogun to play for the US against Belgium despite the red card he received in the previous game. Gianni Infantino's ongoing corruption is a stain, and not the only one, on this tournament. We also talk ab...

In this episode I'm joined by Art de Roche to talk about Arsenal at the World Cup, and the ongoing concerns around Declan Rice who looked physically shattered throughout England's 2-1 win over DR Congo. We then chat about how the price of the average midfielder has risen so highly with some high profile, high price deals going through this week, and how that might influence what the club need to do this summer. I also ask if this window needs Arsenal to make a 'statement' signing, such as PSG winger Bradley Barcola, using the pull from being Champions...

In this episode there's some more background to Arsenal's reported interest in Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, as well as a conversation about the player versus the person. He would certainly add quality to the midfield but our chequered past with him as an opponent gives us, as fans, something to think about if a deal does go through. We also chat about Granit Xhaka being linked with Chelsea, and further departures from the medical team which will see that area of our backroom set-up require a significant refresh. As well as that we answer questions about where our priorities...

In this episode I'm joined by Tim Stillman to chat about Arsenal's Brazilians in World Cup action, England's draw with Ghana that featured four of our players, but which raised more questions about Declan Rice's fitness and how we cope with that ahead of next season. We also talk about what Mikel Arteta might have learned from last season, backroom changes – especially in the medical department, the rumoured swap deal involving Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres, players pushing through the pain, Aaron Ramsey moving into management, and lots more.To pre-order the book from Poorly Drawn Ar...

In this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim and Jamie take listener questions from BlueSky on Arsenal’s rebuild and how it is going, the impact for all women’s football of a rapidly inflating market for salaries and transfer fees, why Arsenal and Manchester City doesn’t seem to be a proper rivalry yet, why paths for academy players are shrinking in the WSL, how recruitment and infrastructure has improved over the last five years and revisiting the article from the Athletic last winter about dressing room discord.Get extra bonus content and help suppor...

In this episode we discuss the Premier League fixture list which was released late last week, as that's about the only Arsenal related news there is at the moment. Then attention turns to the World Cup and some of more interesting results, not least small nations like Curacao and Cape Verde producing excellent results against more storied opposition. We also talk about how the ad-breaks are being viewed by fans but unfortunately not enough people with stature in the game are scathing enough about them, the first of a kind red card for Miguel Almiron, before we answer questions...

In this episode I'm joined by Lewis Ambrose to chat about the World Cup and some of the main stories from the last few days. We discuss Cape Verde earning a battling point against Spain, how France's attack sparked into second half action against Senegal, the impact of the big name players in this tournament so far, goals from distance, the Arsenal involvement – particularly for England – with some focus on Declan Rice and how the heavy schedule and minutes played this season could be catching up with him. What will that mean for Mikel Arteta's plans for the early part...

In this episode we chat about a milestone birthday for James, talking on planes, and first impressions of the World Cup – in particular the fact the games are being broken into four quarters by unnecessary 'hydration breaks' which are being used to introduce more advertising slots. Beyond the commercial elements, they also have a material impact on the games, and it's not positive. We then round up the Arsenal involvement in the games so far, and some of the results we've seen, before we answer listener questions about changes the medical staff, transfer stories involving Christos Tzolis and Ayyoub Bo...

In this episode I'm joined by Philippe Auclair to chat about some more end of season Arsenal stuff, reaction to the Champions League final in terms of how both teams are perceived in football style terms but without sufficient context, before we discuss the upcoming World Cup which starts today. There's focus on Gianni Infantino and the way he has made FIFA his own personal fiefdom, building power and influence, but being too cowardly to use it when his own people need it. There are some wider thoughts on the tournament as a whole, a little more Arsenal stuff...

\In this episode we chat about James' ongoing adventures in Chicago, where he's doing a lot of stuff on his own but often surrounded by lots of people. We chat about Kai Havertz scoring for Germany, and other Arsenal related World Cup stuff, transfer stories involving two young players, as well as discussing stories linking Riccardo Calafiori to Real Madrid. In part 2 we answer listener questions about the summer transfer window with names like Morgan Rogers and Sandro Tonali mentioned, Ethan Nwaneri, changing the attacking emphasis ahead of next season, our 'Presidential' promises to win over Arsenal fans, and...

In this episode I'm joined by Laura Kirk-Francis and Andrew Allen to continue the enjoyment of Arsenal winning the league, the celebrations that engendered all around the world and at the parade last Sunday. We chat about the need to keep celebrating after so many people told us we shouldn't, Mikel Arteta and how this title win might impact him (if at all), what it means for the players to see the extent of the fanbase, before we revisit some of our pre-season podcast conversation with Laura and Andrew about things we'd have to contend with this season, the...