Arseblog - The Arsecasts, Arsenal Podcasts

It's been a quiet week but we still have some aural pleasure for you as we – with the help of your questions – chat about the Arsenal legends and their game against Real Madrid, strange shirt names, a truncated transfer window, Alex Iwobi's future under Unai Emery, Joel Campbell, Michael Bolton's hair and its relevance to James, an odd name on the back of a shirt, we try and figure out what Ivan Gazidis's pudding tastes like, and much more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's show is a call-in show, recorded last night. I answered calls at random and spoke to Arsenal fans about all kinds of things, including hopes and expectations under Unai Emery, our transfer plans for this summer, the future of Aaron Ramsey, what kind of leeway the new manager will get, social media, the World Cup, the issue of the captaincy, and lots more. Thanks to everyone who called in, and apologies if you tried and I couldn't get to your call.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show we reflect on the week since the announcement of Unai Emery taking over as head coach, with some thoughts about hopes about what the Spaniard is going to do and how he's going to do it. We discuss the strong links to experienced defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner, and what those arrivals might say about our approach and the rest of the transfer business we need to do this summer. We answer questions about the Sven Mislintat impact, the other signings we might make as well as our traditional predictions about how we'll spend between now and the end of the transfer window, which players might improve under Emery and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Arsenal appointed a new head coach, Unai Emery, on Wednesday. The Spaniard's name was barely mentioned, but he's going to be the man tasked with bringing Premier League competitiveness back to the club, building on what Arsene Wenger left behind and hopefully adding to the trophy cabinet along the way. With me to discuss the last few weeks, the processes, the decision making and impressions of Emery's first press conference is David Ornstein, followed editor of Football Espana, Colin Millar, who talks about his management/coaching style, his successes and failures and much more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

So this episode was recorded live at Union Chapel last night, and during the first half of the show we discussed lots of things but also the future on the assumption that Mikel Arteta was about to be made manager of the club. At the break we were informed of David Ornstein's Tweet about the change in the situation as we now look set to appoint Unai Emery. You can hear the reaction of the room, the change in direction in the second half as we go down that particular road, there are listener questions, some Arsene Wenger departure chat and lots more besides.Thanks to Amy and Philippe for joining us and to all the guests who came along on what was a lovely London evening.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's show we have a round-table discussion about the final game of the season and the season as a whole, including Arsene Wenger's departure and where we go from here. Mikel Arteta's name is being strongly linked with the job so we discuss his suitability for the job, the pros and cons of a manager who has never managed, the influence of the new football executive structure at the club and how the IRS have a big responsibility to take us forward, the mix of trepidation, curiousity and excitement is interesting.Joining me to chat about all that are @eastlower, @LGAmbrose and @Poznaninmypants.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Arsene Wenger took charge of his final game as Arsenal manager yesterday, a 1-0 win over Huddersfield which is discussed briefly, but the main chat is about the occasion, and the fact that the manager is no longer going to be in charge. We talk about his legacy, the season in general and where we've ended up (we even leave sentiment out of it for a little while). Then we answer some of the many questions about the pros and cons of Mikel Arteta as the potential replacement, some of the moments of the season, the role of the board in selecting the new man, a few nice memories to finish off with, and loads more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is a bit of a strange one: the last ever Arsecast with Arsene Wenger as manager. He's been a constant throughout the lifetime of this show, so I chat with James from Gunnerblog about that, this long goodbye we've had with him, some typically wonderful press conference stuff from the boss, and what comes next. Then I chat with writer Tom Williams about his excellent new book 'Do you speak football?'. This is a glossary of football words and terminology from around the world. How many different ways can you say nutmeg? Why is a clean sheet unique to English? And what on earth is a BATTLE PIG? Find out more in the show. There's also a final farewell to a long time Arsecast character, not so regular anymore, but he pops in at the end to say his goodbyes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James is away this week, so I called over to Tayo Popoola's house to record this week's show. Over pastries and prosecco, we discuss the emotional day yesterday which saw Arsene Wenger take charge of the team for the final time at home. We chat about the day itself, the manager's legacy, what a beautiful occasion it was marked with a 5-0 win and an outpouring of goodwill and sentiment towards the boss. We then answer some listener questions about Wenger, possible replacements, the board and lots more (and there's some laughing at Stoke too!).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano means there's no fairy tale ending for Arsene Wenger, nor any silverware for Arsenal this season. Diego Costa's goal was enough to see Atletico Madrid through, and in this somewhat hastily arranged podcast I chat to Charles Watts of Football London about the loss, the performance over the two legs, how the Gunners blew a great opportunity in the first leg, what it says about the manager, where it leaves us for the final few games, summer transfers, Koscielny's heartbreak, and more, as well as some of the usual waffle as I look back on my trip to Madrid for the game.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Defeat to Manchester United but a day from which we can draw some positives, not least the performances of some of the young players sent out at Old Trafford. We chat about the Konstantinos Mavropanos debut, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers, the overall context of the game and ask questions about the 'Granit Xhaka narrative' peddled by Sky. Then we answer listener questions about Thursday's semi-final second leg in Madrid, what kind of a manager we might appoint with the transfer budget we have, how we might spend that reported £50m if we had to splash it on just one player, what's happened Rob Holding, Sven Mislintat's influence and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was so close to being a great European night, but a late defensive slip-up allowed 10 man Atletico Madrid to grab an equaliser. James and I chat about the impact that goal might have on the tie, how it has turned what was generally a positive night into a more negative one, while acknowledging there were some positives on the night and that it's far from over ahead of the second leg in Madrid next week. We then answer listener questions about our centre-halves, the need for a new goalkeeper next season, how we might approach Sunday's game at Old Trafford and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here's an super extra bonus Arsecast ahead of tomorrow's Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. I chat with Spanish based journalist Dermot Corrigan about what Arsenal can expect from the La Liga side, how they're likely to approach this game, Diego Simeone's tactics for big away fixtures, their dangermen and more, plus some insight into Arsenal's Definitely Not Director of Football, Raul Sanllehi, and his close relationship with former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique who has been hotly tipped as one of the main candidates to succeed Arsene Wenger at the end of the season.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 4-1 win over West Ham was enjoyable, but not the main event as we still come to terms with the news that Arsene Wenger will be leaving the club at the end of the season. We chat about the game, the team selection, the performance, the goals and all that, but this is an episode that deals heavily with the manager. We chat about his very interesting post-game press conference, his remarks about the values of the club, fans, what his future might hold, and then there are questions about potential replacements, what happens to the coaching staff, that famous book he might write, as well as picking our favourite Arsene Wenger XI and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two podcasts in one day, but this is no ordinary day. Earlier, Arsene Wenger announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, and it's been an emotional rollercoaster since. First, I talk to James from Gunnerblog about his reaction to it, as well as his thoughts on the strange Ivan Gazidis press conference that took place this evening. Then, in a round table discussion, I chat about the whole situation with Andrew Allen, Goonerholic and The Man from East Lower - from the announcement, the timing of it, what it means for the club, where we might go from here, and a trip down Arsene Wenger's memory lane for some good times and bad, but mostly good.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a slow Arsenal news week, this episode begins with Daniel Storey of Football 365, and we look back on the Premier League season as a whole after Man City have been crowned champions. We chat about the quality in the league this season, safe-standing, as well as Arsene Wenger, his future and how the Europa League looms over what remains of this campaign. Then Tim Stillman joins me to discuss the manager's comments about attendances which he says are no big concern (Arsene, not Tim), the reasons for fans staying away, ticketing, extra club level seats, and more, plus there's some of the usual waffle too.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show we look back at the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle which simply adds to our abysmal away record, chat about our defending, or lack of it, more mistakes by Shkodran Mustafi who is enduring a terrible time at the moment, the deployment of Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang as a winger, and how the loss was not any kind of a surprise at all. We then answer questions about Rafa Benitez as a possible Wenger replacement, the importance of the Europa League, which players have made progress this season, similarities to the end of the George Graham era, and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show I chat to ESPN's Arsenal correspondent Mattias Karen about Arsenal's 2-2 draw against CSKA Moscow which helped ensure qualification for the semi-finals of the Europa League. We chat about the Gunners making life difficult for themselves, but also an ability to respond to those situations. As Mohamed Elneny shines, Jack Wilshere struggles; Danny Welbeck has found some form, and we discuss the balancing act Arsene Wenger has now that Europe has become this season's number one priority. There's a bit of the usual waffle too.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's another goodly morning as we discuss the 3-2 win over Southampton yesterday, the contributions of both Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi who had very positive days, the 'defending' of Shkodran Mustafi after another terrible error, Jack Wilshere's cameo, and the red card for Mohamed Elneny. We then answer listener questions about Welbeck's future at the club, the most frustrating Arsenal sendings off of all time – which takes us down a nostalgic road for a bit, our turnaround in form, which TV character we'd like to see take over from Arsene Wenger and lots more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this extra Arsecast Extra we discuss the very enjoyable 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Europa League, in particular the incredible goal scored by Aaron Ramsey. It wasn't improvisation, it was engineering, and we chat about that, his combinations with Mesut Ozil, a much for Arsenal-esque attacking performance the position it puts us in ahead of the second leg. Then we answer questions about Granit Xhaka, Ramsey's contract and the hopes of him signing a new one, Cech v Ospina in the Europa League, potential semi-final opposition, and more – all to a background of a visit by a chimney sweep.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.