Marc and Richard are back after a chaotic few weeks of fixtures, cup drama, and emotional whiplash, with Arsenal booking their place at Wembley and reasserting control at the top of the league.

This episode is less about individual games and more about how it feels to support this Arsenal side right now: the nerves, the scars, the mistrust of media narratives, and the slow realisation that this team might actually be different.

• Wembley confirmed Arsenal through to the final, despite a bizarre media reaction and some truly unhinged punditry. A long chat on why Chelsea’s “stay in the game” plan made no sense and why only Paul Merson seemed willing to say it out loud.

• PTSD vs reality Why the fear Arsenal fans feel often has more to do with history than what’s happening on the pitch. One opposition shot, no real danger, yet total emotional collapse anyway.

• The goalkeeper dilemma Should Raya play the final, even if Kepa has got Arsenal there? Why sentimentality doesn’t win trophies and why Arteta may be ruthless enough to make the call.

• The Man United wobble Honest reflections on the United defeat, the sense of nervousness in the team, and how close it felt to things slipping away at that moment.

• Arteta’s reset moment The press conference that mattered. “How do we want to live for the next four months?” Why this felt like a genuine line in the sand and not empty rhetoric.

• Ignoring the noise Why fan media now allows players and supporters to live inside a “circle of trust” and shut out clickbait punditry, even if some players probably still listen more than we’d like.

• Leeds away as a statement A proper reaction performance at a hostile ground, early control, and the feeling of a team that has learned how to manage pressure.

• Midfield evolution Zubimendi’s intelligence and aerial timing, Madueke’s best showing, and the quiet value of players taking responsibility after mistakes.

• Gyökeres under the microscope Less flopping, more fight. Signs of adaptation to life in the Premier League, and flashes of the striker Arsenal hope he can become.

• Hincapié, chaos and barnets Why he divides opinion, who he reminds Marc of, and how Arsenal’s left-back options all come with trade-offs.

• Youth, patience and Arteta’s long game A grounded discussion on Miles Lewis-Skelly, expectations, development curves, and why being “in and around” the squad at 19 is already a win.

• Injuries and depth concerns Losing Merino hurts more than expected. What it means for control, rotation, and who now needs to step up.

• Chelsea, Havertz and control Why Havertz matters even when he isn’t scoring, how he changes Arsenal’s ability to relieve pressure, and why his return felt important.

• Title race reality check City aren’t what they were. Pressure matters. Arsenal need to keep stacking wins and forcing everyone else to blink first.

There’s a long way to go, but Arsenal are still standing, still responding, and still in control of their own destiny. Sunderland next. Then the league run-in. Then Wembley.

As ever: cautious optimism, deep-rooted anxiety, and absolutely no help from the pundits.

Summary

In this episode of the Arsenal podcast, hosts Marc and Richard delve into the recent performances of Arsenal, particularly focusing on their matches against Portsmouth and Chelsea. They reflect on the team's strategies, player performances, and the overall atmosphere during these games. The discussion highlights the importance of set pieces in Arsenal's gameplay, with both hosts expressing their satisfaction with the team's ability to capitalize on these opportunities. They also touch on individual player performances, including the impact of new signings and the need for consistency in the squad. The conversation flows into a broader analysis of the current state of the Premier League, the challenges faced by rival teams, and the potential for Arsenal to secure a trophy this season.

Keywords

Arsenal podcast, Premier League, football analysis, set pieces, player performance, Chelsea, Portsmouth, football tactics, Arsenal news, football commentary

Takeaways

'If you've got a weapon, use it.' 'We are uncomfortable being comfortable.' 'It's all about the delivery.' 'You can only play against who you play against.' 'This group of players that haven't done it as a collective gives winning feeling.'

Titles

Arsenal's Tactical Triumphs: Set Pieces and Player Performances Navigating the Premier League: Arsenal's Journey Through Recent Matches

Sound bites

"If you've got a weapon, use it." "We are uncomfortable being comfortable." "This group of players that haven't done it as a collective gives winning feeling."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Match Overview 02:12 Reflecting on the Portsmouth Game 09:33 Analyzing Player Performances 15:02 Chelsea Match Insights 22:17 Goalkeeper Challenges and Set Piece Strategies 32:06 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matches and Trophies

In the wake of a grueling stalemate at the Emirates, Marc and "Anfield 89 Veteran" Richard sit down to dissect a result that leaves Arsenal six points clear at the top, but the fans in a state of "abject terror."

From fluctuating heart rates on new smartwatches to the growing concerns over Victor Gyokeres, this episode digs into why a point against Liverpool feels like a disappointment to some and a Zen masterclass to others.

• The Inventive Opening: Marc highlights the brilliant first 20 minutes where Saliba and Timber were "popping up in the forward line," causing chaos for a retreating Liverpool.

• The Second Half Retreat: Richard tracks his heart rate hitting 120 BPM as Arsenal dropped deep. Was it a tactical "probe" by Arteta, or a loss of control in the midfield?

• PTSD & Scars: The hosts discuss the "scar tissue" of the Wenger/Emery eras that makes every missed second ball feel like a pending catastrophe.

• The Verdict: Richard loses patience with a "low touch forward who doesn't score." Is Giokeres attracting defenders, or is he simply on his heels when the big crosses come in?

• The "Bit Shit" Forward Pyramid: Marc introduces his striker hierarchy—from the "Elite Machines" (Haaland) to the "Greatest Bit Shit Forward of All Time" (Olivier Giroud). Where does Gyokeres actually fit?

• The Case for the Defense: Would the integration be different if Havertz and Jesus weren't injured? We discuss why Arteta continues to start him despite the lack of goal threat.

• The Return of the Unit: Why the squad is desperately missing the physical presence of Kai Havertz to act as an outlet when the press is high.

• The Martinelli/Bradley Incident: A deep dive into the controversial injury time moment. Was Martinelli a "disgrace," or was he just doing what any winner would do to stop the clock?

• Pundit Hypocrisy: We call out Gary Neville and Roy Keane for "asking for violence" while living in glass houses built on their own aggressive playing careers.

• The Road to Portsmouth: Looking ahead to the FA Cup. Will we see the classic "tin foil trophy" in the stands?

• Loathsome Rivals: Richard pulls no punches on Chelsea's "scummy" behavior, from hacking up penalty spots to their "cheap shot" tactics.