The Athletic FC Podcast

Having moved to within just two points of the top of the Premier League, are Arsenal serious contenders to win this season's Premier League?The Gunners saw of Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday in a must-win game for their title hopes as Mikel Arteta's side hope to go one better than last season.Join Ayo Akinwolere, James McNicholas and Oli Kay as they analyse Arsenal's win over table-toppers Liverpool before assessing the credibility of their title chances with champions Manchester City also waiting to take advantage with Pep Guardiola's side having games in hand on those above them.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:Arsenal bring back chaos football – and their title challenge feels stronger for it - The AthleticJorginho interview: Arsenal ‘energy’, no-hop penalties, love for Havertz, knowing strengths - The Athletic***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Bailey sits in for Adam Leventhal for another preview of the weekend ahead! Headlining the fixture list is Arsenal vs Liverpool - is it now or never for Arsenal to get back in the title race? Elsewhere a downturn in form has seen Everton drift into the relegation zone, but will Champions League-chasing Spurs pile on the misery at Goodison? And Manchester United's chaotic season continued midweek with a 4-3 win away to Wolves. Can they back it up this Sunday as they welcome West Ham?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nnamdi OnyeagwaraProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a low-key transfer window as the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules showed their teeth.Saudi spending paused, the “Chelsea loophole” closed and clubs instead left scouring the market for loans or cut-price deals.The summer, however, things could ramp up again though clubs will start to work with two deadlines in mind!Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and Joey D'Urso to discuss the impact of financial restrictions on the state of the transfer market and whether or not the paralysis could continue into the summer market.James Horncastle, Dermot Corrigan and Seb Stafford-Bloor also drop by to paint the picture across Europe explaining the financial landscape in Italy, Spain and Germany respectively.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:What Europe’s leading clubs will need to do in the summer of two transfer deadlines - The AthleticWhat is PSR and why do Premier League rules only allow clubs to lose £105m? - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United say Marcus Rashford has “taken responsibility for his actions” and will be available for selection again after being dropped This after we reported Rashford went for a night before reporting ill & missing training the following dayUnited says that the disciplinary matter has been dealt with internally and is now closed.But given how the likes of Jadon Sancho were dealt with, has Erik ten Hag been tough enough with Rashford? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Mark Critchley & Andy Mitten who writes about United for us & is also editor of fanzine United We Stand.Produced by Jay Beale.Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther Reading:Have Manchester United been tough enough with Marcus Rashford? - The AthleticMarcus Rashford is testing the patience of fans who fear his talent could be wasted - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a humiliating defeat on Saturday, Barcelona manager Xavi announced he’d be stepping down from his position at the end of the season. So what led Xavi to make this decision when he did? And as financial troubles & power struggles continue behind scenes whilst the team struggle on the pitchWhat next for Barcelona? Is it time for a cultural reset for the club with perhaps the most famous identity in world football? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan and our FC Barcelona correspondent Pol BallusProduced by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading: Xavi’s Barcelona resignation: The full story behind his decision to step down in June Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday morning the world of football was shaken by news Jurgen Klopp is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.After more than eight years in charge the German is to walk away in the summer, leaving the Reds in need of a new management team including a new Sporting Director, manager and first team coaching staff.So how do Liverpool go about beginning their search for a successor to their most successful manager of the Premier League era?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein, Liverpool writer James Pearce and German football writer, and author of the Jurgen Klopp biography Bring The Noise, Raphael Honigstein to analyse Klopp's decision to leave and explain where it leaves Liverpool.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal and co return to preview another bumper FA Cup weekend, featuring 16 matches, including several heavyweight Premier League ties.Friday night sees Spurs welcome Man City back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a match in which they boast a remarkable record: five games played, five wins, zero goals conceded. Can Man City snap the streak?Also on Friday, Aston Villa head to Stamford Bridge. The Villains may be way ahead in the league, but Chelsea are coming off the back of recent cup success, reaching the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday.Elsewhere we have a Black Country Derby, with West Brom hosting Wolves. We catch up with how the home side has fared since Premier League relegation in 2021 and ask whether they can upset the odds come Sunday.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Luke BosherProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool have announced that Jurgen Klopp is stepping down as manager at the end of the season.After a hugely successful eight and a half years at the club, Klopp will take a sabbatical.So what next for him, and what next for Liverpool?The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce reacts to this seismic news.Host: Iain MacintoshProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just 18 months after completing a £45m move to Manchester City from his boyhood club Leeds United, Kalvin Phillips is heading out on loan to West Ham United.So why has the move ended in failure for the England international after flourishing under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road prior to signing for Pep Guardiola.And with Euro 2024 on the horizon can David Moyes rejuvenate one of Gareth Southgate's most trusted midfielders?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Man City writer Sam Lee, Leeds United writer Phil Hay and England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Into a cup final and not spending a penny in January… Couldn’t be Todd Boehly’s Chelsea could it? So, is this another false dawn or is Pochettino's project starting to gather pace? And as the Blues struggle to find suitable buyers for players like Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher - would anyone actually notice if someone gently closed the January transfer window now?Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.