Arseblog Arsecast, The Arsenal Podcast

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.