Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show - podcast cover

Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show

The Athletic's Amy Lawrence, Adrian Clarke, James McNicholas (Gunnerblog), Art de Roche and comedian Ian Stone bring you a twice-weekly podcast dedicated to Arsenal Football Club. They'll bring you reaction to all the games, expert insight into the inner-workings of the club, including transfers and contracts, and analysis on the women's team too.

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Episodes

Happy Arsenal, happy Odegaard, happy Emirates

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and James McNicholas for a look back on Arsenal's win over Leicester on Sunday evening. After a relatively comfortable win over Leicester we talk about the importance of Martin Odegaard and his comments about happiness in the team. We discuss the roles of Xhaka and Tierney too. And after Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government, we ask what does that mean for Arsenal and football? Oh and James has a great story that involves a bus stop an...

Mar 14, 202243 min

Into the top four, a song for Saka, and Ray Parlour: 49 undefeated

Join Amy Lawrence, Ian Stone, and James McNicholas as they look back on Arsenal's win at Watford which saw them grace the top four again. Is it on? And have Arsenal got the strength and mentality to finish there? Data Analyst Mark Carey talks us through how Arsenal have ascended the table, coming from the bottom to the top four. We also praise Saka and Odegaard, talk about who should be getting a chant, and celebrate Ray Parlour's 49th birthday. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Boom boom boom and other ch...

Mar 07, 202247 min

Arteta’s bold substitutions, Pepe’s prowess, and faxing in results

Join Amy Lawrence, James McNicholas, and Ian Stone for a look back on the week of Arsenal including that spectacular last minute winner against Wolves on Thursday night. This week: where does Pepe fit in the team? Why is Martinelli so popular? And where were you when you found out that Arsenal had won on Thursday? Probably not mid performance like James! All that plus a discussion on Laca's contract, the club's owners, and Arteta's bold substitutions. PART 1 - Weird places to find out results (0...

Feb 28, 202254 min

The Fab Four, Gabi’s snuggly blanket, and memories of Madrid magic

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and Adrian Clarke for a look back on Arsenal's win over Brentford from the weekend. This week we crown the Fab Four, we discuss our captaincy choices, and we look at a shift in system. All that plus a trip down memory lane to the Bernabeu when Arsenal became the first english side to beat Real Madrid in their own backyard. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - The new Fab Four (01.00) PART 2 - Arsenal 2-1 Brentford (06.00) PART 3 - Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal (31.30) Learn more about ...

Feb 21, 202250 min

A red card problem, complicated sales, and why we love the Arsenal

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and James McNicholas for a look back on the last week in Arsenal. Today: Do Arsenal have a discipline problem? What's our signature performance? And how many goals will Arsenal need to score in the final 16 games to get top four? All that plus a brilliant weekend of results for Arsenal despite not playing, look at our selling problem, and reasons to love the Gunners. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - We love you Arsenal, we do (01.00) PART 2 - Wolves 0-1 Arsenal (06.00) PART 3...

Feb 14, 202248 min

Seventeen cup finals, Sir Wrighty, and Viv's pass

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, James McNicholas and Art de Roche for a spin through the latest from Arsenal This week: is Tomiyasu the best right back since Lee Dixon? Should Ian Wright get a knighthood? And which former Arsenal player did Viv Miedema remind Ian of this weekend? We discuss the hopes and expectations for the season ahead, whether Martinelli could play through the middle of the pitch, and find out whether we'll be seeing any of our youngsters making a cameo for the seniors in the s...

Feb 07, 202246 min

January transfer wrap: au revoir Auba and a leaner, meaner Arsenal

Join Ian Stone, Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas for a discussion on Arsenal's (lack of) business during the January transfer window. This week: how do the panel rate our January out of day? Memories of Auba, and who are these two new signings we've brought in? Plus is it Europe or bust for Arteta? RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Rate January out of 10 (01.00) PART 2 - Transfers, Auba, and who we brought in (04.30) PART 3 - Trust the process? (28.30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

Feb 01, 202245 min

The apparition of Olivier Giroud, the resurgence of Heath, and Pierre-Emerick Oboe-meyang

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas for a look back on our 0-0 draw with Burnley and ask will we get a striker? Strikers very much the theme of the show as we discuss if Arsenal need and/or should kiss and make up with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Flo Lloyd Hughes joins to tell us all about the disjointed state of Arsenal Women and answer our questions about the likelihood of Miedema's Arsenal exit. Plus we ponder if Arsenal's European hopes rest on Arsenal getting a striker in Janua...

Jan 24, 202248 min

One day we'll visit the toilet bowl

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas for a chat about Sunday's postponed North London Derby This week: with everyone ganging up on Arsenal for calling off Sunday's game, we ask could this be a good thing for the club mentality? We ask who's actually around for Thursday's game against Liverpool? And we take a look back at Lord Nicklas Bendtner's time at Arsenal as the Danish striker turns 34. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - How the NLD really went (01.00) PART 2 - Postponements (05.30) PART 3...

Jan 17, 202241 min

Bring back Jack Wilshere

It's Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas back to talk you through the deflating defeat at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. This week: with a season defining week ahead which players should Arsenal be looking to bring in to ensure better performances? Is it already too late to be bringing in players? And is Jack Wilshere the solution to all our problems? That plus whether Arteta's contract should be extended and what's the biggest factor in determining that. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Transf...

Jan 10, 202241 min

The Arsenal that makes you feel

Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and James McNicholas are back for 2022 and their hope-ometers are on the rise. This week we discuss the fantastic performance against Man City, despite losing there were so many positives to take from the game - especially Partey, Tomiyasu, and Ramsdale's huge passes. We discuss Amy's interview with Granit Xhaka and whether it might change perceptions of him. And as it's January we discuss what business Arsenal need to do and what they might do. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Po...

Jan 02, 202257 min

Here we go... Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe

Join James McNicholas, Adrian Clarke, and Art de Roche for this week's Handbrake Off - and it's a joyous one This week: we dish out the love for Gabriel Martinelli as we look back on victory at Elland Road. The team discuss who should be captain and we hand out our Handbrake Off-scars too. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Breakthrough games (01.00) PART 2a - Leeds 1-4 Arsenal (07.30) PART 2b - Who should be captain? (32.00) PART 3 - Handbrake Off-scars (38.00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Dec 20, 20211 hr 3 min

Auba and Arteta, irreplaceable Cazorla, and Vieira’s telescopic leg

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and James McNicholas for this week's Handbrake Off where we're praising our team on the pitch and asking questions about what's going on off it This week: slickest team goals, a good win, and great concern for how Arteta will deal with Auba. Is it time for a new captain? That plus disappointment over a lack of tribute to Ray Kennedy and we wish Santi Cazorla a happy birthday! RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Slick Arsenal goals (01.00) PART 2a - Arsenal 3-0 Southampton (07.30...

Dec 13, 202150 min

Introducing: In The Boardroom

For In The Boardroom, a brand new podcast series from The Athletic, Jacqui Oatley speaks to influential people who operate at senior levels in football about their experiences of working in the game. It may be the head of a supporters’ trust taking over a club in crisis or a director changing the way their club addresses inequality. In The Boardroom will bring an in-depth and nuanced insight from behind the scenes. In this first episode, we’re speaking to Clare Wheatley, Arsenal's Head Of Women'...

Dec 10, 202144 min

The Everton autopsy, craters in the road, and is the season falling apart?

Join Ian Stone, James McNicholas and Amy Lawrence for a look back at Monday night's 2-1 loss to Everton This week: how do you solve a problem like Auba? What's the elephant in the room? And are Arsenal the jump leads for other failing teams? Plus Art de Roche joins to unpick Arsenal women's 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final and to look ahead to Thursday's match against Barcelona RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Last minute sickeners (01.00) PART 2a - Everton 2-1 Arsenal (06.00) PART 2b - Partey prob...

Dec 07, 202152 min

Man Utd reaction, “Super-Coaches” and Ray Kennedy

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, Art de Roché and a cameo from James McNicholas as we reflect on Arsenal’s disappointing 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. In this episode: why do Arsenal seem to bottle just as they’re about to make a step forward? Is this just part of the growing pains of a young side, and a young manager, or are the senior players not pulling their weight? Plus we discuss James’ article on “super-coaches”, does it matter that Arsenal don’t have one? We pay tribute to a star of the ...

Dec 03, 202148 minEp. 99

Martinelli's instant impact, Edu unlocked, and let's get seven strikers!

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas for a look back on Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Newcastle This week: who's a streaky striker, who have been the best impact subs, and who could be joining the Arsenal ranks in the future? Plus we preview United v Arsenal, talk to James about Edu, and have a song to end RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Impact subs (01.00) PART 2a - Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle (06.00) PART 2b - United v Arsenal preview (25.00) PART 3 - Edu Exclusive (36.00) Learn more about your ad ...

Nov 29, 202154 min

Thrashing out our regular Anfield thrashing

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas for a look back on Liverpool's annual thrashing of Arsenal. This week: the pros and cons of having a young team, who in hindsight should have started, and was that fight between Arteta and Klopp really the turning point? All that plus what's going on with £50m man Thomas Partey? RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Fight fight fight (01.00) PART 2 - Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal (06.00) PART 3 - What’s the deal with Partey? (28.00) Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Nov 22, 202149 min

The power of the Arsenal, phenomenal Miedema, and free hugs

Joining Ian Stone this week it's Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke to go down memory lane and try to contain Ian's optimism. This week: we talk about Liverpool v Arsenal over the years, we revel in seeing ESR in an England shirt, and we preview Arsenal's trip to Anfield at the end of the week. Plus Art de Roche joins to discuss Arsenal's draw with Spurs in the WSL RUNNING ORDER PART 1a - Free hugs (01.30) PART 1b - Liverpool v Arsenal down the years (not that one) PART 2a - Arsenal in the England s...

Nov 15, 202156 min

Arteta’s century and Wenger’s Invincibles

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas as they reflect on Arsenal's 1-0 win over Watford from the weekend and talk about the new Wenger documentary Invincible too. This week: Ben White and AMN stand out from the crowd, Arteta's unity, and was there any good to gain from losing our first three games without scoring a goal?! All that plus a nod to the U23s' great comeback and a discussion on the legacy of Wenger RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Arteta’s century (01.30) PART 2 - Arsenal 1-0 Watfor...

Nov 08, 202145 min

The Aaron Ramsdale Show

Join Ian Stone, James McNicholas, and Adrian Clarke for a look back on Saturday's 2-0 win away to Leicester including some huge love for *that* save. This week: we talk all things Aaron Ramsdale, we bring back the Pires and Smith-Rowe comparisons, and delight in the Auba and Laca partnership. Plus Art De Roche joins to talk about the women's FA Cup success and we discuss William Saliba too. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Saves down the years (01.30) PART 2 - Leicester 0-2 Arsenal (08.00) PART 3a - Arsen...

Nov 01, 202154 min

Friday Night Likes as Thomas joins the Partey

Joining Ian Stone this week it's Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas to talk through the "performance of the season contender" that was Arsenal's win over Villa on Friday night. This week we hail the throwback 4-4-2 system that saw partnerships thrive at the Emirates, the team regain control and dominance, and a real antidote to the previous performance. Find out which Arsenal legend Adrian compares ESR to, who really impressed James, and later on Art de Roché joins to talk about stats and we dis...

Oct 25, 202152 min

Handbrake on, patience running thin, and a Xhaka shaped elephant in the room

Join Ian Stone, Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas for a frank breakdown of Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace. Adrian's watched the game back so you don't have to. This week: was that Vieira's audition for manager, why did we put the handbrake on, and can we turn back time and bring back Santi Cazorla please? All that plus a discussion on Olivier Giroud, insight into Danny Welbeck's late winner against Leicester and the Arsenal Women play at the Emirates RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Patrick Vieira and late l...

Oct 19, 202154 min

Arsenal's DNA, award winning poetry, and McCabe's monster goals

Joining Ian Stone this week it's James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke to talk all through Arsenal's season so far. This week: we discuss the position Ainsley Maitland Niles and what's next for him, we talk about replacing Granit in the team, and we look ahead to the return of Patrick Vieira next Monday. Plus Adrian does a deep dive on the women's team and their excellent start to the WSL and brings us the Sound of Music RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Jack Wilshere love in (01.30) PART 2a - AMN - what next...

Oct 11, 202147 min

Taking a point, Arteta's adaptability, and remembering Rosicky

Join Ian Stone, Art de Roché, and James McNicholas for some considered reaction to the Brighton draw. This week: we look at Arsenal without Xhaka and whether Arteta needs to change his gameplans up a little, we lament the overreaction to the result on social media, and we celebrate what it is to be an english football fan. Plus we talk Arsenal topping the WSL ahead of their tough Champions League tie with Barcelona, and we discuss Tomas Rosicky as he turns 41. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Naff away da...

Oct 04, 202137 min

Spanking Spurs, iconic Ramsdale, and a ripped off handbrake

Join Ian Stone, James McNicholas, and Art de Roché for a full and joyous unpacking of Arsenal 3-1 Spurs. And stick around at the end for a bonus chat with Amy Lawrence if you just can't get enough love for the Arsenal. This week: we revel in the cauldron of the Emirates, ask if this is the turning point for Arsenal, and praise, well, almost everybody! We've got love for the Hale End, for Partey, for Odegaard, and for Tomiyasu. We've got stories from the ground. And we've got a discussion on the ...

Sep 27, 20211 hr 1 min

The phlegmatic Yorkshireman

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Art de Roché to discuss another 1-0 to the Arsenal as this weekend the Gunners beat Burnley. Today it's all about Ramsdale, Gabriel, and Tomiyasu as the defensive back six takes shape, we discuss Wednesday's match against Wimbledon, and then there's the big one: the North London Derby too - could Jack Wilshere do a job in the dressing room? RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Ramsdale love in (01.30) PART 2a - Burnley 0-1 Arsenal (12.30) PART 2b - Wimbledon preview (30...

Sep 20, 202148 min

New-Look Arsenal & Koscielny Hindsight

The Athletic's Arsenal correspondents Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join host Ian Stone after Arteta's Gunners secured an actual Premier League win!... The trio discuss the new-look backline, how a tactical shift might hold the key to getting both Emile Smith-Rowe and Martin Odegaard into the same team AND a sliding doors moment which might have seen Patrick Vieira in the Arsenal dugout, instead of beating Spurs handsomely at Selhurst Park. Plus, Amy and James revisit Laurent Koscielny's unp...

Sep 13, 202150 min

Edu's 'Project Youth' & When Will Saka Get A Rest?

The Athletic's Amy Lawrence and Art de Roché join a curiously hopeful host, Ian Stone, following yet another dazzling display for England from birthday boy Bukayo Saka... The trio reminisce over some of the teenage sensations who sadly didn't live up to their enormous potential, reflect on *that* Edu interview and discuss the Arsenal Women's team's title credentials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 07, 202151 min
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