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.

Episodes

Ian Wright x Alan Shearer on Arsenal past and present

Join Alan Shearer and Ian Wright for a walk around Highbury and the Emirates as the two Premier League legends remember playing at the old Arsenal stadium against each other, and discuss whether the club is getting back to where it was at Highbury. Expect nostalgia, insight and, of course, a lot of laughs too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 02, 202329 min

Do you believe in miracles?

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to look for positives after the reality check of the 4-1 mauling at Manchester City. Yes, it looks like the title has gone, but hey - we're back in the Champions League, and we're miles ahead of them lot down the road and Chelsea. Who we'll batter on Tuesday night. Probably. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 27, 202335 min

David Ornstein on Saliba, yet another draw, and Man City preview

With a big David Ornstein exclusive about William Saliba we had to get the man on himself to tell us what is going on with our trusty defender and whether we'll see him in an Arsenal shirt on Wednesday. There's a discussion around what went wrong on Friday night against Southampton as Arsenal dropped yet more points in their title run in leaving the door ajar for City. But all roads lead to the Etihad on Wednesday. So which team should Arteta put out? All that plus Michael Cox brings us an audio...

Apr 24, 202352 min

Rallying cries and Saliba rain dances

"Don't give up and be a believer" that's the message of this podcast following the West Ham draw. Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke are here to bring some perspective and discuss what's gone wrong these past two matches against the Hammers and Liverpool. Plus we talk Bukayo and Wrighty's wise words to our starboy Oh and there's a message for those peddling a "bottlers" narrative too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 202337 min

Leaving the wolf pack: Flamini and Wrighty on giving back after football

We've got a bit of a special one for you this week as you can hear from both Mathieu Flamini and Ian Wright in conversation with Amy Lawrence. Both talking about what they are doing now, and how they are giving back to the world and their community. On this subject of retirement, Adrian tells us what it's like to leave the "wolf pack" and adjust to life outside football. Plus there's a look ahead to West Ham and a discussion on the rearranged Chelsea fixture and how it impacts fans. It's Ian Sto...

Apr 13, 202346 min

Anfield draw reaction and learnings

Ian Stone is joined by Adrian Clarke and Art de Roche for some (almost) immediate reaction podding to Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Listen to hear how the pod process that match, what they made of Arteta's subs, if Granit Xhaka really had that much to do with the change in atmosphere, and what it all means for the title race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 09, 202336 min

Liverpool preview, Jack Wilshere, and be more Bukayo

Joining Ian Stone to talk through another good week for Arsenal football club it's Art de Roche and Adrian Clarke. Following the Arsenal U18s win over Manchester City with a last minute winner in extra time, we find out more about Jack Wilshere the coach and his star player Miles Lewis Skelly who scored the winner. And we look ahead to Anfield where Arsenal will be looking to win their first match in the league there since 2012. What are the key battles? Trossard or Martinelli? And Holding to st...

Apr 06, 202344 min

Arsenal hoover up all the football joy with Leeds win, coping strategies and The Ben White Philosophy

Following on from another big win at the weekend, this time over Leeds, and the chaos ensuing at other clubs, we wonder whether we've actually got all the football joy that's available. Here with their optimism, trepidation and level headed analysis it's Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and Adrian Clarke. This week we discuss handing down the Arsenal fandom across the generations, the potential names for Arsenal babies, and whether we're all enjoying this season enough. There's some actual football too ...

Apr 03, 202350 min

A big two months for Arsenal Football Club

Following on from Arsenal's dominant win over Bayern Munich in the Women's Champions League, the countdown begins for both the Premier League and WSL run ins, and Arsenal Women's hunt for the treble. This season has us very excited for the potential outcomes of both senior teams. Join Ian Stone, Art de Roche and Adrian Clarke for a look ahead to the Leeds game, a look back at the Champions League win, and the exciting WSL title run in too. All in all there is a lot of hope and joy around Arsenal...

Mar 30, 202340 min

Arsenal Q&A on the feels, Mikel Arteta, the squad, and Trukke Trukke

This is the podcast designed by you! We've asked for your questions and now Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to answer them. Topics include the "feels", Mikel Arteta, the squad, and, of course, the mantra of the whole show, the trukke trukke. (NB "trukke trukke" for those who are new is our way of talking about the title but without saying "title" for fear of bad luck. It comes from Italy) RUNNING ORDER 05.00 - The Feels 18.00 - Mikel Arteta 27.00 - Trukke Trukke 36.00 - The Players...

Mar 27, 202358 min

Loan-ly boys and odes to Ozil

It's the international break which seems like a good time to check in with how our loaned players are getting on at their various clubs. Joining Ian Stone to bring you the lowdown on the loan-ly boys it's Adrian Clarke and Art de Roche. We glide around the nations checking in on those in the Premier League, Ligue 1, and EFL to see how they're developing and if that loan is working out. Plus with Mesut Ozil retiring we reflect on the player that made you make noises, apparently! And there's some ...

Mar 23, 202357 min

Arsenal go eight points clear as The Martin Odegaard Collective grooves into gear

Joining Ian Stone on this post Palace pod it's Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke. On today's show after Rob Holding's hair band caused a stir, we wondered what other Arsenal players could form bands and what kind of music would they play. Then we get into the football and talk about the brilliance of Bukayo, the majesty of Martinelli, and the exuberance of Xhaka - and almost every other player on the pitch! Plus we discuss how the team will be taking the rest of the season, the amount of winners th...

Mar 20, 202353 min

Arsenal out of the Europa League and now have "11 finals to go"

Joining Ian Stone is Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke to discuss Arsenal's exit from the Europa League to Sporting CP. Everyone's asking the question: is this exit and blessing in disguise? Well, hear the reasons why it is and why we just need to chill out a little bit about the events and injuries of last night. Adrian and Amy discuss the persistent selection of Fabio Vieira over Emile Smith Rowe and the long term consequences that could have. Plus there's talk about Ian scaring Arteta, Ted Lasso...

Mar 17, 202343 min

Arsenal cruise to victory over Fulham as Mikel joins the 100 club

Ian Stone is joined by James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke to look back on Arsenal's fabulous win over Fulham. There’s a lot of love for Leandro Trossard. Is the Belgian the best signing of the past January window in the Premier League? Sunday was also a day for Jesus… as our brilliant Brazilian Gabriel returned from his three month layoff. The boys discuss the seemingly sudden strength in depth we have in attack after worrying about it for most of the season. And to mark Mikel Arteta’s 100th win...

Mar 13, 202355 min

A Sporting draw and the greatest advert for the Premier League

Ian Stone is joined by James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke to look back at Arsenal's fortuitous draw in Lisbon. With the Europa League back in action Mikel Arteta rung the changes and it showed on the pitch, but with some positives along the way. James and Adrian dissect what went on with the first goal Arsenal conceded, the Martinelli run with an oh-so-close moment, and how Arteta's priorities are in line with the supporters. The celebration police are back on our tails following the scenes at t...

Mar 10, 202345 min

Ecstasy at the Emirates and silverware at Selhurst Park

Joining Ian Stone to unpick the most emotional the Emirates has been in some time is Michael Cox and Amy Lawrence. This week the team look at the feels of the victory over Bournemouth, the role of Vieira, and whether Arsenal have now used up all their last minute points. Plus with the women's team defeating Chelsea in the League Cup final we reflect on what that could do for Arsenal's season. And there's a look ahead to Arsenal's match with Sporting CP too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Mar 06, 202349 min

The inevitability of Bukayo Saka

Joining Ian Stone for a debrief of the 4-0 drubbing of Everton is James McNicholas and Art de Roche. This week there's a discussion on the star wingers Martinelli and Saka, Art professes his love for Leandro, and we note the significance of notching up another clean sheet too. And with the present looking like it's in a pretty good place, there's a chat on the future and which players in particular could be making the step up in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Mar 02, 202354 min

The sound of Arsenal

This special podcast has been designed to take you into the crowd at the Emirates Stadium using a technique called binaural audio. To truly immerse yourself please listen on headphones and ideally be in quiet surroundings. So find your space, and join Amy Lawrence at Arsenal Football Club… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 01, 202320 min

Arsenal win at Leicester but don't mention the trukke trukke!

Joining Ian Stone this week it's Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke to talk winning at the King Power, the upcoming clash with Everton, and the starboy Bukayo Saka signing on to a new deal. With another victory under the belt we talk about how Arsenal adapted their tactics, bring out a new character in themselves, and why the January signings of Trossard and Jorginho were key to this specific match. But there's no rest for the club as Wednesday sees them face Everton at the Emirates for tough test t...

Feb 27, 202353 min

Arsenal's owners from the Super League to now: a look at the Kroenkes

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Art de Roche to take a wide angled lens on the squad, the current perception of the owners, and look abroad to young striker Flo Balogun as he continues to top the french scoring charts. With the fringe players of Arsenal's squad making their impact on games we discuss how significant certain players are, what Vieira's role could be, and whether it's right to over analyse Kieran Tierney's body language. With the government white paper due out on Thursday w...

Feb 23, 202347 min

Arsenal rediscover themselves with poetic win against Villa

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke to discuss the emotional rollercoaster win that was Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4. Enjoy reliving every key moment of that game from the terrible first half, to Jorginho's moment of truth, to the poetic justice the footballing gods served up at the end with Emi Martinez heading the ball into his own net. We ask if this is the perfect way to win? Why Zinchenko didn't celebrate his equaliser? And what is the bare minimum requirement from the next blo...

Feb 20, 202353 min

Arsenal lose top spot and now urgently need a result

Ian Stone is joined by Art de Roche and James McNicholas to look back on Arsenal's home defeat to Man City but to look ahead to how they can turn things around. The panel analyse where Arsenal weren't able to take a grip on the game when they looked like the better team at the break, talk about the shortcomings within in the squad, and whether Arteta's tactical choices paid off. And with Aston Villa right around the corner there needs to be a shift in narrative from four matches without a win, t...

Feb 16, 202337 min

Brentford draw reaction, forgetting to draw, and drawing excitement ahead of the Man City match

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke to debate the line debacle from the draw against Brentford. This week the panel work out what was going on with VAR, talk about where Arsenal fell short on the pitch, and whether the second half of the season is already catching up with them. There's a look ahead to the tantalising fixture with Man City on Wednesday and the pod get very excited for what is a "proper big game" for possibly the first time at the Emirates. And we enjoy the new a...

Feb 13, 202354 min

Brentford preview and how should all of this feel?

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Art de Roché to assess how we’re all feeling, and how we should feel, as the expectations ramp up after each game of this unexpected title challenge. And speaking of emotions, there are warm words for Mikel Arteta’s public support of the players following the Everton defeat. The panel discuss a tricky looking fixture against a Brentford side who have a great record against the “top six” sides this season. Plus there's discussion about Reiss Nelson giving b...

Feb 09, 202349 min

Arsenal get new manager bounced and experience a dirty feeling as Tottenham win

Ian Stone is joined by Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas on this mixed weekend after Arsenal lost to Everton but saw title rivals Manchester City lose to local rivals Tottenham. The panel discuss where the game at Goodison Park was lost, especially with set pieces. Adrian takes us on a tactical dive through the setup for corners and how it allowed Everton to score a "Burnley" goal. James talks through the inevitable bumps in the road and Arteta's "pathway of roses" too. Plus there's discussion ...

Feb 06, 202342 min

Jorginho joins, transfer deadline day, and the hamster wheel of hyperbole

Ian Stone is joined by Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas to discuss the transfer window after Arsenal added former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to their ranks. The panel discuss the differing views of the Italian coming to the club, and why it's a signing that's not to be sniffed at. They talk about the #EduOut brigade that seemed to take over social media on deadline day, and run through the rest of the January business assessing the outgoings and incomings. Plus there's a look ahead to the Eve...

Feb 01, 202338 min

Accepting Arsenal's FA Cup exit, Martinelli's new contract, and Moises Caicedo: will he, won't he?

Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas to discuss Arsenal's FA Cup exit to Man City on Friday night. On the show the panel talk about the players who were brought in to the starting XI and the impact they made, the competition for places and the all important need for a defensive midfield replacement. There's a debate on the Brighton to Arsenal transfer conveyor belt and why the prices are so high. And we celebrate the signing of Gabriel Martinelli's new contract as well as Edd...

Jan 30, 202351 min

Arteta's impact at Arsenal, profiling Jakub Kiwior, and Man City preview

Joining Ian Stone to go through the latest news from Arsenal it's Art de Roche and James McNicholas. On the show they discuss Mikel Arteta and Cesc's comments from the weekend that he has improved many aspects of the training ground at London Colney. We talk about how he's done it and the aspects that have gone into making it an elite place of work. As Arsenal welcome new signing Jakub Kiwior to the fold, we find out about the Polish international and what he will be bringing to the team. And th...

Jan 26, 202344 min

Arsenal pass sternest test yet at the Emirates in Eddie time

Adrian Clarke is joined by Amy Lawrence and Michael Cox to talk all about Arsenal's magnificent win over Manchester United at the Emirates. This week it's all about two Hale End boys Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah as they scored the goals that gave Arsenal the three points. Michael tells how both players are able to succeed so well in their individual roles and take on the opposition so cleanly. We also discuss the impact that Mikel Arteta has had in such a short space of time and why it has work...

Jan 23, 202358 min

The decline of #ArtetaOut, Manchester United preview, and Arsenal's seven nation army

James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone this week for a look at Mikel Arteta, Leandro Trossard and superstitions. After James wrote about the end of the #ArtetaOut brigade, the panel discuss how the manage has evolved, the touchpoints that brought the club to where they are today, and whether he is a coach that players will want to come to the club for. Following the news that Arsenal are looking at Brighton midfielder Leandro Trossard, James and Adrian debate how he might fit into the...

Jan 19, 202351 min