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

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

A dark place

Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to discuss the latest calamitous result from the weekend as Arsenal were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City. And on the 10 year anniversary of the 8-2, just to rub salt into the wound even further. But all hope is not yet lost, there's still one member of the team who believes that a top six finish is possible, that there's reason for hope come the NLD, but one thing we can all agree on is the need for some gallows humour at this time. RUNNING ORDER ...

Aug 30, 202148 min

Carling Cup vibes

Join Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence, and James McNicholas for a round up from Arsenal's loss to Chelsea at the weekend. We look for the positives, ask where the deficiencies were, and do not touch the "Arteta out" question. Plus emotions on a return to the Emirates with friends and family, goalkeeper competition, and the importance of the upcoming Carabao Cup game against West Brom. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Back to the Emirates (01.30) PART 2 - Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea (06.00) PART 3a - West Brom Wednesday (2...

Aug 23, 202147 min

We were looking for positives

The opening week of the season could have gone, well, a lot better. But misery loves company so Ian Stone, Art de Roché and James McNicholas are here to provide that for you. This week, which defender has the turning circle of a ship in a harbour? Who's just staring into nothingness? And why was Torreira at a theme park? RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Oblivion (01.30) PART 2 - Brentford 2-0 Arsenal (05.00) PART 3 - Transfers (26.00) Get yourself an Athletic subscription with 30% off here Learn more abou...

Aug 16, 202141 min

Miss Trunchbull vibes

Join Ian Stone, James McNicholas, and Art de Roché for a season preview as we gear up and set our expectations for Arsenal in 2021/22. There's still plenty of business to be done but what's our priority is an attacking midfielder or should a number two be number one? Who's been good in preseason? And what would be Thierry Henry's Olympic sport? All that and much more RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - Gold! (01.30) PART 2a - Spurs 1-0 Arsenal (02.00) PART 2b - Transfers (15.00) PART 3a - Brentford v Arsenal...

Aug 09, 202146 min

A continuing psychodrama

We're back and releasing the handbrake slowly on a brand new season. It's Ian Stone, Adrian Clarke, and Art de Roché with you for a look at the pre season games so far, thoughts on the new shirts, and the All or Nothing doc that's heading north to the Emirates. All that plus we run our eye over the latest recruits, those that are staying put, and have a song too. RUNNING ORDER PART 1 - All or Nothing (01.30) PART 2a - Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (09.00) PART 2b - Movers (14.00) PART 3 - Shirts (30.00) P...

Aug 02, 202148 min

Reasons To Be Cheerful, Reasons To Be Fearful

In the last podcast of the season, Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to agree never to speak of this year again. Before that, we search long and hard for the diamonds in the dirt: Saka and ESR, Laca taking the knee, Tierney taking on the snow in shirt sleeves… We also look forward to next season before signing off with a three song jukebox and an extended appreciation of Steve Bould. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 26, 20211 hr 12 min

Highbury Highs

The Athletic's Amy Lawrence and broadcaster Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone for this week's show. It's 15 years since the club left Highbury and the panel examine it's effect on the club, and the impact on the Arsenal of today. Luiz, Saliba and Arteta's tactics go under the microscope, and Kolo Toure is the subject of the Random Arse Generator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 19, 202158 min