As Holly heads off on his Easter hols, Stef & Chris are left to pick over the bones of the Brentford draw. Although the game didn't mean much in terms of the title (gone), it gave us a good idea of how we might shape up for the Real Madrid CL QF return leg on Wednesday...depending on who's fit. Talking points include the Norgaard challenge and what constitutes a red card, Real's mind games and Stef's plans for Madrid. Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You ...
Apr 13, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 141
Make it happen, Arteta said as he sent his team out at the Emirates to face Real Madrid. And boy did they make it happen. Join Holly and Stef as we revel in one of the best nights the Emirates has witnessed. That second half saw a 10 out of 10 performance from the entire team, but who was your man of the match? More importantly, which of the Rice free kicks was the better? Is the tie over? Who do you want in the semi finals? Okay, Okay, it's only half time, but we can dream. We also look ahead t...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 140
Join Holly and Stef as we break down our final trip to Goodison Park. To be honest, it was more of a training exercise ahead of next Tuesday. From team selection to pre-planned substitutions, it all felt quite flat and 'end of seasony'. We focus on Trossard, Martinelli, Kiwior, Skelly's Messi-esque run, one of the softest penalties you'll see, and yet more questionable finishing. We also look ahead to Tuesday, predict our line-ups, but can you guess what our score predictions are? Two of us have...
Apr 06, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 139
A routine home win against Fulham, accompanied by yet more injuries, a worrying one for our rock at the back, with Timber also subbed off with a knee complaint. Chris shares some interesting research on why players are experiencing more injuries this season. But all that couldn't detract from the most welcome of sights - our starboy Saka returning, to do what he does best: win games for the Arsenal! Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we discuss all of this, plus look ahead to our final visit to Goodi...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 138
As Arsenal welcome new sporting director Andrea Berta to the club, we discuss what his first three tasks should be, after he's put the kettle on and fired up the barbie. We also look ahead to the Fulham game on Tuesday - we all predict a home win, but will it be that straight forward? Is it ever... Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky@northbankpod.bsky.social Twitter / X@northbankpod TikTok@northbankpod Instagram@nor...
Mar 31, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 137
Which team is having the best season in the premier league? Which team should be most disappointed with how things have turned out for them? Who will get into the top 5 and next season's champions league? Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we attempt to address these questions without upsetting too many other people. To be honest, we probably fail, because Tottenham... Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky@northbankpod.bsky.so...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 136
To distract us from the tedium of another international break, we invited questions from our listeners. And boy, did they deliver. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we ponder a season's best premier league 11 of non-Arsenal players, Arteta's approach to the low block, treating Fulham and Everton as if they're Real Madrid, whether or not there's a price high enough to accept for selling Gabriel and how many Liverpool players get into the Arsenal team, assuming everyone is fit. And fin...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 135
After sending Chelsea packing with comparative ease, we enter into another international break. Join Holly and Stef as we look back on Sunday's game. When did Chelsea become so bad? So much money spent, so little to show for it. We highlight Merino's contribution, praise Martinelli and the defence. We also run through who's off with their countries - at least we don't have to worry about too many strikers coming back broken! The League Cup final, the upcoming St Totteringham'...
Mar 18, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 134
All the talk is about the Real Madrid quarter final, but there's the none too small matter of Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday to discuss. Join Holly and Esteban (Stef) as we look ahead to a hugely important game in terms of securing our top 4 berth. Who gets the nod in midfield and up front? Does Martinelli start through the middle? Who gets the nod at left back? Thoughts return to the champions league where we debate whether Real or Atletico would have suited our current team's streng...
Mar 14, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 133
Another disappointing result and performance, this time in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to work out whether it's a personnel problem or a systemic one. Positives include the Martinelli return, Rice and Raya. Negatives too numerous to mention. We also talk about waning defensive solidity, Arteta, Andrea Berta and PSV. And Holly doesn't disappoint on the stat front. Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversatio...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 132
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to work out just how we managed to score 7 (seven) goals away at PSV. We run through a whole host of records that were smashed. Holly even predicts a chance to avenge the 2006 final loss against Barcelona, such is the unfettered joy in this pod! We also turn our attention to the small matter of Sunday's visit to Old Trafford. Will it be goals goals goals, or, more likely, a narrow, tight affair? Who gets the nod in midfield and up front, and how will Unit...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 131
The league season is over and we've just entered March. Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we debate where it all went wrong for us. Is it the player, the manager, the board, or what about the refereeing or injuries? We also look ahead to PSV and wonder where the goals are coming from. Calafiori in the middle, Tierney out wide? Or opt for Sterling and hope for the best! Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky@northbankpod.bs...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 130
Will we ever score again? At least we didn't lose 3-0 eh! Join Holly and Stef as we attempt to analyse a game that has quickly become irrelevant. We discuss the team selection - was there much different that Arteta could have done? Could Ben White have started, or Sterling (stop laughing at the back!)? Where do we go from here? Are we going to have to get used to this for the next few weeks? Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socia...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 129
Our title bid, such as it was, went the same way as West Ham's hopes today (fade and die). Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we pick the bones off that particular carcass. We trace today's defeat back to a missed opportunity in the summer transfer market, compounded by further negligence in the January window. Players running on fumes, with no support off the bench to make any meaningful impact. Where does the blame lie? Individual players? Arteta? The board? We also briefly look ahead to Fo...
Feb 22, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we get rather excited, reacting in real time to the Liverpool draw at Villa. Eight points behind with a game in hand - we couldn't, could we? With that in mind we look back at what worked well against Leicester - in particular, Nwaneri and Merino, along with the defence. We also look ahead to West Ham at the weekend. Should Merino start up front? Should Sterling get another opportunity? Will White see some minutes, and who gets the nod at left back? Brentford, B...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 127
Join Holly and Chris as we ponder what might have been. Who is to blame for our current plight? Poor squad management, or simply bad luck with injuries? Is the season over, or have the wheels started to come off for Liverpool - dropped points and red cards galore! We look ahead to the Leicester game - not the most difficult team selection we've ever been tasked with predicting, but what formation will he adopt? Our 10 game winning streak must start on Saturday! We'll also have a go at pr...
Feb 12, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 126
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we bemoan our tactical naivety...or was it arrogance, or was it stubbornness? Either way, no Wembley outing for us this season. We map out how the game should have been played, with Anfield '89 being the blueprint. We have our final say on the lack of action in the January transfer window and wish the team a relaxing warm weather training camp in Dubai. Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky @...
Feb 05, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 125
Join Holly and Stef as we fail miserably to stay humble! We devote this episode to reliving all that was superb and sublime about our absolute hammering of City. Enjoy! Please follow and rate us wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky @northbankpod.bsky.social Twitter / X @northbankpod TikTok @northbankpod Instagram @northbankpod https://www.youtube.com/@NorthBankPod and discover loads more on our website, thenorthbankfc.com The North Bank. An Arsen...
Feb 02, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 124
Join Holly and Stef for a far happier Arsenal chat than the previous pod! We chat Champions League progression, revisit the Oliver debacle from the weekend, and wonder if our surprising bid for Watkins isn't some kind of smokescreen, but for what, we're not sure. There's also a look ahead to the visit of Humble FC at the weekend. Not a VAR controversy in sight! Subscribe to the North Bank wherever you get your pods. You can also join the conversation on our socials: BlueSky @northban...
Jan 30, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 123
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we rant our way through a look back at our 'against the odds' victory over Wolves, Michael Oliver, VAR and PGMOL. There was only one talking point - that shocking decision to send Lewis-Skelly off for a trip. We also heap praise on the team's resilience and mentality, with some standout performers in Raya and Rice. And fair play to Stef, he joined us having literally just arrived home from the game! You can also join the conversation on our socials: Twit...
Jan 25, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 122
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we finally have a comfortable home win to look back on. With qualification to the knockout stages almost guaranteed now, there were plenty of positives tonight - Havertz, Martinelli, Rice, Gabriel, Zinchenko. We discuss Kiwior's performance at centre back and wonder if Arteta will select him again at Wolves on Saturday. We, quite remarkably, all select the same starting lineup for Saturday's game, and, even more remarkably, we all predict an away win. Yaya S...
Jan 22, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 121
Join Holly, Stef & Chris for some cathartic conversation following our 'snatching a draw from the jaws of victory' performance v Aston Villa. Why is Mikel persisting with Partey at right back when other options are available? Are we capable of putting together a sustained run to be considered title contenders? Is that much-needed January signing going to happen? We also look ahead to the Champions League tie v Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night. You can also join the conversation on ou...
Jan 19, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 120
Join Holly and Stef as we struggle to contain our excitement and relief looking back at the North London derby. Is this the turning point in our season? We heap praise upon several players, but Lewis-Skelly in particular. We discuss the atmosphere, Rice's post match interview as well as some familiar failings. There is also talk of signings and a look ahead to Villa on Saturday. You can also join the conversation on our socials: Twitter / X @northbankpod TikTok @northbankpod Instagram @north...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 119
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we look back at the painful defeat to United. Did we play well, creating all those chances, or was it a poor performance because we couldn't take any of them? Is it an individual problem or a systemic one? Is Arteta in danger of losing the fanbase? With Spurs visiting on Wednesday, we need an instant uptick in performance and mood, will we get it? We also discuss the likelihood of a January signing. You can also join the conversation on our socials: Twitter / X @nor...
Jan 13, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 118
Join Holly, Stef and Chris for our instant reaction to the deeply disappointing, but not wholly unexpected loss to Newcastle in the first leg of the League Cup semi final. We ask if it is poor form from our attackers, or are they simply not up to the requisite standards. Looking on with envy at Isak, we fear what may become of our season from here on in. Stef asks, is this a team in the image of its manager, or have we been incredibly unlucky this season so far? We also look ahead to United on S...
Jan 07, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 117
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we try to analyse a frustrating draw at Brighton. From a winning position were we undone by our own conservatism as much as that disgusting penalty decision? We discuss/rant at VAR, collectively decide that we don't like Brighton or their manager. Stef enjoys a mixed day of afternoon tea and the AA (the car related organisation). We also look ahead to Newcastle on Tuesday, where for once, Stef doesn't predict a draw. Should we go strong or rest players - injuries an...
Jan 05, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 116
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we discuss the win over Brentford. Positives include Nwaneri, Partey, Jesus and Martinelli scoring and our overall game management. We also look ahead to another potential footballing banana skin with a visit to Brighton. Six games without a win for Brighton, we hope to extend that to seven, and enact some sense of revenge after their role in Rice's ridiculous red card earlier in the season. As we enter the January transfer window there's some chat about that, along...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 115
Join Producer Chris and Home & Away Stef for a review of the tight 1-0 win over the Tractor Boys. How did the team perform in our first game without Saka? How will we cope in his absence? And will Mikel shuffle the pack for Brentford away? There's also a nod to the boss' 5th year anniversary at the club with a quick quiz to test your 2019 squad knowledge... You can also join the conversation on our socials: Twitter / X @northbankpod TikTok @northbankpod Instagram @northbankpod https://www.yo...
Dec 28, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 114
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we digest part 2 of the Palace sandwich. The scoreline would suggest that we witnessed a resounding five-goal thumping, but strangely, it didn't feel that way at the time. Arteta is clearly still grappling with getting the balance right between defensive solidity and attacking fluency. Plenty of positives though, Raya with some key big saves, Lewis-Skelly again, Jesus scoring his 4th and 5th of the week, Martinelli getting on the scoresheet and playing effectively f...
Dec 22, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 113
Join Holly, Stef and Chris as we digest part one of our Palace sandwich. We discuss the team selection - was Arteta arrogant with his starting 11, or was he being pragmatic and simply utilising a very talented squad? Will Jesus start the next game? Was Nwaneri unlucky to be hooked at half time? How nice was it not having to worry about VAR? We predict our starting line-up for part two on Saturday, where anything less than a win is unthinkable. And there are two quizzes to get the old grey cells ...
Dec 20, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 112
