The Non-Negotiables: Arsenal Podcast

Ten Premier League games into the 2026/27 season, Arsenal have made an outstanding start. But how much more is there to come from Mikel Arteta's side?For our first live episode, Gavin, Elliot and JJ look back at Arsenal's season so far, grading the Community Shield, League Cup, Champions League and Premier League performances. From the defensive consistency and improved squad depth to the balance between open-play goals and set-piece contributions, the lads assess what's working, where improvements are still needed and how Arsenal have coped with injuries.Attention also turns to the wider Premier League. Which teams can sustain their early form? Who might challenge Arsenal? And how could the managerial changes across the league affect the months ahead? With a demanding run of fixtures approaching, the discussion turns to the importance of squad management and maintaining momentum.Finally, the lads take a closer look at Arsenal's attacking options, the summer transfer business and potential January reinforcements. Are the current forwards delivering what's expected of them, and which positions should Arsenal prioritise? The episode closes with some bold predictions for the remainder of the season.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:11) - Community Shield: Grading Arsenal's Start(02:50) - League Cup Exit: A Blessing in Disguise?(04:11) - Champions League Progress & European Ambitions(12:18) - Premier League Surprises & Early Contenders(17:29) - Managerial Changes Across the League(22:14) - Arsenal's League Start & Defensive Strength(31:03) - The Title Race: Does Arsenal Have a Challenger?(33:47) - Arsenal's Upcoming Fixtures & Squad Management(41:45) - Summer Transfers & the State of the Squad(46:40) - Assessing Arsenal's Attacking Options(52:11) - Recruitment Priorities & January Reinforcements(57:32) - Bold Predictions for the Rest of the Season(01:02:34) - Outro

Another international break is upon us, but the Premier League has left plenty to discuss. Gav, Elliot and JJ return for the Week in Football Show, with managerial uncertainty dominating the conversation and Manchester United's ongoing struggles prompting a wider debate about what it really takes to rebuild a football club.With Arsenal's progress under Mikel Arteta providing an important point of comparison, the lads discuss managerial patience, leadership and whether clubs are too quick to search for short-term solutions. Elsewhere, Brighton's impressive start raises questions about the title race, while Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton all come under the microscope.There's also plenty happening beyond the pitch. The discussion turns to supporter protests, fan ownership and the role of the Independent Football Regulator, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's international career, England squad selections and the surprising relationship between Fantasy Premier League and dressing-room confidentiality.Plus, Whip Around the Grounds brings the weekend's Premier League action into focus, while After Review returns to examine another collection of controversial refereeing and VAR decisions.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:13) - WATG: Premier League Matchweek 10 Round-Up(02:41) - After Review: Leeds vs Tottenham(06:21) - After Review: Crystal Palace vs Liverpool(10:14) - After Review: Everton vs Coventry City(15:24) - Managerial Chaos: Manchester United and the Sack Race(17:43) - Manchester United's Rebuild vs Arsenal's Arteta Project(26:22) - Nottingham Forest and Sunderland Break Their Winless Runs(29:34) - Chelsea's Form and Managerial Questions(32:26) - Brighton, Liverpool and Arsenal's Title Challengers(36:40) - Everton's European Ambitions and Thierno Barry(40:16) - England Squad Selections and Declan Rice's Minutes(42:12) - Manchester United Fans and Anti-Ownership Protests(43:44) - AFC Wimbledon, Fan Ownership and Football Governance(53:20) - Micky Mellon's Touchline Confrontation(55:03) - Cristiano Ronaldo's International Career(56:57) - Fantasy Premier League and Dressing-Room Secrets

Arsenal head into the international break with another three points after a narrow 1–0 victory over Hull City. The results remain outstanding, but is the football as convincing as the league table suggests?Gav, Juz and Elliot discuss a frustrating attacking display, the lack of speed in transition and Arsenal's growing offside problem. Kai Havertz's penalty incident sparks a lengthy debate about the laws of the game, while Noni Madueke's persistence, Martin Ødegaard's contribution and Declan Rice's finishing all come under scrutiny.The conversation turns to Arsenal's squad management, their exceptional defensive record and whether further attacking reinforcements are needed in January. With Manchester City's recent struggles and a demanding run of fixtures approaching, the lads assess where Arsenal stand and what still needs to improve.The episode also features He Said What?, with post-match reaction from Mikel Arteta and the Hull City camp.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:04) - Arsenal's Lineup and Bruno's Performance(04:07) - The First Half: Slow Transitions and Attacking Frustrations(09:49) - Havertz, VAR and the Penalty Debate(19:39) - Arsenal's Offside Problem: Runs vs Delivery(23:09) - Declan Rice's Missed Chances(26:52) - Arteta's Substitutions and Squad Management(30:13) - 1-0 | Ødegaard Scores From Madueke's Rebound(33:10) - Madueke's Missed Chance and Finishing Concerns(36:39) - He Said What?: Arteta, Hull City and the Havertz Decision(41:17) - Arsenal's Record Start and Defensive Strength(44:39) - Does Arsenal Need Attacking Reinforcements?(48:31) - Manchester City's Struggles and the Title Race(50:44) - The Crucial Fixtures Ahead

Arsenal return to the Emirates to face Hull City, but first Gav and Ells revisit a difficult night against Slavia Prague. Despite the result, a promising first half gave way to a concerning second-half performance, raising questions about Arteta's substitutions, the team's concentration and the demands of a relentless run of away fixtures.Attention then turns to Hull City and the importance of maintaining standards before the international break. With players returning from injury and others carrying heavy workloads, how should Arteta approach team selection and squad management? The hosts also consider Arsenal's position in the title race and what the opening months of the season have revealed.Elsewhere, the Predictions game returns alongside a look at Crystal Palace against Liverpool, Brighton's impressive development and Brentford's progress. There's also a discussion of managers under pressure, Who Am I?, and a nostalgic detour through memorable Arsenal trips to Cardiff and Wembley.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:05) - Who Am I? & Today's Show(02:03) - Slavia Prague's Video & Arsenal's Christmas Advert(03:48) - Slavia Prague Review: A Game of Two Halves(08:05) - What Went Wrong in the Second Half?(12:34) - Are Arsenal Playing to the Opposition's Level?(18:36) - Don't Get Drunk on Success(19:50) - Arsenal's Demanding Fixture Schedule(20:54) - Predictions Game(22:08) - Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Preview(26:02) - Manager Watch & Brighton vs Brentford(27:44) - Brighton's Arsenal 2022/23 Comparison(33:25) - Arsenal vs Hull City Preview(37:57) - Team Selection, Rotation & the International Break(43:10) - Declan Rice's Purple Dressing Gown(49:06) - Who Am I? Revealed(49:46) - Arsenal Memories: Cardiff & Wembley(55:00) - Closing Thoughts

From Manchester United to Leeds and Newcastle, the managerial pressure is mounting. Gav and Juz begin with Whip Around the Grounds before asking which clubs need a change and which need to give their managers more time. Nottingham Forest's performances also come under scrutiny.VAR then takes centre stage through Jean-Philippe Mateta's sending-off and Estêvão's disallowed goal, opening a wider conversation about the technology's priorities and player safety. The hosts also reflect on a tragic incident in Spanish football.Jamie Carragher's public row with Aston Villa leads into a discussion of club stature, punditry and Unai Emery. Jack Grealish's situation at Everton, West Ham's managerial uncertainty and the remarkable sale of a Kevin Keegan shirt complete this Week in Football.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:03) - WATG: Matchweek 9 and Managers Under Pressure(02:40) - Michael Carrick and Manchester United's Problems(04:10) - Daniel Farke's Future at Leeds(06:40) - Newcastle's Rebuild and Managerial Patience(08:36) - Nottingham Forest: Performances vs Results(10:13) - Mateta's Red Card: VAR Gets It Right(13:13) - Estêvão's Disallowed Goal and Marginal Offside(16:03) - Tenerife Tragedy and Player Safety(19:17) - Carragher vs Aston Villa: The Legal Threat(21:44) - Unai Emery and the Top-Club Debate(24:27) - Jack Grealish's Everton Absence(27:04) - West Ham's Managerial Change(30:08) - Kevin Keegan's £84,500 Hamburg Shirt(32:41) - Dirk Nowitzki's Autograph Prank

Fourteen years without a league win at Anfield. Arsenal finally end that run with a 1–0 victory over Liverpool, making history in the process. For the first time since records began in 2003–04, Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League match at Anfield. Gav and Elliot break down a performance that showed two very different sides of Mikel Arteta's team.From a dominant opening fifteen minutes to the defensive organisation that followed, the conversation explores Arsenal's tactical approach, their drop in passing accuracy and whether the change in momentum was entirely by design.The team selection comes under scrutiny, including Bruno Guimarães versus Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christos Tzolis's return and Eberechi Eze's absence from the starting eleven. There is also plenty to discuss about Noni Madueke's development, Kai Havertz's contribution and Arteta's substitutions.The hosts examine the refereeing decisions, Liverpool's attacking numbers and Arsenal's defensive performance, alongside the post-match reactions in He Said What? They finish by reflecting on the significance of ending the Anfield drought and what this performance says about Arsenal's progress.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:05) - Arsenal's Long-Awaited Anfield Victory(02:32) - Guimarães or Lewis-Skelly: Arteta's Selection(06:22) - Tzolis, Eze and the Left-Wing Decision(10:06) - Tzolis's Intelligence and Liverpool's Tactical Approach(12:55) - Madueke's Work Rate and Decision-Making(20:01) - Myles Lewis-Skelly and Arsenal's Confidence(21:08) - Liverpool's Early Challenges and the Referee(23:48) - 0-1 | Havertz Scores from Rice's Cross(27:32) - Arsenal's Missed Opportunities(29:16) - Passing Problems and Liverpool's Penalty Claim(34:25) - Liverpool's Crosses and Mac Allister's Miss(36:34) - Second-Half Defensive Control(39:56) - Tzolis's Chance and Alisson's Save(41:09) - Mac Allister, Timber and the Flashpoint(44:57) - Match Metrics: Possession, Passing and Chances(50:19) - Liverpool's Historic Zero Shots on Target(53:12) - He Said What?: The Anfield Post-Match Reactions(55:32) - What Ending the Anfield Drought Means(1:00:04) - Arteta's Substitutions and the Press(1:03:32) - Havertz's Big-Game Performance(1:07:12) - Arsenal's Defence: That's the Arsenal

Arsenal head to Anfield with their long wait for an away win against Liverpool hanging over the fixture and growing uncertainty around Mikel Arteta’s team selection. Gavin, Elliot and Justin assess Liverpool’s recent improvement under Andoni Iraola, whether the balance of this fixture has changed, and how much Declan Rice’s availability could matter.With Bukayo Saka unavailable and doubts surrounding Noni Madueke, the lads consider how Arsenal might line up without their usual width. The discussion covers the options at full-back, alternative attacking formations and the possibility of Kai Havertz returning to midfield. They also revisit the League Cup exit at Fleetwood Town, including its implications for the fixture schedule and the controversy surrounding Max Dowman’s dismissal.Elsewhere, the prediction game turns to Chelsea versus Manchester United, with Michael Carrick’s future among the talking points. Coventry versus Sunderland brings the relegation picture into focus, while Who Am I? returns for another round.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod(00:00) - Arteta’s Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:04) - Who Am I?: The Mystery Former Gunner(02:22) - Fleetwood Town: Cup Exit and Fixture Relief(05:09) - Max Dowman’s Red Card and Player Protection(12:39) - Fleetwood: Arsenal’s Biggest Cup Upset?(14:15) - Prediction Game: Chelsea vs Manchester United(17:43) - Manchester United: Carrick’s Future and Player Sackings(23:24) - Coventry vs Sunderland: A Relegation Battle(24:59) - Liverpool (A): Form, Anfield Record and Injuries(27:58) - Declan Rice and Arsenal’s Anfield Confidence(31:51) - Arsenal Lineup: Lewis-Skelly, Hincapié and Attacking Options(36:28) - Havertz or Gyökeres? The Striker Decision(39:36) - Who Am I?: The Reveal

Arsenal's defence takes centre stage as Gabriel and Ezri Konsa provide the goals in a 2–0 victory over Everton at the Emirates. With another clean sheet and the return of Arsenal's set-piece threat, Elliot, Justin and JJ examine the strength of Mikel Arteta's back line, Gabriel's injury scare and the selection dilemma awaiting William Saliba's return.But while the defenders are delivering at both ends, questions remain about Arsenal's attacking output. The lads discuss the team's tendency to ease off after taking the lead, the performances of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, and whether Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyökeres is the better fit up front. Martin Ødegaard's influence and Ben White's contribution also come under the microscope.Elsewhere, refereeing consistency comes into focus following a series of contentious decisions, before He Said What? and a wider discussion about Arsenal's title credentials. The show closes with a look ahead to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, including the case for giving academy players their opportunity.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:20) - 1-0 | Ezri Konsa Converts the Set-Piece Scramble(05:41) - Nicolas Jover's Set-Piece Approach(08:02) - Gabriel & Konsa: Goals, Clean Sheet & Defensive Numbers(13:22) - Konsa's Defensive Display & Growing Influence(16:35) - Saliba's Return: Arsenal's Centre-Back Dilemma(19:33) - Arsenal's Lineup & Selection Decisions(22:25) - Match Flow: Arsenal's Strong Start & Everton's Response(24:09) - Madueke's Threat & Final-Third Decision-Making(27:28) - Ben White's Error & Raya's Intervention(31:06) - Gabriel's Injury Scare: Should He Have Come Off?(35:18) - Gyökeres' Substitution & Midfield Rotation(39:03) - 2-0 | Gabriel Heads Home Ben White's Cross(41:35) - Tony Harrington & the Eight-Second Rule(45:44) - Zubimendi's Collision & More Refereeing Questions(50:16) - Gyökeres, Havertz & Arsenal's Striker Dilemma(54:17) - Eze's Contribution & Ødegaard's Influence(56:56) - He Said What?: Arteta on Konsa, Gabriel & Refereeing(59:57) - The Title Race: Can Arsenal's Defence Carry Them?(01:03:03) - Fleetwood Town Preview: Academy Players & Rotation(01:06:58) - Squad Fitness Concerns & Final Thoughts

Arsenal return to the Emirates to face Everton after a demanding week against Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich. Bukayo Saka's injury presents another selection headache for Mikel Arteta, with Liverpool away approaching and questions over how much rotation Arsenal can afford.Elliot, Justin and JJ assess David Moyes' Everton, the prospect of another low block and whether Arsenal need to change their attacking approach. Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze's roles come under discussion, alongside the choice between Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres up front. The lads also examine the workloads of Declan Rice, Gabriel and Martin Ødegaard, and whether the upcoming Fleetwood Town fixture offers an opportunity to manage minutes.Elsewhere, Manchester United's problems are back on the agenda ahead of Bournemouth, while the Prediction Game, Justin's Six Pack and Who Am I? complete the show.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:15) - Who Am I?: The Everton and Arsenal Career Trail(03:32) - Predictions: Sunderland vs Leeds(06:50) - Manchester United vs Bournemouth(13:16) - Six Pack: Everton's History & Records(17:26) - Arsenal vs Everton: Form, Team News & David Moyes(20:36) - Saka's Absence: Madueke or Dowman on the Right?(22:45) - JJ's Christmas Tree: Two Tens & No Wingers(24:46) - Gabriel & Ødegaard: Can Arsenal Afford to Rotate?(27:05) - Three Points or a Statement Performance?(28:21) - Full-Back Selection: Lewis-Skelly, Timber & Calafiori(29:46) - Rice's Workload, Zubimendi & Midfield Rotation(31:51) - Everton's Low Block: Change the System or Stay the Course?(33:42) - Havertz vs Gyökeres: Arsenal's Striker Selection(35:05) - Arsenal vs Everton: Score Predictions(36:45) - Who Am I?: The Mystery Player Revealed

Arsenal leave the Allianz Arena with a point after a 2–2 draw against Bayern Munich. A valuable European result or an opportunity missed? Elliot, Justin and JJ assess the performance, the strength of the opposition and what the result tells us about Arsenal's progress.Bukayo Saka's early injury forces a change of plan, with Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard central to the discussion. The lads examine Noni Madueke's best position, Kai Havertz's contribution, the quality of Ødegaard and Harry Kane's passing, and the penalty awarded against Jurrien Timber.But the bigger conversation is about Mikel Arteta. After recent questions over Arsenal's controlled approach, does this performance against Bayern offer a different perspective? We also discuss the goalkeeping performances, Arteta's substitutions and Arsenal's European ambitions, before He Said What? and a look around the other Champions League results, including another difficult night for Manchester United.Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpodChapters:(00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:23) - Bayern 2-2 Arsenal: A Point Gained or Opportunity Missed?(04:43) - Starting XI: Arsenal's Changes & Bayern's Absentees(09:29) - Saka's Injury & Arsenal's Early Control(11:32) - Noni Madueke: Better on the Left or Right?(14:28) - 0-1 | Eze Opens the Scoring from Ødegaard's Pass(17:05) - Eberechi Eze's Response After Nottingham Forest(21:21) - Ødegaard vs Kane: Whose Assist Was Better?(24:15) - 1-1 | Alphonso Davies Equalises from Kane's Pass(26:16) - Harry Kane's Deep Role & Arsenal's Defensive Shape(30:17) - Half-Time: Havertz & Arsenal's Set-Piece Threat(33:16) - Neuer vs Raya: Who Made the Better Save?(37:59) - 2-1 | Harry Kane Converts After Timber's Handball(41:03) - Declan Rice's Second Wind & Arsenal's Response(43:07) - Arteta's Substitutions: Gyökeres & Lewis-Skelly(44:08) - 2-2 | Declan Rice Equalises After Gyökeres' Return Pass(46:39) - Ødegaard Withdrawn at 2-2: The Right Decision?(49:47) - Match Stats: xG, Bayern's Physicality & Set Pieces(53:55) - Credit Where It's Due: Arteta's Approach Reassessed(57:02) - He Said What?: Arteta & Kane React to the Draw(01:01:38) - Champions League Ambitions: Is the Top Eight Enough?(01:02:31) - Around Europe: PSG, Barcelona & Real Madrid(01:05:08) - Manchester United, Michael Carrick & All or Nothing(01:06:22) - Final Thoughts & Outro