In Lockdown

We conclude the series with a bonus episode, as David O'Leary tells us all about his international career with the Republic of Ireland, culminating with THAT historic penalty kick at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The Gunners defender made more than 50 appearances for his country, but it's his match-winning penalty against Romania 30 years ago that he is still most fondly remembered for by Irish fans. In this episode, David tells us about his frosty relationship with long-standing boss Jack Charlton, talks us through his emotions as he strode up for the vital kick in the penalty shootout and reveals some of the stories he has heard from supporters about that moment ever since. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are in conversation with David O'Leary - the man who holds the club record for most appearances with 722. The defender enjoyed an incredible 20-year playing career with the Gunners, and he tells us about realising his secret ambition of becoming the first man to ever play 700 times for the club. David also outlines just how much football changed between making his debut as a 17 year old under Bertie Mee in the 1970s, to when he left the club during the Premier League era, on the back of another trophy-winning season in 1993. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is former striker, and league title winner, Kevin Campbell. Earmarked for a successful career ever since his record-breaking days in the youth teams, Kevin recalls how he broke into the side as an 18 year old, and soon made his mark alongside Alan Smith and Ian Wright up front. In a far-reaching interview, he tells us exactly what representing the club meant to a boyhood Arsenal fan, and looks back fondly on the league title success of 1991 and 1994 Cup Winners' Cup triumph. He also reveals his emotions when it was time for him to leave the club in 1995. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of our special, in-depth interview with Jens Lehmann, the former Gunners goalkeeper picks out his highlights from the 2006 Champions League run, and describes his emotions in the immediate aftermath of his sending off in the final. In a fascinating insight, he reveals how he turned to meditation to cope with being dropped from the side, and how he earnt his place back. He tells us what he really thinks of former team mate Manuel Almunia and how he got on with international team mate Oliver Kahn. Jens also recounts the circumstances around his return to the club, and how he became our oldest ever Premier League player during his second spell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're in conversation with Jens Lehmann this week, for the first half of a two-part special with our outspoken former goalkeeper. In part one Jens discusses replacing David Seaman in 2003 and what he thought of training sessions at his new club. He looks back over an incredible first season when he played every minute of the Invincibles campaign - culminating with the title-winning match at White Hart Lane. He also gives his honest take on the game that ended our 49-match unbeaten run at Old Trafford, and tells us about his relationship with referees in English football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is former striker, and now Sky Sports commentator, Alan Smith. The 13th highest scorer in the club's history, Alan won a host of trophies during his eight years at the club, including two league titles. In this in-depth interview he tells us about the unusual circumstances around his signing, and how he won the Golden Boot award twice. He relives the incredible title- clinching game at Anfield in 1989, but also reveals the crisis of confidence he suffered following Ian Wright's arrival in 1991. Always honest and forthcoming, Alan also tells us about his retirement soon after his heroics in the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are in conversation with mercurial midfielder Alex Hleb, who spent three years at the club between 2005 and 2008. Alex tells us about his first impressions of the club when joining from Stuttgart, and the relationship he had with Arsène Wenger. He relives the heartache of the 2006 Champions League final, and his friendship with Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky. But most revealing of all is his sorrow and regret at leaving the club for Barcelona, a move he still cannot comprehend himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is former captain and current academy manager Per Mertesacker. The BFG tells us about his excitement around his transfer deadline day move to the club in 2011, and talks us through becoming a mainstay of the defence alongside Laurent Koscielny. He recalls the highs and lows from his seven seasons in the team, culminating with the incredible performance in the 2017 FA Cup final against Chelsea. Per also reveals the circumstances around calling time on his playing days aged just 33. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of our in-depth interview with Nicklas Bendtner, we hear about the car crash he suffered on the way to training that had serious consequences for the rest of his career, and about his conversations with Arsène Wenger when his Gunners career came to an end. The Danish striker also looks back over his career with the Gunners and outlines his highlights, as well as his regrets, while telling us about his plans for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Lockdown returns for a second series, and outspoken former striker Nicklas Bendtner kicks things off with a revealing interview about life on and off the pitch. Nicklas has just released his explosive autobiography, Both Sides, and in part one of our in-depth interview, he recalls moving to London from Denmark as a 16 year old, and how his childhood shaped his confident personality in the dressing room. He tells us about his first Premier League goal in the north London derby and his on-field bust up with strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor. He also reveals the truth behind the infamous 'self-confidence' test that he took at the club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices