THE DUGOUT | SPURS BRIEFING FROM JACK PITT-BROOKE (THE ATHLETIC)
In this Dugout edition of The Arsenal Opinion Podcast, Jacob Hawley takes the hosting seat and welcomes Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic for a deep dive into the North London Derby build-up.
Across a lively and insightful conversation, they explore:
Tottenham through the eyes of someone who covers them, not supports them, striking the perfect balance for Arsenal listeners.
How international breaks shape narratives, coaching trends, and fan expectations, including the role of throw-ins, set pieces, and Premier League punditry.
Why international football may actually feel more expressive than club football right now.
The shift from superstar match-winners to tactical systems in the modern Premier League.
A spicy segment on Declan Rice’s best role, as Jack delivers his Hottest of Takes.
A measured, slightly worried look at Arsenal’s injury-stricken attack heading into the Derby.
And finally, Jack’s score prediction, which tries (and fails) to keep Spurs fans optimistic.
This one blends tactics, narrative, nostalgia, and Derby-day tension. A perfect warm-up for the weekend.
🎧 IF YOU WANT THIS CONTENT AD FREE AND ALL THE BONUS THINGS LIKE NICE WRITING, EXTRA CONTENT, AND A VERY GOOD DISCORD, PICK YOUR OPTION BELOW:
WRITING + AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArsenalOpinion
AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.le-grove.co.uk/8c0cfff5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s all the boys on the show, ready to take the awesome member questions that you’ve all been percolating on.
We covered a wide range of topics, including upcoming U-turns, the Ethan conundrum, predictions on trophy hauls, and much, much more.
Thanks for making this a GREAT SHOW! x
🎧 IF YOU WANT THIS CONTENT AD FREE AND ALL THE BONUS THINGS LIKE NICE WRITING, EXTRA CONTENT, AND A VERY GOOD DISCORD, PICK YOUR OPTION BELOW:
WRITING + AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArsenalOpinion
AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.le-grove.co.uk/8c0cfff5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:03:00
--------
1:03:00
🧠 THERAPY SESSION - MAKING ROOM FOR TOO MANY TEENAGE SUPERSTARS
This week’s Arsenal Opinion is therapy in name only — because everyone’s feeling suspiciously good. Pedro, Matt, and Jacob try to process the weird calm that comes with a 10-game winning streak, a record defensive run, and a fanbase already booking trophy parades.
They dive into:
🔥 Hottest of Takes — Saka’s missing his mates, the clean-sheet obsession is getting dangerous, and one host admits to moving a stag do for the trophy lift.
🧱 Dual Monsters & Defensive Evolution — Why Arsenal are now the trendsetters in modern football, how Hincapié fits Arteta’s lab-built vision, and what it means for the rest of the squad.
🧠 Ethan’s Growing Pains — The panel debates whether Nwaneri’s central evolution is genius planning or just a little premature.
👶 The Hale End Boom — Max Dowman, Andre H, Marley Salmon… Arsenal’s teen wave is real, and Arteta’s “Bilbao model” might just be working.
💰 Selling Smart vs. Selling Souls — Do Arsenal need to rebrand their shopfront? And would you sell Ethan for £70m if it meant landing a new winger?
A light-hearted but sharp chat full of nostalgia, overanalysis, and joy-fuelled dread — the kind only Arsenal fans can deliver.
🎧 IF YOU WANT THIS CONTENT AD FREE AND ALL THE BONUS THINGS LIKE NICE WRITING, EXTRA CONTENT, AND A VERY GOOD DISCORD, PICK YOUR OPTION BELOW:
WRITING + AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArsenalOpinion
AUDIO + VIDEO: https://www.le-grove.co.uk/8c0cfff5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
58:52
--------
58:52
🎙️ THE DUGOUT: ADRIAN CLARKE ON CUP ROTATION, GYOKERES, DECLAN RICE & THE EVOLUTION OF ARSENAL
Jacob Hawley is joined by former Arsenal player and tactical guru Adrian Clarke for a deep dive into Arsenal’s form ahead of the Slavia Prague game.
The pair get into:
⚽️ Why Arsenal’s “mini-cups” matter more than ever
🧠 Gyokeres’ all-round evolution and what comes next
💪 Declan Rice as the true heartbeat of the team
🎯 The Trossard and Eze effect
🩺 What’s really behind the current injury pile-up
A brilliant, detailed chat about how Arteta’s side are managing the grind, developing depth, and chasing glory across every competition.
IF YOU WANT THESE PODCASTS WHEN THEY RECORD OR ABSOLUTELY LOVE IN THE MOMENT, SIGN UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP BELOW:
AUDIO ONLY: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArsenalOpinion
AUDIO + WRITING: https://www.le-grove.co.uk/8c0cfff5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
52:47
--------
52:47
GYOKERES DROPS A WORLDIE / ARSENAL BURY BURNLEY
The boys dive into the brilliant Burnley result that’s set Arsenal up for a very good weekend — no matter what happens elsewhere.
They get into:
🐴 Decland the HORSE
🎨 Trossard and looking beyond the ‘image’
🧠 Arteta — best in the game?
💪 GYOKERES THE BEAST
🍀 Has Lady Luck finally switched sides?
A fun, fiery one. Thanks for being a member and tuning in!
IF YOU WANT THESE PODCASTS WHEN THEY RECORD OR ABSOLUTELY LOVE IN THE MOMENT, SIGN UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP BELOW:
AUDIO ONLY: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArsenalOpinion
AUDIO + WRITING: https://www.le-grove.co.uk/8c0cfff5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An Arsenal opinion podcast. Recorded live, never edited.
Hosts Pedro, Matt, and Johnny Cochrane bring you LIVE On The Whistle match analysis, transfer speculation, strategic insight, and all things Arsenal.
Get bonus content on Patreon
UK