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Beyond The Back Four

Arsenal’s £1bn risk, Liverpool’s system struggle, Man Utd’s sponsor squeeze & West Ham's Nuno gamble

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Arsenal’s late win at Newcastle grabbed headlines — but behind the result is a squad that’s cost over £1bn to build and a board that expects Mikel Arteta to deliver a Premier League or Champions League title.


Liverpool’s defeat at Crystal Palace showed the cracks in their new system, while Oliver Glasner continues to build his reputation — with links to Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen already circulating.


At Brentford, United’s loss raises big questions about Ruben Amorim’s future, but also the wider culture at Old Trafford. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe calling United a “brand,” Adidas reportedly unhappy, and sponsorship deals harder to close, the problems are far bigger than the dugout.


Chelsea’s collapse at home to Brighton highlighted their youth-first recruitment strategy — hugely talented, but lacking leaders when reduced to 10 men. Is Enzo Maresca paying the price for a board that won’t compromise?


And West Ham’s sacking of Graham Potter, followed by Nuno Espírito Santo’s arrival, shines a light on a chaotic club hierarchy. Was Potter doomed the moment they allowed his recruitment staff to make major calls? And is Nuno’s appointment a gamble that can keep them in the Premier League?


Sam Homewood is joined by Kieran Maguire (football finance expert, Brighton fan) and Graeme Bailey (transfer guru) to go beyond the scorelines and look at the bigger stories shaping the Premier League.

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