Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 1-0 win against West Ham on Sunday.The panel reflect on the VAR drama at the end of the game, the outrage surrounding West Ham’s goal being ruled out, if this was the pivotal moment for Arsenal’s title charge, this match being the hardest obstacle in the run-in, Raya being one of Arsenal’s best ever goalkeepers, the defensive effort from the entire team, Arteta bravely correcting his earlier questionable substitutions, Odegaard’s game changing cameo after a tough season, Trossard coming up clutch once again, Lewis-Skelly continuing his great form and acknowledging Ben White’s contribution to the club since joining.Plus, they respond to listener messages and discuss how the team will prepare with eight days until the final home game.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Amy Lawrence, James McNicholas and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. The panel reflect on the scenes before the game as fans greeted the team bus, the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium, the journey everyone has been on that’s led to this achievement, the impressive Champions League run to the final, the stellar job Arteta has done since taking over, the mature performance from the whole team, Gyokeres’ best showing for the club, Lewis-Skelly’s ovations from the crowd following his display, Saka fittingly scoring the winning goal, and praise for White and Rice.Plus, we hear from Art de Roché, respond to listener messages and look ahead to the West Ham away on Sunday.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Art de Roché and Amy Lawrence join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 3-0 win at home to Fulham on Saturday. The panel reflect on the fun starting line-up that led to a fun afternoon, the sense that momentum is developing, Fulham being the perfect opponent in the middle of a Champions’s League semi-final, Saka’s joyful display lifting his teammates, Gyokeres’s best performance so far as he was surrounded by more technical players, Lewis-Skelly impressing in midfield after a tough season and paying tribute to Per Mertesacker as he leaves his role as academy manager. Plus, they discuss which trophy they want more, the Premier League or the Champions League, and look ahead to the the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid at Emirates stadium on Tuesday.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Art de Roché and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League on Wednesday.The panel reflect on the strong away performance, the togetherness of the squad, Arsenal feeling like they are apart of the European establishment, an outstanding display from Rice in a deeper role, the controversial decisions around the penalties and player fatigue in comparison to their European counterparts. Plus, they respond to listener messages, discuss the rescheduling of final home game against Burnley, look ahead to the match against Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday and we hear from Terry in Islington in this week’s instalment of ‘Up Your Arsenal’. If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 1-0 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday.The panel reflect on the anxiety of the game, another cautious performance, Havertz’s importance to how the team play underlined by his injury, the difficulties of getting the right balance in attack this season, an honest conversation about Gyokeres, Eze’s importance in delivering big moments and trying to make sense of the persistent injury problems at the club.Plus, they respond to listener messages, congratulate Arsenal Women on their victory in the UWCL semi-final first leg and look ahead to a crucial ten days starting with the semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to discuss all things Arsenal and look ahead to the match against Newcastle this weekend.The panel reflect on the finance regulations in the Premier League, the rule-bending by clubs to boost their finances, the divisions forming in the Arsenal fanbase and Bukayo Saka’s importance in light of his injury.Plus, they respond to listener messages and look ahead to the run-in.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 2-1 loss away to Manchester City on Sunday. The panel reflect on the positive performance despite the loss, feeling encouraged for the run-in, the improved balance of the starting eleven, the impact of missing the first choice starters on the right hand side, the lack of consistency in attack this season, the decision to take off Eze, recognising what Arsenal are up against in Manchester City and this team doing a lot right despite having fallen short in the last few title races. Plus, they pay tribute to Alex Manninger and respond to some listener messages.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams

Amy Lawrence and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at home to Sporting CP in the quarter-final second leg on Wednesday, which saw Arsenal through to the semi-finals.The panel reflect on the historic achievement of consecutive Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, the need to cut through the negative discourse surrounding Arsenal, imploring fans to ignore outside noise, looking at the context surrounding Arsenal’s current circumstances and there’s praise for Zubimendi, Hincapie & Martinelli for their performances.  Plus, they look ahead to Manchester City on Sunday, respond to some listener messages, and we hear from Jack in Canada in this week’s instalment of ‘Up Your Arsenal’.

Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.The panel reflect on the disappointing overall performance, the lack of energy, if this result had been coming, the problems in the attack, tactical changes that could be made going forward, the need to be less risk averse and calling for a siege mentality amid the noise around the club.Plus, they look ahead to Sporting CP in the quarter final second leg of the Champions League on Wednesday and respond to some listener messages.If you like the panel’s song choices, check out the ‘Now that’s what I call Handbrake’ playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music and listen to them all there: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cgJk1eJwQBmiUJlSFZMJN?si=pMHHbBb8S8Ky5LtlKp7pHw&pi=Rra8NSxDRVm58&nd=1&dlsi=62f2d7c1c10045acApple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/now-thats-what-i-call-handbrake/pl.u-d2b00jZuDxWk6PProducer: Robby Williams