Share
Handbrake Off: The Athletic FC's Arsenal show
Arsenal win UWCL & End of Season Awards: Part One
•
Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to reflect on Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Barcelona in Lisbon, to secure the clubs second Women's Champions League 18 years on from the first.
Stina Blackstenius was the hero, scoring the winner just seven minutes after coming off the bench. The panel discuss Renee Slegers impact since becoming manager back in October, including her connection with the squad and how she's improved them tactically.
We hear from Blackstenius, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly speaking to The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur post game, and Art de Roché drops by to give his thoughts on a brave and intelligent performance.
Amy and Adrian make a start on our end of season awards for the men's side, looking back at the highlights and lowlights of the campaign, choosing their player of the season, goal of the season, moment they wished could be different plus many, many more.
We'll be back on Wednesday with James and Art to talk more about the women's monumental triumph, continue the awards and answer your questions, you can email us at handbrake@theathletic.com.
Produced by Jay Beale.
More episodes
View all episodes
Martinelli hat-trick sends Arsenal into FA Cup fourth round
38:23|Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 4-1 win away to Portsmouth on Sunday. The panel reflect on Marli Salmon becoming the youngest player to represent the club in the FA Cup, Gabriel Martinelli responding to a difficult week with his first career hat-trick, Mikel Merino’s performance in the holding midfield role, Ethan Nwaneri’s encouraging display, Kai Havertz’s return from injury and Madueke’s eventful outing.Plus, they talk about Bukayo Saka’s new contract with Arsenal and look ahead to Arsenal’s match away to Chelsea in the semi-final first leg of the Carabao CupProducer: Robby WilliamsWere Arsenal brave enough against Liverpool?
44:59|Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool on Thursday night. The panel reflect on whether Arsenal lacked bravery in a disappointing performance, losing control in midfield in the second half, Gyokeres’ ineffective showing, the atmosphere in the ground, the lack of urgency to win the game, the Martinelli incident during stoppage time and the media response to it.Plus, they look ahead to Arsenal’s match against Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday, we hear from Stephen in Belfast for another instalment of ‘Up Your Arsenal’ and David Ornstein gives us the details on Bukayo Saka’s new 5 year contract.Producer: Robby WilliamsRice brace leads Arsenal to victory
49:16|Amy Lawrence and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 3-2 victory away to Bournemouth on Saturday. The panel reflect on the teams’s ability to get tight victories over the line, players improving since arriving at Arsenal, the midfield fluidity, Zubimendi’s impressive season so far, Odegaard hitting top form, Gabriel’s atonement for his early mistake, and Rice’s new chant following his player of the match performance.Plus, they look ahead to Arsenal’s match against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Thursday night and react to Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Producer: Robby WilliamsGabriel returns in style as Arsenal thrash Villa
51:50|Amy Lawrence, Art de Roché and James McNicholas join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 4-1 victory against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. The panel reflect on the freedom Arsenal played with in the second half, the two Martins running the midfield, Trossard’s excellent 2025, Jesus’ first goal since returning from injury, Gabriel’s influence on the team and the importance of his partnership with Saliba. Plus, they look ahead to Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth on Saturday and look back at some of their highlights of 2025.Producer: Robby WilliamsOdegaard on song in nervy Brighton win
50:40|Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss both Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and their quarterfinal win against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last week.The panel reflect on another nervy finish to the game, feeling positive about Arsenal’s attacking play despite poor finishing, Odegaard’s encouraging performance, Raya’s importance after another match winning save, Gyokeres' continued lack of form and the difficulties for new players to adapt. Plus, they look ahead to Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa on Tuesday night at Emirates stadium. Producer: Robby WilliamsUp Your Arsenal: Sliding doors moments, favourite away wins & why we love football
41:34|Welcome to a special Handbrake Off bonus episode featuring some of our favourite stories and questions from our new segment 'Up Your Arsenal'. We’ll be back with a regular podcast on Monday 29th December, where the panel will reflect on both Arsenal's Premier League game against Brighton and their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. Please keep the Up Your Arsenal submissions coming if you’d like to be featured in 2026, Merry Christmas!Produced by Jay Beale.Gyokeres penalty sees Arsenal top at Christmas
39:43|Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke join Ian Stone to discuss Arsenal’s 1-0 win away to Everton on Saturday.The panel reflect on getting the job done in a must win away game, a steady but flawed performance, the slow start to the first half, a lack of cohesion in the midfield, still waiting for the team to click going forward, Declan Rice being back to his best, Victor Gyokeres’ improved performance and being entrusted with the penalty by his teammates.Plus, they look ahead to Arsenal’s match against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at Emirates stadium.Producer: Robby WilliamsArsenal’s injury concerns & analysing Gyokeres
38:57|James McNicholas and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to look ahead to Arsenal’s game against Everton on Saturday.The panel discuss the possible contributing factors to the squad’s injury issues since the start of last season, Gyokeres’ start to life as a Gunner not yet meeting expectations, whether Arsenal can have a better record at Hill Dickinson Stadium than they had at Goodison Park and more.Plus, we hear from from Joey in Indianapolis for another instalment of ‘Up Your Arsenal’.Producer: Robby WilliamsSaka spares Arsenal’s blushes against Wolves
35:37|Adrian Clarke and Art de Roché join Ian Stone to discuss the 2-1 win at home to Wolves on Saturday. The panel reflect on the contributing factors to the disappointing performance, Arsenal’s poor first half displays recently, Arteta’s team selection, Bukayo Saka continuing to deliver, growing concerns around Victor Gyokeres, Ben White’s injury, and the excitement around Gabriel Jesus’s return. Plus, they discuss how Arsenal should approach the week ahead with no midweek game and look ahead to the next run of fixtures. Producer: Robby Williams