Share
The Game
Gunners misfire, replay rows and free pints
Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Hardy join Tom Clarke to discuss why Arsenal are stumbling, who paid for the Newcastle beers and if we should re-record the whole podcast.
First up Arsenal’s blunt strike force, do they have the answer or do they need to buy. A character building win for Liverpool, but do either team have enough to trouble Man City in the league.
Martin Hardy reflects on an important result for Newcastle and Eddie Howe, and the difference a weeks rest made. For Sunderland it was a week to forget.
Finally, to replay or not to replay? It depends on who you ask, Gregor has little sympathy for elite teams setting the agenda for all of the football pyramid.
Timeline:
Arsenal v Liverpool
2’ Are wheels coming off Arsenal. Arteta has referenced a mental block around scoring.
4’ Arsenal should have bought a top class forward. Their current strikers are not top class.
5’ Are there as many top class forwards in the premier league now?
6’ Havertz a box crasher.
8’ Should Arteta be speaking out? Where will goals come from?
9’ Liverpool looked good. Still lacked a clinical edge though, but more resilience.
11’ Liverpool are a different side second half in most games. So many goals after 75mins.
13’ Both teams good, but are either good enough to finish above Man City?
14’ Nunez a handful but will he win you a title?
Wear Tyne derby
16’ crazy derby stories, ghosts, Di Canio, horses and graffiti.
19’ Sunderland were not ready for the occasion.
21’ Odd tactical choice by Michael Beale.
22’ Newcastle looked like they had had a weeks rest
24’ Why play out from the back against a team who love to press.
25’ Tripper looked back. Springboard for the rest of the season, injuries returning.
27’ Very important win for Eddie howe and Newcastle.
Weekend highlights
31’ Maidstone, penalty saves, away followings and Patrick Bamford’s worldie.
Replays
35’ Good idea of not?
36’ Removal of a replay might create teams who play for penalties. It used to be three replay’s
37’ Replay’s look likely to be dropped.
40’ We shouldn’t be changing the calendar for 16 elite teams.
42’ Replays are great for teams seeking revenue and hope. They’re not for big teams seeking a break.
43’ The problem highlights the vast financial differences between all the levels of football.
48’ Given the money on offer for one extra point in the premier league, do cups matter anymore?
50’ “Domestic football should not be shaped in the image of 6 to 8 rich elite owners.”
Transfers
53’ Where should Henderson or Mbappe go?
More episodes
View all episodes
Who is next for Man Utd? Plus mid week match reviews
54:35|“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the answer, what the hell is the question!?”Man Utd look like going back to the future, is that the right answer for one of the biggest clubs in the world?Is the problem in the mangers seat, or is it the executives at the club?Elsewhere coffee cups are the least of Thomas Franks problems at Spurs, West Ham are doomed and with injuries to Man City defenders and Villa drawing - has it been Arsenal’s best week of the season? Will they capitalise against Liverpool...?EFL Extra: The winners and losers from the festive period
41:15|Coventry did not have a good Christmas – is it a slip or the rot setting in?Ipswich and Watford by contrast had a bumper Christmas. With the squad at their disposal Ipswich look ominous and despite a slow start Wrexham are now only a point below the play offs in ninth.In League One, much to Tom’s delight it's hard to look past Lincoln City who beat Cardiff, Stockport, Huddersfield and Peterborough over Christmas…can they really stay the course? At the bottom Rotherham are on an awful slide – is there any way back for the Millers?Hats off to Bromley in League Two, but Walsall…not again surely!?Ruben Amorim Sacked!
57:55|Never a club to be upstaged Manchester United sack their manager Ruben Amorim just four days after Chelsea sacked their manager Enzo Maresca.Are both decisions a reflection of failing managers or failing hierarchy’s?Who is in line for both jobs at two of the biggest clubs in England? And whoever gets them, who will have the tougher job – at Chelsea or Manchester United?After the break Arsenal look like title winners, West Ham look doomed and everything at Spurs looks unhappy.Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and Alyson Rudd give their verdicts on Ruben Amorim’s sacking.New Year, same old chaotic Chelsea
55:18|It's the new year, Enzo Maresca is out, but what does the future hold for both the manager and the club? And is Liam Rosenoir the right choice to replace Maresca? On the latest episode of The Game, the team also discuss Arsenal's statement win against Aston Villa, Liverpool's draw with Leeds and another big performance from Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. And finally with the increased use of set pieces we continue the debate about entertainment in the modern game. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.Which teams had a Happy Christmas and which didn't?
58:33|Reaction to all the Christmas fixtures as Villa keep winning, Arsenal look nervous and City look ominous. If Villa win at Arsenal can they go all the way?Are Liverpool's signings starting to click and hats of to Keith Andrews and Regis Le Bris.Elsewhere, Palace look knackered, Ruben Amorim finally plays a back four, West Ham need to buy a defender or they are down and will Iraola change his system?Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson.We'll be back on Friday to review the new year fixtures and predict the rest of 2026. Happy New Year and we'll see you then.EFL Extra: Christmas Special
38:58|It’s Christmas but the EFL doesn’t stop and neither do Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson – here with a bonus Christmas edition of EFL Extra. They’re doing their end of year awards – teams, players and managers of the year for each of the divisions…and many more.If you need a break from the festivities, go for a walk or find a quiet corner and join Tom and Gregor for all the latest from the EFL.From everyone at The Game podcast – a very Merry Christmas. We’ll be back for an end of year episode on the 29th, see you then.How good are Villa and who is the best midfielder in the world?
53:19|As Villa cement their place in the top three just how good are they? Do they have the squad depth to last the course? Is their star midfielder Morgan Rogers now elevating himself to world level? David Moyes thinks Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the world. Is he…and if not, then who is?Dominic Calvert-Lewin has found form and fitness at Leeds how far could it take him and his club?Spurs lost at home again and had two men sent off but seem to have received some credit in the process. Lastly, are Wolves in danger of breaking Derby’s lowest ever Premier League points total? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and tom AllnuttCity for the title? Chelsea chaos and end of year awards
52:19|Chelsea are through to the semi-finals of the League Cup, but behind the scenes there is more chaos. Manager Enzo Maresca is unhappy, but no one quite knows why. The fans chanted his name but are the board happy? A day in the life at Chelsea… Man City are looking ominous, could they be considered title favourites by the new year?One of their shining lights is number ten turned left back Nico O’Reilly – Jonny and Gregor think he is now England’s first choice for the World Cup. After the break 2025 awards and wishes for 2026. Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan NorthcroftArsenal or City? Rogers or Palmer?
57:28|Arsenal are still top of the Premier League but are Manchester City favourites for the title after this weekend? City beat Palace convincingly but Arsenal wobbled against Wolves. Elsewhere Aston Villa kept up the pace and we ask - just how good is Morgan Rogers? Is he on the same level as his friend Cole Palmer?On this show we also discussed Sunderland's win against Newcastle and why the promoted side can already start planning for next season in the Premier League. And we finish with a look at the bottom of the table and the Africa Cup of Nations. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.