Share
The Game
Have you ever seen a better free kick than Declan Rice’s?
•
Was Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid their best performance under Mikel Arteta?
At its heart was a dominant display from Declan Rice, topped off by two outstanding free kicks. Have you ever seen better? And where did Rice’s overall performance leave his England position? A six, an eight, a ten?
How do Arsenal approach the second leg, sit back and defend or go for more goals? Could that be their biggest challenge?
Bukayo Saka showed his calibre as he terrorised a star studded Real team and Miles Lewis Skelly once again showed confidence beyond his years.
For Villa it was a tough night albeit against an exceptional PSG side. Did Emi Martinez’s antics help or hinder his team? Is the tie over or could it be a famous night at Villa Park in a weeks’ time?
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.