The Non-Negotiables: Arsenal Podcast

The NN Pod
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Football
  • Updated Semiweekly

Passion. Commitment. Respect. No outrage. No clickbait. Just proper Arsenal conversation. The Non-Negotiables is an Arsenal podcast for supporters who want thoughtful football discussion throughout the season. From Match Previews and Match Reactions to our Week in Football shows, we cover every Arsenal game, the biggest stories from across football, and the tactical, transfer and performance debates that matter most. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod

  1. 1d ago

    E269: “Defined By An Era” - Wenger’s 30-Year Legacy, Arteta’s New Contract & Arsenal’s Next Era (Arsenal Special)

    Thirty years on from Arsène Wenger’s appointment, we look back at the manager who reshaped Arsenal and the wider pattern that runs through the club’s history — Chapman, Mee, Graham, Wenger and now Mikel Arteta. Few clubs are quite so closely defined by their managerial eras. With Arteta signing a new four-year contract through to 2030, we discuss what the next phase of his Arsenal tenure could look like, where his eventual legacy might sit, whether this could be his final deal at the club and why Arsenal’s recruitment now feels increasingly focused on winning in the present. We also take stock of the season so far. Has this Arsenal side genuinely changed after last year’s title win, or are we seeing a familiar team with more confidence, healthier key players and less pressure? The Brighton defeat, Riccardo Calafiori’s return to form and what Arsenal’s response after the international break might tell us all come into the conversation. Finally, we round up the Arsenal fallout from the international break, including the latest injuries, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s midfield appearance for England and the wider squad picture, before touching on Carlos Cuesta’s departure from Parma and Mohamed Elneny’s latest move. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters: (00:00) - Arteta’s Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:14) - Arsène Wenger: 30 Years Since His Arsenal Appointment(08:21) - Wenger’s Legacy & Mikel Arteta’s New Contract(14:22) - Arsenal: A Club Defined By Its Managers(17:08) - Where Could Arteta Rank in Arsenal History?(22:36) - Is This Arteta’s Final Arsenal Contract?(27:11) - Arsenal’s Win-Now Era & the Next Four Years(30:15) - Arsenal’s Season So Far: Seven Wins From Eight(31:41) - Who Has Impressed So Far?(36:49) - Are Arsenal Actually Different This Season?(38:57) - Did Arsenal Need the Brighton Defeat?(43:35) - International Break Injuries: Kai Havertz(47:17) - Martin Ødegaard & the Bernardo Silva Challenge(51:05) - Christos Tzolis Injury(53:12) - Myles Lewis-Skelly Starts in Midfield for England(54:46) - Carlos Cuesta Sacked by Parma(56:13) - Mohamed Elneny Joins Levadiakos

    E269: “Defined By An Era” - Wenger’s 30-Year Legacy, Arteta’s New Contract & Arsenal’s Next Era (Arsenal Special)

  2. 4d ago

    E268: “Clusterf*ck” - Manchester City’s Reported 115-Charge Verdict, Punishment & Premier League Fallout (Week in Football)

    Reports surrounding Manchester City’s long-running Premier League case have finally brought the biggest financial investigation in English football back to the centre of the conversation. We get into what has reportedly been found, the extraordinary scale of the case, City’s response and what could come next. From points deductions and relegation to title asterisks, ownership consequences and whether any punishment can truly account for years of accumulated advantage, there is a lot to untangle. We also look beyond Manchester City themselves. What does this mean for the Premier League’s reputation? How should supporters react when their own club is accused of wrongdoing? And has this entire saga exposed a much bigger problem with football governance and nation-state ownership? One subject. Plenty of consequences. An absolute Clusterf*ck. Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:17) - Word of the Day: Clusterf*ck(02:13) - Manchester City's Financial Charges & Reported Findings(07:20) - Eight Years of the Manchester City Case(09:48) - Arteta, Mancini & Individual Responsibility(14:53) - Manchester City's Response(19:40) - Refusing to Open the Books(26:56) - Khaldoon Al Mubarak's Message to City Fans(31:35) - Manchester City vs Chelsea: Cooperation & Ownership(44:55) - Financial Rules, Competition & State Ownership(47:20) - Do Manchester City Fans Deserve Sympathy?(55:08) - Have Manchester City Broken the Premier League?(58:58) - What Should the Punishment Be?(01:05:05) - Start Again: Elliot's Manchester City Punishment(01:06:26) - What Will the Punishment Actually Be?(01:10:26) - Has Manchester City Damaged the Premier League Era?(01:12:32) - Strip the Titles or Add an Asterisk?(01:14:39) - If They Don't Start Again, Did They Get Away With It?(01:15:07) - The Investigative Journalists Who Brought It to Light(01:17:54) - Closing Thoughts & What's Next

    E268: “Clusterf*ck” - Manchester City’s Reported 115-Charge Verdict, Punishment & Premier League Fallout (Week in Football)

  3. Sep 22

    E267: "Butcher is Gutted" - Manchester United’s Problems, Spurs Bottom & Is Man City’s Start Sustainable? (Week in Football)

    Manchester United’s latest stumble gives us plenty to get into as questions grow around Michael Carrick, the quality of the squad and what their early-season performances are telling us about the direction of the team. Things are hardly calmer across north London. Spurs are bottom after defeat to Aston Villa, while Manchester City continue to collect results at the top end of the table. We look beyond the scorelines at what the opening weeks are beginning to reveal across the Premier League. Elsewhere, Harry Kane reaches another remarkable Bundesliga milestone, the Madrid derby brings another controversial talking point, and Granit Xhaka finds himself at the centre of a very different kind of story. We also mark 100 years of the San Siro and reflect on the history of one of football’s most iconic stadiums. Finally, the international break arrives. With Declan Rice and Piero Hincapié withdrawing from international duty, we discuss player workload, the demands being placed on elite players and what the break means for Arsenal ahead of the return to club football. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters: (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:07) - WATG: Chelsea Stung, Spurs Bottom & Butcher is Gutted(03:04) - Manchester United, Carrick & Gary Neville's U-Turn(07:23) - Spurs Bottom: Aston Villa & Running Out of Popcorn(13:12) - Promoted Sides: Hull, Ipswich & Coventry(14:32) - Manchester City: Five Wins, But Is It Sustainable?(17:30) - Harry Kane's 100 Bundesliga Goals(19:48) - Madrid Derby & the Printer Press Conference(24:18) - Granit Xhaka & the Covid Vaccination Card Story(28:43) - San Siro at 100(31:25) - International Break: Rice, Hincapié, Saka & Player Load(36:58) - Outro

    E267: "Butcher is Gutted" - Manchester United’s Problems, Spurs Bottom & Is Man City’s Start Sustainable? (Week in Football)

  4. Sep 20

    E266: “Pecked By The Seagulls” - Brighton 3-0 Arsenal, Arsenal’s Build-Up Fails & Set-Piece Concerns Return (Match Review)

    Arsenal’s perfect start comes to an abrupt end at the Amex as Brighton produce a performance that leaves plenty to unpack. We look at how Brighton changed the game Arsenal expected to play, went longer instead of inviting the press and repeatedly forced Mikel Arteta’s side into trouble when trying to build from the back. Was this simply a bad day at the office, or did Brighton expose something Arsenal need to solve when teams refuse to play the game on their terms? There are questions at both ends of the pitch too. David Raya comes under the microscope after the opening goal, Arsenal’s defending from corners becomes a wider concern and we look at why the attack struggled to create despite the possession and underlying numbers suggesting a very different game. The substitutions and midfield balance also come into focus as we discuss whether Arsenal could — and should — have changed the shape of the contest earlier. Then it’s time for He Said What?, with Mikel Arteta and Fabian Hürzeler reflecting on the performance, before we zoom out. Does the international break arrive at the perfect moment for Arsenal to reset, and how much should one heavy defeat change the way we view a team that had won its opening seven matches? Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters (00:00) - Arteta’s Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:08) - Starting XI, Stats & a Result That Doesn’t Match the Numbers(02:36) - Brighton’s Gameplan: Arsenal Played Straight Into the Trap(06:09) - 0-1 | Brighton Strike First & the David Raya Debate(10:23) - 0-2 | Brighton Double the Lead(11:47) - 0-3 | Brighton Seal It From a Corner(15:18) - Arsenal’s Attack, Christos Tzolis & Where’s the No. 9?(18:10) - Arteta’s Substitutions: Had He Already Accepted Defeat?(19:47) - Did Arteta Get the Setup Wrong?(20:21) - Should Myles Lewis-Skelly Have Started?(25:52) - He Said What? | Mikel Arteta(31:28) - He Said What? | Fabian Hürzeler(33:11) - Wrong Team, Wrong Day?(34:50) - Is This the Wake-Up Call Arsenal Needed?(36:20) - The Perfect Storm & No Arsenal Meltdown(39:12) - Zoom Out: Arsenal’s History of Bouncing Back(40:22) - The Premier League Has Changed: How Costly Is One Defeat?

    E266: “Pecked By The Seagulls” - Brighton 3-0 Arsenal, Arsenal’s Build-Up Fails & Set-Piece Concerns Return (Match Review)

  5. Sep 18

    E265: "Brighton (A)" - Eight From Eight? Brighton’s Possession Test, Dowman Debate & Arsenal’s Defensive Puzzle (Match Preview)

    Arsenal head to Brighton looking to make it eight wins from eight — but the Amex presents a very different kind of challenge. Brighton have started the season playing with confidence, scoring freely and dominating possession. We discuss whether that style could actually play into Arsenal’s hands, why the press could be decisive and whether Mikel Arteta should let Brighton have the ball or take control of the game from the start. There are decisions to make in the Arsenal XI too. With the defence stretched, we work through the options at right-back, the midfield combination many have been waiting to see and what Max Dowman’s brilliant Carabao Cup performance means for his place in the squad this weekend. That develops into a wider conversation about how clubs should manage elite young players as expectations, money and attention arrive earlier than ever. Plus, there’s the Brighton edition of Six Pack, Who Am I?, our weekend predictions and a look at Arsenal’s Carabao Cup trip to Fleetwood — and a return to Highbury of a very different kind. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters: (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(02:07) - Predictions: Bournemouth vs Liverpool(05:52) - Fulham vs Manchester United: Who Needs It More?(12:07) - Six Pack: Brighton Edition(14:30) - Brighton (A): Form, Injuries & The Amex Test(17:24) - Brighton's Possession Numbers: How Real Are They?(18:15) - "I Dare Brighton to Keep the Ball"(20:00) - Will the Midweek Carabao Cup Games Matter?(21:44) - Brighton's Build-Up vs Arsenal's Press(23:01) - Eight From Eight Before the International Break?(25:12) - Starting XI: Arsenal's Right-Back Problem(27:39) - Do We Talk About Bruno?(29:27) - Max Dowman: Has He Earned a Place on the Bench?(31:20) - Managing Max Dowman & Protecting Young Players(35:45) - Teenage Contracts, Money & Football Development(40:05) - Fleetwood Away: Arsenal Are Going Back to Highbury(43:03) - Who Am I?: Brighton, Arsenal & Beşiktaş

    E265: "Brighton (A)" - Eight From Eight? Brighton’s Possession Test, Dowman Debate & Arsenal’s Defensive Puzzle (Match Preview)

  6. Sep 16

    E264: "Open Training" - Dowman Scores Twice, Madueke Shines & Arsenal’s Rotated XI Impresses (Match Review)

    A heavily rotated Arsenal side heads to Portman Road, but there is still plenty of familiar Arsenal in the performance. Max Dowman takes centre stage after a brilliant two-goal display, with Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino also making their mark. We discuss what Dowman is already showing at 16, the Bergkamp moment and whether his future at No.10 creates an interesting conversation alongside Ethan Nwaneri. There is also plenty to unpack elsewhere. Marli Salmon gets another senior opportunity alongside Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi is tested at right-back and Bruno Guimarães gives Arsenal another option deeper in midfield. Then the conversation turns to two more difficult performances. Where does Eberechi Eze fit into this Arsenal side, and how concerned should we be about Viktor Gyökeres after another frustrating night? Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(00:48) - Starting XI: Dowman, Salmon & Zubimendi at Right-Back(03:30) - Arteta Trusts Hale End & Marli Salmon Gets His Chance(04:59) - "Open Training" & Zubimendi's Right-Back Experiment(06:33) - Match Stats: Arsenal Finally Turn Chances Into Goals(09:24) - 0-1 | Max Dowman Opens the Scoring in Style(11:18) - 0-2 | Madueke Finishes as Arsenal's Structure Shines(17:23) - 0-3 | Dowman Strikes Again & the Bergkamp Moment(19:44) - 0-4 | Mikel Merino Makes It Look Easy(21:03) - Mikel Merino's Strange but Valuable Arsenal Role(23:39) - 2-4 | Ipswich Pull Two Back: Mehmeti & Akpom(25:14) - He Said What?: Arteta & Gary O'Neil on the Game(26:49) - Kepa, Zubimendi & Arsenal's Rotated Defence(28:26) - Gabriel's Leadership & Marli Salmon Impresses(31:20) - Bruno Guimarães Gives Arsenal Another Midfield Option(34:32) - Eberechi Eze: Where Does He Fit?(40:23) - Viktor Gyökeres: "This Is a Crisis"(47:28) - How Far Should Arsenal Take the Carabao Cup Rotation?(48:14) - Outro

    E264: "Open Training" - Dowman Scores Twice, Madueke Shines & Arsenal’s Rotated XI Impresses (Match Review)

  7. Sep 13

    E262: “Referee. Raya. Revenge” - Arsenal Punish Sunderland After Controversial Penalty Drama as Guimarães & Saka Strike (Match Review)

    Locked. The canonical title has been updated to v2, and the Season Index still shows the title asset as Complete. E262: “Referee. Raya. Revenge” - Arsenal Punish Sunderland After Controversial Penalty Drama as Guimarães & Saka Strike (Match Review) Next: description. Arsenal leave the Stadium of Light with a 2-0 win after coming through one of their most physical tests of the season so far. Elliot, Gavin and Justin break down David Raya’s decisive penalty save, Bruno Guimarães’ impact from the bench and Bukayo Saka putting the game beyond Sunderland. They also look at how Arsenal handled Sunderland’s pressure, why the second-half midfield change mattered and whether this side is now better equipped to manage difficult away games than it was last season. There’s also discussion around Saka’s decision-making, Riccardo Calafiori’s influence on Christos Tzolis, Kai Havertz’s defensive contribution and whether a Rice–Guimarães–Ødegaard midfield could become Arsenal’s strongest combination. Plus, in He Said What?, the panel react to Mikel Arteta’s strong criticism of the controversial Sunderland penalty decision and debate whether publicly taking aim at the officials helps Arsenal — or risks creating another problem. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters: (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(01:07) - Sunderland Review: Starting XI & the Schedule Challenge(04:21) - Arsenal's Fast Start & Sunderland's Physical Game Plan(07:31) - The Referee, Double Standards & Arsenal Bingo(12:43) - Bukayo Saka: Chances, Shooting & Decision-Making(18:15) - Sunderland's Set-Piece Threat(20:06) - Ben White's Injury, Jurrien Timber Returns & Myles Lewis-Skelly(23:52) - Bruno Guimarães: The Perfect Player for the Fight(25:02) - Controversial Sunderland Penalty: Konsa, Ballard & VAR(28:53) - David Raya Saves Enzo Le Fée's Penalty(32:37) - 0-1 | Bruno Guimarães Announces Himself(35:08) - Rice, Guimarães & Ødegaard: A Midfield Without Weakness?(35:51) - Lessons Learned & the Sunderland Revenge Mission(39:05) - Saka Wins a Penalty & Reinildo Sees Red(41:02) - 0-2 | Bukayo Saka Seals the Win(41:52) - Match Metrics(42:59) - Kai Havertz's Defensive Contribution(43:19) - He Said What?: Arteta Takes Aim at the Penalty Decision(46:43) - Arsenal's New Belief Under Pressure(48:31) - Ezri Konsa(48:55) - Christos Tzolis(51:15) - Riccardo Calafiori & Arsenal's Midfield Pecking Order(54:55) - Revenge Complete & the Perfect Start Continues(55:46) - Ipswich, Max Dowman & Carabao Cup Minutes

    E262: “Referee. Raya. Revenge” - Arsenal Punish Sunderland After Controversial Penalty Drama as Guimarães & Saka Strike (Match Review)

  8. Sep 11

    E261: "Sunderland (A)" - Revenge at the Stadium of Light, Xhaka Returns & Arsenal Go Full Strength? (Match Preview)

    Arsenal head to the Stadium of Light looking to maintain their perfect Premier League start — and put right last season’s frustrating draw against Sunderland. Gav and Juz look ahead to the Saturday-night test, the atmosphere Arsenal can expect under the lights and whether the trip to Napoli could have any impact on Mikel Arteta’s side. There’s also the Granit Xhaka reunion, Arsenal’s team-selection decisions, the choice between Bruno Guimarães and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and how heavily Arteta should rotate when the Carabao Cup arrives next. Plus, the Six Pack, Predictions and Who Am I? Continue the discussion with us.Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content.All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod Chapters: (00:00) - Arteta's Non-Negotiables & Intro(00:46) - Who Am I? Game(02:05) - Prediction Game: Leeds United vs Newcastle United(06:00) - Bournemouth vs Brentford(09:03) - Six Pack: Sunderland(12:03) - Sunderland (A): Match Preview(14:08) - Saturday Night at the Stadium of Light(15:19) - The Revenge Factor: Putting Last Season Right(17:38) - Granit Xhaka Returns(18:50) - Full Strength Sunderland, Rotate in the Carabao Cup?(20:28) - Arsenal Team Selection: Bruno Guimarães or Myles Lewis-Skelly?(21:39) - Could Jurrien Timber Make the Bench?(22:40) - Predictions & Confidence(23:22) - Who Am I? Reveal

    E261: "Sunderland (A)" - Revenge at the Stadium of Light, Xhaka Returns & Arsenal Go Full Strength? (Match Preview)
See All (270)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Passion. Commitment. Respect. No outrage. No clickbait. Just proper Arsenal conversation. The Non-Negotiables is an Arsenal podcast for supporters who want thoughtful football discussion throughout the season. From Match Previews and Match Reactions to our Week in Football shows, we cover every Arsenal game, the biggest stories from across football, and the tactical, transfer and performance debates that matter most. Continue the discussion with us. Follow The NN Pod for more Arsenal and football content. All our links: https://beacons.ai/thennpod

Information

You Might Also Like