The Grove - An Arsenal Podcast

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The Grove Podcast is an Arsenal podcast for fans who love the club but don’t take themselves too seriously. Match reactions, previews and debates that mix football insight with a little humour; including the uncomfortable truths when they’re needed. Hosted by Arsenal supporters, for Arsenal supporters.🎙️ New episodes after every match. You won't want to miss out - this is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

  1. 5d ago

    🎧 208 | The Grove x Keith Hackett (Former Referee & PGMOL Head) Refereeing, VAR, ProRef & the State of the Game

    Keith Hackett Interview — Refereeing, VAR, PGMOL/ProRef & the State of the Game Tabs and Ian (aka: @arsecannonpics) return during the international break with a very special guest: Keith Hackett, former Football League, Premier League and FIFA referee, FA Cup final official, and ex‑General Manager of PGMOL. One of the most experienced refereeing figures of his generation joins The Grove Podcast for a deep, honest and wide‑ranging conversation. We begin with the breaking news of the week, Manchester City found guilty of 114 charges, and discuss the scale of the verdict, the implications for the Premier League, the reaction inside football, and how supporters should process a scandal of this magnitude. Then Keith takes us through his extraordinary career: • Starting as a 16‑year‑old referee in Sheffield• Rising through the Football League• Running the line at the 1979 Arsenal–Manchester United FA Cup Final• Refereeing the 1981 FA Cup Final and replay• Officiating major international fixtures including Euro ’88 and the Olympics• The infamous 1990 Old Trafford melee between Arsenal and Manchester United• His years inside PGMOL and the push for professional refereeing and goal‑line technology Keith speaks candidly about refereeing culture, VAR, ProRef, accountability, communication, and how the modern game has drifted from the principles that once defined officiating. There are brilliant stories; from George Graham in the fog at Scarborough, to Emlyn Hughes at Anfield, to the realities of refereeing in an era before yellow cards. It’s insightful, honest, funny, and at times eye‑opening, a rare look into refereeing from someone who has seen every side of the profession. A special guest, a huge news week, and a deep dive into the state of officiating. COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

  2. Sep 21

    🎧 TGP | After Review : GW5 Premier League 26/27

    GW5 After Review: Brentford expose Chelsea’s cracks, Spurs unravel in another brutal collapse, and Man City turn a chaotic shootout into another win. If you want a fun Premier League recap through an Arsenal lens, this is the one to hear. Tabs and Gianluca break down the weekend’s most revealing games, from Brentford’s ruthless 3-0 win over Chelsea to Tottenham’s first goal of the season turning into another misery-filled afternoon. They also unpack the madness at the Etihad, where Sunderland actually landed punches before City’s quality and chaos swallowed the game whole. You’ll discover: Why Chelsea’s expensive squad still looks strangely fragileThe defensive details behind Brentford’s statement winHow Tottenham keep finding new ways to stay brokenWhy Sunderland’s brave approach nearly worked against CityWhat Man United’s late equaliser says about their deeper problems There’s also a debate over VAR calls, offside decisions, handball appeals, and that frustrating one-minute treatment rule that can swing a match for the wrong reasons. If you follow the Premier League closely, love a bit of schadenfreude, or just want some honest but a little one eyed reactions to the biggest talking points of the round, this episode delivers. Essential listening for Arsenal fans, and for anyone who wants to know which results actually matter before the table starts to spread. 01:57 — Brentford vs Chelsea12:21 — Tottenham vs Aston Villa22:47 — Everton vs Ipswich Town27:51 — Newcastle United vs Hull City31:37 — Nottingham Forest vs Coventry City38:16 — Bournemouth vs Liverpool43:34 — Leeds United vs Crystal Palace45:01 — Manchester City vs Sunderland55:20 — Fulham vs Manchester United COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

    🎧 TGP | After Review : GW5 Premier League 26/27
  3. Sep 20

    🎧 207 | Brighton 3-0 Arsenal: A Reality Check & Perspective

    Brighton Too Good & Arsenal Poor, We Take It on The Chin, Learn & Go Again Arsenal’s first loss of the season is one of those results that tells you everything and nothing at once. Brighton’s 3-0 win exposes real questions about Arsenal’s build-up, transition play, finishing, and set-piece threat - but it also shows just how relentless and organised Brighton can be when everything clicks. Tabs is joined by Ian (@ArseCannonPics) for a proper cathartic post-match debrief after a miserable afternoon at the Amex. They break down the lineup, the missed chances, the defensive lapses, and the moments where Arsenal looked one pass or one decision away from changing the game. If you’ve been wondering whether this was a one-off bad day or a warning sign, this conversation gets into the details that matter. How Brighton’s press disrupted Arsenal’s usual rhythm from the first throw-inWhere Arsenal’s transition play broke down under pressureWhy Havertz’s big miss summed up the afternoonWhat the stats actually say about Arsenal’s performance and Brighton’s executionTabs - host of the Grove Podcast, steering the reaction, framing the tactical issues, and keeping the mood equal parts pained and pragmatic.Ian (@ArseCannonPics) - returning guest and Arsenal watcher, offering the sharpest reflections on the missed chances, Brighton’s press, and where Arsenal’s attacking shape fell short. Tabs and Ian also put the result into wider context, from Arsenal’s early-season form to the growing pressure on attacking players to find more cutting edge. They ask whether Brighton have exposed a blueprint other teams will try to copy, and whether Arsenal’s set-piece edge has quietly disappeared. It’s a frustrated but fair-minded post-match reaction, with plenty of honesty, some needed perspective, and a few laughs along the way, including the only real joy of the day, watching Spurs collapse before kick-off. COYG! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

  4. Sep 16

    🎧 206 | Dowman Downs Ipswich, Brighton To Come

    Ipswich Away, Max Dowman Brilliance, Big Vik, Big Concerns & a Brighton Preview Max Dowman did not just score twice against Ipswich - he looked like he was born for this level. Tabs and Andy break down the 16-year-old's brace, the touch that sent a defender the wrong way, the off-ball work that had everyone talking, and why this might be the clearest sign yet that Arsenal have a genuine future star on their hands.But this episode is not only about one teenage sensation. Tabs and Andy also dig into the bigger picture from a fun 4-2 Carabao Cup win, including the strength of Arsenal's squad depth, the decision to rotate, and why this competition still matters for developing players who need minutes now.You'll discover: Why Dowman's first brace for the club feels bigger than a cup stat lineWhat his positioning, confidence, and decision-making say about his ceilingWhy Andy thinks his movement, pressing, and finishing are already far beyond typical 16-year-old standardsHow Miley Salmon, Bruno Guimaraes, and Mikel Merino impressed in a rotated sideWhy the performance of Victor Gyokeres has become one of the episode's most uncomfortable talking points Tabs and Andy do not shy away from the hard questions either. They get into whether Gyokeres is struggling with confidence, effort, or something deeper, and what Arsenal may have to do if they cannot quickly get him back to his best. They also compare him with players who can be limited technically but still terrify opponents, and ask what actually makes a striker useful when the goals are not flowing. Then the conversation turns to Brighton. With Arsenal chasing a perfect start, the pair look ahead to a tricky away trip, the injury situation, possible lineup calls, and why this might be the right moment to face a strong opponent that is missing key players. COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

  5. Sep 15

    🎧 TGP | After Review : GW4 Premier League 26/27

    GW4 After Review: Manchester Derby VAR Controversy, Chelsea Can't Defend & Villa Score But Lose & Spurs STILL Goalless Tabs and Gianluca are back for Game Week 4 of The Grove Podcast's After Review show; the weekly Premier League roundup through an Arsenal lens. In this episode, Tabs and Gianluca break down the biggest talking points from the weekend, including the Manchester derby VAR decision, Chelsea’s defensive collapse, and Spurs’ alarming goal drought. They also touch on standout performances from Hull, Leeds, and Brighton, plus a quick Fantasy Premier League update. The episode also pulls in voice notes from other supporters, giving the review a wider league perspective while keeping the Arsenal lens front and centre. Key topics - The Manchester derby controversy, with Phil Foden’s red card and the oh so very wrong offside call for Erling Haaland’s goal - Manchester United still failed to do enough, even with Manchester City down to 10 men - Coventry’s red card against Brighton and how it swung a game that became much more one-sided afterward - Chelsea’s familiar pattern of scoring early and then collapsing defensively against Hull - Hull’s strong attacking numbers and why their unbeaten start looks more convincing than the table might suggest - Aston Villa’s struggles continuing after another defeat, this time to Nottingham Forest - Bournemouth and Brentford drawing again, with individual errors continuing to hurt Bournemouth - Spurs’ goal drought hitting historic levels, while Everton keep grinding out points - Liverpool’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Fulham despite heavy possession and a stacked attack - Crystal Palace’s worrying start and Ipswich’s growing confidence after another positive result - Leeds’ emphatic win over Newcastle and the case for them as an outside European challenger 00:00 - Tabs opens the Game Week 4 review and sets the Arsenal-led agenda 01:34 - Arsenal beat Sunderland and the post-match tension around the penalty 05:51 - The Manchester derby controversy begins at Old Trafford 11:09 - Foden’s red card and Bruno Fernandes’ role in the incident 13:03 - Why Haaland’s goal stood and why the VAR process was the real problem 15:46 - Accountability, old boys’ clubs, and how VAR could be restructured 19:27 - Why Manchester United still failed to take advantage of City going down to 10 22:36 - Coventry vs Brighton and the red card that changed the game 27:29 - Chelsea’s early goal, then the defensive collapse against Hull 29:50 - Hull’s attacking numbers and Chelsea’s long clean-sheet drought 30:52 - Aston Villa’s latest setback and Forest’s deserved win 34:47 - Bournemouth vs Brentford and the recurring issue of defensive mistakes 41:40 - Spurs vs Everton and the continuing goal drought at the new stadium 47:41 - Liverpool vs Fulham and Marcus’ voice note on the stalemate 52:31 - Palace vs Ipswich, the red card, and Ipswich’s strong start 55:03 - Leeds vs Newcastle and the late-night momentum swing at Elland Road 59:26 - Highlight and low light of the weekend from Tabs and Gianluca 62:24 - League table check-in, next week’s fixtures, and Fantasy Premier League updates COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

    🎧 TGP | After Review : GW4 Premier League 26/27
  6. Sep 13

    🎧 205 | Arsenal Out-Bully Sunderland, Ipswich Rotation Expected

    Sunderland Away , Raya’s Heroics, Bruno's Banger & Ipswich Preview Tabs returns, sleep‑deprived, cold‑ridden and fresh off a 500‑mile round trip for Episode 205 of The Grove Podcast, joined by Mitch to break down Arsenal’s hard‑fought 2–0 win at Sunderland and look ahead to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Ipswich. We start with the reality of a late‑night away day: getting home at 4 a.m., birthday breakfasts instead of beers, and the kind of fatigue only football fans understand. Then it’s straight into the match, Arsenal’s strongest XI, Timber finally back on the bench, and a performance that mixed control, resilience and a few nervy moments. Mitch gives a detailed breakdown of the Ben White injury scare: the taped thigh, the mid‑week niggle, the moment he pulled up, and why Timber’s sudden warm‑up made perfect sense. We discuss what the injury might mean, how long he could be out, and why Arsenal’s habit of passing to limping players needs to stop. Then comes the big talking point: the penalty. Tabs describes the confusion in the away end, Mitch explains the TV angle, and together they dismantle the decision, the grappling, the shirt pull, the VAR transcript, the “matey” commentary, and the judo‑roll nonsense that left Arteta furious. From despair to elation, Raya’s save becomes the highlight of the night: an outrageous leap, a strong hand, and a goalkeeper who continues to prove he’s irreplaceable. There’s praise for Arsenal’s defensive structure, the midfield balance, the game management, and the growing confidence of a team that keeps finding ways to win. And finally, attention turns to Ipswich away; rotation, Timber minutes, Bruno’s involvement, and how Arteta might approach a midweek cup tie after a brutal run of fixtures. A late‑night away day, a controversial penalty, a world‑class save, a goal for the ages and a cup preview. COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

  7. Sep 11

    🎧 204 | Inevitable Arsenal Dominate Napoli, Sunderland Next

    A Dominant Display, Missed Chances & Sunderland Preview Tabs returns for Episode 204 of The Grove Podcast, fresh from Naples, to break down Arsenal’s 1–0 Champions League win over Napoli and look ahead to Saturday night’s Premier League trip to Sunderland. We start with the full European away experience: the travel chaos, the safety briefings, the herding, the police escorts, the long bus loops around the city, and the late release back to the port. Tabs shares the highs (including an elite Neapolitan margherita) and the lows (queues, heat, delays, and being treated like cattle), giving listeners a real sense of what following Arsenal abroad can be like. Then Holly from the North Bank Pod (@northbankpod) joins to dissect the match itself, an excellent dominant Arsenal performance that somehow finished 1–0 thanks to a collection of extraordinary missed chances. We talk through the rotation, the players who came in, the left‑side drop‑off without Calafiori and Tzolis, Merino’s quality, Hincapié’s strong showing, and the ongoing debate around Gyökeres: his role, his limitations, and how he fits into an evolving Arsenal attack. Finally, attention turns to Sunderland away, a tricky, physical opponent with a clear identity and a dangerous left side. Tabs brings insight from Sunderland correspondent Andy, and we look at how Arteta might set up for an 8pm Saturday kick‑off that promises intensity and narrative. A European win, a pile of missed chances, and a Premier League preview. COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

  8. Sep 8

    🎧 203 | Chelsea Beaten Again, Napoli Next

    Beating Chelsea Again & Looking Ahead to Napoli Tabs and Andy return for Episode 203 of The Grove Podcast and it’s a joyous one. Arsenal beat Chelsea again, remain unbeaten after three games, and send that clown‑car club back to West London with nothing but excuses and self‑pity. It’s always sweet, always satisfying, and always worth celebrating. We break down a dominant Arsenal performance at the Emirates: the intensity, the physicality, the control, and the gulf in class that made it feel like men against boys. We talk through the line-up, why Tzolis got the nod, how Odegaard set the tone, and why Kai Havertz continues to torment his former club. There’s praise for Konsa’s superb home debut, the defensive structure, the midfield balance, and the growing confidence of a team that now imposes its football rather than reacting to others. There’s also discussion on Chelsea’s situation the spending, the excuses, the “project”, and why they still look miles behind despite all the noise. Plus a few reflections on the atmosphere, the lack of segregation outside the stadium, and the behaviour of certain Chelsea fans after the match. Then attention turns to Wednesday night: Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Napoli. We look at how Arteta might rotate, who’s likely to come in, and what to expect from a tricky first European fixture of the season. A celebratory episode where beating Chelsea never gets old. COYG. ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite podcast app. Find us on socials: @thegroveafc This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ---- Follow, rate, and subscribe to The Grove Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube @thegroveafc Find us on BlueSky, Threads, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @thegroveafc Email us here: thegrovepodcast@outlook.com 🔴 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG #ArsenalPodcast #gunners #EPL #Arteta #UCL #odegaard #eze #madueke #gyokeres #saka #trossard #martinelli #zubimendi #raya #hincapie #jesus #rice #gabriel #MLS #saliba #mosquera #havertz #calafiori #guimares #tzolis #konsa #CHAMPIONS Arsenal podcast, Premier League title race, Arsenal instant reaction, Arsenal analysis, The Grove Podcast, Hot Off The Pitch. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. UCL. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (VIDEO EDIT)

About

The Grove Podcast is an Arsenal podcast for fans who love the club but don’t take themselves too seriously. Match reactions, previews and debates that mix football insight with a little humour; including the uncomfortable truths when they’re needed. Hosted by Arsenal supporters, for Arsenal supporters.🎙️ New episodes after every match. You won't want to miss out - this is The Grove, and everyone is welcome. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

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