Are Arsenal becoming too obsessed with winning, or are supporters holding Mikel Arteta's side to impossibly high standards?

We also cover essential off-pitch updates.

Have your say on the show! Send us a short voice note with your name and location via https://www.speakpipe.com/upgunnerspodcast to be featured on an upcoming episode of UpGunners.

Arsenal beat Lille 3–0 in the Champions League, with Jurriën Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka delivering a decisive seven-minute goal burst at the Emirates. We break down the result, Arsenal’s European momentum and Saka’s impact off the bench.

Plus, why are Arsenal fans questioning William Saliba’s absence from the new team photo? We look at the reaction, his recovery progress and what supporters are saying. We also explore Rocastle, Arsenal’s new bespoke typeface honouring club legend David “Rocky” Rocastle, reported job cuts at the club, Arsenal Fans Club Nigeria’s planned Abuja launch, Hale End academy results and the latest from Arsenal Women.

In this episode of Up Gunners: An Arsenal Podcast, host Tony Doe breaks down Arsenal’s hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. Following a sluggish first hour where James put Leeds ahead in the 55th minute, Arsenal responded with a driving Riccardo Calafiori equaliser in the 62nd minute before substitute Bruno Guimarães struck the 70th-minute winner.

We examine how Mikel Arteta's triple substitution altered the outcome, giving Bruno an 8/10 performance rating and drawing Arsenal level on 15 points with Manchester City in the Premier League table. Beyond the result, we analyse ongoing tactical concerns regarding ball progression against high-pressing teams, highlight crucial saves by David Raya, and spark an honest conversation on player accountability—comparing the intense scrutiny surrounding new signing Viktor Gyökeres with the leniency shown to Bukayo Saka. To close, we cover the Arsenal U21s’ 2-2 draw with Sunderland and preview the Arsenal Women’s upcoming WSL clash against Manchester City.

In this episode of Up Gunners: An Arsenal Podcast, host Tony Doe [The Ramblin' Gooner] analyses 16-year-old Hale End star Max Dowman’s headline-grabbing two-goal display in Arsenal's 4–2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town, alongside impressive outings for fellow academy teenagers Marli Salmon and Theo Julienne. Tony dives into Mikel Arteta’s deliberate preseason disruption tactics—intentionally messing with travel schedules and meal routines to build mental steel—and how that preparation paid off in a resilient 1–0 European win against Napoli. The discussion also covers Arsenal's early-season set-piece dry spell despite elite delivery from Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Ødegaard, off-pitch commercial expansion under newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer Omar Sheikh, and a debate pitch from guest Ochuko Ugborikoko outlining five reasons why new Premier League fans should choose Arsenal Football Club.

Read The Transcript here.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates in a dramatic London derby, extending their perfect Premier League start. Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea an early lead with a first-time volley, but Kai Havertz equalised against his old club before Martin Ødegaard’s clinical second-half finish sealed the win. David Raya’s late save preserved the three points as the champions showed character and control.

This episode breaks down the full match, Arsenal’s superior xG, standout performances from Havertz, Ødegaard, Christos Tzolis and Declan Rice, and what the result means for both sides under Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso. We also dive deep into Havertz’s unique hybrid false-nine role, how his movement, link-up play, pressing and intelligence make him central to Arsenal’s title-defending system, even with new forwards arriving.

Plus: the inspiring story of teenage winger Lisa Baum. The Tanzanian-born, German-raised Arsenal Women signing scored a spectacular debut winner against Brighton in the WSL opener, dedicated the goal to her late brother, and instantly announced herself as one to watch.

We close with Arsenal’s deep cultural connection to Notting Hill Carnival, how the club’s Black and Caribbean heritage, iconic kits and community ties turn the streets of West London into a celebration of identity every August.

What are you expecting from Arsenal this season? Leave a voice message at speakpipe.com/upgunnerspodcast, and you could feature on a future episode.

Full Transcript here.

Can the Gunners pass their first major road test of the season at Villa Park? In this episode of the Up Gunners Podcast, we dive deep into the tactical battle ahead and break down the major transfer news shaping North London.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Battle of Villa Park: Arsenal enters Birmingham with momentum, but Unai Emery’s Aston Villa is looking to bounce back. With key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber ruled unavailable, we analyse how the Gunners' midfield must control the pitch to stop Villa's intensity.
• Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona: It’s the end of a 4-year chapter. We break down the details of Jesus’s imminent €10 million transfer to Barcelona, tracing his journey from his promising 2022 arrival to the crucial January 2025 ACL injury that saw him slip behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres in the pecking order.
• Styling the "Bruised Banana" Away Shirt: British GQ has issued its fashion verdict on the bold navy, yellow, and red zigzag away kit. We share their simple rules for dressing it up with relaxed trousers, denim jackets, and the right footwear.
• Beyond the Pitch: Celebrating 40 years of Arsenal in the Community. We highlight how the club is driving change through the "No More Red" campaign tackling youth violence, and the new lung health initiative launching with NHS partners in Camden and Islington.

🎙️ We want to hear from you! What are your score predictions for the Villa Park clash? Share your thoughts, your name, and your location with us at speakpipe.com/upgunnerspodcast to be featured on our next episode!

Transcript here.

Arsenal have started their Premier League title defence with a convincing 3–0 win over Coventry City. Tony Doe breaks down the opening-day performance, the champions' mentality, the growing importance of squad depth and what the result tells us about Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

The episode also tackles the Gabriel Martinelli situation, Christos Tzolis' impressive debut, and the bigger question facing Arsenal: is the squad strong enough to defend the Premier League title while competing in the Champions League and domestic cups?

Plus, a message to Americans choosing an English Premier League team to support and a few words for the Arsenal hate-watchers who were waiting for the first slip-up.

Talk to us: https://www.speakpipe.com/upgunnerspodcast

Transcript.

Arsenal are back as Premier League champions! In our opening episode of the season, host Tony Doe previews the highly anticipated opening night fixture against Coventry City at the Emirates. Fresh off an emphatic 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City, we debate how the Gunners will begin their title defence. In this episode, we dive deep into:

Transfer News & Defensive Fixes: We analyse the £51 million move for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa to bolster a backline missing William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Plus, our thoughts on new arrivals Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis!

Coventry City Danger: Can Frank Lampard’s aggressive Championship side cause an upset? And will former Sky Blues star Victor Gyökeres line up against them in Arsenal colours?

The Business Behind the Badge: Unpacking Arsenal's massive commercial boom, including the new Deel sleeve partnership, the strategic Google Gemini & Pixel AI deal, and the Emirates stadium extension through 2033.

Arsenal Culture & Crossovers: We look at North London icon Little Simz rocking the new 2026-27 away kit, and Leah Williamson's consulting role on Season 4 of Ted Lasso.

An Open Letter to the Hate Watchers: A special message for the rivals tuning in to watch us fall.

🗣️ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What is your prediction for the season? Go to speakpipe.com/upgunnerspodcast to leave a voice note, and you could be featured on our next show! Subscribe to Up Gunners! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite player so you never miss an episode. Up Gunners!

Is Katie McCabe’s move to Chelsea a betrayal of her 11-year Arsenal legacy, or a rational career move? We dive into the contract negotiations that led a club legend to a direct rival and listen to McCabe’s perspective on her future at Chelsea.

Beyond the transfer drama, the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the US, Canada, and Mexico with North London fingerprints everywhere. We preview the "Global Gunners" representing nations like England, Spain, Brazil, and France. From Martin Ødegaard’s Norway to William Saliba’s France, we look at the 16 Arsenal stars ready to dominate the international stage.

Read the full transcript here.

that saw Arsenal FC reclaim the Premier League title and redefine its cultural soul.

Moving beyond the "spreadsheets" of a 22-year title wait, this episode explores the deep "infrastructure" of belonging that turned the streets of North London into a shared organism. Tony analyses the "paradox" of the modern club: a high-performance global business that remains anchored by "premodern emotional rituals" and intergenerational memory.

We also dive into the psychology of the modern fan, dissecting the rise of "hate-watching" and Schadenfreude, where rivals watch not to learn, but to witness a collapse that never came. Despite the "cruel arithmetic" of a Champions League final loss to PSG on penalties, the parade revealed a club that is no longer rebuilding, but "rooting".

From Holloway Road to the Emirates, discover why the return of "expectation without apology" is the real turning point for Mikel Arteta’s squad and the beginning of a new dynasty.

Read the transcript here.

In this episode, we celebrate the Gunners’ historic Premier League title win and the "steadfast weight" of a journey defined by patience, resilience, and loyalty through the voices of Emeka aka Igwe, based in Canada and The Vocal Expressionist from Lagos, Nigeria.

Looking ahead, we provide a preview of the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest. We ramble about why this "bigger and sharper" Arsenal squad is ready to go one step further than the 2006 final in Paris, analysing the tactical belief that can finally bring the trophy to London.

And then we break down the major shift in European football: the permanent move to a 5:00 p.m. kickoff for the Champions League final. From improving transport and family accessibility to hitting the sweet spot for global broadcasts, we explain why this change is designed to make the biggest night in club football more "human" and fan-friendly.

London is red, join us as we celebrate the return of the Gunners to the very top.

Music Credits: "Arsenal Are Back" by Crucial Robbie, Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlPgSsmy4UI

Read Transcript here.