In the final pod of 2023, Jimbo welcomes Duncan Alexander, Tom Williams and Tim Spiers into The Athletic studio.

The final set of Premier League fixtures before Christmas pits the top two against each other with Liverpool taking on Arsenal. Are the Gunners well equipped right now to end their Anfield hoodoo?

Also on the calendar, Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge of Nottingham Forest. Nick Miller laments the loss of Steve Cooper while Tim tells us how Nuno is more successful than we remember.

Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-finals provide plenty of drama, from Trippier’s nightmare to Onana’s jaunty penalty.

Plus Christmas anniversaries, the next fortnight’s breaking news stories and why we should all be watching the coin toss at Spurs v Everton.

Produced by Charlie Jones.

RUNNING ORDER: 

• PART 1: Forest’s managerial change with Nick Miller (03.30)

• PART 2a: Liverpool v Arsenal preview (14.00)

• PART 2b: Man City at the Club World Cup (23.00)

• PART 3a: Christmas On This Day (28.00)

• PART 3b: League Cup quarter-final round-up (34.00)

• PART 4a: The rest of the Premier League weekend (51.00)

• PART 4b: Analysing the news that will break in the next fortnight (60.00)

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