On this edition of The Dugout, Jacob is joined by Alex Moneypenny from The Different Knock to dissect the emotional fallout of the 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest. Despite sitting seven points clear at the top, the vibes are complicated—so how do we hold two opposing truths at once?

In this episode we discuss:

The Premier League “Quality” Debate: Alex delivers a hot take on why the narrative that the league is “terrible” this year is wrong, arguing that the league has never been more compact or difficult.

The Joy Deficit: Jacob explores the struggle of the modern fan experience—why does being top of the league feel like a grind, and is the “journey” actually enjoyable this season?

The Gyökeres Inquest: An emotionally honest conversation about Viktor Gyökeres. Is it a “translation” issue from the Portuguese league, and should he be used as a “hero” substitute rather than a starter against low blocks?

Tactical Philosophy: A deep dive into whether Mikel Arteta prioritizes “relationships over profiling” in his team selection, and how that might be stalling the attack.

The San Siro Test: Looking ahead to Inter Milan—why players won’t accept rotation for a Champions League anthem night, and the desperate need for Kai Havertz to return.

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