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 line
• What his positioning, confidence, and decision-making say about his ceiling
• Why Andy thinks his movement, pressing, and finishing are already far beyond typical 16-year-old standards
• How Miley Salmon, Bruno Guimaraes, and Mikel Merino impressed in a rotated side
• Why 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.

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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Email us here: [email protected]

🔴 #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

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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.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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

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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.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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)

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.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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

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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.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

This is The Grove, and everyone is welcome.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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

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(VIDEO EDIT)

GW3 After Review: Sunderland Don't Take Their Chances, City Grind, Liverpool Click, Fulham Collapse, Spurs Goalless & Utd Can't Seal The Deal

Tabs and Gianluca return for Game Week 3 of the Grove After Review, the weekly Premier League roundup through an Arsenal lens.

We start at the G‑Tech, where Tabs was in the stands for Brentford vs Sunderland — a surprisingly brilliant, chaotic 1–1 full of VAR drama, soft penalties, disallowed goals, and Brobbey bullying centre‑backs for 90 minutes. Sunderland flew out the blocks, Brentford rallied, and both sides left feeling half‑robbed and half‑relieved.

Then it’s onto Manchester City’s narrow 1–0 over Coventry. Haaland’s header proves the difference, but Coventry impress again, creating chances, hitting the post, and making City sweat far more than expected. City grind, Coventry remain pointless and goalless, but not hopeless.

Next up: Liverpool’s first win of the season, a 2–0 at Ipswich. Isaac continues his hot start, Gakpo pulls the strings, and Ipswich show tidy build‑up but no cutting edge. Marcus, our Liverpool correspondent, gives his thoughts, including why he thinks Araújo might actually be good and why Liverpool still look fragile despite the result.

We also dive into Fulham vs Crystal Palace, a fun 3–2 full of comical defending, big swings, and Leno having another nightmare. Palace scrape through, Fulham look lightweight, and both sides could easily get dragged into trouble.

We cover all the games and there’s also a quick look at the wider Premier League themes: not holding onto leads, promoted sides struggling in the final third, big teams can't find the back of the net and how early‑season patterns are already forming.

COYG.
----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

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COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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)

Assessing The Transfer Window, With Chelsea Up Next

The window has slammed shut and Tabs is joined by Jamie to sift through the good and the bad of Arsenal’s summer business, before turning attention to Sunday’s big early season clash against Chelsea

We open with the wider Premier League transfer madness: grotesque fees, private equity money, loopholes, and a market that feels increasingly detached from reality. Jamie breaks down how the new financial rules have shifted power toward clubs with huge non‑football revenue streams, and why the Premier League’s spending now looks so wildly out of sync with Europe.

Then it’s onto Arsenal. We evaluate the window with a clear head:

• Zollis arrives as the lone forward addition

• Konza strengthens the defence

• Bruno Guimarães raises the midfield ceiling

• MLS effectively becomes a new signing

• And three attackers depart: Jesus, Trossard, Martinelli

Jamie gives the window a 7 to 7.5 out of 10, arguing that Arsenal were ambitious, fast and smart even if they didn’t land the final marquee attacker. We dig into the debate around depth on the left, the reliance on fitness, the knock‑on effect on Saka and Havertz, and whether Arsenal were right to avoid overpaying for players.

There’s also a deeper conversation about the striker market: why true ceiling‑raisers barely exist, why Alvarez and Vinícius were the only genuine game‑changers, and why Arsenal’s pursuit of them, even unsuccessfully, still signals ambition.

Finally, we turn to Sunday’s opponents: Chelsea, the asset‑trading company masquerading as a football club. We look at their squad build, their early‑season form, and how Arsenal should approach the match with Konza likely to start and the squad now fully focused on football rather than transfers.

A window that promised fireworks ends with frustration, nuance and perspective and now it’s time to get back to business on the pitch.

COYG.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

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COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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)

Celebrating An Away Win Against Villa & Have We Let Arteta & The Players Down?

Arsenal are back to doing the most Arsenal thing imaginable: grinding out a tense, nervy, statistically dominant but emotionally chaotic 1–0 away win. Tabs is joined by Andy and Kuziva to break down the victory at Villa Park and to dive straight into the transfer deadline day fallout that has had heads falling off across the fanbase.

We start with the match: a controlled but cagey performance, elite defending, and a Saka strike that proved enough. The lads talk through the rhythm of the game, Villa’s mid‑to‑low block, the slower patterns in the first half, and why Arsenal looked more cautious than in the opening two fixtures. There’s discussion on Miles Lewis‑Skelly’s more conservative role, the right‑side dominance, and how Villa’s setup forced Arsenal into patience rather than chaos.

The subs get a big spotlight:

• Bruno’s excellent cameo, threading passes and instantly looking at home

• Zubimendi’s calming five‑minute masterclass

• Eze’s impact

• Konza’s assured introduction

• Mosquera’s knock (and why it’s nothing serious)

Then we get into the refereeing because it was impossible not to. Tabs, Andy and Kuziva dissect one of the worst officiating performances we’ve seen in a long time: inconsistency, crowd bookings, missed fouls, bizarre advantage calls, and the Bruno penalty incident that somehow wasn’t given. When both sets of fans leave angry, you know the ref has had a shocker.

And then… Transfer Deadline Day.

Did Arsenal do enough?Should we have added a forward?Are we one Havertz injury away from trouble?Or is this squad, even without new arrivals, strong enough to defend the title?

It’s a lively, honest, passionate discussion about ambition, risk, squad building, and the fine margins that define elite football.

A gritty win, a quiet deadline day, and a big question hanging over the club.

COYG.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

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COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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)

AFTER REVIEW GW2 : Spurs Collapse Again, Liverpool Stumble, United Get 'Lucky'

Tabs and Gianluca return for Game Week 2 of The Grove's "After Review" podcast, the weekly Premier League roundup through an Arsenal lens.

We start with a quick thank‑you for the lovely feedback on the debut episode, then dive straight into the weekend’s action but not before Gianluca opens a surprise gift: a custom Arsenal “After Review” clock from listener Martin at Classic Football Clocks @ClassFootyClock. A perfect addition to his uni digs.

Then it’s onto the football, and there’s only one place to begin: Tottenham 0–2 Newcastle. We break down the pre‑match hype, the “Spud Bros” misplaced optimism, the stadium announcer’s chest‑thumping, and how quickly it all fell apart. Spurs dominate possession, create little, collapse after half‑time, and get booed off in their first home league game. Newcastle, meanwhile, execute their game plan perfectly — organised, sharp on the break, and quietly impressive across two tough opening fixtures. We also hear from Elliot, our Spurs correspondent, who gives a brutally honest view from the other side.

Next up: Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest. Another slow, scrappy Liverpool performance, another comeback, another late equaliser. We talk through their full‑back issues, the midfield gaps, the lack of control, and how Forest exposed them repeatedly. Gakpo’s brilliance, Isaac’s tap‑in, and the growing sense that Liverpool are papering over cracks rather than solving them.

There’s also a quick look at the wider Premier League themes: Forest’s improvement, Newcastle’s resilience, Spurs’ cultural rot, and how early‑season patterns are already emerging.

Plus, a brief Arsenal detour Jesus, Vieira and Martinelli all departing on the same day and what that means for squad depth, the left‑hand side, and whether Arsenal might still move in the final hours of the window.

It’s another sharp, schadenfreude‑rich After Review: analysis, nonsense, rival pain, and Arsenal‑coloured commentary.

COYG.

----

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COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

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Classic Football Clocks @ClassFootyClock

🔴 #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

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(VIDEO EDIT)

UCL DRAW REACTION, TRANSFER MUSINGS & AN ASTON VILLA AWAY PREVIEW

It’s a milestone episode — 200 — and Tabs is joined by Jamie to celebrate with a packed show: Champions League draw reaction, transfer sagas, Aston Villa preview, and a little origin story of The Grove.

We start with the brand‑new Champions League league‑phase draw, which dropped minutes before recording. Tabs reveals the fixtures live to Jamie: Real Madrid at home, Bayern away, Dortmund, Betis, Lille, Napoli, Slavia Prague and Sabah. We talk through the difficulty of the draw, the travel, the away allocations, the timing, and how the new format shapes Arsenal’s path. There’s chat about the luck of last year’s knockout run, the importance of finishing top eight, and how early fixtures against Bayern or Madrid could actually favour Arsenal.

Then it’s onto transfers. Reiss Nelson’s contract termination is confirmed — we reflect on his Arsenal journey, the Bournemouth moment, and why a clean break makes sense.

The Martinelli situation takes centre stage: the noise, the handling, the fee, the Saudi interest, the emotional side, and the cold business reality. We discuss whether Arsenal have outgrown him, whether the club could have managed it better, and how Arteta and Berta operate in these moments.

We also get into the Julián Álvarez chatter — what’s real, what isn’t, why Arsenal are even in the conversation, and whether he’s actually the profile Arteta would push for.

Finally, we preview Monday night’s trip to Villa Park. We look at Villa’s chaotic start, their squad losses, their Champions League burden, Emery’s strange comments, and how Arsenal should approach the game. We also discuss whether Konsa should start immediately or ease in behind Mosquera and White.

The episode closes with a short origin story: how The Grove WhatsApp group began, how the pod started, and how it grew into 200 episodes of Arsenal chat.

COYG.

----

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Find us on socials: @thegroveafc

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COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

----

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🔴 #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)