The Pot Shot Podcast

In part one of the squad review, Alex, Seb & Towells look over the goalkeepers & defenders currently under contract at Arsenal, rate their season, and decide whether they should be kept, sold, or loaned out this summer.

We're supporting Scouted Football during their crowdfunding campaign for the new edition of their print magazine! Scouted is a highly collectable, beautifully designed football journal featuring a collection of profiles on unearthed young stars. If you want a first-edition copy of Scouted, you've got until July 5th 2023 to back their crowdfunding campaign. For more information, check out their twitter, @scoutedftbl, or their kickstarter campaign page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scoutedftbl/scouted-oo1-the-football-handbook?ref=5z194h

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00-04:37

Goalkeepers: 04:37-21:21

• Aaron Ramsdale 04:37-10:01
• Matt Turner 10:01-11:57
• Karl Hein 11:57-17:48
• Arthur Okonkwo 17:48-19:49
• Alex Runarsson 19:49-21:21

Defenders: 21:21-1:08:20

• Ben White 21:21-24:19
• Various tangents about signing defenders: 24:19-31:12
• William Saliba 31:12-34:04
• Gabriel 34:04-38:58
• Oleksandr Zinchenko 38:58-43:16
• Kieran Tierney 43:16-46:37
• Takehiro Tomiyasu 46:37-50:31
• Jakub Kiwior 50:31-55:41
• Rob Holding 55:41-59:22
• Pablo Mari & Cedric: 59:22-1:00:59
• Nuno Tavares, Brooke Norton-Cuffy & Auston Trusty: 1:00:59-1:05:38
• Reuell Walters: 1:05:38-1:08:20

Outro: 1:08:20-1:09:30

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells, Alex and Seb on twitter - @alextowells, @alexfrco and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Towells, Alex & Seb are joined by Lorcan (@LxWrites1) for a brief look at the Wolves game, before a review of the season that was, and the inaugural Pot Shot Awards, where we'll give out awards as illustrious as Best Newcomer, Best Player and Moment of the Season.

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00-3:35

Part 1: Wolves 3:35-17:00

Part 2: Season Review 17:00-48:08

• If you were told at the start of the season how it was going to go, how would you feel? 17:00-26:41
• What’s one thing you’ve learned this season? 26:41-37:07
• How well set up are we to challenge again next season? 37:07-43:52
• How will this season be looked back on in 5 year’s time? 43:52-48:08

Part 3: The Pot Shot Awards 48:08-1:41:42

• Best Newcomer 48:08-59:08
• Most Improved/Surprising Player 59:08-1:06:33
• Most Disappointing Performer 1:06:33-1:10:48
• Player of the Season 1:10:48-1:17:54
• Best Team Performance 1:17:54-1:24:22
• Goal of the Season 1:24:22-1:32:35
• Moment of the Season 1:32:35-1:41:37

Outro: 1:41:37-1:43:44

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells, Alex and Seb on twitter - @alextowells, @alexfrco and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the penultimate pot-shot episode of the 2022/23 season, Towells, Alex & Seb assess the 1-0 loss to Forest (and decide whether or not we care), before answering your questions about our drop-off in form, how we should ideally be looking to build a squad & beans. Yes, beans.

Thank you to everyone who asked a question - apologies if we didn't get around to yours this week, but keep an ear out, as it may well get answered in a future episode!

Timeline:

0:00-0:52: Intro

0:52-24:08: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal

• 0:52-9:02 Partey at RB
• 9:02-10:44 Kiwior at LB
• 10:44-17:24 Trossard's struggles & lack of LW width
• 17:24-20:21 Why haven't Nelson & ESR gotten minutes?
• 20:21-24:08 How apathetic are we feeling?

24:08-54:52: Q&A

• 24:08-30:19 What do you think about Arteta’s insistence on using Jesus up top?
• 30:19-33:50 Aside from more quality in the squad, what are the key things we need to address going forward to avoid another drop off in crunch time?
• 33:50-25:24 Saka's accumulated minutes? Is that going to be a problem? And if so, when?
• 25:24-44:02 When it comes to squad building/planning do you think its more important to prioritise having backup players with similar profiles to starters so you can retain the same playstyle if you need to rotate, or with different profiles so you can change styles midgame/season if needed?”
• 44:02-47:49 How much of this post-Saliba/post-lfc fall-off can be attributed to Arteta and his seemingly regressing ability with substitutions/rotations? Players on too long, players never on at all, infrequent cameos until they had to become saviours etc. Is this a worry with UCL next year?
• 47:49-50:30 What do you think of the dog?
• 50:30-54:52 Top three types of bean (individually, not a group effort)

54:52-56:00 Outro

A question was asked about our defensive dropoff post-World Cup, a topic we spoke about in depth on Episode 23. Check out that episode here: https://pod.fo/e/16ccf7

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a 0-3 home loss to Brighton put the final nail in our title charge (barring an absolute all-timer of a collapse from City), Towells, Seb & Max (@assna_maz) sit down to discuss a fascinating tactical battle, discuss what we want to see from the remainder of the season, and attempt the nigh impossible: having an interesting and nuanced discussion about whether Arsenal have "bottled it".

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00

Arsenal 0-3 Brighton: 1:58-27:00

Have Arsenal Bottled It? 27:00-49:41

What do we want to see from the Forest & Wolves games? 49:41-1:02:56

Towells' Trivia Book & Outro: 1:02:56-1:05:35

Here's the thread by @goonerpeet mentioned on the pod: https://twitter.com/goonerpeet/status/1657862614947442696

Thanks to Max for joining us on this episode! You can find him on twitter @assna_maz.

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Collings & Seb welcome Manas (@WatmanAFC) to the show to discuss our two wins against Newcastle and Chelsea & the changes made to facilitate those victories, potential midfield transfers, and a quick look ahead to Brighton.

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00

Newcastle & Chelsea games: 01:11-36:53

• Why did Kiwior & Jorginho coming in make us better? 4:25-25:25
• Odegaard's good form: 25:25-36:53

Transfer Talk: Midfield Options: 36:53-57:49

Brighton Preview: 57:49-1:05:22

Outro: 1:05:22-1:06:53

Thanks to Manas for joining us on this episode! You can find him on twitter @WatmanAFC.

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of a thorough battering by Manchester City, a very sad Towells, Collings & Seb are joined by Cian (@bootcutgenes) to discuss what we got right, what we got wrong and what we need to do to pick up the pieces and put together a strong end to the season.

Thanks to Cian for coming on the show! You can find him on twitter @bootcutgenes.

Thanks to Ninad Barbadikar for editing this episode of Pot Shot! You can find him on twitter @NinadB_06.

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Towells, Collings & Seb welcome Lorcan Rees (@LxWrites1) to the show to go in-depth on the reasons behind our recent struggles and any potential solutions we could use against Manchester City.

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00

Southampton: 01:16-28:04

• General Overview: 01:16-10:37
• How Saliba's absence affects our ability to build out from the back: 10:37-19:50
• Fabio Viera & why he played ahead of Smith-Rowe: 19:50-28:04

Why have we gotten worse at defending post-World Cup?: 28:04-34:24

What are reasonable alternatives to playing Holding at centre back? 34:24-44:29

Manchester City Preview: 44:40-1:10:44

Towells' Trivia Book & Outro: 1:10:44-1:14:09

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Towells is joined by the podcast's first new permanent member, Seb Hund, to discuss a second game in a row where Arsenal go 2-0 up early in the first half, only to concede once just before half time and then an equalizer in the second half. We discuss how our injury issues have led to our struggles to control games, how we then made that worse through silly mistakes, and if there's anything we can do to avoid repeating these issues in the weeks to come.

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00-1:36

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal: 1:36-31:16

• First half: 1:36-23:34
• Second half: 23:34-31:16

How do we address our control issues against Southampton and Man City? 31:16-41:48

Towells' Trivia Book & Outro: 41:48-43:39

Jack Elterton's short Twitter thread on our first goal: https://twitter.com/jackelderton/status/1647918717945126917?s=20

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Seb on twitter - @alextowells and @Eulenberg_ respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Towells and Collings once again welcome Seb Hund to the show to discuss our 2-2 draw with Liverpool - a result we definitely would have taken before the game, but leaves a bitter taste in the mouth afterwards. Topics include The Xhaka (non-)Incident, how we ceded control to Liverpool in the second half, and why bringing on an extra centre back seemed to make us less defensively solid, not more.

Timeline:

Intro: 0:00

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal: 1:01 - 38-07

• When & why did we lose control of the game? 1:01 - 9:02
• Individual performances (Partey, Holding, Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard): 9:02 - 28:40
• How the substitutions affected the game: 28:43-38:07

Does this result change our outlook on the remaining games?: 38:07-50:27

Towells' Trivia Book & Outro: 50:27-52:16

Thanks to Seb for joining us! You can find him on twitter @Eulenberg_, or on the Jogo Bonito podcast - here's their most recent episode, discussing Chelsea's struggles this season: https://pod.fo/e/16ca38

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Collings on twitter - @alextowells and @alexfrco respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In their first podcast together for quite a while, after absences & the international break, Towells & Collings briefly discuss the Leeds game & how the changes from our ideal lineup affected how we played, before answering some of your questions ahead of the end of the season.

If you have any questions for our next Q&A (or whenever), send them to us on twitter - you can find us @potshotpod!

Timestamps:

Intro: 0:00

Leeds Section: 1:41-20:00

• Trossard on the right 1:41-12:10
• Holding in for Saliba 12:10-20:00

Q&A Section: 20:00-1:06:00

• Q1 (20:00-28:36): "Eddie is great, can he become more Jesus analogous over time? Does he need to? Is it hard for him to feature regularly if not?"
• Q2 (28:36-37:44): "balogun and nketiah who do we keep"
• Q3&4 (37:44-47:02): "Do you think there's any way we move away from Partey in the summer. Injury and other reasons to do so, maybe replace with Rice and one other? (Lavia pls)" & "With Rice likely to come in the summer, what role do we see him take up? Replacing #5 with him being sold due to unreliability injury wise and keep Jorginho as back-up or will he be seen more as an option for both 6 and 8 with the rest of the personnel remaining?"
• Q5 (47:02-50:16): "What would you do with Tomiyasu next season? Keep him as a high-end back up in multiple positions or something else?"
• Q6 (50:16-59:05): "What is a realistic expectation for arsenal for next season, given how this one is panning out?"
• Q7&Q8 (59:12-1:06:00): "Lineup for Liverpool away?" & "Saliba no spine, what do we do?"

Towells' Trivia Book & Outro: 1:06:00

Towells couldn't find that tweet Collings said we'd link. Sorry.

Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode - you can find us on the vast majority of good podcast platforms. I'll never say "all" in case we're missing one somehow. If you want to know exactly what podcast platforms we can be found on, you can do so at https://podfollow.com/the-pot-shot-podcast/view

We have a twitter account! Follow us @potshotpod to hear about all the latest episodes, and feel free to ping us a DM (or an email via [email protected]) if you have any questions!

You can also find Towells and Collings on twitter - @alextowells and @alexfrco respectively.

All music included in the podcast is made by James Blake. He's on all sensible music platforms as JWBlake - you can find his Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XQQbNzsMSiESzHz0qA4r8?si=koS6oXNfSL6SJn3oIR1cxA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.