Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

One weekend, two massive derbies.

Despite what looked like early nerves, Renée Slegers’ Arsenal got the win over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Could this be a platform on which to build and turn around their fortunes?

Up in Manchester, an improved United ended City’s perfect start to the WSL campaign courtesy of a last-minute equaliser from Elisabeth Terland.

Plus, Chloe and Rachel get to discussing the Ballon d’Or and a U-turn concerning the so-called “Rodman Rule” in the NWSL.

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For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

It’s the same old story with Arsenal again this week. Loads of shots, not enough of them going in the net. Chloe and Rachel attempt once again to get to the bottom of their issues in front of goal and wonder if Renée Slegers’ frustration is beginning to show.

Elsewhere in London, Chelsea blew Spurs away with a massive 6-2 win. Lauren James, stop it. Plus, Aston Villa get their first win of the campaign and Sazzy Wiegs extends her England contract.

Finally, we’re breaking down Fifpro’s report on working conditions in women’s football and Chloe offers her perspective on early retirement, player salaries, mental health and more.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

So, there was no Greek tragedy in Leicester as England added a 5-0 home win to their 3-1 advantage. Has Sarina Wiegman silenced some critics when it comes to her rotation and the players’ ruthlessness?

On the right end of even more extensive bouts of goalscoring was Ireland, who netted a sensational 12 goals across their two games against Kazakhstan. Maybe it’s time to cast the underdog mentality aside.

Plus, it’s time to get serious about Arsenal’s dreadful start. What exactly is going wrong? Here with Rachel to discuss it all is women's footballer writer at ESPN, Emily Keogh.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

The last weekend of the WSL before the international break – and boy did it deliver! Chloe and Rachel are here to unpack it all.

Is the pressure getting to Renée Slegers? How did Spurs get it so wrong? And are we seeing Sarina Wiegman's new ruthless era?

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

We’ve not even said goodbye to September and we’re already saying goodbye to our first manager this season. Time’s up for Natalia Arroyo at Aston Villa after a thrashing by Tottenham, who are flying high in the table. Is it too early or did Villa need to move on?

Chloe and Rachel discuss that issue and many more, including (of course) Arsenal’s continued lack of attacking intensity. In Chloe’s words, the fire is lit but nothing’s cooking. Plus, we take a look at Disney+’s Champions League coverage, Lionesses squad news and Océane Hurtré defying the laws of physics twice in one game.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

If you are just receiving this episode: this edition of Upfront was originally recorded and released on Tuesday 22nd September. We apologise for the delay pulling through to podcast apps.

60 shots, 2 goals for Arsenal so far this term. Manchester United were the latest team to keep their attackers (almost) at bay. After coming away with a point from a physical battle at the Emirates, have Eva Olid’s side turned a corner?

On the blue side of Manchester it was a third win in a row for the defending champions, but an improved Liverpool may have exposed some of City’s weaker areas.

Finally, Chloe and Rachel are joined by FootballCo's Lead Women’s Football Writer and certified Friend of the Pod Ameé Ruszkai to preview the return of the Champions League!

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

*Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!*

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

The second weekend of the WSL, and yet more upsets. But should we be surprised by any of them?

Chloe and Rachel reflect on Chelsea's ruthless domination of Man United and some more troubling signs for Eva Olid. Plus, West Ham's frontline delivers the goods as we thought they might – but against the mighty London City! And sadly Michelle Kang didn't even make the journey to Dagenham...

And finally, we discuss Arsenal – yet again – drawing against a staunch defence at home after Crystal Palace's heroics. But are there some differences to previous seasons?

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

What an opening weekend in the WSL! A sloppy Manchester United were cast aside by a sharp-looking London City Lionesses as Alexia Putellas made her debut, Arsenal squeezed past Brighton and Chelsea were held to a draw by a Kirsty Hanson-less Aston Villa.

Plus, newly-promoted sides faced very different fates. Crystal Palace got a massive (but controversial) win against Everton and Charlton had a tough time against Liverpool.

Chloe and Rachel are on hand to guide you through it all.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

Where to begin? The season is almost upon us and, luckily for you lovely lot, Chloe and Rachel are on hand to provide the most comprehensive of previews.

First, the title contenders. Manchester City managed to keep hold of Bunny Shaw amid injury worries, Georgia Stanway could be the missing piece at Arsenal and Chelsea might be gearing up for a big return to the top spot. It’s just too close to call.

Plus, there’s plenty of time given to the league’s three newbies and every other WSL club besides. There are surely some surprises in store.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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

Chloe and Rachel are back together! Today, we catch up on the biggest stories of the summer – and there's been A LOT...

We kick off with Chelsea and Arsenal's rebuilds: which squad looks refreshed and which looks stronger than ever? Elsewhere, London City Lionesses have a statement summer – in case you've been living under a rock, Alexia Putellas IS officially in Bromley – and we take a closer look at Manchester United. It's not looking good on the red side of Manchester...

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

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