Manningue Gunners - The Arsenal Fan Podcast

New Year, new me... I'm staying on top!

fordgraca@gmail.com (Fabrice le poète, Fábio da Graça) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 15:01:21 +0000

Top of the world... Or at least the Premier League and Champions League, maybe even our friend's Fantasy league. Is the New Year going to bring Arsenal trophies?

Our debut guest and Fantasy League Champion joins us for the first time, to discuss the form of Declan Rice, Trossard and debate whether Gyökeres or Haramball will bring us rewards. Do we book our plane tickets to London? Maresca and Amorim might be booking flights the other way.

Cold Showers and Palace

fordgraca@gmail.com (Fábio da Graça) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:14:38 +0000

Four cold showers for A.Madrid and now we have a Palace matchup to enjoy! What's crystal clear is that the manager has lot of ingredients for success, if he can keep the squad motivated then we may have found the recipe for success. Some of us are getting carried away already but our two new guests are having none of it, they can't even agree on the date we smell victory, but they do like the look of Gyökeres.

The atmosphere at the Emirates has been immense lately, as we are yet to conceded in the Champions League and now may be the time for all the Arsenal fans around the world to start meeting up more regularly and enjoying the season together!

If you wanna be Champion! King of the Castle.

fordgraca@gmail.com (Fábio da Graça) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:58:55 +0000

We beat Newcastle! Arteta got it right! And the refs got it all wrong. Are we the new kings of the Castle? Or are we getting a little carried away after 6 games...

The league is not won by gameweek 3!

fordgraca@gmail.com (Bill Magaia, Fábio da Graça) — Tue, 2 Sep 2025 12:23:05 +0000

In this episode, the hosts discuss Arsenal's recent match against Liverpool, reflecting on the team's performance, tactics, and individual player contributions. They delve into the managerial decisions made by Arteta, particularly regarding player selection and game strategy. The conversation also touches on the upcoming fixtures, the transfer window, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being an Arsenal fan. The hosts express a mix of disappointment and hope for the season ahead, emphasizing the need for proactive tactics and better player performances. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into the frustrations of Arsenal fans regarding media bias, the quest for silverware, and the impact of club legends. They discuss Arteta's coaching style, the emergence of young talents, and the expectations for the current season, all while maintaining a light-hearted banter about rivalries and the future of the club.

Takeaways:

The league is not won in Game Week 3.

Arteta's tactics were questioned, especially the defensive setup.

Martinelli's form has declined, raising concerns about his role.

The importance of Odegaard as a lynchpin in midfield.

Fans are emotionally invested in the team's performance.

The transfer window has provided depth but raised expectations.

Upcoming matches will be crucial for assessing the season.

The emotional highs and lows of being an Arsenal fan are significant.

The need for proactive tactics against strong opponents.

The impact of social media on fan reactions and narratives. Every fan always thinks everything is against their club.

Man United fans are deluded about their current state.

Winning silverware is crucial for morale.

Second place is better than finishing lower.

Media often highlights negatives over positives.

Fans will remember the 15th place finish for a long time.

Arteta's coaching style is very controlled and tactical.

Emerging talents like Max Daumann show promise for the future.

Expectations are high for Arteta this season.

It's too early in the season to panic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions

02:31 Analyzing the Liverpool Match

05:15 Tactical Decisions and Player Performances

07:49 Concerns Over Martinelli's Form

10:29 Midfield Dynamics and Team Strategy

13:02 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matches and Expectations

23:43 Analyzing the Match Performance

26:49 Substitutions and Tactical Decisions

29:48 Emotional Rollercoaster of Being an Arsenal Fan

35:07 The Impact of Social Media on Fan Reactions

40:06 The Need for Silverware and Future Prospects

41:21 Coaching Challenges and Player Expectations

43:36 The Importance of Winning Trophies

45:13 Emerging Talents and Future Prospects

47:59 Arteta's Coaching Style and Player Development

54:30 Managing Expectations and the International Break

58:59 Looking Ahead: The Season's Potential

Here we go again!

fordgraca@gmail.com (Bill Magaia, Adérito Mazive, Fábio da Graça) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:25:55 +0000

We left Old Trafford with 3 points and a lot to discuss about the season ahead. New kits, same left winger and a lot of arguing. This season should be a lot of fun!

The Season Review & Big Summer Ahead

fordgraca@gmail.com (Hugo Chichava, Fábio da Graça) — Sat, 31 May 2025 09:15:03 +0000

We discuss the big highs and real lows of this grueling season. Mikel Arteta's performance and where we feel this Arsenal team has evolved and stagnated. And the big summer ahead. Will Andrea Berta push the club to take the necessary steps and add some real quality and depth?

A Dance with the Devils - Anything but Sp*r$

fordgraca@gmail.com (Hugo Chichava, Fábio da Graça) — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:12:38 +0000

When two Man United fans crash our podcast our patience is tested to the limit but we let them laugh from their 16th place in exchange for a few favours against Spurs.

We beat them at the Bernabeu

fordgraca@gmail.com (Hugo Chichava, Fábio da Graça) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:50:02 +0000

We beat them at the Bernabeu. They closed the roof and got battered! Off to the semi-final we go!!!

Bend it like Declan!

fordgraca@gmail.com (Adérito Mazive, Fábio da Graça, Hugo Chichava) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:12:54 +0000

3-0. What a night! Rice, rice baby!!! Skelly, Merino! Was this Arsenal's European graduation moment? We still need to get a result in Madrid, but this feels like the next phase of Mikel Arteta's plan. We discuss, celebrate and take a look at a few other clubs too.

Low Block

fordgraca@gmail.com (Fábio da Graça, Bill Magaia, Hugo Chichava) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:46:57 +0000

After drawing against 14th place Man United, will we ever breach a low block? Or will we reach a new low if we face Simeone's Atletico? On that topic, we've signed their Director of Football, Andrea Berta. What should we expect for the rest of the season? Let's find out.

C'mon Ref!

fordgraca@gmail.com (Hugo Chichava, Fábio da Graça) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:49:07 +0000

Referees are all over the news this week! We decided to take a bit of time to discuss the current state of English refereeing. The Premier League has most of the best players, coaches and teams. Are the referees the best in the world? VAR seems to be in the news every week, Coote was doing cocaine last season, and now Michael Oliver underlying statistics in Arsenal matches seem out of the ordinary. There is a difference between criticizing and abuse, we think PGMOL needs to be critizised but we do not condemn any abuse or threats.

Arsenal Fans need to ALWAYS remember... North London is...

fordgraca@gmail.com (Fábio da Graça, Hugo Chichava, Bill Magaia) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:30:34 +0000

The video version is available on: https://youtu.be/kc3hiNkD1VY

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and North London Derby Recap

02:54 Reflections on Team Performance and Upcoming Matches

06:08 Defensive Heroes: Gabriel and Saliba

09:02 Emerging Talents: Luis Kelly's Impact

11:58 Struggles of Key Players: Havertz and Sterling

14:54 Tactical Concerns and Future Prospects

27:23 Tactical Frustrations and Team Dynamics

30:35 The Importance of Player Positioning

32:30 Concerns Over Transition Play

35:49 Coaching Philosophy and Player Freedom

40:45 Reflections on Recent Matches

44:10 The Impact of Penalties and Player Confidence

48:00 Assessing the Team's Future and Expectations

53:50 Decline of Odegaard's Performance

53:53 Midfield Dynamics: Rice and Zubimendi

55:01 Merino's Impact and Identity Crisis

55:55 Upcoming Fixtures and Expectations

57:07 Transfer Market Insights and Player Potential

01:00:04 The X Factor in Football: Key Players

01:01:03 The Need for Investment in Quality Players

01:02:05 Evaluating Current Squad and Future Prospects

01:05:01 Arteta's Tactical Approach and Team Performance

01:07:58 The Importance of Attacking Football

01:09:59 Statistical Analysis vs. Eye Test in Performance

01:11:59 Final Thoughts on Team Direction and Management

01:18:40 Coaching Challenges and Player Development

01:20:33 Striker Solutions: The Need for Goal Scorers

01:22:57 Assessing the Forward Line: Quality vs. Quantity

01:25:46 Breaking Down Opponents: Strategies for Success

01:30:28 Ambition in Transfers: The X-Factor Players

01:33:36 Final Thoughts: Managing Expectations and Future Prospects