Arsenal sit top of everything that moves, but Manchester United still refuse to be convenient opponents.

In this Five Aside x SoccerTakesWithAK crossover, we preview Arsenal vs Manchester United and ask the real questions: does form actually matter in big games, why United suddenly become competent when written off, and why Arsenal fans are confident… but never comfortable.

We break down tactical strengths, set-piece battles, Carrick’s counter-attacking blueprint, Arsenal’s defensive control, and United’s attacking threats. The episode spirals into a full combined XI debate, heated arguments over defenders, midfield control, Saka’s inevitability, Bruno’s disappearing acts, and bold scoreline predictions — including bets involving haircuts.

It’s chaos, confidence, caution, and classic Premier League heritage.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introductions & big-game vibes

01:00 “Form goes out the window” — why United are dangerous

02:15 Arsenal confidence vs realism (draw talk already?)

04:20 Why United feel no pressure going into this game

05:50 United confidence & Emirates history

07:20 Why Arsenal still haven’t “spanked” United

08:15 Arsenal dominance vs United resilience debate

09:10 Arsenal strengths: defense, control & tempo

10:45 Set pieces as Arsenal’s biggest weapon

12:20 Carrick’s United: counter-attack & compact shape

14:10 United attacking threats & Saka problem

15:45 Defensive injuries & United backline confidence

17:15 Coaching influence: Carrick, Steve Holland & Ole links

18:40 Combined XI challenge begins

19:20 Goalkeeper & defense arguments (Saliba vs everyone)

22:00 Full-back chaos & heated debates

23:15 Midfield picks: Rice, Bruno, Zubimendi

24:50 Front three arguments & Saka supremacy

27:30 Final combined XI agreed

28:45 Score predictions & bold takes

31:00 Bets, haircuts & unhinged confidence

33:00 Final thoughts on Saka, Bruno & game-deciders

35:00 Outro & post-match consequences teased

This episode of Five A Side kicks off with Arsenal’s statement win against Inter Milan in the Champions League and what it says about squad depth, rotation, and whether Arteta’s “starters and finishers” philosophy is turning Arsenal into the most in-form team in Europe. The guys break down Saka’s performance, the tactical battle with Inter’s wing-backs, and why Premier League intensity keeps giving English teams an edge in Europe.

The conversation then shifts to Manchester City’s collapse, Pep Guardiola’s questionable selections, defensive injuries, Rodri’s struggles, and whether City’s dominance is finally cracking or just hitting a rough patch. From Pep’s future to City’s spending, nothing is off the table.

Chelsea’s issues come under heavy fire next — from uninspiring performances to confusion over tactical identity, boardroom decisions, and whether the club is repeating Manchester United’s mistakes with young players and instability. Liverpool’s European resurgence, Madrid’s stars (Vini, Bellingham, Mbappé), coaching styles, man-management vs over-coaching, and big-ego players are all debated.

The episode closes with AFCON fallout, focusing on Senegal vs Morocco, the walk-off controversy, possible sanctions, corruption vs protest, and whether African football needs more accountability or protection for teams speaking out.

A long, honest, unfiltered football conversation — tactics, politics, ego, money, and reality.

Time Stamps

00:00 Cold weather, MLK day vibes & Champions League energy

01:21 Arsenal rotate vs Inter Milan & “best team in Europe?” debate

05:41 Squad depth talk: “Starters vs finishers” explained

09:31 Saka vs Dimarco masterclass (no goals, pure violence)

12:31 Premier League intensity vs European football freedom

18:31 Manchester City disasterclass & Pep roulette

23:31 Is Pep losing aura or just injured?

27:01 Pep quitting theories & Maresca hypotheticals

31:31 Spurs beat Dortmund (and annoy everyone)

36:01 Managers snapping at press conferences (Therapy FC)

44:31 Chelsea vs Brentford: vibes in the mud

52:01 Liverpool resurgence & Slot cooking

58:31 Madrid, Vini, Mbappé & man-management debate

01:05:01 AFCON final fallout: Senegal walk-out & corruption debate

01:30:31 Arsenal vs United anxiety & final thoughts

Dalu is joined by Sam (and AK later) for a wild round-up of the week across AFCON and the Premier League. They react to a chaotic Senegal vs Morocco final dominated by controversy—disallowed goals, a late penalty, and heated debate about whether Senegal were right to walk off. They also debate who really deserved Player of the Tournament (Bono vs Mané vs others), and whether Morocco’s hosting came with “extra help.” Then it’s Premier League time: Chelsea scrape past Brentford but the performance sparks a rant about “resetting” the project, selection headaches, and recurring mistakes. They break down Man United’s best showing in a long time vs Man City, Pep’s strange selections, and the red-card moment that could’ve changed everything. Finally, Arsenal get put on blast—Gyökeres, Saka’s form, Timber at left back, and the fear of being stretched too thin and ending up trophyless if January reinforcements don’t arrive.

Chapters / Timestamps (YouTube Chapters)

00:00 Intro + AFCON/Premier League week

00:12 Senegal vs Morocco final reaction

01:29 Main controversy: disallowed goal + penalty talk

02:21 “Small 50/50 calls” + corruption momentum shifts

05:01 Disallowed goal breakdown

06:42 Penalty debate + “pick and choose” modern football

07:24 Senegal walking off: protest vs “real man” narrative

11:46 Juve vs Madrid 2018 penalty analogy (Ronaldo laser pen)

14:26 Morocco’s quality vs ref “extras”

22:52 Empty stadium + Senegal praise

24:24 Player of Tournament debate (Bono vs Mané vs Diaz)

27:19 AK joins: Atlanta AFCON finals party + crowd vibes

30:57 Nigeria pride + “what next” convo

34:33 CAF awards clean sweep discussion

40:31 Segue to Chelsea vs Brentford

42:15 Chelsea rant: shots conceded + “project reset”

49:11 AK: Chelsea were lucky + no clear style

51:07 Sam: “solving problems we already solved”

56:04 Man United vs Man City: intensity + Pep selection criticism

01:03:05 Lisandro praise + City no pity

01:05:07 Dalot should’ve been sent off debate

01:07:54 United big games vs settled defenses question

01:10:14 Arsenal striker debate: Gyökeres doesn’t fit?

01:13:10 Saka/Gyökeres tension + style mismatch

01:15:20 Forest game chances missed + compact blocks

01:19:13 Left back issue (Timber/Calafiori mystery)

01:20:24 “There’s a world Arsenal go trophyless”

01:29:28 Madrid drama + Bellingham/Vini criticism

01:35:13 Serie A roundup mention

01:36:33 McTominay glow-up at Napoli

01:37:32 Outro + plugs