Welcome back to another episode of On The Bench Podcast – where the football debates NEVER stop ⚽🔥

This week the mandem go IN on some of the biggest talking points across the Premier League and beyond:

We start by breaking down the viral moment between Haaland & Lisandro Martinez, including why Haaland has struggled against him and whether the football was simply… sexy 😅

Then we show love to Bruno Fernandes, questioning how loyal he’s been to Manchester United and whether he’d be a Ballon d’Or contender at a top club 👀

The conversation heats up as we debate:

Could Man United finish above Chelsea this season?!

Why Chelsea fans are FED UP with Sanchez despite him being their best player vs Brentford

The funniest chants in football right now 🤣

January transfer madness including “JACKET” (Jeremie Jaquet 😭)

Why everyone should be FUMING about the Marc Guehi transfer

And whether Gabriel & Guehi could’ve been better than Saliba 🤯

Then it gets serious…

Is the title race already OVER?

We debate whether Arsenal are guaranteed to win the league, including £50 and £1,000 bets flying around the table 😅💰

Plus: 🔥 Is Jarrod Bowen the best winger in the league right now?

🔥 Is Bowen actually better than Saka, Mbeumo and Estevão?!

🔥 Would Bowen start for Arsenal, Chelsea or even Newcastle?

🔥 Biggest flop of the season so far – Gyökeres, Sesko or Højlund?

In this episode of On The Bench Podcast, we break down the biggest Premier League talking points from the week — from Arsenal’s title pressure to Manchester United’s managerial questions and standout player debates across the league.

We discuss whether Alonso could be an option for Manchester United or Liverpool, strong opinions on Arteta and Arsenal’s style of football, and controversial moments involving Martinelli and Connor Bradley.

There’s also a deep dive into Arsenal’s atmosphere at the Emirates, injury tactics across the league, and whether certain players are being overrated or undervalued. We compare Semenyo vs Martinelli, Odegaard vs Bruno, and debate why players coming up from the Championship shouldn’t be discounted.

The episode also covers striker decisions Arsenal could regret, including Gyökeres, Sesko, Osimhen, and Mateta, plus honest reactions, humour, and jet-lagged chaos throughout.

We finish with a wider look at Arsenal’s title expectations, potential fan meltdown if they fall short, and why standards — or lack of them — continue to define Manchester United’s recent struggles.

Welcome back to On The Bench Podcast.

In this episode, we sit down for a calm and honest discussion on the current state of the Premier League, focusing on Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

We cover:

Chelsea’s recent managerial changes and broader club direction

The role of ownership, fan culture and accountability

Manchester United’s long-term ownership issues and on-field impact

Differences in how clubs define success

Arsenal’s consistency, squad depth and title credentials

Youth development, academy pathways and opportunities for young players

A wider discussion on English talent and player development

What to expect from Liam Rosenior and modern managerial models

System loyalty, club planning and recent managerial decisions

We’re joined by a special guest, Inter Legends FC CEO Jack, as he shares his journey and the story behind Inter Legends. Alongside that, we dive into the biggest Premier League debates right now — breaking down Declan Rice’s unbelievable form, Arsenal’s title credentials, Manchester United without Bruno Fernandes, and why Rayan Cherki could be a different level altogether.

We debate young talent vs true consistency, the meaning of the “world class” label, major transfer rumours, and whether City, Arsenal or Spurs are actually built to win when it matters.

Topics include:

Ayden Heaven’s impact & Manchester United’s young squad

Can United really function without Bruno Fernandes?

Amad Diallo vs true “world-class” consistency

Declan Rice: Player of the Season so far?

Rice vs Haaland — who’s more important to their team?

Arsenal: ready to win the league or is City inevitable?

Semenyo to Man City — who misses out?

Spurs: top-six club but not a top-six team?

Pep unleashing Cherki — better than Ødegaard?

The rise of Wirtz & Ekitike

Arsenal’s striker dilemma: Gyökeres or Šeško?

Premier League Christmas Special 🎄

On The Bench Podcast 🎙

In this episode, we debate the biggest

Premier League talking points:

• Arteta vs Emery — did Emery deserve more time at Arsenal?

• Is Arteta now overdue silverware after years of backing?

• Are Aston Villa genuine title contenders or a top-four team?

• Manchester United injury crisis — Bruno Fernandes & Mainoo out

• Why Bruno is United’s most under-appreciated signing

• United’s squad depth with one game a week

• Garnacho debate — talent or flashes with no end product?

• Chelsea’s lack of experience in the squad

• Zubimendi as Arsenal’s Partey replacement or upgrade

• Merino debate — does he walk into 85% of Premier League teams?

• Viktor Gyökeres — is service the real problem?

🎧 Available now on YouTube & Spotify

📲 On The Bench Podcast

Full Episode Dropping Christmas Day....

AFTV’s Marty Mikel Merino Walks Into 85% of Premier League Teams Playing as a No.9

#arsenal #onthebenchpodcast #premierleague #mikelmerino

Premier League Christmas Special 🎄

| On The Bench Podcast

In this episode, we debate the biggest Premier League talking points:

• Arteta vs Emery — did Emery deserve more

time at Arsenal?

• Is Arteta now overdue silverware after years of backing?

• Are Aston Villa genuine title contenders or a top-four team?

• Manchester United injury crisis — Bruno Fernandes & Mainoo out

• Why Bruno is United’s most under-appreciated signing

• United’s squad depth with one game a week

• Garnacho debate — talent or flashes with no end product?

• Chelsea’s lack of experience in the squad

• Zubimendi as Arsenal’s Partey replacement or upgrade

• Merino debate — does he walk into 85% of Premier League teams?

• Viktor Gyökeres — is service the real problem?

🎧 Available now on YouTube & Spotify

📲 On The Bench Podcast

In this week’s episode of On The Bench Podcast, we’re joined by financial expert Jamie from Sub-Prime Goals to break down the rules shaping modern football — from Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play to amortisation and academy sales.

We explain how clubs calculate what they’re allowed to spend, why the Premier League is changing its financial rules to align with UEFA, and whether these regulations genuinely make the game fairer.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What PSR and Financial Fair Play actually are — and why they were introduced

• Why the Premier League is changing its financial rules now

• How clubs work out their spending limits

• How clubs like Chelsea have spent heavily without breaching the rules

• What amortisation and long contracts mean in simple terms

• Why academy players are so valuable under PSR

• Whether these rules truly level the playing field

• What the financial future of English football could look like ⚽