This week’s Football Ramble Presents showcase is a cracking Ramble Meets from last winter, where Andy sat down with a household name and one of modern's football's polymaths. It’s Ryan Babel!

As well as re-capping Ryan’s diverse career, they also discuss the undue expectations placed on young players, working with Rafa Benítez at Liverpool and, with the release of his new rap autobiography, revel in his second love: hip-hop.

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

OMG!!! The Curse Is Broken? By Victor Stephen.

A 21 gunshot salute to all Gooners floating somewhere in the orbit of the Goonerverse, defying gravity while basking in the euphoria of watching the gunners in action yesterday 8th July, at the Max-Morlock-Stadion, Germany. FC Nurnberg played host to Arsenal FC, with almost every eye locked on Gabriel Jesus, our new number 9. Though just a friendly pre-season tie meant to give both teams a runout, to boost fitness levels, ahead of a demanding season. It was the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse of what to expect from the team this season and a sneak peek into Arteta’s tactical thought process for the season opener. If that performance was his (Jesus) audition, then I guess we are in for a good show.

Okay, I get it. I hear you. It was only a pre-season friendly with nothing at stake, so let’s not get carried away, let’s see him do it consistently on a week-in, week-out basis, before we get excited and I understand your point clearly but I am just appreciating his application to the game at the moment and the positive effect he had on the game when he was called upon. His pressing was clear to see and the intent with which he ran at the opposition defence, caused a lot of chaos as he popped up all over the opposition’s final third combining to good effect with Nketiah.

Gabby could have easily had a hat trick but his brace was impressive as well. With the first goal, a sweet shot into the roof of the net from close range and the second, typical of a fox in the box, running in front of the defender and applying a deft and subtle touch off his right boot to guide the ball into the back of the net. Asides Gabby’s brace, his general play was an indication that Arsenal have added to their ranks a very good signing that will tremendously improve the quality of the team’s attack this season.

Assessing him fresh off his general gameplay in this match, he looks like the chosen one prophesied to come from across the seas to break the curse of the Arsenal number 9 shirt. Well, enough of the sweet talk, football is not theatre or some Greek mythological legend, it’s a performance-based sport and Jesus is going to have to prove just beyond one fantastic display, that he can repeat such feats, throughout a 38-match EPL season, Europa League campaign, as well as the two domestic cup competitions. However, it was undoubtedly an encouraging debut that should flip his nitro boosters and set his confidence on overdrive.

Arsene Wenger has spoken to Sky Sports after Jack Wilshere decided to quit playing professional football and take up a coaching role at Arsenal.

The Frenchnan was the man to oversee the former academy graduate’s breakthrough into the senior side, and the pair are believed to have had a strong relationship over the years.

Unfortunately for Jack, his injury struggles meant that he suffered recurring setbacks over the years, and never managed to truly meet his full potential, and will forever be remembered for his special ability shown as a teenager.

Wenger opened up about what made him stand out when he stepped up to the senior side, before moving to agree with Wilshere’s decision to move into coaching at the age of just 30.

“He was brave, he was talented, he wasn’t scared of anybody. Which is why we thought he could start at a very young age. Straight away he showed he had the ability to be a main player,” Wenger said (via 90min) on Jack Wilshere.

Former Gunner Alan Smith has claimed that Arsenal’s summer transfer window will have been ‘really good’ if they can land both Youri Tielemans and Lisandro Martinez.

We have already moved to bring in Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos and Matt Turner this summer, and currently seem to be showing no signs of slowing down after attempting to sign Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez, while we are also believed to be in the market for a central midfielder.

Former forward Smith claims that adding both Leicester’s Tielemans and Ajax’s Lisandro would be the making of a ‘really good summer’.

“Tielemans is an excellent player, and hopefully Arsenal can get that one over the line because they’ve been linked with him for a long time,” Smith is quoted by the Leicester Mercury as stating.

“I’m sure they’ve been talking to Leicester and to the player’s agent for a long time as well. So that one would be a big boost.

Reports in Italy claim that Arsenal have had an offer of €50 Million rejected by Lazio for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Gunners are believed to be keen on bolstering their central midfield options this summer, with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Douglas Luiz and Milinkovic-Savic amongst those most strongly linked of late.

The Serbian midfielder is one who is expected to be on the move, with reports claiming that his side are believed to be open to his exit with just two years remaining on his current deal, but no club is believed to have found an agreement with Lazio as of yet.

CalcioMercato claims that we have made an offer however, but with his club only willing to entertain offers of at least €70 Million our offer was rejected.

It remains to be seen how much we would be willing to pay for the 27 year-old’s signature, but he should certainly be considered as somebody who would be an upgrade on our current options in midfield. He has been amongst the best CMs in Serie A in recent seasons, and would surely be suited to the Premier League.

The Arsenal striker Viv Miedema is Arsenal’s, Holland’s and the WSL’s top scorer of all time, and at only 25 years of age has many many years ahead to greatly increase her tally.

She will be leading the line tonight for the Netherlands in their opening Womens Euros 2022 match against Sweden at 8pm UK time. She was part of the team that won the last Euros in 2017 in Holland and has very fond memories of lifting the trophy in her home country. “Looking back, it was something that we really didn’t expect to happen,” Miedema told UEFA.com. “Playing at the EURO in Holland was really special with all the fans and family there. And I think throughout the tournament, we just really thought that this is going to be our tournament.

“Obviously, in the end we won against Denmark in the final and since then, women’s football has been growing really rapidly. And in Holland, to be fair, we get sold-out crowds now. We’ve got an amazing fan base and I hope that we can continue our success over the coming years.”

So obviously she wants more success with Holland, having spent most of her career with Arsenal in England, she has probably been a massive part of the big rise in the popularity of the Womens game in England as well. So she also wants to see England do well as well, having five Arsenal players in their squad, and with the tournament being held here, with the Final set to be played at Wembley.

“This summer is probably one of the biggest chances to put women’s football on the map,” she says. “I think this is hopefully going to be the tournament. I hate to say it, but I want to see England do well because it will get people to the stadium, it will make the country itself feel really alive and I hope from there that we get our fan base coming to England because I do think that we’ve got the best fans in the world.”

Arsenal are claimed to be intensifying their interest in signing Alex Grimaldo from Benfica this summer, but is that related to our chase of Lisandro Martinez?

Both us and Manchester United are believed to be vying for the signature of the Argentine defender, with him believed to have informed Ajax that he wants to move clubs this summer.

While it remains to be seen whether he has a preference to come to the Emirates or Old Trafford, our pursuit of Grimaldo could well close the door on our efforts to sign him.

Reports in Portugal (via the Express) are claiming that we are intensifying our efforts to sign the Portuguese full-back, with a £5.9 Million bid being readied at present. The report also claims that the deal will likely be accepted by Benfica with just 12 months remaining on his current deal.

If reports prove to be true, it could well spell the end of our pursuit of Martinez, although he could well have been earmarked for a role at centre-back, and we could still be in the hunt for his signature.

Leeds United have confirmed that Raphinha has been left to train in England whilst the senior team has departed on a pre-season tour, with his potential exit seemingly inevitable, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona all having been strongly linked.

While a move to the Emirates may seem unlikely at present, it remains to be seen whether the Spanish giants have the means to agree a transfer fee with his current club, especially with both London clubs believed to be willing to meet their full asking price.

It also remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be as keen after striking a deal to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester city ahead of the new season, which could well see us re-enter into calculations this summer, but we have to play the waiting game at present after falling behind in the race for his signature.

What does seem certain is that he will be leaving Elland Road this summer, especially after his club left him behind as they departed for Australia as confirmed by the BBC, who state that he has been the subject of a bid from Arsenal this summer.

I understand that a move to us seems unlikely at present, but I’m struggling to see how Barca can get this deal over the line with their dire financial situation, so I’m refusing to completely rule it out.

Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to follow up on their supposed interest in Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as we look to bolster our midfield area.

The Gunners are being increasingly linked with midfield additions this summer, and while there is a few names who are believed to be on our radar, Youri Tielemans seems to be the most likely addition at present.

While we look set to continue our positive transfer window with a new CM, Paul Merson has discussed which players he would be looking at, discussing all of Tielemans, JWP and his favoured signing in Milinkovic-Savic.

“Youri Tielemans would fit nicely at Arsenal if James Ward-Prowse takes the soft option and stays at Southampton,” Merson told the DailyStar.

“I start to worry when that happens when a player plays it safe like that. What are you going to do, realistically, at Southampton? West Ham wanted Ward-Prowse and that would have been a good move for him too because they will finish above Saints.

William Gallas has told William Saliba that he must be ready to play at every opportunity, and that not having played enough will not be an excuse that will sit well at Arsenal.

The defender joined the club from St Etienne back in 2019, but is yet to make his senior debut for the Gunners after three successive loan spells in Ligue 1.

After an amazing 12 months with Marseille last term, where he not only earned the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, but also helped his side to earn a Champions League spot by finishing runners-up in the league to Paris Saint-Germain.

He is now expected to stay at Arsenal for the upcoming season, but first-team football will need to be earned with Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White having formed a partnership last term, and Gallas has warned him that he will need to be ‘patient’ and remain ‘ready’ to give his best when the opportunities come.

‘He did well at Marseille. He had a great season with Marseille, but Arsenal and the Premier League is another level,’ Gallas told the Metro.

Arsenal were linked with a move to sign Aaron Hickey from Bologna this summer, but he has now agreed to join Brentford.

The full-back is one of the most exciting young talents around, having left Scotland to move to Serie A shortly after his 18th birthday, and after a slow initial season in Italy, he enjoyed a full season of action in the 2021-22 campaign, notching five goals and an assist from his 36 outings.

The 20 year-old is known as a left-back, but being both footed, he is also known to fill in at right-back also, while his former side also gave him minutes as a wide midfielder on both sides also.

While we will not be signing him this summer, we will be able to get a closer look at what he can bring to the English game after joining the Bees.

Official, confirmed. Aaron Hickey joins Brentford on permanent deal from Bologna, €22m total fee add ons included. #BrentfordFC

It’s a Saturday Ramble, comin’ at ya - and we’ve got some transfers to discuss!

Richarlison leaves Frank in the lurch after ditching the Toffees for Tottenham, while Romelu Lukaku heads back to Italy in the least dignified way possible. We also celebrate Mike Dean’s return, submit our application for Wigan’s pie mascot and hear yet another remarkable tale from the Misadventures of Kevin Keegan. Imagine his house insurance…

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and David Cartlidge for the first of our On The Continent Transfer Specials, coming at you every week here on the Ramble feed!

We get stuck into Barcelona's underlying problems as they jostle for Robert Lewandowski's signature, while Romelu Lukaku's back in Italy for more Intertainment. There's also a rundown of impressive Premier League additions, as Sven Botman joins Newcastle and Leeds snag the impressive Marc Roca.

We'll be back with another OTC Transfer Special next week. Got a question for us? Ask away! @FootballRamble

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, we’re giving the definitive lowdown on football’s spiritual home: stadiums. What makes a stadium special? What’s the world’s steepest stand? And how exactly can Pete Donaldson improve everyone’s viewing experience? Control of the undersoil heating, that’s how.

Marcus, Vish and Pete tackle those questions, some stadium history, and much more in today’s Guide! 

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What’s this, a new Ramble?! Damn right - join Marcus, Vish and Pete as we sail those calm, off-season waters.

We’ve got some transfer business to tend to, as Sadio Mané puts his feet up and Pep takes Kalvin Phillips under his wing. Elsewhere, Gareth Bale heads stateside to cement a six-month legacy, while Kevin Keegan’s hosting a charity event in Sunderland. What could possibly go wrong?

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back with another of our favourite episodes from last season over on Football Ramble Presents. Today, it's the turn of our weekly women's football show, Upfront!

Back in December, our hosts Flo Lloyd-Hughes, Rachel O'Sullivan and Chloe Morgan sat down for a conversation about sexuality, openness and acceptance within women's football. They also speak to Arsenal's Katie McCabe and Aston Villa's Ruesha Littlejohn, one of the game's most celebrated couples, about unapologetic openness and using their platform for good.

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why do so many of us obsess about football? Why do we do this to ourselves when it can cause so much pain? Well, we're here to help! Kind of. Welcome to The Football Ramble's Guide To!

This summer, different Ramblers will be here to walk you through the sublime and the ridiculous from our beautiful game. Today, Jim, Luke and Pete discuss the twelve hardest yards in sport: penalties. Join us as we look into their historical origins, revel in the psychodrama and reminisce about the time Arsenal took the absolute piss.

What should we talk about next? We'd love to get stuck in to some of your suggestions; email us: @FootballRamble or tweet us @FootballRamble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy's back with a hugely important episode of At The Match, as he travels to Łódź in Poland to see Ukraine's second 'home game' since the Russian invasion in February.

He walks through crowds of vibrant local supporters with British-Ukrainian journalist Andrew Todos, who reflects on a hugely difficult period for the national team. We also hear a fevered home support cheer on Oleksandr Petrakov's men, who came away with a point after a ludicrous James Collins opener.

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back with two bags of souvenir Bulgarian pottery for another trip down memory lane as Kate, Luke and Pete kick off with the 2015/16 season - dilly ding, dilly dong!

The Iceland horror show came and went, the Champions League served up its best season ever and the Ramble became Football Ramble Daily. After that, we welcomed our new cohort to Ramble HQ and, following a Film Club-filled lockdown, we came roaring back with over 500 episodes of glorious nonsense. Oh yeah, and England got good again!

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join Marcus, Jim and Vish for the first of two episodes celebrating fifteen years of the wee Ramble!

We take a trip through the first few years of the show and football history more broadly, as the lads took a ramshackle production from Luke's kitchen to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and onto a studio Pete had access to. In that time, Pep Guardiola became a manager, the legend of Keggy was born and Donaldson drunkenly bought two pianos.

We'll be back tomorrow with Part Two. Thanks for all your support over the last fifteen years - here's to the next fifteen!

Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***