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EPL Odegaard, left, is out injured, while Calafiori has been a revelation this season Getty Images Club football returns this weekend after the international break, with Premier League leaders Arsenal playing Fulham away on Saturday. Over two episodes of our Arsenal podcast, Handbrake Off, Amy Lawrence joined Adrian Clarke and host Ian Stone to answer your questions, which ranged from Martin Odegaard’s injury issues to the best Arsenal five-a-side team and which of the current squad is the biggest rebel. Advertisement You can follow Handbrake Off here and join our Arsenal Whats App group here. Below, we have an edited transcript of the Handbrake Off Q&A. Stoney: This is from Eamonn — should we be worried about Martin Odegaard’s fitness? Amy: I think it’s probably a bit too early to be discarding him to the made of glass scrap heap. Let’s just hope he regains a little bit of luck and rhythm and consistency in terms of game time to get back to the very best, as the very best of Martin Odegaard is going to help Arsenal. Stoney: Matt asked whether Odegaard could focus more on creating rather than trying to win the ball back? Adrian: No, you can’t carry anyone, can you, these days? You’ve got to be fully committed to everything that you do. I think it’s one of Odegaard’s great assets, actually, the way he wins the ball back for the team, even if it’s not always him, the way he works to put pressure on people. If you took that away from him, taking that away from the team, we wouldn’t be as effective. I think he’s the opposite of a luxury player. Stoney: Mark asks, who has been our best signing so far from this summer? Amy: Interestingly, there’s no clear answer and you can make a case for four or five players. I’d say it’s probably too early to say Eberechi Eze, although obviously the emotional value is incredible. Noni Madueke has been fabulous but unfortunate that he’s missed out on the last few games. I am very taken by Martin Zubimendi. I’d be inclined to give it to him because week by week, I think he’s becoming even more important, and I wonder if there’s a little bit of an evolution happening. There was a bit more of a double pivot in midfield early on because it was maybe considered a bit too risky to throw him in as the sole pivot from the get-go, which I understand. But as time goes on, he’s going to be able to handle that, no problem, which frees Arsenal up to play a bit differently, with a bit more freedom. So, yeah, I’d probably go for Zubimendi. Adrian: Yeah, definitely Zubimendi. He makes our midfield so much better than it was last season. But Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera have surprised me in the best way. They’re better than I thought they would be. I knew Zubimendi would be good, but Madueke and Mosquera both look like really shrewd acquisitions. Stoney: With a large squad assembled and contract renewals underway. What do you think will be next for Andrea Berta? Advertisement Amy: A holiday. A cigar. Stoney: Kick back a little bit? Amy: Yeah. Incidentally, did any of you see the clip going around on social media of Gabriel’s goal at Newcastle? It’s (BBC Sport’s) Connor Mc Namara doing his commentary, so they must have had a camera in front of him. If you look carefully in the background, behind the press area, there are some regular seats with lots of Newcastle fans in, then what must be the directors’ box just behind that. And if you look carefully in the top left-hand corner, you can see Richard Garlick and Andrea Berta celebrating that last-minute goal. And Berta gives it proper large, it’s absolutely fantastic. Stoney: Is he standing? Adrian: Oh yeah, he’s on his feet. It’s great to see. Stoney: But the generally held view is that you’re not allowed to celebrate in the directors’ box, right? Adrian: It is frowned upon, but you know, deal with it. We’re all human. Stoney: If you can’t celebrate a 96th-minute winner away from home against Newcastle, having been 1-0 down 12 minutes earlier, when can you celebrate? And it shows how much of an Arsenal fan he is! Ian: We’ve had quite a lot of questions about the Emirates and the potential upgrade… Amy: It’s extraordinary how, in the 19 or so years since the Emirates was built, it now feels like it lags quite a lot. It was so state-of-the-art and modern when it was first opened; it’s a reflection of how quickly society’s changing. Even things like you can’t make a phone call or get on the internet, which feels out of touch. A modernisation of the experience would be great, but I’m interested to see how they can prioritise the atmosphere. I would be hoping also for more Ashburton Army — or like-minded people, it doesn’t have to be just them, it could be people who fancy that kind of environment and head for that specific part of the ground. If you had some safe standing, a proper ‘end’ in the North Bank, and you had an entire block that has its own soul in the Clock End where the Ashburton Army currently are, that would hopefully be a bit of a changer in terms of the experience and the atmosphere. But equally, if they could come up with some cunning plan to keep people in their seats for the last five minutes before half-time and for the last 10 minutes before the game finishes, that would make a difference. I mean, I’ve got some fairly radical ideas about that, but probably not ones I’d air on this forum. I genuinely sometimes stand there and say lock the doors, don’t let them out! But I realise that’s not quite the spirit. Advertisement Stoney: We understand, but if you get an extra 15, 000 people in, that makes getting away from the ground even more difficult as well. Amy: Well, they probably have to sort out the transport. I don’t know how they do it, but again, we live in a modern world where things can be upgraded. If there’s a way to get Drayton Park and Holloway Road usable after the game, that would be fantastic. Stoney: @leighswanny on Bluesky asks, along with Calafiori, are there any other rebels Arteta has snuck into the squad this season? Amy: I’m assuming, given all the evidence that we have about how Mikel Arteta has worked over the last six or seven years, that he wouldn’t take too kindly to someone just doing whatever they want without that being part of the plan. But Calafiori does have this sort of galloping vibe, like a horse on the loose who has chucked off his rider and he’s just gallivanting around in the forest or whatever. I think there is definitely a rebel instinct. You could put Eze in that category. He’s got a rebel streak in terms of his creativity, his style. It’s a bit of a counterbalance to the slightly more controlled, organised fashion that we’re more accustomed to. Adrian: I see ‘rebellious’ as people are willing to bend the rules a little bit, and I think we’ve got quite a few of those. Fans elsewhere think we’re the dark arts masters, and I would dispute that, but we’ve definitely got a little bit more darkness about us now. We’re willing to push the boundaries as far as we can to win games. Stoney: Yes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White come to mind… Stoney: We’ve got a question from Luca: if you could go on a night out with three Arsenal players, who would you choose? Adrian: Declan Rice would be a good laugh. Gabriel Martinelli would be quite good fun as well, throwing some shapes. And then, if you’re single, you want a wingman, a good-looking fella who’s already taken. Who’s the best-looking player at Arsenal? It has to be Calafiori, right? Advertisement Amy: So you’re basically going out on the pull? ! I hate to break it to you, but they’re not looking at you if you’re out with Calafiori… Stoney: Amy, who are you choosing? Amy: I think Declan Rice is probably a must because he’s going to have a good time wherever he goes. Lots of good humour, he’s got great energy and he’s a real people person. You’ve got to have Wrighty on a night out, I think. Stoney: We’ve got some questions from our Whats App channel. Matthew Holroyd asks what would be your dream five-a-side Arsenal team made up of one player from each of these teams? 1971, 1989, 1998, 2004, and current? Adrian: With his lightning reflexes, I’m locking David Raya in. I think he’d be an unbelievable five-a-side goalkeeper.
Amy: I was going to go for Bob Wilson for ’71, he played with no gloves, remember, he can handle himself. And I can’t bring myself to drop any of my outfield players from the other eras. I’ve gone for a diamond, with Henry (’04) at the top, Rocky (’89) behind on the right, Saliba (current) at the base, and my only dilemma was whether to choose Vieira or Bergkamp (’98) on the left. Adrian: I’m having George Graham from ’71, Bergkamp and Henry definitely, five-a-side is about good touch in a tight area, nimble. I tell you who was great at five-a-side was Nigel Winterburn, so I’ll have him (’89). Amy: That’s a good game between your team and my team, great question. Stoney: How can you not have Bukayo, or Robert Pires, or Ashley Cole, by the way, unbelievable player. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle The Athletic's Amy Lawrence, Adrian Clarke, James Mc Nicholas (Gunnerblog), Art de Roche and comedian Ian Stone bring you a twice-weekly podcast dedicated to Arsenal Football Club. They'll bring you reaction to all the games, expert insight into the inner-workings of the club, including transfers and contracts, and analysis on the women's team too.