The Rest Is Football
Squeaky Arse-nal Time, Carrick In Dreamland & Villa in The Title Race
26 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: Are Arsenal's tactics becoming too defensive?
They've been absolutely incredible.
They are brave goals, they are. Great goals. Talking about someone who's scored, TT's just rang me for a debrief. Thierry Henry!
Thierry Henry! Thierry Henry! Thierry Henry! We're talking Arsenal. What does he know about Arsenal? Arsenal. I mean... Squeaky bum. Squeaky arse. No time, Alex.
Would you give him the job, Al?
Chapter 2: Can Michael Carrick guide Manchester United into the Champions League?
That's the question. Newcastle didn't have the quality in the final third to upset them. Don't start giggling, Micah. Don't start giggling.
How do you set up for a game? Do you think he can remember? What do you mean? Can you walk us through the emotions of how you exactly failed?
What's this, to take the piss out of Al five minutes, is it?
I watch, honestly, every game possible. I've got no life.
You must have some life if you've got time to go and find those stupid fucking boots you're wearing.
Hello and welcome to The Rest Is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Hello, chaps. How are we doing?
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Chapter 3: What makes Unai Emery's tactics effective for Aston Villa?
How are we? We're doing pretty well. Thank you very much. Micah, you've had a busy day. Alan, you were doing Match of the Day yesterday. I didn't think I'd see you on yesterday. There was only five games, but there you were.
Yeah, I did yesterday. Yeah, I was at the Newcastle game today and then just got home and then watched Big Mix on television.
It was a strange result, to say the least.
we'll come to that but firstly those boots you're wearing was it a big climb up to get to where you had and you just put hiking boots on or I've got some like that I walk the dog when I walk the dog I've had so many messages.
Have you?
I'm not surprised. What on God's earth have you got on your feet?
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Chapter 4: How is Arsenal's forward line performing this season?
They're not the one point I thought they might be. You know when you go ten pin bowling? Those big tube things you put on with the laces and stuff.
You know what?
If you've not seen them, I'll get them open.
I've seen them. I've seen everyone take the piss out of them. Were they green, aren't they? Did they match? Did they have green trousers on as well? Oh, they're actually quite nice.
A little bit, yeah. I actually think they're quite nice. They are. They're great for walking the dog.
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Chapter 5: What challenges does Newcastle face this season?
Made them up in the fucking 60s. Did you have to abseil down the Emirates or something? I thought I'd mix it up every now and then. What about how Patrick and Roy were together?
You know what? I thought there was going to be a little bit more needle, but they've worked together at ITV before.
And before that, Mike, I don't know whether you know, but you know, Tony, my partner, before we joined up as a production company, made the documentary called Keenan Vieira, Best of Enemies. Have you ever seen it? I've saw it, yeah.
I watched it, yeah.
Very, very good. Very good. How are they?
All right.
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Chapter 6: How are Liverpool's recent performances affecting their title hopes?
Patrick's lovely, though, isn't he? Oh, he's so elegant, isn't he? Everything that he says is just so measured and thought out, knows exactly what he's talking about, can do the tactical side, can have fun, can give opinion. I told him, you need to come on the pod in the summer.
Does he want to get back in, Mike, or is he happy doing the TV?
No, he wants to get back in. So how was Match of the Day yesterday, Al?
Match of the Day was good, yeah. As you're right, you see, there was only five games. There was only three to watch at three o'clock and then the late one was Liverpool. But yeah, it was a good day, yeah. Really good, enjoyed it. A few goals, exciting match.
Yeah, in fact, I would say it's been a hell of a week of Premier League football and there's much for us to discuss. This episode of The Rest Is Football is powered by our new presenting partners, Fuse Energy.
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Chapter 7: What are the implications of Tottenham's recruitment strategy?
We're thrilled to welcome them to the team, especially outside the regular transfer window.
A new signing providing power and energy. That sounds like a bit of me back in the day, Gaz.
And reliable too. Not one of those fair weather players who go missing in December.
Fuse will be powering the Rest is Football right through the season. They're one of the UK's fastest growing energy suppliers, building solar farms and helping homes make smarter choices. Power that performs throughout the season.
Fuse, keep everything running, lights on, me is smart, cars charged. full squad you can count on.
And when you sign up for their fixed rates your energy prices hold their shape even as the nights turn colder and the title race heats up.
The season is long but with Fuse the energy never drops. For more information about energy that hits the top corner every time head to fuseenergy.com slash football. And if you fancy getting involved, sign up with the code football for the chance to get a shout out on the pod and throw your own question at us next time.
The first bike delivered by Uber Eats has to be Arsenal and Manchester United.
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Chapter 8: Can Aston Villa compete for the Premier League title?
And United's, well, quite a surprising victory. I think that's two really, really good performances. I mean, it's a tough place to play. Arsenal were unbeaten there in the Premier League this season. And now there's only one team with a 100%, well, not winning record, but... There are only one team left that has been unbeaten at home and that is Sunderland.
And who would have thunk that at the start of the season?
When Michael took the job and he looked at his first two games, whether he did, I'm sure he did, and thought, wow, Man City at home, Arsenal away. We would have taken two points there, two draws. We would have snapped your hands off, I think. But they've been absolutely incredible. We're all waiting, thinking, can they reproduce?
Can they go again after what we saw against Man City at Old Trafford last week? And the answer was absolutely they could. I mean, to go to one of, if not the toughest place in the Premier League and do what they did and play like they did and come back from a goal down like they did and go and win it. Incredible.
It's funny football, isn't it? Because suddenly you go back to a system that perhaps suits some of the players. You bring back a bit of experience in Harry Maguire. You bring back one of the star players in Kobi Mainu and play him in there. You push Bruno a little bit further forward where he's a little bit more comfortable and can bring out his brilliance more.
You get Ahmad playing as a winger and not as a wingback. And all of a sudden, it's very strange, but things start to happen for you.
You always want to give the respect to the manager, don't you? You know, with his system and everything. But we kept saying it continuously. The players are playing out of position. Playing two number 10s, Diallo in a number 10, like Mbembe in a number 10. Why? They didn't... the most damage from wide position. I know Mbambo's playing up front now, but he's got the freedom to go where he wants.
But Man United, lads, have been absolutely outstanding on the ball and off the ball. The rotations, Fernandes watching him live, the way he always wants to get the ball, but in difficult positions. If you see the goals of Kunja and Dorgu, they are brave goals. Great goals. Getting on the ball on the half turn and then driving, driving, trying to make something happen. Doggo goal was fantastic.
Link up with Bruno Fernandes. There was a little slight debate on whether it touched his hand. One angle looked like it did.
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