If you’re looking for chat and analysis on current Arsenal matters there are loads of podcasts out there, with the Arseblog Arsecast the pick of the bunch. But if you are after some insightful reflections from Arsenal legends of the 1980s and 90s, these are my top five recommendations:
1. Desert Island Discs - 16 February 2020: Ian Wright
One of the greatest Desert Island Discs from one of the greatest Arsenal players. I don't recommend listening to this on a train or other public place, as there is a reasonable chance you'll be crying along with him.
Ian Wright is an emotional guy, and he starts to wobble as early as the introduction. His story is an incredible one, and he doesn't hold back, with stories of his difficult childhood and his love for his teacher - Mr Pigden - who he credits with turning his life around.
Most interestingly for Arsenal fans, he says his Arsenal league debut - and playing with David Rocastle for a year - were the highlights of his career, ahead of trophies or personal accolades.
Wright also discusses his brief spell in prison, breaking Arsenal's scoring record, his need for therapy and his role as a pundit.
An audio book version of Ian Wright's autobiography is available from Audible
2. Quickly Kevin Will He Score Series 3 – Episode 2: Lee Dixon
Listening to Dixon’s natural talent for storytelling, you can see why he hasn’t struggled for work as a pundit and summariser since he hung up his boots.
There are interesting tales here of his modest start in the lower leagues - and he tells a nice story of how he nearly blew his chance to sign for Arsenal when he dared to ask George Graham for more money. Dixon spent many years under both Graham and Arsene Wenger, and his revelation that one of the first things Wenger did as manager was to double his and Nigel Winterburn’s wages, is a great illustration of the two men’s different approaches to man-management.
There’s some good chat about the 1989 film, and the Old Trafford brawl, and I particularly enjoyed Dixon’s response to being taken through his famous own goal against Coventry, in 1991, in some detail: “You’re telling me about it as if I don’t know what happened.”
3. Desert Island Discs - 27 June 2010: Tony Adams
I’ve listened to hundreds of Desert Island Discs and this is one of the most compelling. Adams is disarmingly honest and frank about his addictions and weaknesses, and gets emotional on more than one occasion - particularly when discussing his parents.
There’s not as much here in the way of Arsenal anecdotes, but it’s a truly fascinating insight into Adams’ character. I’m guessing he is probably the only Desert Island castaway to choose ‘Good Old Arsenal’, by the 1971 squad, as one of his eight tracks.
An audio book version of Tony Adam's autobiography is available from Audible
4. Soccer AM Podcast Series 2 – Episode 4: Ray Parlour
If you’ve read Ray Parlour’s excellent book, you won’t learn lots new here, but Parlour is an engaging guest with stories which span the George Graham and Arsene Wenger eras. I feared an overdose of bantz but the Soccer AM guys do a good job of holding back and just letting the conversation flow.
Some of the Tuesday Club drinking tales may have been told a few too many times, but there’s some great anecdotes here about Parlour’s relationship with Arsene Wenger - with good insights into the Frenchman’s approach to man management.
5. The Big Interview with Graham Hunter: Alan Smith (two parts, 20 Sept and 24 Sept 2018)
Graham Hunter takes a slightly more cerebral approach with his interviewees, which can jar a little at times but it does mean he occasionally coaxes unexpected responses, and it’s clear that it comes from a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the game.
In part one, Smith talks about what it was like playing and working alongside the likes of Tony Adams and Paul Merson at the height of their addictions, Anfield 89 and the aftermath of the Old Trafford brawl. Part two is even more interesting, as Smith expands on revelations in his book 'Heads Up' and talks about his failure to gel with Ian Wright and the effect this had on his self-confidence and goal-scoring rate.
Related Article: Arsenal's Return to Europe in 1991
Related Article: Arsenal's Return to Europe in 1991
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