Compared to their recent high standards, Manchesters United and City were humbled this week – which suits James and the Football Weekly … Extra team well, considering all the humble pie they’ve been choking on in recent weeks.

Barry Glendenning, Sean Ingle and Paolo Bandini wrestle with the questions that matter: where should Blackburn’s protest march begin and end? Is Edinson Cavani hunky enough to ‘turn’ a straight man? Can Sid Lowe avoid ending up on the cutting room floor?

Also in the pod: your comments, the occasional rant, a preview of this weekend’s matches in the Premier League and our annual mention of the SPL.

Jimbo’s off to compete in present the World’s Strongest Man in the USA next week, but hapless Soccer AM gibbon Max Rushden will be deputising for him on Monday. In the interim, leave us your feedback on the blog below …

James RichardsonSean IngleBarry GlendenningPaolo BandiniSid Lowe

James Richardson and Barry Glendenning welcome Rafa Honigstein and a croaky Philippe Auclair to near-earth orbit for this edition of Football Weekly.

With Chelsea continuing to falter, Arsenal have taken top spot in the Premier League, thanks to another brace from Samir Nasri. Are they genuine title contenders – even with the worst defence seen in the red part of north London for decades?

Sid Lowe’s on the line to bring us the latest from Spain as we round up all the news from La Liga, as well as Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1.

Finally, now that the dust has settled on the World Cup decisions, we throw some legally sensitive moaning towards the Fifa crew.

Enormous floating brain Jonathan Wilson is in the pod for Football Weekly Extra later in the week, so post your questions along with your feedback from today’s show on the blog below.

James RichardsonBen GreenBarry GlendenningRaphael HonigsteinSid Lowe