I've not heard this week's podcast, but have listened to Marcotti for years. So I'll have to take a punt.
On Jones in our midfield: I'm all for tactical flexiblity, and obviously Jones did a good job - similar to Welbeck against Real Madrid in the CL last season.
But that is a sign of us adjusting to the opposition. Not just in a sensible, tactical way, but in an 'oh crap we're gonna be overrun so let's stick in the energetic, young defender to stop them playing'.
It is eminently sensible to recognize when you're outmatched, and to adjust tactics accordingly. Hell, Benitez had our number when he was at Pool with a far inferior set up of players. That's good management.
The best teams are never out matched. We are no longer a 'top team'. I mean the very top. When we had Giggs, Scholes, Beckham and Keane in our midfield, we were at the very top.
I'm assuming that is Marcotti's point - and he's absolutely right. The very fact we're sticking in an inexperienced defender to run around a lot to disrupt Arsenal is proof-positive that we don't trust our 'normal' midfield to be good enough against them. That doesn't happen to the best teams in the world.