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Daily Arsenal - S2 - E2: Calafiori secures our first win of the season!
11 Plays15 days ago
In this episode we will be discussing our first game of the new Premier League season as we won 1-0 away to Man Utd, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses from that game as well as discussing about a certain transfer that could happen in the next week or so. Now if you want to get involved with any of our topics discussed please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description!
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Rodney Gooden & Craig Matthews
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Transcript
Podcast Relaunch & Team Introduction
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast.
00:00:18
Rodney Gooden
Thank you.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are back from our summer break and this is your one-stop shop as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news and views brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network.
00:00:30
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm your host Jamie Patterson and in true kate dot Kate Scott style I am joined by my crew of Arsenal fanatics. Now first of all we have a man who after today could be looking to wind up a certain JD by getting a Habert shirt if a deal for a certain Eze pulls through.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the one and only Mr.
00:00:54
Rodney Gooden
Hey, guys.
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rodney Gooden.
00:00:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of course, secondly, I am joined by a man who is just full of knowledge.
00:00:58
Rodney Gooden
hey guys
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is just packed full of knowledge. I don't know how he does it. He knows everything about our great club. He is the only Mr. Encyclopedia.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is Craig Matthews. Guys, first pod together. I mean, Rodney, we had the pleasure of of joining up with the Man United boys.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, how's your summer been, man?
00:01:25
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been it's been a while.
00:01:30
Craig matthews
yeah man yeah it's been a while it's been a while it's been a while man it's been boring
00:01:31
Rodney Gooden
Oh dear.
Arsenal Victorious at Old Trafford
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I mean, we'll talk about it a little bit later on. But I mean, Rodney, I mean, let me let me just quickly, before we move on, I'm going to quote your words from our group chat.
00:01:44
Rodney Gooden
but yeah
00:01:51
Rodney Gooden
oh dear
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:01:56
Rodney Gooden
You don't need to do all of that.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, before setting up right, he had to compose himself.
00:02:01
Rodney Gooden
Okay. Oh. True.
00:02:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's probably spent the last 10 minutes trying to compose himself here because he was like, nah, stop.
00:02:04
Rodney Gooden
ah
00:02:07
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to look like a clown cackling and smiling when I'm supposed to be discussing about a diabolical old traffic.
00:02:11
Rodney Gooden
yes
00:02:18
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll explain the whole cackling situation because in this episode, we will be discussing our first game of the new Premier League season.
00:02:19
Rodney Gooden
but
00:02:28
Rodney Gooden
hmm hmm hmm
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
As we won 1-0 away to Man United, we'll discuss the strengths and the weaknesses from that game, as well as discussing about a certain transfer that could happen in the next few days.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you want to get involved with any of the stuff discussed on our show, get involved on um through our social media, which can be found in our show notes, which, by the way, we have got, we should be a lot more active on our socials this season.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah We've managed to bring in two new amazing people who will do an absolutely amazing job of our socials.
00:03:05
Craig matthews
if you
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, um yeah, get following and keep your eyes peeled over the next few days.
00:03:07
Rodney Gooden
Thank you.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, first game of the Premier League season away at Old Trafford. It finishes Man United nil. Arsenal won with Ricardo Calafiore's header proving to be very decisive as we take all three points out of Old Trafford.
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, let's start off with you. How are you feeling after that game?
00:03:36
Craig matthews
Smash and grab, we need just go there and get the win.
00:03:38
Rodney Gooden
i
00:03:40
Craig matthews
It was a smash and grab game, like literally, like attack versus defence in the second half. My night had all the we were defending our life, just to hold on to the lead.
00:03:51
Craig matthews
But sometimes we have to go to difficult grounds and Old Trafford has not really been our greatest ground to go to over the years.
00:03:57
Craig matthews
We took some hella beatings there. don't even want to talk about hella beatings we took there.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
hey
00:04:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:04:01
Craig matthews
sir
00:04:03
Craig matthews
Yeah, going there and getting the win is important for the season. I know we didn't play well, we'll improve in a couple of weeks or so, we'll get that run better.
00:04:16
Craig matthews
yeah
00:04:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. You are absolutely spot on there. I think Craig described it really well. Rodney, smash and grab. I mean, what more could you ask for?
00:04:26
Rodney Gooden
I think I could have asked for maybe a bit of a stronger performance, but agreed. When it's what is the first game of the season?
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:33
Rodney Gooden
And you all agree going up to Old Trafford, where historically you have had a really tough run of games. And even in our best form, we've gone up to Old Trafford and put on a shaky performance. And Man United, who might have been in a very bad spot early in the season, are suddenly up for the game. It's always going to be difficult.
00:04:46
Rodney Gooden
I couldn't agree with people predicting 3-4-0 for whatever for this game. I always knew it was going to be tough. I knew it was going to be difficult. But that performance had me nervy on the edge of my seat at times.
00:04:54
Craig matthews
Thank
00:04:55
Rodney Gooden
But agreed. The most important thing was to come away with the three points. And that we did. So on that note, I'm satisfied.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? Guys, couldn't agree with you more. I mean, i I was away at a wedding and, you know, we were watching the football. We watched the Palace game and then, you know, then more people started to come on in and we were there watching the Arsenal game.
00:05:18
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was just, oh, just I'm surprised I've still got fingernails left. It was such a tense game.
00:05:23
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I looked at the starting 11 and I thought, you know what?
00:05:26
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:05:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is so good. Like, this is probably so good because you looked at the starting 11th and thought, OK, not bad. Maybe a little bit questionable because not in a bad way, but in the sense of, you know, would you have started Myles Lewis Skelly over Califiori?
00:05:37
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, Arteta had so much choice.
00:05:46
Craig matthews
Thank
00:05:47
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Craig's nodding his head. Craig, let me let what's what's your reason behind it?
00:05:55
Craig matthews
I thought the reason why he didn't start Marz Luis Skelly against Mainat was the physicality and the height from corners. Mainat has got lot of tall players. I think Texas on set pieces, he felt maybe Califorio is more stronger than Marz Luis Skelly for set pieces and all that.
00:06:11
Craig matthews
That's why think he'd rather have gone for him instead of... Luis Skelly will get a lot of games this season, a long season anyway, so both of them will rotate each other.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:19
Craig matthews
Some games will start, some games Califorio will start, so it's a... I hope there's tactical reasons why I didn't start on Mars with the Scully on Sunday.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just actually, just out of curiosity for the both of you, would you have maybe changed anything to that starting 11 or were you really happy with the starting 11? Yeah.
00:06:38
Rodney Gooden
No, actually, i kind of agree with Craig. I was happy with a starting 11. I also agree with the argument for Kala for your kind of height and physicality in the box as well. Not to mention with Kala, also he's got issues with fitness as it is. So when he is fit, yeah, play him.
00:06:50
Rodney Gooden
and Absolutely.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:50
Rodney Gooden
Give the minutes and then have Miles come in there be that rotational option.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:54
Rodney Gooden
I quite liked our starting 11 on that one. I was quite confident going into i thought it was one of the best 11s that we could put up. you know As for how they kind of integrate and work together on the pitch, I go, that was a bit of a different story. But I had no real issue with the lineup when it came about.
00:07:06
Rodney Gooden
And issues what I saw later.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:08
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, again, for me, I didn't really... ah The only thing that I was kind of questioning was maybe Myles Lewis-Galey. But then, you know, I was watching a video from rory talks from Rory Talks and he kind of made a good point here in the sense of we've got players that are pretty much back from, you know, they're all fit and they're all ready to go.
00:07:16
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:07:22
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:07:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But who doesn't make the cut? Who does not make the cut and who makes the cut? And, you know, there were some questionable players that, you know, probably stayed at home and, you know, couldn't even make
Analyzing Arsenal's Squad Depth
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
it for the bench.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, again, i know we've spoken about it so much, but Arsenal's depth going into this season, boys, how are we feeling?
00:07:41
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:07:49
Rodney Gooden
I think from from a purely depth perspective, I think, yeah, overwhelmingly so. We've got quite a lot of players that we can pull from, utilize and rotate with, especially because we haven't really sold anybody this window too. So if anything, we've got we've got like a surplus of players.
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:02
Rodney Gooden
You've got Max Dalman who's now being integrated with the first team too. So that's another one from the academy that's coming in there, hopefully going to break through the ranks, just like Ethan Waniere and Mars Lewis-Gelly as well. So yeah, I'm quite confident with the depth options.
00:08:13
Rodney Gooden
I think what we need to be looking at is level raises, needle pushes, you know, people are really going to elevate us and take us to the next level there. And I think right now we've definitely got cover if players get injured.
00:08:22
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:08:22
Rodney Gooden
you know, do we have the ceiling raises to actually execute the strategies that we need to go and take us through the league? I think that's the question. And I feel like maybe we'd want it too much. We'll get to later. Yeah, we're there. But I think right now, depth is no longer a concern for me like it was last season and we were plagued by injuries.
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:38
Rodney Gooden
So I'm far more confident.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely. Craig, I mean, again, looking at the depth that Arsenal kind of have now going into going into this Premier League season, I know the transfer market is still going on. um At the time of recording, we've got about another 12, 11 to 12 days roughly left in this window.
00:08:57
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:08:57
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:08:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I won't really talk much about Arsenal's transfer business at the minute. um But my question for you is, how do you feel about Arsenal's depth going into this season?
00:09:09
Craig matthews
This is the strongest squad that Tess has since been manager at the club when comes to the rotational. sort He's got no excuses now. He's got the strongest squad now. So if players are injured, the players need to be rested.
00:09:21
Craig matthews
Slapper can be rested from Madoeweke. You've got the left wing got Trostar, you've got Martinelli. You've got up front, you've got Goklose. You've got... When Jays just gets fit, if he stays at the club, he thought he could be a rotational option as well.
00:09:34
Craig matthews
You've got Havertz as well, so you've got different options.
00:09:34
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:37
Craig matthews
In midfield, you've got Nogard, you've got Tullumendi, got Rice, you've got even if Waniere can play there as well, you've got Odegaard.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:45
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:45
Craig matthews
So you've got a lot of rotational options in the team now. And Mosquero looks quite good as well, watching him in the preseason game.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:51
Craig matthews
He he looks solid.
00:09:51
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:53
Craig matthews
He looks like another Gabriel Part 2.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:09:56
Rodney Gooden
a
00:09:57
Craig matthews
He looks very solid. on Even Kibbeau didn't even get a minute, Kibbeau's not on the bench on Sunday.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:04
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I see.
00:10:04
Craig matthews
first.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, that goes back to exactly what I was saying about, you know,
00:10:08
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:10:08
Craig matthews
a
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who do you even, you know, even players on the bench, who do you leave at home? And, you know, unfortunately, Kivio was one of them players that did get sadly left behind.
00:10:18
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But all good sitting here talking about the positives. And I think overall, Arsenal have had ah pretty good summer. And I think this season, there is no excuse whatsoever.
00:10:27
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, we we have to go and do something. You know, we've got the depth.
00:10:33
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would I think right now, Would you say that Arsenal fans have no right to complain after the summer we've had?
00:10:44
Craig matthews
No, they have no right to complain. No, because we finally had a window where the owners spent a lot of money and the direct the sporting director, Berta, has done a great job and continues to do a great job. So, there should be no excuses now. The fans should be very satisfied if we continue.
00:11:02
Craig matthews
I know if they might not finish our business right now, maybe we're getting more players in as well. but Depends how many players we get rid of as well balance the book. So, we'll see how that goes as well. So, maybe there's more players coming in that we don't know about right now. So, just have to wait and see.
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course. No, absolutely. and And Rodney, just quickly, I know we've kind of gone a little bit off topic here, but in terms of outgoings, do you do you maybe see any potential outgoings leaving Arsenal?
00:11:27
Rodney Gooden
I thought Reece Nelson was a given as well. I think I remember reading either Fabrizio tweet or an Ornstein tweet that the next deal that Arsenal were working on was going to be Reece Nelson to fill him on.
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:35
Rodney Gooden
I think maybe like a loan with the obligation to buy or maybe a straight buy option.
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Yeah.
00:11:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, and then I didn't see anything like that materialised.
00:11:40
Craig matthews
Good.
00:11:42
Rodney Gooden
And I think maybe there was a little nibble about Zinchenko and then maybe something else in inquiry about Vieira, but still nothing concrete has kind of materialised. So... I do feel that Arsenal usually have a poor reputation when it comes to selling players, both the speed at which we do it and also the price.
00:11:57
Rodney Gooden
I think Oxlade-Chamberlain is still on record sale.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, do you know what? That Oxlade, that Oxlade Chamberlain.
00:12:01
Craig matthews
yeah
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh. How awesome have I only managed to sell someone? What was it? 35 million, wasn't it?
00:12:10
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, about 35-ish to pull.
00:12:10
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
That makes me feel old. That makes me feel worryingly old.
00:12:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet I know my birthday's in a couple of weeks time, but.
00:12:17
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh, jeez almighty, 35 million and yet we we just we can buy players for but all these and for for such big prices but yet we can't sell anyone on for a big price.
00:12:33
Rodney Gooden
And that's why when it comes to do we have a right to complain as Arsenal fans, like I do feel that the window has definitely been amazing in terms of gap filling the team. You know, I still do feel that there's maybe one or two things we could do to raise the level.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:43
Rodney Gooden
And definitely in terms of offloading some of the players who no longer really have a future or a viable future at the club. I think the window will be 10 out of 10 if we could do those two things in the short time that we have left. However, I do feel if Arsenal fans are complaining because they haven't spent any money to improve the squad, we've definitely done so.
00:12:56
Craig matthews
Thank
00:12:59
Rodney Gooden
Could we go a little bit further?
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:13:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, we could. But we've still done a lot, you know. So I'm confident going into the season thinking that, yeah, things have been done. Critical things have been done.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, no, absolutely. No, you you're
Identifying Arsenal's Weaknesses
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
spot on there. I think Arsenal's business in the market has been pretty much been spot on in terms of our incomings.
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The only thing that I've always said, I've said it on on our group chat, is just the outgoings. I think we've just needed to try and aim to try and you know recuperate a little bit of money back into the club.
00:13:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:13:30
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess with pretty much just under two weeks left of the market open, it'll be interesting to see what kind of dealings Arsenal get done and dusted with.
00:13:40
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, we're going to take a quick break in the meantime. We're going to listen to an ad from our partners at Bionic. ah Join us. Join us after the break where we will be ah discussing about our weaknesses from that Man United game. as Let's be honest, it was not easy watching as we've all just said.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So join us after the break.
00:14:20
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hello there, guys. Welcome back to our part two of the daily Arsenal podcast. as we look back at our um As we look back at our performance over Man United, joined by the amazing Rodney Gooden and Craig Matthews.
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, how are we how looking back at the ah at the game against um United? Where do you think the weaknesses came from?
00:15:09
Rodney Gooden
Honestly, think we were lax multiple areas of the pitch with the exception of, I mean, goalkeeping. I mean, Raya got player the match for a reason. He was phenomenal horrence at times, but I thought defensively we looked a bit sluggish too. And I think the link up between some of the midfield and the offense just, it wasn't great. Mishit passes.
00:15:27
Rodney Gooden
Not just from Odegaard at times, but also from Jokeres. He was linking up play and trying to find other attackers, but unfortunately, he couldn't quite make it at times. And so I thought we were disjointed in quite a few different areas of the pitch there as well. I think we kind of got off to a bit of a slow...
00:15:42
Rodney Gooden
Well, start, I think the ultimately the goal with Calafiore was really lovely, you know, pulling us ahead quite early on. But for the rest of that game, for the rest of the first half and the rest of the second half as well, you could tell that the ball was really in Man United's court and they attacked us and they attacked us quite up quite furiously, quite aggressively.
00:15:58
Rodney Gooden
And we seem like we're on the back foot for a large part of that game. And it was difficult viewing at times.
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. To be honest with you, I mean, the the tactical play, I mean, a lot of Man United fans really kind of spoke about how they've got a brand new front three.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, that front three, that front three was something else, wasn't it? I mean, Craig, I mean, really effective there.
00:16:24
Rodney Gooden
Immediately effective. Yeah.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you see Man United potentially working out with a brand new front three?
00:16:34
Craig matthews
I think, yeah, their front field was giving us so much problems. Like, Embermo could have scored.
00:16:37
Rodney Gooden
a
00:16:40
Craig matthews
Cunha could have scored. wasn't for the save of David Rhea. The one he saved. The only one when they hit across him and he saved it was going to Yeah.
00:16:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah, it was the Kunia strike.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, and he got low. Yeah.
00:16:49
Craig matthews
Yeah, that was a great save. i think on another day, Manel would have won that game. Any other team in the Premier League, the Premier League, after they batted them on Sunday, were just very fortunate that we just could defend very well when a good goalkeeper in Rhea in top form um I wasn't happy with Saliba's performance. who went two He was very shaky, didn't look himself.
00:17:09
Craig matthews
Even Decan Wright was on himself on Sunday.
00:17:11
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:17:11
Craig matthews
He looked very shaky.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I've realized that yet.
00:17:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, agreed.
00:17:13
Craig matthews
Normally, he's very assured and very confident. On Sunday, he was... Sulevendi's going to take a while to get used to the Premier League and all that, but give him time with Beylen and all that.
00:17:27
Craig matthews
Gokoros needs time as well. He needs time to...
00:17:29
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:17:30
Craig matthews
He has had a pre-season, so I'll give him time. A lot of fans were getting onto him on Sunday saying they're not happy, but he's only played 2-1 games for us in the Premier League.
00:17:33
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:17:39
Craig matthews
I'm lucky he played 100 games, so I'll give him time.
00:17:41
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:17:42
Craig matthews
So, yeah, Saka.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do what?
00:17:45
Craig matthews
Saka looks non-existent as well.
00:17:45
Rodney Gooden
yeah yeah
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:48
Craig matthews
The whole team, the whole team has no energy, and no no ideas or anything.
00:17:49
Rodney Gooden
the
00:17:52
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:17:54
Craig matthews
So, yeah.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what there, Craig? you've You've really made some good points. And one point I'm going to put forward to you, Rodney, is Jokerez. You know, we we signed him from Sporting for, what was it, 63.6 million.
00:18:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
six three and a half million what Despite it being his debut, what were your original thoughts on your Karez?
00:18:16
Rodney Gooden
it my original for this game?
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:18
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, original for this game is I wasn't impressed as it started, but I'll give him credit. He seemed to grow into the game. I mean, at the first, it looked like Matthias De Ligt was getting the better of him physically.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:27
Rodney Gooden
And then he seemed to kind of grow into the game later where you saw a couple shoulder to shoulder.
00:18:29
Craig matthews
you
00:18:31
Rodney Gooden
Victor looked like he was definitely getting the better of De Ligt and then was actually going forward. But he's unable to make anything. And then when he tried linking up play as well, he over hit quite a few passes to the link up wasn't quite there.
00:18:42
Rodney Gooden
i could tell that he was working on things and it was definitely going to be something which may be in the future it can work with. But It was difficult. I thought that he came off maybe a bit early. I understood it wasn't working, but he was still showing me signs to the point where I thought if he was on from the 10, 15 before bringing on Haberts, maybe we might have seen something.
00:18:59
Rodney Gooden
He can't always afford to give a player at that much time. And of course, Arteta, the manager, makes a substitution. And then Habits comes in. And I don't think habit was Habits was that much better. But if there's one element of Habits' game that we know he can walk on, he can draw fouls.
00:19:11
Rodney Gooden
And it was breaking up the momentum from a very aggressive Man United. And I do feel that we benefited from that, slowing the game down, taking free kicks when we needed to. So wings roundabouts, yeah.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'll be honest with you, that first little bit of the statement, JD, if you're listening to that, I'm pretty sure that's made your day, mate.
00:19:19
Craig matthews
it
00:19:20
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there you go. yeah
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but Do you know what?
00:19:31
Rodney Gooden
me
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
The one thing I will say about Jokeres, and I don't know if you guys realised it, is I think he's kind of underestimated the Premier League a little bit because I could see...
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if you guys saw it, but he was getting really tired quite... You know, you see his face go red towards the end.
00:19:47
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just thought...
00:19:49
Rodney Gooden
also his press as well i don't know if you guys were looking at his press at the beginning too but his press seems sort of
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:55
Rodney Gooden
it was just like a bit of a half-mask pressed in a way. it's It's a bit sluggish, and you can tell that he's trying, but what I want to see from a striker is a sort of Dembele-level press, and I understand the buckets of stamina you need to be able to maintain that, but sometimes even when Odegaard leads the line, he looks more aggressive and kind of, you know,
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:07
Craig matthews
Thank
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:11
Rodney Gooden
ah ferocious kind of with that press too. I think with his, it was almost like you're going through the motions of it, but it's not intimidating enough. It's not quick enough and it's not threatening enough to actually win the ball in any kind of situation.
00:20:22
Rodney Gooden
So it almost felt like it was just dragging him out of position and then you've not, you've not got a man if you do win it later.
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:27
Rodney Gooden
So it was a bit difficult for me.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? I do think with Jokeres, right, I think he's maybe, when I mean underestimated the Premier League, compared to like playing in
00:20:29
Rodney Gooden
Hmm. Hmm.
Viktor Jokeres' Premier League Adaptation
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Portuguese League, you might get maybe an extra second or two to, you know, look up, quickly turn, boom, you know, take a shot goal.
00:20:36
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think he's kind of realised that, oh, right, I'm not going to get that same amount of time that I got in the Portuguese League to then
00:20:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
pull a trigger. I need to be a bit more quicker and a bit more agile to turn and just shoot. Because, again, we've said it before in previous episodes, but in the Premier League, you do not get, you don't get a second.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You probably get milliseconds to just quickly.
00:21:06
Rodney Gooden
yeah you You don't get time and you don't get acres of space. We know that.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:21:11
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. And I think that will be interesting for Jokeres. And look, at the end of the day, I'll say, i will always say it, but I didn't put a lot of pressure going into, ah you know, as much as I said, oh yeah, would love see your careers go like this at Old Trafford and da-da-da-da-da.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wasn't really expecting much. I just thought, you know what, if he could have a a decent enough game, I don't see how it can work for him.
00:21:30
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think Leeds will be interesting. I think if he can get a goal early against the Leeds or against maybe another team before the international break, I think we i think we might be in with a chance here with Jochores.
00:21:40
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:21:52
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think just one goal, all it takes is one goal and that will boost his confidence, in my opinion.
00:21:57
Craig matthews
and
00:21:57
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But right, we're going to take another quick break. Join us as we will now look ahead to some very interesting, what has been a very interesting, not even 24 hours, less than that, if anything, probably the last nine hours.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to talk about a bit transfer news and what's been happening over the last few hours. So join us after this break.
00:22:45
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this third and final part where I am joined by Craig Matthews and Rodney Gooden. But, Rodney, let's let's get you cackling, mate.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's, you know, you've been bottling it in I know you have.
00:23:11
Rodney Gooden
but You know the score.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:23:14
Rodney Gooden
You know the score.
00:23:14
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
but What a turnaround. What a turnaround it has been in the last... You know what? Forget about the last nine hours. It's probably been a crazy turnaround in the past few days.
Ebere Eze Joins Arsenal
00:23:29
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it is one regarding a certain Ebere Eze.
00:23:34
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was due to go to Spurs for about 50 mil. Was it 50 million? With plus five add-ons.
00:23:43
Rodney Gooden
55, maybe plus five or so.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
plus five add-ons
00:23:45
Rodney Gooden
Personal terms agreed. ah for the last three days, the only thing I was watching or seeing on my timeline, and I had to just turn off the phone. Airplane mode. Done deal. Wasn't listening. Couldn't deal with it.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But I can't lie. I just don't think I would have... I just don't think I would have... I couldn't afford to see someone like Eze go to someone like Spurs.
00:24:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would have I would have said that he would have announced his retirement from winning trophies. You know, he won he won two with Palace and thought he was going to go and announce his retirement.
00:24:16
Rodney Gooden
e
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Ornstein, David Ornstein, was the one that dropped the bomber
00:24:24
Rodney Gooden
David Ornstein Bomber.
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I can't believe I'm saying this, but within the last hour, we have got reports. We have got the here we go from Fabrizio Romano. Eze to Arsenal.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here we go.
00:24:41
Rodney Gooden
you
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Boys, Craig, let's start with you because you are grinning. I mean, Rodney's holding him.
00:24:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Hmm.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's trying to compose himself together right now. But Craig, how are you feeling ahead of this transfer?
00:24:50
Craig matthews
ah
00:24:55
Craig matthews
ecstatic man it's a statement signing that all could get statement this is a bigger statement sign i would say because first we got more of our rivals not christopher i mean tockland are big rivals so that's a big bonus and he's an arsenal fan wasn't the academy as well back in the day didn't make it but he had a hard
00:25:03
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:18
Craig matthews
struggled to make to professional football he made that QPR, gave him an opportunity, and made it there. um Came to Crystal Palace and since he's been at Crystal Palace he's been there best player. Every season has done well for them, won them the FA Cup last season.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:30
Rodney Gooden
hmm hmm
00:25:31
Craig matthews
and Could have left when Alise and them guys left as well but decided to stay middle to the club and he deserves his big move now. He's at the right age of 27 so he's at the peak of his career now so we'll get the best years out of him.
00:25:42
Rodney Gooden
hmm
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely. you You could not have said that better. Around the 25 to 30 is where you really do start hitting like the peak of your career. And I think for Eze now, I mean, you know what, Rodney? I'm just going to let you talk at this point because I know you've been buzzing. I know you've been itching to kind of get your views out there. So look, the floor is yours, buddy.
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
The floor is yours.
00:26:09
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I could. I mean, I could have helped myself.
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Take it away. Yeah.
00:26:12
Rodney Gooden
was smiling ear to ear as well. First of all, I couldn't believe the speed at which the story broke as well. I think it must have been within about an hour you had the links that Arsenal were now active in the transfer market after Kai Havertz's unfortunate injury.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:26:24
Rodney Gooden
They were going straight into the transfer market again, that we'd made contact with Crystal Palace. that all of a sudden it's now been a verbally agreed agreement between Palace and Arsenal, and now apparently player terms have been agreed, and then immediately we're getting the here we go from Fabrizio.
00:26:36
Rodney Gooden
All of this in the space of about an hour for a player that I've long since admired. So the last three seasons in the Premier League, I've always said, every time we went up against Palace, I think two seasons back, I saw them come to the Emirates and we beat them 5-0.
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:26:46
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:26:48
Rodney Gooden
And even though we were choking the life out of Palace, the only time they looked dangerous, and I say this every time, The only time they looked like if even a hint of scoring was when Eberichi Eze had the ball.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:26:58
Rodney Gooden
I thought, what a player. Dangerous. Always looked like he was going to go past this man as well. Unpredictable. An absolute maverick too. On the wing, number 10. It doesn't matter. i Absolutely penetrative his dribbling. Great passing. Amazing action and decision-making in the final third too.
00:27:12
Rodney Gooden
When Arsenal would come up against low blocks on a regular basis, and I really do feel that someone like Eberichi Eze can be the key to unlocking those and making low scoring games where you're looking at maybe going away with a nil-nil draw and turning it into a one-nil victory and really, really taking those three points home when you really need them.
00:27:27
Rodney Gooden
I feel that this is definitely one of you one of the signings that think will elevate the left-hand side, elevate that area of the pitch, which I don't think we've been addressing too much this window, and hopefully needle raising and raising the level so that we can take this club to the heights and silverware that we know we deserve.
00:27:42
Rodney Gooden
it's
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah you know what?
00:27:43
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:27:43
Craig matthews
yeah
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. Rodney roddenney and Craig have just brilliantly said it there. They've just brilliantly said it there.
00:27:48
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could not top that at all.
00:27:52
Rodney Gooden
a
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what a signing. And I mean, goodness me. I mean, I don't know how my girlfriend's going to be feeling, but I think realistically, a lot of Palace fans, I'll be honest, and to be honest, she said this to me, and now I've realised I've kind of not contradicted, I've kind of contradicted myself because I actually thought
00:27:59
Rodney Gooden
Oh, she'll be devastated.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
no Palace players were going to leave.
00:28:12
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought they were going to stay for European football. But then after everything that happened with the whole, you know, with them being demoted to the Conference League and, you know, corrupt UEFA and whatnot, don't let' not gay with
00:28:18
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:28:21
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:28:23
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
Crystal Palace's Financial Decisions
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's not even get into that.
00:28:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, yeah, that's a different podcast altogether.
00:28:29
Rodney Gooden
It's whole other podcast. Hmm. Hmm. ah
00:28:31
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um at the end of the day, I think it's a great signing. And I mean, realistically, Palace need the money. You know, after the summer they've had, where they've had a brilliant summer in terms of winning.
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, they've won the FA Cup, they've won the Community Shield. But it's just, obviously, with this whole European thing now, they've been desperate now to get some money. And if anything, Palace like to do a big sale.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll only do one big sale in the summer. And I actually thought, if anything, I thought Mark Gahey would be the one that would go. Because he's got one year left on his contract. And I thought, right...
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It makes sense, in a way, to let him go. But it seems like now Gehi's going to be staying. And unfortunately, Palace may not get the money for him.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, I mean, unless something else happens in the market, there's still plenty of time left. But I'll tell you what, though. i just can't stop thinking of the number 10 shirt being vacant.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That 10 shirt, vacant at Arsenal. it was just made but it was just It was meant to be for him, boys, weren't it?
00:29:40
Rodney Gooden
It's just as a 10. That's what you need to see.
00:29:42
Craig matthews
Yes, they've had.
00:29:42
Rodney Gooden
Sold out.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:29:42
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:29:43
Rodney Gooden
Sold out. Day one. Yeah.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, as well, if if this signing can get complete within the next... Say, like, before... Say, like, let's say...
00:29:54
Rodney Gooden
yeah By the end of the week. Yeah.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
By the end of the week, he could be ready for Liverpool away.
Eze's Potential Debut Against Liverpool
00:30:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, there's there's a small possibility that he could maybe, depending if he's like if he signed on Friday at a certain time, I mean, he could be ready for Leeds.
00:30:01
Rodney Gooden
yes
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if not, Liverpool away. We've all seen what Eze has done for Palace at Liverpool, away at Anfield. I mean, surely history can repeat itself, can't it?
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just for Arsenal.
00:30:22
Rodney Gooden
Oh, um and we need it.
00:30:22
Craig matthews
Yeah, so cool. I need it.
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
honestly, this market just, the summer we've had is just unbelievable. And I mean, I said it to all the boys on, on our group chat. I said, look, boys, I'll be honest. I just don't see us set. I just don't see us buying anyone.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I see us maybe, maybe making a few outgoings, but I just did not see us buying anyone. But also i must say, again, I'm going to, I'm going to refer back to the group chat now, Rodney, because we're going to, we're going to find Jane.
00:30:49
Rodney Gooden
No, another quote of mine.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I've already won it. We've, We've wind him up on the group chat, but I'm going to wind JD up on the pod. But what did you say on the group chat, mate?
00:30:59
Rodney Gooden
I'll tell you, I said that if we sign Eberichi Ezeh, I'm getting a habit shirt. I said it.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Please. Yep.
00:31:07
Craig matthews
but but
00:31:07
Rodney Gooden
I said it.
00:31:08
Rodney Gooden
I'm getting a habit shirt. I'm getting a habit shirt. All right. And let me explain why. Okay. Arsenal's transfer business, you know, or windows seem to be closed. Weeks with no updates.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye
00:31:19
Rodney Gooden
And then a certain Kai Havertz gets injured and immediately Arteta and the physio staff and the training team and Berta, everyone involved says no, that can't happen. We're back involved in the market. And suddenly this deal, which we've been linked to across the entirety of summer, I think it was maybe 2nd of August or no, no, it might even have been in early in July where the first links to Everitchi Eze.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah 35.
00:31:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it came. And that was it. Dead for about two, three weeks or whatnot.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:42
Rodney Gooden
Didn't happen. Nothing happened. All of a sudden, an injury to Kai. And now we're in the market. Have you seen how quickly this deal's materialized?
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:31:48
Rodney Gooden
I said, I'm wearing the shirt. All right. It's about all your contributions, guys. Not just those on the pitch, those offered as well. I said, if Kai Havertz getting injured, improve the team, give me the shirt. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:31:58
Rodney Gooden
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I must say, JD, we can't wait to have you back on at some point, mate, because we need to
Humorous Reactions to Eze's Transfer
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
see this. Rodney, we need to see Rodney holding up his Kai Havertz shirt.
00:32:09
Rodney Gooden
I
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? We need a photo of you outside the Emirates holding your Kai Havertz shirt, and we will get a post up. And we'll probably tag JD in that post as well.
00:32:17
Rodney Gooden
yeah i love it.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
social media voice about that We'll sort that out Don't you worry. but Oh, my goodness me. Wow, guys, that is it. That is it for our first proper episode.
00:32:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, that is it for us. Have you liked what we've had to say? if so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love by subscribing to the GSPN Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie A, World Cup and more.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. I have been your host, Jamie Patterson. He has been the amazing Craig Matthews and he's been the amazing Rodney Gooden.
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, it has been wonderful to be back. Join us tomorrow as we bring you another amazing episode.
00:33:06
Rodney Gooden
you know
00:33:09
Rodney Gooden
fear
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a good day, guys, and take care.
00:33:18
Craig matthews
Thank you.