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Episode 120 - Friday Forecast: Liverpool to meet Arsenal in Premier League classic
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Nick Bird is on his own to preview this weekend's Premier League football. He looks at the Conference League race and the Champions League race before talking about the Liverpool vs Arsenal game and a small talk about Arsenal's exit from the Champions League and the pressure on next season.
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Transcript
Introduction to the EPL Weekend
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the Daily English Premier League podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's just me today, Nick, and I will be doing our Friday forecast where we'll look at all the action in the Premier League this weekend.
Europa Conference League Race
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Starting off, I'm going to just go through so the Europa Conference League race. I think it's something not so being overshadowed by... the Champions League at the moment and a lot of the Saturday games, especially the 3pm's, are relating to that.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've got Fulham who are in 11th against Everton, Ipswich play Brentford who are 9th, Wolves play but Brighton who are 10th and then the 5.30 TV game, only TV game on Saturday, is Bournemouth in 8th leading that race for the Conference League against Villa who obviously On the outskirts of the Champions League race, they're in it, but they're definitely yeah the worst place team in that at the moment.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So looking at these games, you've got Bournemouth, like i say, leading that race on 53 points. Playing Villa have the hardest game of the four teams in the race this weekend.
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then you have Brentford on 52 points, Brighton on 52 points and Fulham on 51 points.
Bournemouth's European Ambitions
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just to clarify, this the eighth place will get Conference League should City win the FA Cup, which I think most people are expecting them to. I'd love if Crystal Palace can upset a team that wins every year, no matter how bad they are.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Newcastle also need to get top seven, which I believe is already confirmed. So... It's more than likely eighth place will get ah chum Europa Conference League football this year.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously, I'll start with Fulham and Everton. Everton obviously went on that strong run to pull them away from a relegation fight this year.
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then it feels like I've not heard from them for weeks. And when I was just preparing for this episode, they've won once in the last 10 games with six draws and three losses.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So much like much of the league, there they are beached at the moment. And... Fulham, who are a har bit of a weird team, they'll just randomly have terrible results against relegation candidates.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like we saw recently, I believe it was against Southampton, that they i needed a last second winner to not give Southampton that extra point to eclipse Derby's record.
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Fulham, this could be a weird one, but they're at home, you would expect them to win. So, they they need to win if they want to return to Europe for the first time since, I believe, the Rory Hodgson days when they obviously reached a Europa League final.
00:03:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford are one of the teams I'd really like to get European football. For me, it's Brentford and Bournemouth, I think, are really deserving of European football after the work they've put in.
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, Brighton have done similar things and already had European football, so I'm less inclined to see them in European football. I next year but Brentford especially if they were to somehow keep Mbemo and Wisser and whistle ah potentially add to that it would be incredible to see that in European football and I think their fans deserve it I think their strategies to get to the Premier League stay in the Premier League which we've seen is so difficult in the past few years
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
deserve some European football at the G-Tech Stadium. I think it'd be quite fun. So they're away to Ipswich this weekend.
Key Matches Influencing Europa League Chances
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd expect them to win.
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then similarly, Wolves against Brighton. Obviously Wolves are a really strong run at the moment. They pulled themselves well away from relegation and are now in 13th.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and whereas Brighton a tent got a big point last weekend against Newcastle and this could be one where Brighton slip up they've been a bit of a weird team this year seem to lack consistency so I could see Brighton slipping up here to be honest a and then finally Bournemouth vs Villa like I was saying definitely the hardest game out of any of these four teams and I mean, Bournemouth are at home.
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Villa are trying to do all they can to get into Champions League. I think they're going end up having to settle for Europa League next year. But this, I mean, this is a massive game for both teams, which is rare this season at at this stage of the season where both teams actually have something to play for.
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think this could be one of the games of the weekend. Obviously, two very strong tactical styles from both managers. Iriola's high pressing. And compared to Emery's sort of mid aggressive mid-blocks, especially when he plays Mighty Marsenor.
00:06:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it'll be interesting to see this game at the weekend. If I was to pick the team that will out of this cha ah conference have the I have it written down as ECL, so I keep reading it as European Champions League.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's my own error. um Bournemouth, if I go through the the final three games for each of these teams, obviously you've already heard me say who they have this weekend.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Bournemouth, who are, like i say, 53 points, have a point lead over Brentford and Brighton and two-point lead over Fulham in this race. have Villa this weekend then Manchester City next week so they've been given ah bit of a gauntlet obviously you had to play Arsenal last week and did win in the against uh the team in second place and then last game in the season they have Leicester so if they can get through the next two weeks possibly probably with like four points They're in a pretty strong position, I reckon, going into the last game against Leicester, which you'd expect them to win.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking at Brentford, they've got Ipswich this week and then a massive game in this race against Fulham next weekend, which could be pivotal to Because they then have Wolves on the last day.
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you'd think if they've won against Ipswich and won against Fulham, they'll be ahead of Bournemouth, if my prediction is right.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
so and It's more than likely that Bournemouth will lose against Man City. But ah we this is what I'm saying. It's to be so, so close. All of these have really interesting... and They all have a difficult game at least.
00:07:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And quite... The next two, Brighton and Fulham, actually, I would say have two, at least two difficult games. So Brighton have Wolves this week, obviously. Then Liverpool and Tottenham last two games the season.
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's going to be really difficult for Brighton to to get into European football this year. as much as those two teams are really on the beach, obviously Liverpool already champions. We saw them slip up against Chelsea last week.
00:08:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Tottenham couldn't care less about the Premier League this year, it seems. And assuming they win tonight against Bode Glimt or just avoid, i believe, a three-goal defeat,
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
than they'll be a European final despite potentially finishing this season in 17th. So it's going to be difficult but for Brighton. They might have that favourability of those teams being beached, think it'll be too difficult of task for them to ah get into Europa Conference League this year.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And finally, Fulham on 51 points have Everton, Brentford and then Man City. So even if they get through next week against Brentford with a win, they then have play Man City in the last game of the season. and So it feels like those last two teams will likely be out of it.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it will more than likely be between Bournemouth and Brentford, which I would love. Like I say, this could be really close. I don't think it's as easy to call this as it is to call the Champions League race at the moment, which we'll get on to after the first break.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if I had to pick one looking at these games, I think it would be Brentford. Ipswich should be a relatively easy win. can see them semi-comfortably beating Fulham. I'll just check if that game is at home or away.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then they have Wolves on the last day. And you'd think that as good as Wolves have been playing, their foot will be off the gas, especially in the last game of the season.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're just checking. Yeah, Brentford are at home against Fulham as well. You've got to think Brentford at 3pm on a Saturday as well at the GTEC is when they thrive as much as people like to joke about it.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then last day their season away to Wolves, which is probably their hardest game potentially with the form Wolves are in. Yeah, it's it all comes down to next week for for Brentford and Fulham.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Especially Brentford because, like i say, Fulham played City loss last game of the season. So I'm going to go with Brentford for getting that eighth place in the end.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for me, as long as it's one of Bournemouth and Brentford, I'll be very happy for those teams. I called... Walmouth doing well and they will get European football. But I think that the fixtures aren aren't helping them with Villa and Man City in these last few games. So po it's the most interesting thing happening this Saturday in terms of the Saturday games.
Man City and Chelsea's Champions League Pursuits
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only other game is Southampton against Man City, which we will get onto after we hear a bit about Bayern League.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the other game on Saturday, like I just said, is Southampton against Manchester City, 20th versus so third. If City win, they go joint second with Arsenal before they play Liverpool late ah on the Sunday.
00:11:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And although Man City can't officially confirm Champions League football, it will more than likely be confirmed with the other games going on should they win against Southampton, which you could more or less so give them the three points now after all Southampton have done this season.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then on Sunday in the other games that are pivotal for Champions League, you've got Newcastle versus Chelsea, fourth versus fifth, the biggest game this weekend, I think.
00:12:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a 12pm on a Sunday if you are not already aware of that because of Chelsea obviously playing. tonight against Sjögaardens however it said the Swedish club in the Europa Conference League so you'd imagine they'll win that I assume they will have gone for a rotated team I should say we're recording before ah the European games and no one on team was available for a reaction to those games unfortunately so But I think we can assume Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea will have all gone through to the finals in their respective tournaments.
00:13:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So going back to this game, obviously Newcastle versus Chelsea, biggest game of the weekend. Forest played Leicester and on the Saturday, obviously already talked a bit about Bournemouth against Villa.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Champions League race, I think, like I was saying, bit easier to call than the Europa Conference League race. You've got City on 64 points, Newcastle on 63, Chelsea on 63, Forest on 61 and Aston Villa on 60.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
You may ask why am I leaving Arsenal out this? As bad as we've been, as beached as we have been for months, ah I think it's more more or less done.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, play Liverpool this weekend, Newcastle the week after, but our last game of the season is against Southampton. and Although our record away at St Mary's is worse than... Southampton actually have a winning record against Arsenal at St Mary's.
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, but as bad as that is, Arsenal will beat Southampton final day. I don't have any worries about that. And I think the teams behind Arsenal will slip up more than Arsenal slip ups will cost them.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So even if Arsenal lose this weekend, lose next weekend to Newcastle, I don't think it will impact Arsenal getting Champions League football.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and It will just cost Arsenal second place, which we can have a conversation about on another episode with more people. Because for me, isn't that much of an issue based on not having ah striker for four months. So it's more impressive that Arsenal have stayed second. But going back to the Champions League race...
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
City against Southampton you you would think is just a free win as much as it can be for Manchester City and they will move to 67 points. Newcastle-Chelsea obviously the big game.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll quickly look at Nottingham Forest because I think again that is ah should be a free win for Forest against Leicester. which would move them to 64 points above either Newcastle or Chelsea, who play just before them ah on Sunday afternoon.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Villa, who play late Saturday against Bournemouth. I think it will be very difficult for Villa to get Champions League football, but a win on Saturday against Bournemouth. And then they have Tottenham and Manchester United, who you'd imagine both will be relatively rotated to try and keep players...
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
while sharp but at the same time rested for the Europa League game which is all both of their seasons rest upon now so it I kind of leaving Villa out of this a bit as much as the games may favor them I think it's quite a quite a tall task for them to to get into the Champions League without winning all three of these games, which they're capable of, but I just think the teams above them will do enough to keep them out of it.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle versus Chelsea then. Chelsea seem to have found form, which has almost come a bit of a shock. It seemed like they were... As soon as they'd acknowledged they didn't want to be in the title race, it felt like they fell off and...
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've just seemed to slowly find their form in these last few weeks. They obviously beat Liverpool last week 3-1. And then previous week beat Everton 1-0.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Beat Fulham 2-1 the week before that. 2-1 draw with Ipswich. who So they haven't beaten Ipswich this season I believe. A 0-0 draw with Brentford. And then a 1-0 win against Spurs the week before that. So...
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
they'll take a lot of confidence I think from last week against Liverpool as much as Liverpool haven't I don't think were good last week i don't think they particularly cared which people can take that however they want they they've already won the league so they've got nothing else to play for so I think it an on it Liverpool team almost certainly beats Chelsea but I think that could just give Chelsea enough confidence going into this away game against Newcastle but for me i just Newcastle as they need to be firing I think at times
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Their front line just hasn't clicked, but especially this second half of the season, they they've been clicking. Jacob Murphy has been unbelievable.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think he's in danger of becoming that guy who's like, he's so underrated. And then everyone's saying that and they become almost overrated.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's been doing what is needed of him on that right wing. So... I would back Newcastle to to win this game, especially because they're at home. I think them being at home gives them the edge in this.
00:18:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Their draw last week against Brighton is just a bit of a Newcastle thing. It feels like Brighton just match up well against Newcastle because I believe there was a similar result in the away game ah and Brighton may have even won if I can find that.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm fairly sure Brighton won. Yeah, Brighton beat them 1-0 at St James'. So I just think it's that's just a match-up thing.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking at these final three games for each team then, City play, obviously, Southampton, and then Bournemouth, and then Fulham.
Predictions for Champions League Spots
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So City have a massive say on the Conference League race, weirdly enough.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I would say that they're locked in for Champions League for me. Despite how bad their season has been, they spent £180 million in January and it has bailed them out enough to...
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
to get Champions League football still. And they might still leave this season with a trophy, which is possibly the most Man City thing possible. But no matter how bad they have been, they will still leave with silverware, which is painful an Arsenal fan who we've been doing so well in the last past few years and we can't win anything. it's Well, you look at City and they're going win again.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah for sit For me, City are locked in much like Arsenal, much like obviously Liverpool are locked in Champions League already. So I think those top three places are ah secured already.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle have Chelsea this week, Arsenal and then Everton. Obviously, we know how well Newcastle match up with Arsenal. They almost are the only team who can physically go toe-to-toe with Arsenal. I think City as well are probably the only other team that physically are able of going toe-to-toe with Arsenal. And it's Newcastle who overpower Arsenal, if anything.
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Arsenal's last home game of the season, which could mean something. I don't think it necessarily will. from an a national perspective, we look incredibly tired and I think we've had our last big game, so to say, this week getting knocked out by PSG in the Champions League.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i don't even know really what to expect, what lineups to expect in these last few games. Will Neri get more minutes? Will Marino not have to play up front as good as he's been up there for us? um Yeah, I think Newcastle will will win that.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Everton final day, which is at St. James' Park. For me, Newcastle are also locked in. hope that would be everyone else chasing fifth place and...
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chelsea, who are on the same amount of points at the moment as Newcastle, and I think will be three points behind them after this weekend, then have to play Man United, who are, like we've already said, it um they've got nothing to play for.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
they So you'd imagine Chelsea win that as weird as Chelsea versus United games seem to always be. They always seem to draw as well. I'd expect Chelsea to go and win it against Man United.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then final game of the season, Chelsea against Nottingham Forest at Nottingham Forest. is ah I think will decide the last place. as Forest 2 are on 61 play Leicester and West Ham which you'd imagine is six points both teams have been terrible this season and then obviously playing Chelsea on the last day of the season and For me, I think Forrest beat Chelsea on the last day of the season and take it away from Chelsea, who will once again not play Champions League football.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whether that all would have impacts on um someone like Cole Palmer staying at the club, I highly doubt it at the moment. As much as he is deserving of playing Champions League football, even though he's not really had a great season this year compared to the standards he set last year.
00:23:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got to think his eyes will start to turn a little bit. Finally, Villa, who played Bournemouth Tottenham and Man Utd, I think i've already said, I think they need nine points from the last three games to even be within a chance.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah With me also saying Forest will get nine points and Newcastle and City already being locked in for me, I think. I think it'll be too too much of a task for Villa, and I don't think it's even guaranteed they can get nine points from this with how well Bournemouth have been playing, even with the slip-ups towards the the tail end of this season. They've won four of that out of their last five.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, I have Aston Villa.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
that they go They're on form to get those nine points, but I just think that game against Bournemouth this weekend is pivotal for what should be easier games against Tottenham and Madden United.
00:24:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'll just go over that again. I think for me, it's City, Newcastle and Forest. Let us know who you guys think will get those three Champions League places. Or if you think it will be four and Arsenal might drop out of even though we've been in second all season.
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to hear a little bit about Zencast and then cover the other games that aren't as interesting, which includes Liverpool against Arsenal.
West Ham's Struggles
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the other games this weekend, I'll quickly touch United, who are in 15th, play West Ham in 17th, Spurs in 16th, play Palace, who are 12th.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of these teams have nothing to play for. ah Three of them have eyes on a final and West Ham have been... Arguably the worst team in the league with the amount of resources they've put into this year, the reputation of some of their players.
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it wasn't for Jared Bowen, they would arguably arguably be going down for me. ah They are so lucky that the promoted teams at the moment are struggling so much to be able to even compete with Premier League sides.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Otherwise, they they would have been gone this year. They're arere going to need a massive summer next year, ah much even though they spent lots of money last year. And I believe ah I saw a report a few weeks ago they're to have to sell to even have money to spend.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you struggle to see the players in this squad that will sell for lots of money. Kourouz is probably the big one who I don't think has reached the standards he set for last year.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Paketar obviously has the betting stuff overhanging him. And I still don't think we have an answer to... what's going to happen with that so and obviously Bowen's on a really long contract and he's said when he signed that contract he does not want to leave he wants to retire at West Ham so he's got one up for sale so it's really difficult to see where this team earns money outside of Kudus really and
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean they just They need some pace, especially in midfield. Their entire midfield is slow. And you just can't you can't have that in the Premier League anymore. i I was hoping for Evan Ferguson's loan to sort of reignite that but hope and belief in him.
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, i don't think you he's not even really played much. Graham Potter hasn't. hasn't just he's just not shown much since joining there and i think he gets a handful of months next year after this this summer window to really prove himself or he's gone and I mean you wonder what that does for his dwindling reputation already From a Man United perspective, Amram said they're going to play young youngsters in the Premier League until the end of the season, pretty much.
00:27:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think especially this weekend, so maybe it's a chance for West Ham to get some points. But if I was to guess, I think it would be United sort of scraping a win or a quite boring draw.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this game, I believe, isn't televised and... I don't think people want to watch it regardless if they aren't fans of either clubs. Look into the other game Spurs in 16th against Palace.
00:28:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think for both of these teams it's just avoiding injuries for their cup finals assuming Spurs make it obviously.
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Palace will probably win this. I just think they don't have the rotation options. I don't think they will rotate as much either because they haven't had to play midweek.
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'd imagine Palace will win this game, but ultimately it doesn't mean anything for either of these teams. And we'll move on to the more important of the least important games, shall we say.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Liverpool who are already champions against Arsenal who are trying to say stay second for a third year in a row, which is a bit of a weird thing to say. um It's almost beach versus beach, but at the same time, I think it'll be two teams caring a lot more than they're willing to show because...
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think both teams want to prove that they have been the better team this season. And obviously Liverpool have been. But I think from an Arsenal perspective, it will be want thing to sort of put a marker down for next season.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
In my opinion, we were better than them when in the reverse fixture. And if it wasn't for injuries to Gabriel in the back line, Myles Lewis-Gelly had one of his first games, it might have even been his debut in that reverse fixture.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we had an awful backline when Liverpool went unequalised. I think in general we completely outplayed Liverpool in that game. This is a completely different Arsenal team though.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are so many injuries. There is so much fatigue. especially We saw it in the second half I think against PSG where the legs would go in.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think a bit of mental fatigue as well because this has been such a long and draining season for Arsenal. And there's the thing of
Arsenal vs Liverpool Showdown
00:30:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Guard of Honour. To me it doesn't really mean anything. It mattered for Van Persie which is like because obviously he he left and went and won instantly against a team that is more of a rival than Liverpool and Arsenal are, in my opinion, as much as online it may seem very different, I don't think, when when do you go outside actually speak between Arsenal and Liverpool fans, think, of the big don't think.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
as much as i that's not a lovely term to say the but the big six the greedy six who tried to jump to the super league i think these liverwars almost especially before this season were the closest team in terms of like we didn't really have ah any problems with each other between liverpool and arsenal so i think it's more of an online thing but actually looking at this game I think Liverpool will probably win it.
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah just don't think Arsenal have enough in us at the moment to go and win this. I think a win against Newcastle next week is more important and we'll be more rested for that. so it will be i hope there's no nonsense. I hope we don't get battered.
00:31:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and it's It's a close game the
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You kind of just see the faults again, which we keep seeing, which is there is no striker. There is no help for Bakayo Saka in that front line. Odegaard's not had a good season, which it could be down to the injury he sustained. there's some reports that say that, but...
00:32:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
for me at some point you have to stand up and we've we've had players play through injury so often there's ah been Ben White who has played through injury so much and put in really strong performances but our captain hasn't led by example for a large part of this season From a Liverpool point of view, like we I was already really saying, this is... This feels like a... Like, this is why we were champions. This is why we were better than you this season Arsenal. So, bad as they were last week, I think we will see them be much better this week and get another win, most likely. yeah...
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Long season from an Arsenal perspective. might quickly touch on midweek. Obviously, we had one of the guys from the Arsenal podcast join after the game yesterday, recording this on the Thursday.
00:33:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just, it's just so, like I was already saying, it's so draining this season. I don't think we were good enough to win that tie, but I don't think we were completely outclassed like we have been in years gone by in the Champions League.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were completely in that tie. but was far closer than even It was just... it was that home tie has to go better. If we'd started like we did in that second leg at home, the crowd would have been going and you'd think the momentum would have stayed with Arsenal quite easily, yeah especially and the first half and maybe we go to...
Arsenal's Rebuilding Challenges
00:34:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Paris with a lead but in the end it's glaring issues up from Saka putting crosses in time and time again across not even just this tie we saw it in the first leg of the Real Madrid game and countless other games across the season where he puts crosses in and there is no striker there there's we where we've seen a bit more from Martinelli in the past month or so but for me he's just not of the standard we need for going and winning Premier League Champions League so it feels like one of the biggest summers in my lifetime I'm 22 so that will put it in a time frame for of you listening um
00:34:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
and it's a bit It's a bit make or break and for Arteta next season, I think. Context permitting, remember speaking to Juptej about this in probably October, November, um when I but first joined the podcast. um like How long does Arteta have to win something?
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it really feels more make and break than ever next year. We don't know how good Man City will be with Rodri back. And no doubt lots of money put into their team again because as they go through a transition that will be easier for them just because they have that backing from the UAE.
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool... I don't think we really know what to expect from them either. We don't... Because... Slott has done this with just Chiesa joining them. And... As much as Trent's going to leave, that'll... Be a massive blow.
00:35:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Salah will be older. But that never seems to affect him. Van Dijk again will be older. And once again, it doesn't seem to affect him. So...
00:36:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
they won't be It won't be as big of a shock how they play and how good they are. I think they will face much lower blocks, which could cause them issues. and As a national fan, we saw the same thing after twenty two twenty three where it was a surprise we were so good.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The next year we were playing lower blocks and it was much harder. and think Liverpool wool will experience that a bit. It's not like they were...
00:36:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
bad in the years before but it's a new manager and teams didn't know what to expect as much as they will next year and they'll be more prepared for the problems that they cause so it'll be interesting see what Liverpool are up to but from an a national perspective
00:36:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we have a season where we aren't plagued with injuries and we reach 90 points, then whether that's enough to win the title or not.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he wins the title, obviously Arteta stays. If he doesn't win it around 90 points with seemingly no um glaring injury issues,
00:37:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
think there will be ah decent amount of the fan base who want a new face and it's so difficult to say if I'll be in that group having not experienced what happens next season yet which is part of the problem of looking into the future with football you you just I couldn't have I say I couldn't have expected how this season has gone.
00:37:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
had a weird feeling because Liverpool experienced in their third season pushing where they just had loads of injuries. But for them, they had already won the league in that second season.
00:37:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
We haven't won it yet. And I'm hoping that players will be back next year. Saka will be able to play all season. Maybe Odegaard gets surgery, which has been talked about.
00:38:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
the And he's back to how he was before this season. And hope there has there has to be a striker. For me, there has to be a left winger. Zubomendy is all but confirmed.
00:38:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah hopefully i never have to watch that guy playing in defensive midfield again. Yeah, it's make or break for Arsenal next year. And I think that's where we'll leave. I think at the end of the season, we'll go through a lot of teams and speak about how their season has been and what they need for next year. So thought I'd give my perspective in ah podcast that has gone far longer than I was expecting it to go as we reach 39 minutes.
Conclusion and Weekend Wishes
00:38:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'll leave you ah going into this weekend for those big games for European Conference League race and a Champions League race. so Enjoy this weekend's football was much as a lot of games don't matter for a lot of teams.
00:39:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
If games do matter for you, I hope they go well. Unless you're a Spurs fan or a Cobb. It's a rival of Arsenal, let's say. and I've been Nick. This has been the GSPN Daily English Premier League podcast and enjoy your weekend's football.