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Daily Arsenal - S2 - E3: Leeds Preview… first home game of the season
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In this episode we will be discussing our upcoming game at home to Leeds on Saturday at 5:30pm, looking at what we can do differently to Utd as well as looking at how Leeds will shape up ahead of this game! 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: Craig Matthews
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Transcript
Introduction to the Daily Arsenal Podcast
00:00:15
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of the Daily Arsenal Podcast, where 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, I'm your host Jamie Patterson and I'm joined by Mr Encyclopedia himself, it is the one and only Craig
Excitement Over SA Deal
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Matthews. Craig, how are you feeling? I mean, how are you feeling after the last recording? Because...
00:00:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, SA deal is, you know, it's accelerating. It's accelerating.
00:00:49
Craig matthews
I'm still happy man, I'm still buzzing. The smiles been all day, the smiles been on my face all day. so ah So I'm very, very happy.
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? I'd love, you know what? to If there's any Tottenham fans, please get in contact with us. We'd love to know how you're feeling.
00:01:04
Craig matthews
Expressions.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, goodness me. He has been doing the rounds today.
00:01:07
Craig matthews
ah
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
His video has been doing the rounds.
00:01:10
Craig matthews
I watched it.
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been all over my For You page on TikTok. He's just been doing the rounds. It it has been so, so funny. Can't lie, though. I'm in such good spirits.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just...
00:01:26
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't wait.
Preview of Arsenal vs. Leeds United
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
honestly cannot wait for this deal to get announced.
00:01:28
Craig matthews
yeah
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... In this episode, we are going to be looking ahead to our first home game of the season as we are at home to one of the newly promoted sides, Leeds United, in the 5.30 kickoff on Saturday. so we're going to be looking at what we could have done a little bit differently differently to Man United, as well as looking at how Leeds will shape up ahead of this game.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So as always, people, if you want to get involved with any of the discuss any of the topics discussed, On the show, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, Craig, I know that the Man United game wasn't really our, you know, it wasn't the best of performances, but, you know, we we got the three points.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We won 1-0, you know, simple, kept it simple. But my big question to you is, how are you feeling ahead of Leeds?
00:02:31
Craig matthews
I'm feeling confident. think everything had happened this week. Everyone's spiritually high, everyone's training this week. um I know had the Man-Lat game was last week and I think this weekend um the players had one week to rectify what happened last week and they must have gone through the tactics or gone through the whole game and seen what they need to improve on.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:50
Craig matthews
And I'll tell to be having a discussion with the coaches and all that deciding. We need to do this, we need to do that, tweak, maybe tweak the formation a little bit, do a couple of different things. and know So, hopefully this week will be about a better week, much more better than the performance we had last week and a good result as well.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, definitely. You're spot on there. I think... for Arsenal going into this game, you know, I think we need to be boosted by the fact we're back at the Emirates. It's the first game of the season back at the Emirates. And I think that should really boost everyone's spirits up. I think, like you said, the fact that, you know, it's not been announced yet, but we are in them final kind of processes now of finalising the Eze deal.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I just think there's so much hype. There's so much good spirits, especially after last weekend. We should be going into this game ready and raring to go, regardless of the situation.
Managing Kai Havertz's Injury
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, unfortunately, as ah as we heard during the week, but we sadly lost Kai Havertz to knee injury. How would you kind of handle the situation? Because I know, let let's be honest, Eze probably won't be ready for um As they won't be just ready yet for um this weekend, how would you kind of deal with no habits for the weekend?
00:04:13
Craig matthews
Yeah. He's got loads of options. You can play Martinelli through the middle. You can play Nick Almarino. He did it last season. Do a job there last season.
00:04:28
Craig matthews
You can do a trosside or you can play a fourth nine. So,
00:04:33
Craig matthews
Obviously, if Gokras going to start, because it's his first home game, Gokras will start where if Gokras gets tired and needs to be rotated, then we've got options on the bench. You can bring on Nicky or Mourinho, you can switch over Haberts, or, no, I mean, sorry, Martinelli and put Martinelli through the middle, and, yeah, so, yeah, and he could do anything, really.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:04:52
Craig matthews
He's up to how the game goes and how tactical wants to do it.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, I've got two questions for you regarding our attack, because I've just mentioned, obviously, about Kai Havertz, and, you know, he will he will he will be out for a little while, but...
00:05:06
Craig matthews
here
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is this weekend going to be the weekend that we see maybe Jokic play a full 90? Or do you think it could be one of them things where he might play maybe an hour to 70 minutes and then get subbed off?
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think Arteta will do going into this?
00:05:21
Craig matthews
ah um i' I don't think he's match fit right now. I think he's getting his fitness out. He had no pre-season. So I think the manager is treading very carefully with him. So maybe play for 70, 80 minutes, maybe 75 minutes and take a more noev and take him off.
00:05:35
Craig matthews
I feel like he doesn't want to burn him off too quickly, he'll risk him getting injured. So I think he's going to manage his minutes very carefully. Because if anything goes wrong, if he gets injured, then the fans are going to blame him.
00:05:47
Craig matthews
So why do you bother playing?
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:49
Craig matthews
yes tread And he's the only six striker available right now. So he has to kind of wrap up and cut in the wall. So yeah, take it from there.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no. Spot on. Spot on there. I think for me... You're spot on about about his match fitness. I mean, kind of discussed it on yesterday's pod, didn't we? About how there was a point in the game where he you could tell that he did not expect the Premier League to be what it is now, if that makes sense.
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, currently at the minute,
00:06:20
Craig matthews
Same.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah my my gut's telling me, I honestly think Jokeres could hit the ground running this weekend.
00:06:30
Craig matthews
sorry
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
something really does tell me I think he could hit the ground running this weekend. And I think that's all he needs. If he can get one goal or even get two goals, I think this will help kick his season on.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'd say the same for any striker, whether it's, even if it's Benjamin Tesco, I can't believe I'm saying that. hu But even if Benjamin Tesco was to go and get a goal over the weekend, all it takes is one goal to boost the striker's confidence and the rest is all history.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
00:06:58
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um that's that's how I see it for Jokeres. One goal, one or two goals ah against Leeds over the weekend.
00:07:02
Craig matthews
you know
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even if he plays the hour, that that should be good enough for him.
00:07:10
Craig matthews
yeah
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another player that I'd like to also bring to your attention is Noni Madweke. Now, we we saw glimpses we did we did see glimpses of him over the weekend against United.
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think maybe he might be given a bit more of an opportunity to ah have a bit more minutes than what he had ah last weekend.
00:07:32
Craig matthews
I think so. I think he'll get more minutes this weekend. I feel that if Martinez is not doing his job properly or not doing the job that if i the team needed to do, then he'll be subbed very quickly. Because I watched Malawake in the World of Sussan, not World of Sussan, but it was Abel Baal in the pre-season game.
00:07:51
Craig matthews
When he came on, he looked lively.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:07:52
Craig matthews
He was tracking back, making some good passes to Gokoros. They linking up well together. He looked very solid. He looked very like up for it. and look very keen to cement this place in the team. So, think this season, and and what's going to happen is lot of players have seen their place and it seems not going to be guaranteed. Everyone's going have to fight for their position in the pitch.
00:08:12
Craig matthews
That's what's going to happen. we've got a big squad now, so there's no excuses now. So, everyone has to fight for their place.
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is something I absolutely really like from Arteta this season, is just purely the fact that your your your place, even the goal... Okay, maybe not for Raya, but you know for a lot of players that normally make the starting XI week in, week out, you know there's going to be competition.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even if even if, for example, say Martinelli comes off and Madweke comes on for the last 20 minutes, if he does well enough, that gives Arteta a bit of thought.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, if he gets an assist or, you know, or say he tracks back really well and, you know, he covers himself defensively, all it can take is maybe 20 or 15 minutes for Arteta to maybe think, oh, actually...
00:08:52
Craig matthews
I
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He could be one that I could play.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's going to be so much competition, though, at the club, because at the minute we haven't made any outgoings. Just quickly, do you see us making any outgoings at all? Or do you think at the minute, like, that's it?
00:09:09
Craig matthews
think I have to.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, we might maybe make one or two? Or do you think, nah, we're we're going to keep everyone that we've got at the minute, including Yosambi, Lukongas and so on?
00:09:28
Craig matthews
I think we have to mix themselves with the PSR and unhappy players. No one's going to want sit in the stands until January. It's a World Cup year, so everyone wants to play regular football.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:41
Craig matthews
Some players who are not in their national team right now, thinking they might have a chance get into the national team this season. It's a long season, but I think a lot of players, maybe four or five players, need to go before the end of the win, but maybe four, because at least get the money back.
00:09:58
Craig matthews
get some money in and and it's not i just good and it's it's not good to have a long, happy dressing room. Players on the sideline complaining, like Serashenko complaining, they're not playing a lot last season.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:08
Craig matthews
We need everyone to buy into the system, we don't want any disruptions, we don't want any bad apples in the team. We had that before with the likes of, I don't know their names, but would know they were in the past bad apples that scored the changing room and players getting kicked out the club. So we don't want that all over again. so Best that we do is adversity and get rid of some players, earn some money, keep a happy harmony in the in the squad.
00:10:31
Craig matthews
That's the most important thing, obviously.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. I think that would be, i think it it needs to happen as well. We need to try and balance the books. You know, we've got a lot of players who are still at the club on quite some big wages as well.
00:10:47
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, when when I heard about Zinchenko more so, and ah what was it? I think his daughters were saying, like, we're trying to look out for him. And but I think the older daughter was like, oh,
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh, mummy, mummy, he's on the bench. And you know for for Zinchenko to say that was like very heartbreaking for him. Again, you know it's tight yeah you know if if a club really do want Zinchenko, providing they they give the right offer in, you've got to do what's best, surely.
00:11:16
Craig matthews
Yeah, of course. Yeah.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know... It's sad when you hear stories like that, but at the end of the day, what can you do? you've got If players are going to be unhappy, like you said, you know you might as well just move them on because you don't want to then bring the whole team dynamic down as well because then it's it's a bit of a domino effect.
00:11:32
Craig matthews
Definitely. definitely
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Once it hits one player, it goes all round all around the club and so on.
Arteta's Tunnel Plan
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, we we'll see what happens.
00:11:41
Craig matthews
And
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Quickly, also another another story i actually want to bring to your attention, right, is... Something to do with the Emirates. And it is Arteta's idea of removing the tunnel so that when players walk out, they are hit with the unbelievable rocking atmosphere of the Emirates.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, what are your thoughts on that?
00:12:09
Craig matthews
I've been to the Emirates, you've been to them so many times.
00:12:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:11
Craig matthews
I think it's a good thing, but we need to be... Like, if you go to that if you got you know if you go to that foreign stadium, like, you go to Inter Milan, for example, and they're playing a match, they're ultras are just roaring from the front, once they come out of the tunnel.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:12:24
Craig matthews
We need to have that atmosphere at Emirates. Like, we need to be roaring, like, giving it that extra energy and everything to intimidate teams. I remember, the only stadium remember that happened at when when they were in that little small tunnel at Highbury, they had a faddle roaring.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:40
Craig matthews
I think Emirates has kind of lost, it's lost that roar, um, that kind of thing in matches. Sometimes in the game, I remember Crystal Palace all season and we drew 2-2 with them and after we can see the second goal, the stadium was so flat, everyone was quiet for the whole rest of the game.
00:12:58
Craig matthews
Everyone was quiet, quiet.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
What was this at?
00:12:59
Craig matthews
There was no...
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was this at Selhurst or was this at the Emirates?
00:13:02
Craig matthews
The Emirates last season, when Ezequiel scored the equaliser, it was so quiet.
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
00:13:07
Craig matthews
It was very, very quiet. So we need to kind of up the intensity and up the atmosphere the Emirates to make it more an intimidating player.
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? Right. you You make a good point about, you know, fanatics and, you know, having like a group of. you know, fans bringing the atmosphere and bringing the noise.
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you've mentioned there with, you know, Inter Milan, you know, you mentioned it with, you know, with Milan, you know, i could say the same about PSG, even Crystal Palace, you know, they have like, for example, Palace have the Holmesdale fanatics and week in, week out, the atmosphere they bring is unbelievable.
00:13:37
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely unbelievable. You know, they they're crowdfunded You know, all their designs and their TIFOs are all crowdfunded. I would love to see Arsenal have something like that. I know we have the Ashburton army.
00:13:58
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we need we need something intimidating.
00:14:04
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I personally, I like the idea of removing the tunnel. I personally like the idea. However, like you said, we've kind of lost our touch a little bit with Highbury. The tunnels were a bit more smaller, you know, they were more intimidating. Whereas with the Emirates, you're walking out into quite a big space.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um There's quite a big area for the players to be waiting around in the tunnel. But I personally think, yeah, I'd get rid of the tunnel because you want to be hit with it with an atmosphere.
00:14:23
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think what would be really good is, and again, Dortmund's another good example, you know, TIFOs, I would love it if we had TIFOs in the North Bank, sorry where you walk out, you see and um you see a massive TIFO as you walk out in the North End.
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the North Bank would just be brilliant if that could be if that could be done. And I think Arsenal do need to take a leaf out of a lot of football clubs' books, because if you look at some of the some of the work and the time and the effort that gets put into these by by the fanatics are are absolutely amazing, aren't they?
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Arsenal, um if you are listening to this or ah the Ashburton Army, you know, thank us later on.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we're going to we're going to take a quick break. We're going hear from our partners at Bionic. But join us after the break as we look at the other side of the coin as we discuss about our opponent's leads.
00:15:46
Craig matthews
Good.
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back doing the Leeds preview for the GSPN Arsenal.
00:16:13
Craig matthews
if
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here with Craig Matthews. Craig, let's have a discussion about our opponent's Leeds. Now, look back to last... We look back to Monday night, actually. Not even last weekend. We look back to Monday night where they performed and produced a shock result against Everton.
Analyzing Leeds' Performance
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you expect that?
00:16:40
Craig matthews
and
00:16:41
Craig matthews
Yeah. Honestly, yeah.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:16:45
Craig matthews
honestly did because Everton always, that the last four seasons Everton have been so started, they've lost their last, so many games have started the season. ah but They always struggle and then they end up getting out of it and end up staying up before the end of the season.
00:16:58
Craig matthews
and
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:00
Craig matthews
i honestly feel that, um, Leeds played like they were established from a league club and Everton played like they were the championship that came up from the championship on Monday. That's how I looked at it.
00:17:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:11
Craig matthews
That's how the game felt. So Leeds were established from a league club. That's how I felt. It was a very flat game. First off, Leeds dominated them. Second off, Everton got back into it. But then Leeds got the winner in the end of the game. So, yeah.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no. i mean, i watched um i watched the highlights and I mean, the fact that Leeds were able to keep Everton quiet. Now, I don't get it twisted. I know that they were at Elland Road and I know they were at home. So obviously the home fans were going to be backing them all the way.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But are you worried at all going into this weekend with regards to Leeds?
00:17:51
Craig matthews
i always worry about going into every game. but Every game also try to worry getting into it because just nervous you just get nervous. That's a fight get nervous. You're always worrying about, are we going to do well today? But once we get the first or second goal, I don't know if we can kill the game off.
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:04
Craig matthews
I'm happy when we scored the first or second goal and don't know we killed the game off. I'm happy. I can relax a little bit Every fan's like that. i mean Every football fan's always worried about their team.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:13
Craig matthews
um confident it not confident I'm confident we'll win, but but as always there's always a doubt in the back of my mind thinking we can lose this game if we don't play well.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:21
Craig matthews
So it's always like that. That's me sometimes as well. Maybe a lot of fans feel the same as well.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. I mean... the thing for me is I go into every game feeling a little bit apprehensive, but this game, I am a little bit, you know, I'm confident, but at the same time, Leeds, you know, a promoted side, you don't know what to expect from a promoted team, you know, and and bearing mind last season, Leeds played some, you know, Leeds really did play some, some good football at times.
00:18:35
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:18:55
Craig matthews
yeah
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, For me, it's just trying to keep players quiet, but it's also trying to then drown out the Leeds pressure. So for me, I just hope that we can go into this weekend.
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't even know. you know what? I'm trying to think of Leeds players to kind of keep an eye out for. if you Have you got any any players that you'd really kind of keep an eye out on that Leeds?
Leeds' Key Players to Watch
00:19:21
Craig matthews
The softitude is called the penalty.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Starting 11.
00:19:23
Craig matthews
He scored the penalty. He was dangerous. The striker started.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:19:27
Craig matthews
He looked decent. pe three up the the strikers spot he the in this and I would say Gronto, his name is Italian in shoulder.
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Nonto, yeah.
00:19:41
Craig matthews
Gronto? Nonto, Nonto, yeah sorry.
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:44
Craig matthews
He looks decent as well. He's got he's a good lot of trick on them. He's very powerful as well. um Ampadu as well, ex-Chelsea player. He's decent as well.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm. he had pretty he had a pretty He had a pretty decent game as well, to be fair, didn't he?
00:19:59
Craig matthews
The right back looks good as well. I think then Soppen Bogle, he looks decent. Looks alright.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:05
Craig matthews
So they've got threats in their team. Maybe there's more players I'm not thinking of right off my head right now, Leeds have been our bergey team over the years.
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
course.
00:20:14
Craig matthews
Even if you come out many years, Leeds are always They've always come, even at hybrid titles, trying to win titles. They destroyed our title, winning this league.
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, of course.
00:20:23
Craig matthews
They've come a couple of times and given us a good game. So I'm expecting us to win, but it's not going to an easy game. We're going to have to fight for this win. I always thought gets United on Sunday.
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, I do believe that we'll be better, I think we'll be better off ah going ahead into this weekend's game. First game at the Emirates. I just, you know, I really think the atmosphere, the atmosphere for me has got to be there.
00:20:51
Craig matthews
Yeah, definitely.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think the atmosphere has got to be there. And, you know, for a lot of people, for season ticket holders, there should be a good hype around the ground, as as you said at the start of the show. You know, we we need to be, you know, the atmosphere should be there. The the excitement of seeing the likes of Zubamendi, Jokeres and, um you know, and all these all these new players getting to feature.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, there should be a good vibe ahead of that game, shouldn't there?
00:21:18
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I guess we'll just have to see what happens. But we're going to take another quick break.
00:21:22
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
hear from we'll hear from our but We'll hear from the guys at GSPM. And when we come back, we're going to talk about our starting 11 and our score predictions.
00:21:36
Craig matthews
Hmm. Hmm.
Arsenal's Predicted Lineup and Score
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this third and final part of the Leeds preview, where now we are going to discuss about the Arsenal starting XI, who we would like to see play, and what our score predictions will be going into the game.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, let's start off with... I mean, I don't think we need to even start with the goalkeeper, do we? We know who's going to be starting.
00:22:32
Craig matthews
No, that was it.
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
David Ryer it is. Who would you have as your right-back? Because last weekend we had Ben White.
00:22:41
Craig matthews
Um.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you start him or you go for Yuri and Timber?
00:22:49
Craig matthews
Um.
00:22:52
Craig matthews
Timber.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay. Any reasons why Timber?
00:22:56
Craig matthews
Because. I think, was reading not today, I think Benoit hasn't trained this week, think he's been injured. That's why we had that open training at Arsenal.
00:23:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
dear me.
00:23:04
Craig matthews
I don't know he's injured, it's going to be 6th on Saturday, I think he might be 6th on Saturday, but I want to rotate, rotate the players, rotation.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:10
Craig matthews
So I think give Benoit a rest and they'll bring second half. Even though Benoit is solid, they're both solid players, it's hard to choose, because they both do a good job for the team.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
course, yeah, no, that's spot on. Center back pairing, I can only imagine it will be the usual, I'm guessing.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
would you maybe Would you maybe trial out Mosquera in a game like this? Or is it just too early?
00:23:37
Craig matthews
I'll bring them on. If we're winning the game, I'll bring them on.
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:23:41
Craig matthews
rescue gab real and it's like I'll bring them on the second half. wouldn't want to risk them in the first
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:46
Craig matthews
gala He needs to get used to the league first and or I don't know how ah good his English is communication and all that so needs to work.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
course.
00:23:53
Craig matthews
ah i don't say yeah so I'll wait for a while and see how he gets used to the league.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:23:59
Craig matthews
so yeah
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, another another headache that we had, that we kind of spoke about last night, was the left-back position. Who are you going for, left-back? Would you stick with Calafiore, or would you play MLS? Yeah.
00:24:13
Craig matthews
I think MLS is a little break from the team for a little bit just to get his form and confidence back again. because ah but other know people that I might get light but often think he needs to get his form back again.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, okay.
00:24:25
Craig matthews
I think he's been out of form recently. They've had lot games last season. I think he's a little break in the team. Played Califori, he can always bring him on second half.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:34
Craig matthews
Luskele second half, yeah.
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll be honest. i I'd actually I would actually go for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
00:24:41
Craig matthews
Wuzi against MLS.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, I just think you you need to give him a run out. I think Leeds would be a good opportunity to give him a run out.
00:24:49
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
keep him Give him the minutes he deserves because you've got to think ahead then to next weekend with Liverpool. You know, if he's then got a bit of match fitness under his belt, could he then potentially play against Liverpool?
00:24:59
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then it's having to cope with Salah on the same side as him. So i would probably go for Mars Lewis-Skelly just to give him some match fitness.
00:25:08
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll we'll see. We will see. on, what was you going say originally?
00:25:14
Craig matthews
That's fair.
00:25:19
Craig matthews
now I going to say, I think you're right, but ah don't I don't know, just worried about his form. His form I'm worried about at the moment. In three seasons, his form was not that great.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:25:27
Craig matthews
i ah I want him to do well.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't, no.
00:25:29
Craig matthews
I'm just worried that second season syndrome, not only in your first season, you do well, in the second season, you kind of struggle.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:36
Craig matthews
I think Artes has to know how to manage his minutes and manage him correctly so he doesn't fall off the rail.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely.
00:25:42
Craig matthews
Not to fall off the wagon. so yeah
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Absolutely. I think, yeah, I mean, that's why I kind of wanted to give Myles a bit of but a run out now so that he can get minutes into the in the tank.
00:25:52
Craig matthews
and
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even if, look, he doesn't even need to play the full 90s, you say. You know, if you played him for an hour and then brought him off to bring Calafiore on, ah that would work just fine for me.
00:25:58
Craig matthews
yeah yeah and you me yeah
00:26:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what I mean? Right, let's move on up into the midfield. Is the midfield quite obvious or is it, I don't know, what what would you go for?
00:26:13
Craig matthews
well i think no guy is still injured i think yeah i think he's trained this week i think he's injured from the man out again they said he had injuries so
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:20
Craig matthews
It has to be Zubin Mendy, Declan Rice in the two-pivot, two-holding, double-pivot.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:26:27
Craig matthews
And then, obviously, I would love to see Waineri get a start this weekend. I know it's against Leeds, and would love to see him get a start.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:26:37
Craig matthews
But don't think he's going to drop his captain. don't think he's going drop Odegaard on Saturday. But if Odegaard is not it was not working, I'd love to see at least Waineri 45 minutes on Saturday.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? I absolutely agree.
00:26:49
Craig matthews
Stay from Louis Gelley.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely agree.
00:26:52
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, you know, you you've just said it there, mate. At the end of the day, you you want someone that will, you know, you want someone that will do that that will do that work rate, you know.
00:27:06
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the thing is, I think Odegaard knows now that he needs to step his game up a little bit and probably even a bit more now than normal because with Eze now coming in,
00:27:11
Craig matthews
yeah
00:27:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
with now Ethan Waniere, you know, is going to be so interesting to see how Arteta kind of manages having to keep Waniere happy because there were talks of Waniere going in the summer because he wanted game time.
00:27:22
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:27:25
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Arteta has now said to him that he'll get the game time. Whether he will get that game time, that'll be a different story altogether. And then another thing you've got to take into consideration is, again, someone like Inese.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, and Odegaard. How do you manage all their minutes? But I think for me, I probably would go, I would probably go Odegaard and I'd bring, I'd definitely bring Ethan Wanyeri on.
00:27:56
Craig matthews
a
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would definitely bring him on.
00:27:58
Craig matthews
Yeah, I agree.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think that would work out just fine. And then just quickly, front three.
00:28:06
Craig matthews
um Saka, that's his number position.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I would.
00:28:10
Craig matthews
Gokerez.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's that left side for you, isn't it?
00:28:11
Craig matthews
um
00:28:14
Craig matthews
on Left side. First side of Martimelli. The problem is, you know what? The other thing is, yeah, I wish we could, let's not that make it on online, you can create a player on C's, I wish that you could create like Martinelli and Trussard as for one.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:28:29
Craig matthews
most night the The intelligence of Trussard and the pace of Martinelli in one player, that would be a top class player, but
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, could you imagine that?
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be that honestly would be such a top class player. I could not agree with you more on that. That's so true. So, so true. Who would you go for out of the two?
00:28:51
Craig matthews
I don't know.
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you not maybe consider Magma K?
00:28:54
Craig matthews
I don't know. I forgot about Wicca as well.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's just added to it now, isn't it?
00:28:58
Craig matthews
forgot him. I didn't... not
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:02
Craig matthews
not not not of not on but I don't forget you on purpose. like So many players to remember that you played last week.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:10
Craig matthews
um Yeah, that's a good interesting interesting one. um You know what? I'll start Mad Awakening on Saturday. I'll bring on either Martinelli or Trussell.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I actually would as well.
00:29:21
Craig matthews
I think it's about time he gets a start. with his pace as well, taking them back. There's more directs as well. So, going down the other side, like attacking on their side, he will get crossed in the box.
00:29:33
Craig matthews
And he didn't have a goal, he got goal crows as well. So, in the three seasons, he's going to watch.
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, do you know what? I think for me, because someone said cause someone also said it as well earlier on, um someone said that I think in order to...
00:29:43
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
You need a good left winger that can unlock Jokeres.
00:29:51
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's what Jokeres needs.
00:29:53
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got that in Saka.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I need to see it from someone on the left as well. we We talk so much about strengthen the strengthening the left side.
00:30:00
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's where, for me, we we need to be strengthening. And I think with Eze, that could potentially work. But again, yeah, um we'll have to see what happens.
00:30:11
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, up top, you're going to go Jokeres.
00:30:17
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But think, yeah, left for me, my my left wing for me would probably be, yeah well I'd go Madweke. I'd go Madweke, but I'd bring on Martinelli later on in the game.
00:30:32
Craig matthews
Yeah, see, that's because this pace can cause them decent. Maybe being on Martin Henry for like, for God Chris or something like that, just to give them their confidence.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:41
Craig matthews
Either way, or take on SAC or whatever, whatever you want to do in the game, we just have to...
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
the good The good thing is, as we've said before, we we have got so many players that can play in different positions. So the flexibility is there.
00:30:51
Craig matthews
and
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just how Arteta kind of...
00:30:53
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
uses that to the best of his advantage.
00:30:59
Craig matthews
I honestly feel it's make of Rick for the season. He has to do something this season, win something. I don't want to sound like the negative fan, but we has it's got the players who want now.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:08
Craig matthews
The project is in the sixth year now, so it has to be time to deliver.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:12
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
we I mean, we're we're probably, what, in phase six now or five. So it's like, it comes to a point now where there is going to be a lot of pet ah lot of pressure on Arteta going into this new season because The board have given him the freedom to go and buy the players he wants.
00:31:26
Craig matthews
um yeah
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
but It's now whether it can he can make it happen for him.
00:31:32
Craig matthews
I'm holding on. I think he'll do it this season. think this season will win the league. We'll have to win the league this season. I think have to finally win something. Whatever trophy wins this season, we'll have to win something this season.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough. And just quickly, before before we round up, um we've got to get your score prediction, mate. what What do you think the score is going to be this weekend?
Arsenal's Clean Sheet and Scorer Predictions
00:31:54
Craig matthews
um I think that's really going to keep another team's sheets. I think four in the last one.
00:32:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:32:03
Craig matthews
Gokre has two goals. Gokre has sack off. And I think our captain will find this one side there. Hmm.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:32:09
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? I actually was thinking 3-0. I'm going 3-0 Arsenal. I think, like you said, I think Rye will keep clean sheet. I'm going to go. I'm going for Jokeres.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've captained him on my FPL. I've got full faith in him. I think him, Saka...
00:32:29
Craig matthews
a
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go Saka double and Jokeres.
00:32:34
Craig matthews
yeah And you know...
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think 3-0, 3-0. As long as we keep a clean sheet, that's the most important thing.
00:32:39
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we need to start building momentum, especially as we've got Liverpool next weekend.
00:32:46
Craig matthews
I know.
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that is going to be huge for us. Huge.
00:32:49
Craig matthews
I'm guessing he's on penalties this season now. if we get a penalty on Saturday...
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Jokeres is on penalties. So we're going to need to make sure that he's fully ready for all all situations regardless.
00:32:55
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:33:01
Craig matthews
definitely oh
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, guys, that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? if so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. So make sure it' to go and show us some love and and support by subscribing to the GCPN Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie World Cup and more.
00:33:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can find us on Apple ah Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. I've been your host, Jamie Patterson. He has been Mr. mr Encyclopedia, the one and only Craig Matthews.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a great day all and take care.