Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Daily Arsenal - S1: E128 - UCL Preview to PSV image

Daily Arsenal - S1: E128 - UCL Preview to PSV

S1 E127 · Daily Arsenal
Avatar
15 Plays19 days ago

In this episode we will be looking ahead to our game at home in the UCL against PSV where we take a 7-1 lead! 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.

Follow us on our socials:

Instagram: @gspngunners

TikTok: @gspnetworkdailygunner

X: @GSPNArsenal

Zencastr

Built for quality - Designed for growth

A new era for creation is here.

The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.

Get started for free!

We highly recommend it!

https://zencastr.com/?via=ken

Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.

For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:

ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com

www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com

Copyright | 2025 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved

Recommended
Transcript

Introduction to the Daily Arsenal Podcast

00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast, the only place to catch your daily fix of Arsenal, where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal, brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm your host, Jamie Patterson, and on tonight's show, i am joined by the one and only Craig Matthews. Craig, how are you keeping, mate? are you
00:00:32
Craig matthews
I'm good, thank you, I'm good, thank
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you Are you feeling a bit more refreshed now after yesterday's pod?
00:00:38
Craig matthews
you. Yeah, definitely, I'm more personal, more happier today than yesterday.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I couldn't imagine.
00:00:43
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can only imagine.
00:00:46
Craig matthews
yeah
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, honestly, we're going to be in for a good show here today.

Arsenal's Champions League Preview

00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in today's episode, we will be looking ahead to our home game in the Champions League against PSV, where we hold a 7-1 lead.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just take a moment to just let that sink in. 7-1. seven one I still can't get over last week's game, to be honest with you.
00:01:08
Craig matthews
Lafalaid.
00:01:12
Craig matthews
definitely
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as always, 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. Just to add quickly, we are finally back up and running on TikTok. So guys, make sure to go and follow the links and go and give us a follow on TikTok because I know we had such a great following and now we've just had to kind of start up again. So Guys, we'd really appreciate it if you could go and give our socials, especially our TikTok, are a good follow up as we will be looking to post more content to you on a daily basis.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, anyway. Right.

Squad Rotation and Player Discussion

00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, tomorrow today, should I say, or tomorrow, because we are recording this on a Tuesday night. Arsenal at home at the Emirates against PSV.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, especially after what's happened over the weekend, how are you feeling going into this game?
00:02:17
Craig matthews
I feel that will go there and be professional and win the game. I love to see them rotate the squad a bit, give a couple of players, friends players a chance.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:25
Craig matthews
Maybe give that young kid a striker, a chance as well, the one who was on the bench recently. A couple games, they were on the bench on Sunday, but I'm giving them chance run out. Still keep a couple of experienced players in the team, maybe give Georgina a run out, Ben White a run out, maybe maybe play Schoenco and New Tills.
00:02:43
Craig matthews
Just try something different. Because we really won the game anyway. not going to them. They're not going to score six goals at the Emirates to beat us. So, it'll be best if we just rotate the squad. Even rest, don't even rest that rare as well. Just give them lot rest.
00:02:56
Craig matthews
Because we've got a massive game on the weekend.
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:02:57
Craig matthews
So, give the second choice keeper a chance. I'll see what he can do. And just go out there and have a fun.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? You make a really good point there. And I completely agree with what you've said there. I think tomorrow is a really good opportunity to refresh the squad.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you you look at the last few games, right? We've you know we've been playing... You know, a game on the weekend, a game midweek, a game on the weekend, a game midweek. The games have been coming in quite thick and fast, to be fair.
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think tomorrow night, since all that since the job was done pretty much last week in Eindhoven, I just think give give certain players minutes.
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give players minutes. You know, Neto. I know Neto... where when did when did Remind me when Neto featured. It was...
00:03:50
Craig matthews
Toronto, the last game we couldn't stay away.
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
your owner. Yeah, that's it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, you know, again, give him a run out because let's be honest, how rare is it that we're going to see Neto play another game?
00:04:06
Craig matthews
definitely
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I would definitely give him a run out. um I would, do you know what, right? Again, going back to the notes that Matt ah gave me yeah from yesterday's pod,
00:04:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you maybe experiment with different positions? So, for example, um and MLS. Would you play MLS in a midfield role if if you were to play him and, say, put someone like Kieran Tierney on the left or a Zinchenko maybe on as ah as a left-back?
00:04:37
Craig matthews
Yeah, I'd love to see him in midfield because naturally is in midfield My trade is in midfield I think Arteta has kind of said to him players that inverted midfield and to midfield when left back.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:49
Craig matthews
I'd love to see because when I watched him in the youth, I saw the youth team football at Arsenal and when it after that find over with the West against West Ham. He was playing centre mid and he was very good at dribbling with ball.
00:05:01
Craig matthews
He was dribbling from the coming half, running and he was very good at that.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:04
Craig matthews
So I'd love to see where he will fit in the future, if he will be a left back or if he will be centre mid in the future.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, definitely. I think, again, going back to something I've probably mentioned on previous podcasts before, is Arteta likes versatile players. And I think with MLS, if he can be someone, again, that can be versatile, where you know he inverts into that ah into that midfield role, I think that would go such a long way. And I think if you're going to play him in a position where it's his stronger position, because, again, watching him play for the youth,
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
kind of just shows that, you know, that's that is his trademark position, as you said. And for me, I think it kind of also gives Arteta a good headache in terms of, oh, well, you know what?
00:05:51
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can maybe afford to play Calafuri on the left um or Tierney and maybe go and play someone like
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
LMLS in that midfield role. Now... we We kind of discussed about refreshing the squad. um One player I am going to ask, um and I'd like to get your thoughts on on this one player.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you start Sterling?
00:06:27
Craig matthews
um yes because the reason the reason the reason the reason why he won't be to play in the weekend so to give him little run out tomorrow i would say because he's not going to play in the weekend can't play because he's his current club so he's only alone so give him some minutes in the week on on tomorrow so what he can do even if he's playing for half an hour hour i feel we can do he doesn't do anything take him off but
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It took you a little bit of moment, but... of but a moment but
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. yep
00:06:54
Craig matthews
It's about time he steps up now because he met the club for more than over six months now, obviously the whole throughout the whole season. and We need to see more from him. So, you know, give him that chance to see what he can. I think his confidence has just been shot.
00:07:07
Craig matthews
Like over weekend, he didn't come on. So, yeah.
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly that. I mean, the fact that Arteta brought on Tierney, the fact that he brought on Tierney and didn't even think to bring on Sterling, you know, it kind of, you know, I don't think it surprised a lot of Arsenal fans, but
00:07:17
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, when you when you're trying to look for attacking players, you you really do want to try and go for... um You really want to try and obviously go for an attacking player. But again, it just like you said, um and me and Josh Vince, actually, we've done a...
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah review or we've done a ah one of these Tactics Tuesdays episodes where we actually did do a bit of in-depth analysis and we we kind of realised that from the moment he left City to go to Chelsea, it just seemed like his confidence had completely dropped and unfortunately it's just not helped with
00:08:02
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
him coming to Arsenal, you know, ah the the thing is, we're we're so well known for, you know, trying to boost players' confidence, you know, the likes of Jorginho, the likes of, okay,
00:08:08
Craig matthews
definitely
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know Jadie... Well, I don't know. I don't think Jadie would agree with me on this. But, you know, Kai Havertz, to an extent, i still get what Josh is saying about how, you know, he can't kick a ball and he you know, he can't score goals consistently.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, he could be a potential player that could be categorised as ah someone that's kind of refreshed his career at Arsenal. But for Sterling, it's just not seemed to click.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another question about Sterling. Where you play him?
00:08:51
Craig matthews
Through the middle.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you would play him as a number nine or a false nine? Hmm.
00:08:57
Craig matthews
For false match through the middle. Just roam around, make yourself a nuisance. Get the board to run at the defenders and get a goal to assist. Like what did I did at City.
00:09:08
Craig matthews
i want to see I want to see the City third. want to see the Chelsea or the... I want see the City shots. I want to see the City third or the Liverpool third. Liverpool, Liverpool, City third.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:17
Craig matthews
That's the I want to see. but when I was at Liverpool he was electric at Liverpool, he was quality.
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was. and when you look at his, when you look at him when he was at Liverpool, was, He was so young. He was so fearless.
00:09:29
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, this kid could do anything and it would just work. It would literally just work.
00:09:36
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And unfortunately, you know, went to City, has done himself really well at City. And it's just unfortunately not worked out for him, unfortunately. um We've spoken about a few good players um that we could potentially see.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Going back to yesterday, I spoke about, we did speak partially about Ben White.
00:09:57
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for those of you that follow us on socials, we actually put a poll up on our socials to see what you guys thought.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the question was, do you see Ben White featuring against PSV? And... you know what? We got a fair amount of votes, but a lot of people went for yes.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one actually, so no one chose no.
00:10:25
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll stay on the bench. So a lot of people believe that Ben White could actually start.
00:10:29
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
For me going into this, I, for Ben White as well, I would definitely give him an hour.
00:10:40
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd give him an hour at least. An hour at a push, maybe 70 minutes.
00:10:42
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get him back to fitness and then try and play him or try and integrate him, you know, from the subs bench against Chelsea and just try and get his fitness back up.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because as we discussed yesterday, it seems like fitness is ah is a bit of an issue.
00:10:58
Craig matthews
yeah.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... Again, ah you know, i thought we'd probably give Timber a bit of a break because credit due where it's due. As I said last night, you know, Timber has been really good filling in as that as that right back role. And he's done he's done well.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's done well enough in my eyes. But for Ben White, do you see do you think that there's a chance that he could maybe feature in the Premier League if he doesn't say feature in the Champions League?
00:11:34
Craig matthews
I thought if off of the future in both competitions, I thought that it's going to be needed to end the season. We're to but we're in the quarter-finals. So, he's going to be needed for both games.
00:11:49
Craig matthews
Because Timber's not to able to play all them games. He's going to to rotate him to now and end the season.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:11:55
Craig matthews
He'll be like a new player, right like a fresh player coming in. that I think play with Mercy. He'll get a lot of minutes since he's now the end of the season. I'm not worried about that. As long as he can stay fit, he'll be fine.
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I do agree with you on that. Another player I also want to bring to mind as well is Gabriel Martinelli. Would you start him or would you bench him?
00:12:18
Craig matthews
ah I'll start him. I would rest up when he airs tomorrow. I think he's played a lot of games recently.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:25
Craig matthews
He's a young player. only The only problem is don't want to overplay these young players because they've played a lot and then he's spent a lot of minutes recently and he just came off an injury as well. So you want to kind of give him like a little break and then um have him, and if he needs to come on for 20 minutes or so in the second half, bring him on for 20 minutes or so.
00:12:45
Craig matthews
But don't start him tomorrow. We don't need to start him. I think Martínez is another one like Ben White. He needs the fitness to get back his full fitness. So try and get him in tomorrow.
00:12:56
Craig matthews
You know what I would do?
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go
00:12:58
Craig matthews
would start, I think, yeah, maybe play Stern on the left, play Marte through the middle, I'll see what he could do. Let's see how it works. oh Let's see how works.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
again
00:13:09
Craig matthews
Because...
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, we we kind of said that we could probably use tomorrow as ah as an experiment. You know, we could really be experimental here with with with the players we've got.
00:13:16
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And bearing in mind, the deficit is is quite a big deficit. I'm sure you could probably, this is one game where you could definitely afford to take some risks.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't see why that can't work. I think Martinelli down the middle could be actually a good shout. You know, it also kind of relieves the pressure off Mikel Moreno a bit. Because, look, you're asking a midfielder who, bearing in mind, came off the bench against Leicester, saved us.
00:13:41
Craig matthews
oh
00:13:45
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:13:52
Craig matthews
No.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's just, it's not quite clicked. It really hasn't quite clicked.
00:13:55
Craig matthews
no
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And that's the thing. ah You know, the fan base, our fan base has actually been quite, you know, what's the word I'm looking for? Like, we've been very chilled and very relaxed.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, we've not got onto Mourinho once. We've not, you know, you've not seen Arsenal fans say, oh, well, you know, ah but McElroy Mourinho, he's our, you know, he's a strike, you know, he's our only striker.
00:14:11
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, he's not getting us the goals that we need.
00:14:21
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't see why. Do you know what? Martinelli in the middle, I think that could that could potentially work. I could see that working so one way or another.
00:14:31
Craig matthews
yeah
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really could. what was What was you going to say?
00:14:34
Craig matthews
He's got pace, he's quick and he can run in behind. play like a restricted defender so the defence are to have something to worry about. With Mourinho, he's not quick, he's not really quick, he's not really quick so he doesn't have to defend against him.
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
nah
00:14:52
Craig matthews
With Marte, he's got a little bit of pace, he can run in behind so you need to have to give them a different problem to worry about.
00:15:00
Craig matthews
yeah
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. You're spot on there. Absolutely spot on, mate. So anyway, in the meantime, we are going to take a quick break and we will listen to our partners, Bionic.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Join us for part two, where we will continue to look ahead and see where we can really try and push on and maybe try and strengthen the lead a bit more than what it is.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us after the break.
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome back to our PSV preview.

Match Atmosphere and Fan Engagement

00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, something that I really want to kind of talk about and kind of get off my chest here is tomorrow and night at the Emirates is the Champions League game.
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But why does it just give me the impression that there's not going to be much of an atmosphere at the Emirates tomorrow night? Like, I understand it. We are 7-1 up.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're 7-1 up. And I, you know, there's some Arsenal fans that have even said to me tonight, you know, I've not even bothered to get a ticket for tomorrow's night's game because we we know what's going to happen.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what are your thoughts in terms of atmosphere tomorrow at the Emirates? Like, what are you expecting tomorrow night?
00:16:59
Craig matthews
If the local, if the normal fans are not it's going to be very quiet. it's going to be very, very quiet there's not a lot fans there. So, maybe not. I don't know why. Maybe because they're dead Robert to them. Maybe they've already gone through, so they'll have to bring the fans up. I want to pay all that money go watch the game.
00:17:15
Craig matthews
um But it's a good game. love watching Champions League football at the Emirates.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
so i You're under the lights as well.
00:17:21
Craig matthews
It's a good atmosphere at Emirates watching Champions League football. It's different from the Premier League games and FA Cup and League Cup games. It's a different atmosphere. you're playing in Europe, there's different foreign teams. You get good atmosphere.
00:17:31
Craig matthews
So I'm saying that the Emirates is amazing. Yeah.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I've spoken, I've spoken so much about, you know, being at a Champions League game where, you know, it's under the lights.
00:17:35
Craig matthews
yeah
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
you You get to listen to the Champions League anthem at the stadium, which just is pure goosebumps, as well as listening to North London forever.
00:17:46
Craig matthews
yeah
00:17:50
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, tell me that is not, that is, tell me that's not a good night out. Please tell me that is not a good night out.
00:17:58
Craig matthews
Of course. It's on a Wednesday night as well.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. Exactly that. and And the thing is, right, you know, i i got an email from, and a few mates actually have got, um if you've if any of you are members of of the Arsenal, I'm not a member, by the way, but I somewhat got ah an email from the Arsenal saying that you could basically try, you could now um apply for the Arsenal PSV game for For you and like four other members, apparently.
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you can definitely tell that, you know, atmosphere may not be quite there. But another way I believe that Arsenal could have gone about this a bit better would have been to just sell it to the general public.
00:18:49
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i mean, take me, for example. I'm literally, when I mean I am like not far from the Emirates, I'm not far from the Emirates.
00:18:59
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
If, like I said, if someone had turned around and said to me, look, 40 quid, Arsenal PSV um at the Emirates, Champions League game. I mean, I wouldn't hesitate.
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't hesitate to go.
00:19:12
Craig matthews
Definitely, yeah.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I also think as well, it would be such a good way for for Arsenal fans, for other Arsenal fans who have probably never been to an Arsenal game.
00:19:23
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
This would be perfect. This would just be absolutely perfect for them to say, i was there.
00:19:25
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was there.
00:19:32
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, ah Craig, would you, if someone, if someone had come up to you and said, look, mate, I've got two tickets for the Arsenal. Would you, you know, do you want to go? what What would you, what would you say?
00:19:42
Craig matthews
um Oh, 100% I'll go. Because some of the tickets are expensive, but the tickets at Emirates are expensive. So someone gets an opportunity to go, they'll give me two tickets. I'll bring my brother with someone and we'll go together and watch the game. I'll go watch with him or somebody who's not gone to the game. I'll watch it have a good experience. Because as you said, tickets are expensive and it'll be a good opportunity to see Arsenal in the flesh instead of watching them on TV all the time. Watch it in the stadium.
00:20:09
Craig matthews
and know You have a nice little laugh. it's nice i love a lot walk i love islinton that area so nice get off the station and walk in on that like turn this one isn't for my mom hybrid isn't into the stadium have a nice little walk you know it's nice it's nice that area love that area so much nice area so yeah
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah. do you know what? Highbury is an, is a nice area and you know what, whether it's not, you know, even, even for me on a match day, kid you not, I could probably open my window and hear the crowd like from, from my window you
00:20:39
Craig matthews
hmm
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, for me, I mean, it's a nice area. And the thing is, you couldn't have said it better. You know, you know we we like, I don't know about you, do you have a pre-match ritual? You know, like when you've been to the Emirates, do you have like little pre-match rituals?
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you go to certain places before match days? Like, what what is your pre-match ritual?
00:21:00
Craig matthews
and not um know I normally go to the Tesco near the station, near the station, near the Tesco and you're walking up.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, I know the Tesco you're about. ya Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:21:10
Craig matthews
I normally go there and I buy shuffle. I'll go to the Arsenal shuffle. I'll just take a look around and take a couple pictures here and there of the stuff. I have a mural of the players. I'll take a little picture and all that and have a little walk around and take my time.
00:21:25
Craig matthews
and I know still get the wrong time. I take my palm time and have a little walk around. Sometimes I go into the Arsenal shop to have little look and then just go into the game and buy a little drink or something and just go to the game and enjoy it.
00:21:37
Craig matthews
So yeah.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, for me, it's for me pretty much similar to what you do. I like to get there a little bit earlier, you know, go into the shop, have a look at the have a look at some of the gear that Arsenal sell, sit there and think to myself, oh my gosh, that's really expensive.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm not i'm not getting that for myself, you know what I mean?
00:21:56
Craig matthews
Definitely, yeah.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah. And the thing for me is, since obviously I have like, since I do a lot of stuff on my own personal social media channels, I like to get there early. And, you know, if I'm there with a mate, you know, I like to get match reactions and and stuff like that.
00:22:08
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know what, sometimes for me, right, I like to get to my seat a little bit early, just so that I can just soak up the atmosphere. Because like you said, Craig, it's
00:22:20
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
how look you know How often is it that you get an opportunity to go to the Emirates to watch a game of football, especially to watch Arsenal play under the lights of the Emirates?
00:22:27
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's rare. is honestly so, so rare.
00:22:36
Craig matthews
Well, any opportunity I get, not so long I'll go watch the women's games as well, sometimes I'll watch the women's games.

Enthusiasm for Arsenal Games

00:22:41
Craig matthews
Women's games are not too bad, they're quite nice good to watch as well. They play good football, so if I can't get tickets to the men's I'll go watch women's game.
00:22:48
Craig matthews
Sometimes the youth games are on sometimes as well, to get tickets for that as well. Sometimes with boys, I get tickets to watch the youth games.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:55
Craig matthews
Try watching as much football as you can and enjoy it.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Yeah. For me, I'm pretty much, you know, as much as I'm Arsenal mad, I'm also football mad as well. So it's like if there's an opportunity to go to a football game, I'm not going to turn it down unless it was Spurs.
00:23:04
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:23:08
Craig matthews
and
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodness me I wouldn't want to go to watch Spurs play unless I was sitting in the away end.
00:23:11
Craig matthews
No. Yeah.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then that's different.
00:23:16
Craig matthews
Of course, of course.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i just quickly, do you like in terms of tomorrow's game, do you see a scoring?
00:23:17
Craig matthews
yeah
00:23:24
Craig matthews
You don't have to, but it would be nice to score. It would have killed the game off even more. Get some goals, confidence for players, sprint players to get some goals in. I would rest Gabriel to see him so much. I would rest both of them. would say try and play someone like Akivio, you know, give him a little run out, you know, because he hasn't played for a while now either.
00:23:44
Craig matthews
you know, he just...
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's... I can't remember. don't even remember the last time Kivyar played. I believe it was United in the Cup, I believe.
00:23:49
Craig matthews
What's the FA Cup? What's the FA Cup game you say now?
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what I was thinking. United in the Cup, weren't it?
00:23:55
Craig matthews
I think so.
00:23:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, something like that.
00:23:57
Craig matthews
hasn't played for a while, so I'd rather give some of the fringe players a chance and still have the experience of players on the bench.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:24:04
Craig matthews
Don't just leave them on the bench. You know what I mean? Not that we need to win the game anyway. We've already won the tie.
00:24:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, yeah, absolutely.
00:24:11
Craig matthews
Sometimes in football you can't be overconfident and be complacent. You have to just go and be professional, get the job done and take it from there.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you're you're absolutely spot on there. Completely, completely spot on. Anyway, we're going to take another break quickly. Join us after the break as we will just give you a quick roundup of Tuesday night's games in the Champions League.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this final part of our PSV

Champions League Recap and Analysis

00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
preview. I'm here with Craig Matthews. And before we quickly finish up, we just want to give you, we're we're going to just look back at ah tonight's action ah from the four games that have been played tonight in the Champions League.
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can see Craig's eagerly ah watching his phone at the minute because you've got the p you've got Liverpool PSG on, haven't you?
00:25:45
Craig matthews
yeah i'll say i'll let the time it right now see i think gone to penalties last thing
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so as it, yeah, I'm kind of just looking at my phone now and yes, so Liverpool PSG, ah so currently as it stands, it's 1-0 PSG, 1-0 on aggregate.
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Game, I believe the game's gone to penalties as we speak, so we'll find out maybe by the end if... who's won that game. But just looking at tonight's ah tonight's other scores, Barcelona 3, Benfica 1, with Barcelona winning 4-1 on aggregate.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good win for them. um Bayern Munich, Bayern Labour-Kusin, that was the game I was watching earlier on tonight. And let's be honest, that was a ah pretty easy job for Bayern Munich, winning 2-0 on the night, 5-0 on aggregate.
00:26:33
Craig matthews
I
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, just quickly, Bayer Leverkusen, I mean, we look back last season and, I mean, they were playing some amazing football. where Where do you think it's gone wrong for Bayer Leverkusen?
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or has it just been one of them things where just Bayern Munich now have kind of found their form and are pretty much going to try and go on a run?
00:26:56
Craig matthews
ah thought I feel that, like you know what happens, off you and sometimes when they win a title the season before the second season, becomes very difficult to win it again.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:06
Craig matthews
United was very good at winning it back to back back in the day, but it it becomes very, you becomes even harder. Every season gets harder and harder. Other teams get better. Bayern were nowhere to be seen last season. They struggled in every competition they went, or they got to the fourth final. think got to the semifinal season, wasn't it?
00:27:23
Craig matthews
And they lost against Real Madrid.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I believe so, yes.
00:27:25
Craig matthews
I think they lost to the West Bramman in the semis last year, I think it was.
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:29
Craig matthews
I thought that this season, Bayern have got a new manager, they've got some good friends like Alise, someone that Arsenal still got in summer.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm.
00:27:38
Craig matthews
They've got Kompany, I thought Kompany is a very good manager. I know he that he learnt from the great manager like Pep Guardiola, he learnt from great managers in the past.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:27:52
Craig matthews
He's trying to He's trying to get Bayern to do well in the Champions League this season. I think he did struggle in Champions League. They did lose to Villa in Champions League this season.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
They did.
00:28:02
Craig matthews
They have lost some games this season, which is very questionable. But they're now into the quarter-finals. fair play to them, obviously. But with Leverkusen... I don't know.
00:28:16
Craig matthews
They still have to fill up the same person last season. They haven't lost anybody. So it's a bit surprising...
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no. That's what I thought as well. I thought maybe Leverkusen might maybe potentially challenge for for the Bundesliga title this year, but it just seems like... I don't know.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like you said you know you know, it's that second season kind of syndrome where, you know, things may not just come to fruition.
00:28:35
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, you know, teams like Bayern are just going to strengthen from week in, week out. you know what I mean?
00:28:45
Craig matthews
definitely
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then the And then the third game, ah the fourth game, sorry, should I say, ah involved Arne Slott's old team, Feyenoord. Now, I thought Feyenoord would actually maybe go on an upset, but unfortunately, it is Inter Milan at home, at the San Siro, as they won two one um on the night, 4-1 on aggregate. I mean, Feyenoord, I thought...
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just maybe. You know, they upset they upset AC Milan in the last round, I believe. And I just thought potentially, just potentially...
00:29:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
They might do something. But again, we've we've played Inter Milan this season and they you know they've they've been absolutely amazing. And it's pretty much clear to see why now.
00:29:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Just quickly, whilst we're on the subject of PSG Liverpool, actually, what what's the current update?
00:29:46
Craig matthews
Darwin Nunes has missed his penalty. So it's 2-1 PSG.
00:29:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, dear.
00:29:51
Craig matthews
Talos scored his one. Zambele's taking his one now. He scored? Oh, what goal. What a penalty.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:29:59
Craig matthews
Good penalty, man. Put it right in the...
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that is 2-1 PSG as it stands on penalties.
00:30:04
Craig matthews
3-1. 3-1 now.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of
00:30:06
Craig matthews
Because Darwin Nunes missed his penalty to make it Do you know what...
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodness me.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, wow, wow. That is...
00:30:11
Craig matthews
I'll be honest with you. Do you know who thought the one in Champions League are? I think Barcelona are favourites, you know? I really feel Barcelona, you know. feel the way how they're playing with Jamal, look too dangerous now.
00:30:22
Craig matthews
Rafinha as well.
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've said this. I said this at...
00:30:25
Craig matthews
da They look dangerous now, like Barcelona.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said this at the start of the season. At the start of the season, I said it. I said even said it on a podcast. I said that Barcelona, I see Barcelona winning Champions League. And the minute, they seem to be doing well for themselves.
00:30:39
Craig matthews
and They They're doing well. The only thing they can't defend though, that's the only problem they can't defend. I don't know what it is.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is the only thing.
00:30:45
Craig matthews
it is or more that
00:30:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean...
00:30:47
Craig matthews
They can see too many goals but they can... Hold on. Liverpool miss another penalty.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:30:53
Craig matthews
Hold hold on. Might be over now.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:30:55
Craig matthews
Hold on.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, what's the uptake?
00:31:02
Craig matthews
Curtis Jones misses. Curtis Jones misses penalty. What a save. What a save.
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So does this now mean that PSG are through?
00:31:10
Craig matthews
I think PSG needs to score the next penalty and they're through. It'll be 4-1 on Ange.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
o okay. before we Before we wrap up, we'll get a bit of live reaction to this. Let's see. Let's see if PSG convert this penalty.
00:31:25
Craig matthews
got this young kid as well taking it. It's all the young kids. don't remember.
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it Barcola?
00:31:29
Craig matthews
No, no. Tell us about D. What's his name?
00:31:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, um ah I can't think.
00:31:34
Craig matthews
Number 14. Oh, they've won.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've heard of I've heard the name faintly.
00:31:37
Craig matthews
They've won. They've won.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
PSG have won.
00:31:40
Craig matthews
Liverpool are out. Obviously, they won 4-1 on penalties.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, so Liverpool are now out of the Champions League. Wow.
00:31:48
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, wow, wow.
00:31:49
Craig matthews
and i wouldate i know and know and And they were one of the favourites of season, were one of the favourites as well, because they went across the knockout competitions, they do well, so they're out now.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were...
00:31:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um barr Yeah, I was going to say they finished top. They finished top of the of the of the league phase.
00:32:04
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So really, wow, teams are really coming alive this year now, aren't they?
00:32:06
Craig matthews
So, to all ah ah also ask no Aston Villa flying the flags for England now. ah but
00:32:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pretty much now. Pretty much. Well...
00:32:18
Craig matthews
That'll suck in there.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is it for today on that bombshell. we' we' With Liverpool being out, we'll will'll wrap it up. Have you guys liked what we've had to say? we would love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love and support by subscribing to the GSPN Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie and more.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. My name's Jamie Patterson and he was the amazing Craig Matthews.
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And have a good day and take care, guys.