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Daily Arsenal - S1 - E132 - BUKAYOOOOOOO!!!!! Back from injury and firing!
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In today’s episode we will be discussing about Arsenals win over Fulham as it finished 2-1, as well as discussing our star boys return and our performance! 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 and Arsenal Focus
00:00:10
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, s sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network. I am your host Jamie Patterson.
Post-Match Reactions: Arsenal vs Fulham
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fresh from the Emirates to tonight as we are recording this literally good hour or so hour and a half just after the full time whistle.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And staying up late, I am joined by the one and only Mr. Craig Matthews. Craig, how are you feeling?
00:00:50
Craig matthews
Happy we got through this challenge tonight. Happy buzzing. Our boy is back. Starboy is back.
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, Starboy's back. Yes, absolutely. And guys, as you can tell, I've just fresh... I've been at the game tonight. As you can tell, my voice is a bit sore, but we are going to power through. going to bring you guys an episode because we haven't brought you guys an episode for for a few days now, but it just seems right that we bring you guys a great show. And...
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
On today's episode, we will be discussing about Arsenal's win over Fulham as it finished 2-1 to the Gunners, as well as discussing our Starboys return. i mean, um don't want to go too much into it, but we will discuss that a little bit later on.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we'll also be looking at our performance overall from tonight's game as it did finish 2-1. Fulham grabbing a goal just towards the end, making it a little bit nervy.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we will discuss a little bit more about that a little later on.
Return of Premier League Football
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, as always, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed, do get involved through our social media channels, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Craig, it has been a while since we've had a bit of Premier League football. Bit weird that we come off an international break.
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, we've normally it's the weekend. We have that football on the weekend. And then we go into um we go into some Premier League football. But we've had the FA Cup over the weekend. Some great results from the FA Cup over the weekend.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this week, we have been blessed with the return of the Premier League. And Arsenal tonight... Arsenal... I mean, Arsenal tonight. I just...
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah It just just left me speechless, to be fair. I mean, don't get me wrong, we should be beating teams like Fulham, but how sweet of a victory is this?
Fulham as a Challenging Opponent
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you look at previous results, and to get a result against Fulham hasn't been easy.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But how do you make of tonight's performance?
00:03:11
Craig matthews
we We did the job we needed to do got the win, and that's the most important thing, got the three points. And Fulham's been a burgee team in the last couple. I think it's like they haven't beaten them four games against us.
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:03:21
Craig matthews
So we haven't beaten them in a while. So beating them today is a statement, statement that we can beat teams like Fulham with a low block, very good on the counter attack. They've got some ex-Arsenal players that want to prove a point as well, Bert Leno,
00:03:35
Craig matthews
Smith Rowe, Awobi, them guys want to prove a point. So I'm very happy we got the win. I'm going move on to the next game.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Do you know what? I was just going to actually mention the fact that Arsenal tonight have... for The Fulham team tonight have got some former Arsenal players. Now...
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
The reception tonight at the Emirates, because Smith Rowe did come off, not injured or anything, but normally, you know, he does come off after like the 65th, 70th minute.
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was fair to say he got a an amazing round of applause from the Arsenal crowd. And even when a work he came off and Iwobi came on, there was not a single, you could not hear a single boo. It was just pure love for Iwobi, Smith Rowe.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just the usual former gooners. And seeing Smith Rowe back, was it was nice to see.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But didn't see much of him.
00:04:35
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:04:35
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just didn't see enough of him tonight.
Smith Rowe: Career and Injuries
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know that obviously at the start of the season, you know he wanted to you know he wanted to hit the ground running. And yes, he's hit the ground running.
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it seems like for Smith Rowe, he's kind of... Not found that form he had at the start of the season. He was scoring, he was assisting. And I just, you know, and you know what? or Every Arsenal fan, I'm sure every Arsenal fan listening to this podcast will agree that we all wanted Smith-Rowe to do the best.
00:05:13
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
The question I have, I know I'm going a little bit off topic here, but I just want to know from maybe your perspective, Craig, is...
00:05:17
Craig matthews
I
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can Smith Rowe take a level up? Can he go another level up? And if so, how can he take his game to the next level?
00:05:31
Craig matthews
feel he can, but it's up to him. and it Maybe he needs to have cast body better. Probably at Arsenal he had a lot niggling injuries.
00:05:42
Craig matthews
That's what stopped him from being at Arsenal. If he didn't have the injuries he would be still there now. He would have been a perfect replacement for Odegaard when Odegaard injured.
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:05:50
Craig matthews
He would have slotted him right in that number 10 role. And he kind of saved Arteta in a way when Arteta first came to Arsenal. A lot people don't remember when Arteta first came to Arsenal and Arsenal was struggling.
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:06:00
Craig matthews
Him and Saka were the guys that were keeping him in the job at the time. So I've got a lot of love and respect for Smith-Rowe and I want to see him do well. I feel this needs to be more consistent. This season must be his first season he's played so many games in a long time.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:15
Craig matthews
Since he's been up, since a long, long time.
00:06:17
Craig matthews
So feel he can take his game to the next level. He's got a good manager in Marco Silva. the He does well with players. He gets the best out of black players who are big clubs and he can take them like on him.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does.
00:06:28
Craig matthews
You've got Pereira as well. You've got players like Jimenez, Ahmed Traore as well. bring He picks these little players that won't be.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm.
00:06:37
Craig matthews
He hits them often. gets the game on to a another level. So I thought Smith-Rowe could become even better. off and can get back If he can continue to get better in good form, he could definitely get back into the England team again. and He did get cut to Arsenal at England as well, but then he had injuries and set him back for a while. So I believe he can do it. I 100% think he can do it. But it's up to him. has to want it. If wants he wants it, he can do it.
00:07:01
Craig matthews
It's up to him.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think with Smith Rowe, you know, he was so he was such a great talent at Arsenal. And when we loaned him out to Huddersfield, and I think we loaned him out to RB Leipzig, didn't we?
00:07:15
Craig matthews
Yeah, did yeah
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought to myself, do you know what? some you know I think Huddersfield at the time, what were they battling for the Premier League at the time, I think?
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I can't remember.
00:07:25
Craig matthews
we did, yeah.
00:07:25
Craig matthews
They were in the championship. I think they were trying to get promotion off me. They were championship all the time.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
believe so, yeah. You know, he played he played a small role and he was really successful there.
00:07:31
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then obviously going to like, um going to to Leipzig, it was just, I thought to myself, you know what, we've got a real gem in him, real good gem in Smith Rowe.
00:07:46
Craig matthews
and
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, you you couldn't have said it better.
00:07:48
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:07:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's injuries, you know, it was injuries that really plagued his career at Arsenal. And I think if he added if he had a
Emirates Atmosphere and Strategy
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
season where he was injury-free, I think we'd be sitting here saying, actually, you know what?
00:08:01
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, Smith-Rowe, he's still a gunner. Smith-Rowe's still a gunner.
00:08:07
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, I think, yeah, I think, like you said, in order for Smith-Rowe to kind of elevate his game a little bit more, I think his fitness levels need to be a bit more better because I've realised one of the last games he played for Arsenal, ah never I'll never forget it, right?
00:08:18
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because ah me me and my mate, we were at the game and we it was Arsenal-Luton last season and he
00:08:29
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played, he featured in the first half. He featured for about 60 minutes.
00:08:43
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And I remembered maybe seeing him in the 55th minute run over to the sidelines just to take a bit of, you know, like the the sugar gels that you take.
00:08:52
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So he was going on, he was taking on some glucose and I thought, just... fitness needs to be there. you know, it was a shame because I would love to have seen him really kind of excel Arsenal. But I really do wish him the best. Such a talented player. And he's still fairly young.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he's still fairly young. You know, I think... He's got a long way to go. And you know what was really nice at the Emirates tonight? Was all the Arsenal fans were chanting, like it, I like it.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whoa, whoa, here we go.
00:09:26
Craig matthews
The edge of the
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sakharad Emilsmith, bro. I think that was classic. That was just absolutely amazing tonight. The atmosphere. yeah you know what, right? Again, ah going back to a conversation we had on a previous pod, a couple empty seats tonight.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which really was surprising. I believe your brother was at the game as well, wasn't he?
00:09:47
Craig matthews
yeah out the game, yeah.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And, um you know, again, quite surprising that, you know, there were a couple of empty seats here and there. um But again, i've weve we've said this before.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why can't Arsenal give tickets out to non like to non-members? you know what mean?
00:10:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
special Especially try and, you know, get people that have never been to the Emirates an opportunity to go. but yeah I don't know. It's a difficult topic there.
00:10:05
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:10:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um just quickly, want to talk about, obviously, the Fulham goal because we we kind of found our rhythm a bit in the second half. The first half of that game...
00:10:17
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
For me, i kind of found it was really difficult because we were just very stop-start. There wasn't really many runs. I could see Declan Rice actually getting quite frustrated in the first half because he would make runs into pockets, but players weren't picking him out.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I could see his frustration.
00:10:47
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, i kind of hoped at half-time he'd go in and there and be like, you know what, guys, you can see me running. like I'm actually running. like I'm running like crazy, but you guys are not picking me up.
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pick me up.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
Boosting Player Confidence
00:11:01
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:11:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But overall, I just think that first half for me, it wasn't... It just it lacked a bit of flow. There wasn't much creativity.
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Martinelli, for me... um Just, I don't know. There was a couple times where, you know, before, like previous like the previous seasons we've seen Martinelli, he likes to take on players. He's not afraid to take on a player.
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't know why this season, he's been very reserved to take on players.
00:11:28
Craig matthews
I
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you well What do you think the reason could be behind that?
00:11:36
Craig matthews
think his confidence. His confidence has gone down very much. And think injuries as well. I don't know if he's fully fit or not because the Martinelli of two seasons ago was taken on players. He scored 15 goals two seasons ago.
00:11:50
Craig matthews
He has not reached the heights at all the last two seasons.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly.
00:11:53
Craig matthews
He's been very poor from him. I don't know it's injuries or what it is on the system. we playing it doesn't seem like he has freedom. Like see with Saka, for example. Saka's got freedom on the pitch. He says his freedom.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:04
Craig matthews
He's got that link up with Ben White or Timba sometimes. He's got that link up. With Martin Elgin now, I thought ever since we saw Jackal to Leverkusen,
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lodekuzen.
00:12:16
Craig matthews
Yeah, jack when Xhaka was playing Arsenal, I think that's the season when Martini scored 15 goals. He had his freedom. Xhaka will cover him at left back and then he'll just do his thing. We don't seem to have that player to unlock Martini. There's a player with Martini. I rate Martini highly. think there's a good player in him.
00:12:32
Craig matthews
But they'll get to a stage where the club will think, you know what, if he's not performing, he's not giving enough, they might end up saying, no, we're going to say, had him been ruthless with Smith Rowe, they might say, we want to upgrade to Martina.
00:12:44
Craig matthews
It'd be a shame, but I feel there's player there. I feel in the future, he might have a role as centre forward because he's got the pace, he's got the finishing about it.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I agree.
00:12:52
Craig matthews
Maybe needs to refine his game a little bit. But I feel in the next two years, maybe a year or so, he could play up front. I think if he's up front, maybe he's just behind the striker, I think he's got that pace and he's got the cleverness to get past players. So, yeah.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really do agree with you on that. You, I think for me, right, I would, the thing is, right, are we kind of had to, I've I had this thought in my mind for a little while now. And again, it's that battle of who do you put is trust? Like, okay, Josh Vince is probably not, he's going to love this segment, isn't he?
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Josh Vince, obviously, as you guys know, he's not, he's a big Trossard lover.
00:13:26
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:13:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously not.
00:13:32
Craig matthews
Mm-mm.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um the thing for me is, right, with Trossard, I feel like he, like I've said it before, he's an impact player from the bench, but with Martinelli,
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do feel for him. I also think there must be some sort of confidence issue.
00:13:46
Craig matthews
Mm-mm.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah don't know what it is, but I just feel like... Tonight, he probably took on one or two players, um but I didn't see it enough from from Martinelli. I saw him maybe, you know, think about potentially maybe taking on someone and then he's a bit hesitant and then we'll cross the ball in. And I kind of sit there and I'm like do you really want to be doing like, do you really want to do that? Normally, the Martinelli we're used to seeing would take on someone.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But quickly, um just before we go to a break, And you kind of touched on it there, confidence. Now, Martinelli is one of them.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
you talk about And then I'm going to bring Odegaard into that conversation as well.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think in the Arsenal camp there's a confidence issue?
00:14:45
Craig matthews
I feel so. feel the issue is, this is my honest opinion, and I feel not winning the title or two seasons in a row is betting the conference in the club and the players.
00:14:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:14:55
Craig matthews
Because they lost the season before, we were flying in the league, flying up until Saliba got injured and we should have won the league that season didn't win it.
00:15:04
Craig matthews
Last season, should have won it again didn't win it. So, ah honestly feel that the conference and the players have gone because they they left they believe Arsenal deserve to win and didn't win it. so it takes it takes a lot It takes a lot of the players, like every season battling Man City to win the league and not winning it can burn your confidence.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:24
Craig matthews
They say if you're not good, maybe they don't feel they're good enough or they feel like they're just lacking self-belief.
00:15:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
You speak about, obviously, the title races of the past couple of years. What do you do? What would you do to try and boost ah you know try and boost team morale and boost team confidence?
00:15:49
Craig matthews
I thought you need to have winners in the team, bring in some winners, bring in serial winners who've won things and maybe some of the ex-pros are out, bring some ex-pros who've won stuff at the to talk to the players and give them a good G up and try and help them just be more confident. Maybe you can speak to some therapists and talk to those players who are going through stuff.
00:16:11
Craig matthews
At the end of the footballers are human at end the day. so they a lot of players are going through personal stuff and they have to play football as well but and it's very but difficult for them to kind of, you know, whatever they're going through.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
course.
00:16:22
Craig matthews
So maybe they need someone to just kind of help them. I don't know, maybe they do get that, i don't know, maybe they do, but looking on the outside, you think of the players, like, they should be doing better than what they're doing.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:31
Craig matthews
So you'd love to see if they could get back to that level that they showed in the past, like Martina for example, showed the levels. Even Odegaard this season has not been the same player was last season scoring goals or
00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:16:42
Craig matthews
or the softball that you might need to kind of find a way to help these players get through the rest of the season and the next season onwards from there. and
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i think I think for me, you look yeah i think another thing that's kind of maybe dented the confidence is maybe injuries because you look at Martinelli, got injured, and we're probably not seeing that same player that we saw couple seasons ago.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Same with Odegaard, you know, got seized got injured on international duty and we've not quite seen that confidence. So I think also to add on to your point of...
00:17:18
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know, the overall morale and the fact that, yes, we've been involved in a title race, but I think also the injuries behind that have also had de their their part play.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
you You know, you see it in previous seasons, unfortunately, with Jesus, for example. Jesus got injured pre-World Cup, I believe, and, you know, before that purple patch of a form he was in, you know, we we haven't seen that Jesus.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
We then saw it before then, unfortunately, him getting injured. So i guess in a way... Maybe injuries might have a part to play, but I guess, again, like we say but we've just said, we we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. So, fingers crossed.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's see what happens. In the meantime, we are going to take a break and join us in part two as we continue to delve through the ah the Arsenal game against Fulham.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we look ahead and talk about a certain star boy coming back to score back after this break.
00:18:25
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
Defensive Lapses and Saka's Impact
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome back to this daily Arsenal podcast. I am your host Jamie Patterson joined by Craig Matthews as we look back to Arsenal 2, Fulham 1.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, there is a let let's let list yeah let me talk about the Fulham goal in the meantime because it came a bit of a nervy part of the game.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very worrying that it came during stoppage time. Now, Craig, obviously sorry I understand that you may have not seen parts of the game because it wasn't on TNT or Sky tonight.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't know why, but I'm
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
know i'm i'm kind of lost for words with the Fulham goal because... it was There was a slight deflection and it somewhat stunned the Emirates because we were minutes away from a clean sheet.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Raya at this point must be getting really frustrated now because he when because the last clean sheet he kept was Chelsea.
00:20:22
Craig matthews
I
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even in the Chelsea game, he was very lucky. And I mean, very lucky to keep that clean sheet.
00:20:28
Craig matthews
i remember. Yeah.
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the question I've got is, you look back to maybe last season, the previous season before, with the likes of Gabriel Saliba, who have been phenomenal together.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But where do you think where which you think we're kind of going wrong with with our defensive set-up?
00:20:54
Craig matthews
I think sometimes in games, we just switch off. We think the game is won and we switch off and then they go and score a goal. Sometimes it's lack of communication, sometimes timeliness, sometimes it can be just lack of life awareness. Sometimes players can see something london and then they don't really really switch on quick enough and they just seem to capitalise on mistakes that they make.
00:21:13
Craig matthews
I think the goal that we could see is a mistake at the back and they scored. I think that's what I heard from them on TV. They made a mistake and then they scored.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:22
Craig matthews
i was very I was like two minutes left as well, they could have got another goal and they did 2-2.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was.
00:21:26
Craig matthews
So I was kind of happy when the whistle went. I was like, yes, good, got the win. But I think sometimes we're not clever enough to kill off teams. But last season we did it.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:21:35
Craig matthews
We were all 2-0 up, we should go and get the third and fourth goal, kill the game off. And then you can relax, you can rest players, the players are tired. So, yeah.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I mean, to be honest with you. way We're very lucky that we're sitting here with three points, actually, because, wow, Rodrigo Muniz.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, what an impact sub he has been for Fulham.
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
When he's come on, he has been quite impactful. And ah remember, I think, I don't know who it was, I think it might have been Awobi or someone flashed a ball right across the box.
00:22:01
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And all Munez had to do was just tap it home. And the ball flew wide, well wide of David Raya.
00:22:24
Craig matthews
oh yeah
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, ah that point, that was even before Fulham had grabbed their their consolation goal. And I mean, if that had gone in, we could have been sitting here with a much different story.
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, you you kind of make a really good point there, Craig, with killing teams off. It seems like, for some reason... I think, was it not last season, maybe a couple of seasons ago, we you know how we were winning games like one nil and, you know, and so on.
00:22:59
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Why do I get the impression that we may be starting to revert back to old ways a little bit only because it's just the way I see it is it's just because why?
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I just feel like we were reverting back to old ways and it is really weird.
00:23:12
Craig matthews
Yeah. yeah
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um You know, again, really, really lucky, especially like you said at the start of the show. Fulham are quite a bogey team for us. Home and away.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I can't remember the last time we even won at Craven Cottage, let alone the Emirates. But. It is worrying.
00:23:25
Craig matthews
know
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It has been worrying. And were, like I said, very, very lucky to come away with three points because That first half wasn't great. And the second half from from Arsenal, we really seemed to come alive.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
so For me, Saka, as soon as Saka came on, wow. Just wow. And I mean, it took him five minutes to get on the score sheet. And I mean, the scenes, just first of all, the scenes when he came came on were just absolute, oh, it sent goosebumps.
00:24:12
Craig matthews
um
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just amazing seeing him back. And then when he scored, it but it felt like Arsenal had won the Premier League title.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
The cheers, you know, people were getting a little emotional. I even got a little bit emotional seeing him score. I mean...
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Our star boy, it's fair to say our star boy is back. You know, he's missed playing football. Saka's really missed playing football. The amount of times I've seen him go up, the times I've seen him, like, sit at the Emirates in his box and you know he's sitting there thinking, oh, just want to get out of this so badly. Tonight was his night to shine.
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, we we said before that we wanted Saka benched for this game. and came on and scored. My question for you is, with Saka back, where do you see Arsenal going?
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of our Champions League four in terms of champions league and Premier League, where do you sees wait see us going?
00:25:21
Craig matthews
If we can stay fit, we can now end the season. Because i I honestly feel that Liverpool could have a blip between our new season. and So if we can win our games, see what happens.
00:25:32
Craig matthews
There's only nine points now. Their game tomorrow against Everton. So have to see what happens.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:37
Craig matthews
They've got some tough games coming off as well. So it goes to show if they drop any points, then we need to capitalise. And I think we can capitalise if Saka can stay fit. The only issue I have is Nottingham Forest are right behind us. And they won. They beat my United. And that cornerstone beat United to 1-0.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:25:56
Craig matthews
So they're on our tails for second place.
00:25:58
Craig matthews
So we we can't afford to slip up now. So we need to win all our games if we have a chance.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:26:03
Craig matthews
We might have slight chance of winning, slight chance of challenging Liverpool now, but it depends on Liverpool. I'm after there to have to go to Amtel as well. so And I reckon that Amtel is atrocious.
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:26:12
Craig matthews
So it would be nice if we could make this title race a bit more entertaining and not make it a one-horse race. well
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:18
Craig matthews
We have to see how it goes. Fingers crossed this Thalbwer get fit and firing goals. He have to do an impact something from now to end the season until he gets fully fit. He's not fully fit at the moment. It's just getting back into the game again.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, what I would do is if I was Arteta, We have Everton this weekend away. That's not going to be an easy place to go to.
00:26:41
Craig matthews
no
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would bring him on from the bench, bring him on for half hour, maybe bring him on maybe bring him on half time maybe.
00:26:44
Craig matthews
yeah yeah
00:26:49
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
For the Real Madrid game, I would start him, play full hour, get Ethan Waniere on.
00:26:53
Craig matthews
Mm. Mm-hmm.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get Ethan Waniere on to go and run at Real Madrid defenders. And the thing is, for players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Waniere, they've got no fear in them.
00:27:03
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:27:10
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I can say the same about Saka. Three of them don't have any fear whatsoever.
00:27:13
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think if we could strike some fear into the Madrid boys, I think we could ah think we could really put up a fight.
00:27:16
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:27:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think we could put up a fight here.
00:27:22
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:27:25
Craig matthews
yeah
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we're going to take ah another break quickly and then join us as we talk about a slight injury concern for Gabriel.
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will have a quick review of tonight's Premier League scores. Join us after the break.
Gabriel's Injury Concerns
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome back to this third part of the pod. Craig, we've spoken about how great it is to have our star boy back.
00:28:31
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But let's turn our attention to the 15th minute of the game. And Gabriel goes down.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he ends up walking off the pitch injured. Now, from what I saw, he was holding onto to his hamstring.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
How worried were you when you found out that Gabriel had gone down injured?
00:29:07
Craig matthews
I was very worried, got we got injured in a week's time. was very worried about that after that a while, not a again. mean, that's the second time he's been injured against Fulham now. Not the first time. think he tried to run against Traore and he got injured.
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:29:19
Craig matthews
So, it's one of them ones where this this ah this game today today, could we have rested him and played Kivio from the start?
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:29:27
Craig matthews
You kind of look into it and could we have done that? don't know. And there's no Ben White on the bench tonight either. So, he brought on Kivio. He had an alright game, I guess. Gabriel is our main defender and against Real Madrid you need our fit defenders available and he's the one that can handle Mbappe, him and Saliba can handle Mbappe and Vinicius and all the rest of them.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yeah
00:29:47
Craig matthews
Now him being injured now, I hope it's not a season-ending injury, let's hope him break him, get fit as quick as possible. But thought rushing back he's not 100% fit but we need him for the Madrid game.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. ah would The thing is, a hamstring injury can span from maybe two to four weeks. So I'll put it in perspective for you.
00:30:09
Craig matthews
Yeah. Hmm.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
if it's If he's out for two weeks, he will miss the home leg at the Emirates.
00:30:16
Craig matthews
Hmm. yeah
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll miss our Premier League game and then he'll make it for the Bernabeu.
00:30:24
Craig matthews
well
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's If it is three or four weeks, then he'll miss the Champions League title together. I don't even want to think ahead like that, but it could be a potential. um but
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think it will be too bad an injury. I haven't heard any recent updates. I haven't had a chance to actually listen to Arteta speak. But I guess we'll find out more news in the morning ah weather ah about the extent of his injury.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:30:55
Craig matthews
Well, when I watched it on Sky, when watched it on Sky, they were saying that, I think of Tim Sherwood was saying that he had a serious injury, think he might have torn his hamstring, they were saying in that serious, they were saying.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:31:06
Craig matthews
hope it's not true, though.
00:31:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
well Well, the thing is, he torn his hamstring, surely he'd have been on a stretcher.
00:31:08
Craig matthews
hope it's not true.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there was no stretcher. just He did he limped off straight down the tunnel. So I'm hoping, again, i'm I'm sure we're all sitting here hoping that Gabriel will be back fit for...
00:31:23
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
hopefully i mean Hopefully, fingers crossed, he's back for the Madrid game next week. That is going to be huge, though. But I guess only time can tell, really.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We just have to find out and hope that the injury that he has isn't too, too bad, really.
00:31:46
Craig matthews
a
00:31:49
Craig matthews
yeah
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But just quickly, before we do finish off and round up, let's also take a look at the other Premier League scores from tonight.
Premier League Updates
00:32:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
There were two other games on, as well as Arsenal and Fulham. And in the other game, it finished Wolves one westham nil with Jorgen Stranlasen scoring in the 21st minute. I mean, for Wolves, that is that's quite a huge victory there for them.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
huge victory it seems like it really does seem like my um really does seem like my Premier League prediction of Wolves getting relegated is is going out the window sadly isn't it
00:32:21
Craig matthews
I understand, not now.
00:32:22
Craig matthews
but it theyre not there They're going to get relegated now. They're massive points ahead of the relegation for Asia. Yeah,
00:32:35
Craig matthews
yeah maybe next season.
00:32:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
next season oh my gosh and in the other game it finished Nottingham Forest 1 Man United 0 oh my gosh I've just seen who scored for Forest
00:32:41
Craig matthews
of
00:32:53
Craig matthews
I saw when he scored the goal as well, I watched it on my TV at home. It was Elango, ran past couple of players and just banged it in. He's a good player, Elango.
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
did he celebrate
00:33:05
Craig matthews
He's improved this year. He didn't so right
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
You didn't celebrate. OK, do you know what? Right, I give a lot of credit to players that do not celebrate against their old club.
00:33:09
Craig matthews
He
00:33:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So credit due where it's due. Really pleased that you've said that Alanga's scored because I've got him in my fantasy team.
00:33:14
Craig matthews
didn't celebrate.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So at least my fantasy team will be looking a little bit healthier at the minute.
00:33:19
Craig matthews
He got nice points for that. Yeah.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Forrest right now, I mean, currently, as it stands, they're in an f FA Cup semi-final against...
00:33:35
Craig matthews
play pay man c I play
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man City, what's a game that's going to be? Palace.
00:33:42
Craig matthews
palace yeah the offend
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
that two cracking semi-finals, by the way. Two absolute crackers of a semi-final. With Villa, sorry. um With Forest, I mean, what a season they're having.
00:33:58
Craig matthews
um
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
within touchlight They're in literally touching distance now. of a Champions League spot, providing they can continue this amazing form they're in en route to maybe winning an FA Cup, which, no disrespect, I think they'll get into the final.
00:34:10
Craig matthews
hundred
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it will be, I predict this now, I think it will be Palace. I'm saying this because my girlfriend's listening, but I actually do genuinely believe, I think Palace, I think it will be a Palace Forest final.
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know what? I actually see Palace winning the Cup.
00:34:30
Craig matthews
often to say.
00:34:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ri I think loads of people have said it to me.
00:34:32
Craig matthews
Of course. So what?
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Loads of people have said that I think this year will be Palace's year to win the Cup. And i might i mean imagine, whoever wins the FA Cup, you know that is that's that's their ticket to Europe.
00:34:39
Craig matthews
yeah
00:34:46
Craig matthews
ah course
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's their ticket to Europa League football. That will be huge for one of the four clubs.
00:34:50
Craig matthews
come up
00:34:53
Craig matthews
So my question to you is how many more wins do think Soros need to get top four doing?
00:34:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Huge.
00:34:57
Craig matthews
How many more wins do think they need to accept the certified top four? Number three or four would say, isn't
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
who Well, I mean, the race for top four is really hotting up. I mean, that's kind of what's keeping the Premier League a bit more entertaining because the title race wrapped up.
00:35:06
Craig matthews
it?
00:35:10
Craig matthews
Of course.
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The relegation battle is kind of just wrapped up.
00:35:12
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's that race for Europe.
00:35:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Let me have a look actually quickly at Forest. um Sitting third, 57 points. they've got a well then again They've got a sustainable gap.
00:35:17
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:35:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got a really sustainable gap over Chelsea and City. Because Forrest are on 57 points. Chelsea are on 49. Bearing in mind Forrest have played a game extra, Chelsea slip up.
Future European Teams
00:35:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think they need four more games.
00:35:48
Craig matthews
think they get four more wins, they're certified getting champions in that season.
00:35:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four more wins, and I think they would have solidified easily.
00:35:52
Craig matthews
It was cemented, yeah. Yeah.
00:35:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they get game week if they get to game week 35, I think they would solidify Champions League by then, because there'd be three more weeks left there'd be three more games left.
00:36:02
Craig matthews
yeah of course
00:36:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they'd easily solidify it. i think, oh, just... And you know what, as well? um I said it's one of i'll said it to my girlfriend, actually, and I think I said it to another mate of mine, which is, look at the teams that potentially could get into Europe.
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Teams like Bournemouth. forest, you know, it spices the the Conference League and, you know, and Newcastle being in Europe next season as well.
00:36:30
Craig matthews
yeah
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, european European teams, English European teams, I think are going to be really entertaining to watch next season for some reason. I really see it being really good.
00:36:37
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:36:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, if Palace, wow, I mean, if Palace win the Cup, they also get their ticket to Europa League football. I mean, wow, Europe will be very, European football
00:36:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:36:51
Craig matthews
At Serhouse Park as well, under the likes of Serhouse Park on a Wednesday or Thursday football.
00:36:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Football under the lights at Selhurst Park wow wow unbelievable absolutely unbelievable
00:37:02
Craig matthews
Yeah.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:37:06
Craig matthews
yeah
00:37:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, we are going to wrap it up there because it's a late record as it's as we've just um as we've jumped on a ah podcast straight after this Arsenal game.
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But thank goodness, Saka is back. He's back and he's firing. But that is it for us today.
00:37:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you liked what we've got to say? We'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. So as always, make sure it' to go give us a ah follow on our TikTok, our Twitter slash X account and our Instagram account.
00:37:38
Craig matthews
see
00:37:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as always, make sure to go and show us some love by supporting and subscribing to the GSPN network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie and more.
00:37:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, you can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. My name's been Jamie Paterson. He has been the amazing Craig Matthews. Have a great day and take care.