Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Daily Premier League in English: Episode 102 – Arsenal’s Declan Rice leaves Real Madrid STUNNED in Champions League Quarterfinal!
24 Plays8 days ago
What’s that? Declan Rice scoring two direct free-kicks against Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappé watching in envy?! You’d better believe that deserves a big episode! Join Louie Easton and Michał Czarniecki as they team up with Esmonde, Craig, and Jamie from Daily Arsenal to review the Gunners’ best performance of the season! Tune in and enjoy!
Our Sponsors
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and use code GSPN2025 for 40% off your first month’s subscription.
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!
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
00:00:40
Craig matthews
Thank you.
Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:44
Louie Easton
Hello and welcome to the Daily English Premier League podcast and the Daily Arsenal podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Louis Easton and we have got a stacked lineup of ah podcasters on today. Mikhail Janiecki will be joining me as the co-host and we have got Jamie, Craig and Esmond joining us from the Daily Arsenal podcast.
00:01:09
Louie Easton
What a match. We'll get straight into it.
Arsenal's Victory Over Real Madrid
00:01:11
Louie Easton
Arsenal 3, Real Madrid 0. nell You're all nodding your heads. You're all smiling. Esmond, I'll come to you first.
00:01:19
Louie Easton
How good does that sound?
00:01:20
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, man. um i think um i think I think Jamie says it best, but I'll just i'll just say it. i won't sing it, but I think we got him half price. It's Declan Rice.
00:01:28
Jamie
Yeah.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:01:29
Esmonde Cole
ah I mean, like what time what time to score? I think it's been like three years, Jamie and Craig, since we scored direct free kick.
00:01:36
Jamie
yeah
00:01:37
Esmonde Cole
And he goes and scores a Roberto Carlos and a David Beckham all in one match against one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
00:01:37
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:01:44
Esmonde Cole
Unbelievable. I mean, like I've got my ah different like group chat that I used to do a football podcast with back in the day at university. And um yeah, the you United fans aren't aren't too happy in that chat. ah they're They're quite there.
00:01:57
Esmonde Cole
Some of them ah some of them are stress eating.
00:01:59
Jamie
Go
00:01:59
Esmonde Cole
Some of them are gone and watched Netflix. Some of them, I think they're trying to take a stroll. ah with with imaginary pet that they don't have. So like, it's all good, man. The narrative is good, man. The vibes in London are good.
00:02:11
Esmonde Cole
um And I'm sure that you, you Craig and Jamie are feeling even better, even more ecstatic.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my goodness.
00:02:19
Louie Easton
Jamie, would you like to reflect? I mean, yeah I'd be absolutely speechless. I mean, okay, I'll ask you this, Jamie.
Highlights of the Arteta Era
00:02:26
Jamie
on.
00:02:26
Louie Easton
as in In the Arteta era, is this the best you've ever felt as an Arsenal fan?
00:02:33
Jamie
Yes. Hands down, yes. I mean, you know, don't get it twisted. Winning the FA Cup, brilliant. You know, if you want to throw the community shield in, you know, go ahead and throw the community shield in.
00:02:45
Jamie
But compared to, oh my gosh, just under the lights, at the Emirates, North London Forever playing, the Champions League anthem, full house.
00:02:45
Louie Easton
to this though, does it?
00:02:56
Jamie
And I'm just sat here just re-watching that Declan Bryce free kick. Oh my, oh, just beautiful.
00:03:02
Louie Easton
Which one?
00:03:05
Jamie
exact Well, they've just shown the first one, but I need to see the second one again because that second free kick was just...
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:03:11
Louie Easton
That's sick.
00:03:14
Jamie
Like I said at the start of the recording, boys, if you had to look up in the Oxford Dictionary, top bins, I'm very sure you would find that as the definition of top bins.
00:03:25
Craig matthews
that
00:03:28
Esmonde Cole
You're not wrong.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also, i think they also call it the croissant, if my memory serves me correctly.
00:03:29
Esmonde Cole
You're not wrong.
00:03:34
Louie Easton
the cross
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Probably, because it and like like the ball had like this knife.
00:03:36
Jamie
and
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nice to swerve into
Declan Rice's Performance
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
it. But guys, yeah, and and actually, Louis, of course, with with your confirmation there, I would like to ask you guys, how do you feel with the fact that Declan Rice managed to pull that off
00:03:39
Louie Easton
all I can
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
and while Mbappé was just watching how it should be done. Because it's been... I think somebody made actually an X account with how many days have passed since Mbappé had actually scored directly from a free kick.
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're talking about, I think, at least hundreds of days already.
00:04:09
Louie Easton
I mean, he scored he scored that one recently that was like laid off, but it was nowhere near as good as Rice.
00:04:14
Jamie
Yeah.
00:04:15
Louie Easton
And I mean, it's the fact that these are the only two free kicks Declan Rice has ever scored.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah.
00:04:19
Louie Easton
what What a time to do it. Craig, I mean, did you see that coming when he stepped up for either of them?
00:04:26
Craig matthews
yeah He had won against Everton last week. um if If he put it in the same corner tonight, he would have scored. He put it right onto the hands of Pickford. He put in the same corner and he scored. So tonight when he did it, was like, wow.
00:04:37
Craig matthews
The first one was amazing. The second one was even better. Right on the of the net. No keeper say even that. So, yeah.
00:04:47
Louie Easton
it It just it doesn't it doesn't get better.
00:04:48
Craig matthews
Bosnian.
00:04:49
Louie Easton
I mean, it's both goal and occasion for him to do it after a goalless first half.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:57
Louie Easton
And he does that. Those two were in the space of less than 15 minutes. um Esmond, I'll come back to you. What were you thinking at halftime when it was nil nil? um How did you see the first half?
00:05:09
Esmonde Cole
To honest, I had a really good feeling throughout the whole match. i So so ah just a disclaimer, some obviously the the Arsenal guys know, no um I've been away for like three months in America um doing a show.
00:05:20
Esmonde Cole
And like, I bumped into this guy in Boston who happened to be British and we were watching the Atletico game and we were going, oh man, like, He was asking me, who would you prefer? Like Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid? This is before the penalty fiasco.
00:05:34
Esmonde Cole
And I was like, you know what? I prefer Real Madrid. And he was like, what? was like, yeah, yeah, I prefer Real Madrid because Atletico Madrid are going to park the bus. But whereas Real Madrid, they're going to be open.
00:05:45
Esmonde Cole
they're to be open and direct with us. so that's going to give us some chances. And and we've seen like in the Premier League, we don't deal too well with low blocks. So I was feeling quite good in the first half because we we were playing quite well.
00:05:54
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:05:57
Esmonde Cole
Martellelli was looking dangerous. Saka obviously looking dangerous. Odegaard looked back to his best. I felt good. and And I felt like we weren't we weren't facing a team that was defending like a low block. And I felt like that you know with those chances, it was giving the crowd some confidence. Well,
00:06:13
Esmonde Cole
Mostly in the first 10 minutes and then the last 10 minutes. A bit haphazard in the middle because you could see like the game plan from Real Madrid, were going to counter-attack us and they were dangerous. They could have scored a couple of goals. But I felt good.
00:06:25
Esmonde Cole
i felt I felt like we could definitely nick it. um I was feeling like we could probably score in the second half for sure. And we did that three times.
Facing Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
00:06:33
Louie Easton
I tell you what, with me as a Liverpool fan, if you ask me who I would want out of Real Madrid and Atletico, I would never say Real Madrid. I've learned that the hard way many times.
00:06:40
Esmonde Cole
Really?
00:06:41
Jamie
Yeah.
00:06:42
Esmonde Cole
Come on!
00:06:42
Louie Easton
Bro, bro we we lost two finals to them! It was hard!
00:06:46
Jamie
Wow.
00:06:47
Louie Easton
yeah And Courtois in goal.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
In a very harsh fashion too.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
In a very harsh fashion too. you
00:06:49
Louie Easton
Oh, that 2018 one.
00:06:51
Esmonde Cole
When Sergio Ramos absolutely clattered Salah, I even felt sorry for you guys.
00:06:51
Louie Easton
It's been, what, six... Yeah. It's...
00:06:56
Jamie
ah yeah
00:06:56
Esmonde Cole
I was like, come on, man.
00:06:56
Jamie
yeah
00:06:56
Louie Easton
And Karius, by the way.
00:06:57
Esmonde Cole
ah stuff That's just mean.
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:59
Louie Easton
And Karius. Seven years on, I'm still not over that, even though we've won the Champions League.
00:07:01
Jamie
a
00:07:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:07:03
Louie Easton
That was horrible.
00:07:03
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:07:04
Jamie
wow
00:07:05
Louie Easton
And then the 2022 one, we completely outplayed them, but they had Courtois in goal.
00:07:08
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:07:09
Louie Easton
and And then you beat him into what three times.
00:07:09
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:07:12
Esmonde Cole
ah
00:07:12
Jamie
you
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was even harsher. I think it was even harsher that the second time around because the first time, sorry, like Corey's cookie there. You were just done like a well-done steak.
00:07:20
Louie Easton
He had a concussion. I'm sorry. he had can we come Can we not just...
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am trying to prove your point.
00:07:24
Louie Easton
Are we ignoring the fact that he...
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
All
00:07:26
Louie Easton
Yes, I know, but he had...
00:07:26
Esmonde Cole
you the
00:07:28
Louie Easton
No, he was much worse done by the first time because of Karius literally being elbowed in the head and nothing being done about it. And by the way, the year before, Ramos did that dive against Quadrado for Juventus.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
right.
00:07:39
Louie Easton
So i I promise you, as much as I can't stand noise pollution from Arsenal fans, I really didn't want Real Madrid to win another Champions League. And I would love them to just be humbled by an English club. And I'm so glad that...
00:07:51
Louie Easton
um it's finally been done yeah ah well there's still the second leg to go well let's let's not get too ahead of ourselves i know it's a very healthy three-nil lead but the return leg is at the bernabeo um i don't know if it's one week or two weeks time i don't follow the champions league it's a stupid competition anyway um
00:08:06
Jamie
next week, next week, next week, next week Wednesday.
00:08:10
Louie Easton
eat
00:08:11
Jamie
yeah
00:08:12
Louie Easton
yeah
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Somebody's super salty after this elimination against PSG, huh?
00:08:13
Louie Easton
okay so you got
00:08:16
Louie Easton
Yeah, well, to be honest, I actually want PSG to win it just because they haven't won it before and they haven't got any chance catching up to us in the near future.
00:08:17
Jamie
yeah
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:08:25
Louie Easton
But, um, yeah, all
00:08:25
Esmonde Cole
This is about Arsenal versus
Arsenal's Transfer Needs
00:08:27
Esmonde Cole
Real Madrid. Not about you. This about Arsenal versus Real Madrid. Let's get back on topic, bro.
00:08:28
Louie Easton
right.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:08:34
Louie Easton
ah ah
00:08:35
Esmonde Cole
the
00:08:36
Louie Easton
All right, we'll we'll get back to Arsenal versus Real Madrid. um Okay, Jamie, I'll come to you now. um Obviously, the talk this season has all been about Arsenal not getting enough goals, not needing a striker. well Well, not having a striker, but needing a striker, maybe.
00:08:51
Louie Easton
Does this match sort of disprove that ah allegation against Arsenal for you?
00:08:57
Jamie
I mean, first half, i said it one of my mates earlier in the first half, there were two chances where Saka just it escaped his man, crossed the ball in.
00:09:09
Jamie
And again, just all we need was a finisher, you know, and I still think we we do need that striker. It's pretty clear and obvious. And yes, we've lost Jesus and, you know, we've lost Havertz, but it is evident that Arsenal do need to go out and get a striker. I mean, I'm sorry, but if we do not go out in the summer and really splash the cash on a striker, then there would be serious questions asked of Arteta and the board, let alone.
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ah No, I was actually mostly agreeing there.
00:09:39
Louie Easton
Alright, Mikhail, you want to follow up from that one, sorry?
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um I know that I do not want to ask any other questions about like any like but you know personalities because we want to do that in the second part. I'm just really curious about your defensive formation and whether you had any big worries coming into that game. Because, like yeah, you you said it at the beginning that you wanted to basically perhaps park the bus and and hope for the best because the Real Madrid would open up.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But still, without Gabriel there, this could really this could have gone sideways.
00:10:15
Jamie
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, i think the the big talk tonight was obviously Kivior coming up against Mbappe. And I think um ah think Clive Tilsley mentioned it in commentary tonight, which was the fact that
00:10:26
Louie Easton
Bye.
00:10:32
Jamie
he know you know Mbappe knew that, oh, well, facing up against Saliba, he kind of knew what to expect. But with coming up against Kivior, didn't really know what to expect. Thought, oh, actually, well, you know, Kivior really hasn't had many minutes. I think he's only played six competitive games for Arsenal this season.
00:10:53
Jamie
So, you know, thought, oh, well, this should be easy pickings.
00:10:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:10:56
Jamie
But... Look, you know, Kivior really kind of, you know, shaky start from Kivior. But as the game went on, he really settled into the game, um you know, gutting that Gabriel, we've obviously lost Gabriel for the season.
00:11:11
Jamie
But I mean, if we can give Kivior some consistent minutes, I mean, I don't see why why he couldn't be a ah ah potential so solid starter for in future games.
00:11:24
Esmonde Cole
I mean, I do, but yeah, I appreciate the optimism, but yes, i yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:11:24
Louie Easton
Yeah, it has been...
00:11:27
Esmonde Cole
yeah
00:11:28
Jamie
Yeah. ah for
00:11:29
Louie Easton
I would just like to ah would like to make ah the point.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, okay.
00:11:29
Jamie
not
00:11:32
Louie Easton
We have ah subtly mentioned before, not sure if it's too much, that Michal is Polish. So um I'm sure he'd appreciate that praise very much of his compatriot.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hi.
00:11:42
Jamie
yeah
00:11:44
Louie Easton
ah But i'd I'd like to also ask about Jurian Timber, especially in the last sort of 20, 25 minutes. I thought he had a great game, Craig. What did you make of Jurian Timber's um match ah earlier tonight?
00:11:59
Craig matthews
He kept Vinicius Jr very quiet today. Every time got the ball, it was so tight on him. couldn't He couldn't turn and do his... In the first half, he had a few chances. The second half, it more solid on him. Couldn't get past him.
00:12:11
Craig matthews
He just kept... He's been playing well all season. He's been very improved this season, done very well. So, was very proud of his performance. He kept it solid. He helped Saka as well, going forward as well. Made some good runs. So, have to say he had a great performance.
00:12:27
Louie Easton
And ah final question of this part, just before we move on to ah the player ratings. Esmond, I'll come back to you because you've been very vocal. um i yeah A little bit, a little bit.
00:12:34
Esmonde Cole
have i
00:12:36
Jamie
Ha ha ha ha.
00:12:37
Louie Easton
But obviously, the get it's not done. It's only half time in this leg. ah You're in a very healthy 3-0 lead. What are your thoughts ah going into next week's ah return leg at the Bernabeu in Madrid?
00:12:53
Esmonde Cole
Well, I'm confident because like history is on our side. i think it's only i think out the 12 teams, only one team has like lost from this position, I think, um from looking at the stats.
00:13:03
Esmonde Cole
But like obviously, we're going to part the bus.
00:13:05
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:13:07
Esmonde Cole
We are unbeaten at the Bernabeu as well. i mean like We've got pretty much an aggregate score now, 4-0 against Real Madrid. in the Champions League. So I'm confident, man. And you you know you know we can park the bus.
00:13:18
Esmonde Cole
I know we can park the bus. Jamie knows. Craig knows we can park the bus. um We'll probably sneak one. We'll probably get another 1-0 to the Arsenal, get us ourselves out of there and then get us to the next round. So I'm i'm confident.
Confidence for the Second Leg at Bernabeu
00:13:29
Esmonde Cole
um I think you have to be, especially with that performance. um And especially because, i obviously, like you alluded to before, our season's pretty much over. We can't catch the team that shall not be named on this podcast.
00:13:40
Esmonde Cole
um We can't catch them.
00:13:40
Jamie
you
00:13:42
Louie Easton
I can name them. It's fine.
00:13:43
Esmonde Cole
I can't name them.
00:13:43
Louie Easton
yeah
00:13:44
Esmonde Cole
I can't name them. You never know. Some Death Eaters might appear. um So, yeah, ah like our season is pretty much, that you know, pretty dependent on this. So, yeah, i think I think it's going to be a good game.
00:13:55
Esmonde Cole
and be a good game
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Still, second place isn't too bad in the Premier League, really. I mean, I'm a Man United fan. I would die for a second place in the Premier
00:14:03
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:14:05
Jamie
and it's It's just so frustrating when you finish second for the last three seasons in a row now.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just saying.
00:14:10
Jamie
It's like, when are we ever going to catch a break?
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? That's Bic coming from a team which previously was remembered by finishing fourth. So you know what? Give me a break, okay?
00:14:19
Jamie
Yeah. yeah
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give me a break.
00:14:21
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:14:23
Jamie
ah
00:14:24
Louie Easton
I actually predicted Arsenal to win the league this season and I predicted us to be third or fourth. So, um I mean, I'll i'll take it. I would have taken second before the season started. But now I'm not taking second anymore.
00:14:37
Jamie
okay
00:14:38
Craig matthews
Okay.
00:14:38
Esmonde Cole
You can take it if you want, man. can take it if you want.
00:14:40
Louie Easton
no, no, no, no.
00:14:40
Esmonde Cole
yeah
00:14:41
Louie Easton
It's right. You're all right.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Louis, shall we go to the second part? Or do you still have some questions?
00:14:46
Louie Easton
ah Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's it for the first part.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so let's hear the ad of our awesome sponsor. Let's so hear this ad about some supplements. Bionic, ladies and gentlemen.
00:15:37
Louie Easton
All right, so um time to go into the second part. um Obviously, some very excited Arsenal fans wanting to talk about Declan Wright. We'll get on to him, I'm sure. But first, we'll work our way through the team and ah get our individual ratings for each player.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:15:53
Louie Easton
um OK, so we can go around in a circle. Esmond, then Jamie, then Craig. David Ryer, let's start with him.
00:16:03
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, man. I mean, like, ah a clean sheet against Real Madrid. He was pretty quiet tonight. I mean, like, but you know ah you know, it's defence as well doing their work, but, like, you know, he's he was kept, you know, he wasn't that active tonight, not too active.
00:16:17
Esmonde Cole
um And when he did have to be called upon, he was there. So I'd say 8.5 out of 10. Are we doing, like, decimal points or is it round numbers?
00:16:25
Louie Easton
ah You can do that no decimal points.
00:16:26
Esmonde Cole
Oh, OK, OK.
00:16:27
Louie Easton
You're you're allowed.
00:16:29
Esmonde Cole
I'm allowed. 8.5 for Raya, please.
00:16:31
Louie Easton
All right, Jamie.
00:16:31
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:16:33
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:16:35
Jamie
um Yeah, again, just going on what Esmond said, I mean, you know, the defence kind of done their job tonight. You know, when he was called upon, saves he made were relatively quite simple and straightforward.
00:16:47
Jamie
And yeah, I think for me, I'd probably have to give him a solid nine because, you know, the fact that you've kept a clean sheet against Real Madrid, you know, bearing in mind you've kept, you know, Mbappe, the usual suspects, quiet. Again, thanks to the defence, for me, solid nine.
00:17:04
Louie Easton
thanks i don't know why but saying thanks it's so funny and yes i don't know why ah sorry i'm sorry i'm sorry all
00:17:09
Jamie
I'm sorry. but
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Barrel of laughter today to the Daily English Premier League and Daily Arsenal podcast that you're listening to, ladies and gentlemen.
00:17:16
Louie Easton
yeah
00:17:20
Louie Easton
all right all right okay craig i'll meet myself
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:17:24
Craig matthews
I thought it was very solid today, did a great job, saved a lot of corners from set pieces and regular distribution, so I'll give him about a half out ten.
00:17:35
Louie Easton
Wow. OK, so an 8.5, a 9 and a 9.5. That works out to an average of 9 out of 10. So Uri and Timber obviously came off right at the end.
00:17:48
Louie Easton
But as I mentioned before, I thought he was terrific today. Esmond, I'm sure you agree.
00:17:52
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, man, I agree with you. And I think it's a definite nine out of ten because this guy is so press resistant, man. And also he he breaks up play. he he starts attacks. he He does everything, man. And he's playing in defence.
00:18:05
Esmonde Cole
As soon as I saw him play for us for the first time against them Man City, I was like, this this is a player. we got a player here. And then obviously got injured. But I'm glad he's back now. glad he's got a run in the team as well.
00:18:16
Esmonde Cole
But yeah, definitely a nine for me.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:18:18
Louie Easton
Yeah, I mean, well worth the wait, I think, ah when you see performances like that. so Wasn't it his first match that he got injured in? Like, his very first match, he broke his leg.
00:18:27
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, first match, yeah.
00:18:27
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:18:27
Jamie
Yeah, awesome. Forest, yeah.
00:18:29
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:18:31
Louie Easton
That is a... Well, we've seen the redemption arc now.
Jurian Timber's Defensive Mastery
00:18:34
Louie Easton
ah Jamie, same question.
00:18:34
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:18:37
Jamie
Yeah, I mean, another another really good thing with Timber is the fact that he's he's been so good, but he's stepped, he's coming at a right time, especially when Ben White got injured.
00:18:48
Jamie
You know, it's great to see him really kind of stamp his authority. I mean, you can ask Esmond and Craig. I've been a little bit critical of of Timber because I've always...
00:18:59
Esmonde Cole
blasphemy.
00:19:01
Jamie
Because I've always seen him kind of track forward, but never really, and and leave that right side quite exposed.
00:19:02
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:19:02
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:19:09
Jamie
But, you know, now I'm starting to see a different side of Timber. And, you know, tonight it just showed. And obviously, when I first saw him in in the and the Community Shield, I thought, wow, what a player we've got on our hands here. So um me, I'd give him a solid nine.
00:19:26
Louie Easton
Okay, and nine from Jamie. Craig, finally your verdict on... ah You're in timber, please.
00:19:34
Craig matthews
9 out of 10. Quality performance tonight. Kept Vinicius very quiet. He played very well, so I'll give him 9 out of 10.
00:19:43
Louie Easton
Short but sweet. Very nice. Okay, we'll move on to the centre-backs now. um Some would say that this is the best Arsenal player. um It's definitely worth an argument.
00:19:55
Jamie
Okay.
00:19:55
Louie Easton
Saliba, William Saliba, the man that Arsenal fans have started comparing to Virgil van Dijk very wrongly, I will add. ah Just wanted to get that in there because I haven't done any podcasts with Arsenal before. But um performance tonight...
00:20:11
Louie Easton
performance tonight
00:20:11
Esmonde Cole
like,
00:20:14
Esmonde Cole
um ah i mean like
00:20:15
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:20:15
Louie Easton
will that Yeah,
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
was basically the main incentive for Arsenal fans appearing today on on on the review of the game.
00:20:20
Esmonde Cole
this This is a disclaimer. ah Twitter isn't a real place. So, like, in case you've been seeing those... I mean, they they shouldn't be saying that. They should be saying that he's better at than Van Nij. But anyway, I digress.
00:20:29
Louie Easton
yeah yeah, yeah, good one.
00:20:30
Esmonde Cole
I digress. He's not the same. He's better. ah Yeah, man. Integral. He didn't put foot wrong from what I can remember in the match. ah Yeah, 9 out of 10. Simple. Bitch, best, posh.
00:20:42
Louie Easton
Okay, ah Jamie?
00:20:45
Jamie
Yeah, I'm probably going to say nine as well. You know, simple, you know, solid performer doesn't really put a foot wrong. So, yeah, solid nine.
00:20:53
Esmonde Cole
Thank you.
00:20:55
Louie Easton
Is it one of those nights for him where because he wasn't involved that much that it just seemed like everything was going well?
00:21:05
Jamie
To be fair, I mean, yeah, pretty much. I mean, the defence kind of just had everything controlled, but I really liked the transition from suddenly when we were attacking, the fact that we just got a flood of players all just swarming like the Real Madrid's midfield and attack was just really good to see.
00:21:24
Louie Easton
Okay, and finally Craig, your verdict on Saliba.
00:21:29
Craig matthews
Mr Rolls Royce off a defender, 10 out 10 performance. He played very well. Him and Kee's a lead at the back, Narsis Gabriel's injured, so he has to lead and help Keevion get through matches, so he's done a solid job, so 10 out of 10 for me.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's our first 10 of the review.
00:21:43
Louie Easton
That's our first... our first 10 for Saliba. I wonder what he's gonna give Rice. Right, um...
00:21:48
Jamie
Yeah.
00:21:50
Louie Easton
So we've already discussed Kivior, or um but just quickly skim over. ah Score out of 10, Esmond.
00:21:59
Esmonde Cole
As you've got a fellow polled in the chat, I'm going to have to say 10. Just to give boy the rub. yeah my other up Gonna have to give him a 10.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Esmet.
00:22:07
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Esmet, but we really...
00:22:09
Louie Easton
ah
00:22:09
Esmonde Cole
No worries, man. It was all for you, bro.
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but you know what?
00:22:11
Esmonde Cole
That performance was for you. it
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah Cheers. But, you know, i really we really need Kivio on top form for Polish national team games, especially in June 1. We're going to be facing Netherlands. So at the the more Kivio plays somewhere, the the like the better for us.
00:22:23
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So please, please.
00:22:28
Esmonde Cole
Everyone wins.
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cheers. Thank you.
00:22:32
Louie Easton
ah Okay, ah someone who has received some criticism in his ah debut rookie season, whatever you want to call it, Myles Lewis Skelly. He's had a big sort of last month or so, starting for England for the first time.
00:22:48
Louie Easton
And this has been probably the biggest match of his career so far against Real Madrid at the Emirates. ah Getting an assist so as well. Esmond, starting with you, how would you rate Myles Lewis Skelly's performance?
00:23:03
Esmonde Cole
We just got another starboard on our hands. We've got two more starboards on our hands. He has to be a 10 out of 10. I mean, like, to do that, like you just mentioned, like, this is his debut slash rookie season in the first team against Real Madrid, you know, with the season that he's had so far, like, just, you know, an assist, creating goal, and also just be utterly immense when it comes to, you know, dribbling out the back.
00:23:26
Esmonde Cole
Got to be a 10 out of 10.
00:23:28
Louie Easton
Do you think he's handling the pressure ah very well at this point?
00:23:31
Esmonde Cole
I think his his ah he has a personality type that I think he thrives off of that. He's quite resilient. um And those type of players that...
00:23:39
Louie Easton
You can say that about a lot of the young English talent now, can't you?
00:23:41
Esmonde Cole
yeah Yeah, which is a good thing because obviously back in the day, like not to say they weren't resilient, but like they were at each other's throats. But they also had the problem with the press being maybe a bit angry towards them, maybe a bit like, ah why is he so this?
00:23:57
Esmonde Cole
Why is he so that? So he's definitely got that ah backbone, and but also like I think it helps that, you know, and even, you know, he had Belliam set him up for a goal a few games ago and yeah it's an international break.
00:24:09
Esmonde Cole
Now he's beating him at the Emirates. So it's ah it's good to see him.
00:24:13
Louie Easton
It's a good arrogance, isn't it?
00:24:14
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, yeah, yeah. yeah
00:24:17
Louie Easton
Okay, right. sir Jamie, your verdict, please.
00:24:20
Jamie
Yeah, I mean, again, Myles Lewis-Skelly, great player. You know, the the fact that, like you said, it's his rookie season, it's his debut season. And, you know, you'd think for someone of 18 years old, you'd think the pressure would really get to him.
00:24:35
Jamie
But, I mean, wow, just put him in any situation and he and he just he doesn't know what pressure is. he just He just doesn't know what pressure is. And, you know...
00:24:46
Jamie
I think we've got a really good player on our hands if we can keep him fit. And I think with the way he plays for Arsenal, if he can go and do the same for England, we we really do have a gem of a player on our hands here.
00:24:58
Jamie
um So for me, I'd have to go solid 10.
00:24:58
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:25:02
Louie Easton
No pressure at all, Lewis Skelly. Get that Alan Shearer audio up right now. Craig, finally to you, ah rating out of 10 for Mars Lewis Skelly.
00:25:16
Craig matthews
have to say 10 out of 10. He's played in England, scored in his debut, Champions League, played so many big games this season, scored against Man City in the league. where he know Nobody didn't know who was at the start of the season, from the Premier League teams.
00:25:30
Craig matthews
And he's stepped up a lot this season and done very well. And tonight he played against arguably one of the best teams in European football history. They had won him the best and he played well. So got give him a 10 out of 10 for his performance and his temperament as well, staying calm in the game.
00:25:43
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:25:46
Louie Easton
All right, on to the
Thomas Partey's Role in the Match
00:25:47
Louie Easton
midfield. Right, we'll start with Thomas Partey. Say what you want about him, but what a player he has been for Arsenal this season. ah Esmond, picking the only player on the Arsenal side to pick up a yellow card today.
00:26:02
Louie Easton
Is that an indication of the sort of player he is or the sort of match that he's had? What do you make of his performance? And obviously a rating out of 10 at the end of your verdict as well, please.
00:26:12
Esmonde Cole
i think I think the yellow was a bit harsh. I mean, like he did body check Kamavinga, but I think it was a bit harsh. I mean, the referee was a bit it was a bit Michael Oliver-ish today. He was just a bit weird.
00:26:23
Esmonde Cole
um He seemed a bit rattled by Ramajazora and was just refusing to give any free kicks.
00:26:23
Jamie
Bye.
00:26:28
Esmonde Cole
But um yeah, like you mentioned, like say what you want. um But in terms of, if we're talking his performance, the season especially, he's been pretty much injury-free, which is crazy. um But yeah, I'd give him a solid 8 out of 10. I mean, he was solid. The whole team defended well, but obviously it's a massive part, an integral part of the team is the defensive midfield and I think Partey broke up play well.
00:26:51
Esmonde Cole
um So yeah, man, I'll give him an 8 out of 10.
00:26:54
Louie Easton
Jamie.
00:26:56
Jamie
um Do you know what? I think for me, you know, done what he needed to do tonight, apart from the yellow card. um Yeah, I'll probably go with Esmond. Also agree. Eight out of ten.
00:27:07
Louie Easton
And finally, Craig as well.
00:27:09
Craig matthews
I thought it was solid 8 out of 10 today. It was very solid. He's an engine army shield. He gets that the ball, makes them pass the other players, don't see them, just get the game ticking. So, 8 out of 10 for me as well. Very solid today as well.
Declan Rice's Historic Free Kicks
00:27:22
Louie Easton
All right, now on to the main man for Arsenal, ah Declan Rice. Okay, um Esmond, is this the best European performance you've ever seen from an Arsenal player?
00:27:37
Esmonde Cole
Oh, ah i don't I don't know about best, but it's definitely probably up there, like top three, top five performances in the Champions League for sure. But boy, oh boy. if i Can I not give him like a 20 out of 10?
00:27:50
Esmonde Cole
um Can we not do that? Like, geez, man.
00:27:51
Louie Easton
yeah I mean, if you want to break for mathematical law, you're more than welcome for the purposes of football.
00:27:52
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:27:54
Esmonde Cole
ah For the purposes of football, I think we should. um But yeah, man, it's an obvious 10 out of 10, 10.5, 11, 12, 15. eleven twelve fifteen Give him all of the ratings, man of the match performance.
00:28:08
Esmonde Cole
ah He's, man, like even in his first season, he was, you know, breaking his own records by like, you know, scoring more goals than he normally does. and And, you know, he's adding facets to his game, like the set pieces and now the direct free kicks, 10 out 10, 10 out of 10.
00:28:22
Esmonde Cole
<unk> and
00:28:23
Louie Easton
ah Obviously, the most ah expensive Arsenal player ever, I so i still believe, obviously. £105 million or something like that from West Ham United.
00:28:35
Louie Easton
Jamie, is that paying off now? Are we seeing the price tag um make its... whatever English phrase you want to use to...
00:28:44
Jamie
I mean, look, to be honest with you, as the chant says, and as I said to the boys in the group chat, you know, we we got him half price.
00:28:44
Louie Easton
ah
00:28:52
Jamie
We honestly did get this guy for half the price. And, you know, he's just proved to be every penny spent well. And for me, yeah.
00:29:03
Jamie
Do you know what? Esmond, I know you said like 20 and 11 out of 10. I'm giving him an infinity out of 10. You can't top that. Yeah, exactly.
00:29:11
Louie Easton
yeah
00:29:11
Jamie
You can't top that.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, just before we move on to next to to next assessment of Declan Rice, I just want to throw one stat right there.
00:29:14
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Declan Rice is the first player to score two direct free kick goals in a knockout stage match in the Champions League.
00:29:33
Esmonde Cole
wow
00:29:33
Louie Easton
Wow.
00:29:33
Craig matthews
Wow.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
First. Number one.
00:29:34
Louie Easton
And those are his only two free kicks he's ever scored as well.
00:29:37
Esmonde Cole
ah my day
00:29:38
Louie Easton
That's actually insane.
00:29:38
Jamie
I mean, could you imagine now?
00:29:40
Louie Easton
What a stat.
00:29:40
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:29:41
Jamie
like the ne Could you imagine the next international...
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
One more.
00:29:43
Jamie
Oh, go on.
00:29:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would love to to to to throw one more in there. There are five players that have previously scored two direct free kicks in the same Champions League match.
00:29:47
Jamie
Oh, go on.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Declan Rice, obviously, twin 25 against Real Madrid. But there are four more. So, Hakim Ziyech against Man United. Neymar against Sven-Azvezda. ah Yeah.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cristiano Ronaldo against Zurich in 2009. And Rivaldo against Milan in 2000.
00:30:10
Louie Easton
cool
00:30:10
Esmonde Cole
Wow.
00:30:11
Louie Easton
What great company.
00:30:12
Jamie
wow wow yeah same i thought like messy would have been up there or yeah wow
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
unstoppable.
00:30:12
Craig matthews
Well,
00:30:12
Esmonde Cole
Wow. i thought you going to at least say Messi there.
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
on
00:30:15
Esmonde Cole
Wow. Unbelievable.
00:30:16
Craig matthews
even Becca.
00:30:16
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:30:19
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, just wanted to throw that the little snippet out there.
00:30:20
Louie Easton
Yeah, well.
00:30:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, continue.
00:30:22
Louie Easton
Messi still scored the greatest free kick ever against us, didn't he? Unfortunately.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I've got one more stat.
00:30:27
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, freaking goals.
00:30:28
Esmonde Cole
yeah
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Declan Rice today, two. Kylian Mbappé, if 516 career matches,
00:30:35
Craig matthews
shit
00:30:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
zero zero
00:30:39
Louie Easton
No, he did score that other one, though. He did. it was a layoff, though. Do we count layoffs? That's not direct, I suppose.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not direct.
00:30:46
Craig matthews
That's not direct.
00:30:47
Louie Easton
I suppose it's not direct.
00:30:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not direct.
00:30:47
Craig matthews
That's not direct.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah, nah, nah.
00:30:49
Louie Easton
Okay, well well, that means Declan Rice is twice the man Kylian Mbappe could ever dream to be.
00:30:49
Jamie
ah yeah
00:30:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's cap.
00:30:55
Louie Easton
That's the thing.
00:30:55
Jamie
I mean, imagine the next international break that England get now.
00:30:55
Craig matthews
have
00:30:58
Jamie
It's like, right, well, right, you know what's going happen now. Declan, you're going to be on free-kick taking duties now. Yes, Rhys James, I know what you've done against Latvia was amazing. But yeah, Declan Rice, we're just going to give you the ball now. You know what you need to do.
00:31:12
Jamie
The rest is history.
00:31:12
Louie Easton
Yeah, Rhys James, i he's the best English right back, isn't he? Yeah.
00:31:18
Jamie
Rick, huh?
00:31:21
Louie Easton
I'm so glad Trent's going to go to this Real Madrid team and lose, hopefully too hopefully by this margin.
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:31:27
Louie Easton
every like He can get bodied by Martinelli again. I don't care. As long as it's in the Real Madrid team.
00:31:33
Jamie
oh
00:31:34
Craig matthews
yeah
00:31:34
Louie Easton
All right, ah Craig, well we won't forget about your ah verdict on Declan Rice.
00:31:35
Jamie
on
00:31:39
Louie Easton
After hearing all of that, surely it's it can't be anything lower than a 9.9. Okay.
00:31:46
Craig matthews
No, it's 10 million, 10 billion.
00:31:46
Jamie
rick
00:31:48
Craig matthews
No, it was a great performance.
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and It's still low. It's still low. It has to be higher, man.
00:31:53
Craig matthews
Trillion. but but
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
laughter
00:31:55
Craig matthews
that was a great It was an absolutely absolutely great performance.
00:31:56
Louie Easton
okay
00:31:56
Jamie
not hard
00:31:58
Craig matthews
really and so Yeah, he deserves he deserves his credit when credit is due. So, yeah, big performance.
00:32:04
Louie Easton
right. We did brush a little bit over Odegaard's playing well once again in an Arsenal shirt in the big occasion today. ah Edmund, how how did he fare for you in this ah tricky environment against a team that he knows very well?
00:32:23
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. course I even forgot about that because it's, you know, he was so young when he was there and he barely played for them. But you're right. Yeah. Playing an environment, he's now captaining, you know, Premier League, top Premier League side against his old club, a club that is one of the best in the world.
00:32:39
Esmonde Cole
And he turned up. He turned probably the best performance this season and he's because he's not had a great season, to honest. um So, yeah, I think definitely his best performance this season. Definitely. I'm going to give him nine. I'm to give nine.
00:32:50
Esmonde Cole
kind of give him a nine
00:32:52
Louie Easton
Okay, Jamie? Okay.
00:32:54
Jamie
Yeah, I will definitely say that it's been one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt because normally he does tend to, you know, the last couple of games he's played, he hasn't, you know, we haven't seen the best of Odegaard that we've seen in previous seasons. But tonight, we I feel like that we've just seen that Odegaard that we we've been missing for the last few games in our Premier League season. So ah for me, I'd give him an eight.
00:33:19
Louie Easton
Okay, so Esmond with a 9, Jamie with an 8, Craig 8.5? Care elaborate?
00:33:25
Craig matthews
Yeah, 8.5. Yeah.
00:33:27
Jamie
laughter laughter laughter
00:33:27
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:33:31
Louie Easton
gets you was have a race
00:33:35
Craig matthews
was It was it was but okay as performance. I thought that like as captain, he needs to do more. As captain, he needs to lead. That can rise. He feels captain to like you say, yeah.
00:33:46
Craig matthews
I think Odegaard did very well today, but going to get my 8.5. I would say.
00:33:51
Louie Easton
Okay, all right. ah Finally, into the front three. I'll start with Mikel Marino, the other goal scorer that we haven't really mentioned that much.
00:33:59
Jamie
Oh, cool.
00:33:59
Louie Easton
um But that was a very difficult finish. um Filling in as a striker, something that none of us really expected. um But what what a finish and really put a mark on the game, didn't it, Esmond?
00:34:14
Esmonde Cole
I mean, like, ah not to, you know, lean into hyperbole here, but that was, and I hate this guy, Van Persie-esque with that left foot, man.
00:34:23
Esmonde Cole
Like, the technique, like, he was, you know, tracking back and he just smashed it, bottom corner.
00:34:23
Jamie
but
00:34:24
Louie Easton
He has done well.
00:34:28
Esmonde Cole
um He's done brilliantly, man, since coming into the role. Like, he's scored a lot of goals. He's scored a lot of goals for us.
00:34:34
Louie Easton
has has done well
00:34:35
Esmonde Cole
He's scored a lot of goals. And it just goes to show, it's interesting, like, yes, obviously we do need a striker, but clearly, like, Arteta's set up the team in a way that you know, goals can flow from anywhere.
00:34:46
Esmonde Cole
And Moreno, man, I'm going have to give him, oh, do I give him a 10? Yeah, going to give him a 10. I'm going to give him a 10.
00:34:52
Louie Easton
a
00:34:52
Esmonde Cole
He was brilliant. and
00:34:53
Jamie
I love
00:34:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're generous tonight. We're generous tonight.
00:34:55
Esmonde Cole
Regenerous.
00:34:56
Louie Easton
Yeah, I'm surprised you haven't just given everyone a 10 at this stage.
00:34:59
Esmonde Cole
yeah i
00:35:00
Jamie
ah
00:35:01
Louie Easton
yeah Jamie, ah just but piggybacking off that point, filling in in that number nine role against a team ah that has been champion in his country countless times.
00:35:14
Louie Easton
ah So the pressure really was on him ah tonight, but he performed well and got got the goal over the 90 minutes. How did he do for you?
00:35:24
Jamie
Yeah, I think with Mourinho, I'm starting to see, i can see him really fitting in well. Like he's he's got used to a role that he's not really used to playing in.
00:35:35
Jamie
And the one thing that, you know, Arteta is going to really appreciate and quite... quite really admir admire about him is the fact that he can play two different positions.
00:35:46
Jamie
Because I've noticed with Arteta, he likes players that can play in two positions.
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:35:50
Jamie
And Mourinho there kind of is just proving week in, week out that, yes, OK, you know, he can have some good performances. And there are times where, you know, if, say, we bring on ah trossard, he can then drop into that midfield and still continue playing great in that midfield.
00:36:08
Jamie
For me, I mean, the finish was something else. i have to give him a nine for the finish because, I mean, you know, Myles Lewis-Skelly with that ball through and just for Mourinho to find the bottom corner was something else. So, yeah, solid nine.
00:36:22
Louie Easton
Solid nine. And Craig, finally from you. ah What a goal. What a performance, it seems, as well, judging by what Esmond and Jamie have said about him. ah Where are you placing? Are you going for a 9.5? Okay.
00:36:37
Craig matthews
I'm going to give him a 9 out of 10.
00:36:40
Louie Easton
A nine out of ten for Marino. Very few words, Craig.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Luis just coped well with that.
00:36:46
Louie Easton
I feel like I'm trying to... I don't know how to react.
00:36:49
Jamie
suck
00:36:49
Esmonde Cole
line
00:36:50
Jamie
ah
00:36:51
Craig matthews
yeah
00:36:53
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mad a few words. Mad a few words.
00:36:55
Louie Easton
ah Yeah, I honestly thought he was going to say something else. I didn't know whether to jump in or not.
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but but but that's kind of pundit confidence.
00:36:59
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:37:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know like If you're a good pundit, you do not need to you know throw like an essay of 3,000 words as to why you think this way. You just throw two words in. That's it.
00:37:10
Louie Easton
Okay. ah Final two...
00:37:11
Esmonde Cole
Do it the Craig Matthews way.
00:37:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolute cinema.
00:37:13
Craig matthews
you
00:37:15
Louie Easton
Okay. Setting a new trend, it seems. ah So finally, the last two starting players of this side, Bakayo Saka, who obviously had his match cut short. He came off in the seventy fourth minute. He's still coming back ah from that injury that set him out ah for an awful amount of Arsenal's season.
Saka's Impactful Return
00:37:37
Louie Easton
ah Making a his first start back in an Arsenal shot, I believe. ah Edmund, what did you think of his ah first match back in the starting eleven
00:37:48
Esmonde Cole
I mean, a testament to like you know himself and also like the team around him. like to To come back and just be an instant threat. um he was He was our main threat in that first half, for sure, before ah the goals start flowing.
00:38:01
Esmonde Cole
um So, like, our star boy is our star boy for a reason. i mean, to come back from, you know, what, nearly over three months off and to put in, I would say, what, a 9.5 performance?
00:38:12
Esmonde Cole
Sensational. Sensational.
00:38:14
Louie Easton
Okay, Jamie?
00:38:16
Jamie
Yeah, I mean, look, Saka coming back, it's been huge. You know, he's been so... You can tell we've really missed him down our wings. um Can't really say nothing much. And apart from, I'd say, a solid 9.5.
00:38:31
Jamie
the The only thing I would have said would maybe, and I've said it to Craig in a previous pod as well, was maybe just to you could have maybe played Saka for maybe 60 minutes, brought him off and then brought on someone like Ethan Waniere just to kind of, you know, depending on the scoreline again. But, you know, if if it was 1-0 Arsenal, would have maybe thrown Ethan Waniere just to kind of let him run at the the Madrid defenders. But look, at the end of the day, um great performance from Saka and a 9.5 from me.
00:39:00
Louie Easton
Okay, Craig, I've saved this question for you just to make you actually speak. um
00:39:06
Craig matthews
Okay.
00:39:06
Jamie
ah
00:39:06
Louie Easton
Obviously, i mean, everyone's been talking about Salah this season being the best right winger in the world.
00:39:06
Craig matthews
yeah
00:39:11
Louie Easton
Where does Saka rank at the moment for you?
00:39:15
Craig matthews
Right behind him.
00:39:15
Louie Easton
Obviously, right behind him. So, numbers but better than Dembele, in your opinion.
00:39:21
Esmonde Cole
Of course.
00:39:21
Craig matthews
thought...
00:39:22
Esmonde Cole
Sorry.
00:39:24
Louie Easton
Listen, bro, I've i've i've got my own personal trauma.
00:39:25
Craig matthews
honestly I thought that... I feel like with Dembele, he's only consistent after the second half of the season. There wasn't consistent start the season, he wasn't doing anything. not even in the squad at times.
00:39:36
Craig matthews
even played against us in Champions League. So, I would say Saka has consistent for the last couple of seasons now. And he's been top-class. So, I'll say that. I'll say Saka, Dembele, whoever I saw name after that.
00:39:49
Craig matthews
So, I'll definitely say that Saka is better than Dembele. That's what's my honest opinion.
00:39:53
Louie Easton
ah Jamie talked to me, man, what's going on? What's
00:39:56
Jamie
Oh, just Esmond. I can't stop laughing at Esmond. That's why.
00:40:00
Louie Easton
going on?
00:40:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah to all To all of the listeners who have no idea what we're talking about, check out our YouTube channel to find out what Esmond was doing there while Craig was giving his opinion.
00:40:01
Louie Easton
yeah
00:40:03
Esmonde Cole
yes
00:40:08
Esmonde Cole
with
00:40:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is should be the most highlighted moment of our podcast today.
00:40:13
Louie Easton
i yeah
00:40:15
Esmonde Cole
We let the man speak and he was only speaking facts.
00:40:20
Louie Easton
And people wonder where Arsenal fans get their reputation from.
00:40:22
Esmonde Cole
yeah What?
00:40:23
Louie Easton
You're sounding a lot like Twitter right now, Esmond.
00:40:25
Esmonde Cole
i say the sa is better than than belllet I think that's a logical,
00:40:26
Jamie
ah
00:40:28
Louie Easton
ah
00:40:29
Esmonde Cole
sober opinion
00:40:31
Jamie
Oh, wow.
00:40:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:40:33
Louie Easton
right, let's let him integrate back into the team first and then we can maybe continue that.
00:40:37
Esmonde Cole
Thank God.
00:40:38
Jamie
Oh.
00:40:39
Louie Easton
Bro, have you seen?
00:40:39
Esmonde Cole
he's got still He's still got the second most assists in the Premier League whilst being three months out. That's, that's, that's sack of for you. is sack of for you.
00:40:46
Louie Easton
iy that The standards have dropped.
00:40:48
Esmonde Cole
Oh.
00:40:50
Craig matthews
but
00:40:51
Esmonde Cole
jesus ah
00:40:53
Louie Easton
ah
00:40:53
Jamie
but
00:40:54
Louie Easton
I'm just amazed you haven't put him over Salah at this point.
00:40:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Diogo, download anyone?
00:40:58
Louie Easton
but that we We had someone with the ah our resident Arsenal fan here on Daily English, Nick Bird. He actually came out ah earlier this season when Saka was flying. Like, I think it was after the West Ham game where he was like doing beautiful corners.
00:41:13
Louie Easton
um He said Saka is the best player in the entire Premier League after that. So there is it it just it just runs in the fan base is all I'm going to say.
00:41:21
Esmonde Cole
Nick Bird does not speak for us.
00:41:21
Louie Easton
so
00:41:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even... chair if
00:41:22
Craig matthews
Awesome.
00:41:22
Esmonde Cole
His his his views and opinions do not reflect yeah ESPN Daily Arsenal podcast.
00:41:24
Jamie
Oh, boy. yeah
00:41:28
Esmonde Cole
I just want to say that. um Nick, if you want to jump on the podcast, feel free. But ah yeah. Yeah, at the
00:41:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like Thierry Henry would take so much insult of but viov because of that opinion. My god.
00:41:40
Jamie
ah for
00:41:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on.
00:41:41
Louie Easton
No, no, yeah he he meant at the at the time of that.
00:41:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, at the time.
00:41:44
Louie Easton
Not not of all not of all time.
00:41:44
Esmonde Cole
yeah at a time, yeah.
00:41:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not role time. Okay.
00:41:46
Louie Easton
Oh, my word. If he said all time, he we would kick him off GSPM for good.
00:41:48
Jamie
oh boy
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
my My bad.
00:41:51
Jamie
Oh, boy.
00:41:51
Louie Easton
Oh, my word.
00:41:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
My bad. And you know, ahha sorry, sorry.
00:41:52
Louie Easton
Okay. and i Sorry, I was just going to continue.
00:41:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Go on.
00:41:55
Louie Easton
Make your point quickly. Sorry.
00:41:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. It was just another joke about how Man United is absolutely poor and how, whether anybody wants to.
00:42:01
Louie Easton
Oh, we're welcoming that. Absolutely.
00:42:03
Esmonde Cole
yeah
00:42:03
Louie Easton
by By all means.
00:42:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, welcoming.
00:42:04
Jamie
um
00:42:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, wonderful.
00:42:04
Jamie
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
00:42:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, wonderful.
00:42:05
Jamie
Yeah, yeah.
00:42:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Diogo Dalot, anyone? Does anybody want to like teach him how to play good football? Anyone?
00:42:11
Jamie
yeah up
00:42:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Please? Please? We're struggling. Martinez is injured. Help.
00:42:17
Louie Easton
you want to leave Maguire up front again for the rest of the season, just for the vibes?
00:42:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would love it if he scored a goal. Love it.
00:42:23
Louie Easton
Love it.
00:42:23
Jamie
and but
00:42:23
Louie Easton
Yes.
00:42:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Love it.
00:42:24
Craig matthews
ah
00:42:25
Esmonde Cole
Thank you.
00:42:26
Louie Easton
Something that was said against Man United.
00:42:26
Jamie
Oh,
00:42:28
Louie Easton
Anyway, back to Arsenal, just for the but the final player of the starting 11.
00:42:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:42:32
Louie Easton
We won't do the subs, otherwise we'll be here all night. But Gabriel Martinelli, um I thought he was a big threat at times for Arsenal after such an up and down season for him.
00:42:43
Louie Easton
ah It seems like things are finally starting to clip for him click for him again, Esmond. Is that fair to say?
00:42:49
Esmonde Cole
Yeah, you're exactly right, bro. You're exactly right. he He was going through a phase where he was just like running into a cul-de-sac or he was just so obvious in what he was going to do. But now he looks dangerous. Now he's getting past players.
00:43:00
Esmonde Cole
um So yeah, and for me, it's got to be an 8.5 for tonight's performance.
00:43:05
Louie Easton
Okay, Jamie.
00:43:07
Jamie
Yeah, again, going on to what Esmond was saying, you know, I was at the game against Fulham last week and, you know, me, my mate was telling me, look, the only problem that Martin Eddy has is he he doesn't take on players. He doesn't, you know, try and run past players and saw hints of it last week, saw it again tonight. And let's, you know, it's good to see the mo that Martin Eddy's now starting to find his feet again, because again, as Esmond was saying, there were periods where, you know, he would blow hot and cold. So,
00:43:36
Jamie
ah For me, I'd probably also go 8.5 well.
00:43:41
Louie Easton
eight point five ah 8.5. Craig, are you going to make it a hat trick?
00:43:46
Craig matthews
Yeah, I feel like Marte is playing for his future and he knows that the new the new sport is looking at players so he needs to play well to stay in the team.
00:43:54
Esmonde Cole
one.
00:43:55
Craig matthews
Simple as that.
00:43:55
Jamie
been
00:43:55
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:43:56
Craig matthews
He needs to be more consistent or he might be sitting on the bench a lot next season. and so yeah
00:44:03
Louie Easton
Okay, so that completes ah the starting 11. And we've got a bit of a surprise for you in the third part. um So back to you, Michal, for the ah introducing the next advert.
00:44:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the next advert is the Zencaster, the platform which we use for producing podcasts brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:44:58
Louie Easton
Okay, so here we have a little bit of a game ah that will test all three of your ball knowledge ah just for this final part.
00:45:06
Craig matthews
you.
00:45:07
Louie Easton
Obviously, as you alluded to earlier, ah Esmond, the last time you went to the Santiago Bernabeu back in 2006... You won 1-0.
00:45:20
Louie Easton
Jamie, there is a player that was mentioned before the starting recording that you are not allowed to mention.
00:45:24
Jamie
yes
00:45:27
Louie Easton
But other than that, you're welcome to help these guys out.
00:45:27
Jamie
No, I won't.
00:45:30
Jamie
Fair enough.
00:45:30
Louie Easton
I want you three to work together to name the starting 11 for Arsenal back at that match in
Arsenal's 2006 Lineup Memory Challenge
00:45:40
Louie Easton
2006. So you can all work together.
00:45:42
Esmonde Cole
Go,
00:45:44
Louie Easton
i want to see if you can get all
00:45:45
Jamie
You know what? right Straight off the bat, I look straight at Craig and i'm like, yeah, Craig probably knows this like the back of his hand. He's like our Arsenal encyclopedia here.
00:45:53
Esmonde Cole
Craig!
00:45:55
Jamie
And already he's nodding because he knows.
00:45:55
Esmonde Cole
Go, go, go, go!
00:45:57
Jamie
So... I think you've got a cinema.
00:45:58
Esmonde Cole
Go, Craig! yeah
00:46:00
Louie Easton
Should we just let Craig do this on his own?
00:46:00
Craig matthews
Okay, alright.
00:46:02
Jamie
think you've got a cinema.
00:46:02
Louie Easton
Should we let Craig cook?
00:46:04
Craig matthews
Alright.
00:46:04
Louie Easton
All right, Craig, you you know what?
00:46:04
Craig matthews
Alright, Ingold was...
00:46:06
Louie Easton
This has turned into just you now.
00:46:07
Esmonde Cole
yeah
00:46:08
Louie Easton
ah So the pressure's all on you.
00:46:08
Craig matthews
Okay, cool.
00:46:10
Louie Easton
All right.
00:46:10
Craig matthews
Okay.
00:46:11
Louie Easton
Starting from the goalkeeper.
00:46:11
Craig matthews
Ingold was... Jens Leibn.
00:46:15
Louie Easton
Jens Lehmann is correct.
00:46:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Check.
00:46:16
Louie Easton
Back four.
00:46:18
Craig matthews
Ibue, Cedros, Torre, Flamini, Mesud was...
00:46:23
Louie Easton
Oh my gosh, he's got it.
00:46:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Check, check, check, check.
00:46:24
Craig matthews
Leib, Gilberto, Fabregas, Reyes, Lundberg, Lev and Henri up front.
00:46:33
Louie Easton
He's done it.
00:46:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's done it.
00:46:34
Esmonde Cole
That's
00:46:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is only going to end on it.
00:46:36
Louie Easton
No. Oh.
00:46:37
Esmonde Cole
our guy you again Never test Craig Matthews again
00:46:39
Jamie
See, and that's why he's our Arsenal encyclopedia. There you go. There you go.
00:46:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, you know what?
00:46:43
Louie Easton
How did he...
00:46:43
Jamie
You like it.
00:46:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe it was... You know what, guys?
00:46:45
Jamie
Oh,
00:46:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe it was just too easy for you. So maybe now you should give us the Stadionic of Real Madrid from that game.
00:46:50
Louie Easton
Yes. Okay.
00:46:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah?
00:46:52
Craig matthews
Okay. um
00:46:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah?
00:46:53
Esmonde Cole
one remembers the losers
00:46:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's turn it up a notch, then.
00:46:54
Louie Easton
All right. Craig, do you want to do this on your own or do you want to invite the other two back in?
00:46:59
Craig matthews
get obviously back in can try and I'll see in goal in goal Roberto Carlos left back
00:47:01
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:47:02
Jamie
oh my gosh
00:47:03
Louie Easton
Casillas in goal. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Just go one by one. Just go one by one.
00:47:08
Jamie
kissy single um oh you say the words out of my mouth was about say that oh
00:47:10
Louie Easton
Yep.
00:47:13
Louie Easton
Yep.
00:47:16
Craig matthews
ah
00:47:16
Louie Easton
Okay, two centre-backs. One of them's obvious.
00:47:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
thinking.
00:47:27
Louie Easton
One of them's very obvious.
00:47:31
Craig matthews
Jonathan Woodgate?
00:47:32
Louie Easton
Jonathan Woodgate is one of them. That was a less obvious one.
00:47:35
Esmonde Cole
Oh, my days.
00:47:36
Louie Easton
What a pull. What a pull.
00:47:38
Esmonde Cole
Oh.
00:47:38
Craig matthews
Right back was... all Right back was it um
00:47:41
Jamie
No
00:47:44
Louie Easton
you're You're forgetting a very, very big name in ah defense at the moment.
00:47:48
Craig matthews
Sergio Ramos.
00:47:50
Louie Easton
Correct.
00:47:50
Craig matthews
Sergio Ramos.
00:47:50
Louie Easton
There we go.
00:47:50
Jamie
way!
00:47:51
Louie Easton
Sergio Ramos was the other one. Okay, right back. I'll be very surprised if any of you get him because I have never heard of this player before. I'll give you a clue. He's Brazilian.
00:48:03
Craig matthews
Cecenio.
00:48:05
Louie Easton
Oh my gosh.
00:48:06
Esmonde Cole
No!
00:48:07
Craig matthews
Is it him?
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:48:08
Jamie
ah why
00:48:08
Louie Easton
He's done it. yeahy for east He's pulled Sosinho out of the bag. that is yeah
00:48:12
Esmonde Cole
What?
00:48:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable.
00:48:13
Craig matthews
the Cecenio, midfield was Graveson.
00:48:14
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:48:15
Jamie
Oh.
00:48:16
Louie Easton
Alright.
00:48:18
Craig matthews
Graveson was in midfield.
00:48:18
Louie Easton
Yep. Yep.
00:48:20
Craig matthews
David Beckham.
00:48:22
Louie Easton
Beckham was on the right, yeah.
00:48:22
Craig matthews
Beckham on the right. Centre was Gucci.
00:48:27
Louie Easton
Guti is correct.
00:48:27
Craig matthews
Gucci.
00:48:28
Esmonde Cole
Beauty. Peace
00:48:29
Craig matthews
um Left wing was
00:48:31
Jamie
Edmund, should we just like...
00:48:33
Craig matthews
Left wing was...
00:48:33
Jamie
We'll just keep them to crack on, eh?
00:48:34
Craig matthews
ah Let me see.
00:48:34
Esmonde Cole
op piece out.
00:48:35
Craig matthews
Who was left wing at the time? I think it was Robinho.
00:48:38
Louie Easton
Rubinho is correct. You're missing one in midfield and one up front.
00:48:40
Craig matthews
Zidane. Zidane and Ronaldo.
00:48:43
Esmonde Cole
Was Ronaldo playing?
00:48:45
Craig matthews
Raul.
00:48:45
Louie Easton
Ronaldo is one of them.
00:48:47
Craig matthews
Raul.
00:48:48
Louie Easton
Not Raul.
00:48:49
Jamie
Whoa.
00:48:51
Louie Easton
Midfield.
00:48:56
Jamie
See, was thinking Zidane, but then...
00:48:56
Craig matthews
Zidane.
00:48:58
Jamie
Oh! know.
00:48:58
Louie Easton
Zidane is correct. Zidane is correct.
00:48:59
Craig matthews
Zidane, yeah.
00:49:01
Louie Easton
So you have all named both. I mean, um I'm amazed.
00:49:04
Jamie
ah
00:49:05
Esmonde Cole
I barely did anything.
00:49:06
Louie Easton
so how
00:49:09
Louie Easton
how the How did he get Cecilio? That is insane.
00:49:12
Esmonde Cole
Seeing you know
00:49:14
Jamie
ah know
00:49:14
Louie Easton
hes And Thomas Graveson. Oh my gosh, that is ball knowledge right there.
00:49:19
Esmonde Cole
Even the Woodgate one bro like ah I always forget he plays with him yeah It was an is a weird timeline
00:49:21
Louie Easton
look Woodgate was impressive.
00:49:21
Jamie
Yeah, we'd get it as well, yeah.
00:49:24
Louie Easton
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it was an interesting time in football when Jonathan would go.
00:49:29
Jamie
Wow.
00:49:30
Louie Easton
Raul did come off the bench in that game. um its I mean, you've absolutely smashed it. um So that two ah that's almost as impressive as the Declan Rice performance earlier tonight.
00:49:37
Jamie
but Yeah, absolutely.
00:49:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two squats, two direct free kicks. There you go.
00:49:48
Esmonde Cole
Yeah.
00:49:48
Louie Easton
There we go.
00:49:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hell yeah.
00:49:49
Louie Easton
So I think that should just about wrap up the podcast. I mean, it's been a triumphant, triumphant night for Arsenal. Esmond, thank you very much.
00:49:59
Esmonde Cole
Thank you.
00:50:00
Louie Easton
Jamie, pleasure having you.
00:50:02
Jamie
Thank you very much for having us on.
00:50:04
Louie Easton
And Craig, unbelievable ball knowledge tonight. Well done you.
00:50:08
Craig matthews
Thank you, Imran. Thank you.
00:50:10
Louie Easton
Okay, stay tuned.
00:50:10
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:50:11
Louie Easton
ah Obviously, there is a huge match tomorrow in the form of Aston Villa. They will be up against PSG. And then on Thursday, they will have a very special episode where we'll have a member of the Polish Broadcasting Corporation, Canal Plus, joining us to preview the Legia Warsaw match against Chelsea. Take care.
00:50:33
Louie Easton
Thank you for listening.