Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast where this is your one-stop shop as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news and views brought to you on the GSPN podcast network. I am your host Jamie Patterson and in this episode I'm glad to say that I've actually got someone with me. So for those of you that listened to the last pod you've Obviously know that I had to give ah all all our listeners a bit of a therapy session because we all needed it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I'm glad to say fully, fully revitalised. He is back. It is Mr. Football Encyclopedia himself. It is the one and only Mr. Craig Matthews. Craig, how you feeling, man?
Craig matthews : recovery man, recovery. Good tonight.
Craig matthews : disappointed after the weekend but we move that that that defeat out of the system now so we're ready to go
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm hmm. Mm hmm. Exactly that. Exactly that. I mean, I said on the I was saying on Monday's pod that, you know, think the boys, you know, we all you know, I think we were very, very quiet on the group chat.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, not meant not much was really said, you know so, you know, good to get a win. Good to get that bit of result out of our system because it was very much needed.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And what more could we ask for? three no win.
Craig matthews : Definitely, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Happy days. Because, as you know, we are literally recording this straight after the full-time whistle as it finishes. Arsenal... Well, Club Rouge 0-3.
Global Sports Podcast Network: three And as a result of that, keeps us top of the league phase. Now, as always, guys, if you want to get involved with any of our topics discussed on the show, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in the show notes in the description.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Craig, let's let's start from the very beginning, right? Pre-match... We were all kind of, you know, I think we we were all looking forward to tonight's game. But I think every Arsenal fan wanted to see a comeback of some sort.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And what a way to bounce back from the weekend. I mean, what what were your thoughts going into what were your thoughts going into the game this evening?
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Craig matthews : I felt confident we'll get the best back to it. I thought, you know what, after the weekend, I thought that all the players would have watched the game over again during the last couple of days, done analysis to see where they went wrong in the game, broke down where the mistakes were made and try and rectify it. I think we've done that very well tonight.
Craig matthews : in the game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, for me tonight, I'm going to be very honest, right? Great that we got the 3-0 win.
Craig matthews : Oh.
Global Sports Podcast Network: However, there were some worrying signs. There were some worrying signs for me.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, um let's talk about let's talk about the next thing that I was going to bring up. You know, when we all saw the starting 11 and the first thing that everybody saw...
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: was Christian Norgard playing as a centre-back.
Craig matthews : I
Global Sports Podcast Network: Craig, what were your thoughts on that? Because I was nowhere near expecting that. I really was not expecting that in the slightest.
Craig matthews : was a bit baffled to be honest if you're like, no, no. I think what other options did he have? He had California on the bench. He had the young kid who came on as well. And there's not there's not really any options he could have brought in that position, to be honest. Maybe he could have put Ben White centre-back.
Craig matthews : But Ben White has not played centre-back for Arsenal for a long time. for almost three or four years in Arsenal and play in a long, long time. So, maybe he was the only option he could play this year on the interview because there's no other option.
Craig matthews : Timber's injured, Gabriel's injured, Saliba's injured, Muskeria's injured, that's like a quality map. Those guys normally start. I guess he had no option there to play Norga. Norga has hardly played for us this season, so needed minutes as well. So, a job for the team, I guess.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the first my first thought was as soon as I saw that Norgaard was playing centre-back, I thought to myself, wow, I mean, is this what we're now being stripped down to?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because, you know, over the summer we spoke so highly about, oh, well, we've got this we've got so good squad depth, we've got position cover we've got you know positions covered basically all across the pitch.
Craig matthews : Hmm. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And this season, we are really being tested. And Craig, you you said this off air to me before we before we started. And I'm pretty sure a lot of Arsenal fans are thinking this.
Global Sports Podcast Network: When will we actually catch a break from these injuries? Because it seems to be just non-stop right now for Arsenal, doesn't it?
Craig matthews : Yes, I think they have to really take them into the account like why we're getting so many injuries. Other teams are not getting as injuries as last time. We're getting so many injuries. And the funny thing is the injury we get are all muscular injuries.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Very good point.
Craig matthews : It's not like a lot of muscular injuries.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep. Yeah.
Craig matthews : So don't know. I would love, you know, one day would like all of us to go down to the training ground watch the Arsenal train. Just to watch the training and see how intense the training is.
Craig matthews : Just to see it for ourselves because would love to go down there one day and watch it for myself because all of go down there and watch it because then you can get a better understanding of why players are getting injured all the time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. i think for me right now, I'm also in that same boat as you as well. I'd like to know what goes on Arteta's training sessions. I think it to have an open training session would be really interesting to see because...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Of course, you know, us sitting here, we all rely heavily on the media when it comes to, you know, training footage, pictures, all sorts, you know.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and it would be really interesting to see what Arteta's training sessions are like. You know, I've said before many a times on on podcasts that, you know,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Is it Arteta's training regimes? Is it too demanding? You know, Jesus, obviously, you know, being out with the ACL. You know, you've had Kai Havertz out.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Muscular injury. um Noni Madweke, muscular injury. Gabriel, if I'm right.
Craig matthews : Massacre injury, fight fly injury.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Muscular injury. Yeah. Now, Dauman added to the list. um You know, it's worrying.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It is really worrying at this minute. Saliba, I think, is Saliba also another muscular injury?
Craig matthews : I think he had an injury and training in training and he had an injury in the game before, played on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh my gosh.
Craig matthews : played on Then next day he went training and had discomfort in legs, he hasn't been back since.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : there you go. Hmm. ba go
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, again, again, we, you know, I've always said, like, could it be a thing where it is, you know, Arteta's training regimes? Because i get it, right? When we all watched the Amazon documentary, we got a small insight to see what the atmosphere was like at the training ground.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But seeing it on a documentary compared to going and actually watching ah watching a training session, an open training session live in the flesh is two different stories.
Craig matthews : Uh.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But do you think it's one of them things where, again, ah you questioning Arteta's training regime?
Craig matthews : Yes and no. ah think yes because I think that players are going down to injury too much and no because maybe he doesn't do the intensity in training then players will not get to the levels. But then you look at Guardiola, look for other managers in the Premier League, get did they do the same training, I'm not saying what Artesca does, but they do training as well they're not getting so many injuries that Artesca are getting.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : So maybe we need to look into the training regime and see we can kind slow down the intensity and train a little bit not too much maybe a little bit so they can recover from injuries unless injuries i would say it's all like the finco
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, fair enough. Fair enough. um I think for me, it's just one of them things where I just think it's so different. It's just so, so... It's just different, but it's really annoying to see us really struggling in the in this defensive kind of...
Global Sports Podcast Network: frailty that we're in, especially with our depth. um I'm also laughing as well because on my MacBook, I can see Rodney's message the group. And I'm going to, I'm going to talk, I'm actually going to say what he's, ah what he's put out on the group.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He was like, make sure you man talk about Norgaard at centre back.
Craig matthews : well
Global Sports Podcast Network: Man was cooking as an, um as a, as a auxiliary defender let's talk about let's Let's go on and actually talk about Christian Norgard. What did you make of his performances tonight as a makeshift centre-back?
Craig matthews : Bit shaky at times, but did a job for the team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Agree?
Craig matthews : I respect that he did job for the team, so I can't really knock him. It's his first game in a long time, in a while. So, he did a job for the team, gave away a couple of free kicks here and there, but credit too for going centre-back today. We had no other options, so you've got give him credit for credit too. So, well played, Norgaard.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, ah you couldn't have said it any better, to be honest, Craig. I think, you know, very shaky. and And I get it right. With someone like him, he is not someone that is used to playing in the centre-back role. However, as you've mentioned, Craig, you've got to give him that credit where it's due. Because, look, this sky this guy could have turned around to Arteta and said, you know what?
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't feel comfortable playing as a centre-back. That is not my position. But you look at the injuries that we're suffering with at the minute. And the fact that Norgard's really stepped in and really kind of gone out there and made it his own.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It is, well, not really made it his own, but he's just kind of slotted in and thought, you know what, I'm going to get stuck in. And there were times where You know, Club Rouge, again, you know, they were running through on goal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, they really, i think teams now, I think that there needs to be a way that teams can, we need to try and nullify our defence in a way. Because teams are now starting to really exploit us, especially down the middle.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Like, I think a lot of teams realised that's where you can really try and attack Arsenal. And it did happen on a few occasions tonight. You know, defence got split wide open.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And for some reason, Club Rouge just seemed to stall on the ball. Whenever they were in the box, they just seemed to stall. And I...
Craig matthews : that that they They did have chances to score, but Real Madrid could save as well, to be fair.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He did. He did. umm Did you expect Raya to be busier than normal tonight?
Craig matthews : With the defence we had today, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, I mean, it's just one of these games where you can't take anyone lightheartedly in the Champions League. You know, even going into this game, I thought, well, you know...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Club Rouge, I think I might have mentioned it before, where Club Rouge have had a somewhat decent record against English teams. I think Villa, ah vi again, I mentioned it and a previously, that Villa went away to Club Rouge and they lost away to Club Rouge, which was shocking in a way. And I thought, well...
Global Sports Podcast Network: They're going to be up for it. um There is one thing I do want to talk about um before we talk about the second goal, but we have to talk about Noni Madweke. Goodness me, Craig.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, what a gem of a player we have in him.
Craig matthews : Class.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm literally watching him now, seeing his photograph being taken with the player of the match trophy.
Craig matthews : Class.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um He's currently being interviewed by TNT. What a player. And what did you think of his performance tonight? A brace in the Champions League is insane.
Craig matthews : 10 out of 10. His first goal was amazing. Hit right at the top. Hit the cross while went in. was like, wow. Second goal, good header as well.
Craig matthews : He'd given us a competition. That's what you need, healthy competition. Even after the game, Saka congratulated him for the goals. you know That's good. Bravo, you would say. so By the way, Saka's rivaled for Arsenal and England.
Craig matthews : so That's going to be a good deal no little competition there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : um I'm happy. I i think this is the best game for Arsenal. I think this game is but one of its best games, I would say. This game, the Bayern game and And... Yeah, yeah that some before we got injured, they had a great game against Liverpool and Man City, I would say, before we got injured.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm also going to put Forrest out there as well.
Craig matthews : And Forest, yeah, i remember the Forest game as well, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That Forrest game, he had the left back on toast.
Craig matthews : Hmm...
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, again, we've gone on, you know, let's let's talk about that first goal. Because the way you shrug off one player, you've shrugged him off.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You could have gone down. Any other player, they might have gone down. But the fact you've shrugged off one player, you've got past the other. Suddenly, the defence has now started to just split All together. Now, look, Nani could have continued running on, exploited the space a little more.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But he thought, no, no, no, I'm going to do something a bit more different. What a strike and what a finish from him.
Craig matthews : looks lost, right?
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, again, as you've said there, Craig, the battle for that right wing, so that right wing spot is going to be intense.
Craig matthews : Of course.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And it got now really kind of, we'll we'll talk a little bit about maybe looking ahead to Wolves in a sec. But wow, what a finish though from Nonny.
Craig matthews : the
Global Sports Podcast Network: This guy is going from strength to strength, isn't he?
Craig matthews : Definitely getting confident each game, getting better you know and A lot of fans didn't worry about the club in the summer. A lot of fans thought, no, I'm not going have a Chelsea player. think he's going to be one of our better signings from Chelsea, to be fair, are the ones who could have a bad bunch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know what?
Craig matthews : 100%.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to be bold in saying this. I think he's been our best Chelsea signing going.
Craig matthews : Look at the ones
Global Sports Podcast Network: I can't.
Craig matthews : look at one
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm sorry, but right now for me, before Nonny, I would have vouched for like a Jorginho.
Craig matthews : oh
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'd have vouched for Jorginho.
Craig matthews : the
Global Sports Podcast Network: But currently, for me right now, Nonny's been our best Chelsea signing. And also, for anyone that is listening, for any of you that took part in that stupid...
Craig matthews : Yep.
Global Sports Podcast Network: stupid server, what was it? um Petition to send him back to Chelsea.
Craig matthews : Poll. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Shame on you. Shameful behaviour.
Craig matthews : 100%
Global Sports Podcast Network: Beyond shameful behaviour. I don't even know what to call it. Like, you should be ashamed of yourself because we can week in, week out now, he's really starting to prove his worth now, isn't he?
Craig matthews : yeah I feel I feel I think I think yeah so hmm no not at all hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: And like we talk about... like Sorry, like we talk about Declan Rice, you know, and him being 100 million. No one's talking about Nonny's price tag, are they?
Global Sports Podcast Network: No one's talking about that. And that's something really refreshing to see. Really refreshing to see. What were you going to say before I before i interrupted, c Craig?
Craig matthews : I was going to say, out of the winger that was signed in the summer, like you had Madawake, you had a guy at Newcastle,
Craig matthews : Newcastle winger, the one, an interesting.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um not new Not my... No, not Lou Smiley. Oh, Elanga.
Craig matthews : Elanga, and all these players that were signed the summer, I think Madawake has done better than all of them, to be fair.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yes. Yes, I can agree with that. But you know what really irritates me now you've mentioned that?
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: So Ilanga went to Chelsea, sorry, Ilanga went to Newcastle from Forest for about 50 mil, but no one's talking about his price tag.
Craig matthews : is yeah yeah yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Again, seems to be an Arsenal thing, doesn't it? Really does seem to be an Arsenal thing.
Craig matthews : yep
Global Sports Podcast Network: But guys, we're going to take a quick break in the meantime. And then when we come back, we are going to talk about the other two goals. And we're also going talk a little bit more about the action from tonight's game. So join us after this quick break.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Right, and welcome back to the second part of um the Club Rouge Arsenal review. Here with myself, Jamie Paterson, is Craig Matthews.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Craig, before we do talk before we do go on, um I would like to discuss a little something that you've just sent me on on WhatsApp. And that is going back to Arteta's training regime.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And there have been players... that have spoken openly, some to the Athletic, and some have spoken more in in numbers, about Arsenal's training regime.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So let's let's look let's start from the top of the list here. So we've got Ben White here, and he quotes, The training is harder than the games. Double sessions, gym work, straight after pitch sessions, it's non-stop.
Global Sports Podcast Network: When we had Ramsdale, he said, I've never been this fit in my life, but I've also never been this tired. Preseason under Arteta is brutal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Declan Rice, after his first preseason training, he said, i thought I was fit coming in from West Ham. I wasn't ready for this level of intensity.
Global Sports Podcast Network: My legs were gone after day three. Now, in 2024, Gabrielle came out and said, we won more in training than in matches sometimes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The GPS numbers in some sessions are crazy. Now, an anonymous senior player from The Athletic ah in 2024 went on to say, he'll make you do a full session again.
Global Sports Podcast Network: If the intensity drops, even after even 5%, there's no hiding place. And then Urien Timber this year spoke about his rehab and his training, saying that even when I was injured, I had to be in the training ground at 7 a.m. for gym analysis and analysis.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The demands never stop. Craig.
Craig matthews : I'm going to put it in an our group.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Go and put it in our group as well. But what do you think? What do you think about that when reading that?
Craig matthews : Don't surprise me. Honestly, don't surprise me at all because if players are saying how intense the training is, why do players are breaking and not injured all the time? So training must be very in intense.
Craig matthews : I think everything has to be down to a T. like If players are not pulling their weight and train in training, then he's not going to pick them more. Look at the players at Arsenal that let go of.
Craig matthews : So there must be a reason why they let go of certain players. They had players like Pepe, the Abounding Angle of this world, Lacazette, Ozil's.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Erzil's...
Craig matthews : Maybe he's got Ozil on training, but he's not putting his weight in training. Time to move him on. Lacazette was more... I don't know, it just wasn't time to move on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Smith Rowe in the end. Players like that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I think, though, now now we now we talk about, obviously, our training regimes and stuff like that, um I've just seen our group chat.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Rodney's replied back saying, yeah, Arteta is a madman. But...
Craig matthews : Ha ha ha.
Global Sports Podcast Network: na
Craig matthews : but but
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Yes, I get it. He demands a lot of his players, but with the likes of maybe a Smith Rowe, you know, I remember watching, what was it, Arsenal Luton. And I remember him running over to the sidelines to take on sugars and and and drinks because there are players that can cope.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And there are clearly some that can't. And I think that could actually be a very good reason behind why Arteta has let go of these players.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because at the end of the day, you know, as Rodney has said, he's clearly onto something.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But let's go on and let's talk about the second goal. Because... Wow. I mean, what a way to start. I mean, what a way to start the second half.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think Adam Somerton, who was uncomary on commentary tonight um with Martin Keown, really summed up Arsenal's second goal really well, which was, again, brilliant ball from Zubimendi.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brilliant ball to pick out Noni, who was in acres of space with pretty much an empty net in front of him, wasn't he?
Craig matthews : Yeah, extra goals for the beautiful header. Bang, back in the net.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And what a performance. Honestly, so, so good. and
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What Adam Somerton and um Martin Keown said, again, was ri I think it really it really stood out to me, which was second half, suddenly Rouge went really flat.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Club Rouge went really, really flat. And, you know, the atmosphere really died down. And I was really shocked by that. I kind of sat there and thought, that's so weird. Why would you do such a thing like that?
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, surely second half, you would want to be all guns blazing. You'd really want to go out there and give it everything. you know what I mean?
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, yeah, where where do you think it went wrong for Club Rouge in the end? Because they, you know, first half, they they kind of did take it to Arsenal in a sense.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: But as the heart as that first half went on, we we you know we did start to grow a little stronger. Second half, we were all guns blazing. It was more so till the 70th minute, we then started to see more of Club Rouge come out. But also in that first half, Club Rouge did have their chances. But...
Global Sports Podcast Network: When that second goal went in, it really did kind of fizzle out a little bit till the 70th minute. Where do you think it kind of went wrong for them?
Craig matthews : I think it was once we got the second goal, it killed the game off and they just lost confidence. I think confidence in for them as well because they sat their manager recently as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : New manager came in. they had some dangerous person in the team. That Forbes guy, he looked dangerous as well. He was very dangerous.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Forbes, yeah, I was going to say.
Craig matthews : it was dangerous on The ah guy, the one? think his son. The guy whose son, Stankovic, he very dangerous as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Stankovic, yeah.
Craig matthews : It was very dangerous. So, they are dangerous players in the team. So, the thing is we have to be very careful, but we kind of handle the pressure and then we got the other end and scored the goal to kill the noise and kill the crowd and then they just kind of lost their confidence, I would say.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. You know, and then once that confidence was really lost, I guess, oh my gosh, I mean, we have to talk about Martinelli. Wow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What a goal to get Arsenal's third.
Craig matthews : I
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, if you had to pick, let's be honest, you have to pick between the two goals. Which one stood out to you more? Nonny or Martinelli?
Craig matthews : ah like a curler, you know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, same. Same.
Craig matthews : I like a curler, but Maduweko was just pure shock, pure power. Boom.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Martin Edywons more caressing on class. They don't mean it on FIFA.
Global Sports Podcast Network: A little bit of R1 circle on FIFA.
Craig matthews : R1 Circle on FIFA.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : Vaness. but less um
Global Sports Podcast Network: but Yeah, that little finesse shot. yeah Yeah, that's the one.
Craig matthews : No, Finesco. I'm very happy that Martino scored tonight. I feel that in the Champions League, feel he's scored in every game for Champions League this season. He scored every game so far for the Champions League this season.
Global Sports Podcast Network: hu
Craig matthews : I feel that um this is competition. not like in the Premier League where he's always have to be tracking him back and teams are doubling up on him and kicking him all over the place.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think in in the Champions League, he's got more space to run, more confident. And I feel that, you know, he really has that Toronto's number one player right now in the team. So he has to kind of fight his way back into the team.
Craig matthews : And, you know, so I think what he's doing now is like playing the Champions League, getting goals and confidence. So second half of the season, we're going to need him a lot.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I feel second half we're going to need him lot. Martin Nelly will need him a lot second half of the season.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : He can be very crucial. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely. My question to you is, though, with cha with him doing so well in the Champions League, why have we not really seen much of this in the Premier League? Yeah.
Craig matthews : I honestly thought it was low blocks, you know. I thought one team's fair, they double on him.
Craig matthews : they kick him and everything.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : And think the way the Arsenal team play, everything's revolved on the right-hand side. So Saka always gets the ball a lot on the right-hand side. The way person the right-hand side gets the ball a lot. And sometimes in transition, it's always said that Martinez always has to be tracking back to help his left-back or cover all the time.
Craig matthews : So thought that he's always doing more work going the other way, like defending, then more attacking.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : ah If we can find if go unlock the left-hand side more than the right-hand side, unlock both sides, it will be a very dangerous team. just need to have a good balance. Sometimes you've got Ben White's got a good relationship Saka.
Craig matthews : Saka, Odegaard, and Ben White have a good relationship on that right-hand side.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : The left-hand side has not got a good relationship right where I think when Granit Xhackles at Arsenal, that's when Martial was on lock to lock because shirt Jack was playing more left-back and he would do the thing that in and then he would score more goals.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Craig matthews : We need to wi find a way how to sort out that and then maybe Martial would get more goals in the Premier League that way.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it goes back to, we we've kind of maybe, we've really spoken about this during the course of this season and last season, where that left side for Arsenal really does need to be strengthened. And at the minute, you know, maybe with Calafiore, we've got a solid left back in Calafiore.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's just, do do we need to get Calafiore and Martinelli working more together with each other?
Craig matthews : I definitely agree. Even Martin Luther Skelly, if them two can work together with Martinelli, that would be a another problem in the area what's for teams to cut workers out there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Because when teams play us in the Premier League, they work out if they double double double up on Saka, they're not going to get any joy getting a goal in the game.
Craig matthews : So then they realise that there'll be more pressure on Martinelli to do something.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Well, if both most winners are more free and they can do more stuff, that's when Gokreza's been taking a lot of stick as well because he's done a lot this season before. And I mean, it's called a lot of goals that everyone has lets him to score, but some games he has two defenders on him and his space in the box is given other players like Saka, Martinelli,
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : or the guard or as they would defend the tent more time to do that do what they need to do so yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely. Yeah, yeah. And you know what? You you go on to talk about Jokeres and I'm going to speak about him now, actually, because I noticed that tonight with Jokeres, you know, he was in the Champions League. He's very much double downed on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that's what gave the likes of Noni and Martinelli that freedom just to just to really kind of cut in and do what they needed to do. And for me, I'm not worried.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm not worried about Jokeres because there seems to be a bit of ah ah a bit of an occurrence where players are doubling down on Jokeres and
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But in the Premier League, they don't double down on him, which is really bizarre. um
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, I don't know. It's going to be an interesting one. But I look at Arsenal... I'm currently just looking at Arsenal's results and and fixtures in the Champions League. And, I mean, it makes such good reading. 2-0 away to Athletic Club. 2-0 at home to Olympiacos. 4-0 at home to Athleti. 3-0 away to Slavia Prague. 4-0.
Global Sports Podcast Network: 3-1 against Bayern Munich, 3-0 tonight against Club Rouge. I mean, the fact we've only conceded one goal in the Champions League is insanely good, isn't it? Yeah.
Craig matthews : Amazing. And even with our injuries as well, so now didn't see the goal our injuries. bit worried. So, it goes to show that some of these are since we've got a competition where we are confident. And some of the teams have beaten in that competition are very good teams.
Craig matthews : Atletico is a very good team. Atletico Madrid, they're a very good team until we battered them at home.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Bayern, have won the five or six times in the Champions League.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They've got elite players and we batted them at home. Tonight, again, this team could have been a potential banana skin to make a car bruised.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : We've passed that, kicked that test. The only hard game that got left in the in the group was Inter Milan and they lost last night to Liverpool. And Kyrao and always met the game for the next game in Champions as well.
Craig matthews : I'm looking forward to Inter Milan game. That's going be a good talent again for us as well, away at Edna Santero.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah absolutely i think That will be a very interesting game. It will really make up for a great game on on the 20th of January. And I'd like to hope by then we'd get quite a few squad players back by then as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And hopefully we don't sustain any more injuries before then.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: But we're going to take another quick break and we're going talk about players that...
Craig matthews : definitely
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to ask Craig players that kind of stood out to him or, you know, really caught his eye during tonight's game. So join us after this quick little break.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this third and final part of our Club Rouge review. Craig, that apart from the goals that went on tonight, there there was quite quite some interesting stuff going on in the Champions League tonight as well in that Arsenal game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Anything in particular that really caught your eye that we've not really spoken about?
Craig matthews : I think the performance, Leverse Skelly had a good performance today. think played well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah? Yeah.
Craig matthews : They're decent today. oh was right I was very happy to see Ife Warnero get some minutes tonight. Look, have got a goal or two. Look decent.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, do you know what? Ethan Waniere, so, so unlucky in stoppage time.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So unlucky to see...
Craig matthews : but but a
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, great shot. Really good shot. And really unlucky to see it palmed away.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'd like to have seen him score tonight.
Craig matthews : And the one the one plus to me that Gabriel Jesus, when he came on to the oh, we missed him. We have missed him. The way how he just oozes confidence and class on the ball, he got in the ball.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Oh, there you go. There you go.
Craig matthews : what All he thinks about is going forward, taking a nice one-two, got into the box, had a couple of shots. think they had three shots on target, but didn't go in the back of the net.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He did.
Craig matthews : that's what you know he's he's going to be a crucial player for us at the end of the season, you know, because some games especially, say we play like a Nottingham Forest us away or like an Everton away, some the hard games that we seem to struggle, that West Ham away, we need a goal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : He's the type of guy you can bring off the bench and he can do a job for us.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Something else that I do want to ask you um is with the potential of You know, with the potential of Kai... Oh, goodness me.
Global Sports Podcast Network: JD's going to love this. With the potential of Kai Havertz coming back, now that we've got Jesus back, we've now got Jokeres back.
Craig matthews : hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: If you were Arteta, who would you be starting as your striker?
Craig matthews : so Alajazus, Gokrit Pabert, Gokrit and Marino as we've got to remember Rina might be
Global Sports Podcast Network: Havertz and Jokeres.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, and Marino. Go on. i stick him in the mix and all. Go on, then.
Craig matthews : He's only going to start Havard. That's his favourite son, isn't it? but well
Global Sports Podcast Network: hmm
Craig matthews : But, JD, don't back my head off. I would love to see, I think Godkron is going to start still. I think Godkron, maybe Jey-Hooz. Jey-Hooz can always come off the bench.
Craig matthews : But I like to see Jey-Hooz start more. but He's fully fit. He started Jey-Hooz in some games. You can rotate all three of them, four of them. So some games it might be a habits game, some games it be a Jaysies game, some games it be a God Crowe's game, an opponent's kind of game and opposition we're playing against.
Craig matthews : Altec's going to have headache for weeks, so let him have his headache.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. He really is. but my My thing is, right, I'm in the same boat as you. I would start, personally, would start Jokeres. I would start Jokeres.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And if we're really struggling, depending on what the situation is, I would maybe turn to a Jey Zeus.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, see how he fares up. If we, if you know, if Jey Zeus isn't ready enough, then I would maybe bring on Kai Havertz.
Craig matthews : hmm yeah i think i think i think i have a knee injury against my nine yes both knee injuries yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I think we've got to be really careful with Kai. And I think we've got to be really careful with Jesus as well. Because both coming back from... Wait. Both coming back from ACLs, aren't they? Or no, he's not.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, so both of them are coming back from serious knee injuries. Minutes are going to be minutes are gonna be key. Look, I'm not worried that Jesus won't get minutes. I know he'll get minutes. i would like to see him I would like to see him come off against Wolves over the weekend.
Craig matthews : Same.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Maybe you start him against Wolves and you give him 45 minutes against Wolves and then bring on a Jokeres in the second half.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'd quite happily have that.
Craig matthews : so
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, but I think we've with did there's so much to talk about in the sense of who you start in that attacking role. But I think for me...
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think you've got to put your faith in Jokeres. And I know people listening are going to be saying, oh, but, you know, his goal ratio is really poor and he's not been getting into great positions and he's not being able to, we're not being able to unlock the best out of him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But as you mentioned earlier on in the show, Craig, and I'm going to mention it as well, is he's doubled down on so much, whether that is the Champions League, whether that is the Premier League,
Craig matthews : Mm. Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Teams now know how to deal with Jokeres, especially in the Champions League, because they knew what he was like when he was at Sporting.
Craig matthews : Of
Global Sports Podcast Network: So for me, again, it's going to be time.
Craig matthews : course.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Look, as we've said before, if he got 20 goals in all competitions, I wouldn't complain.
Craig matthews : Mm. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wouldn't complain in the slightest. Next season, I'd be like, OK, I want to see him step up a notch.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But again, it's still, I'm not, um and don't want to use the phrase same phrase that we are now early days. It's still early days because now we're coming to the half, we are slowly coming to the halfway mark of the Premier League season.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I'd like to hope that Jokic can have a second better half of the season.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: If he could even get, you know, if we can stop. I thought, personally, I thought after the Athletic game where he got a brace, i thought maybe this could be the start. But for Jokeres, where do you see it maybe going?
Global Sports Podcast Network: well i wear What's not gelled with Jokeres at the minute?
Craig matthews : Obviously, got injured for a while before, or whatever, injured, so he kind of set him back a bit.
Global Sports Podcast Network: course.
Craig matthews : But I wouldn't say the confidence, because the guy can finish. that When he's at Sporting, he can finish, right?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : So finish is not problem for us. just feel sometimes, there's certain games I watch him, especially at Aspen Villagin other days, he doesn't really, or the team doesn't really look to play to his strengths.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah.
Craig matthews : If you want to start with what I mean. that Sometimes, right, like With Havertz, they'll play the ball to him. know they can lay off cricket. Oh no, he will do what he needs to But with Gorka, they need to play the ball quicker to quit to him.
Craig matthews : That was Max Diamond did to him in the Carabao Cup game against um Quick Pass to Port Vell.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yep
Craig matthews : Quick passes, quick passes. when he when he When he has more time to run up the ball, then he can you know it can do his thing. Like Laffle did when he scored against Leeds and it got down two goals. so
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : he he needs a service. Better service, I would say.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, I agree. i've Again, going back to, you know, when I saw him against Leeds and going back to you talking about he just needs fast balls played into him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Honestly, that's all it takes. One long ball for him to run onto and the rest is history. Once he breaks the offside trap, that's it.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you unlea You've unleashed Jokeres.
Craig matthews : No, we're
Global Sports Podcast Network: But right now... We're not playing to his strengths.
Craig matthews : or or not.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I think that's what a lot of Arsenal fans are not understanding, is the fact that we're not playing to his strengths. If we played to his strengths, it'd be a much different story then. you know what I mean?
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Much different story. And also, um just quickly, you know, let's talk about our next two Champions League games. Both of them coming up after the new year. um Inter away, Kyra Almaty at home. I would love to get a ticket for Kyra Almaty.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arsenal Ticket Exchange, if anyone from the Ticket Exchange is listening to this or watching this on YouTube, please allow me to get a ticket for Kyra Almaty because every time I go onto the ballot or because I enter the ballot, every time I try to enter the Ticket Exchange, it will not allow me to enter the Ticket Exchange.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Where my mate James, on the other hand, can get easy access to the Ticket Exchange, but I can't.
Craig matthews : It's
Global Sports Podcast Network: Really frustrating. Um...
Craig matthews : going to be a good test because we lost them last season in the Champions League.
Global Sports Podcast Network: How are you feeling with Inter coming up in match day seven?
Craig matthews : remember we lost them the group's day last season. So, it's going to be a different test to us.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They've got some decent players in the team. They've got Lautaro Martins, one of my favourite players. I like watching them in the Interm and I like him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They've got Turan as well. um They've got some decent players in their team, so but they've got an ageing team as well, like midfield, De Marco, they've got they've got Jan Soms, the decent goalkeeper, they've got their right-back, Dom Fries as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Marco.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm-hmm.
Craig matthews : So they've got some decent players in their team. They've got Chanalogu,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Chalanoglu, yep.
Craig matthews : So, Logos is a decent player from long range as well, from set-piece as well. So, they've got decent players in the team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Haven't they... Have they got Mkhitaryan?
Craig matthews : Yeah, Mkhitaryan's there as well, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow. Wow.
Craig matthews : So, they've got some decent players in the team, but if we can play our um hub offfit i'll fit, our strongest XI out there, hopefully Gabriel Magalha should be ticked by them, Sundebi should be ticked by them.
Craig matthews : I can't see why we can't go to the Tatsuhiro and beat them. I can't see why we can't go there and beat them on their ground.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. You're spot on there. I also would like to kind of maybe express that Inter, for me, is a great test because also it's an away game.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, when you look back at a lot of our away games, we've gone away to Bilbao, away to Slavia Prague, away, you know, one away to Club Rouge and Inter's away.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, if it was Bayern Munich away, if it was maybe Atleti away,
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know, those are two big tests there for me. I'm not saying that Inter is going to be a big, is not a big test because it is a big test, but I want this squad to be tested.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And yes, I know we're being tested with injuries and so on, but when when you're when you go and field a team of 11, that's where I want to be see us being tested.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And for me, Inter, it will be one of them games where if we can come out of this with three points... I ah don't see why we can't go far in the Champions League again.
Craig matthews : Same.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Really don't see why we can't go far. Don't ask me where we'd finish up, but I don't see why we can't go far. And especially being at home to Kyra Almaty, hopefully, fingers crossed, if we got a draw against Inter and a win against Kyra, I'm sure that should be enough to keep us top as well.
Craig matthews : Yeah, I think right now, I think we're qualified right now anyway for the next round. I think so, because this part of the group, I think we've qualified.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I...
Global Sports Podcast Network: I believe we would have qualified.
Craig matthews : or opened the top
Global Sports Podcast Network: i don't know if it's actually been confirmed yet.
Craig matthews : Because we've only two games left, I think we're qualified.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um
Global Sports Podcast Network: I believe we have qualified because it's top eight that qualify and that's it really.
Craig matthews : Yeah. me
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm just trying to see if I can get the table up at the minute. um Which I can't.
Craig matthews : see if I can get it out to you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, they didn't even show the table.
Craig matthews : Hold on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Damn, okay. um But I'm pretty sure we have qualified. i would be very shocked if we haven't.
Craig matthews : Yeah. but I've got the table up here. So we've got six one.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Go
Craig matthews : Play six. One, six. We've got 16 goal difference. 18 points. Bayern Munich in second. if lost one game. We've got 15 points. PSG, I've got 13. Man City, I've got 13. Alainso, I've got 13.
Global Sports Podcast Network: on. Who are in eighth? Who are in eighth at the minute?
Craig matthews : Atletico Madrid, 12.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And how many points have they got?
Craig matthews : Well, it's three teams. We've got 12. Liverpool, we've got 18.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Three teams that have got 12.
Craig matthews : 1-8.
Global Sports Podcast Network: How many points have we got?
Craig matthews : but so got eighteen
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah twelve
Craig matthews : one a
Global Sports Podcast Network: 12.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay. So basically, right, all we need is a point. If we get a point against Inter, we'd have qualified. And that's it. So we haven't quite qualified yet, but ah point a point against Inter in a way, we've qualified.
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: So at least that will be something.
Craig matthews : in
Global Sports Podcast Network: But...
Craig matthews : definitely
Global Sports Podcast Network: Guys, that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? if so, we would love to hear your thoughts on social media. You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You've been listening to the GSPN Arsenal Podcast. part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to find daily podcasts for your favourite teams, a daily wrap-up, and every week, the Road to World Cup 26. have been your host, Jamie Patterson. He has been the amazing Mr. Encyclopedia, Craig Matthews. Have a good day, all, and take care.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you
