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Daily Arsenal - S1 - E144: Bournemouth review… 2 set pieces hands defeat to the Gunners
10 Plays15 days ago
In this episode we will be discussing our recent game in the Premier League against Bournemouth losing 2-1 at home as they do the double over us! In addition we will discuss about how we look ahead to a big night in Paris as well as discussing other results in the Premier League! Now if you want to get involved with any of our topics discussed please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Craig Matthews
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Transcript
Introduction to Daily Arsenal Podcast
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal Podcast, the only place to catch your daily fix of Arsenal, where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network, I'm your host Jamie Patterson and as always i am joined by my by the one and only Mr. Football Encyclopedia himself, it is the one and only Craig Matthews. Craig, how you feeling man? it's ah It's been a little while actually because we didn't record After the PSG game, we'll... Sorry, we recorded after the PSG game, but we didn't record the Bournemouth preview.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, are you feeling, mate?
Arsenal's Challenging Week
00:00:51
Craig matthews
trying to find confidence for this week ahead trying trying
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I mean... wait This week is going to be an incredibly huge week. But it doesn't help by then having Bournemouth go and beat us.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
As we will be doing our Bournemouth review. So in the episode we will be looking at our recent game in the Premier League against Bournemouth. As we lost 2-1 at home, as they also painfully do the double over us as well.
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
In addition, we will also be discussing a little bit about our big night ahead in Paris. And we will be also just having a brief rundown of the other Premier League results over the course of this weekend.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, as always, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed,
Tactical Errors and Player Performance
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
please do get ah involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:01:49
Craig matthews
Thank
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, Craig, I mean, ah don't know how often we've said this now for the past few seasons, but Arsenal taking a lead. Declan Rice on his 100th appearance for the club.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great finish, great goal. But then... Bournemouth go and equalise from a corner. And then they go and repeat it again. And it just didn't seem like we were able to try and conjure up something as we go and lose the game 2-1.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was at the game. But Craig, I just want to get your thoughts because you were watching from home. I mean, what were your thoughts on the game?
00:02:41
Craig matthews
10 or two halves. Got the goal. Didn't go for the second. Messing around, messing around, messing around. Didn't go for the second or third goal to kill the game off.
00:02:52
Craig matthews
That game won with confidence. They went the other end, got a set piece and scored from a set piece. Two of their goals were vulnerable because if Oudegaard had taken the shot when he was right in the middle the all that ah the pop it but of could have made it two now.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:08
Craig matthews
Then we could have rested some players. and then we could have brought some other players to give some young kids a chance and then just kill the game off. But no, we were doing this same old pass it forward, pass it back, pass it forward, pass it back, pass it forward, pass it back.
00:03:23
Craig matthews
It's boring for what sometimes. don't know how you felt in the stadium if you were there on Saturday, but but back and forth, like too many back
Fitness, Confidence, and Injuries
00:03:30
Craig matthews
passes. We don't know how to kill teams off early, like,
00:03:35
Craig matthews
It's been through of our season to honest with you. It's not the first time it's happened. Every time we go one lap up.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:03:41
Craig matthews
Look again Brent for the other week. One lap.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:03:45
Craig matthews
They could almost nip to win the game. Every game at home recently we've just have been... Even the Palace game. They had so many chances to win the game in the first half. And then I knew once they got their first goal they were going to come back in the game. We just gave it to them.
00:03:59
Craig matthews
So I don't know if it's a fitness issue or a confidence issue or... is imagine overworking the players but it's just not good enough.
00:04:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I mean, to be honest with you, being at the game, again, you you touched on some really good points there. You know, is it a confidence issue? Is it Arteta's training sessions? what what Why is it that, you know, maybe for the last two seasons, we've gone into games, we've kind of tried to kill the game off early.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in this case, well, actually, to be honest with you, before I continue on, actually, there is a really unwanting stat. I really, hard I tried to look for it because they mentioned it on Sky Sports.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Arsenal taking the lead, we have a really bad record when taking the lead. we We never seem as you've said, we've never seemed to held a lead.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, that's probably the reason why we've ended up drawing the majority of our games this season. You know, and what's even worrying now for us is, you know, teams like Forest, teams like Newcastle, teams like Chelsea, teams that are battling for Europe.
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Drawing games like this and losing games like this does not help us in any way, shape or form. Because now the big question that's being asked is, are Arsenal now being dragged into this race for top five?
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But being there at the Emirates, i was I was actually optimistic. I was optimistic to the point where I knew it would be a difficult game. But I thought, you know what? Surely the boys have learnt their lesson from the previous fixture. you know the the Even the last fixture at Bournemouth, it wasn't comfortable watching.
00:05:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Having to then um get Saliba sent off and just to lose the game, I just thought, right, well... Surely, after what happened on wednesday after what happened on Tuesday night, sorry and um I thought, you know what?
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
This will be a kick up the backside for us. We can go into this game, try and win this game, and really go into PSG, go to Paris with full lot with a with a momentum and full confidence. And it just didn't seem...
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just didn't seem to be the case. You mentioned about Odegaard. Now, he's one player for me that I thought, done all right. He done surprisingly all right, in my opinion.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know what you thought, Craig, but think it was one of his better games he had on on Saturday.
00:06:42
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But going back to what you said, it's like it's like he's not brave enough. He doesn't want to take a risk.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's like that's what's concerning me. And that's what really concerned me over the weekend. You mentioned it when, you know, he had so much time and space. And you know what? He could have maybe opened a shot up for himself, but instead decided to pass the ball. And I thought, well why were you going to do that?
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Be confident in yourself.
00:07:09
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're the captain of one of the biggest teams in London, biggest teams in Europe. Have a crack. But yeah, it just didn't seem... i don't know what it is with Odegaard. Is it, again, could it be a confidence issue? What...
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
With Odegaard, what were your thoughts on him?
00:07:28
Craig matthews
I thought he had a great assist for Rice's goal, a good ball for Rice's goal.
00:07:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:32
Craig matthews
I thought that was very good. But as a captain, needs to do more.
00:07:37
Craig matthews
Not being overcritical. I want my team to do well and back all my players, you know i mean Even the ones who frustrate you.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:07:45
Craig matthews
You need to back them because you're fan.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:07:47
Craig matthews
But i um as I said to you a couple of weeks ago, I said most speaker i think he's still carrying an injury. That injury hasn't fully come from because
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:56
Craig matthews
He's scared to take a shot. Every time he takes a shot now, gets blocked or he doesn't want to shoot. like it you know um If that's the case, he's not 100% fit, then I wouldn't want to risk of playing him.
00:08:09
Craig matthews
It's going to work.
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:10
Craig matthews
um know what It'd be worse off him just being on the bench and bringing him on as an impact player. Waineri could have started that game on Saturday.
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Easily.
00:08:20
Craig matthews
And I thought he going to start. I was very surprised
Pressure and Lineup Critiques
00:08:23
Craig matthews
with the line-ups. I thought on Saturday. I thought he would arrest us on players for the big game against PSG on Wednesday. I thought he arrest on players, but he went with the squad.
00:08:35
Craig matthews
I don't know. I just don't know what's going on at the moment. I feel the whole club under a lot of pressure because if we don't reverse that scoreline against PSG on Wednesday,
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wednesday.
00:08:53
Craig matthews
serious, serious questions after the arts of the club and the manager and the board and everybody in the club has to sit down and reflect on why did it go wrong this season.
00:09:03
Craig matthews
I don't want i don't i don't want to go there. i don't um but I'm optimistic we can turn it around at Paris. don't want to be new.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, same here.
00:09:09
Craig matthews
i don't want to be that this negative fan thinking, oh, we lost the first leg, we're going to get back. I feel that if we go out there, get an early goal, shut up at Paris fans, we can go win that game. That's when you get that crowd not to scream in for them and they get them cheering them off at half-time like we did in Madrid where we silenced Madrid in their own backyard. So it can be done.
00:09:33
Craig matthews
well have to Things have to change in that game.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. No, you're you're spot on, mate. You're absolutely spot on. Going back to your first point that you made, um and for those of you that don't follow us on on Instagram, I pretty much was at the game and I you know gave you all my opinions and so on.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the one thing that I mentioned on our Instagram stories was how surprised I was also at the starting 11. You know, surprised that we didn't maybe go for a...
00:10:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
for less For a less strengthened squad. You know, maybe give someone like a Tierney a run out.
00:10:07
Craig matthews
hmm
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give someone like an Ethan Wengeri a run out.
00:10:15
Craig matthews
hmm hmm
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, maybe even throw Sterling on there. You know, just give the players that give players a bit of game time. Because, let's be honest, you want to go all out against PSG.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, whatever the outcome of PSG would be, whether that whether that be a win If we do do that... do that I would then go into Liverpool and and just be like, right, you know what?
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to give some of these players a bit of a rest because, yes, it is Liverpool away at Anfield, but at the same time, I want to give an opportunity to an Ethan Wagnieri, a Kieran Tierney. You know, Kieran Tierney is going to be leaving us to go back to Celtic. So let's give him some opportunity to get a bit of game time, get his match fitness up a little bit.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Who else is there? You know... um
00:11:05
Craig matthews
to think of as like that.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, maybe a Zinchenko, a Ben White.
00:11:08
Craig matthews
yeah
00:11:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, met that i think for me, and and again, we'll talk a little bit about this a little later on with with Ben White and the whole um um with ah with the whole Timber situation, because obviously, you know, Timber wasn't wasn't played because of an injury. Now, that is a bit concerning for us Arsenal fans, but we'll speak a little bit about that a little later on.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... Yeah, just for me, that starting XI just really did concern me because there was a point where we could have maybe lost Ek and Rice early in the game.
00:11:39
Craig matthews
yeah
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was very that was very concerning. I mean, what what did you think at that point when when Rice kind of went down?
00:11:47
Craig matthews
thought, oh my gosh. They were even saying in the commentary, is he injured or big blow to get injured. Honestly, when I saw the line-up, I thought, why is he speaking such a strong squad?
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:00
Craig matthews
I was not happy. didn't have to play Rice in that game. He could have rested him. Part of the minutes anyway. Part of the minutes to play because they didn't play in the Champions League and obviously they didn't have a shot on this but the rest of the players like Odegaard could have been rested, Rice could have been rested, Lillie Skelly could have been rested, only one that couldn't be rested is Saliba and Kimpil from the back of centre-backs at the moment because we've got so many injuries at the moment in centre-back so nobody
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, absolutely agree.
00:12:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. unless Unless you were to be a little bit bold and put someone like a Ben White as a centre-back, and then maybe have a Zinchenko on the right or the left. Do you know i mean?
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Say like you play Zinchenko on the right and then Tierney on the left, just as just as a random example.
00:12:40
Craig matthews
yeah
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know that that could have maybe have worked in one way or another.
00:12:49
Craig matthews
but could have played three at the back as well.
00:12:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:53
Craig matthews
could have done He did it before in his first play Arsenal, so he had three at the batia really gonna try and back.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. I remember that, yeah.
00:12:57
Craig matthews
to be I don't have three at the back. Maybe Saka and... Saka didn't have to spot the other day as well. He didn't look sharp at all. He looked very... ah nos don't know. Since he's come up from injuries, not really...
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's not really He's not really...
00:13:10
Craig matthews
ah Apart from the rep.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've not seen the best of Bukhar, Saka, have we?
00:13:14
Craig matthews
No.
00:13:15
Craig matthews
The only game he he showed up was the...
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, the the goal against...
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say the goalie scored against Fulham.
00:13:18
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it was quite a relatively easy goal to score. It was a simple tap in. But since coming...
00:13:27
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
did This is another thing I'm going to put but to forward to you as well, Craig. Since players have come back from injury, we've never really had... What would you make of like everyone that's kind of come back from injury? Because, you know, you look at the likes of Odegaard, you look at the likes of Saka, you know...
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are we worried that players are starting to lose their spark from coming back from injury, especially long-term injuries?
00:13:51
Craig matthews
Even Ben, I even say Ben, I prefer Ben White into that as well because,
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, actually, that's good shout there. Ben White, yeah, absolutely.
00:14:00
Craig matthews
because before he had his injury, he was like, rapidly going back off his back. On Saturday, I saw him got, I think it was the wingers, absolutely just went, put the ball, you know, back in there when he had footmen, he kicked the ball and just ran off to it.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:14:12
Craig matthews
He did that against Ben White you couldn't catch him off at all. was like, wow. ah He doesn't look sharp anymore either, so don't know.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was going to say to ben for Ben White as well, the one thing I really miss is like Saka could be there and just Ben White makes the overlapping run.
00:14:25
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we've just, we've really been missing that this season.
00:14:32
Craig matthews
He didn't do on Saturday, so he's still...
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah. Yeah.
00:14:38
Craig matthews
But as you said before, I think... I don't know you mind just overworking the first in training them because was talking to someone yesterday, Arsenal Finances, and he was saying to me that...
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:47
Craig matthews
think he said that I'll test it overwork the first in training. Over... Over this... always what this over like so that's why a lot players are breaking down into that gabbro got injured
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I was going to say, if we if we look at our current, if we do look at our injury, if we do look at our injury list or players that have been injured during the course of the season, we've had Saka, Odegaard, Calafiore, Tomiassu, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli for a short period with the hamstring injury, Gabriel.
00:15:06
Craig matthews
hmm
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, that's eight players I've already named.
00:15:24
Craig matthews
and what's all the injuries? Muscular injuries. Most of them are multiple.
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're all muscular injuries. It's either muscular injuries, ACLs, hamstring. So it is really concerning because you look back to maybe last season where injuries wasn't really a ah big concern for us.
00:15:42
Craig matthews
No, the last two seasons before that, no injuries, now this season, injuries.
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, yeah.
00:15:47
Craig matthews
But I think if a man overworking the person training, and it comes to a state when their body gets up on them. They'll give up on you in the end, eventually.
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:57
Craig matthews
this You can't do any more. So...
00:16:02
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely. I definitely agree with you on that. um In the meantime, we're going to take a quick break. Join us in the second part as we will continue to review Bournemouth. We will also discuss about the two goals um and then we'll continue to kind of just discuss briefly about where it's possibly gone wrong for Arsenal so far this season.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I don't know why it keeps doing that. But welcome back to the second part of the Bournemouth Review, where in the last part we were talking about potentially where
00:17:07
Craig matthews
and
Impact of Schedule on Player Health
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
things have gone wrong for Arsenal during the course of this season.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're going to continue talking about that because we we've discussed about our injuries in depth. Another thing I want to put forward to you, Craig, is the amount of games also that we've had to kind of...
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
play during the course of this season. You look at maybe the Champions League from last last year. You know, last year we never had this league phase. We had, you know, you had two games home, two games ah two games at home, ah two games home and away to like three ah three three other teams.
00:17:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
You then qualify, whether that is you qualify for the Europa League finishing third or you qualify for the knockouts finishing first and second respectively. But we look at this season's competition and now we have, is it two additional games, I believe?
00:18:12
Craig matthews
thats traditional data Yeah.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's two additional games. Also coming up, you're coming up against pretty much some of the biggest teams also in the Champions League. Now look, you look at Arsenal's path to you know you look at arsson's path so far and we've had to come up against the likes of Atlanta, Inter Milan, PSG.
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, not easy games, not easy games at all. um And even now, you know, look at Real Madrid now in the last round and again, we've had to play PSG at home.
00:18:36
Craig matthews
yeah
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you think they the football schedule is too much? And do you think maybe that's why... so ah not I'm not going to specifically aim this at Arsenal players, but do you reckon that's why maybe certain footballers are just, you know, not able to bounce back to how they once were?
00:19:07
Craig matthews
I honestly feel, Jamie, there's too much football being played.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:19:11
Craig matthews
You've got Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, International Football, Nations League, Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League. So much football.
00:19:21
Craig matthews
End of the season now, when it's in the season's finished, they've got to play Club World Cup. Arsenal are teams are going to be in it.
00:19:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, thank goodness we're not going to be a part of it, but the...
00:19:32
Craig matthews
So there's more football being played.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:34
Craig matthews
So when the players are going to get a risk? The next season going to be the World Cup after the end of the next season, where players are going to get rest.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:19:43
Craig matthews
local qualifie World qualifiers included as well. So players are not getting enough rest. And then they expect players to be playing like 80, 90 games a season maybe something like that. soft blind out
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Along them lines, yeah.
00:19:57
Craig matthews
and then the players will be sharp every week. I'll tell you more and more players are going to go down injured, not just Arsenal, other clubs are all going to be injured next season. Liverpool very fortunate this season that they have no serious injuries, but next season they'll be, every club's going to suffer an injury next season, I'm telling you, because the workload players is too de demanding now, like, i it's not good.
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I absolutely agree. um Going back to something that actually me and Josh Vint spoke about, and this was, oh my goodness, we're we're going back actually quite a while back to an episode where um we were discussing about player fitness and you know player injuries.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think if more players, say, get injured, do you reckon maybe that players could go out and strike?
00:20:48
Craig matthews
It could happen. It can happen because the end of the day, know we've had a lot of team, I've had lot of players and all that, but I'd rather my players be 100% fit than just being butchered to play every game.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:04
Craig matthews
It's not fair on them. It's not fair enough when they perform well. Maybe it's not like Odegaard, maybe Odegaard is absolutely shattered and tired and whatever. I don't want to make an exclusive, but thought that maybe certain players are just tired and drained.
00:21:17
Craig matthews
and see that our players right now, with results recently, and it' not kind of have no more energy left in our bodies to give anything else. thats what That's what I'm seeing in the top of the game. That's why I feel that in the first half of matches, we're able to do well in the first half and second half, it seems to be very tired or can't go to extra gear so they just kill the game off.
00:21:39
Craig matthews
I might be wrong, but that's why I'm looking. That's why I don't support looking in. That's what I think maybe the rope the problem is at the moment.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely. you know what, actually? You you speak about the the the Club World Cup coming up. I was watching a video earlier on from ah Rory Talks Football and he mentioned actually that for players going to the Club World Cup, they've also got to deal.
00:21:58
Craig matthews
Oh
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
i can't believe we're I can't believe we're actually going through with this, but they've also got to deal with an international break.
00:22:13
Craig matthews
oh yeah, World Cup qualifiers as well.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's an international break at the end at the end of the season, isn't there?
00:22:18
Craig matthews
Yeah, think it is. or you
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it, yeah. So I believe it's the World Cup qualifiers. And, you know, imagine now trying to cope with, you know, you've just come off the back of a Premier League season.
00:22:32
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
you've now got You've now got the international break. Weirdly enough, and i will briefly I'm going to briefly speak about this, but I believe Newcastle and Tottenham have a pre-season friendly... Let me see if I can find this, because I think this is absolutely crazy. Tottenham v Newcastle.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Here we go. Melbourne, I believe. Okay, no I thought it was that. Okay.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pre-season. But I believe they've got a pre-season friendly.
00:23:11
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah you know what? It is somewhere here. Basically, Newcastle and Spurs have a pre-season friendly, i think, weeks after the Premier League season finishes.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you also throw on top of that, you've got your international breaks. you've got the Club World Cup. Let's be honest, players will probably only have maybe what?
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
A month?
00:23:42
Craig matthews
Maybe less than that.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
A month.
00:23:44
Craig matthews
Maybe less than that, Honestly, that's not fair because
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Less than that. Maybe three weeks. Three weeks just to relax before they then have to start thinking about pre-season friendlies and pre-season training.
00:23:58
Craig matthews
That's why players are breaking down and getting injured because they're not getting enough rest. A lot these players now, a lot of them rest in the summer anyway. A lot of them go and do training in the summer to keep fit and maintain their fitness.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:08
Craig matthews
So, a lot of them don't really get a rest when they're injured. So, as to say, what they get injured, then they get a little break and then they can, like,
00:24:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, ah was going to mention actually, um take, like for example, ah we're we're currently recording this on a Monday night and I've just watched Monday Night Football and obviously it was Palace against ah Forest at Selhurst Park tonight.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Glasner actually spoke about... um You know, obviously the last game that Palace had played was the was the semi-final win over Villa.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he came out in in his pre-match interview saying that the players had four days of rest before then preparing for Forest.
00:24:46
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:24:56
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even in a situation like that, four days to certain people may not, you know, say for example, if we were working right, we would probably say that four days is enough for us to get plenty of to get plenty of rest, depending on what your day job could be.
00:25:05
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:25:07
Craig matthews
yeah
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for footballers, four days probably is not enough because you spend, what, the first day off... properly relaxing. You might spend the second day off relaxing, third day off doing something leisure like like you know doing something leisurely, before then having that final day off to then start thinking, oh, well, I need to start preparing for tomorrow's training session.
00:25:24
Craig matthews
their family yeah yeah
00:25:30
Craig matthews
yeah
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the thing, and again, i as I speak now, um we we talk of injuries. James Tarkovsky is on tonight's Monday Night Football and he is sitting on the sofa with a knee brace on because he got injured over the weekend for Everton, which I believe is a hamstring injury.
00:25:56
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But again, you know, hamstring injuries, it doesn't matter what kind of injuries players can get in a season.
00:26:07
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
they they some Some injuries can be so long-lasting that um they may not be the same player.
00:26:17
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know we We've kind of maybe seen that with Odegaard a little bit. We've seen it with others. you know it's What would you want to see changed? in in In order to give players a bit more time and a bit more recuperation, what would you do going forward?
00:26:35
Craig matthews
Try and scrap some of these front like the international matches and try and make it less... Some of these tournaments, let's try and scrap some of them more. I don't know. I feel we need scrap some of these tournaments. Maybe less than a lot of players. Every year they see the tournament or there's no break for the players.
00:26:52
Craig matthews
I know people will say they get paid a lot of money so it doesn't matter. to It doesn't matter because they're helping long term.
00:26:57
Craig matthews
It might not affect them now. When they get older it will affect them even more. So you'd rather... that care I wanted to care more about the players' welfare more. That's what I wanted to do. Not about us fans paying our money watching them play and they're injured.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
course
00:27:11
Craig matthews
We want our players fully fit and give us 100% not players that are injured and trying and getting criticised for not playing well because that's what's happening at the moment. You can see the and the man did not take him out of the firing line.
00:27:27
Craig matthews
We have fans are criticising and saying he's not doing well, he's not doing well, what's wrong with him? We don't know what they're not saying anything. So that's the problem.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the one thing I can suggest, and we did trial it maybe about...
Proposals for Player Recovery
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh, I can't remember how many years ago we trialled it.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the Bundesliga seemed to do it, and it seems to be working just fine for them. And that is the introduction that is the introduction of a winter break.
00:28:00
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It worked, partly worked last season in a way for us.
00:28:05
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you had half the teams that played one weekend whilst the other half of the Premier League teams went away, did some warm weather training.
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then the next weekend you had the other half that were away. Now, play their games while the other half that played their games the weekend before went away. Now, my question to you is, would you be open to something like that?
00:28:28
Craig matthews
yeah
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or would you be open to having a three week winter break, say around the February mark, where players could really, you know, catch, you know, you know, try and rest up and just prepare for the second half of the season?
00:28:47
Craig matthews
I feel like we know how to, because in England, feel like we've more matches in England than other teams. We have so many more competitions as well, like FA Cup, League Cup, whatever. So I would say maybe we could give them like one-week in-between break and then, but like, all the teams get a break in between and then they can go and do some warm weather training and i'll just have little of lap Arsenal in last season when we got knocked out the Cup earlier against the Liverpool.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:09
Craig matthews
We had a, we had a ten-day break in Dubai to more warm weather training.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something about that, yeah.
00:29:16
Craig matthews
I think that could definitely help. It worked for us a When we came back, we were firing, battering teams.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:29:22
Craig matthews
And then this season we tried and it backfired on us because Hamas got injured. ah Some players got injured on a lot that trip. So sometimes it can work for you and sometimes it can work against you.
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:32
Craig matthews
Last year it worked for us, this year it worked against us. So you you would think next season, if they have that, they'd be best to get on one week break. And let them just relax. 10-day break, 10-day Premier League break.
00:29:44
Craig matthews
That should be enough for them to just catch a breath.
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? This might sound really harsh, what i'm about to say, but... I think we should introduce a two-week break. I think we should introduce a two-week break. And I know for us football fans, it's difficult not having football to watch because we thrive on, you know, our Saturdays consisting of football, whether that is, you know, a Saturday saturday lunchtime kickoff, whether it's, ah you know, whether it's a you know, a a Super Sunday, whether it's Monday night football even.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, we we thrive on this sport.
00:30:18
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We thrive on football so much. We're so passionate about the sport. But again, i think the two i think if we were to do a two-week winter break, it could contribute.
00:30:24
Craig matthews
agree
00:30:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It could help in a way. But again, it would just be a struggle for us fans because it's like, well, what do you do for two weeks? Do you know what I mean?
00:30:39
Craig matthews
yeah with I think that could definitely work. The only thing that's the effect between
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have done it before. We have done it before.
00:30:46
Craig matthews
that because the would
00:30:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have trialled it before.
00:30:49
Craig matthews
What they have to do is they have to scrap the FA Cup replays and just have it so the rounds, no one would have FA Cup.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have scrapped the replay. We have scrapped replays as well.
00:30:59
Craig matthews
So yeah, I think that could definitely work for him.
00:31:01
Craig matthews
I think he has spot on there. Yeah, I think that could definitely work then. Two week break.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
the fa The FA have scrapped replays.
00:31:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. Guys, what's your thoughts on this? Let us know on social media. We'd love to hear what your thoughts about, you know, a potential winter break coming along.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, let us know your thoughts on social media. And in the meantime, whilst you guys get involved, ah we're going to take a quick break and then we're going to have a quick read through of all the other Premier League results that have taken place over the course of this weekend.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this third and final part as now we move away from the Bournemouth review and we are just going to do a quick breakdown of the other results that have taken place over the course of the Premier League weekend. can Now we kick it off with some Friday night football. We haven't had a bit of Friday night football in a while, have we, Craig?
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we had Man City against Wolves where Manchester City ended up beating Wolves 1-0.
00:32:30
Craig matthews
No.
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Close game, wasn't it?
00:32:40
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
close game Wolves were very unlucky not to I'll be honest Wolves were fairly unlucky not to take her a few more chances in front of goal
00:32:42
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:32:51
Craig matthews
I agree.
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
then obviously as we know then we had the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday with Villa beating Fulham 1-0 I mean the race for Champions League oh I mean the race for the top five is something else The question I just want to quickly put out to you before I move on, and I didn't ask you this earlier on, I asked you this off air actually, but I'm going to ask you this now real quick.
League Standings and Future Prospects
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think Arsenal are now being dragged into this race for top five?
00:33:20
Craig matthews
Yes.
00:33:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Reason being?
00:33:23
Craig matthews
Yes. It dropped too many points recently. If we've beaten Bournemouth on Saturday and won the game before the couple of games before that, we did that. It popped four a long time ago.
00:33:35
Craig matthews
We dropped 200 points recently. obviously with catch of like the The gap was was very big before and now it's getting nibbled down. If Man City win the next three games, they go above us.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:33:47
Craig matthews
have to watch our match now.
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, we've really got to be a bit more cautious now going into the last three games of the season. and But just moving on. ah So we had Everton 2, Ipswich 2.
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Quite a surprising result there because i believe Everton were 2-0 up.
00:34:10
Craig matthews
They're all tuning up, yeah.
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everton were 2-0 up. And, you know, again, Ipswich, fair play to them. I mean, despite despite Ipswich being relegated, they've seemed to somewhat put up a fight in their games. But unfortunately, it's just too little too late, isn't it?
00:34:25
Craig matthews
Yeah, I thought that I'd back them to get promoted next season. I thought they'll their... If they can keep from their... I'm not going to lose couple of their players, but if they can reinvest in the squad very heavily, reinvest in the squad with the money they get from the relegation,
00:34:38
Craig matthews
and they can maybe match a serious challenge their championship next season, they can definitely get promoted next season, hopefully. All the best of them next season, so, on yeah.
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, you you're spot on there. I think with Ipswich, I think depends ah depending on what players they can keep hold of, because there's going to be a few players that a lot of Premier League clubs might be after.
00:34:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it will be interesting to see what happens as time goes on. um
00:35:02
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:35:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then we had Leicester 2, Southampton 0. Jamie Vardy on 199 goals for Leicester so far. Do you reckon he'll get 200? Yeah.
00:35:14
Craig matthews
How many games have there? Three games left.
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three games left for Leicester, yes.
00:35:18
Craig matthews
He'll get it.
00:35:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
You reckon?
00:35:20
Craig matthews
I've got a feeling he might get on the final game of the season. Tiki, a goodbye goal, that would be the fairy tale for him.
00:35:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be something else, wouldn't it?
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah, absolutely. And then as you know, Arsenal losing two one to Bournemouth. Then we look on to Sunday's results now. Wow, we have West Ham finishing one all with Spurs. I wish, do you know what?
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just wished for a millisecond that West Ham would go and get the win just so they'd go above Spurs in the league.
00:35:54
Craig matthews
It's been a poor season for both teams anyway. I asked um really thought the recruitment West Ham and the summer, I thought they were trying get Europe, but they were the other way down. They brought badly.
00:36:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, do you know what? Same. Same. i actually thought they could be battling for maybe Europe this season and it just hasn't worked out really.
00:36:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd like to hope that Graham Potter will get back to well over the summer.
00:36:15
Craig matthews
um
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it'll be really interesting to see how they fit how they fare up. But I definitely don't see them finishing in the bottom half next season.
00:36:26
Craig matthews
No, definitely not. ah then they need They definitely need a striker.
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:30
Craig matthews
maybe of ah then that They definitely need a good goalkeeper as well. I don't think Semibat maybe. um They're lacking a few quality players in their team to get them to the next level, I would say.
00:36:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. No, I do agree with you. um This doesn't come as a surprise to anyone, but Brentford 4, Man United 3. bet.
00:36:53
Craig matthews
I was at that game yesterday, I was working at that game yesterday. That game was electrifying.
00:36:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
i bet
00:36:58
Craig matthews
Absolutely electrifying yesterday. I'm happy Brentford wanted them to be because they're not my second team now. They're a good team and they've got a good manager, they've got good players, a nice family-run club. So I'll say they deserved their win yesterday. but
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And then um the race for Europe, Brighton won, Newcastle won.
00:37:22
Craig matthews
points.
00:37:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle dropping points also.
00:37:23
Craig matthews
i
00:37:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah it's it's such a difficult position now because where where do where where do they go? where where where What's going happen to these teams that are battling for top four now at the minute?
00:37:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it doesn't... It seems to be really hotting up, but i just don't know where I can see this. I don't know. like If I told you who was finishing top five, I don't think I'd be able to tell you.
00:37:49
Craig matthews
So it's very hard to tell because said below one on Saturday,
00:37:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:54
Craig matthews
Newcastle dropped points yesterday, even Brighton are trying to get European football as well. Now the points are visible, so feel everyone's going to take points off everyone, so I'm looking at that.
00:38:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:05
Craig matthews
Everyone's going to take points everyone. It's like whoever might count the goal difference and head-to-head, they'll be head-to-head in the UK, but in the league they'll head-to-head, but it might just come down to goal difference.
00:38:19
Craig matthews
Imagine everything's level up at the end of the season for Europe. That would be If someone missed out my goal, just a goal or something, that would be cool.
00:38:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy.
00:38:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Absolutely. And then the surprise result, actually, was at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea 3, Liverpool 1. Now, I know, yes, Liverpool have won the title, but...
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you really expect them to to go to Stamford Bridge and and lose like that?
00:38:50
Craig matthews
The team that put out, yeah.
00:38:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean...
00:38:54
Craig matthews
Contact. No, not all. They had Van Dijk, Trent was playing, Kwanzaa Sanabat with Van Dijk, not Kanate.
00:39:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:07
Craig matthews
They didn't have Granthambeck in the squad.
00:39:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:39:10
Craig matthews
But Lavia dominated at Miss Lord yesterday. Lavia was a boss at Miss Lord.
00:39:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:14
Craig matthews
was bit surprised. I think Chelsea need to get something to do anyway for their own for the money they spent, financial fair play and FFP and all that.
00:39:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, of course.
00:39:28
Craig matthews
then needs They need to get to Champions League for the next season. So we'll see what happens.
00:39:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely.
00:39:33
Craig matthews
We
00:39:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely. Does that put you... Does it give you any form of optimism for next weekend? Because obviously we've got to go to Anfield. Does it give you any form of optimism?
Arsenal's Upcoming Challenges
00:39:43
Craig matthews
have to go to this beat. They haven't beaten them for how many years? Last time they beat was 2011, 11-12 season. They haven't beaten them for a long, long time.
00:39:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, goodness me.
00:39:51
Craig matthews
and But you know, sometimes they could have to be broken and it'd be nice to just go to Anfield, get a sneaky one or two no win against the champions.
00:39:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:01
Craig matthews
Just lay a marker for next season so we're going to come for the title next season.
00:40:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely.
00:40:05
Craig matthews
That's all we can do.
00:40:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree with you.
00:40:06
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:40:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think we've we've really got to try. and I know that I think it depends on what happens on Wednesday night, but I think regardless, we've got to go. we we have to go to Anfield and really lay a marker because we we also want to show that we we want to solidify Europe as well.
00:40:25
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:40:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it's not 100% confirmed that we've got Europe, but
00:40:25
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:40:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
According to Opta, we should be on course to get Europe with a 99.9% chance. So that should be very interesting. And then just quickly, um as we are recording this on a Monday night, um it finished Palace 1, Forest 1, which also actually kind of dents Forest's chance of gaining Champions League football.
00:40:55
Craig matthews
Well, you know what, if they don't get it's going to end the world for them. They've had a great season. Everyone backed them from relegation again this season anyway. They didn't turn out really where they are. They've really, I was given a award the manager of the season, what most improved manager of the season, I'd have to get to Nuno. I think that he has transformed Forest from where they were last season to this season.
00:41:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:41:16
Craig matthews
They did out of Wolves in the past, got into the European quarterfinals out of Wolves a couple of years ago. didn't have good spell at Tottenham, wasn't really given a chance, didn't work out for him, came to kind of rejuvenate his career and not in the forest.
00:41:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:41:29
Craig matthews
So you've got to get credit and credit due. He's got them players on good football, got some good players on the team. So, yeah.
00:41:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely. You're spot on. And I think tonight as well, I mean, I'll be honest with you, Palace played really well tonight. You know, thought they could have actually won the game, if anything.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, they had good chances in the first half, um got a penalty, got a penalty um in the second half.
00:41:50
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:41:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
just really unlucky that they Just really unlucky that they weren't able to just defend um because Forest went and scored minutes after Palace put the ball in the back of the net. um
00:42:07
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:42:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, right now, I mean, Glasner's got a good team cooking on under his spell, Yeah, absolutely.
00:42:16
Craig matthews
I think it's easy. Where Palace for the start of the season and where he's transformed into f FA Cup finalist and where they're up on the table, it's done a great job. It's excellent job.
00:42:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can see, i mean, I said it last season, I could see big things happening for Palace. um But I will say it again, i do see something big happening for Palace next season.
00:42:32
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:42:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they can hit the ground running early doors, I think they are set to have a great season ahead.
00:42:38
Craig matthews
yeah But thing I read, I feel like I was reading it up yesterday the day before yesterday. feel that Ezine might be available for selling or somewhere.
00:42:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:42:49
Craig matthews
They might sell Ezine or somewhere. That would be a massive blow. That would be a massive blow to them as well.
00:42:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, will. And it's how do they prepare? How will they prepare for life without Eze if he does leave in the summer? Same goes for Mark Gahey as well. You know, there's a lot of good players that, you know, clubs could come and ah come after as well. So it will be an interesting summer ahead for a lot of teams and Palace will be definitely a club to be watching.
00:43:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is for sure.
00:43:14
Craig matthews
and my test as well might be available as well not available but Cod Mark Trestling for them you when Cod do what other Cod pick their best players so yeah man
00:43:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:43:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:43:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:43:26
Craig matthews
yeah um
00:43:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, that is it for today. Have you liked what we've had to say? we would love to hear your thoughts on social media. So as always, make sure to get involved on our social media platforms, which can be found in our show notes.
00:43:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, make sure to go and show us some love and and support and so support us by subscribing to the GSPN network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie World Cup and more.
00:43:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. I've been your host, Jamie Patterson. He has been the amazing Craig Matthews. Have a great day all and take care.