Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Welcome back to the Daily Premier League podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Nick Bird. We're here on the 22nd of October 2025 to discuss the Champions League football of this midweek, kicking things off with Arsenal's demolition of Atletico Madrid, where Arsenal are gave Atletico Madrid their joint worst Champions League and European Cup defeat, a 4-0 defeat at the Emirates, and one from an Arsenal perspective that was incredibly satisfying.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was a game built to be this... battle of the defensive minds, but it was nothing of the sort from um arguably either perspective.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arsenal really dominant in this game, and there was the hosts deserved a goal in the first half, but it just didn't quite come. Saka absolutely deserved to get a goal or assist from this game, and somehow...
Global Sports Podcast Network: left the stadium without one last night but it was ah performance that really sent a message and laid a marker down in the Champions League I believe from an Arsenal point of view and It kicked off inside the first three minutes where Arsenal could have had arguably two goals.
Global Sports Podcast Network: As they hit the bar, Rice should have turned the rebound in. There was a chance for Saka, I believe, really early on. And it was a game going into that i thought Arsenal could suffer a weird 1-0 loss, but potentially Julian Alvarez just picking something special out of his bag.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And he almost did on at least one occasion when he hit the bar in the second half. But apart from that, and then when Giovanni Simeone really should have scored with Ryan nowhere near his goal after he tried something a bit
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah bit um unlike him, I'll say, where he thought the ball going to roll out for a goal kick and then it wasn't.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And he had to quickly put it into the stands, but couldn't recover quick enough. And Simeone just put it wide of the open goal. But apart from those two occasions, the Arsenal defence, the Arsenal goalkeeper were never threatened.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Although there was finally a shot on target against Arsenal for the first time in about 280 minutes, I believe. So congratulations to Atletico Madrid for that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I saw ah quote from Koke after the game where he believed until the first goal that Atletico Madrid had the game under control, which I feel is almost a testament to Arsenal that a team who basically had nothing going on for themselves in that game up until the call still felt they had control just because Arsenal hadn't scored yet but once that first goal came and Declan Rice delivered a unbelievable ball for Gabriel to head in who probably won't get an easier goal all season
Global Sports Podcast Network: as Nico Gonzalez dropped too early to play him onside and then made it even worse when he didn't really try to head the ball as it came over him. So that put Arsenal in front and then it was a very quick 2-3-4.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Myles Lewis-Gelly with something that is sort of his trademark run now as he... got the ball, dropped the shoulder and just ran through the middle of the Atletico Madrid team and laid it off for Martinelli who couldn't put those shots in last year but this time he had enough power, he had the placement as well to put it into the bottom corner with a slight helping hand of Oblak but the shot was too powerful for Oblak to put it past the post and that's all you can ask from Martinelli who has struggled in the last few years but
Global Sports Podcast Network: He tied the Brazilian goal-scoring record in the Premier League in 22-23 when he scored 15 goals. And a lot of those finishes were the sort of finish we saw last night where it's that Thierry Henry-esque right-footed to the far post opening up the body.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So if he can if he's got that shot back down, if he has the confidence, which he seems to have as he started this season really well, Trostard is getting goals while not...
Global Sports Podcast Network: necessarily performing incredibly, he should arguably have more goals this season, then if those left wingers, which is the evident weak spot of this Arsenal team, especially when Eze can't play there because of Verdicard's injury, as I expect him to, then this Arsenal team looks even scarier because that was...
Global Sports Podcast Network: an area of the pitch where the last season or two seasons you could just trust that they weren't really going to add anything to Arsenal's game. But then the third goal came and it was a bit little bit messy for Giocarez. He was almost I didn't know. He says it was because of VAR, but I think he was a little bit almost embarrassed about how the goal came about. It wasn't clean. It was deflected in past or black.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But then just a few minutes later, he his movement's great from the corner when it's delivered to the back post. Gabriel heads it back across goal and he reads it well and beats his defenders to it. And he's...
Global Sports Podcast Network: He looks happier then. And for a player who's got a lot of criticism from inside but primarily outside the Arsenal fanbase, I think getting that confidence going into a pretty big game at the weekend against Palace is going to be crucial.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And it's a player who is working so hard at the moment for this Arsenal team without being able to get any rest because... The only backup is Mikel Marino, who you don't really want to play up front.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I was glad that Gioca has got some rest after the game was wrapped up last night, but I can't wait for Havertz to be back and then... You've got two very different strikers who can play for games that suit them and change the game if it's not going to plan. But at the moment, this Arsenal team looks incredibly scary on both the domestic and European front.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And while there hadn't yet been game where I think rival fans or neutrals... we were able to go, yeah they this Arsenal team's really serious if they weren't paying attention to just how well Arsenal were playing.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think it was easy to go, oh, it's their set pieces again. This isn't sustainable. This isn't reliable. But the overall game is so much better than last year so far for Arsenal. So I think that really sent a message last night and that there's a real chance to to do something this season for Arteta his side so I think it's fair to say that they look somewhat comfortably the best team in the Premier League at the moment, and that is one of the better Champions League performances we've seen so far this season the two and a half match days. Obviously, we've got some big games tonight, but Arsenal look really strong. and
Global Sports Podcast Network: We'll move on to the other two Premier League games from last night, but first we'll hear about Bayern League.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So Manchester City and Newcastle what both won last night. Newcastle with a very dominant win against Jose Mourinho is Benfica. And it was only Dodi Luka Bakio who really came close for the Portuguese team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He came close three times in the first half, twice before Gordon's opener. But once again, after that... and But apart from those chances, it was really comfortable for Newcastle.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Gordon with now the first person in Newcastle's history to score 3-3 in the Champions League. But weirdly, he has no Premier League goal since January, which was came against Wolves.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So I'm sure he'll be hoping for ah goal very similar to the goal he scored last night, which was incredibly easy for him as you just had to tap it in at the back post. And the other two goals, Barnes with a really good finish for the second after a long throw from Nick Pope and
Global Sports Podcast Network: Parnes kind of just held off his defender and then put it across goal, which obviously it isn't easy to do. ah third, the defence is a little bit calamitous, but it's still quite a strong finish from Harvey Barnes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: As Newcastle go and win the game 3-0, and they ah let me they are two wins and a loss, and obviously one loss came against Barcelona, which has them 7th at the moment.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I imagine they'll... Moved slightly down after tonight's games, but a strong start in the Champions League for them. And it they'll be hoping it's an area where Gordon's goals will now transfer into the Premier League because he has really struggled, like I say, to find that form in the Premier League for quite a while now.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Barnes off the bench with two goals is obviously going to be really nice as well because he he feels like that one of their big... depth pieces, to put it in almost American terms.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And the their depth is quite weak and they've struggled early on in the Premier League and having those players who can come in and change games going be massive if they can turn their season around a bit.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Then on to Manchester City, it was a much closer game than I think anyone would would have expected it was quite the dominant first half where they got their two goals Harland and Bernardo Silva quite early on with their goals but after that they there were chances for them to score again but Villarreal came with the better ones and they were they really had a chance to to steal this in the second half and Nicolas Pepe looks almost revitalized after he had that massive move to Arsenal for £72 million. pounds But although wasn't completely awful, he was really poor.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So it's nice to see him kind of re-find himself and but That team, apart from one or two players at Villarreal who maybe shouldn't be playing football, looks quite an enjoyable watch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But they had two big chances and didn't take it, whereas City had five and clearly and didn't take all of those. So City, probably good value for the win, but...
Global Sports Podcast Network: These are the sort of games in previous years where you feel City would absolutely blow their teeth their opposition out of the water. So i think there's still some potential concerns about how good City actually are.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They've had a quite nice run of games recently, but they well um the big tests are to come. They obviously managed to get a draw at the Emirates, but it's going interesting to see them against the best teams and how they can deal with that because Haaland is it does feel like Haaland's carrying them a bit. Doku has been really, really good though. and But it doesn't feel like those standout players where you look across the team and you can't pick pick holes in any of them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah don't I don't think that's quite the same anymore for Manchester City. But they moved to three... it was it's three wins and a draw, obviously.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I almost forgot they drew late against Monaco last time out. They really should be three wins from three in the Champions League. And the they managed to get a little bit lucky with...
Global Sports Podcast Network: um not having to face Napoli against 10 men, but I will remind you, Ken picked a Napoli to win the Champions League and they lost 6-2 to PSV last year. So I don't know if Ken is already...
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah regretting that pick I'm sure Nick will the other Nick ah on the podcast will poke fun at him for that and we'll if he's changed his mind or he's going stick firm with that earlier prediction I'm just trying to find City have who City's big games are in the league phase so they've got Real Madrid away in December.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then the other. They don't really have another game. Where I look at it and go that will be difficult. Because they have Dortmund. They have Bayer Leverkusen.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Both of those at home. Then Real Madrid away. And then Bode Glimt away. And Galatasaray at home. good. they i think they should be fine for the top eight from that, whereas they struggled a bit last year.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But a good night for Premier League teams in the Champions League last night. We'll hear a bit about Zencastle and talk about the Premier League Champions League games tonight.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Two more Premier League teams to play in the Champions League tonight. Liverpool and Chelsea will kick it off with the London club. They face Ajax at home, who should be a relatively easy opponent for Enzo Moresca's side, as Ajax are fourth in the Eredivisie.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They are winless in three games and have yet to score in the Champions League, conceding six goals in their first two games. And... you this should be ah routine for Chelsea if they want to kind of show their level. Obviously, Cole Palmer is out for a while, but there's been a few bright spots for Chelsea in recent weeks. that Obviously, ah a massive win against Liverpool was is kind of the standout result in there, but they got a comfortable win at the weekend against Nottingham Forest in Ange's last game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They're on a ah streak of three wins in a row. We'll see if they can finally stop getting red cards in this game. and But this it should be relatively comfortable.
Global Sports Podcast Network: If they are struggling to score and conceding against this Ajax team, I think there'll be some valid question marks about this team's potential.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think there was lots of talk earlier or early on in the season about can this Chelsea team would go challenge for the title and I think we've already seen that that is incredibly unlikely. I just think the three teams ahead of them are just better than them at the moment even with Liverpool's struggles. You'd imagine they'll sort it out and still finish this season as a better team than Chelsea.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Going back to Ajax, they have just one win in their last six and it came against a team with 10 men. So they this is a team who aren't just struggling generally, but they're...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Even the one win, it it can't fulfill them with loads of confidence because it came against 10 men. Moving on to the other game, Liverpool travelled to Frankfurt, Hugo Eketike's last club, Virch returning to play a Bundesliga team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And it is a team who have had possibly the weirdest start to the Champions League. They won their first game 5-1 against Galatasaray, but then lost five one in their second game of the Champions League.
Global Sports Podcast Network: it They're a team who are really exciting, but incredibly bad defensively. They've conceded the most in the Bundesliga, despite being 7th in the league.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But again, there's been so many players Frankfurt have managed to bring through and they seem to be doing it again. And it's Can Uzzin, this time a Turkish attacking midfielder who has five goals and three assists in seven this season. He's going to be the one to look out for from a Frankfurt perspective. But from a Liverpool sp perspective, this should be a chance to rebound if they don't win this game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You really wonder what questions are going to be asked of Slott and the confidence of this team. Because this is a team they shouldn't struggle to score against. They have immense quality in attack.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And although Liverpool look concerning defensively, and they probably will concede in this game... They have to have to figure something out sooner rather than later if they want to retain that Premier League specifically.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But the Champions League has always been a big trophy for Liverpool and they have struggled to start this year because that that loss away at Galatasaray is...
Global Sports Podcast Network: was a big problem. They looked really bad in it and it's continued since then. So we'll see if Liverpool can get returned to winning ways. i My mind thinks they will, but you almost just can't be sure about how the Liverpool team is going to perform every game at the moment.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Will Salah get dropped because he's been so poor recently? Will Eketike get the start as he probably deserves to after Izak's poor start? And Eketike just changes games as soon as he's on the pitch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: This is probably a good opportunity for Verts to get some confidence against team he is familiar in facing, but... then if he still doesn't really affect the game, are there going to be more questions there? so feels like such an important game already and we're just in the tail eleven tail end of October. so Some interesting games to look forward to from Premier League point of view. I think the standout game this tonight is probably Real Madrid vs Juventus of all of them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: like the I don't think we can all have quite as many goals as there were was last night in the Champions League, but I'm sure there'll be some standout games that people will be watching in both Real Madrid, Juventus, and i think Frankfurt-Liverpool is also going to very interesting watch because of the excitement of Frankfurt and the concern around Liverpool.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So... Enjoy the viewing of the Champions League games tonight. I've been Nick Bird. This been the Daily Premier League podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. And I'll be back with you tomorrow to discuss those two games and perhaps preview the Europa League and Friday Premier League games. So thank you for joining me and enjoy the rest of your evenings.
