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Daily Arsenal - S1 - E147: Liverpool preview, where do we go from here??
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In this episode we will be discussing our game away to the new Premier League champions Liverpool as well as talking about the next steps for Arsenal and we discuss about results from the Europa League semi finals second legs. 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
00:00:00
Craig matthews
yeah
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast, the only place to catch your daily fix of Arsenal, where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things
Reflecting on Recent Events: Feelings and Coping Strategies
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network, I am your host Jamie Patterson and coming out of his 24-hour hibernation, i am joined by the one and only Craig Mackey.
00:00:37
Craig matthews
e
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Craig, I have to ask, man, but ah how are you feeling?
00:00:38
Craig matthews
Oh, man.
00:00:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's 24 hours since, well, we're recording this on a Thursday night.
00:00:43
Craig matthews
Boy.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been 24 hours since since um since we, you know, kind of, you know, I'm not going to go into too much detail, but, you know, but ah yeah, how are you feeling, mate?
00:00:58
Craig matthews
If you don't laugh, you're gonna not cry, so let me just laugh for now.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's so true.
00:01:02
Craig matthews
Let me just laugh for now, boy.
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's so true.
00:01:07
Craig matthews
Yeah, but other than that, I'm just reflecting on what happened yesterday and just, what else can I do man? Nothing else I can do really, they can't change the result now, it's over and done, we just have to move on and strive another day as they say.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
now
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly that. Exactly that.
Podcast Agenda: Matches and Leagues Overview
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in this episode, we will be discussing our game away to the newly crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool at Anfield.
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are going to, I'm going to pick your brains about the PSG game as well, Craig, because I'd like to hear your thoughts. But, and then we'll also talk about ah the Europa League and the Conference League as well. Jeez almighty. It just, the salt really does get rubbed into the wounds, but we'll discuss a bit more about that later on in the show.
PSG Game Reflections: Missed Opportunities and Frustrations
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But as always, guys, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed, please do get involved um through our social media, which can be found in the show notes in the description.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, Craig, before we do look ahead to the Liverpool game, I've got to get your thoughts on last night and and PSG. I mean... i I kind of... What I normally like to do is I always ask the boys on the group chat who's available, whos who wants to record a podcast. um Bit last minute, and I kind of had a gut feeling that we would record with the daily EPL guys.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And my gut straight away told me, yep, I'm not seeing Craig on this recording. I just knew you were going to go into hibernation. And that was it. ah soon as as soon as i As soon as I got the message, I didn't even need to wait for a message on the group chat because I knew that was it. I weren't going to hear from you till today.
Arsenal's Trophy Drought: Ongoing Challenges
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:02:58
Craig matthews
Nah, I was just like, I was just too upset last time then man. I was just frustrated. Not upset like crying or something. It's just frustrating because think a lot of us in the group chat were very frustrated yesterday day as well.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:12
Craig matthews
Not just me, wrote me, Josh D, Josh Duncan.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah oh yeah, absolutely.
00:03:17
Craig matthews
A lot of us were frustrated because it's been the story of our season. Or the story of the last five years, like, we get the near, near, near, getting some progress and well, but not getting over the line.
00:03:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:33
Craig matthews
And that' that's been the problem, like, now. The thing that worries me now that players are, and this summer, a lot players are going to be in that the final two years of their contract.
00:03:45
Craig matthews
And then the club want to resign, they want to a new contract. A lot of them have the option to say, well, do I want to stay or not? because I want to win trophies. It happened in the past.
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:56
Craig matthews
Remember in the past, other players in the past.
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:03:58
Craig matthews
Van Persie, the Nasbury, the Fabregas of this world, they got frustrated.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye Yeah, absolutely.
00:04:04
Craig matthews
Other clubs sent to them they've been opposite to trophies. They left and had won trophies. All of them left won trophies. I don't want to see that happen to us again, but we need to start bucking up our ideas now and i'm being serious a club and start winning trophies again, big trophies again.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's it's painful to actually say this, but... we we haven't won a trophy in five years. Like, you know, it's easy for it's easy for us to sit here and, you know, banter about Spurs and banter about United and all these other clubs.
00:04:28
Craig matthews
in in
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the fact that, you know, fair enough, they you know they they're struggling as it is and and so on.
00:04:38
Craig matthews
in
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... you know, Arteta came in, there was promising signs that, yes, you know, we won an FA Cup trophy, you know, if you want to, look, if you really want to, if you want to really kind of glamorise it a bit more, yeah, throw the community shields in as well, but it's just, it's been so frustrating for us, it has really been frustrating, because as you've said, Craig, and I will, I'm going to mention this now, actually, but, you know, take this season, for example, you know, we get to a semi-final of the Carabao Cup,
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
poor, poor in both legs, you know, Champions League semi-final. dinta Again, as I said on last night's pod with with the with the boys from the Daily EPL, is the fact that we've just gotten into such a habit where we take a lead, where we just can't hold it or we have all these chances in the in the first half,
Capitalizing on Leads Against Top Teams
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't capitalise and don't take them, and then go and get punished in the second half.
00:05:41
Craig matthews
a
00:05:47
Craig matthews
To be fair, that last night, Donnarummo made some wildcard, I think he made like five or six wildcard saves in the first half.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't get over the Odegaard volley.
00:05:56
Craig matthews
But Odegaard was the best save out all of them. Odegaard was the second one, one when he sat a club in the top corner and he closed it out on his hand.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:06:03
Craig matthews
I've got that chance. the Martianelli chance could have finished on another day with the score. The ball came and he it.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:12
Craig matthews
And there's so many chances we'll miss. And I said to myself, we don't take any chance. I said to my brother last night, if they take one chance, said to him, if we score first, and Salah's up, thought I said to you as well, yeah, no.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you said yeah we we actually said this. We we said that we we were kind of a bit lenient, I'll be honest. We both said, well, I even said to you, you know, first 20 minutes of the game, we have to have to mark we have to really mark our territory, get that early goal.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as we both said, silence the PSG fans. But no, it just wasn't enough.
00:06:45
Craig matthews
I think for the first 25 to 30 minutes we were dominating them. For the first 10 minutes we were peppering them.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
00:06:51
Craig matthews
will fli more
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I took the words out of my mouth.
00:06:53
Craig matthews
We
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, absolutely peppered them. Yeah, for real.
00:06:58
Craig matthews
were very aggressive. We pushed like our timbo as a winger. Pushed like a fumble forward. We were absolutely destroying them. But as I say it in football, if you don't take your chances, or as I say in soft slang, if you don't finish your dinner, you will get punished.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that.
00:07:15
Craig matthews
I'm going to finish our tarts here.
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:19
Craig matthews
I've got punnies for it.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. no that's so true. I mean, I'll be honest with you, last night, after ah when Mikel got in contact with me um and he asked me about doing the the pod, I thought, oh, this is going to be such a such a painful podcast.
00:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is probably going to be one of the most painful podcasts I record because sit and talk about my own club in the Champions League semi-final not progressing,
00:07:42
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, it was just... It's heartbreaking. And you know what even Even this morning, waking up, I still... ah It was like I was still hungover. it was like I was still hungover. It was so, so painful.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... You know, unfortunately, the the one thing I didn't mention on last night's pod, and I think it was because I was so upset, so hot-headed and frustrated and heartbroken and everything, is I am proud. we You know, don't get anything twisted.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're immensely proud of what the boys have done because... To go and defy the odds, beating Real Madrid home and away, getting to a semi-final is an achievement in itself.
00:08:25
Craig matthews
definitely
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I understand for a lot of listeners listening, yes, another season without a trophy. And it is frustrating. We we understand that. But in certain situations, you've got to try and take the positives out of it.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, the boys should be proud of themselves.
00:08:49
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, this is good experience to kind of take on going into the next, like going into next season, because it now shows that, hold on a minute, Arsenal are now experienced semi-finalists.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are players that know how to perform and how to cope under pressure in big games and But again it again, I've said it over and over again to so
Strategic Signings and Squad Strengthening
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
many people.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure if I keep repeating myself, I'd be a billionaire for every one but every pound I would say this phrase. But, you know, Andrea Berta, huge, huge summer ahead for him.
00:09:24
Craig matthews
hmm
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it's not only the signings, but it's also about maintaining contracts, extending contracts. He's got a very, very big job ahead of him.
00:09:40
Craig matthews
I thought it totally agree. I feel that life. We've brought him in because of what it did at Atletico Madrid where he can get great players. As Solomon from big money, like he got Griezmann, sold him Barcelona for big money.
00:09:51
Craig matthews
He brought him back.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah believe so yeah yeah
00:09:52
Craig matthews
He did a workout. I think he brought in Alvarez as well from Man City in the summer. He brought in a lot of players. He brought Al Black as well. I like Al Black, goalkeeper from Atletico.
00:10:03
Craig matthews
brought a lot of good players on good deals and sold him for profit. We're looking to do the dis same, also bringing but also get value for money and get a good deals for players and sell them want get a good resale value on them in the future if we need to make a profit on them.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah absolutely
00:10:19
Craig matthews
Because with Edu, he didn't do that at all. He didn't really make any profit on the players that we bought.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:10:26
Craig matthews
Edu giving up a lot of free transfers on players, lost not a lot of money on transfer fees. So I'd like to see what Berta does with the squad. I put my faith in him, he'll do well. But I feel that this summer has to be a great summer window, not last two weeks of the summer window.
00:10:41
Craig matthews
We're still waiting to see Tanya decide.
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't want... I think the one thing that we don't want, and I think we've all said that on the group chat last night, is we don't want no panic buys.
00:10:44
Craig matthews
No.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sterling was a prime example.
00:10:50
Craig matthews
No.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And plus, Arsenal have been really well known for panic buying in the January market as well as the summer market. um
00:10:59
Craig matthews
oh
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I said this to you actually before we went on air. um And that is what Arsenal need to be doing going forward is now we we need to start signing players...
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
early We need to be signing players early doors because you also mentioned it as well, Craig, is the fact that the top six, regardless of who finishes in the top six this season, Villa are going to strengthen.
00:11:13
Craig matthews
And.
00:11:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
City are most definitely going to strengthen. Liverpool most definitely are going to strengthen. players like Teams like Newcastle will probably go and strengthen.
00:11:34
Craig matthews
and
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe even a Fulham will probably go and strengthen because they will go and eight they're going to get they will aim for Europe.
00:11:38
Craig matthews
and
00:11:43
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um so it's And again, I'll throw Forrest actually into the mix as well because now that they are on course to get European football, whether that is Champions League Europa League or Conference League if worse comes to worse, it's just now...
00:11:58
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
All these teams are going to strengthen around us. We need to be doing the same and we need to be making some statement signings now because we can't afford...
Transfer Talks and Contract Renewals
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
When we were in that first season where we were competing for... You know, where we weren't even deemed as title favourites. You know, we were playing great football.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it was that pink kit. um You know, games like Palace away first first game of the season and Bournemouth away and all this, that and the other. Played some great football.
00:12:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we we now we can't afford to now sign... upcoming talent, we need to sign players that are ready-made and are willing and raring to go You know, like I said, back then, we could have done with that.
00:12:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Someone ready-made, you know, someone where, okay, maybe we can bring in someone like a Benjamin Sesko. He's young. He's still hungry. He's, you know, we could get really good long-term investment out of him.
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But now it's come to the point where we we need to. do you not think now, Craig, we need to be signing ready-made players now?
00:13:05
Craig matthews
I was just about to say that to you. I was going to say that need to get ready-made players straight away now. Players are going to hit the ground. Like when and Sainz-Sainko when they first came in, everybody, everyone's doubting us about how we're going finish and we've done well with them two.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:13:19
Craig matthews
They were ready. They were just special win-and-pronely title with Man City. They were discarded by Pep Guardiola. We got them on decent fees for them. They paid a lot of money for them.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:29
Craig matthews
and they hit the ground running. Where think Arteta went wrong, after that season of dealing with the league, he should continued bringing in more them type of players, experienced bros, winners, proven winners to get over the line.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:42
Craig matthews
And if he'd done that, maybe he would have won the league by now.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. I think with Arteta, what he's kind of done is, I feel like he's trying to get the old band back together, like how it was at City.
00:13:54
Craig matthews
Hmm. Yeah.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you brought in Sterling, who I believe worked really well under Arteta when he was at City.
00:14:03
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, his stats were probably up there as some of the best.
00:14:07
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then you've got Zinchenko, you've got Jesus. um
00:14:13
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
There were rumours flying around about even Leroy Sane. And I just thought, why Arsenal trying to get the old man City band back together? the old man city band back together each you know There's a reason why
00:14:27
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know players do so well and then go i swear youd i mean
00:14:34
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you look at like, for example, look at City and Gundogan. Had great season at City, went off to Barcelona, done what he needed to do, came back to City and now look at him.
00:14:46
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, it's going to be a huge summer ahead for Arsenal, you know. and another thing actually we forgot to mention is I think... In terms of outgoings, we need to be really like we need to try and get outgoings out this summer or else, again, FFP could be a big, big problem for us if we don't start selling players and we start bringing in players like crazy.
00:15:02
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:15:13
Craig matthews
I think Ruiz Nelson, he'll be FFT because he's homegrown. I think homegrown players can't have FFT as pure profit because they're the ones who are homegrown talent. So he would have to go. Fabio Vieira would have to go.
00:15:27
Craig matthews
Lokonga, Tavares, Senstead and Mattson to Chelsea, Netto back to Boromo.
00:15:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Neto going back to Bournemouth.
00:15:36
Craig matthews
Who else would I tell him that Arsenal's here? Cheschenko, he would come as a homegrown player as well because he's been I think he'll get under homegrown players also have a he goes, that'll be profit as well. um We can't sell Jay-Z because he's still injured, so we won't get him.
00:15:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Injured.
00:15:52
Craig matthews
Tom Yasu, as much as him as a player, he's been so injured for Arsenal and they can't rely on him anymore.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, my gosh, yes, Tomi Asu.
00:16:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
of absolutely agree.
00:16:02
Craig matthews
So, Samson's cut lot of them moving on. um Perfect. Who else do we need to sell? I'll give Califuri one more season and see what he does next season. But if he doesn't...
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think Califiori, I'd give him another season.
00:16:16
Craig matthews
But if he doesn't buck off his ideas next season, like with injuries and fitness and whatever, what I would look to move him on next summer. Give him another season because he's done well when Gabriel's been injured.
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:27
Craig matthews
But i would I would bring in another centre-back just in case, like another centre-back to bring...
00:16:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just in case.
00:16:34
Craig matthews
The area that we We've got got this young Colombian goalkeeper who's quite good.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:16:48
Craig matthews
He just signed into a professional contract recently, did one on the 20 World Cup, I think it was, for Colombia.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:55
Craig matthews
He in the future, Frost made it, just gave him new deal. So we need another goalkeeper, I would say. um and Definitely enough of me as Partey goes as well. Partey is with Gino going as well.
00:17:05
Craig matthews
So we need someone to replace them too.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
now now you can Now you can really understand why I said that Berta's really got his work cut out this summer.
00:17:15
Craig matthews
Definitely the wingers to replace Trossard. This one's upgraded Martinelli. Or competition for Martinelli. Because they
Previewing the Liverpool Clash: Strategies and Significance
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And a sack of backup as well.
00:17:23
Craig matthews
can push him to level.
00:17:26
Craig matthews
yeah ah I think the bench was on the bench recently, like the young kid, like Oddie, Ajay, he's definitely going to sold in the summer.
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't know, actually. might get Maybe you might even get loaned out.
00:17:40
Craig matthews
yes Well, it's 24 now and he has hardly played for Arsenal, so I don't think, if was younger, like 18, 19, 21, I think they'll give him one another gate and i season, but it's
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah They'll see they' loan him out for a season, but...
00:17:55
Craig matthews
He's getting to that age now where needs to be playing regular football. We can't really... And if we want to win titles, we're not going to win titles with players like that. no justpes We need get like stronger back up on the bench.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I agree.
00:18:08
Craig matthews
I'll go for two strikers in the summer. I think one is the bench man.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I probably would as well. I'm sure i'm sure you you saying that, you've probably made JD's night, to be fair, because I think he put a voice note out in our in our group chat and he was like, he cut a long story short, he basically said that he just didn't want to see Haberts touch a ball ever again.
00:18:30
Craig matthews
Yeah, I feel like we need, feel like Dilap or maybe an Osman or not, Gokuriz would be a good, that Dilap could rotate, um just having a rotational player, in some games you rotate them, loud we need a stronger bench.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:45
Craig matthews
I'm sure if we're winger to, what winger is it? I like Semenya, hmm.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth, oh yeah, we'd happi take some ao happily happily. I'll tell you someone else that I would take, and Rodney rodney mentioned it on on the group chat, which is ah Jamie Gittins from Dortmund.
00:18:55
Craig matthews
yeah
00:19:04
Craig matthews
He's a good player. I like him.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd actually take him.
00:19:07
Craig matthews
He's young as well. like he's young is and and and hiss potential were His potential will get even better.
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah. No, absolutely spot on. Absolutely spot on.
00:19:19
Craig matthews
I like Nico Williams, but feel that he he wants too much money, wages, and he wants a high plate.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:26
Craig matthews
I like him. I like him i like them a lot, but Arsenal
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do like him. Don't get that twisted as well. Yeah.
00:19:31
Craig matthews
Arsenal are not going to pay them have money they want on wages for him. He wants about 400 grand a week and they're not going to pay
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. He he would he would make her... If we were to even bring him in on 300 grand a week, he would still be up there. He would be off probably our highest earner.
00:19:43
Craig matthews
that.
00:19:46
Craig matthews
Yeah. And then you have to realise you don't want to upset other players. Like, if Saka wants a new contract, if wants a new contract, you're to have to give him higher wages. Then the wages will get higher and higher and higher.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:56
Craig matthews
So, and, and, with that, if the boys go higher and higher, you have to win a trophy to justify having a higher weight you know what mean?
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. No, you you're spot on there.
00:20:05
Craig matthews
So, yeah.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely spot on. But we're going to take a quick break in the meantime. I know we've ah we have rambled on quite a bit about the Arsenal-PSG game, but hopefully, Craig, that's out of your system now.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We'll look ahead.
00:20:17
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:20:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
we'll We'll be looking ahead to Liverpool in the next part. So just join us after the break.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome back to the Daily Arsenal podcast. We will be looking ahead to our game against Liverpool coming up this weekend.
00:21:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Craig, the the question is, and I put this as the title... But where do we go from here now? Especially going ahead, going to Anfield.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know that we haven't had the best of results in previous years against them. But where do we go from here? Because, you know, how how do you kind of, you know, especially after what happened against PSG, how do you prepare the boys for this weekend's game?
00:21:43
Craig matthews
which
00:21:47
Craig matthews
Well, everyone, I heard today that Arsenal players were crying yesterday after the game. Some players were crying to change them after the game. After they to uplift the players, I tell you to them, we've still got still our job to do for the rest of the season. and we have to win our final three games of the season and just to secure second place and get chance to do for next season if one play chance to do next season.
00:22:08
Craig matthews
You have to find a way how to motivate these players for this game. It's a massive game. I don't care. where we are on the table right now, but we need to win this game. Statement, win to Liverpool. We're coming to your crown next season. ah We have to go out there and win our games.
00:22:21
Craig matthews
Put a little run on from now until next season. I showed teams that we're not going to force away in recent weeks. We have to go out there, leave clinical, win the game and just take it from there because we can't afford to lose another game against Liverpool.
00:22:37
Craig matthews
Nah, that would deflect the copy. That will The fans will really turn, some fans will really turn and they'll turn the fans even more.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:45
Craig matthews
We need to just go out there on Sunday and win. Just go out there win. Doesn't matter how we win, just win.
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you you're absolutely spot on there. um I saw at the end of the game, David Ryab was in tears after the game. And you know what?
00:23:00
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:23:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Part of me isn't... ah You know, I do feel for the boys in that sense. However... the I just feel like the mentality kind of the mentality was just so much different compared to the Real Madrid game and obviously compared to last night.
00:23:15
Craig matthews
and Yeah.
00:23:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But for me, going into this game, like you said, we we haven't won at Anfield. When was the last time we even won at Anfield, actually? It was 2000 and...
00:23:28
Craig matthews
eleven 11-12 seasons.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was thinking yeah.
00:23:31
Craig matthews
That was Val Perse. Val Perse scored two goals that game. He scored a volley against Reynard. I remember that game very well.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wasn't that the year that we...
00:23:40
Craig matthews
its very
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wasn't that the year we were under Nike? We wore that black and purple kit.
00:23:45
Craig matthews
No, it was the blue one, the blue kit.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, the navy blue one.
00:23:51
Craig matthews
Yeah, the blue one.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Ah, yes.
00:23:52
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember the one you were on about. Yes.
00:23:55
Craig matthews
yeah
00:23:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, my gosh.
00:23:56
Craig matthews
yeah
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, yeah, I think going into this game, we we we have to use... We have to use last weekend, and we have to use the game um as Real momentum going going into this weekend.
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We can't afford to... we And the thing is now, we've we've got to put last night behind us now. I mean, don't get don't get anything twisted. I know that we're all deflated and I know we're all upset with last night's results, but...
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
at the end of the day, we we still have to try and secure Europe. I know that according to Opta, we're like 99.9% confident that we finish in Europe.
00:24:30
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... you know confident that we we
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and but At the end of the day, if we can go, like you said, Craig, if we can go to Liverpool and go and make a statement by saying, right, you know what?
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cool. Congratulations. You guys won the league title, but we're coming here to not mess around. Do you know I mean? Plus, since Liverpool have been confirmed title winners, do you feel like the pace has slightly dropped a little bit?
00:24:59
Craig matthews
yeah
00:25:09
Craig matthews
Well, did against Chelsea last week. didn't think that was a loser against Chelsea. When they going there and put statement win at them, they lost against them. So, they did wrestle a lot.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:18
Craig matthews
They had their key players. Like, Gravenberg wasn't playing. Camacho wasn't playing. They kind of had, like, a different team. Timbercastle played instead Robinson. So, they had a different team. So, I would hope We take notes from that game last week and go in there and beat them.
00:25:33
Craig matthews
We need to beat them. I've been there for a long time. we beat them there, they'll be still for next season. We can go to Arsenal to win at Arsenal. So, yeah.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you absolutely spot on there. ah For me, I just think you've kind of really hit the nail on the head. The fact that we've we've
Martin Odegaard's Captaincy: Impact on Performance
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
got to go... you know we've got There's you can where...
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
there's so much from a perspective you can see where we We can use that in our advantage. You know, again, last weekend, Liverpool dropping you know liverpool losing.
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one thought that would have happened, especially at Stamford Bridge. So we can use that as an advantage. You know, there's obviously, you know, we lost against Bournemouth last weekend and so on.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That should be enough out firepower to be like, right, well, we need, we've we've we've got to go to Anfield and really make a statement. Excuse me, we have to make a statement win.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just need, well again, i need my captain to turn up. We need Odegaard to turn up. And I really hope to see this in the last three games because, again, for me personally, not been his strongest season, would I be giving him the captain's armband for next season?
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
umming and ahhing, but I'd probably give it one more season. And if I still think that Odegaard is not performing to the way he's performing, then I would be a bit more, I might be a bit more apprehensive.
00:27:05
Craig matthews
the question want to ask you then that,
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on.
00:27:08
Craig matthews
um Do you think, do you feel that him being captain is putting extra pressure on him? You can't handle the pressure at the moment. think him being captain is this season? Maybe last season was OK, season before it was OK. think that him being captain is feeling and more pressure because he has to deliver in every game compared to when he wasn't captain and he was like one of the players like just playing in football?
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? It's a really good question you ask. And I actually have to agree because you look at look at previous Arsenal captains, I've realised that certain certain captains we've had in previous years, they've they've not some have some have stood up to to the the standards.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think, you know, compared to Odegaard before he was captain... he had so much, he was given so much freedom and, you know, he his play was really good.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said it, and I said it on, ah on yesterday's pod where, you know, with only God, he would always make that run to the penalty spot and he'd be there to finish. And we've just not seen it since he's come back from injury.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again,
00:28:15
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We don't know what the factors could be. It could be maybe the fact that maybe the maybe the the injury he's had has maybe had a sustain on him. We don't know. Only Odegaard knows himself.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think maybe the pressure has got to him a little bit. And I think it is quite evident, to be honest with you, Would I be changing captain? i might maybe just hold, like I said, I might maybe hold out for another season and just see how he goes from there.
00:28:44
Craig matthews
Hmm.
Predictions for the Liverpool Game
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if I say, ah don't know, but this is the thing. If I was halfway through the season and I don't know if I would change my captain halfway through the season or just wait till the end of next season, I don't know. What would you do?
00:29:02
Craig matthews
ah ah ah ah audit trial or trial during free season like give it because it's got I'll give it to Deca Rice, the captain, for one game pre-season, if all the guys are available, see how he does.
00:29:16
Craig matthews
Give it to Gabriel, because he's a leader as well.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:18
Craig matthews
There's three captains that I love to say, sack Odoi's captain, would say Rice, Gabriel and Saka. the second one will be the last one.
00:29:30
Craig matthews
I willla don't want his game to change either because he's young.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, I agree.
00:29:35
Craig matthews
I know when Cesc Favre gets a lot of captains back in the day that he was quite young, but he's still led by example. We don't want to give it to player who gets their form going out the window and they start, know what mean?
00:29:48
Craig matthews
So...
00:29:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. i don't know. i just think going into this game against Liverpool, it's going to be a big one.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Regardless of, i know that obviously, yeah, Liverpool have been, cra you know, Liverpool are going to, you know, Premier League champions for this season. But it's still going to be a really feisty game.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Craig, before we just, before we go to an ad break real quick, um prediction for the weekend game?
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't even ask you.
00:30:20
Craig matthews
oh so oh one You know what, yeah.
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
God.
00:30:27
Craig matthews
I'd like a 2-1 Arsenal win, but I'd happy with that.
00:30:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
To an Arsenal win, yeah?
00:30:33
Craig matthews
Yeah. We need to win at Alistair. I'd love a 2-1 win, it would be nicer to go there. win the game. I don't know who scores, how long we get is goal, but we're going to win nick in the last minute. That would be nice against the champions.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, for real, definitely. I'll be honest with you, i think it's going a really cagey game. I'm going through to Arsenal.
00:30:57
Craig matthews
Okay.
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think it's goingnna be a really cagey game, you know.
00:31:01
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think especially that especially with the fact that Liverpool lost last weekend, they're going to want to make amends. so And the thing is, if they go if we go to Anfield and we beat Liverpool, that's like two games in a row that they've lost.
00:31:08
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I know that they've wrapped up the Premier League title, but and I know lot not a lot of people will care. but But... You know, it would be good to kind of just go and stamp our authority.
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, it's strength in second place for us as well.
00:31:25
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I don't, again, i never wanted to be in this situation where I'm sitting here talking about us being in a battle for second place. Like, it just doesn't sound right, does it?
00:31:37
Craig matthews
that doesn't sound right at all.
00:31:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
really doesn't.
Europa League Final Preview: Tottenham vs Manchester United
00:31:40
Craig matthews
No.
00:31:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we're going to take a quick break. And then once we're back, we are going to discuss about the Europa League and the Conference League.
00:31:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So join us after the break.
00:31:52
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:32:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome back to this final part of our Liverpool preview. But we are going turn know our attentions away to this weekend's game. And we are going to painfully, painfully as I say, discuss the results of tonight's Europa League semi-final second legs.
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh. where where do we We're both nodding our heads here because it's as if it's not been painful enough for us Arsenal fans.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the final in Bilbao will be contested between two English teams, both of them languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
You cannot make this up, but it is Tottenham... And Man United in the Europa League final.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah just Craig, god ah I don't know where to even start.
00:33:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's talk about United first. United 4-1 Bilbao with United winning 7-1 on aggregate. four bill bow won with united winning seven one on aggregate going going into this game Going into the game, Craig, what were your original thoughts?
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Did you think Bilbao could potentially mount a comeback?
00:33:54
Craig matthews
oh
00:33:58
Craig matthews
Nah, because they're missing their key players. With them problems, a lot of the players were injured. Nico Williams um and Inaki Williams were injured, so they didn't have their strongest team, I thought. They're going there for a draw, that's all they can get, and they lost the game.
00:34:10
Craig matthews
I don't think they'll have won that game, so honestly, they're playing. If they had the full strength team, they'd have been different game, but nah.
00:34:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I'm actually really gutted because at the start of the Europa League season, at the start of the Champions League season, said that I wanted Barcelona and Bilbao to win.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And both of them go crashing out in the semifinals, unfortunately. And then, ah gosh, geez almighty, I don't want to say this next bit, but I have to.
00:34:36
Craig matthews
hmm
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tottenham in a final. Oh, that ah hurts.
00:34:49
Craig matthews
Jamie don't worry they're gonna bottle it don't worry don't worry about Tottenham they just got mouth in it they like especially if have that expression they like to
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're going to pop
00:35:01
Craig matthews
They're not to back their arsenal here, but when they lose, they go quiet for months and he is not here for them again.
00:35:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:07
Craig matthews
So next season.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
to the lid. Yeah. So this is what Tottenham will win for losing the Europa League final.
00:35:12
Craig matthews
Yeah, what all?
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:35:12
Craig matthews
yeah
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. I mean, for for all of us Arsenal fans, I'm pretty sure it's it's pretty obvious, isn't it? You know, ah ah just ah it's this weird. This season's just go got so weird and it's getting even more weirder with the fact that Tottenham and United, who have been sitting in the bottom half of the table, have made it into the final of Europa League. How is that even possible?
00:35:39
Craig matthews
Well, most the managers are the pressure because, you know, like, all... I've just been like very lucky that he's still in their job, to honest with you.
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's so true.
00:35:48
Craig matthews
Because look how much the first top of them had this season. They're the bottom of the table. If the other relegated teams were much more... could have got more points on the table, they could have been a serious relegation battle.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
00:36:01
Craig matthews
Both of them. Both them are Miami United. So, because it should have been poor, Leicester should have been poor, and it's obviously, that's what happens to them being poor.
00:36:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Southampton, poor.
00:36:08
Craig matthews
If they had a couple of wins, I'd kept to the last game of the season. That would have been very interesting interesting see would happen to them clubs.
00:36:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
00:36:15
Craig matthews
Miami United and Tottenham. well Yeah, man.
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, we honestly couldn't have said it any better. um ah just even I'm looking up at the TV now and it's just showing the Europa League final Spurs United. ah It just it doesn't add up at all.
00:36:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
The thing is, right, i just it's weird. It's just so weird. and i want united to You know what, I can already picture it. If you United go win the Europa League,
00:36:45
Craig matthews
oh
00:36:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The first meme that will drop is, I win things in my second season, mate.
00:36:52
Craig matthews
Yep.
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that will be, that will that video will be going viral.
00:36:57
Craig matthews
But if they win, that's his second season thing he's talking about. No, if Tottenham were in the Europa League, we will not hear the end of it.
00:37:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will come back to haunt us.
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:37:09
Craig matthews
We will not hear the end of
Episode Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:37:10
Craig matthews
it. We will not hear the end of it.
00:37:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:37:11
Craig matthews
we will not had it and
00:37:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
couldn't have said it.
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Couldn't have said it any better.
00:37:17
Craig matthews
Arsenal fans will have to hide all summer until next season. and
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're we're hi but I think we'll all go into hibernation.
00:37:23
Craig matthews
Yeah, no more podcasts.
00:37:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:26
Craig matthews
but
00:37:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, guys, unfortunately, fortunately, over the summer, we're going to be and we're going to be hibernating.
00:37:28
Craig matthews
No more podcasts. the
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we will be back. We'll be back bringing you episodes. First game of the season. Yeah.
00:37:40
Craig matthews
We're having it. We're having it. We're having to lose final. Sorry. We have to lose.
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what's really oddly worrying, right? Would you like to know that would you like that...
00:37:49
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:37:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've played each other three times this season. would you like to know Would you like to know the results of all three games?
00:37:57
Craig matthews
Put them on one twice, haven't they?
00:38:02
Craig matthews
Three times.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
the They've won three out of three. Oh, dear me. they won they won they They won on the 29th of September Old Trafford in the Premier League.
00:38:10
Craig matthews
What?
00:38:13
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:38:16
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:38:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Spurs won at home in the EFL Cup on the 19th of December, 4-3 against United. and Spurs won at the Tottenham Halt-Spur Stadium, 1-0 against United. Jeez. Yeah.
00:38:31
Craig matthews
The only good thing that Maddison's into for the rest of the season is after the rest of the season. I read it up today, after the rest of the season, so he's not going to play any final.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:40
Craig matthews
I know if Swans will be six for the final, maybe he'll be six for the final. So we'll have to hope and pray that my night is finding a way, somehow, somewhere, to find a way to win the game.
00:38:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really do hope so. Really hope they will. I think the the the one thing that will kind of help United out in a way is the fact that it's a neutral ground. It's not a Premier League ground that they're going to be playing at.
00:39:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're They're in Spain, in Bilbao.
00:39:01
Craig matthews
and
00:39:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will be a neutral stadium they're playing in. Oh, this is going to be huge, isn't it? Absolutely huge.
00:39:11
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:39:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh.
00:39:14
Craig matthews
If they were in the European League, I'm emigrating. swear. I'm leaving the UK.
00:39:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:39:19
Craig matthews
I'm gone. on They can't win the European League. They can't.
00:39:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they honestly cannot. ah I don't even want to think about it. And the thing is, right, um but obviously Spurs fans were watching the game in Bodo yes in bodo glin in in boto yesterday and the the the raw emotion out of that was something else.
00:39:28
Craig matthews
Nah, so...
00:39:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So hopefully, we're all going to be sitting there ah mid-May all having the last laugh.
00:39:50
Craig matthews
Yeah, hopefully. Singers crossed.
00:39:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed. Yeah, absolutely.
00:39:54
Craig matthews
Oh, man.
00:39:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:39:55
Craig matthews
ah the of
00:39:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love by sport by subscribing and supporting the GSPN Podcast Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie World Cup and more.
00:40:16
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 Take care and have a great day.
00:40:29
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.