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Expectations for Arsenal and the Newly Promoted Teams
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Nick Bird is back again to speak from an Arsenal fans perspective about the season ahead. He then gives his opinion on the three promoted teams prospects of survival.
Join your Global Sports Podcast Network team for your daily briefing on all things premier league – News, transfers, analysis and opinion – you’ll find it here on Daily Premier League part of the Global Sports Podcast Network podcast channel
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Transcript
Introduction & Player Impact Recap
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the Daily English Premier League Podcast brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network. My name's Nick Bird, back again for the second day in a row. Yesterday we talked about Alexander Rezac, Mark Gehi, Giovanni Leone, the impact...
00:00:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to have on Liverpool, the impact Isak possibly leaving is going to have on Newcastle. And then we spoke about Donnarumma to Manchester City, the weirdness around that and just the general confusion with that transfer.
Arsenal's Transfer Activities
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Today, like I said on yesterday's episode, going to talk to you about Arsenal. I'm going to talk to about the promoted teams. Arsenal are my team. I've got the shirt on today and it is a big, big season for the Gunners this year.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's this battle between the external pressure to win the league and After coming so close to the last three years and the reality of what Arsenal are up against in the strengths of the the squads that Liverpool and Manchester City have, the strength of the managers they have, as much as i believe Mikel Arteta can hang with them. And I think he's proven that in the Premier League the last three years.
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
there's still concerns with the squad for me so we'll get into that straight away I think the best place to start is the incomings and outgoings the transfers so the two key ones for Arsenal Zubemendy 70 million euros I apologize it's in euros but going off transfer marked figures and they use euros So €70 million for €65 million for Gyokares.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Those two are... Massive, but I think, as I'll get onto later, there still needs to be one more on the left wing. Maduweke, €56 million. euros Christian Mosquera, a young centre-back, for €15 million. euros Christian Norgard from Brentford for €12 million. euros And Kepa to be the backup to Raya for €6 million. euros and And the outgoings ha just two players for fees.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nuno Tavares, €5m, despite having ah really strong season for Lazio in the Serie A last year. There was, ah believe, an option or an obligation to buy in his loan there.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was only €5m when that probably could have been... up to 15 million I imagine potentially comes back and there's more clamor for him after that loan and you can even push it up further than that but as much as I do didn't like the player that's money lost in my opinion And Marquinhos, who i imagine most people have never even heard of, have no idea who he who he was. This is not obviously not the Brazilian centre-back.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is just a Brazilian winger that Edu brought in from Sao Paulo. ah believe it's Sao Paulo anyway. he featured in like Europa League games.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I scored on his debut from what I can remember. but did nothing didn't develop he's gone back to brazil for three million euros
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
he won't be remembered he'll be one of those guys who there's pictures of and people go and like do you remember who this guy is and we'll see if people do in a decade's time whatever Also out the door, at the end of their contracts, Thomas Partey.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
or Awful human being. ah Kieran Tierney went on, ah left at the end of his contract, he's gone back to ah Celtic.
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jorginho left at the end of his contract and has gone back to Brazil. I forget which team off the top of my head right now. And Takahiro Tomiyasu, who you won't have seen for a long time, he's really, really had struggles with injury.
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel quite bad for him. His contract was mutually terminated. And i think he's still out until pretty much the new year. So i wouldn't i don't see him getting new club until end of the year, January of time.
Arsenal's Squad Needs Analysis
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But that's a sad one, in my opinion, just because he had so much potential in his game. He was available across left-back, centre-back and right-back.
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he had performed in all of those positions for Arsenal. So he's one I'm sad to see leave, especially in the circumstances. And i will ah wish ah him the best for his career.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But those are all the outgoings and that is where Arsenal are at the moment. they Arsenal, at the beginning of the window, I think you can look at and go, they need a defensive midfielder, which was already done in Zubemendi.
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
They need a striker, which is done in Giocares. But for me, the first issue was always left winger. I know people will have different opinions on that and think striker was more of an issue.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
For me, it was left winger. And that's not done in my opinion. Maduweke... might be that left winger. He's played on the left side in preseason and while it's been somewhat refreshing to see a left footed player play on the left side and not need to cut back to cross the ball in or just be so predictable um when they're one on one with a defender.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not the level raiser. that was required at left wing in my opinion. He's much more suited to being Saka's backup.
00:06:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I believe there were reports today that Arsenal's priority is still a left winger, But they need to sell players first raise to raise the funds. And I don't know if they're going to raise the level of funds to get the level of winger that is required.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because part of this for me, and I think for the Arsenal fan base, they relate as well. They just can't do another season of watching Martinelli play.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jockey his defender when he is the one with the ball or Trossard's weird thing he does when he's got his back to goal which like kind of step overs.
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he so often loses the ball. He's not quick enough to play on that left side for me. And at the age he is, he's into his 30s.
00:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's time to cash in on him. And I'm fine with Martinelli staying, but he needs to be the backup. he has There is something in him, but we haven't seen it since the twenty two twenty three season.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we can't, for me, is a barrier to getting our hand on the Premier League. Because there isn't someone who has the le level of gravity that Saka has in drawing defenders.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, defences, I think, will still believe you stop that right-hand side, you stop Saka, you stop Erdegaard, you stop that sort trio, including those two and Ben White.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and you'll you'll mitigate Arsenal and although with Giocarez I think that'll be less of a problem you still need that outlet on the left side who is gonna beat his man is gonna bring defenders to his side and isolate Saka a bit more allow him further inside even closer to goal And give Arsenal more versatility and options in their attack.
Player Performance & Strategic Improvements
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
because at the moment, if you give the ball to Martinelli, he's going to do the same things I've been watching him do since that 22-23 season. There are obviously things he's improved at, but there's just a frustration with how he dribbles at his defender, how easy it is to defend.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there needs to be an upgrade there. You look at the squad and who is still in this squad that has to go. For me, these this first group, they will go.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Don't massively have doubts about that. Carl Hine, who is a goalkeeper from the academy, he was out on loan last season, I think he will go. Sambi Lekonga, he will go, whether that ends up being, i can see that being a mutual termination of his contract, to be honest, if there's no suitors for him.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fabio Vieira, was a nice idea when he signed he has he has something he absolutely has something that can influence games at a Premier League level we saw in moments for Arsenal but I think his frailties in his frame, his frailties in imposing himself on a game at times just aren't good enough to play at an Arsenal title challenging level.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He can definitely go somewhere though and become a really strong player. And Rhys Nelson, i think though the main barrier to him leaving is He's on £100,000 per week, which comes from the time where we had nothing in attack.
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So these agents, these players could use that against Arsenal and get these ludicrous wages, which now Arsenal struggle.
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal are struggling to sell these players on because... They have this contract, why should they leave is probably their opinion. And when you're trying to find suitors, there may be teams who like the player.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
For example, Fulham are linked to Nelson again. They had him on loan, but he was injured for a large part of last season. And that wage is so difficult to deal with for the buying club because he would have to take a a wage decrease, but how big of a wage decrease is he willing to take?
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then finally, i would be mind-blowing if he doesn't leave, Oleksandr Zinchenko. He is now probably fourth choice left-back behind Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiore, and probably Jurian Timber slash Jakub Kivio to an extent.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are some really odd quotes today from, i believe it was from an interview with The Athletic, But he also has a book coming out, I believe. So it could also be from that where he's talking about how sad it makes him that his wife and his children are seeing him on the bench for Arsenal and...
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It has really riled up the Arsenal fan base and it's riled me up to be honest because he he's just not good enough. And if this affects you so much and you don't outwardly appear to be pushing for a move...
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Why are you saying this then? like this This is so confusing for him to do. and he he's a defo divisive figure anyway. and for For both on and off pitch reasons.
00:12:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, i he has to go again similar to Nelson. I think the wage is probably a barrier. But I think there will be more suitors for him than probably any other player here because he's shown his ability at left back and even on the few occasions in midfield he had some games for Arsenal last season where he was in that right-sided centre midfield role that Erdgaard plays and
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was pretty impressive, to be fair to him. again, it's it's that wage that I think is going to be the barrier. I don't really know what sort of fee we can expect to get from him because as much as as good of a player he is, he hasn't been playing for a while.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then to counter that again, he's only 28. Like, if if you were asked how old Zinchenko is, I think many people would think he's around 30 but he's still got a few years in his prime as people would say for that sort of age range I'm kind of surprised there's not been more suitors for him so but he's definitely someone I see leaving he's actually played a decent amount in pre-season for us
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's more to do with a lack of options at left-back because Timber's been injured and Calafiore's been in and out of injury during pre-season.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in our most recent um and final pre-season game, Calafiore started at left-back and Myles Lewis-Gelly came on. So i think I don't see Zinchenko getting time in the Premier League barring an injury crisis at left-back yet again.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah I'll be mind-blown if he doesn't leave. And then guys I think probably should go. Jakub Kivijov, for me, his value is never going to be higher than it is this summer.
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
As an Arsenal player, he proved a Premier League and at Champions League level that he can fit and has proven himself, just in general, that he is a good...
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Defender and left footed at that which is the hardest side to buy for. And I think Arsenal bought Kivyor for around £25 million pounds or Euros.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's fair for Arsenal to ask for ah about £35 million.
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal just don't have a good track record of set selling. people Teams might use that against Arsenal. And it just doesn't seem like there are really suitors. I thought potentially with Malik Tior going from AC Milan to Newcastle, the door might be open there for AC Milan to come and buy him.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've gone for Conrad de Winter for part not from from Genoa, I think it is
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
This feels like a guy who... From reports he's open to leave for game time. He is a nice guy to have around because he's not someone who complains about being one of the last choices in his position outwardly.
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Like I've said, his value is never going to be higher than it this summer. Arsenal will quite often wait too long to sell players and it tanks their value.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this is the summer for him to leave for me. And similar to that, Leandro Trossard, it's his summer to leave for me. He's 30 years of age.
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's proven himself at Arsenal, but it's time for an upgrade. And he he helps fund that. He opens the gap to that happening.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And almost similar to Kivior and Zinchenko. With how much he's proved himself in the Premier League, I'm so surprised it's not more teams in for him.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this could this could easily be sort of big six bias or bias for from being an Arsenal fan and having seen him and how good he can be.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he improves teams in in the Premier League in sort of mid-table situations. And perhaps it's the fee, but for a player of his level, think Arsenal can get their money back.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
We didn't pay much for him. i think it's fair to to say 15 to 20 million for a guy has contributed sufficiently to to a title-challenging side for the past two and a half years.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
we will see.
Pre-Season Reflections & Expectations
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
There hasn't been a lot of like legitimate interest in almost any of these players I've mentioned.
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
the think the player with the most legitimate interest has been Fabio Vieira. And those were bids from Stuttgart in Germany. So the this is the barrier to Arsenal going and getting that sort of last player who will likely be a left winger. There's obviously been links to Eberechi Eze.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But There's been interest from Tottenham in the past few days, which would infuriate the Arsenal fan base if a player of his quality, his freedom, his entertainment value even, is something that Arsenal don't really have in that attacking midfield area.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um... there would be a lot of frustration if he went to Spurs when Arsenal were kind of sitting on their own hands and saying, we need to sell players before we do something else. And the argument is...
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
bring the player in and it will force these players like Trussard to move their own... move themselves unless they want to sit on the bench or possibly not even make the bench when the squad is fully fit.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... Yeah, those are the ah the main issues in terms of the incomings and outgoings. In terms of the left winger that I would like, I'm a massive fan of Raphael Leal. I don't think it would work at Arsenal because of his sort of laziness off the ball.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i've I've heard arguments of if this like if it all falls apart because of one player is the defensive system that good but I think we've seen so many times you just at the very highest level you can't have a passenger anymore in unless you're Real Madrid possibly but we saw when they played Arsenal they struggled because they had two players in Vinicius and Mbappe who just didn't do anything ah when Real Madrid didn't have the ball and it made the game so much easier for Arsenal
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i a big fan of him. There's obviously been links to Rodrigo. Whether Arsenal can muster up the cash from sales to ah afford that, we'll see.
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't seem like he wants to leave Real Madrid as much as he probably should for his own career. In terms of game time, honestly, for it his own career, in terms of accolades, where else to be than Real Madrid.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
so It's going to be difficult to find that level raiser. As frustrating and difficult to watch Martinelli can be, as Trossard can be.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are... There's not 25 players who are available or even out there to above them. Like...
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at the end of the day, that is the job of the scouts. That is the job of the analysts. Look through the numbers. Look through the players, the footage.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's got to be someone one who can come in and offer more diversity on that left side. And it could still be Eze. maybe he plays on that left wing and comes inside a bit more obviously he is stronger starting from a more central area but I can't imagine he he becomes a bad footballer at left wing but we will see as the window goes into its final weeks how
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
what Arsenal do i there will be anger from the fanbase from myself if there isn't an upgrade at left wing or if there isn't at least one more player of starting 11 improvement quality brought in.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to go to the break for Zencaster and then I'll touch on so of What you can expect from Arsenal this season.
Tactical Changes & Young Talents
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
What i expect from Arsenal this season.
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And sort of how pre-season has gone. It's been an interesting pre-season. And then later on we'll hear from Bayern Eken. We'll go through the promoted teams. It feels like this going to be a long one. Considering we're already at 23 minutes. So apologise it's a slightly longer one.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hopefully you're you're learning about what to expect. And the Arsenal fans perspective on... what to expect from Arsenal this season. and So let's hear about Zencastr and then we'll be back to talking about my favourite football club, the Gunners.
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Arsenal's pre-season, I said just before that advert for Zencastr, it's been a little bit of a weird one. So, it started it started with essentially the same system as you saw from Arsenal last year.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
At times, a little bit more direct in my opinion. But then when we got to the final preseason game, the weekend just gone, there was a system change and the excitement grew.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But before we get to that, The preseason was looking concerning before that vinyl friendly. There were losses to Spurs and Villarreal in similar fashion to how we lost games the last season against mid-box.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It felt like things were going to be incredibly toxic very, very quickly if the season started poorly. And when you pair that with With a ah start to the season that is as difficult as Arsenal's.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We play Manchester United on the opening day. We play Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City incredibly early. It would get toxic very quickly if we were playing the same thing and getting stifled by the same things.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... When that system change came in, whether it was enforced by those poor performances before the final friendly or planned and as an attempt to sort of hide the system so that it could be had less time to be dissected by analysts.
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will never know, but it definitely sort saved the vibes, in my opinion, heading into this season. um So this new new system, it's closer to a 4-2-3-1 than the 4-3-3 that you saw from Arsenal last year.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're seeing a Reiss and Subamendi sort of double pivot. And i much more willingness to go direct rather than the slow control that you've seen from Arsenal in the past year or two.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that double pivot of Rice and Supermendy worked exceptionally against Athletic Bilbao, who were our opponents in that last friendly. And that willingness to go direct just suits the new players, especially Victor Giocarez, who...
00:26:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
saw a lot of his goals at Sporting Lisbon come from counterattacks, from transitions. also It isolates Saka better in a positive way.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it isolates him rather than getting the ball to him and he is straight away in a 1v2 or 1v3. So it gives Saka more opportunities to get him behind the defence as well.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when Martinelli, his his strength, in my opinion, is we're running in behind. He can time his run really well, but Before having Zubemendi, we just didn't have someone who would release him over the top and he actually got the assist for one of our goals against Bilbao from running him behind and my Martin Odegaard played him over the top on his weak foot.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Martin Ali lays it off for to score and and into an empty net. So that Freddie at the weekend has really got me excited about the potential of Arsenal's season.
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I really hope that is what we see this Sunday against Manchester United. And for the rest of the season, really, obviously, there'll be times where having a more controlling style will be beneficial to Arsenal.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
this this is a real much more suited option to the players Arsenal have, in my opinion. The standout players from pre-season...
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zubemendy looks unbelievable. This is ah player who because the transfer was done in sort of January and it kind of got forgotten about, you don't feel the excitement if it were to have happened in June And it meant people had time to to see him. I remember Sociedad played Manchester United and a lot of Arsenal fans watched that and I saw the reception on Twitter was, why the hell have we signed this guy? He's rubbish.
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
he just had a bad game. like And Real Sociedad were in a very weird place last year. Their manager was having disagreements with players.
00:28:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's now left. And I think their team in general was just... in a down year so we he's coming to this team and there was things I said where it was also almost um he's not going to be ah an upgrade on Partey and even before seeing him I vehemently disagreed because Partey held us back so much and
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I also just didn't want him playing for my club with the off-pitch stuff that was disgusting and got released almost as soon as he left. But back to Zubomendi, the tempo he brings to the game, his willingness to push up the pitch into the pockets and influence the game.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is going to be a guy where... There's going to be a Monday Night Football segment, perhaps multiple times, where they are just analysing what he does. I can almost guarantee it. There will be arguments at some point, which I think will probably be quite annoying, about comparisons between him and Rodri.
Competition Analysis: Liverpool & Manchester City
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I'm not saying he is better than Rodri. I just think there will be comparisons between the two because they play the same position. They're both Spanish. um Califuri as well stand out for me because he he just offers something so completely different to Arsenal.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whether he's playing as of the left-sided centre-back, whether he's playing as left-back. His willingness to get forward and the the sort of maverick chaos capabilities he has are so impressive. And so for him, it's just he needs to stay fit and he can be such a crucial part of Arsenal's ability to break down these mid blocks, break down these low blocks.
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he will he would draw players out of the way, pretty much. but He's someone I'm really excited to see if he can stay fit. Finally, this Max Downman. This is a player you may have heard about just because his level of talent at his age is incredibly rarely seen.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's 15 years old. He won two penalties in preseason. And he was given the ball repeatedly. Like so, so often by his superiors,
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it just shows the level of trust he has at 15 years old. his He was beating players who are premierly proven. I think to our friendly against Newcastle, where we were looking pretty poor.
00:31:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He comes on against a team we struggled with. He wins a penalty that wins us that friendly. And he just completely changed the game. but And this is a 15-year-old who... he will be involved with this season. and He will make an impact this season in the Premier League, in my opinion.
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was coming on at right wing this preseason. ah He's more of a central midfield player, but think similar to how we saw Warneri last season get integrated into the first team squad at right wing. I think we'll see the same thing for Max Dowman.
00:31:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this kid is going to be something unbelievably special, even more so than the two talents we saw at Arsenal last year in Lewis Skelly Warneri, in my opinion. And those are top, top talents in their own right.
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So those those are sort of my three to watch coming out of preseason. Into my sort of prediction for this season. and Obviously my heart says first.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It has to say first. This is this is the club I love. And we've shown we're capable of doing it. My head though, my head is saying second or third.
00:32:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah And while I'm quite pessimistic generally... And this team has obviously got better. The attack is stronger. The midfield is stronger. I'm just worried about those same issues against the mid-block, against the low blocks, persisting, and that being the barrier to Arsenal lifting the title in May.
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Arteta has an unbelievable record against the Big Six. We are undefeated against the Big Six in the last 21 games, 12 wins and 9 draws. twelve wins and nine draws The last loss was 4-1 to Man City in 2023 when Rob Holding was playing at centre-back.
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But the record against mid-box and low-box, so you're thinking to the likes of Fulham, the likes of Aston Villa, the likes of Newcastle, that's where the points have dropped, that's where the difference has been made in the last few seasons.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on top of that, when I look at the teams Arsenal are competing with, I spoke on it yesterday when speaking about Liverpool, but... I just think the quality in Liverpool's attack is too much.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like I was saying about the the upgrade needed at left wing, you go into Champions League knockout games, you go into these games against City, ah these games against Liverpool, potentially the games against Chelsea, and Arsenal's front line is inferior to all of them.
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's largely because of that left wing. So i think Liverpool's quality in attack is going to be too much and their midfield and defence last year proved their strength as well as having improved their midfield with the likes of Florian Verts.
00:34:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they still look set to improve their their depth defensively. They've obviously improved at left back with Milos Kerkis. I think they've downgraded it right back. just You can't really replace the influence Trent Alexander-Arnold is capable of having.
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But despite losing Trent, as big as that is, i think they've recruited well enough to to mitigate it with the likes of Verts. Obviously, he won't be creating from the same areas, but...
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is such a good playmaker, as well as chipping in with his own goals. So I think they've they've mitigated it well. For City, i don't think they've signed world-class player.
Promoted Teams Assessment
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
at the end of the day, they have Haaland, they have Rodri, and I think the players that they have signed have such a ah high ceiling with Pep Guardiola heightening them, um showcasing them almost.
00:35:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The likes of Ray and Cherky is such an exciting footballer. I'm really looking forward to watching him play. I didn't watch loads of him in when he was at Lyon, but Anytime he plays, i see people blown away by his talent.
00:35:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So clearly, he he's going to be ah difficult player to deal with. They've obviously lost Kevin De Bruyne, and I think Cherky will try to be his replacement.
00:35:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Then... You've got the likes of Tizani Grinders, you've got a potential incoming at left wing, whether that's Rodrigo, who has been rumoured.
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've then in court got young players coming in like Svera Naipan, you've got Ryan Aitnuri, who has come in at left back. that there are exciting players they just don't have that sort of punchy world class signing that you sometimes expect from Manchester City but it's also hell of a lot of money they've spent and I think because it happened so early It's almost gone under the radar. haven't done anything particularly recently. Obviously, we talked about the um the potential of them signing Donnarumma yesterday.
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
think their most recent signing has been James Trafford. and it's Again, it's not this sort of world-class player currently. But he could have the potential to be that. And I think Ait Nouri is very exciting while having his ah his deficiencies.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... i I'm more concerned about Liverpool than City just because the there are defensive concerns for me at City. And despite having the best manager of all time, for my um in my opinion, which is the reason you cannot write them off despite these deficiencies, i think they may have.
00:37:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Their defence concerns me. The personnel at the back is... Especially at full-back, as much as... Like Nori is exciting.
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gavardio can obviously play at left-back. They don't really have anything at right-back. It's... think, looking at their squad at the moment, I guess it's ro Rico Lewis, unless they're going to play...
00:38:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kusunov or Akanji Ake, another sort of centre-back at right-back situation. I don't really know.
00:38:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps that is somewhere they recruit before the end of the window. But those full-backs I have question marks on. I also have question marks on their centre-backs to an extent.
00:38:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
haven't always got the hype of Ruben Diaz obviously is incredibly talented is he always in that sort of level with the likes of Van Dijk the likes of Saliba I'm less convinced at times Gavardio is such an interesting option but I think he he's held back at centre-back.
00:38:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
We saw his goal threat at left-back and taking him out of that potentially is going to be interesting to see. So I have concerns there.
00:39:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, i don't think they've really improved their midfield defensive ability. I think there will still be a lot of work for Rodri to do there as much as I'm a really big fan of Tizani grinders.
00:39:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah loved him at AC Milan. He was lazy in defence. So whether being at at this higher level with this level of manager will motivate him to put more of a shift in defence, we'll see.
00:39:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there is a concern in midfield there for me. And without Rodri Teal, I think it is roughly the end of September, so about a month and a half of the season.
00:39:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will be interesting to see how they deal with that at the start this season. They've only had one friendly going into this season because of the Club World Cup that was in the past weekend against Palermo, I believe.
00:40:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they won 3-0, Hrinders scored twice. I'm very interested to see how that impacts their their readiness coming into this season.
00:40:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll touch on Chelsea briefly. don't quite think they have enough to be in the title fight into the the very important months, despite their success at the Club World Cup. i I just don't quite see it yet.
00:40:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
As much as the hype is there for them, there's positivity amongst the fanbase. I just don't quite see it. and perhaps I'll be proven wrong, but I think it will be between the three teams we've seen it between the past three years And think, like I said yesterday, Liverpool have to be favourites. In my head, they win it again. And then it's sort of a toss-up. I think I'll put a second for the fourth year in a row in my head.
00:41:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then followed by Because, yeah, those those potential defensive deficiencies are ah concerning for me.
00:41:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But after doing almost 42 minutes on on Arsenal on my expectations for this season, I'll tell you a bit about Bayern Munich and then we will go through the promoted teams, what I see when I look at their squad and sort of can any of them survive this season and ah So give me one moment and then we will hear about Bionique.
00:42:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:42:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:42:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, the promoted teams.
00:42:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll start off with Burnley, the... most familiar team to the league in recent years and this is 20th place for me this is twentieth place i Their defence was obviously, their defence and particularly James Trafford in goal was their strong point in the Championship last year.
00:42:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But looking at their squad, just see anything really in midfield and attack and having lost Trafford. I don't think De Bravka is capable of replacing the level Trafford brought to Burnley last year.
00:43:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So yeah, currently I see no path to survival for Burnley, 20th place. The least likely to stay up for my money. They've brought Brozier in at Stryker.
00:43:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just can't see why they've been fooled into doing this, is how I would put it. he for my For me, he had he's had three successful low unsuccessful loans.
00:43:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
At Premier League level, this feels like really poor scouting. And at the fee they've paid, a waste of money, quite frankly. i have really like Ugachukwu.
00:43:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've spent a lot of money, but I think they will still be able to make a profit out of it. I think Marcus edwards Edwards has the capabilities to do well, but perhaps his company and attack will...
00:44:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah cost him more than his own deficiencies. And while there are a lot of names I don't really know enough about to confidently speak on,
00:44:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
you If you look at their squad, there just isn't much promise from the Burnley fans I know personally.
00:44:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
they They're thinking the same thing. They're going straight back down, probably in last. So as blunt as this sounds, I think Burnley fans sort of have the same opinion.
00:44:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Moving on to Leeds, they finally replaced Melia, who cost them, or looked as though he was going to cost them, I should say, towards the back end
Conclusion & Listener Engagement
00:45:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
of last season. They had to bring in Kyle Darlow to make sure they went up in the automatics.
00:45:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've signed Lucas Perry from Lyon to be their new number one this season. ah I saw a lot of positive things said about their new centre-back signing, Yaka Bijou.
00:45:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that is clearly someone to be excited about. I think they the potential midfielders, Ayotanaka, Anton Stak and Longstaff, or potentially Ampadu, it'll be interesting to see which three they go through, could be really interesting.
00:45:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But you get to the attack, and again, I'm not sure if the goals are there. Joel Perou, who scored 19 in the championship last season, won the Golden Boot.
00:45:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I watched for every goal he scored. He looks like a really, really good finisher. I just wonder with the the lack of chances he'll get this season in the Premier League compared to what he had in the championship last year, I'd imagine.
00:46:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will he be able to still have a strong season in front of goal. Because you you need those goals to keep your confidence high.
00:46:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
You just feed enough scraps. the yo The old cliche. It will be interesting to see how he does. i Before watching his goal catalogue, I was slightly more concerned reading the names, but having watched his cat goal catalogue from the last season,
00:46:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got a little bit more faith in him individually. ah But he will be up against much stronger defences in the Premier League, much stronger goalkeepers in the Premier League.
00:46:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can he translate his game to the Premier League will be the question. In terms of the wingers, I imagine it will be Nonto and James. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a player brought in on the wing.
00:46:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I see a lot of James for Wales. Where personally I really like him. Despite obvious limitations. In end product. And that is going to his issue in the Premier League. He's currently got 25 goals and assists in 106 Premier League games.
00:47:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's already shown that that limitation. He had good numbers last year with 12 goals, 9 assists, from what I remember reading when doing my research.
00:47:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I struggle to see the translation into the Premier League again. ah Wilfred Nonto on the the other side, he had a even own worse numbers than James last season.
00:47:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm interested see how he's developed since his last Premier League campaign. Obviously, there was a lot of excitement around him, although his numbers weren't anything to really write home about. was two goals, four assists in the Premier League in his last campaign.
00:48:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be interesting to see the player he is now. And to sort of wrap up on this attack, I'm concerned that the wingers could have a knock-on effect to Pirro, where even if he looks to be a strong finisher, will they be able to create the chances he needs against Premier League defences and Premier League setups to to score those goals? so So...
00:48:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
As much as i respect the belief and hopefulness that Leeds fans have coming into this season...
00:48:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sorry to say, I just don't think they will have quite enough to stay up this season. I will say, ah as much as I don't think pre-season results matter, it's rather the performances that matter.
00:49:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some good results, they drew to Villarreal, who beat Arsenal. And Drew with AC Milan. So that this I think there's going to be good vibes going into the season for Leeds for sure. But I just don't think they'll be able to stay up.
00:49:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sunderland. this This feels like the team where they it's perhaps naivety of not having been in the Premier League for quite a while.
00:49:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
there seems to be the most like public hopefulness coming out of Sunderland. And...
00:49:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wonder if they're getting ahead of themselves in terms of the signings they've made. Are they actually of the level to to impact in the Premier League?
00:49:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bar like Xhaka and Odinger for me. So i looked at their preseason games. I apologize for Burnley for not looking at theirs in case they've had remarkable preseason.
00:50:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sunderland have scored six goals in seven preseason games. Four of them were against South Shields in their first friendly, which is quite concerning. I don't know if they've had a game where they've been able to play that that first team that they want to go into the season with, but that That was quite concerning to look at.
00:50:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've also conceded 12 in those seven games. Which worries me a little bit. But was actually... better than I thought it would be seeing some of their opponents that they faced where they were holding the likes of Sporting and Sevilla were held to one goal those the ones I can remember off the top of my head they did concede three to Rio Vallecano in their last friendly game but they are stronger than Sevilla probably in fairness and
00:51:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So, yeah I think they're interesting results. As much as I said um the performances are more important, the the lack of goals is still concerning.
00:51:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
The predicted lineups when I was looking, because I wasn't entirely sure who their striker was going to be, had a player called Mayenda as their striker.
00:51:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Imagine it will be Mark Gou. I have no idea how to pronounce his surname. The loanee from Chelsea who actually is their starting striker. just feels like it makes more sense having looked at Mayenda's numbers, which are incredibly concerning if he is to be their starting striker.
00:52:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
just think Mark Gou is more suited and more likely to start. front He scored six in nine in Chelsea's Conference League games.
00:52:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
it yeah, Stryker has question marks for me. I like their wingers, ah although I am concerned about the potential output. So, Adingra I'm a huge fan of.
00:52:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really liked him at Union Saint-Giroir before he he came back to all ah came back to all got bought by. Yeah, came back to. He was on loan at Union Saint-Giroir in Belgium from ah from Brighton.
00:52:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really liked him. i liked what I saw in the chances he got at Brighton. I do recall hearing one Brighton fan say he can be quite frustrating to watch in Herzl's system, I believe he said.
00:52:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll see it's just a bias when I'm watching him of liking him already. And then Chimstein-Talby, who they've signed from Klubbrugger,
00:53:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I saw have his star-making performance, I think it's fair to say, against Atalanta, because I covered the the two those two legs between Klubbrugger and Atalanta when Klubbrugger knocked out the Italians from the Champions League.
00:53:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was so, so good in that and those two games. But I don't know if he's entirely ready for the step up to the Premier League yet. I know Klubbrugger fan, and he wasn't sure if he was quite ready yet.
00:53:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
this So this may be a year too early, potentially, as much as he's proved himself in the Champions League, you could argue, against Atalanta, whether doing it in two knockout games is proving yourself is an argument to be had but yeah i i have output concerns about these two as much as i i enjoy enjoy them personally
00:54:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But i do think the pace, the pace that these two have will be so important on the counter-attack. And I imagine that is the going to be the main thread of attack for Sunderland this season.
00:54:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, I also think this... Whether this matters is really up to you and really subjective. I think the vibes of those two in attack are going to be really fun.
00:54:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think much like Luton and Ipswich, Ipswich to a lesser extent, definitely Luton. they'll sort of be the darlings of the three that have come up and they'll probably potentially well potentially be the most fun to watch based on those wingers um Elsewhere on the pitch, they lack Premier League experience for me in defence.
00:55:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps we'll see ah some defensive reinforcements there. Perhaps they're players from... ah The Championship will be good enough ah in defence at the Premier League level, but it is such a big step up nowadays from the Championship to the Premier League.
00:55:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
They won't have faced the likes of Haaland, the likes of Izak, the likes of Eketike, the likes of Giocarez. So...
00:55:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll be interesting to see how they deal with that. They brought in Omar Alderet from Getafe, I believe it is, who is a centre-back who gets a lot of red cards, I believe.
00:55:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Which is not exactly what you want as a team trying to survive relegation. But it'll be interesting to see ah how they do in terms of defense, whether the games before the window closes impact their decisions in defense.
00:56:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that'll be a big big thing they focus on ah in those early games. And their midfield, their midfield is really interesting. Obviously, Granit Xhaka is the marquee signing for them.
00:56:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an unbelievable coup. And... it slightly confuses me from an Arsenal perspective because when he left... It was about wanting to be back in Germany and raising his his family there. His wife was almost homesick and he's come back to England to Sunderland to be in a relegation fight rather than be under the the managerial change to Eric Den Haag at Leverkusen.
00:57:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
but he he's going to be something to cling hope to for Sunderland. he will have games where he single-handedly wins some points. I imagine with his defensive and sort playmaking abilities, his ability to control a game as well. In midfield, I've been a fan of Enzo Le Fay since his times at Lorient.
00:57:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, I really like him. I think he can make an impact at a Premier League level. whether um How much of an opportunity gets to do that, we'll see. But I think there are things to be be excited about.
00:57:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
In midfield there, I imagine they'll be sitting back, so Xhaka's aging legs will be less of an issue for a midfielder who is already quite slow. ah And his long his long balls, I think, to those wingers will be so crucial.
00:58:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got a really strong, long pass on him. he's all but He's got pretty decent free kick on him. ah He almost scored one in preseason that I saw a video of. So it'll be interesting to see um how he does. But like I said, as we started on Sunderland, I wonder if there's a bit of naivety, a bit of overexcitement almost about these players.
00:58:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
in Which feels harsh to say, but when you've seen the three teams come up and go straight back down in the past few seasons, And a lot of the time during the transfer window, you see it's probably like just the small minority of idiots in the fanbase, but you see online the excitement and sort of overexcitement ah that they can have at times, thinking no they'll be able to push past relegation and into mid-table.
00:59:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I am cautious to back these three to stay up. So I think Sunderland will also go down. So as much as Leeds and Sunderland, I think, have a better chance of staying up, I am...
00:59:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they'll just not quite have enough. And again, it's the attacks. It's so difficult to score goals. And it's so so important to have a guy you can rely on.
00:59:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
We saw it with Brentford. How important Ivan Toni was in those first few years. ah We've seen it...
00:59:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
with we've even seen the opposite to be fair with Fulham where you have a guy in Mitrovic who comes up and has scored such a ridiculous amount of goals in the championship but he just cannot translate that into the Premier League so it's not even a guarantee then but
01:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
that I think there is a little bit more excitement about Leeds and Sunderland than there was about teams last year, despite the amount of investment a team like Ipswich made. But but again, I think it's getting hyped up a little too much in certain areas.
01:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you see the likes of Xhaka join Sunderland. And at the end of the day. He's going to be so important. But he is one player. And. As much as I said. i think there will be games where he wins them.
01:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
A point. Or points. Almost by himself. that like He can't do that 38 games a season. And.
01:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just think these three will go down despite how bad I think West Ham are. I think West Ham are the most in danger of the the teams already in the Premier League. And then then probably Wolves, who ill always have always been in that sort of danger area in the last few years.
01:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for me, it's West Ham. I'll probably talk about them at some point. Those who listened to the podcast last year will have heard me bash them almost all season just because they have no athleticism in midfield.
01:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't, from the top of my head on their signings, they haven't really improved that and they still don't have a striker having also moved on Antonio which was probably the right decision as much as as much of a crutch as he could be at times.
01:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, i think I think some of the excitement does stem from those clubs who are already in the Premier League and have looked terrible.
01:02:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
like I think there would be much more concern even about West Ham if Man Utd and Tottenham didn't have such terrible seasons that they had and West Ham weren't almost...
01:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
so irrelevant towards the end of the season because of the bottom three being so far away. There was less focus on how bad West Ham were.
01:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
dr but Which, like I said, was drawn away from the fact those three were so far away and Man City, sorry, Man United and Tottenham were so bad and sort of took the attention away.
01:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, I think that's where some of the hopes for Sunderland and Leeds come from. This is just so, so of difficult. And in danger of just continually repeating myself more so as we pass the hour mark, I'm going to leave you.
01:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Mikey tomorrow to speak about the first Premier League game week of the season. don't think I'll be joining him having done these past two days. ah But I hope you learnt something about Arsenal this season.
01:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you have different opinions about Arsenal, about these three relegated teams, let us know on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, whatever, in the comments of the the YouTube video.
01:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
be interesting different people's opinions but though that is all from me today can find me on twitter at nick bird underscore and this has been the global sports podcast network daily premier league podcast for the 2025-26 season we'll come back tomorrow here from mikey about the first game week of the premier league goodbye