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Post Match Reaction: Newcastle 1 Arseholes 2
16 Plays5 days ago
Iain hosts Michael in the immediate aftermath of Heartbreak No 2 to discuss line-ups, tactics, how the game unfolded and how lucky Gabriel was to still be on the pitch to score the winner.
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Overview
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome to the Daily Newcastle and the immediate post-match reaction following Newcastle 1, Arsenal 2. It's Heartbreak City Part
Newcastle's Home Game Struggles
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
2. We've only played three home games and that's happened to us twice now.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name's Ian Mackay. I'm your host tonight. We won't cry too much about it. I'm joined by Michael Grameslaw, who has wept his way through the injury time like I have.
Emotional Reactions to the Defeat
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you doing, Michael?
00:00:46
Michael
Yeah, when you say we're not going to cry about it, you can speak for yourself on that one. I generally might.
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear mate.
00:00:51
Michael
ah ah Yeah, it was it it was a tough one, wasn't it? It's one of those games. It's it's happened again. Newcastle losing it late on. um And, you know, there's always late goals in games that we have, unless we're attacking this season.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We used to score them.
00:01:07
Michael
ah yeah Yeah, we used to, didn't we?
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
We used to score them. We didn't used to concede them all of the time. That was so disappointing.
Controversial Player Decisions
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
One up with what 84 minutes on the clock.
00:01:17
Michael
Yeah.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, And to and to to lose that at the end, although there was a 10 minutes of injury time or something. So there was still a lot of football to play. It's disappointing.
00:01:26
Michael
Yeah.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um we're getting we're getting to read the yeah final chapter before we've read the rest of the book, if we do that, Michael. So let's ah let's rewind back to the beginning and how the teams lined up.
00:01:38
Michael
Yeah.
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We weren't far off in our estimation. i think we were right. when we said Murphy and Gordon with Voltemada at number nine.
00:01:44
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we were right when we said the three Musketeers in midfield.
00:01:52
Michael
yeah
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
The big shock for me is that Dan Byrne is selected to play at left-back. How did that strike you?
00:02:00
Michael
I was absolutely baffled when we were talking about it in the pre-match. I was saying it's got to be a five at the back. Murphy playing wing-back on the right. The Vemento on the left. and As much as I love Dan Byrne, today was ah an example of why he doesn't play out on the left. That first half I think Bakayo Saka had him on strings.
00:02:23
Michael
um Thankfully, none of it really ended up in a goal. Gordon supported him quite well. Joel Linton supported him reasonably well. But ah if there was anyone thinking Dan Byrne should go back to left-back, which I don't think there was, um they're certainly not thinking that anymore. But we were wondering how we were going to fit Chow, Bottman and Byrne.
00:02:42
Michael
Because we said he likes two centre-backs, one left and one right.
00:02:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:02:46
Michael
um And it would be harsh not to play a botman. So we we kind of got everything we said was right. We just didn't really anticipate Dan Byrne going left back, as you say.
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, absolutely not. And yes, of course, if Tino had started at left back and Trippier had been at right back, one of those centre-halves would have been dropped. And yeah, and not not none of them really deserve to be.
00:03:06
Michael
Yeah.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
so But a bit of a surprise for later on, not even on the bench, Lewis Hall. Have you heard anything about... so I know if Eddie had hinted that one or two guys who played on Wednesday were going to be checked because of knocks.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he is coming back from injury. But I hadn't heard anything beforehand that Lewis Hall wasn't going to be fit.
Team Strategy and Lineup Changes
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:03:30
Michael
Yeah, so I'd seen something during the game um because I was out with people watching the game and one of them raised to me, apparently what had been done is Lewis Hall's minutes have been managed and that he's basically going to start in Belgium against Union St. Joao.
00:03:46
Michael
So they didn't want to start him today. But at the same time, Kieran Trippier is there. Trippier could have easily played right back or left back. He's done that for England.
00:03:57
Michael
um You know, you didn't need to play centre back at right back against the best one of the best right wingers in the world.
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:03
Michael
um it's that That bit baffled me a little bit. But if maybe that's just made it so we can transition to the five if the four isn't working properly. um There will be method to the madness that, and to be honest, it might be that what I've just said, actually, because that does make sense. so um But it didn't really work, in my opinion, which we'll get to later. But yeah, it was a strange lineup for me.
00:04:27
Michael
um Well, just that one decision, really, actually. Just that one.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal's line-up I was encouraged by, though. I'm always encouraged with all of that array of talent when they pick Trossard and when they pick Calafiore.
00:04:39
Michael
ah
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then when Saliba's on the bench and Mosquera's come in, um but what do what did you think? Do you think that's just them using their squad rotation? I mean, Saliba came on in the second half and was very good.
00:04:55
Michael
I think for me, it's a it's a reaction to to what was said about them against Liverpool, what was said against about them against Man City, where ah what they're too defensive. They go into these games against you know tough ah ah tough opposition, and their aim is to to not lose the game.
00:05:12
Michael
I think having Eberrechieze in the 10, Trossard on the left, alongside Saka and Jokarez, was basically Arteta saying, look, we don't play defensive football in these tough games.
00:05:23
Michael
um But we you know we we pick it from game to game. And I will say, Eberechi as a what a player. um He gave us a tough time all game. And when you see him on the team sheet, yeah I think you could see he was he wasn't the difference in the end, but he was one of the reasons they were just so fluid in the first halfs.
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:05:43
Michael
ah Yeah, um but I'm going to hate seeing him and on the team sheet again when we play them at the Emirates.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a great player and he he certainly stood out. so He certainly stood out. Also, Saka back in, was hoping that he was going to be a bit sluggish and slow because he's not properly match fit. But is he just that good?
00:06:04
Michael
Yeah, he's a great player.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he's he's scary when he's lining up as well, isn't he?
00:06:08
Michael
Yeah, he's one of those players that when you see him lining up, I mean, we've had Tino Liveramento have a good game against him. We've had Lewis Hall have a good game against him. I think Dan Byrne has in the past, if I'm being completely fair to Byrne. But today it was one of those where...
00:06:24
Michael
I think Saka just turned up and actually had a really good game. He didn't contribute to anything assist or goal-wise, but every time they were getting forward down, their right or left, they looked really dangerous.
00:06:37
Michael
um And I think that was the the big difference in the first half, at least, because before the goal, I don't think we laid too much of a finger on them. But again, we'll get to that.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we will. We will. And for me saying that, I thought Arsenal this season were looking a bit meh, did come back to bite me on the arse.
00:06:54
Michael
yeah Just a little bit.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there again, as you say, it was a different
First Half Analysis: Arsenal's Dominance
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
approach, though. Different approach in this game to the away matches Arsenal have faced at Liverpool and Man United.
00:06:59
Michael
It was.
00:07:03
Michael
Yeah.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, look, let's do an early bionic and get into the yeah thrust of the first half in part two.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not right now. Wait another half an hour till Michael and I finish talking about this game. Then do it. That's what he meant. Part two.
00:07:57
Michael
Yeah.
00:07:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kicked off on the first half.
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely, definitely crowd up for it Great noise that they were making. And lots of ah blood and guts, if you were. Very, very needly match as ever. And it kicked off straight away like that.
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
However... As that first half went, it was kind of like Nick Pope versus Arsenal because he was forced into three or four really good saves in that first 20 minutes.
00:08:23
Michael
yeah
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
one One from Trossard that he tipped around the post right down, proving, for it by the way, that his shoulders are right because he got down really fast and really low to push that around the post.
00:08:37
Michael
yeah
00:08:40
Michael
Great save. Yeah.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then five minutes later, Eze had a short break ah shot It was at a good height for him, but it was travelling and he he pushed it around the post. um Was that just indicative of Arsenal picking all of those attacking players and really going for it?
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do you think we were slow to get started?
00:09:00
Michael
I think it's another game where we've been a little slow to get started. um i do think Arsenal play changing to play a bit more of a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-3-3 probably threw us off a little bit. you know There's very few times we actually see them play with a number 10.
00:09:15
Michael
Eze and Saka sort of ran the show, which you expect Saka to, you expect the midfield to try and do that for Arsenal as well.
00:09:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:09:22
Michael
So and I don't think it was too different to what they've they've played previously, just had the the third midfielder bit further advanced. But yeah, i think it's one of those where...
00:09:34
Michael
The midfield on our side were a bit slow, a bit sluggish. Zubimendi and Rice, fantastic getting the ball forward quickly ah to Saka, Trossard and Eze. And that was what we really struggled with. That pace early on really hurt us.
00:09:49
Michael
um Pope made some fantastic saves. Arsenal could have been, I hate to say it, probably 3-0 up by the time we scored um if they took all their chances, which...
00:10:00
Michael
I mean, we shouldn't be feeling too disappointed about the result based on that. But Arsenal started
Second Half Analysis: Key Moments and Controversies
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:10:06
Michael
fantastically.
00:10:06
Michael
If they're three nill up, you're just sitting there and going, it's just another game where Arsenal have been absolutely fantastic. um But at the same time, i think after the, but maybe what was the trussod hitting the post? I think it was about 25 minutes in, 25, 30 minutes.
00:10:24
Michael
um They didn't really do all that much afterwards for me.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh yeah
00:10:30
Michael
I think after that, we started growing the game a lot more. But when they had the possession, they just weren't really doing a lot with it after that. um So I don't know if we made a little bit of a subtle tweak that I didn't see.
00:10:44
Michael
ah Maybe Tenali dropped a little bit deeper or something like that. But we couldn't we couldn't get the ball forward. But after the 25th minute, they weren't really creating anything either. um and then all it took was one mistake at the back for them.
00:10:58
Michael
We ended up capitalizing on the the foreseeable corner.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Well, don't get me wrong, by the way, Michael. ah You know, I'll be the first to admit, in this game, Arsenal deserve to win. But just because they played and deserve to win doesn't mean they have to win.
00:11:11
Michael
Yes.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just look at Liverpool's performance at St James' Park. where there was only one team that deserved to win who ended up losing.
00:11:18
Michael
Oh, 100%.
00:11:21
Michael
ah
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, am I kind of liked the way that Pope played out of his skin.
00:11:24
Michael
Don't remind me.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, at one stage, I thought he was going to beat Tim Krull's 14 saves in one game record that he got when we won 1-0 at Tottenham all those years ago.
00:11:36
Michael
Yeah.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah it was They were piling, the shots were piling in as quickly as that. m But yeah, I do think that, um you know... the game turned. The game turned on a mistake by Muscara.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:11:50
Michael
Yeah.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shinned the ball out for a corner under not very much pressure, really. And, yeah, we worked a really nice short corner routine. Why did we not try that the previous 78 times?
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was a lovely cross in from Tonali that Goltamada gets up and
00:12:04
Michael
yeah but We hit the first man every time.
00:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Berries, second header. He only scored one header all of last year for Stuttgart. And here we go. His first two goals in his first two home games are both headers. What did you think about the um Arsenal claim that he'd pushed Gabriel?
00:12:25
Michael
It is the most hilarious thing I've ever seen in my life. And I absolutely hate that Gabriel ended up redeeming himself by scoring the winning goal because literally he gets a hand on the back.
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know.
00:12:37
Michael
And to be fair, what I think has happened is Volta Mard has jumped and his hand has already been on Gabriel's back as he's jumped. So the pressure of him jumping has basically made it look a lot less than what it actually was.
00:12:51
Michael
A lot weaker, should I say, than it was. But to go down like that when you're a centre-back, Gabriel has done it before against us and looked like an absolute idiot he did so again there and fortunately for him he's redeemed himself in the end um but to be honest we'll get to this as well I don't think he should have had the chance to
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I was going to say, ah Newcastle go one up. The match kicks off again. um i don't know if Valtemar, it doesn't sound like the sort of person who would be making a little snidey comment to him as he's running past, but possibly just because the referee's laughed in his face to deny him that penalty claim.
00:13:25
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He takes a swing. He clouts Valtemar in the face. And Valtimala looks really shocked and and tells the referee, but nothing comes of it.
00:13:41
Michael
yeah
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wasn't seeing things, was I, Michael?
00:13:47
Michael
No, i I mean, I don't think he clouts him, to say. um But the there's two hands. He pushes him in the face. um And by the letter of the law, that is a red card. And it's not exactly like it's not brought to the referee's attention because Vultemar literally goes to the referee immediately and says, look, he's hit me in the face.
00:14:06
Michael
And I think... I mean, we saw early in the season last year, yeah it doesn't have to be a lot of pressure to get a red card. um Just look at the game against Southampton.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:14:16
Michael
So the fact that twice this season, because it's not the first time, we've had players, you know, pushed in the face. And we've not had anything of it. I prefer that.
00:14:27
Michael
But I generally think if Vultimata goes down, starts holding his face and crying, like arsenal Arsenal players did for the majority of the game every time they were touched, Gabriel probably isn't on the pitch to to score that goal.
00:14:40
Michael
ah Now, don't get me wrong, we've messed up a 1-0 lead against 10 men before. There was no note to say it wouldn't happen again. um But it's it kind of stings that a player who makes the mistake for Arsenal for the first, maybe should have been red carded, um ends up scoring the winner.
00:14:59
Michael
Kind of kick kicking the teeth.
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know, i know. And the fact that the sky cameras are so close to him with his stupid big grin on his face and he's very thanking God. There's nothing religious about that, you Satan.
00:15:10
Michael
Yeah.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Oh, probably have to put that. Um, Yeah, so ah he stays on the pitch, but Newcastle really had a much better go in that second part of the first half with the warm-up.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Actually got a little bit of a but bit of wind in their sails.
00:15:24
Michael
yeah
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i don't think there was a lot of opportunity, though, was there for them to be scoring? I mean, we huffed and puffed and had more possession, but we didn't really create very much else.
00:15:37
Michael
no Put it this way, between goal and their first goal, there was one shot on target in the game. ah And that came from Arsenal. I think it was Jokeres.
00:15:50
Michael
um am i um But yeah, it's it's one of those where it's a really, really... Oh, no, it was Julian Timber, actually. um And it's a terrible header.
00:15:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the little header.
00:16:00
Michael
Yeah, that's literally the ode that's the only shot target.
00:16:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Another good save by Pope, though.
00:16:04
Michael
Yeah, yeah.
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:16:05
Michael
um it's But it's one of those for 50 minutes. That was the only real threat they had. um And we will get to the second half, I know. But again, throughout the rest of the first half, they did pretty much nothing for the start of the second. Yeah, they did nothing.
00:16:21
Michael
And it it feels like three points dropped despite all of that. I know I'm getting ahead of myself. um But we I thought we managed the first half really well after going 1-0 up.
00:16:32
Michael
I thought Volta Marder, the one thing I've noticed is that he doesn't close down that much, um which I was finding a little frustrating, but but I thought it was a really good team performance in that first half to hang in there and still sort of have a little bit of a threat on the break.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:16:50
Michael
um But the one thing I'm going to ask you is... Do you think we need to be scoring more? Well, we do need to be scoring more goals, but do you think the rest of the team needs to chip in a little bit more? Because other than Volta Marder, not a single person, luckily, scoring out there for Newcastle for me.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, um do I think that, well, there was a fabulous, beare fabulous this this might be the second half when Gordon goes down the left and puts a beautiful ball across the six-yard box, which rolls right across the six-yard box. Vultemar not anticipating it.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nobody is far enough forward to come in on the back post. It looked like a goal Miggie would have scored. And I'm surprised Murphy wasn't sniffing around there.
00:17:30
Michael
Potentially, yeah.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, but you're right. You're right. ah think we are I think we're slightly dislocated at the moment in that we are missing a player that you plays a clear centre forward ah because we've played like that for the last three years.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It should be different when Whisser comes back.
00:17:51
Michael
Yeah.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only guy we've got who can kind of try and do that is Gordon, but of course we want him on the left and that's where he was playing.
00:18:02
Michael
yeah
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So i think I think we just have to grin and bear it and hope that we can pick up enough points to stay in touch with everybody against these, ah you know, we need to pick up points against Forrest, we need to pick up points against the ah the Belgian USG in the Champions League so we don't fall too far behind in these competitions because I do think with Ramsey as an option and with Wisse centre-forward,
00:18:19
Michael
yeah
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have got so many more options and we will be so much more potent going forward. ah set ah A centre forward distracts the whole of the opposition back four. That's when Alanga and Murphy and Gordon, Joe Linton, Bruno and Tonali can make those late runs.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Without that focal point, the defence has always got everything in front of them. And I think that's what makes it difficult for these guys to get into their scoring position.
00:18:45
Michael
Yeah.
00:18:55
Michael
Potentially, you might it, yeah.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
a Go on, let's pay for an extra masseuse for Johan Wisser.
Zencastr Promotion
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He needs it.
00:19:03
Michael
Hmm.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
m let's ah Let's pause because I think the second half has a lot of stuff to talk about, Michael. we'll we're We're catching up. It's not too early for you to give us Zencastr.
00:19:12
Michael
Hmm.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And first, I'm going to do this to cue you up.
00:19:14
Michael
Oh.
00:19:17
Michael
no
00:19:31
Michael
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00:19:50
Michael
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good work, good work. Second half, third part, second half.
00:19:59
Michael
Thank you.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
m
00:20:02
Michael
Yeah.
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gary Neville in the Sky Commentary.
Newcastle's Second Half Performance
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
said after 10 minutes of the second half that Newcastle has come out much better at the start of the second half than they had done at the start of the first half.
00:20:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think he was right because I think it's in those first 10 minutes that ah Gordon is doing his little bit down the side and putting the ball across.
00:20:24
Michael
yeah
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Struggling to think of any other chances, clear-cut chances that we carved out. We did get a few corners. and
00:20:32
Michael
Not
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But really, I think the start of the turning point, if you like, because we wish we were Arsenal weren't carving out chances the second half the way they had done in the first half. um
00:20:44
Michael
not at all
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
They had lot ah had a lot of the ball, but there again they had 70% possession each of the last three times we've beaten them 2-0. So that's not necessarily a bad thing.
00:20:51
Michael
yeah
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think things started to wobble when Tino got injured. And that was a bad that was a bad challenge by Saliba.
00:21:03
Michael
Yeah, it's unnecessary. Completely unnecessary. the Livramento is in the air. He's won the ball and then Saliba's coming in behind a push him. Yeah, I was saying at the time, that's a really unnecessary challenge.
00:21:16
Michael
It's probably put to it. I'll be honest, I think Tino might be out for the season because of it as well. Because it's at the very least... a six-week, eight-week knee injury for me from the looks of that.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:21:29
Michael
And quite often they end up taking someone out for a season. So Saliba on pure malice because it was the ball wasn't there to be one won. He's done exactly what Harry Kane did for his entire time in the Premier League.
00:21:43
Michael
And Tino Livramento is probably going to lose nearly, well, over half a month of his, half a year of his career because of it.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah, fingers crossed it's not as bad as that, Michael. I haven't heard anything because we've we've come to do this.
00:21:56
Michael
I hope not. Yeah.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've come to do this rather than listen to any post-match stuff on the telly. But Tino, of course, had just recovered. A 13-month recovery to a cruciate ligament injury when he was at Southampton um before Newcastle bought him.
00:22:11
Michael
yeah
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And he's not shown any signs of... of breaking down and from that. So that must be, what, a year, two years? can't remember when we got him.
00:22:25
Michael
A few years, but yeah.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably just a year, a year, a year and a little bit that we've had him for. So fingers crossed, it's so it's not that, it's something different. and But yeah, that would be a blow.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you'll be telling us that, I told you we should have bought another fullback in the transfer window if that happens, won't you?
00:22:43
Michael
it's I won't be, because I hate to say I told you so. um ah But yeah, I did say we should have brought in another left back, and I don't know why it was a left back rather than anything else in the back line.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:22:56
Michael
But yeah, it's it's one of those... um It's going to hurt us with Tino being out. and There isn't anything that's... um There isn't anything that's come out about it just yet. But one thing that actually really, really annoyed me as well is when Livermento was getting treatment,
00:23:16
Michael
Arsenal fans are booing because they think he's time-wasting. And then even when the stretcher comes on, they're still booing. And it's like, right, I understand the time-wasting when he's just sat down. But when the stretcher is on and you're still booing, you sacks of absolute shit, you don't do that to a player who is being stretchered off. You can see he's...
00:23:38
Michael
ah like you can tell he's in agony. He looks like he's about to cry and he's there being booed because he's come off on a stretcher.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:23:44
Michael
When Tyrone Mings was taken off on a stretcher the first day of last season, he got a round of applause off every single person in St. James' Park because although even 10% of our fan base are absolute you-know-whats, there's a bit of class there in the stadium.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:01
Michael
No class whatsoever from those Arsenal supporters and generally it made me sick.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, la they're not top of my Christmas card list either, Michael. i agree entirely with what you said. But it was just the start, wasn't it? um Jamala Sells came on and we went five at the back, I think, at that point.
00:24:21
Michael
Yeah. Yeah, we did.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um with that That must have been with Dan Byrne going back to left back and trips down the right.
00:24:34
Michael
Yeah. I think we went ah five at the back and earlier than that with the substitutes when Alanga, Trippier and Asula came on for Murphy, Gordon and Vultimata.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, yes, you're right.
00:24:45
Michael
Yeah.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right.
00:24:46
Michael
Yeah.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was Valtemar coming off was the first brick that I thought was a mistake.
00:24:47
Michael
yeah
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I know he looked tired, but I thought his height in defensive positions was key um because he's back there.
00:24:54
Michael
He did, yeah.
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal didn't really know how to handle him. I'd never seen anything like that before. Nobody has. um I thought he was doing really good at disrupting the rhythm. So when he went off and, well, again, crazy, Asula comes on and does a lot of running and a lot of pushing, and a lot but it's not not the same not the same, really.
00:25:19
Michael
did a lot of good things today. Yeah.
00:25:24
Michael
Nah.
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And then, of course, ah we sort of, because we're five at the back, I think we sort of give up. We're we're inviting pressure because we want to hit them on the transition. And that, whilst that is fabulous when you do it at their place and you're playing 5-5-0,
00:25:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and they just have no idea how to get through.
00:25:41
Michael
Corner.
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's different when you've got Eze playing and you've got the better players, Zubamendi playing, where they but they're not worried about that and they can work it.
Arsenal's Game-Tying and Winning Goals
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure enough, and they work quite a nice... can't remember if it's a free kick or from a corner.
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
They do a short corner, very much mimicking Tonali's short corner in the first half, And it's a really good...
00:26:05
Michael
corner
00:26:13
Michael
Great, Hannah.
00:26:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bickel Marino outjumps Sven Bachmann and gets a little glancing header into the bottom corner. Unstoppable. You seem to think that was possibly... Why was that Pope's fault?
00:26:23
Michael
No, no.
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because of the silly kicking...
00:26:24
Michael
Pope's fault is for the second one. ah The first one is just, a you know, you can't do anything about the first one.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:26:30
Michael
It's a brilliant glancing header back. it hits the poll It hits the post. Pope is quite an a near it, but I think any pet any shot that hits the post and goes in, I don't think the keeper can do much about it.
00:26:44
Michael
ah The first equaliser has nothing to do with Pope.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no.
00:26:47
Michael
Pope was fantastic for 90 minutes. And then when the 90th minute hit, I feel like he started me he made two errors that potentially cost us the game. But he's the reason we were in it to begin with.
00:26:58
Michael
So I can't be too critical.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, but before they get that second goal, I'm not going to talk about him trying to send the Langer away. I think that was an attacking move, just a really bad execution of the of the shot.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
through the middle for Ranga to run on two, which is intercepted. And it just invited more pressure rather than cost us ah the actual goal. and But then, and you're trying to explain this as us going for a win, I just think it's a mistake.
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Valtimada's already off. Another one of our rocks in defence. And let's face it, Arsenal will always always love a set piece.
00:27:37
Michael
yeah
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joe Linton comes off with five minutes to go for Harvey Barnes coming on. um And i think I think that was an error. and I mean, I don't know if they're managing minutes or what, but I think we should have kept... We should have we were under pressure running into this. We'd conceded an equaliser.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The flavour of the game was really only one way. I think we ought to have kept our aerial dominance at corners.
00:28:01
Michael
yeah
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
in our favour and we'd already weakened it by sending Volta Marder off although to be fair LaSalle's is pretty good there as well but to take Joe Linton off and replace him with Harvey Barnes that is definitely taking another another brick out of the wall as it were what did you think did you mind that or were you sitting there all revved up thinking oh good that's the move that's going to get us the last minute winner
00:28:23
Michael
yeah Yeah, 100%.
00:28:30
Michael
I didn't think it was going to get us the last-minute winner, but i could see why it was done. For me, its that wasn't a game. That's not a game for Harvey Barnes. A game for Harvey Barnes is the ones against the likes of Wolves, Nottingham Forest, where we're going to have a bit more of the ball he can cut inside.
00:28:45
Michael
Games where we're trying to hit on the break and you know we're not going to have a lot of chances, but we're going to be up against up against it. yeah I thought defensively today, Anthony Gordon was fantastic. Harvey Barnes doesn't offer you the same kind of defensive cover. Him coming on,
00:29:00
Michael
I thought, you know, it's easy to say now, but at the time I understood it, I do think it was the wrong call. um And I will say, you mentioned that I'm going to sort turn it back.
00:29:11
Michael
ah Nick Pope launching it forward. um Even if he is sending it to Alanga, Alanga's got at least two players around him. it's ah For me, you you if you're a goalkeeper, you're seeing Alanga running, you're seeing two, at least two, maybe three players around him, and you're going, right, umm just going to slow it down.
00:29:31
Michael
and he doesn't do that.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah, I get that.
00:29:32
Michael
The ball comes back.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's not he's not meant to be playing it to Alanga, though. He's meant to be playing it 20 yards beyond all three of them for Alanga to be five yards clear when he runs onto it.
00:29:43
Michael
He can't do that, though.
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think Raya would have been, I would have been,
00:29:45
Michael
he hasn't got there He hasn't got a kick on um
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would think Raya would have been sweeping up anyway, but I think that's what he was trying to do.
00:29:49
Michael
Yeah.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i think to avoid Raya getting it, that's why he whacked it along the ground. But yeah, it was cut out.
00:29:57
Michael
He's really cool.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, I could see what he was doing, but i thought it was ambitious. And as you said, we want, we want to keep hold of the ball in these final moments because not keeping hold of the ball comes back to get you, doesn't it?
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then another corner,
00:30:11
Michael
Just a little bit. Yeah.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another corner where Arsenal do their five or six, really.
00:30:15
Michael
Yeah.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what are what a tall bunch they are when we've got half of our tall players taken off.
00:30:25
Michael
yeah
00:30:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel. Oh, they're all in there. um And it's a typical Arsenal goal from corner because it's Gabriel who scores it.
00:30:37
Michael
Yeah.
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, it's the little devil, Gabriel, who should never be allowed in church again. that scores it. It's a great corner, actually. um
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Saliba has a great part of it because he stands in front of Nick Pope, arms out. Pope cannot get to where he wants to come and punch it. He gets nowhere near it And effectively, Gabriel is a free header from about three yards out.
00:30:49
Michael
It is.
00:31:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's it. Not enough time for us to... Well, there's enough time for us to faff about and try and boot the ball in the box, but we never had a shot.
00:31:12
Michael
No.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't panic.
00:31:12
Michael
Didn't get in there.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't panic and flood the box, long ball and and score against Arsenal. You can against Liverpool. That's what Asula did. But you can't do that against Arsenal.
00:31:21
Michael
Yeah.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be fair, they won fair and square, too worn um Well, they won square anyway.
00:31:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure it was fair.
00:31:30
Michael
I was going to say, they were the better team, but I think there was a few decisions today that the ref got wrong.
00:31:35
Michael
um Probably two against Newcastle. The major ones, two against Newcastle, one against Arsenal. um I think there was a few situations, free kicks-wise, where he was a little harsh on Arsenal.
00:31:48
Michael
um But I think he generally just got tired of them floating themselves to the floor. it's It's one of those that if you throw yourself to the floor so many times, which they do every single time they get touched,
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:32:00
Michael
you know The ref is eventually going to not believe anything. And that's what we saw and at the end of the first half when they were really struggling. um But yeah, I think the ref got the Gabriel red card wrong.
00:32:11
Michael
He got the Jokeres penalty wrong. I think that should have been a penalty. And I think the Gabriel, not the Gabriel, Saliba, I believe it's Saliba, handball. I think got that wrong as well.
00:32:21
Michael
And the only reason I say that is I know it hits off both feet, but the natural position isn't there. your natural position as it as ah as a centre-back isn't there, even when you're sliding.
00:32:33
Michael
If it hits the arm on the floor, not a pen in any any day. But when your arm's up there, just like Salah's was ah yesterday, ats that's a handball.
00:32:44
Michael
And unfortunately, we i don't think we deserved much from the game, but we were we cost there, I think, a little bit. we've We've been let down.
00:32:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and certainly It certainly stings to have to sit and watch that happen, like we did against Liverpool.
Post-Match Reflections and Future Strategies
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i don I think we'll probably save a chat for tomorrow as to what the wider implications are for the rest of our season because we're already at times up, Michael.
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't think being beaten by Liverpool and Arsenal necessarily derails our Champions League aspirations, but I do think it adds a little bit of pressure on us to get something at Anfield or the Emirates when we get there.
00:33:22
Michael
no absolutely not.
00:33:28
Michael
Yeah, I will just add one little thing to be fair though.
00:33:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll see.
00:33:31
Michael
Decisions did go against Newcastle today, but you aren't going to see our fans mention it for 960 days straight. So at least we've got a little bit of grip on reality and like Arsenal fans who still talk about that Gabriel push in the back.
00:33:46
Michael
And when that happened for the first goal, I was sitting there thinking and we've got another three years of listening to this. So maybe it's for the best, but yeah.
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
that
00:33:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Indeed. Anyway, still exciting times. We've got a really good game in Belgium to look forward to against Union Saint-Gilois. That's not bad, is it?
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Better than USG.
00:34:06
Michael
No, Pato.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Our second game week in Champions League and then a home match, which hopefully we will not be clinging on to try and get a draw in against Nottingham Forest next Sunday.
00:34:08
Michael
Hmm.
00:34:16
Michael
Hmm.
00:34:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also on the telly. Anyway, thanks for joining me, Michael. Thank you very much for listening, everybody. If you think we've got completely the wrong end of the stick, leave us some messages. ah Let us know what you think.
00:34:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, like and subscribe so you don't miss another one of these. Michael and were quite fun, really.
00:34:37
Michael
Just a bit.