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S1-E69 : Forest Review and Reflections on a huge weekend!
11 Plays28 days ago
It's review time, and finally the boys have something to smile about! Join us as we discuss the game on Saturday against Forest, as well as discussing some of the key results from the weekend in the premier League!
Host : Josh Vince
Guest : Matt
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Transcript
Game Review: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Arsenal Podcast, brought to you as part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. It is Monday, which means, of course, it's time to review the weekend's game against Nottingham Forest. And what a game it was. I am your host, Josh Vince, and I am delighted.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
to be joined for the very first time by our new member of the Daily Arsenal Podcast. Please, everybody, welcome to the pod Matt. Matt, it is a pleasure to have you as part of the crew. How are you doing? Are you sort of excited to be jumping on board with us here at Daily Arsenal?
00:00:44
Matt
Yeah, very good. Thank you. Lovely warm introduction as well. But no, um I'm good. Thank you. And I look forward to being part of the team and obviously Arsenal getting getting back to winning ways, which is lovely to see. How how are you doing?
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what no one ever asked me that back I wasn't prepared for that i'm I'm doing pretty good to be honest I haven't been able to watch much football this week I've been I've been very busy in the bar working but I've seen little bits of highlights and I've seen key stats and I'm I'm feeling pretty good about things as should the Arsenal fans listening to this podcast because, as I'm sure you're aware, we were triumphant against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, a 3-0 victory in Mikala Teta's 250th game in charge of the club. Now, but obviously,
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're in England it was a three o'clock kickoff you didn't get to legally at the least watch the game saw some of the highlights do you does it look like we're back does it feel as though Arsenal might be crawling their way back into some sort of form or is it a bit too early to tell for you
00:01:45
Matt
As you say, I mean, you know, when you can only go off Sky Sports' three-minute
Arsenal's Season: Form and Challenges
00:01:50
Matt
videos, it's a bit difficult, but, you know.
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:53
Matt
But no, it was on Game of the Day, so, you know, watch it like that, but no. I think so, definitely. I think there was a lot to be happy about from that game. I think the intent, I think in general, you know, the way Arsenal have gone about their business so far this season has in many ways been quite unfortunate.
00:02:10
Matt
I think a lot of the results, you know, it's not helped getting red cards and difficult away games and you know you see even a game like Southampton versus Liverpool this weekend you know Liverpool just about won that game I'm sure we'll mention later on and that's an away game in the Premier League that's how hard these games are so when you get that 10 men in three or so games particularly against one of the best sides in the country or in the world
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It certainly hasn't. Yeah, that's true.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
o
00:02:37
Matt
It doesn't help, but I do think things were a lot better. I felt like we looked a lot more fluid, which I really enjoyed watching.
Player Focus: Martin Erdegaard's Impact
00:02:43
Matt
I feel like one of the roots we've kind of had in the the last few games, not really against Chelsea, but in the last few games in Martin Erdegaard's absences, I feel like we've been a tiny bit too persistent with crosses and breaking down a low block in a bit more of an unconventional way which is almost their bread and butter, you know you keep putting balls in the box, you don't really have the players to properly stretch teams or you know teams sit off and Arsenal just haven't had that little that little bit of cleverness, that little bit of body manipulation in Erdogan's case on the weekend and I think Erdogan was such a key player, soccer again, just you know everyone knows quite how good those two are but
00:03:24
Matt
sack as gold obviously, you know, opening things up, but Urdu God, small touches, oh, I can't just gloss past that, can I now?
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, we can't. we will We will get onto that point, but I think you make a really, really good observation in the sense that when Erdogan was out the team, we we were talking about it on the pod previously and we didn't we were trying not to say that our bad fortune was too much based on missing one player, but he he was a huge loss for us. And I think that Like you say, the fact that now we can play through the middle again, there was a real lack of ability to be able to break teams straight through the middle. And there was that reliance on the wings. And I think it was quite evident from the selection of the team as well.
Team Strategy: Changes in Arsenal's Lineup
00:04:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, from from the outset, before we even get on to the goals, Arteta dropped Havertz and Martinelli in favor of Jay Zeus and Trussard. Now,
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's another thing you'll learn, Matt, when you get onto the Arsenal podcast. There are certain players that certain Josh is, despise in the Arsenal squad. ah Josh Duncan, who sadly can't join us tonight, he is not a fan of Kai Habertz, and I am not a fan of Leandra Trossard. So just to prepare you for that. When you saw that change, did you think finally at last there's going to be a more penetrating attack going forward?
00:04:39
Matt
I think my biggest thing when I saw the lineup was almost happiness that Arteza's changed things up and I think in many ways you know obviously we we pinpoint Erdogan's absence but I think we haven't really adapted well enough we haven't tried enough solutions in his absence and I think Marino made a huge huge difference and that fluidity as you say in the front line did make a difference but I also just think Havertz has been slightly running to the ground a tiny bit.
00:05:06
Matt
I think, you know, he's played pretty much every single minute for club and country for the best part of what, about a year and a half, you know, non-stop at the Euros. They went... I can't even remember how far they went now. My mind's blank.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I think they made the semis didn't they and then there's that dodgy handball which they've which they've that was it spain and the referees have said wasn't a handball and so they've even gone back on their word and said it but yeah so he's he's worked like an absolute trooper and do you remember like the city game he collapsed at the end of it and there was a few games after that when we were down to 10 men or we were really struggling and he worked his absolute socks off so yeah a little bit of a break was deserved now matt you mentioned the sack a girl
00:05:22
Matt
Yeah, Spain, wasn't it? Yeah.
Key Performances: Saka and Partey's Goals
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a beaut, wasn't
00:05:50
Matt
Honestly, you just, you watch certain goals and you get a bit speechless, you know, obviously could have played in Michael Marino, who was on the left and in a lot of space, but you have that sense of inevitability, that sense of, I'm going to make things happen on my own with Mikhail Saka. And I think Arsenal have always had those type of difference maker type players, your Alexei Sanchez type of players.
00:06:11
Matt
but they haven't really got too many difference makers of that ilk nowadays and i think Saka has persistently been that and i think it just says it all that by the way that touch from early god as well can't be underestimated
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my, what and like it was such a sneaky little touch and it found the smallest, the smallest little pocket in space, but no one seems to be able to react to it, except for Bikayo.
00:06:32
Matt
and that's it and it's the telepathic connection but it's just Saka to be like I'm gonna do things on my own whether you like it or not there's five bodies in the way sometimes he gets a bit frustrating when he'll try that and it'll get blocked or anything like that because I think if there's one thing he could potentially improve on it is shooting into big crowds but on that occasion he made the space for himself and absolutely rocked it in that far corner and
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he rifled it and then just after the second half part a placed it from quite some distance out that I'm also not a huge fan of party but he has performed relatively well the last few weeks and that was I read on the BBC, because I was following the BBC sort of highlights thing as it was going on, and I think it came through as rocket from part A.
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's part A time. And I watched it back on the Sky Highlights. I was like, it was a nice curled effort, but I wouldn't call it a rocket necessarily. What did you make of it?
00:07:28
Matt
it it was a yeah it was a good goal it's a good goal i think once again as well so i mean the finish was brilliant to be fair but i think once again yeah i probably probably undergloss give it but the the play from sacran urdagard again i thought was brilliant and and i think they showed on match of the day that urdagard took i think it was yates with him which freed up the space on the edge of the box and brilliant finish and
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:50
Matt
Yeah,
Squad Depth: Injuries and Young Talents
00:07:51
Matt
there you go. It was pity Georgina had to come off at halftime, I think, because he looked really good. And he's another one of those players where it's occasion of use your squad better. But yeah, as you say, party with ah with a really good finish.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
it did feel like Arteta really used the squad probably to its absolute maximum definitely the best that we've seen in the last month or so at the very least and also it was great to see Calafiori back ah left back and um obviously the news that whites out for several months.
00:08:15
Matt
Oh,
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Calafiori coming back now and left back and Timber being able to be on the right is thankful timing which we just can't afford any more injuries.
00:08:28
Matt
I think there's some real hilarious irony that are not particularly hilarious for us, but you look at that left-back position, you look at Zinchenko, you look at Kivio, you look at Lewis Skelly, you can play there, you look at Califiori, you look at Tomiyasu, you look at Yuri and Timba, and that has been a problem area.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mhm. Yeah.
00:08:46
Matt
I think I mentioned Kivio, that's like six or seven names where it's like, you go into the season and you're almost like, why have we got six left-back players who could play at left-back?
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mhm.
00:08:55
Matt
And then the reality
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank goodness. Do you know it's very interesting you said that because I literally earlier recorded our tactics Tuesday, which is left back the problem position for Arsenal. So that is insanely insightful analysis there. But before we go to a little break, it wasn't 2-0 to the Arsenal. It was 3-0 to the Arsenal. Now, this young man has been impressing us on the podcast a lot. Ethan Wannieri.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
the confidence that he showed to take that ball and just rotate it around, get a little bit of skill off and the beauty of the finish. 17 years old, he's the second youngest player to score for us on the Premier League. He's a hell of a talent, isn't he Matt?
00:09:41
Matt
<unk> easys He's alright, he's alright. I think there comes a time when some players are so inevitable and so talented and have such a, not a unique skill set so to speak, but have such star abilities that you just can only push them away for so much longer. Arteta's quote after the game was interesting, you know whatever way you look at it, I don't know if you were you saw
Mikel Marino: Impact and Injuries
00:10:02
Matt
it.
00:10:02
Matt
um
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
The brick by brick in the wet cement comment. I kind of liked it. I'm not going to lie because there is that thing nowadays. A lot of young players are getting so many minutes and there are big injuries that happen down the line.
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't mind him taking his time with one year.
00:10:18
Matt
Yeah I do agree, I think in an ideal world he would not have planned for Martin Erdogan to miss the ah mr the first few months of the season and I think you know it got a bit frustrating for me just because his age or his his um you know being being only 17 years of age becomes a tiny bit redundant just because we sold obviously Fabio Vieira on loan and Emil Smith row so where it's like
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:10:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:41
Matt
if that's who you know is going to be the director of the guard replacement and you've got games to very much bed him in. I think, you know, you kind of lose the excuse. But that being said, as you said, you know, it's important to to keep these guys grounded, keep these guys humble.
00:10:55
Matt
And and it was it was such a dream moment to just watch even when they get that first goal at 17 second youngest Arsenal goalscore and ninth youngest Premier League, I believe.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Do you remember?
00:11:06
Matt
Well, to be said.
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know who the youngest for Arsenal is?
00:11:09
Matt
Sesk, right?
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ses, Ses Fabregas. I think he's about two or three months off of Ses, but still not bad company to be in. That's it for this section. What we're going to do is we're going to take a little break. We're going to hear from our partners at Zencast. and And when we come back, I want to pick your brains about a player that you've mentioned a few times and have a look at some of the stats from the game itself. So we'll be back just after this message.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to the Daily Arsenal Podcast. It is Josh Vince here with the brand new member of the Daily Arsenal Podcast family, Matt. And Matt, there's a play that you kept on mentioning in the last section, who I kind of want to pick your brains about ever so slightly. You clearly have a big fondness for him, and he's not at the easiest of starts to life in an Arsenal shirt, but Mikel Marino,
00:12:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
he I thought he was incredibly influential in this game from what ah from the little bits that I've seen the way that he manages to work space because I think it could be said before the international break in his build-up plate he was a little bit labored sometimes he hadn't quite caught up to pace necessarily with the Premier League but you saw something in this game that really impressed you
00:12:44
Matt
Absolutely and I think um I'm pleased you've ah you've asked about him because I think the jury's almost been out on him since he joined the club and that upsets me a tiny bit. I think you know he joined the club didn't really have a pre-season you know the negotiations maybe went on for a bit longer than we would have liked but that's transfers and then he you know gets an injury two days in a really unfortunate shoulder injury.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Gabrielle flattens him in my training.
00:13:12
Matt
I just, how's your luck?
00:13:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:14
Matt
And that happens. And then I think, you know, people have been overjudgmental over the, you know, the short amount of time we've seen him. I think it was what, 20 minutes maybe against PSG was his was his debut, I believe.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:26
Matt
Southampton, you know, made ah made a really big impact even just being back post with Martin Ellee and redirecting him quite a bit. And I completely understood, you know, Bournemouth as well, you know, played an unconventional role, which I don't really think helped.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:40
Matt
But I think the jury's been out on him far too much. And I think particularly when you have a fan base who has done a huge U-turn on Kaya Havertz, you kind of expect a year later that there would be, you know, a bit more patience, a bit more common sense, a bit more context to the situation Michael Marino finds himself in. And now, and I made a tweet after the Chelsea game, so it's not just today either,
00:14:03
Matt
I thought he was phenomenal. I thought he came off the bench and changed the game for us. I thought it went from Arsenal building up through the centre slightly. I had a guard, you know, just coming back from injury was still great, but there's only so much you can trust a player who's been out for two months, although he was flawless to flawless on on the weekend.
00:14:21
Matt
But, Marino, I felt changed the game against Chelsea with his intricate touches, how press resistant he was and how smooth he was on the ball for his six foot three self. And it felt the exact same against Nottingham Forest.
00:14:34
Matt
And it felt balance wise, we'd really got that balance far better and far more suited, you know, having that player who can crash the box, not having a runner off the left, you know, like he could hold width and allow Leo to come inside.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm. Mm.
00:14:47
Matt
And I think, you know, that line up against Forest, really was a lineup where I was thinking we're expecting to have a lot of the bull. We're fortunate Gibbs White's not there and we're fortunate Anderson's not there with with Georgina obviously transition wise.
00:15:01
Matt
But Mikel Marino, huge game for him to show what he's what he's about and I think he very much did. And I'd be intrigued as well to hear what what you think about ah about Mikel Marino.
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, much much like you said, I think he's he's been very unfortunate in the way that, well, his start to life at Arsenal has been. First of all, the injury. There's not an ideal way to start any new part of your career is to suddenly not being able to work for six weeks. You know, it wasn't ideal for him by any man.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we lost Erdegard around about the same time and we lost a lot of important defenders and I think Arteta probably for the first time in about two years or so had a bit of a crisis at the club especially in terms of personnel and his is response to it was pragmatic but to be And it was pragmatic, it was it was sensible what he did in terms of trying to make the team a unit. And I think in that sense, when Marino was coming in, he was coming in, like you say, in bit parts and in positions which weren't conventional, and certainly weren't conventional or suited to him. It's not why we signed him.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We signed him to be that press release, that sort of, that player who can play through the lines and turn and be that late, be that late arrival, who can ease the press off the other players, who can make the space for the likes of the Erdogan's and the Martinelli's or the Trossards on the left to be able to operate in and around him.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he wasn't able to do that in the system that Arteta had to set up when we had a lot of injuries. I like him personally. I also, I like the attitude of the guy. He seems really sound like his English is flawless.
00:16:36
Matt
here class
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
which is bonkers, like his English is insanely good. And the comment that he made about the basketball team, I just loved that. I thought it was hilarious. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. So I really like him. And I think that with time, with the squad back to its full fitness and the squad that Arteta wants out there, I think he can be a really vital player for us. um Speaking ah of which, no Declan Rice this time, but wasn't really missed, was he, to be honest?
00:17:06
Matt
No
Player Analysis: Jorginho's Role
00:17:07
Matt
and I think I think that's almost because of the nature of the game. I think as I mentioned or just touched on just now with Giorginio is I think the idea of starting Giorginio was to be like Arsenal will dominate this game, Arsenal will play it in your half, Arsenal will understand that you have transitional threats but you don't have Morgan Gibbs-White and you don't have Elliot Anderson who are both good outlets, good ball carriers, good players who can get you up the pitch.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:30
Matt
So I think Forest really lacked that connector, you know, they couldn't get it to stick at all in the final third.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:36
Matt
And obviously, you know, Chris Wood coming back late from international duty, not that I think he would have made a difference. so And, you know, a one-U-E, handled really well, first open it.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
the g The genius Chris Wood, who was off at the top goalscorers, the very best of them all. He went with a bit of problem first, you say, Matt?
00:17:53
Matt
too easy to leave. But I think just because of the nature and the way the game was, I think first half was complete cruise control and do you mentioned no deck and rice and I think he's the type of player where I don't really want to see him being deployed as an eight, particularly as like a
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:11
Matt
box-crashing, Marouane Fellaini type of midfielder. I don't think that's ever going to get the best out of him. But I think when you have him as a lone six, particularly the way we play where Timbot often inverts or Califurian inverts or even Ben White is inverted, where you go, you know, into that two in possession, that is a lot better to say because he still has the license to go forward. Whereas when he's playing as this eight and almost like this second st striker, to be honest, it's a bit of a waste.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it doesn't it doesn't suit his capabilities at all. And I mean, the fact that, like you say, Arsenal were going to have possession in this game, it was reflecting the fact that Forrest didn't have a shot on target.
00:18:49
Matt
There you go, and the shots, to be honest, I think, not to really talk about the referees, but I think they did come from some pretty questionable free hits and whatnot, so.
00:18:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
All game, you know?
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you know what for it's about time it's about time we got some luck from so so we'll take it um the last thing i want to ask you about so that's kind of this game wrapped up it was a pretty comprehensive win and we saw some really encouraging things especially from some of encouraging players but before we move on to the rest of the premier league weekend in our third section the next few games that we have sporting away West Hamaway, United at home, Fulham away, Monaco at home and Everton at home. That's six games in 18 days, that's one every three days effectively, starting with sporting in West Hamaway. How are you feeling now with what feels to be a much fitter squad?
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've had a
Upcoming Challenges: Arsenal's Schedule
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
really rough ride in. And we're still, you know, I mean, we look at if we look at the Premier League table now, we are fourth. We're behind Chelsea on goal scored. That is it. We've got 22 points. We've been through a rough start to the season in terms of the teams that we faced and the luck with injuries and red cards. How are you feeling about December, which is normally, let's be honest, a rough time to be an Arsenal fan?
00:20:06
Matt
Yeah I think it's an interesting one. I think my main thing has always been the case when people brought up the title or brought up what can Arsenal do this season. and My main thing is it's frustrating we found an ah found ourselves in this position but we've also got to realise this is the position we're in and the only way we can overturn things is by getting a great run of form. You know we went 16-1 at the back end of last season we're capable of doing it and it's frustrating that it might come down to something along those lines but at the same time you know you mention those fixtures obviously playing Amorim quite early on West Ham away they might be with a new manager if they lose um against Newcastle hopefully not but yeah but you know sporting away no Amorim as well mentioning them twice but it's really
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's it's kind of weird, isn't it, how we got that switch around?
00:20:51
Matt
and
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We got sporting without Amory in the United with Amory.
00:20:58
Matt
ah its it is what it is but yeah funny honestly pretty funny but yeah i think you know it's it's a set of winnable fixtures you've got obviously the kryptonite ground which is full of them away for no apparent reason they're a good side but it
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's weird how fate works, isn't it? Yeah.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Emil will come to haunt us again.
00:21:15
Matt
won't be emil they can't play reese so adama will have to play instead which isn't exactly some real you know it's given issue but
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they can't play Riese.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i'm trying not I'm trying not to think about it as much as possible.
00:21:25
Matt
so
00:21:28
Matt
but But yeah, I think definitely, you know, like it's a winnable phase of games.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah
00:21:33
Matt
And as you say, you know, how do I feel about it? I feel pretty
Reflecting on Victory: Significance of the Win
00:21:36
Matt
content. I feel pretty chilled. I think the main thing is just get back to winning ways like we have, get a long run going together and then go from there, see where we're at.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:44
Matt
And there's not much else you can do.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I think this, this is a game that could have been a real banana appeal for us, but we got through it. Three points on the board and three goals in the back of the net as well for ourselves. That's us looking back at the forest game. We're going to take a quick break here from the global sports podcast network. And when we return, we're going to talk about the rest of the premier league, a surprise sack. Well, is it a surprise? Probably not a surprise sacking and, um, quite a big result that came out of the games yesterday. So we'll be back just after this message from the global sports podcast network.
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, it doesn't want to play, but the Global Sports Podcast Network, anyway, is a great service. It brings you daily football podcasts. Not sure why I didn't want to hear my pre-recorded voice, so instead I'll just talk to you in the live voice. It brings you daily football news from all of the biggest teams in the Premier League. One podcast every day with ranging topics, so make sure to sign up wherever you get your podcasts, be it on Spotify, Apple, wherever, the Global Sports Podcast Network. Search for your daily and the team that you support and you will find what you are looking for.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, we're going to jump back into the podcast itself now after that ah slight technical hitch, and we're going to talk about the rest of the Premier League. So first things first, we're recording this about 20 to nine
Managerial Changes: Leicester's Decision
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
on Sunday. All the games have just finished and some news that broke a couple of hours ago is that Leicester have parted ways with their manager. Steve Cooper has been sacked already after 12 games in charge of the Foxes. Matt, does that surprise you at all?
00:23:27
Matt
Um, I think so. I think it's a weird one. It's it's almost one where, sorry, like where where have you come from?
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:35
Matt
But at the same time, I think, you know, I've heard from a few Leicester fans that that's the right decision for themselves. And, you know, apparently, you know, you look at style of play, I guess, and you look at where you are in the table and it can be a bit different or a bit misleading.
00:23:50
Matt
But ultimately, I think if you take the facts for the facts, they haven't done too badly.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah! If not done terribly for a promoted site,
00:23:55
Matt
You know, they've got
00:23:58
Matt
12 games in, I mean, but it almost, did you think it comes from the way Leicester view themselves as a club, you know, obviously winning that Premier League title however long ago, being a team right up there for top four type, do you think that comes into their thinking even all these years later?
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it might with the fans. I think it'd be incredibly naive if the hierarchy think that, because it was, let's be honest, it was the most incredible sporting achievement I've probably ever seen, but it was insane and it shouldn't have happened. It was just all the stars aligned and created this beautiful story, which we'll all remember for the rest of our lives, but it's not what should, it's not what it was scripted. And so there might be a little bit of overagged nostalgia in the eyes of the fans, but I mean, they're promoted.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're 16th, so they're not in the relegation zone, and Southampton have been shocking. So, you know, they're doing they're doing remarkably well in that sense. They're above Palace, they're above Wolves, who established Premier League teams at this point in time. Yeah, they lost 2-1 to Chelsea. I just think it's a bit a bit drastic, possibly. I don't really know. They must have someone lined up, ready to come, because it seems like jumping way too early.
00:25:09
Matt
It almost depends the route they want to go down because if they just want to go for short-term Premier League survival, I think the general the general opinion nowadays is teams don't even want to go for a short-term Premier League survival.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:25:22
Matt
They'd almost rather go for a season where they might go down, they might stay up. but they've got a manager who they can trust long term to build what they want to build if they go down to the championship they know they're going to check back up which is quite interesting in itself you know you look at like a Russell Martin you look obviously Vincent company who's obviously not a Burnley anymore but you get the general principle of things and I think Steve Cooper isn't obviously spent a few years at Forest and was brilliant for them in the championship but nowadays I don't think he's viewed as that type of manager where it's like
00:25:53
Matt
if you want a long-term project he's that guy it's more like a short-term survival thing and yeah
00:25:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's kind of a fixer, isn't he? Almost a little bit like a late-stage allodice. It's not all set up. Yeah, that sounds like an illness, doesn't it? Late-stage allodice. Goodness me. The other huge news from this week um happened actually just up the road from where I live. um The noise from the empty had was somewhat muted because our bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur absolutely annihilated our other bitter rivals Manchester City. And
Manchester City's Struggles: Losing Streak
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know about you Matt, I don't know how to think on this one because I'm happy that City have dropped points and they've lost five games in a row. We'll get on to the intensity of the City situation in a minute. I just wish it was anyone that spurs, anyone but them.
00:26:49
Matt
I think it makes it even funnier. to I mean, to be fair, I might offer a bit of a different perspective to yourself in terms of particularly caring that it spurs.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
this
00:26:58
Matt
Like for me, anything which benefits Arsenal, I couldn't care less.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay was that the 4-2 that game 2
00:27:02
Matt
Like when Spurs went 1-0 up, was it last season? I think it was the season before when Harry Kane scored early on and they made it 2-0. I was buzzing. I couldn't care less who it is.
00:27:12
Matt
If it wins us the title, then brilliant, right? but
00:27:18
Matt
thing I think it was a 2-1. It's when Romero got sent off late at Spurs.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh yeah ya yeah two now yeah-0 yeah 2-0 that was it yeah 2-0
00:27:23
Matt
Wait, no, 2-0, because they I don't think they scored at that point, had they? ah
00:27:28
Matt
And yeah, it's an interesting one because I know some fans and, you know, they kind of like to take the either the moral high ground or they just personally feel that, you know, they don't really want to cheer on Spurs, which each to their own. And obviously, as you say, you know, you'd rather it be other teams. But at the same time, I think it makes it even funnier. You know, they've given Ipswich and Crystal Palace their first wins of the season, and then they've got to beat City 4-0 in their own backyard. And I think that's hilarious.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
as well. I don't know how much of the game you saw. They absolutely tore them apart. And in the week as well, where Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension to try and galvanise a team who had lost four games in a row for the first time as a manager, and now they've made it five. Now, Matt, the question that everybody's asking, and you seem really level-headed, and I like this about you, do you think the city are in crisis now?
00:28:23
Matt
ah think I think with with the nature of social media and the nature of football, nothing is ever as bad as it seems, nothing is ever as good as it seems.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm Yeah
00:28:32
Matt
And I think in terms of City, if you look at those games in isolation, they haven't really been in such bad form where they deserve to lose five in a row. I think Brighton first half they were pretty good, Brighton second half they were abysmal.
00:28:46
Matt
Bournemouth they could have definitely lost by more, but once it got to 2-0 they very easily could have equalised. uh you know harlan picked the post from point blank range sporting i don't really i don't wanna say i don't care too much they they just they weren't in it at all in that game so
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
They weren't really in that game where they know. It was it was the Amorim farewell. it was That was the story more than anything.
00:29:07
Matt
Yeah, exactly that. And then you look at, I mean, to be fair, what I've just said, the games I've analyzed completely contradict the point.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:14
Matt
But you you go for ah you go for Spurs on the weekend. I just think one of the massive issues city have at the minute, which not even more than the Roger issue, because I think it's easy to point towards Roger's injury.
00:29:27
Matt
And obviously that is significant and the lack of contingency planning. But I think a massive issue is the fact that it's Harland or bust for them in a minute.
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, huge.
00:29:36
Matt
Harland Is to top score in the Premier League, but he's not going to get a hat-trick every game He scored what bats bats bats hat-tricks early on that was never going to persist if he's not getting the hat-tricks Who's stepping up last season?
00:29:47
Matt
It was Roger last season. It was Foden last season. It was De Bruyne at times last season Alvarez at times this season Savino has not got a goal doc who scored one I think against Fulham Foden's not scored Roger's not there so it's
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's been off boil. hasn't featured. has been off yeah. it so
00:30:06
Matt
I'll let you, sorry, I'll let you do that.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're absolutely right. There's a contingency issue there, isn't there? And I live um i live amongst city fans. I know so many of them. And when they sold Alvarez, the big argument they made was we're never going to get this money for him again. And to be fair, they're right.
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
like what was it, 90 million euros or something for him. And I liked him a lot. I think he would have been brilliant for us at Arsenal as a second option striker, or even as a first option striker and having habits a bit deeper.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there is a lack of goals, but also a huge weak link in their team. At the moment, there's Karl Walker. Karl Walker, he has been awful recently.
00:30:44
Matt
Oh.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you could argue he's been the best right back in the world for a few years, but I don't know what's happened. The drop-off has been immense.
00:30:55
Matt
I personally think it's become so undeniable that people can't ignore it any anymore. So before it would be like, when people, I think in football and you know, it's been the case massively recently that once narratives are painted, narratives are painted and nothing will happen to change that.
00:31:12
Matt
You look at players who are rated really highly, it doesn't matter how bad they'll do it will always be oh but if you play Mbappe you want to play car walker you look at players who aren't good or sorry had a period where they weren't good the narrative you know Granny Jacka for example it took him years for people to undo that narrative Ben White even you know took a bit of time to get his plaudits Gabrielle was labelled as rash to start with these are just arsenal examples but there's plenty all across the board
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:37
Matt
And I think once narratives are set in stone, you have to do a lot to change them. And I think Kyle Walker has done a lot to change it in the way of just being so clear now to any anyone who watches him.
00:31:50
Matt
You know, you look at games like Forest last season, he was not great at all in that game.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:31:54
Matt
Chelsea last season, he wasn't great at all. But no one cared because these were anomaly games which people didn't really watch. Now it's every week. people can't hide it anymore and I think that's the big thing and I don't think Pep needs to be playing him every week.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't think he does. And I was talking to a city fan the other day. In fact, we did a crossover with city in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago. And I did ask, what is the right back contingency? And there isn't really one. Again, kind of like the centre forward situation, like he's built the best squad in the world, but it's actually quite brittle. There's the strength in key areas, which is terrifying. But the rest of the pitch is a bit shaky.
00:32:37
Matt
To be honest, I really like the fact you've mentioned this because I think once again, what we're saying with narratives, once a narrative is born that city have incredible depth, it does not matter. They could sell the
Premier League Dynamics: Liverpool's Lead and Arsenal's History
00:32:48
Matt
whole team, everyone involved. They still have incredible depth. They haven't.
00:32:52
Matt
I don't personally think they've had great depth for quite a few years now. I think they've had players who they rely on so heavily and you know members of the old guard if you will where they're so trustworthy and reliable and they always turn to but for one Obviously hindsight's easier to say.
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:33:10
Matt
For one, they've been punished for not investing in the summer and not being proactive. And for two, and also not trusting certain youth players, you know, but even someone at Liam Dilapp.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:20
Matt
And for two, I think they're in a difficult area where their best players are so good that they have to either replace them through versatility so they can play in other positions, such as an Akanji, you know, or a Gavadio, who can play at full back, not just Senna back.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:34
Matt
but you lose that ability when someone like Alvarez wants to be a mainstream starter and you know you can't get a direct replacement for Roger or a direct replacement for De Bruyne because if you say to sit sorry you say to a player you are the direct backup for Erling Harland but you are a young promising striker
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, why on earth would you go there? Why? Like, you're never gonna get game time. You might learn a thing or two off of him, but you're never gonna get to game time.
00:34:02
Matt
I think, ironically, Arsenal have a very similar issue. ah You know, not to really mention Arsenal too much, obviously we've done the the main segment on them.
00:34:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
On an Arsenal podcast, it's fine, you're good.
00:34:11
Matt
but that is That is true, that is true. But I think one thing which I think is quite an interesting discussion nowadays, and maybe is one for another tactical Tuesday and whatnot, is how much versatility is paraded nowadays, but how it's actually being a bit of a weakness.
00:34:29
Matt
So you look at city for example, you mentioned their right back regime for example. Who do they have at right back? They have players who aren't out and out right backs, bar walker, but they have players who can play either side, they can play center back, they can play in midfield.
00:34:42
Matt
Okay, but are they specialists? Are they of that level? ah have you know Have they got that overlapping right back along, you know, walker I guess is the example in this case.
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got what? you've Realistically, you've got Akay and Lewis, who could play it.
00:34:57
Matt
There you go. Could. that That's the key word, I think, there.
00:35:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could, yeah.
00:35:01
Matt
Because it's could. But are they going to play it to a super high standard? They could.
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:35:05
Matt
But it's like, you know, you I think players like Anthony Robinson and outand out and out fullbacks are the type of players who Arsenal and City need to be going a bit more after and not necessarily players where it's like a Kivior.
00:35:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:35:18
Matt
Oh, he can play it center back. Oh, he can play it left back. Can he actually play it left back? Not really.
00:35:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:22
Matt
Can he play it center back? Yeah.
00:35:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:24
Matt
But yeah, that's ah that's the challenge. These clubs have got to basically find a direct replacement without finding a direct replacement because no one's going to accept being a backup to these superstars.
00:35:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:35
Matt
So they compensate versatility and it hurts the rest of the squad.
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's really interesting you mentioned that because obviously we just heard as well that Kieran Tierney was back in full training so it'll be interesting to see if he gets a look at with Califuria I doubt it but looking at like squad death one team who again this narrative thing have surprised people with their squad death are Liverpool who are absolutely flying they scraped admittedly slightly to a victory over Southampton earlier which means now they are eight points ahead of Chelsea and nine points oh no eight points ahead of City and nine points i ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton.
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, there have been bigger deficits at this period that teams have clawed back from. Quick trivia question for you, Matt. Have you got any idea who in the Premier League era, the team that has clawed back the biggest points tally to win the Premier League is, and any idea how many points it was at this point in time?
00:36:20
Matt
Ooh.
00:36:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a tough question.
00:36:33
Matt
Ooh. Are we talking like one amount of points in one go they've overturned yet?
00:36:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
so So what I'll tell, I'll give you the points. So in December, this team were 13 points behind the leaders and they went on to win the season.
00:36:49
Matt
Ooh, actually, I reckon this might be too early here, but I feel like it might be like, it might be like Conte's Chelsea, because I know they started quite slow, and then they massively overturned things, that might be way off the mark, but.
00:37:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's actually far earlier than that. It's the 97, 98 Arsenal side.
00:37:06
Matt
Oh, I had no, honestly, give me 20 shots, I hold 10.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, but no, it is our lovely arsenal have overturned the biggest points hall to win the league when being behind.
00:37:12
Matt
ah
00:37:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, obviously, it's been it's been a weird season.
Title Race: Current Standings and Predictions
00:37:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's actually kind of been akin to early 2000 seasons where there's been much more of a clump of teams towards the top. Matt, is the type this is the last question I want to ask before we finish today is the title race over?
00:37:35
Matt
I think one thing we've got to do is look at the month on the calendar.
00:37:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
who Yeah.
00:37:39
Matt
um I think, I think for me personally, we're in November and as I said earlier, it's kind of just about us getting back into form. And you know, we've made ourselves have a lot of hard work to do Liverpool dropping points against Southampton would have been handy.
00:37:54
Matt
And I know a lot of people are keen to downplay Liverpool and say that they're going to drop points and whatnot. I think for me, it's obvious that they're not going to win the league with 100 points, maybe probably not with 90 plus even.
00:38:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:05
Matt
but that doesn't mean that it's not all on us to get a good run of games going, show we deserve to be right up there and ultimately we've got to rely on Liverpool dropping a amount of points which I think is very doable in the context of the season and how football is with 12 games in but it's about Arsenal not slipping up which is possible once again
00:38:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah I think
00:38:27
Matt
But it's just about doing our thing. Get a seven to eight game winning streak if possible in the Premier League. You know, do your job. Do win win that or win that momentum and go from there. So no.
00:38:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you're bang right. I think it's still all to play for. Liverpool are going to drop points at some point. like they they' They've been very impressive, they have done, but there comes a point and know with the new manager where the momentum will run out and someone else's momentum will kick in. And hopefully City will stay in a bit of a rut and we'll have that lovely run. Our tattoo can take the boys to Dubai again.
00:39:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
for hot water, hot weather training camp at some point and just give them that extra boost, that extra kick up the backside to finish things off.
00:39:01
Matt
ah
00:39:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that is it from the Daily Arsenal Podcast. Thank you all so much for listening. I've been your host, Josh Vince, and a huge thank you. First appearance has been brilliant talking to you, Matt. Thank you very much for coming on with us.
00:39:19
Matt
ah Thank you very much. ah Thank you very much for having me. It's been a pleasure.
00:39:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, no, well we'll definitely be having more of you as the season goes along, so make sure to listen out for Matt. And to follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, it's the Daily Arsenal Podcast, all as part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. I have been your host, Josh Vince. Thank you very much for listening, and until tomorrow, with our tactics Tuesday, it's time to say goodbye.