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Episode 118 - Arsenal's Champions League Exit: PSG Triumph in Semifinal Showdown
16 Plays2 days ago
No miracles or remontadas this time… Arsenal have bowed out of this season’s Champions League campaign after suffering another defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes. What went wrong? Who was the shining star for the Gunners, and who was a liability? What’s next for Mikel Arteta’s side in the final fixtures of Premier League action?
Join Michał Czarniecki as he reviews the 2nd leg semifinal action with Viktor Plevnes and Jamie Patterson from Daily Arsenal. Tune in and enjoy!
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Transcript
Podcast Introduction
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wish I could say good day and good evening to you all listening to the latest int installment of Daily English Premier League podcast brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network. But it's not a good day, not a good evening, because now we know for sure there will be no more English teams in this season's Champions League.
Arsenal's Champions League Exit
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Inter Milan will play PSG, and we know that after Arsenal gracefully bowing out of the competition. We're going to talk about the second leg and overall about the performance of Arsenal in this season's Champions League.
Guest Introduction: Victor Pleasant
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to do it with my permanent colleague from Chicago, Illinois, Victor Pleasant. How are you doing?
00:01:19
Viktor
Good, man. How are you? Good seeing you both.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, good seeing you too. Well, I'm feeling kind of deflated knowing that we won't be able to cover the Champions League final. But I'm sure Jamie from Daily Arsenal will ah say more
Fan Reactions to Arsenal's Exit
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
about this. How are you doing?
00:01:33
Jamie
Just heartbroken, deflated. Oh, just, yeah, I just ah quite want the season to be over with now, to be fair.
00:01:43
Jamie
Just this game really defined Arsenal's season and to go crashing out the way we did, just, yeah, heartbreaking
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just like that, we've got so you've got something in common with Man United fans, because we also want the season to be over. Yeah, just just to throw a little bit of humor into that um into that misery.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so let's just jump right into it. like um Apologies to everyone anticipating or expecting Rodney to be in our podcast, but like we ran into some technical issues and unfortunately we won't be able to hear ah his feedback on the game, but we we hope to hear feedback back on and Arsenal's season, probably at Daily Arsenal. So we highly encourage you to listen to that podcast as well.
Analysis of Arsenal's Performance
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, um, To get into the preview of that second leg at Parc des Princes, I would say that Arsenal, they were like they were really unlucky to go out the way they did because of the fact that they ah created so many chances. They were performing so much better than in the first leg at the Emirates.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then again, you kind of feel that you can talk about luck so much until you can no longer blame it on lack of luck. And can you have to blame it on lack of accuracy, lack of concentration, perhaps...
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
some feeling of overachieving for some players, probably, that they just did not expect that they would go so far. ah Because we have to remember that this semifinal was the very first very first Arsenal semifinal Champions League since 2009.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's been a long time since Arsenal got into the Final Four. Jamie, would that be the accurate assessment?
00:03:23
Jamie
Yeah, in all fairness, i I personally believe, and I mean, i said it to the boys, actually, but once we'd come over Real Madrid, I went into the semi-final actually believing we could go on to maybe even win it because you don't get into a semi-final and think, well, OK, well, we've just beaten Real Madrid.
00:03:43
Jamie
um We're coming up against PSG. I just don't think we've we've got what we i don't think we've got enough to to make it into the final. not Not a single Arsenal fan would have thought that.
00:03:54
Jamie
But I think it's a fair assessment.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:03:57
Jamie
you know The fact that we we came up against Real Madrid, the expectation was not as high. But you know to even get a result against Real Madrid, which we did in that first leg, was absolutely amazing.
00:04:12
Jamie
And I think now going into the semi-finals, Since kind of everything that happened with Real Madrid, Arsenal season's kind of just taken a bit of a dip. um And it's just, unfortunately, I think this, along with myself and, you know, everyone from the GSPN Daily Arsenal crew, I think we've all got to sit here and take a bitter, bitter pill of reality. this This result, I think, has now brought us back to reality now because for a lot of Arsenal fans, we thought, well,
00:04:45
Jamie
beating Real Madrid, brilliant. Going to PSG now, we've we've got every hope now that we can make it into the final and hopefully go and win the final. But after tonight now, this is ah this is now back to reality now, really.
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just like in that meme from Eminem.
Fan Support and Home Leg Performance
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Victor, like if you were to compare ah like anything that would stand out to you for ah like in terms of Arsenal's performance, comparing to, ah for example, the game in October where Arsenal won 2-0 against the same PSG in the league phase, and now, like what would be your takeaways?
00:05:21
Viktor
I got to say one thing. I'm actually impressed by Arsenal today because to go into the second game away after losing the first one at home, the intensity was there. I think the press was unbelievable.
00:05:34
Viktor
The first 15, 20 minutes, that i still remember that Donnarumma saved. That literally saved the game for PSG. If Arsenal scored there that early, it would have been way different, I think. And they have to be sorry for sorry for themselves after not winning tonight.
00:05:49
Viktor
That's how I look at this game. I think what PSG did wrong in this game was underestimating Arsenal, how aggressive they will be from the very start. And they woke up on time, I would say, especially after that save.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
mit But maybe it wasn't underestimating. Maybe it was just a matter of tactic that that was chosen by Luis Enrique.
00:06:06
Viktor
I think the mindset, I think it was the mindset. They thought they got it in the bag and then it was a wake-up call, ah the way that Arsenal started game. That's how I feel.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that would be bizarre to assume that just because you won 1-0 away, that already gives you a more than 50% chance of qualifying to the final.
00:06:24
Viktor
They probably thought the crowd's going to drive him through and that didn't happen at the beginning. And yeah, I don't know.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Okay.
00:06:30
Viktor
if If I was an Arsenal fan, I would have been way sadder than Jamie, I think.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:06:36
Viktor
Because I feel like Arsenal should have won today.
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. and And Jamie, a question to you, because last week we were, me, Victor and Nick, we were talking about what Arsenal lacked in that first leg. We already said that intensity was there, that the desire was there, that the threat was there.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Do you see something else that Arsenal brought to the table that they forgot to bring a week ago?
00:06:59
Jamie
Do you know what? I hate to say this, and I kind of had a rant on on the on my podcast last week about it, but I just felt like the fans, I feel like if you are if you're going into a Champions League semi-final, first leg, doesn't matter if it's first or second leg,
00:07:11
Viktor
Thank you.
00:07:17
Jamie
But I think the fans could have played a massive massively vital part. Now, ah lot of people have said to me, well, you know, they scored after four minutes. We were going to feel deflated. So what? are you telling me that after four minutes, you're going to feel deflated for the next 86 minutes of ah the game? No, it should never work like that.
00:07:36
Jamie
It should work in the sense of, right, well, we're 1-0 down. Let's rally the boys up. And I think the fans could have maybe played their part a bit more. Maybe there was a sense of also overexcitement because, you know, like you said, first time that we've gone into a Champions League semifinal since 2009. And I just think, you know, we we kind of, I think we've kind of turned all our attention away from the Premier League. And I think...
Team Strategy and Missed Opportunities
00:08:05
Jamie
if we'd maybe be ah If we'd been a bit more complacent, strung some results together in the Premier League, I think the momentum i think momentum in the Arsenal camp is what's kind of killed us a little bit.
00:08:17
Jamie
Because we've drawn games, we've lost games. we've you know I think there's a horrible stat going around that you know when we take the lead, we can't hold the lead.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:08:25
Jamie
And you know again...
00:08:27
Viktor
Thank
00:08:28
Jamie
I think the momentum just, it wasn't enough. It just wasn't enough. And I think results in the Premier League haven't helped, unfortunately. And especially, i was at the i was at the game against Bournemouth and, you know, it seems like we we do so great in the first half, we just cannot take our chances. And it was clearly evident tonight in that first 25 minutes that we just couldn't take our chances, clearly enough.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:08:54
Viktor
Yeah, that number nine spot is a painful spot for Arsenal for sure.
00:08:58
Jamie
you know what I have said for season upon season? Everyone has said it ah at GSPN Arsenal. We need a striker. And the one thing that I also will say is we've never capitalised in January.
00:09:12
Jamie
In January, the first half of the season can go really well for us. For the past three seasons, it's gone really well for us. But the mistake that we've made is that we've never invested in January.
00:09:23
Jamie
You look at Villa. You know, Villa went biller didn't even need to spend money.
00:09:26
Viktor
Absolutely. Okay.
00:09:27
Jamie
They just went and made a couple loan signings.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:09:29
Jamie
And that was it. Now look at Villa. You know, we just it'll be interesting to see what they'll be like next season. But again, why can't Arsenal have maybe gone and explored that route? You know, why can't we have maybe explored potential loan signings and maybe turned it turned it into an obligation to buy in the summer?
00:09:48
Jamie
You know, there's there's so much behind it. But again, it just seems like we don't learn our lesson.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Let me just throw a couple of stats there, just returning to the to the review of the game. and So we could say that there could be a lot of numbers that could sponsor today's review.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So instead of just picking up sponsors, let me just say it that... and Number five, since the start of April, no Premier League side has conceded more goals from set plays, excluding pens, in all competitions than Arsenal.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Five, level with Ipswich Town. that is That is a stat. Another stat that I would love to show, would be able able to talk about is number four.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Arsenal have now failed to progress from each of their last four major cup semifinals. and That would be 2021 Europa League campaign, Cup and twenty four twenty five league cup and twenty four twenty five champions z leagueak This is their longest ever run at this stage of competitions.
00:10:43
Jamie
Yep.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Okay, and i also have one more stat, which is 3-14, which is ah the XG that Arsenal produced in that second leg against PSG, which is the most by a team against Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League game this season.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that second leg was like kind of like the worst, and that that was like the worst nightmare that PSG could actually, be like not hopeful, for but like dreadful.
00:11:11
Jamie
yeah
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and yet And yet they somehow survived. So taking all of those stats in, are Arsenal overachievers?
00:11:23
Jamie
I wouldn't say overachievers, but I would just say, I think again, I think since obviously Real Madrid, the, you know, I think we've just got, we've got a bit too carried away with ourselves here. And I think again, that's had a bit of an impact in the premier league.
00:11:40
Jamie
Um, But to be overachievers, I mean, nah, I just don't think we've overachieved. I think we've just got too carried away. I think we've got too carried away with ourselves, unfortunately. And, you know, like I said, tonight, over the two like well over the two legs, that's been our downfall.
00:11:59
Jamie
I think, again, with we've now finally we've hit we've come back to earth with a bit of a reality check now.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:08
Viktor
That Saka miss, though, towards the end.
00:12:10
Jamie
oh
00:12:11
Viktor
That painful.
00:12:13
Jamie
I sat there.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:14
Jamie
i literally, I fell to the floor thinking that I just fell to the floor at that moment. And I just thought, as if it couldn't just get any worse tonight, that was probably one of
Player Performance Reviews
00:12:27
Jamie
the best opportunities to have that we could have taken. But again, even in the first half, you know, the the resurgence and the you know the resilience that we really showed was was quite good. And I thought we were very unfortunate not to take any of them chances. But again,
00:12:43
Jamie
You know, I look back to the Bournemouth game over the weekend, had so many chances in the first half, didn't take them. What happened? Got punished in the second half by Bournemouth. And it just felt like the exact same tonight. It felt like watching the Bournemouth game all over again, except I was in the comfort of my own home.
00:13:02
Viktor
I was waiting for the replay of that Saka Mesa, and I'm thinking in my head, please tell me someone touched that ball before him, so that's why he missed it.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:10
Viktor
But no, it was literally clean shot.
00:13:10
Jamie
It's... it Clean shot as you like, exactly.
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:13
Viktor
Happened, yeah.
00:13:14
Jamie
Clean as you like.
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
which but yeah Which would speak of maybe lack of accuracy in those critical moments. You know what? We will get to those individual performance review ah just in a moment. But first, we have to say that Arsenal nott right now, you know losing on so many fronts. And I really feel sorry for them in that regard.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I got to say, they really look as if they were in need of some supplements. And here's the beautiful, perfect sponsor for that segue, which is Bionique.
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly so. So thank you, Bionic, for sponsoring this podcast and our network as a whole. You're listening to Daily English Premier League, brought to you by GSPN, obviously. I'm joined with Victor from Daily EPL and Jamie from Daily Arsenal. We are now going to talk about the individual reviews of Arsenal players.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here, I think there will be some optimism... for Arsenal fans and for all the Premier League fans listening to this podcast. Let's start off with the performance of the player of the match in my book for Arsenal, obviously.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That would be David Raya. I will ask you about your grade from 0 to 10 with 5 being average, 10 being awesome, 0 being nobody. ah Let me just say, ah that's going to be a fun stat. No Arsenal player created more chances in the first half against PSG than David Raya himself.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Jamie, your assessment of David Rayat.
00:15:16
Jamie
Do you know what? Honestly, very unlucky with with the goals that he conceded tonight. And even with the goal that he conceded at the Emirates, it was just it was all very unlucky.
00:15:27
Jamie
But the penalty save... I mean, again... think it was a little I think it was really cocky, really cocky, because the the way the penalty was taken was like, oh, well, ah going back to what Victor was saying about, you know, the whole kind of like PSG maybe not having that respect for Arsenal in a way. And I think that was shown in the penalty being taken. But I think Raya, for me, would get a solid eight.
00:15:53
Jamie
You know, that first s leg at the Emirates really kept us in the tie. gave us that hope and the optimism that, you know what, maybe we could go to Paris and maybe create something there.
00:16:04
Jamie
And even tonight, you know, like I said, the two goals, you know, fair enough. Unfortunate. The penalty, great save. We've seen it before in the Champions League. um So for me, he'd get a solid eight.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I got to say Vitinha's take, or like how Vitinha approached this penalty was absolutely ridiculous. with The second I saw that penalty, how Vitinha approached it, I recalled how I think it was Simone Zaza taking a penalty in the shootout against Germany in the Euro 2016.
00:16:30
Viktor
Heh heh. Heh heh.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just like going, not going, going, not going. Ah, I'm going anywhere.
00:16:37
Jamie
Yeah.
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's just, wow.
00:16:37
Jamie
ah first
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He bottled it so much. Like he could have buried that game right at that spot. He didn't.
00:16:42
Jamie
Yeah.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So like kudos to to David Rea for saving us still. ah Victor, your assessment.
00:16:47
Viktor
I would give him a 9. I mean, really, in between both games, there was nothing he could do about any of those goals. And he he came big against with the PK and everything.
00:16:58
Viktor
So it's a strong 9 for me because I don't see anyone else with a higher than that for him um the in the Arsenal squad.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
goal yeah Goals prevented 1.56, four saves, two hype claims, four saves from inside the box, one penalty saved.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:17:14
Viktor
Something has to be done about about these PKs.
00:17:17
Viktor
It's happening way too often with the stopping or coming up with something new. We saw Eze again over the weekend. It's it's just, yeah, FIFA and UEFA, they need to do something about these PKs.
00:17:28
Viktor
it's It's becoming ridiculous. Like once you start your run, no stopping, no nothing. Just take it like a like it used to be.
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, right. Yeah, so that's a throwback to Vitinha's penalty. so ah So that's 8.5, I guess, which would be the average for David Raya, which is pretty good. So now let's move on to the defensive line.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Let's start with Timba, for example, Jurion Timba. and Well, how would you assess your performance, Jamie? ah His performance, brother.
00:17:59
Jamie
ah If we're going across the two legs, I would... For me, I think he would probably get... I think he'd get a six to be fair.
00:18:12
Jamie
I just think if we're going to throw the first leg into context, that first, just in the first four minutes, you know, he was dragged out, was clearly dragged out.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:18:23
Jamie
I've said it before in the early part of the season with Timber's game, he gets very easily dragged out of his position and PSG were able to find, find a way through that.
00:18:34
Jamie
And again, that's how Dembele managed to score. um Tonight, had an average performance. So that's probably why I'm going with a six. I just don't think, I know he's kind of coming back from an injury and I know we're asking a lot of him because obviously, you know, Ben White's been out injured for quite a while.
00:18:53
Jamie
um But for me, I'd probably give him a six.
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, Victor.
00:18:58
Viktor
Six and a half for me tonight. Over the two legs, I would give him six. yeah as As Jamie mentioned, he's diving too much and you cannot do that in a semifinal, especially when you have ah players like PSG players, attacking players.
00:19:05
Jamie
Yeah.
00:19:10
Viktor
Yeah.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would agree with this assessment as well. So a six for ah Timber. Not the best, but maybe not the best, but also not the worst of Timber's performances. Absolutely. Okay. But we spoke about Timber's somewhat okay performance.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are we going tell about Saliba though? Because to be honest, like I remember having this discussion and I was told many, many times, uh in the on the on the waves of this podcast that and when we put saliva and kivio together i'm sorry but like like kivio he can no longer be put like you know better than than saliva because saliva he is like far more experienced like he just needs some time i'm not gonna buy this argument today because i'm sorry but saliva in my opinion he had he will have a far worse performance today jamie your your thoughts
00:20:01
Jamie
um I think with Saliba, he's had a bit of a mixed game. Again, you know, i don't know where I would... I don't know with Saliba. The thing is, i think he's a great defender, but...
00:20:15
Jamie
there are cracks starting to appear in his game and they are unfortunately starting to get a little bit worrying. You know, kind of all started with Real Madrid.
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:20:25
Jamie
um Then it happened against Palace. um Tonight in this case was a little bit shaky, I realised. There were times where I did see some really good composure from him um and there were times where it kind of left me a little bit on edge because again, I think...
00:20:43
Jamie
Arsenal didn't really kind of, I don't know why they didn't take it in from the first leg, but again, the pace of PSG and the youth, you know, they've got quite a young squad.
00:20:54
Jamie
You know, they haven't got the, they haven't got big egos that, ah like they had with Mbappe and Neymar and Messi. But I think, I think tonight Saliba will probably get a six from me.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, Victor.
00:21:11
Viktor
Five for me, another disappointing display by Saliba for me, especially in a second leg of a semifinal. Arsenal started dominating the game and he does another huge mistake in the 22nd minute. I marked it only because in my head I remember thinking Arsenal's dominating, they need to score and he makes another huge mistake and and that's just a killer for me.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:21:35
Viktor
Again, we discussed this before. You would expect Kivir to be the one, the shaky one. But since Kivir joined the team, the first 11, this is a third huge mistake by Saliba. So that's a alarming.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. And that he just like that, like those arguments about Saliba, we have to give him some more time. Like how much more time can you give to a player, especially at this part of the season, when you really have to deliver?
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you do not. Okay. I also understand that injuries also play their part. So there is no really a better way how to replace Saliba. And he just has to stay there because due to the necessity.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But still, so yeah, I would agree with this assessment. So I guess 5.5, I guess, in the overall average. Jakub Kivior, ladies and gentlemen, speaking of of the dude, please do not but please disregard the fact that I'm Polish.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can just you can just assess him honestly as much as you like.
00:22:28
Viktor
Yeah.
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But with that being said, I do not think that he was as active as he was in the first, like when I could actually see him contributing to the offense as well. ah But, okay, I guess we have to expect and demand results at at the back from a center back.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And here, Kivio did just that with, I guess, but I can just bring up some stats of basically like one clearance, one total tackle, ah one ground duo won, five aerial duels, three out of them were won.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
No crucial mistakes made. Okay performance. Would you agree, Jamie? Yeah.
00:23:04
Jamie
Yeah, definitely. i've um i have been quite critical of Kivyor during the course of this season, especially like in the FA Cup games against United. um But pleased that he's now been given a run of games.
00:23:20
Jamie
And he's really, do you know what? Surprised me in a really good way. He's been he's been exceptional at the back. You know, he's been great cover for Gabriel. And in all fairness,
00:23:32
Jamie
It'll be really interesting to see how, like, when we get into the start of next season, that I will feel for Kivio massively because, again, we talk so much of, oh, well, Gabriel and Saliba at the back. Well, hold on a minute.
00:23:46
Jamie
Can we also talk about Kivio here? Because he's had a good season. He's had a really good season. um For me, I would probably give him... I'd give him a seven because, again...
00:24:00
Jamie
didn't He didn't contribute as much as he did in that first leg, as you said. But I just, again, you know, didn't really kind of do much for me. But I think he most definitely had that better performance than Saliba.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:24:15
Viktor
Yeah, i would ah I would agree with that.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor, your thoughts?
00:24:16
Viktor
I would give him a seven. ah It's interesting with setterbacks. Once you know that you are in the lineup, then europe he's doing a great job. When you come in as a sub and you have to cover for a game or like for 30 minutes,
00:24:31
Viktor
And he was very shaky in the past like that. But now that he knows after Gabriel got injured and that he's going to be that guy, he's fully focused.
00:24:34
Jamie
Yeah.
00:24:38
Viktor
He hasn't made any terrible mistakes. Even tonight, he was it was solid. He knew when to be aggressive, when to contain. And I think he's a very solid. And it it will give something up to think to Arteta when the new season starts.
00:24:51
Viktor
I'm pretty sure of that.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. There will be competition and in the center, like in that position, which is amazing for Arsenal because the more competition there is with though for those individual positions, the better the team can get because competitiveness is always like a good factor in terms of building a squad.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, as far as we agree on Kyivyo, and I think we're going to agree with the next one, the next pick the and the next player that we have to assess. ah Kivio will probably remember this tie against PSG, of course, bitterly as the entire team, but individually-wise, I think he's going to be remembering very fondly because he was solid and he stepped up.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do not think we can say the same thing about Lewis Skelly. and Although the performance at the first leg was far, far better than what we saw right now, like what we saw last night, that was just a total disaster.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I um i probably Lewis Skelly really wants to forget about the second leg and about this entire match overall. Your fault, Jamie.
00:25:51
Jamie
Yeah, I agree. I think, see with Lewis Skelly, I saw traits of him, um you know, like against Wolves, against, you know, just the little reckless. I think, you know, I speak so much, we speak so highly of him and I always say that he doesn't feel pressure.
00:26:12
Jamie
However, tonight showed that the pressure kind of got to him. ah It was him against... It was him and against... Who was he up against tonight, sorry?
00:26:25
Jamie
From PSG.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dwayne?
00:26:27
Viktor
Clara.
00:26:28
Jamie
Duet, yeah. And I just think, you know, everyone's spoken so highly of Douay. And I mean, the commentators were even saying tonight that you couldn't even get shirt with his name on the back because of how popular and how good he is.
00:26:45
Jamie
And I think Douay kind of gave Myles Lewis Skelly a bit of a reality check in a way, you know, he He got a a silly yellow card as well. I think, you know, it wasn't really needed for him to do what he'd done.
00:26:59
Jamie
um But I think for me, Myles Luskelly probably gets, I'd probably say a six. It's just that there were there were hints of, like, recklessness to his game. And I just don't think he could cope with Douay.
00:27:17
Viktor
Yeah, I would agree with the assessment.
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor?
00:27:19
Viktor
I just cannot be too critical on the kid because he's only 18. And kind he kind of came out of nowhere into this Staryok lineup.
00:27:23
Jamie
of course.
00:27:27
Viktor
when it's I mean, I'm talking about the season, not just this game. It just shows to be a big, big player. And he's going to be left back for England for for years to come. I'm pretty sure about that. So I can't really be judging about this this kid yet.
00:27:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:41
Viktor
So he will easily forget this game.
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:27:44
Viktor
I'm pretty sure about that.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah To be honest, once I looked at the average positions, I might have i might have committed a mistake here because I just thought said Dwey because of his position, like, nominal position on the tackle, but it was Borkola.
00:27:55
Viktor
It was Barcola.
00:27:56
Jamie
Yeah.
00:27:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was Borkola.
00:27:58
Jamie
Oh, Barcola, fair enough.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah but this doesn't But this doesn't change your point at all. It's just, yeah, we just have to replace the names and that's it.
00:28:02
Jamie
Yeah.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So
00:28:05
Viktor
He's one guy that he's not, he does not need to take any responsibility about what happened in the semifinal.
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:28:12
Viktor
Because if you're going to end a locker room, that's not your player.
00:28:12
Jamie
No, absolutely.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:13
Jamie
Absolutely.
00:28:16
Viktor
You're going to go with the more experienced guys. So for him, this is going to be a great lesson going forward.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
a Great lesson, exactly. And just like that, we've completed the the defensive line. and We will speak of substitutions at the end. ah Let's move to the second line. And I have to start with Captain Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal's UCL Journey and Future Focus
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he performed way better than during the first leg when he was almost nowhere to be found.
00:28:39
Viktor
Yeah.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But still, I think in terms of Arsenal standard and how he should be bringing it out and what he and like he used to like he used to be bringing to the table, There was still some room for improvement there, right, Jamie?
00:28:55
Jamie
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, saw it against Bournemouth over the weekend. I thought, you know what? Probably one of his slightly improved performances.
00:29:06
Jamie
Saw hints of it again tonight. But again, i will stress it. You are captain. You're captain of Arsenal. Now, look, I don't know what could be going on behind the scenes. whether it's still whether Because I've realised since he's come back from injury, he's just not been that same player.
00:29:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:29:23
Jamie
You know, he's he's been so renowned and so well-known to just stand on the penalty spot, take a shot from there, and you probably know that it would either go in the back of the net or at least hit the target.
00:29:37
Jamie
But tonight, I mean, apart from the the one chance he had, which was a great shot at goal, I thought, you know what, maybe this could be the start of something for Odegaard. But again, didn't really see much of Odegaard tonight.
00:29:52
Jamie
So for me, I'd probably give him a six.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
so So no redemption after that first leg, but no catastrophe either.
00:30:02
Jamie
No, I feel like after that shot he had at goal, his runs forward were were good we're okay, but I just don't think, again, it was, I just don't think it's enough and for me to give him a higher rating.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Victor, your thoughts?
00:30:17
Viktor
Yeah, six and a half max. Again, it was it was definitely different than the first game.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:30:22
Viktor
He was better today. Everything could have been way different if that went in. But that's going to be one of the best saves of the season for sure. I'm not i'm not talking about it was because of how fast that was.
00:30:34
Viktor
The velocity, when you watched it in real time, it was crazy the way Donnarumma made that save. So if that went in, then we would have had a different conversation right now.
00:30:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you might say a lot about Donnarumma that you might perhaps you do not like his style, you overly you might not like the man, but sport-wise, he really delivers when he needs to.
00:30:44
Viktor
Yeah.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Odegaard found out about halfway, as the entire team of Arsenal.
00:30:57
Viktor
Even that save on Saka that he had in the second half is just...
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:01
Viktor
Yeah.
00:31:01
Jamie
yeah
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah good ah good Good goalkeeper and Haydou's going to hate and he's just going to continue goalkeeping. So that that brings us to, I think, the best player of midfield and the guy who was clearly missing from this in this Arsenal puzzle, which is Thomas Partey.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm like, wow. i think if i I think I would have to ask this question. What would have been had Partey not gotten injured or suspended rather and had he played
00:31:28
Jamie
Of course.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
at the Emirates last week.
00:31:32
Viktor
You're
00:31:34
Jamie
I think with Partey, he just brings he he brings the best out of himself.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jamie.
00:31:39
Jamie
And he just... He he brings the best out of the players that are around him. And I think, for me, the rating I'd give him would be a solid...
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:31:48
Jamie
I'd say seven and a half. You know, I think he's... his contributions and in towards the box, the long throws, you know, he was one player that would try and at least dart forward, try and create an opportunity or create something.
00:32:05
Jamie
And again, it was just very unfortunate. I mean, if we had him, if he wasn't suspended for that home leg, I mean, again, as you as you say, Mikel, it could have been a much, much different story. But Unfortunately, I'd like to hope that Partey's learned his lesson because, you know, we all saw it against Real Madrid.
00:32:26
Jamie
Rice went up to him and was like, well, what was that for? You know, you're five minutes away from beating Real Madrid comfortably and you you go and do something as silly as that.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, yeah that that hurt the team. And to be honest, i this could spark another conversation about Arsenal players' mentality. And because I saw, like especially in those final minutes of that game, that the f firsttration frustration took over of the ah cool blood and cool heads.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And those players, they just started fuming because of just really just subtle stuff that normally you would just shrug your shoulder and just just just move on.
00:32:54
Jamie
Hmm.
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We could talk about it a little bit further like at the end of of today's episode, but for now, let's focus on Declan Rice's performance. ah but I'm sorry. Have I asked you, Victor, about Partey's performance?
00:33:15
Viktor
No, but you can have eight.
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry.
00:33:16
Jamie
Ha ha ha.
00:33:17
Viktor
eight You can have eight.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sorry.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sorry, mate.
00:33:19
Viktor
You can have my eight and we can move on.
00:33:20
Viktor
Yeah, party was the difference. I think this game would have gone to overtime if you played the first game.
00:33:24
Jamie
Thank
00:33:25
Viktor
Let's put it that way. Yeah, vital player for Arsenal, ah especially if when you play against a team like PSG.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I realized it in time that I haven't asked you. That's good. I realized it in time.
00:33:38
Jamie
yeah
00:33:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oof. Good, good, good. to Impartiality restored. Okay. So, Deacon Rice, ladies and gentlemen. and ah from I have a little bit of mixed feelings about Deacon Rice because somebody could describe his overall performance not only in this game, but overall in the season. and Flash in the pan? Question mark? would you Would that assessment be accurate or would it be too harsh, Jamie?
00:34:01
Jamie
I don't know, actually. I think with Declan Rice, he can... I've seen it this season where, you know, he can play brilliantly. You know, we we have the chant saying that we got him half price. Declan Rice, we got him half price.
00:34:14
Jamie
um But tonight, I think... Again, quite influential in a way, you know, was very, you know, was the only kind of player that would, again, try and make something work.
00:34:29
Jamie
Along with Partey, you know, he would be someone that would try and make something work. And I feel like with Rice, I just, I wish I'd seen him take a few more shots at goal. I don't know what it is with Arsenal players this season with not just, just put your laces through, just put your laces through it.
00:34:47
Jamie
um But I think for me, I'd give him a 6.5, I'd say. You know, had ah had an average performance. And, you know, unfortunately, it's just it wasn't enough to kind of just take us to that next level up. But, you know, Declan Rice, decent performance.
00:35:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Victor?
00:35:07
Viktor
Same. I would agree with 6.5. We like giving out this half, so yeah, 6.5 is super solid for him.
00:35:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. This is in performance.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:35:14
Jamie
yeah
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Damn, that is interesting. So, so um okay, so perhaps I was a little bit too harsh on Dickel Rice because overall he is a like valued player, absolutely. and no ah No questions about that.
00:35:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I have a feeling that against PSG he wasn't as active, just like you said, Jamie, that like maybe just put your laces through it, try to take a shot. ah Maybe it's not going to be as beautiful joga bonita as you would like to see, ah but but then again, you expect to win games and not play beautifully.
00:35:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I'm about to spark another conversation, another discussion, another topic. Okay, no, let's move on. Gabriel Martinelli, what are we going to say about him? Jamie.
00:35:55
Jamie
Martinelli, I mean, the the one thing I've realised, I realised it during the course of the night and I realised it a little bit in the first leg, which was the fact that PSG really mutualised Arsenal's wingers. It wasn't like a one-on-one, it was a two-on-one here.
00:36:14
Jamie
um And for Martinelli, Again, could have maybe been a bit more experimental. Could have maybe, you know take it you know, maybe just try and take players on. i haven't seen... There's times where I've seen Martinelli take a few players on, but I kind of wish he had that edge to him ah in tonight's game.
00:36:33
Jamie
For me, I'd probably give him... Probably ah a... I'm going six. I'm really debating between six, 6.5, but I'm going to give him a six.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor, but victorta before I ask you, let me just throw one squadt moment squat one stat there about Gabriel Martinelli. He was the player who completed as many take-ons in the first half against PSG as every other player on the pitch combined, which was four.
00:37:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with that's that stat thrown, Victor, your thoughts?
00:37:04
Viktor
Yeah, I'll give him six and a half. I think he started the game ah very aggressively and showed no respect towards Hakimi. And we saw at the beginning how there was like at least two, three times when he just went straight at him and he created some dangerous attacks for Arsenal. So it's a gutsy kid.
00:37:21
Viktor
ah like Martinelli.
00:37:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, all right.
00:37:23
Viktor
I think he should be a little bit more aggressive and take more shots rather than just trying to cut inside and find fight the forward when you don't have the forward to do it to the rest of the job for you.
00:37:29
Jamie
Agree.
00:37:34
Viktor
So you got a cut a little bit more on the other side and take some shots. That's my assessment of Martinelli, not just for this game, but in the Premier League as well.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, not to mention that...
00:37:43
Viktor
I think that's what's missing for Martinelli. Next year, once you get your number nine, hopefully if you get the number nine, then he should stick to the game that he does.
00:37:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, not to mention about Martinelli that, like, to his defense in this game, Marquinhos really was not giving him any easy time. Like, Marquinhos was just relentless in that defense. He was really defending really, really well for PSG, and Martinelli couldn't really do anything. He just registered one shot on target. and So, yeah, yeah, just like you said, like, when you haven't got a proper forward, then, like, you can just only do so much as a winger before you just get stopped dead by a well-experienced center back like Marquinhos.
00:38:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Speaking of the forward, ladies and gentlemen, Marino, guy who I did not really see that on that pitch, really. Like, yeah, Martinelli, we could cut him some slack because of what we discussed before.
00:38:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if we can cut the slack to Martinelli, I do not think we can do the same to Marino. Isn't that right, Jamie? Yeah.
00:38:41
Jamie
No, you're spot on. I think you're spot on with everything you said, actually. Didn't really see a lot of him tonight. He might have had like the one odd header, but it wasn't it wasn't threatening enough to to make Donnarumma make a save.
00:38:56
Jamie
um I think for me, I'd probably give him a
00:39:01
Jamie
I'd probably give him a five just because he's ah he had a very quiet game. you know Now that he's kind of taken up this role as Arsenal's number nine, we've seen it a bit more where he's a bit more proactive.
00:39:16
Jamie
you know He might have a header or a shot at goal, but I just don't know. I just didn't see that tonight, really.
00:39:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just two shots and all of them were off target. ah Yeah, per that persisted sums up what we were saying.
00:39:26
Jamie
Pretty much.
00:39:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor, your thoughts?
00:39:31
Viktor
Yeah, five and a half max. But again, Marino is, I will put him in the same basket like Lewis Kelly. It's the type of player right now that you can't really judge based on the position that he plays. He's like an experimental number nine, someone that's tried to save the season for Arsenal going into that number nine spot with all the injuries.
00:39:49
Viktor
So i can't you can tell he's a very smart player, doesn't have the speed, which I think it would have been very helpful for for a game against PSG.
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
Player Potential and Managerial Decisions
00:39:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. And we're going to finish our review of the starting lineup, obviously, with Bukayo Saka, the best on-field player, of course, excluding David Rayung and goal.
00:40:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He was the one who, I think, like out of this front line, who was doing all of the right things. I do not think there is a lot of negative negative negative negative stuff I could talk, I could mention about Saka's performance. He was the one who was just shining like a diamond there.
00:40:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... Well, unfortunately, ah one Bukayo Saka cannot win you the entire tie against a collective like PSG, Jamie.
00:40:34
Jamie
Yeah, absolutely. ah For me, I just think I'd give him i'd give him a nine, to be fair. You know, really kind of made, so you know, was making it happen along that right side for Arsenal.
00:40:50
Jamie
You know, gave us that hope with the goal as well. I love the fact that despite the, you know, despite the mistake from Donnarama, you know, he was quick to react. he was really quick to react, put the ball in the net.
00:41:04
Jamie
And, you know, again, just Saka doing what Saka does best, really. So for me, I'd give him a solid nine.
00:41:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Before ah Victor asks you another start this time, Babu Kiyosaka there. 18. has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances in the UEFA Champions z League. The only Englishman to reach double figures in fewer games in the competition is Harry Kane with 12th game.
00:41:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor, your thoughts.
00:41:31
Viktor
Yeah, eight and a half for me. That miss is just something that's haunting me, to be honest with you.
00:41:37
Jamie
i
00:41:37
Viktor
I have it. and
00:41:38
Jamie
that That's the reason why I didn't even want to bring that up.
00:41:39
Viktor
it's just It's just painful. But I think he's this close to be a world, world-class player. And tonight might have been the night if he tied that 2-2 and then went to overtime and he won it for them with a hat trick, it would have lifted him where he should be.
00:41:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:41:54
Jamie
Oh...
00:41:57
Viktor
And he will be in in a season or two, pretty sure.
00:41:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right up there, yeah.
00:42:01
Viktor
Yeah, i'm I'm getting more and more impressed by Saka, to be honest with you.
00:42:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Actually, like and the reason why I didn't want to mention that Bukayo Saka's missed to begin with was because I was willing to cut a lot of slack to Bukayo Saka for that missed opportunity.
00:42:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because to be honest, Saka was doing Marino's job. He basically, he was working two shifts tonight and I think he should be double paid for it.
00:42:19
Jamie
Yeah.
00:42:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Marino's wages, they they should be given to Bukayo Saka because Marino wasn't there. Marino wasn't delivering and Saka was. So that is why I'm willing to cut him since like, and I'm willing to forget about this missed big chance.
00:42:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's move on.
00:42:37
Viktor
meinno doesn't I think Merino doesn't have the speed to cut in the way Saka did there.
00:42:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:42:43
Viktor
And maybe that was the play in that position, like a false nine that Saka can come in and Merino will come outside. So I think that's what it was.
00:42:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps. Okay, yeah. But, but but but okay, perhaps. Okay, I really want to move on i really want to move on to to substitutions because like ah we're running slowly like we're running out of time slightly and we still have one more segment to go through. So let's just quickly mention the substitutions.
00:43:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just going to ask you about like the group of substitutes which were brought on. Ricardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard, and Ben White. Any honorable mentions about any of those players, Jamie?
00:43:18
Jamie
Do you know what? the The one thing I will say is the introduction... you know what? I have no issues with Ben White, right? But I just think in a semi-final, you... you bringing on a defender with minutes left of the game, you know, you want to be going after this game. You want to be bringing attacking, at least attacking reinforcements on.
00:43:43
Jamie
Really gutted that Itho Wanyeri didn't get his opportunity to kind of show himself on the world stage because we've seen it for Myles Lewis Skelly, but... You know, we're not talking enough about Ethan Waniere and it would have been nice if he had made a bit of a ah feature tonight. So Calafiore, you know, he's come back from injury, had an OK game, you know, got himself in a bit of a tussle, which was a bit of a silly yellow card to get given away.
00:44:10
Jamie
um Trossard could have maybe had a couple of shots on target, but... You know, apart from that, I just, the only disappointment for me is ah just don't understand why we didn't bring an attacking reinforcement on rather than bring on defensive reinforcement on.
00:44:25
Jamie
It just didn't add up in my head.
00:44:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:44:27
Viktor
As much as I don't like Sterling, Sterling was the play maybe only because of the experience that he can bring in He won titles with City. He's been in this situation before. Again, don't like the player, but might have been a player to bring in for the last 10 minutes.
00:44:42
Viktor
ten minutes
00:44:42
Jamie
i I don't know because I just think he's, it you know, since he's, I think even before he came to Arsenal, he's had such a confidence issue and i can understand the experience bringing him on.
00:44:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:44:56
Jamie
But at the same time, I just think in a semi-final, you need goals. And unfortunately, Sterling just hasn't really had the opportunities to, you know, he hasn't had the opportunities in front of goal to really showcase. So I probably would have,
00:45:11
Jamie
I don't know. That's why I'd have gone for an Ethan Waniere, because he's hungry, he's young. He'll go at players. He'll he'll happily go at players. And I think that's what Arsenal could have done with tonight.
Season Reflections and Highlights
00:45:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, right on. And just like that, we've completed the Arsenal's individual performance review. I think we're just going cut that bitter part. Maybe not bitter for like some of the parts of this review, but overall, the fact that Arsenal bow out of um Champions League competition in the semi-final. We will now move on to the overall impression of Arsenal's campaign in the season's Champions League.
00:45:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
after another ad about our platform power platform, the platform on which we record those beautiful podcasts, which is Zencastr.
00:46:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Zencastr, for ah but allowing us to use your platform to record this podcast. You are listening to Daily English Premier League podcast brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:46:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are now going to focus on the overall impression of that Arsenal's campaign left with us um at the the end of the journey for Arsenal. ah Let me just throw some quick facts about Arsenal's um arsenal's tenure this season at the Champions League.
00:46:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Honorable mentions about the league phase. A 2-0 victory against PSG at home. ah solid performance okay A good performance against solid Shakhtar Donetsk. um And the victory 1-0.
00:47:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lost to Arsenal 1-0 at San Siro. ah Victories against the Sporting, against the Monaco, against Girona 2-1. And then in the knockout stages, 9-3 victory of Arsenal on aggregate against PSV.
00:47:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
this wonderful, ah historic quarterfinal performance of Arsenal against Real Madrid and winning 5-1 on aggregate and reaching the first semifinal of the Champions League since 2009.
00:47:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jamie, what will be your favorite memory of this season's Champions League?
00:47:44
Jamie
ah I think it's pretty easy. It's got to be Real Madrid, you know.
00:47:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:47:50
Jamie
It's just how often and how rare can you say that you see a team like Arsenal go and play against Real Madrid with two stunning free kicks from Declan Rice right in front of Roberto Carlos.
00:48:07
Jamie
I mean, it was just spectacular.
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:48:09
Jamie
And the second leg as well, you know, it was just so refreshing and so good to see an Arsenal team play so well and for a straight Madrid over the two legs, you know, for Kivior.
00:48:22
Jamie
I must mention Kivior. for me, was someone that really kind of stamped his authority into the Arsenal team.
00:48:29
Viktor
Thank you.
00:48:30
Jamie
You know, the fact that Mbappe was originally up against Saliba and then was like, do you know what? You're going to take on Saliba. I'm taking on Kibior.
00:48:42
Jamie
Thought that Kibior would be an easy ride and Kibior was like... no, you're not taking me for an easy ride. And got up the next morning, had to double check his pockets to see if Mbappe was still there, which he still was.
00:48:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:48:54
Jamie
And yeah, honestly, Kivio for me has just been someone that has really grown into the game. And yeah, I just think for me, Arsenal Real Madrid has got to be up there, you know. And I think the league phase...
00:49:08
Jamie
It's also shown as well, because a lot of people had their doubts about the league phase, thinking, oh, but, you know, we prefer the, you know, we prefer just the group stages. But realistically, we had, we've had some really entertaining games in this, in this league phase. And I'm hoping that as years go by, we'll slowly gradually get used to it. And, you know, hopefully, who knows, we might get more surprise teams ah making it this far in the Champions League. Only time can tell.
00:49:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. ah Victor, I'm going to ask you about maybe some ah pure football stats and and like pure facts. um So if you were to pick up the top three Arsenal players of this season's Champions League, who would it be and why?
00:49:51
Viktor
Saka has to be up there. i would say Kivir only because of the last few months that he had to cover for Gabriel. And the third one, I guess it has to be Raya.
00:50:04
Viktor
Those are the three standouts. some a Rice. okay Okay, Rice as well. So I don't know, maybe four, top four.
00:50:10
Jamie
Heh.
00:50:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Okay, we could be top four.
00:50:12
Viktor
One thing I got to mention is I said this to a lot of people end of October.
00:50:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:50:18
Viktor
This Arsenal team is going to go far in the Champions League. And I kind of feel proud that I kind of got it right, almost right. But I guess semi-final is far enough going into the Champions League.
00:50:30
Viktor
We've seen teams, worse teams than Arsenal, that won the Champions League before. So solid season for Arsenal. Hopefully next year is going to be their year if Man United doesn't win the Europa League.
00:50:43
Viktor
And qualify for the Champions League.
00:50:43
Jamie
yeah
00:50:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. You know, I actually wanted to bring up ah like a little banter that I had like during our Monday review with Mikey Thompson ah when when Mikey asked me that very provocative question.
00:50:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's say Arsenal get knocked out of Champions League in the semifinal and Man United go on to the final and win probably against Spurs. Would you say that Man United had had a better season than Arsenal?
00:51:10
Jamie
ah
00:51:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I was just like, oh, I can see those Arsenal fans flying away from our podcast. Bye-bye.
00:51:17
Viktor
What did you answer, Michael?
Comparisons and Future Expectations
00:51:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I answered that it is a very nice bait, but I'm not going to take it because look i'm not going to take it because that would be super insulting to Arsenal fans just looking at the table.
00:51:23
Jamie
To
00:51:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you know, second place in the Premier League. Man United would do a lot to even make it to top seven right now.
00:51:37
Jamie
be honest, I think for any Man United fan, I think if they could get into Europe, I think they'd be great. I think at this point of the season, that I think they'd be very grateful for Europe now.
00:51:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
now that Now that both, Man United an andsper and Spurs, they nearly escaped relegation. and they are And they have a chance of meeting each other in the Europa League final.
00:51:56
Jamie
Come on, Bodo Glynn.
00:51:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
oncet you
00:51:57
Jamie
I need a miracle.
00:51:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Won't you look at that?
00:51:57
Viktor
If
00:52:00
Jamie
I need...
00:52:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:52:00
Jamie
I can't... Living in Highbury, I can't have Spurs win the Europa League. I just can't.
00:52:08
Jamie
I honestly cannot. I don't think... I don't even know. I'd probably... are just i don't even want to think about it.
00:52:08
Viktor
no chance.
00:52:15
Viktor
You know what's interesting you know what's interesting a bit about this Bodo-Glim team?
00:52:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, come on. It's Spurs.
00:52:19
Jamie
Go on.
00:52:19
Viktor
So my my team is Cervanaz Vezda, Red Star, Belgrade. Bodo lost to Cervanaz Vezda in the last round of the qualification for Champions League.
00:52:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:52:29
Viktor
And now, because of that loss, they ended up in Europa League, and look at them now.
00:52:34
Jamie
Yeah.
00:52:34
Viktor
Semi-final.
00:52:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I guess shame on your Zvezda, right?
00:52:36
Viktor
Now, I think it's...
00:52:39
Jamie
yeah yeah
00:52:41
Viktor
Champions League for us is big.
00:52:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I get it.
00:52:43
Viktor
Just to be in this. Yeah.
00:52:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:52:45
Viktor
No, but I don't think Bodo has the... No, they're done. They're going to be super happy with semifinal.
00:52:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. To be honest, yeah, let's, let's, okay, let's, let's finish it off because we're really running out of time. Like our podcast is now running at 53 minutes. Thank you guys for sticking up with, sticking with us thus far. ah Final question to you, Jamie, what do you think the focus should now be for Mikul Ateta's side? Because you still need to finish the season. So what is your goal for those last games?
00:53:13
Jamie
It's got to but it's just got we've got to solidify second second spot now. You know, ah we've been really complacent now and unfortunately the run-in now is not looking great for us with Liverpool away, Newcastle at the Emirates and then Southampton away to finish the season off. So we've just got to solidify second place.
00:53:34
Jamie
And let me just say, Andrea Berta, you've got a massive, I mean a massive, massive job on your hands over the summer because there's going to be a lot Arsenal fans out there that will be really looking at him and Arteta to start bringing in players. And the last three seasons, we've finished second or runners up to whoever.
00:53:57
Jamie
And next season, something's got to change. Because I even said it after the game, I said, I'm sick and tired of finishing second best to someone. I want to see us go and win something. Like, I'm just sick of it now.
00:54:09
Jamie
I've got to that point where I just want to see us win something.
00:54:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you will have a chance. You will have a chance next season, that's for sure.
Podcast Closing Remarks
00:54:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Victor, what do you think that Arsenal's focus should be apart from solidifying the second place?
00:54:22
Viktor
Yeah, I mean, they have nothing else to play. with Two tough games coming up, and you don't want to go into the last game thinking, are we even going to make the Champions League? Because it's everyone's there.
00:54:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:54:34
Viktor
What they have advantage over, I would say, is because Chelsea's playing Newcastle. So that's that means that one of those teams is not going to get three points this weekend. Yeah. Yeah, they have room to play with, but again, you yeah, you want to get that second spot.
00:54:48
Viktor
That's all you have left to play and give a little bit of minutes maybe to younger kids as well in the last game.
00:54:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:54:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah One quick.
00:54:56
Viktor
going into that Going into that Southampton game with clinched second place, that should be huge for them.
00:55:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how many points do you think Arsenal need to to secure the second place? Three or six?
00:55:06
Viktor
The second place?
00:55:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:55:08
Viktor
Nah, it's going to be more than three. Okay.
00:55:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Six?
00:55:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because I know that like
00:55:14
Viktor
i No, I would say with four points, they should be fine.
00:55:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
four points.
00:55:18
Viktor
One loss, one win, what was one tie should be good.
00:55:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jamie, you have agree?
00:55:23
Jamie
Do you know what?
00:55:23
Viktor
71 should do the job for them.
00:55:24
Jamie
I'm probably going to go five, actually.
00:55:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Five points.
00:55:27
Jamie
I'm going to go five points. I think just because you, I think the gap between ourselves and I think City or city is like probably, I think five points or so. I don't know, but it's, the gap is ridiculous.
00:55:40
Jamie
I think Chelsea, I think it's like seven points between Arsenal and Chelsea or something.
00:55:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's three points.
00:55:44
Jamie
So I just think another five points would just really solidify second spot for Arsenal and Champions League football.
00:55:45
Viktor
It's only four.
00:55:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:55:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. There you go.
00:55:51
Viktor
It's only four points, actually. But the difference is Chelsea play Newcastle, so one of them will drop points.
00:55:57
Jamie
would be great if they get Would be great if they get a point each.
00:55:58
Viktor
Yeah. Yeah. yeah
00:56:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm pretty sure 67 minus 64 is three, but I am not expert.
00:56:05
Viktor
No, that's Man City. Man mans City is 64.
00:56:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's MinCity.
00:56:07
Viktor
Yeah.
00:56:08
Jamie
Oh, right.
00:56:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, here you go.
00:56:08
Jamie
There we go.
00:56:08
Viktor
Newcastle and Chelsea, they're on 63.
00:56:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, you were talking...
00:56:10
Viktor
Yeah.
00:56:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, okay. All right. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
00:56:11
Viktor
Yeah.
00:56:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, my bad, my bad.
00:56:12
Jamie
Yeah.
00:56:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I've just... finished this Okay, so, guys, thank you so much for joining me. Thank you, Jamie, for finding the courage... Not finding the courage, but finding the power to come on to our podcast and just get your...
00:56:23
Jamie
Well, thank you for having me on.
00:56:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, spill your guts out there. And thank you, Victor, so much for joining me as every single Wednesday recording Thursday release. Thank you, Victor.
00:56:33
Viktor
See guys soon.
00:56:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, see you. And thank you to all of you. And just with this review, we bid farewell to Champions League football this season as far as English football is concerned. And now our hope is the Europa and Conference League finals.
00:56:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will be watching very, very closely. But for now, Michal Czarniewski from California. Thank you so much. And subscribe, follow us. And see you and here in the next one. Bye-bye.
00:57:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
you