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Daily Arsenal - S1 - E133: Everton preview… just can’t catch a break with injuries
7 Plays6 days ago
In this episode we will be looking ahead to our trip to Goodison Park on Saturday against Everton, and where we will talk about Gabriel joining our list of injured players! Now if you want to get involved with any of our topics discussed please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Craig Matthews
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Transcript
Introduction and Welcomes
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal Podcast, the only place to catch your daily focus Arsenal, where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal. Brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am your host, Jamie Patterson, where I've actually now got my voice back after the last episode where I'd only got back from the Fulham game. And wow, what reception that was for Bakar Saka.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, as always, i am joined by the amazing Craig Matthews.
Jamie and Craig Discuss Fulham Game Experiences
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, how are you feeling, mate?
00:00:48
Craig matthews
Sad.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, dear, dear. Oh, well...
00:00:52
Craig matthews
I need to know why. but but
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, and I think for any Arsenal fan listening to this, I think we all know why. And we will discuss a little bit more about this, about why Craig is sad, um a little bit later on in
Preview of Everton Game and Injury Updates
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
the show. But in this episode, we will be looking ahead to our trip to Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime against Everton.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will, painfully... We will be painfully discussing about Gabriel joining ah list of injured players at the minute.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um As unfortunately, he sustained ah hamstring injury against Fulham. It was worrying. i was really hoping that maybe he could be, you know, maybe he might be out for two weeks, three out a push. But yeah. It's ah it's not looking great.
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's really not looking good, is it? But, as always, guys, if you want to get involved with any of the... I can't even talk. If you want to get with involved in any of the... Oh, my gosh.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
Challenges at Goodison Park
00:02:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, Craig, let's get to the let's get to the matter of Everton.
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everton on Saturday. It's a lunchtime kick-off. What are your thoughts going into this Everton game?
00:02:33
Craig matthews
We'll have to heat laugh get three points. But I would rest some players as well because we've got rigid on the one Tuesday. That's the problem. Who can we rest who can we rotate?
00:02:44
Craig matthews
That's the problem. We don't really do well at 12 before kickoff. We seem to struggle a lot. Especially at Hudson Park. Last couple of seasons.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:51
Craig matthews
I know one day last season, but last of seasons we struggled at Hudson Park. It seems to be one of our bogey grounds to go through. That's the last one up there this season. So you would hope. that would get the three points. David Moyes has got a decent record against us over the years.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:08
Craig matthews
Not great with a decent record. yeah so
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you you speak about, obviously... The form, and you speak about the fact that going away to Goodison Park and obviously being at 12.30 kick-off, it's never an easy place to go.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like you said, last season, we were very, very lucky to get away with a 1-0 win against Everton. And that was quite a close game, if anything.
Player Rest and Tactical Approaches
00:03:38
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Trossard, the one that scored the only goal of the game last season at Goodison Park,
00:03:40
Craig matthews
so
00:03:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
my My thing is as well, and you you really did say it there, which was fact that Everton have been a bit of a bogey team for us, especially at Goodison Park. And I think for Everton fans as well, they will want to really give Goodison Park a really good send-off. So every game at Goodison will be like a cup final. And I think, again, you you talk about wrestling players and I'm a little bit...
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm a bit 50-50 on resting a few players. I don't know who you would rest.
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just don't know what team you would go and play, especially knowing that you've got Madrid at the Emirates on Wednesday night, I believe.
00:04:23
Craig matthews
I'm
00:04:35
Craig matthews
not sure. One of them days think it is.
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tuesday, my bad.
00:04:37
Craig matthews
but let they choose their one day often gives yeah
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but yeah, that's my thing is, will we be able to cope? You know, will we will we be able to just get through that game? Because that will not be an easy game. And right now, Moyes has got Everton really playing some good football and it is somewhat frightening.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I would love to know, who would you rest? Who would you rest ahead of that Everton game?
00:05:13
Craig matthews
Maybe Saliba. Saliba, because we need him to be ready for return because we can't afford to lose enough of defender.
00:05:24
Craig matthews
um I think I'll risk the players within the Reds game towards the game towards the Reds game, I would say. The players have played a lot games recently the last couple of months. oh Maybe I'll start Sterling in this game.
00:05:34
Craig matthews
Give him little run out, I would say Sterling. Some of are on the bench. We have a party with Peter lot recently. Maybe Resteck and Rast as well. um Give someone like to a Jorginho a little run out or maybe put Marina in midfield or something. Let's try change it up a bit and see what we could do.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I guess so. Another point to also point out to you is we don't want to get too comfortable at the minute because Forrest, who won the other night against United, i believe,
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
without looking at the Premier League table, I believe they're four points off us.
Jorginho's Impact and Contract Talks
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four or five points off us.
00:06:17
Craig matthews
yeah
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... my The thing is, you say to rest these players, but wouldn't you? It's difficult, but it is huge.
00:06:25
Craig matthews
It's hard, it's hard because Madrid is a massive game. um but thought That's our game, that's our season. If you lose that, then our season's done. But what would you rather do? you rather get the three points to Everton or then lose to Madrid?
00:06:36
Craig matthews
That's the thing. that it's a bit It's a bit of a cliche about what to do.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:40
Craig matthews
you're kind of thinking,
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think also since the squad, I mean, I would say the squad's depleted, but since like we've got a couple of injuries here and there, it's what is Arsenal's best formation? What's Arsenal's best starting XI right now? Because, you know, obviously, you know, strikers have got, you know, we haven't got many strikers.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
The return of Saka has been such a boost.
00:07:05
Craig matthews
oh
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I asked you this in the previous pod, and going ask you this again. Would you start Saka, or would you start Ethan Wengeri on the right?
00:07:13
Craig matthews
Waineri. Munez Saka for Madrid. I don't want get ripped. Because it's against Everton. Everton, you see that tackle that arm James Tarkoski did on McAllister?
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tarkovsky. Oh, yeah.
00:07:23
Craig matthews
Imagine that's one of our players. That's I'm worried about of our better players getting tackled like that because that's dangerous. And I'm very prone to injuries as well. So you don't want to be a situation where you play him and that's one of our good players they get injured like that. so um
00:07:42
Craig matthews
It's a hard one.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:07:43
Craig matthews
It's a very hard one to decide what supposed to be to put out. But if I was the manager, I would worry about Madrid.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:49
Craig matthews
would have to focus on Madrid because that whole season, I'm trying to see we can win that game. then
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I completely get what you're saying. It's ah it's a fair point you make. I really like, I like the fact you mentioned Jorginho. That is someone I would definitely, hands down, give a run out to because when he plays, when he features for Arsenal, he actually does quite a solid job.
00:08:13
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
does re Does quite a solid job. um I know he's got six months or so, if even that, actually. He's probably got, what, four or three or four months left on his contracts now.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So would you would you extend his contract?
00:08:25
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you maybe give him another year at the club?
00:08:33
Craig matthews
How old is he now? I was like 30s, 30 something, 30s. Yeah.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something like that, yeah.
00:08:37
Craig matthews
yeah Arsenal are a very good player to have around the club because he helps a lot with the younger players like Wainieri, Michael Luskele and players like that.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:47
Craig matthews
that All the young players coming through and looking to someone like a Torgino, Champions League winner, your Euro winner, he came third in the Ballon d'Or or second in Ballon d'Or.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:57
Craig matthews
So, someone like that in the squad is always good to have. But it depends what direction Arsenal want to go in the summer. If they want to add the new um owner, the new sport director,
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The sporting director.
00:09:09
Craig matthews
Yeah, he might want to say, an know what, thank for your services, to what we're going to move to one. Seven parties, all them two, it's a bit like, what do you do? Do you keep both of them or do you get rid of one or keep their one? It's very up and down, like, would you keep working or save you save the wages and get someone younger with greater potential to replace them?
00:09:26
Craig matthews
But he'll be a massive miss in the change room, though, if he does go.
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I've been a fan of Jorginho. I mean, I was also a little bit apprehensive when he first joined Arsenal. I thought, oh, Jorginho, you know, we've had this thing where, you know, Chelsea players have made that switch to Arsenal and it's never really worked out. But I feel like for Jorginho, it's been a lot different for him. he It's really worked out well for him.
00:09:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the goal he scored against Villa a couple of seasons ago, I think that really stamped his authority at the club.
00:09:56
Craig matthews
and
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And since then, there's just, there's been no looking back really, if anything, think he's done a solid job.
00:10:00
Craig matthews
Yeah, definitely.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
think he's done an absolutely solid job.
Analyzing Everton's Strengths
00:10:05
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Looking ahead, obviously, Everton, let's talk a little bit about Everton here. Now, Everton have currently, before the Liverpool game, believe they were on a nine-game unbeaten run, I believe, or ah along them lines.
00:10:26
Craig matthews
I think so, yeah.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So since Moyes has come in he has really revolutionised and has changed Everton's philosophy. Where do you see the main where do you see the main dangers coming from
00:10:43
Craig matthews
Set pieces.
00:10:46
Craig matthews
Set pieces.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree. i think I think Saturday will be a real test of set pieces for both teams.
00:10:47
Craig matthews
Set pieces.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I understand that, obviously, you know Arsenal this season have been really good from their set pieces. I know the last couple of months it's gone a little bit mellow and it's gone a little bit quiet.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But like you said, though, the set pieces are going to be huge. Whether that is a corner or free kick, pretty much both teams are pretty good when it comes to set pieces.
00:11:14
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of players, who who kind of catches your eye for Everton in terms of danger players?
00:11:23
Craig matthews
The core,
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good shout, yeah?
00:11:26
Craig matthews
um Harrison's not a bad girl.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:11:31
Craig matthews
James Garner looks quite good in the system up there in Moist's place as well. James Garner. um I say you need to watch out for the defenders like Jade. Tafos, he is very good in the air as well.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:43
Craig matthews
Pickford had a great game against us at the Emirates this season kept a two-sheet against us.
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he did.
00:11:48
Craig matthews
He would like to put him in again. um Beto, That's what's really impressive this season, of going to be honest with you. I think he's stepped up a lot when Cavaliers were unavailable. think he's got a few goals here and there.
00:11:59
Craig matthews
He's been all right. And in that, yeah, in try, yeah, I think he's been all right.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ilyamah Ninjai. Yeah.
00:12:06
Craig matthews
And Al Karez, the one they brought in the January window, he looks decent as well.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:12
Craig matthews
He scored a goal against all the conferences ago in the famous Southampton, so he could be a danger man as well off the bench, so yeah.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? i The first player that I kind of came to mind was Beto because I don't know what it is with Beto.
00:12:25
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've we've seen it... I've seen it more in Everton's home games where he has been really... He's been really quite clinical and sharp. And I think for Arsenal, the the concern that...
00:12:37
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the concerns Arsenal would need to have is to keep him quiet because if he... If there's a point where a ball gets pinged into him, probably eight times out of ten, he he'll probably finish the chance off.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of... oh there was What was the other thing I was just about to ask? It's gone from me, but I'll keep talking about Everton. If I can remember it, I'll ask you it. But... yeah Going back to what I was saying, the fact that Moyes has come in, he's really kind of changed the philosophy that Everton have got right now. And it is it has been really
Arsenal's Gameplay Concerns
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
impressive. you know You've got to give Everton credit where it's due.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But for me, Tarkovsky, I don't know. But i just I do sit here and think to myself, after the Liverpool game, just don't understand how he was not sent off.
00:13:40
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The tackle was horrific. I mean, ah was it... Who was on Sky Sports last night? Mike Dean, wasn't it?
00:13:48
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
he said He said that was a clear red. It should be. It should have been a clear red. um Again, the a kind of failing to realise or look at the footage over again.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah it's not great.
00:14:08
Craig matthews
all If that was an Arsenal player that did that, that would definitely be a red card.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But
00:14:12
Craig matthews
100%. 100% might be a red card.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, I would agree with you on that. If it was any, I think any of the big six, any of the big six, I think that that would have been a straight red no matter what.
00:14:14
Craig matthews
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't know. i just don't know. But with this Everton team, they are they are looking really good. They're looking really, really good. But in the meantime, we're going to take a quick break and hear from our partners at Bionic and join us as we continue to preview and look ahead to the Everton game.
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and um welcome back to part two of the Everton preview here. I am joined by Craig Matthews. little bit stunned at the minute because we're currently recording this on ah Thursday night.
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And don't know about you, Craig, I've got the Spurs-Chelsea game on. Have you seen how much stoppage time they've added on to this game?
00:15:49
Craig matthews
No. 12?
00:15:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Twelve minutes.
00:15:52
Craig matthews
For what?
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
twelve
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably for the VAR decision for ah for perhaps Saar's goal.
00:16:00
Craig matthews
isn't it?
00:16:02
Craig matthews
And that's one for... Oh, the Kaysadal was all... took forever to decide it was making 2-0, so...
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:16:09
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, 12 minutes. That is unbelievable. But anyway, let's let's turn our attention away. Currently, it's 1-0 Chelsea. I mean, hi Spurs down for You love to see it, don't you?
00:16:19
Craig matthews
yeah
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But let's ah ah let's go back to the Everton Arsenal preview. um For Arsenal, let's again, we've we've spoken a bit about Everton now. where do you where Where do you see Arsenal maybe trying to profit from in in this game?
Improving Performance at Goodison Park
00:16:41
Craig matthews
ah Also wide areas. because they're going to do a low block like they're at Emirates. They're going to got a focal or pacy striker running behind.
00:16:51
Craig matthews
I guess I've got old school defenders like Rathaway and Tykoski and they're playing physical defenders as well.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:16:59
Craig matthews
like They have the physical guys. If the fan may come in, for example, it'll be easy to mark because he's not going to run around. He's going to be very more static.
00:17:10
Craig matthews
you need somebody with pace, like could run behind the movie got free court panel so ah for denise said that maybe I and goal and I'll get our goals.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? For me, I was thinking the exact same thing. so if we If we are going with this if we're going with this front line of Mourinho up top and, say, Martinelli and Saka, or Martinelli and Ethan, say, I think the threat will be what will be our width.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because if you look back to the Everton, if you look back to when we were last at Goodison, You look at how the goal was scored. It was scored from a wide player. Trossard cutting in and, you know, the rest was history, really.
00:17:54
Craig matthews
hmm yeah
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I've just remembered what I was going to ask you in the in the last part is, now, obviously, you go, but let's look back to the game at the Emirates. It wasn't the most entertaining of games.
00:18:09
Craig matthews
no hmm yeah
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was, and in some ways, it was a bit of a struggle to to really get the ball flowing back then. Bearing of mind, we didn't have, the injuries back then weren't as bad. They they wasn't nowhere near as bad.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But the thing is, what would you change from, what what would you take from that home tie at the Emirates and be like, right, we need to go to Goodison and we know this is what we've done at the Emirates, but we can't afford to do what we did at the Emirates at Goodison Park.
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what would you change from our previous encounter at the Emirates?
00:18:44
Craig matthews
ah one I feel that Arsenal need to move the ball quicker. Sometimes we get avoid the sideway i backward pass and then and let's submit the ball, and and and quicker in transitions as well. But if we move it'll move their defenders around, we don't have to go left and right or whatever and confuse them.
00:19:00
Craig matthews
So think we get the ball, play it one way, one, two, pass it back.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:06
Craig matthews
So we think when we were playing the most exciting football, The first season when 2-8-6, we were bashing teeth, we were hitting them in the first minute.
00:19:17
Craig matthews
1-0, 2-0, and then kill the game off and we win the game confidently.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:22
Craig matthews
We're not doing that at all anymore. don't know what's happened with this team, but it's very... I don't know.
00:19:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a bit stop-start, isn't it?
00:19:28
Craig matthews
I've been to a couple of games this season. I'm not really impressed with the goals and the way I've been playing. It's not very entertaining. It's very like...
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:41
Craig matthews
yeah
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, I've just looked up at the scru i've just looked off at the screen. i can see...
00:19:47
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that Pedro Porro? ah believe. Yeah, Pedro Porro's just squared up to the referee. Goodness me. He's been yellow carded for it.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just over a claymote for a corner. Oh my goodness me, this game. ah he's gone up to the linesman. He's squared up to the linesman. oh my goodness me.
00:20:13
Craig matthews
Yeah, them two, them two hated each other, I thought the maturity they hated each other, there was a massive rivalry.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Can't believe this.
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, the rivalry the robbery between them is something else. But um going back to what you were saying, actually, about the you know the fact that with Arsenal, we've really kind of...
00:20:23
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've not been as creative. I kind of saw bits of it at Fulham as well, where it was very, it wasn't fluid. You know, like compared to maybe last season and, you know, maybe even the start of this season, we were playing fluid football, but seems very stop start.
00:20:40
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I noticed at times Declan Rice was making some really good runs and I could, could see how frustrated he was getting because, you know,
00:20:58
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
People can see, you know, fans were even getting frustrated with the fact that, you know, Rice was making some good runs, but no one could pick him up on the runs, unfortunately. And yeah I just think with Arsenal, we seem to be very stop-start. It just seems like we have some sort of like mental block where we just can't get forward as we used to do before. Do you know what mean?
00:21:22
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, and I think that is a bit of a worry. And, you know, I understand, yes, we have got our injuries, but even with the players you've got now, we should still be able to make something work, shouldn't we?
00:21:36
Craig matthews
Of course, 100%. I like a lot of players in the team now are playing for their future ah the club.
Summer Transfer Strategy
00:21:44
Craig matthews
Because the new directors, they must look at the whole screen and everyone in the squad is a trial to see who wants to keep and who's going to replace them.
00:21:52
Craig matthews
So, if I was in their position, I would try and impress them as less as they can, less as they can.
00:21:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:58
Craig matthews
Because come the summer, a lot them might have been playing for the team and a lot them might be on the bench that season. It's best that they up now and showcase their talents or stay on the bench next season.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. You are spot on there. I think for Arsenal right now, it's going to be, you know, this summer is going to be very interesting because, you know, Arteta before Everton, he'd he said that, you know, changes are going to come about in the summer.
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just want to get your thoughts on that, actually. Do you think we'll go out and really splash the cash in the summer, especially now that we've got Andrea Berta?
00:22:38
Craig matthews
We have to, because if we don't.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you think we will, though?
00:22:44
Craig matthews
Smurkscreen.
00:22:47
Craig matthews
Smurkscreen. They say they're going to spend a lot of money in the summer, but they say that last summer they're going to spend a lot of money in the summer. They didn't bring in the players that we needed. I think it's up to the sporting director to identify the players he wants.
00:23:06
Craig matthews
and to get the deals done early for other rival clubs coming and make a cheeky bid for them. So if they get a business bond early, then but could we can plan three season and get over and done with for the new season.
00:23:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's...
00:23:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? I think that's the biggest mistake Arsenal have made in previous market in previous markets. You know, we we've never really gone early with our with our bids, have we?
00:23:24
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:23:29
Craig matthews
No.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've always done a last minute. Or we've done a thing where a club might come in for a player we want and then it's like, Oh, well, what do we do then? Do we try and rival that bid? Or nine times out of 10, we probably just sit there and be like, well, actually, you know what?
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've now staked a claim on that player. We're gonna get we're we're not even going bother anymore. Do you know what mean?
00:23:49
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think you make a good point there. Another thing I would also bring up as well is I think if we can get our deals done early, get them into pre-season,
00:23:58
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
use that pre-season to get the new players to adapt to Arteta's style and everything in between and get used to playing with Declan Rice, Saka, etc., etc.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that would help us next season. I really think that would help us next season. But again, it's just only time can tell with the summer market. I personally believe...
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to believe anything at the minute. I don't know because I've sat there and when I saw Arteta say we're going to splash the cash, I've kind of sat there and was bit like, feel like I've heard this story before.
00:24:28
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:24:36
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yes, I know we got Declan Rice and stuff like that. But until we get a striker, a good, prolific striker, because we haven't had someone like that since Aubameyang probably.
00:24:50
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:24:52
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, someone that scores week in, week out. That's what Arsenal need. Right now, I'm not going to really believe or look into anything until I know it's a done deal.
00:24:57
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:25:05
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we're going to take another break quickly and join us as, unfortunately, we we are going to discuss about another player that's added to Arsenal's
Injury Issues and Speculations
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
injury list.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is Gabriel. So join us after the break.
00:25:39
Craig matthews
you
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hello there and welcome back to the final part of the Arsenal-Everton preview. I am joined by Craig Matthews. Now Craig, we we are going explore a little more about why you are feeling a little bit sad this evening.
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't think, and I think everyone knows the reason why, but Gabriel unfortunately has now joined... A list of Arsenal players who are also injured for the season.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, let me go through Arsenal's injuries that we've had or players that are currently injured now. So we've got Tomi Asu injured. We've got Califuri injured.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kai Havertz injured. um Jesus injured. And now Gabrielle joins that list. And before we came on air, me and Craig, we actually said, or Craig actually said, think about the injuries that we've had.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
The majority of the injuries that we've had have all been what, Craig?
00:27:15
Craig matthews
Hamstring.
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:27:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, What do you think that could be down to? why Why do you think Arsenal could be sustaining quite a few hamstring injuries?
00:27:29
Craig matthews
Players have been overworked. Training sessions are too intense. Could be too much football being played, not enough rotation. At the end the day, you have to realise these players are not machines like they can her I think the problem with football now is that there's a lot of matches and now. got instant you got preer league you got cha for me you got a rope put You've got got got Europa League, Europa Conference, you've got World Cup, you've got Conference League.
00:27:53
Craig matthews
All these international tournaments and all these unnecessary games where players are not getting but enough rest, a lot of travelling, like a lot of players have got South America, like Gabriel who gabriee we injured recently, and to Brazil playing two international games.
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:28:09
Craig matthews
If they won, they've to the other one. But all these things, In the end, it will take its toll on players. I feel like there's a lack of rest and a lack of rotation in the squad. In some games, you could have rested him and could have played other players get out of the chance.
00:28:25
Craig matthews
So, there go.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? you You couldn't have said it better. And I, you know, I sit here and I do think to myself,
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are our training sessions like? Because you mentioned it off air. You look back to last season, right?
00:28:46
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
We didn't have a lot of injuries.
00:28:48
Craig matthews
No, didn't.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i think if I'm right, the last two seasons, we didn't have a lot of injuries.
00:28:55
Craig matthews
No.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two seasons ago, had Saliba, you know, Saliba injured um after sporting Lisbon. Last season, didn't really pick up many major injuries.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But now, this season, you know, a lot of key players have been out injured for us. And let me let me make a point here, right?
00:29:14
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before people kind of jump on the bandwagon to be like, oh, but, you know, you ship be you you know you should be used to to injuries because, you know, at the end of the day, you've got players that need to be back. You know, you've got backup players in positions and so on.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're not saying the reason why, you know, Arsenal have like... gone out of this title race is because of the injuries. You know, we know that our performances haven't been great.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whether we've had a fully fit squad, whether we've, you know, had Saka out and, you know, we've still had Califuri and, you know, Ethan Waniere and all these players still there.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do question Arteta's training sessions because how intense must they be for players to be getting, especially hamstring injuries, because Nat, like, when when I saw Gabriel go down, i was like, no, no, no.
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just thought to myself, surely it would be, you know, I thought it would be, you know, he'd be able to continue on. Maybe it was a bit of cramp or something, but then I was like cramping 50, like 15 minutes in. That's a bit unusual.
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think, I just sit here and do think to myself,
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why? why Firstly, why us? But then it also, again, put all jokes aside, um you know, it just doesn't seem like with we we've caught a break. we haven't We can't catch a break with these injuries.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, maybe now we start preparing for next season, really.
00:30:49
Craig matthews
I
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i think...
00:30:55
Craig matthews
i agree
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's probably better we start preparing for next season. I'm not saying that we write off the season altogether because we, we you know, again, we we've pushed Liverpool for nearly, what, maybe just below three quarters of a season.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unfortunately, we've come up short. But I still think, though, we need to at least buckle down and just fend off Forrest at the minute because Forrest have been playing some great football recently.
00:31:24
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just, I'm really stunned for words with the injuries because you would think, especially the last couple of seasons, we've not had anything major.
Handling Player Fatigue: A Growing Concern?
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look it goes back to what you were saying though, Craig.
00:31:38
Craig matthews
yeah
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, could it be due to the fact that there were too many games in the football calendar, you know, The Champions League, you know, Champions League, it used to be six match days.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now they've gone to, I think it was eight match days now with the league format.
00:31:58
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, now we've gone, you know, and then you've got the FA Cup games on top, Carabao Cup, you know, all these different tournaments. And then you've got internationals.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think if football continues to have more games, do you see players potentially going on some form of strike to kind of say, because I know before, ah was it Rodri?
00:32:14
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Rodri said about, you know, players should be, you know, play if things continue to go the way they are, then they might have to strike, you know.
00:32:24
Craig matthews
Yeah. ro what you said that yeah
00:32:33
Craig matthews
In
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you see do you see something like this happening?
00:32:37
Craig matthews
the end, players will get fed up and all that could happen because there's too many injuries now. Players are getting so many injuries now. it It's always going to be knee or hamstring or something like that. They're getting serious injuries and out for a long time. Look at Rodri, for example.
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:32:52
Craig matthews
Rodri said that. under The next game, the player against us, he got injured. I think he said one week before he got the game then he got injured.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:32:59
Craig matthews
So it's like... No, it's like, players are playing too much football. No, it's not good. um Not enough rest time and recovery. And even, going to end the season, for example, yeah.
00:33:18
Craig matthews
End the season, they've got a club World Cup end of the season.
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:23
Craig matthews
So that's another football tournament. So when the players are going to get a rest after that, then after they've got international football as well, in the summer as well, again, for the
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:32
Craig matthews
World Cup qualifiers and whatever.
00:33:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then before you know it, it's back pre-season.
00:33:35
Craig matthews
see The season starts again. That's what I'm saying. So, there's no break.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, unfortunately not. And that's again, that's where, you know, players now are probably you you know going above and beyond to try and keep fit. But at the same time, you know even in training, if if a little injury could occur in training, it sometimes it can be quite defining for certain players.
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also, another thing you mentioned is quite common, actually. like Injuries we're getting common now are hamstring or an ACL.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, or you know, it's you not I'm not saying it's rare, but you might hear the common groin injury, but common injuries now that we're getting a hamstring and um and the ACLs.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Craig, just quickly, before we finish up, what would you do if if you was to if you was to kind of like look ahead to next season? What would you do different for next season?
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you reduce the games down? Would you, you know, in order for players to get what they want, what would you want players to go on strike for?
00:34:54
Craig matthews
too much too many games but i'll say try and reduce the games but like but the thing is the reason why the games don't get reduced because fifa and the wave are making an awful lot of money anyway so they don't really care so they're making a lot of money it's all about money and tv money and all the rich people are paying for football and whatever owners or whatever so in situation where the more money they make then they're going to stop playing football they play as much football as you want so it's not really a level level playing fit level playing field anyway so
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:23
Craig matthews
the rich cause to get rich on a poor cause and have to survive simple as that.
00:35:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. And unfortunately, you know, that's what that's what it comes down to, sadly, is is money. You know, money talks at the end of
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:35:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
the day. And it just seems like now, you know, the the welfare of footballers, from what Rodri was saying, it's like no one really thinks about...
00:35:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
footballers welfare as long as they get their money as long as like you know TNT Sky and obviously FIFA UEFA and whoever as long as they get their money I guess to an extent it doesn't really matter it doesn't really matter what happens to footballers now really and that is that's quite sad to hear
00:35:51
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:36:05
Craig matthews
No.
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, guys, that is it from us for today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love by supporting um to all to the GSPN network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie and more.
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. I've been Jamie Patterson. He's been the amazing Craig Matthews. Have a great day and take care.