Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast where this is your one-stop shop as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news and views brought to you on the GSPN podcast network.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I am your host Jamie Patterson and of course I'm joined by my amazing crew of Arsenal connoisseurs in Craig Matthews and Rodney Gooden. Guys, how we keeping?
Rodney Gooden: Oh, you already know the answer. On cloud nine.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah nine, four.
Rodney Gooden: All right, look at that. Look at what just happened in the Champions League, boys, as well. They said Bayern was the team to beat, one of the best teams in Europe, okay? We're all coming to this game nervous, and look what happened. Pieced up.
Rodney Gooden: 3-1, and now you hear what the rival fans are saying about us. It's undeniable. Arsenal might, in fact, be one of the best clubs in Europe right now. One of the best clubs in the world. That's what rivals are saying.
Rodney Gooden: Not even our fans. That's what rivals are saying. Ha, ha, ha.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and yet And yet the funny thing is we're we're here just staying humble about it. We're just being humble.
Rodney Gooden: Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No one's getting too ahead of themselves.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, we know because it's a long, long season and we've all been here before.
Craig matthews : We know that long season, many times, many, many times.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Exactly. Exactly that. I mean, Craig, you got anything to add on to that?
Craig matthews : It's been a great start of the season. So far, Champions League aren't beaten, I've lost the game. But one thing I'd be cautious about, take one game at a time.
Rodney Gooden: Exactly.
Craig matthews : Because I remember in the past, one defeat can just destroy everything.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Aha.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, derail the season.
Craig matthews : file So, have to be very cautious and just win every game, be humble.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep. yep
Craig matthews : And then when the time comes to win trophies, we'll let the trophy done.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, absolutely.
Craig matthews : Game over.
Rodney Gooden: Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Spot on, spot on. Well, first of all, we'd like to apologise as we didn't bring you our ah podcast yesterday on giving our thoughts. But in this episode, we're going to be looking back at our Champions League game. We're gonna be we're going to do a little 50-50 split here. We're going to look back at our Champions League game as we beat the German champions Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium, ending 21-game unbeaten run.
Global Sports Podcast Network: which is insane. And on top of that, we will be looking ahead to the Chelsea game as well. Now, as always, guys, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed on the show, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow, boys, let's let's just set the scene here. Let's just set it because, wow, what a game, what an atmosphere.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arsenal 3, Bayern Munich 1. And I will repeat that again for those of you that did not hear or have only just tuned in to skip to the best bit.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arsenal 3, Bayern Munich 1. Boys, I mean, that even now I sit here and I'm i'm still lost for words.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean...
Rodney Gooden: Especially, because it could have been more. There you Remember that little chance Eze had to try and feed Saka through?
Craig matthews : <unk>
Global Sports Podcast Network: you see...
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yes!
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah ah
Rodney Gooden: It could have been more! Mmm. Mmm. ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: oh Oh my gosh. I mean, it's just what a result. What a performance. I mean, Craig, we were talking before the game and, you know, we said, I mean, I said 2-1 Arsenal. I mean, I was not far off, was I?
Craig matthews : No, I like they're the same as you as well, two one but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, we both said 2-1, didn't we?
Rodney Gooden: You both said 2-1.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Fair enough. There we go.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We were actually, we were confident. And you know what? Let's talk about the first goal because Craig, I'm going to, do you know what? I have to keep referring back to this one comment that Craig said about two weeks ago.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Craig, do you want to remind Robney what you said two weeks ago? Because...
Craig matthews : I said, any league in the league or champion that want play, there's Timber. Timber's locking them down. I said it.
Rodney Gooden: Fair enough.
Craig matthews : Timber. Timber.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Boy...
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Did we... did... oh, did you did that stay true to your words?
Rodney Gooden: It's not even a wild take. I said, yeah, Timber's been one one of our best performing players this season. It's unbelievable. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And again, set piece, who goes and headers? Timbuk.
Craig matthews : tim
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And do you know what, right? less I mean, that set piece, but all our set pieces were threatening. All of them last night were threatening.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: All of them were causing Bayern stress.
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, if Timber wasn't the alarm that was being set off, I mean, at that point, I don't even know what more to say.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But when Arsenal went 1-0 up, I mean, i went i was I was at my boy's house and I just ah screamed the place down, man.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, I bet.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I was so happy.
Rodney Gooden: Going crazy. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Five.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So happy. I mean, what?
Craig matthews : i
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, just a little flick on into the net. Won the Arsenal. I mean, what did you make of the goal, guys?
Rodney Gooden: ah just phenomenal but it's like you really got to kind of think about our set piece delivery as well as a whether sack or rice taken delivery is always on point we're so well coached so well structured and you're thinking that with gabrielle out as well you know maybe i said priest be a bit less threatening because sometimes you don't always see saliva mascara kind of cropping up and being that threat in the box you're looking at who's it going to be you're looking at the big dogs you're looking at gabrielle um maybe califiora come in there i know timbers chipped in in the past but you gotta remember he's a shorter player so it's rare for him but Every single player in our Arsenal box is dangerous.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm-hmm.
Rodney Gooden: You can't let them get a sniff. And this is exactly what happens. Timber gets a lovely little flick on. Goal. Set pieces at this point. Other teams know they're dangerous and they can't do anything against them. right They set up. They try and mark our players. Can't be done. It's almost a guarantee. Each game you know that this is a weapon you have to watch out for. And if you try to over police that, we still have the ability to score from open play. So you'd love to see it.
Rodney Gooden: Absolutely incredible work.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, absolutely. I mean, Craig, I mean, just to go on to what you say, because you them words, just as soon as Timber scored, I thought, goodness me, Craig must be over the moon right now with Timber scoring.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The fact that you went on here, said that two weeks ago you was like, yeah, any any player Timber is pocketing.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: and
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow. I mean, a... And the thing is, we even spoke about Timber before, didn't we? Before the game, we spoke up we spoke so highly of him.
Craig matthews : yeah um for so um I think I think that bat said yach who's them to score a goal I said that Tim might get think did say
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, he's just got... He is going from strength to strength, isn't he, Craig?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh my gosh.
Craig matthews : Oh
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think you did, you know.
Craig matthews : who said
Global Sports Podcast Network: You said, i think you said on the pod that it would be one of them goals where Timber would kind of step into the Gabriel role, I remember you said.
Rodney Gooden: have a look.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What?
Rodney Gooden: Mad.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh my. Listen, Craig, you just need to give me the lottery numbers, man.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Just give us the lottery numbers.
Rodney Gooden: Nah. We need an internal competition as well, yeah. We need to start picking out predictions and goal scorers and then at the end of the season, yeah, a little prize for the winner.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think at this rate, Craig's running away.
Craig matthews : what
Rodney Gooden: Because Craig is on track. ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think right now Craig's running away with it.
Craig matthews : Nah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think I'd come behind Craig in second.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, my.
Rodney Gooden: It's got to be winner drinks for free all night or something.
Craig matthews : Oh, man.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yes
Rodney Gooden: Craig doesn't need to get the wallet out whatsoever. ah
Craig matthews : but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, listen. Craig will be ordering everything at the bar, I tell you that.
Craig matthews : the
Global Sports Podcast Network: he's not hurt If he's not heard of that drink, he's like, yep, I'm getting that drink because i don't have to pay for it.
Craig matthews : um
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. What's the most expensive thing on the menu?
Craig matthews : but
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : ah
Craig matthews : of
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh. But Craig, I mean, Timber just goes from strength to strength. What? I mean, ah just question is now, and I think I know what your answer is. I'm going to ask both of you this.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you think right now Timber is the best right back in the Premier League?
Rodney Gooden: In the Prem? Yeah, by far.
Global Sports Podcast Network: In the Premier League.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, in the Prem by far, yeah.
Craig matthews : even
Global Sports Podcast Network: OK, I'm not going to talk about it in the world right now because that and that's another conversation to be had because you you could really bring out certain players.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : i'll say i'll say off
Global Sports Podcast Network: do you know what mean?
Craig matthews : I would say ah say top three in the world right now and on current form.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Agree. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, he's up there.
Craig matthews : On current form right now, top three in the world. I think the best right back in world football has to be Hakimi from PSG.
Global Sports Podcast Network: agree
Craig matthews : isn in
Rodney Gooden: going forward as well unbelievable yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : Next level. i then And then second. Who be second? I don't even know. Who's a good right back now? Trying to think.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I can't about...
Craig matthews : What other right back is there? That's good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Only player I can maybe put into the mix would be like a Daniel Munoz or something. But I can't think of anyone. I can't think of anyone else.
Craig matthews : ah um ah coffee and ah I think, I would, I would squeeze Timber second, you know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: right
Global Sports Podcast Network: Timber second, say Munoz third.
Craig matthews : and In current form, I think Mounia's third, I think Mounia's, you know, quality right back, it's been good for Palace for last two, it's just been there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm. and and the thing is And the thing is, right, the the three right-backs we've mentioned as well are all attacking, you know.
Craig matthews : In current form.
Craig matthews : Hmm. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They are all attacking. They all like to have a little, you know, they you know they like to hang around in the box.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And again, you know, three very good right-backs there. But, I mean, let's go on less i mean less's go on now because...
Rodney Gooden: And in the Prem, who do you think is is sniffing Timber's heels right now? Because I said, I know, obviously, we go ahead to Chelsea this weekend. A lot of them will come in there and say, yo, they want their boy Rich James coming in there, you know, having a look.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, no, no, no.
Rodney Gooden: ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Everyone's going to talk about Io. Everyone's going to talk about Leal.
Rodney Gooden: I'm just saying, you know, ahead of the clash next week, well, ahead the clash at the end of the week, you know there's going to be a lot of comparisons. There's going to be the Rice-K, Sato battle.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: There's going to be the Rich James-Timber battle. I said, in the Prem, you think there's anyone close to Timber right now who's second?
Craig matthews : I don't think Mnuchin is second.
Rodney Gooden: So who are you going for?
Craig matthews : I don't think so. um I like Livermanto at Newcastle. He's fit.
Rodney Gooden: Fair.
Craig matthews : He's
Rodney Gooden: He's injured though right now, isn't it Yeah, yeah, but that's true.
Global Sports Podcast Network: <unk>s not I think he's bad from injury.
Rodney Gooden: nosa right there
Craig matthews : fit. He's back.
Rodney Gooden: Is he back?
Global Sports Podcast Network: he' sweatdding he played on shoes He played on Tuesday night.
Craig matthews : He's back.
Rodney Gooden: Okay.
Craig matthews : Yeah, he's fit.
Rodney Gooden: Okay, yeah.
Craig matthews : He's fit.
Rodney Gooden: Okay.
Craig matthews : I'll say Timber, Livermanto, Munoz, Masawari at my nine. think they're good right back.
Rodney Gooden: Okay, yeah.
Craig matthews : Or wingman. I'm trying to think. was Liverpool's right. No, Liverpool's got a good round, guys.
Rodney Gooden: No, because it's Kirk A's right now.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Nah.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, is it Frimpop?
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, it's Bradley, isn't it? Connor Bradley.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Yeah. Bradley and the other guy are from Pong. But they're hardly...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, yeah, yeah. Frimpop's right back and then Kirk A's left. All right, fair enough. Yeah, okay.
Craig matthews : What about Man City's right, mate? You think he's decent? I'm trying to think.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Is it Guardiola?
Craig matthews : Is it...
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, no, that's left back.
Craig matthews : Nunes. Nunes?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, it's a New Year's.
Craig matthews : Matzio...
Rodney Gooden: Matthias? Yeah, Matias Nunes, yeah.
Craig matthews : I think he's decent. I think he's great.
Rodney Gooden: yeah Yeah, I don't think he's spectacular, then, yeah.
Craig matthews : I think he's more of midfield though.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I don't know there's any other ones in the league who else is good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : No.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Can't think of anyone else.
Craig matthews : Half of any good. Those ones I've mentioned the ones who impressed me a lot watching them play we can week in, week out.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Rodney Gooden: Fair enough.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But let's let's talk on let's let's go on and talk about the equaliser because there was a lot of talk.
Rodney Gooden: Back to buying. Hmm. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And Rodney, we we you know we we spoke a bit off air actually about the equalising goal because there was so much hype about it. And at the end of the day, like it was just a long ball.
Rodney Gooden: Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was a long ball out to Gnabry.
Rodney Gooden: Abri. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And it was pretty much Gnabry...
Rodney Gooden: Swept that in. for cop Yeah, call her. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, Carl.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, again, another very good promising player that Bayern have in Carl.
Rodney Gooden: yeah yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, it was pretty much a straightforward goal. I mean, where where do you think it kind of went wrong for Arsenal in that sense?
Rodney Gooden: I think probably losing track of the runners and maybe not winning those duels. You see the ball coming over the top from Kimmich. Well, you can't stop that ball, but you can stop it from getting to the runner as well. So I feel like whether it's both Karl or whether it's Gnabry, we're thinking maybe our back line have done a better job of making that pass more difficult or closing down those runners too.
Rodney Gooden: You know, there could be an argument for Raya, but I feel like at that point, if it's a one-on-one, it's a shot on goal, he's going to to guess. He gets it wrong or whatnot. There you go. Done deal. I think our defence have to do the more legwork in cutting that ball out, winning the aerial doors, snatching out the air, or at least kind of throwing one of the runners off balance to make it so that that next ball through or that shot don't happen.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: So I think we got caught short then, but ah looking back on it, it was a pretty good goal looking at it. It was quite beautiful from Bayern, so I couldn't really hate too much.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah Yeah, no, absolutely understandable. Craig, I want to, I had this question running through my head and I was like, I've got to save this for the pod. But now that you've seen Bayern kind of create a little long ball to kind of expose Arsenal at the back, do you potentially see maybe other Premier League teams maybe trying to do that to Arsenal during the course of this season?
Craig matthews : I think so, but think the difference yesterday for the goal that we conceded. I think, as Rony was saying, I think Leeds Skeller's out position, but the goal is out.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : It just wasn't alert.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Normally, he's more alert, but Leeds Skeller didn't have a great game.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. I didn't think Miles had a good game yesterday.
Craig matthews : He didn't have a good game either.
Rodney Gooden: That's what I was saying. Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think he had a poor game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know what? the The thing I have with Myles is, right, again, like last season, we spoke so highly of him. We said that he's not feeling the pressure. But I can also say that maybe he might need a run of games. But then it's difficult in this day and age because with Calafiore playing so well...
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Why would you try and... Why would you...
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, if Califuri's had four good games in a row, why would you then make a change to bring Myles Lewis Skelly on?
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know what mean? it's different It's different if it was in-game where you're making a sub and you're bringing off Califuri for Myles Lewis Skelly.
Rodney Gooden: It's difficult.
Craig matthews : and yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's different. But... For me last night, wasn't his strongest game. And I thought maybe Bayern could be a good game for him because, you know, again, it's just players that don't get the opportunity. They need to start really getting minutes under their belt. And they need to also start proving to Arteta that, hold on a minute, I can take Califuri's place. That's what Myles Luskele should be doing, really, is saying to Arteta, right, well, I can take his spot.
Global Sports Podcast Network: This is what I can do in in the left-back role. But compared to what we saw against Atleti, was completely different, wasn't it, boys?
Craig matthews : Yeah, I feel i follow that yesterday. I think Thomas Kutu called out the game as well, watching the game yesterday. So, I think he didn't have a good... He didn't really prove himself to why was not picked for the last England squad. think there's of pressure on him. I think he wants to be in the England squad.
Global Sports Podcast Network: course.
Craig matthews : was He wants to play a regular football. My advice to him is to keep on working hard in training. and improving and learn from Califuri.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah Yeah, exactly that.
Craig matthews : What Califuri does, obviously, is safe for Califuri. just Watch what he does in training and then you'll get your place back eventually. He's still a young kid anyway. so second Second season syndrome as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That is... Yeah, come on.
Craig matthews : First season them are all good. Second season can be a bit difficult for young players. Consistency, injury, form. you know so Sometimes you have to take them out firing line from time to time and ease them back in slowly and take it from there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Rodney, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, I mean, how would you kind of, what would you do what would you do to kind of maybe improve his game a little bit? Because it's so difficult right now with Califiori playing such great football.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What do you do with MLS?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, I mean, I got to agree with Craig as well. like He's got a kind of work on certain aspects in training too. You also got to remember that Kala's got quite a significant advantage over Miles in the sense that he's older, taller, probably a bit little bit quicker, a bit stronger as well. So I said, yeah, there's advantages that Kala kind of has there. But at the same time, I think for Miles, he's got to kind of work on training to kind of make it so that he's you know not losing track of runners, making sure that he's getting much better at winning duels as well. Because you know for a fact that, again, in that second half for us too,
Rodney Gooden: Dual winning was definitely one of the key parts that allowed us to kind of kill that game off as well. And I said, once you have that weak link in your defense too, it just gives the other team a nice chance to get back into the game. Could be a bit of strength work as well. I kind of agree with you, Jamie, it could be a run of games.
Rodney Gooden: But I think the problem with that is, as you say, with Caller being able to kind of play week in, week out, top tier football, you're not really going to get that opportunity.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: So he's got to work in training to be a reliable sort of backup. You know, maybe Caller gets injured, then you can kind of step in that way. But I think it's got to be improving his overall game and training and then making sure that, all right, the next time you come in there, we don't have to do what we did against Bayern, which is you're clearly having a bad game.
Rodney Gooden: We rotate you immediately. And of course, your backup is having a much better but performance. You know, Kala comes in after Myles gets off. And then next thing you know, he's involved in the goal with Maduweke later. And so we're trying to avoid that.
Rodney Gooden: So i think with Myles, I'm not worried about it because he's still so young. I just feel that with time, similar to Ethan as well, I go with time, these players will come into their own and they'll be absolute top first pick choices.
Global Sports Podcast Network: course.
Rodney Gooden: I think for now, it's just hang around the first team, observe, absorb, learn as much as you can. Don't worry too much about not playing. You'll get your opportunity. The team has shown that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, absolutely. Yeah, youre you're spot on there. And I think, like you we like we've all said, you know, there's many factors behind why, you know, why we're not seeing the best out of Myles Lewis Skelly.
Rodney Gooden: m
Global Sports Podcast Network: But again, you know, i think he's just got to keep his head down, work hard in training, you know,
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Don't forget now, you know by the end of this week, now we we now come into December. you know Games are going to come thick and fast. He is going to get opportunities and time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and you know There is going to be times where he's going to be needed to call in and um really step up to the plate.
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: so there' still There's still a way to go. i wouldn't be too worried yet with my with MLS at the minute. But we're going to take a quick break in the meantime. And when we come back, we're going to talk about the other two goals because, oh boy, were they crackers.
Rodney Gooden: hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: And there was so much more as well that we could go on about, which we will do in this next part.
Craig matthews : isn you
Global Sports Podcast Network: So join us after this quick break.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this second part. As we look back at the Bayern Munich game and we look ahead to the Chelsea game, joined by myself, Jamie Patterson, it's Craig Matthews and Rodney Gooden. Right, guys, let's let's go on. let's so we've you know We've spoken about the Bayern goal.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: let's talk about Let's definitely talk about the Arsenal goal. Because, wow, I mean... Second half alone, subs really did make an impact, didn't they?
Rodney Gooden: Oh, absolutely.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i mean, what a ball.
Rodney Gooden: Absolutely. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What a ball. And what a finish.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, no, fantastic. I mean, you love to see it from Califiora as well. You know the value he brings to the team running forward as well. And again, the weight of that pass crossed that into Madiweke as well. Absolutely perfect.
Rodney Gooden: And again, i know with Comrade Lima, Saka was having a bit of trouble. You know, Comrade Lima was all over Saka early in that game too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: But then Madaweke comes on, fresh legs. And you know, Mada's is hungry. He's hungry to score, hungry to win, hungry to prove and kind of, you know, justify his place in the team. You love to see it. First goal for him in an Arsenal shirt. And he took that goal brilliantly too.
Rodney Gooden: Absolutely beautiful, you know. So this is it. in a way i love it it's kind of just as kind of clean and beautiful as the buying goal as well from before as well where you've just got a couple of involvements very crisp kind of movement forward and then again hit that straight as that came down to them as well lovely you know so yeah yeah absolutely beautiful and i love that
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah ye
Craig matthews : you
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, absolutely.
Rodney Gooden: um
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, you could not have said that any better. it was some It was some finish and a half. And I mean, really refreshing to see someone like Nonny Madweke score.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because again, Craig, you know, at the start of the season, a lot of Arsenal fans were not pleased with the signing of Madweke. And, you know, a lot of people, you know, you had the petition to, you know, to actually send him back to Chelsea.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But yet, I think pretty much I can speak for everyone here on this podcast. we We were all happy with the transfer. I think we were but we were all happy with the transfer. We just weren't happy with the price.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : mm-hmm that was it the price but it's proven what um
Rodney Gooden: I'm telling you, that was the Alanga deal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Ha
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's it. Exactly. Exactly. As I've said it before, if it if it weren't for Ilanga going to Forest, and boy, let's not even talk about...
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: like I mean, Ilanga going to Newcastle.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Let's not even talk about Ilanga at Newcastle right now because, boy, Ilanga seems to be non-existent right now.
Rodney Gooden: That's what I mean. That's what I mean. It set the tone. They were like, OK, this is the market value for wingings. It's 50 plus. OK, cool.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Exactly that.
Rodney Gooden: But the thing is, I feel like a lot of Arsenal fans, you know, I think, owe non-heal an apology.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Exactly that.
Rodney Gooden: I think there was always a player in there. You can see the potential back when he was at PSV, then again when he was at Chelsea too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yes.
Rodney Gooden: And I feel that Artes is just an absolute brilliant coach.
Craig matthews : Yeah, mom.
Rodney Gooden: He'll find a way to get the best out of most players that he brings in as well. He's diligent. He's direct. He's equipped. He's such a good rotational option to have in place for Saka as well. You can take Saka off. can bring on a winner with just as much quality and offering something different as well.
Rodney Gooden: as I think it's absolutely and brilliant. And he's hungry. He's willing to prove himself too. And I think for all those Arsenal fans that haven't offered him apology already, I said, let him have the Eze treatment. Let him get a hat trick, you know, this Sunday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, could you imagine?
Craig matthews : yeah mom
Rodney Gooden: Let him get a hat trick this Sunday and you'll see apologies.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yes.
Craig matthews : yeah I
Rodney Gooden: You'll see written apologies. ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yes.
Rodney Gooden: But no, no.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, mate.
Rodney Gooden: A hat trick might be too much, but i do hope that Nani is the hero of that game. That would be incredible, you know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That would be absolutely...
Rodney Gooden: If there's any fans who are still uncertain, that will turn them around immediately.
Global Sports Podcast Network: it would be incredible, wouldn't it?
Craig matthews : yeah and
Rodney Gooden: So, this is it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I think as well for Noni, I just think his confidence is going to be so boosted now.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He will be so boosted. I mean, Craig... Noni Madweke. And what a way to return from injury as well.
Rodney Gooden: True.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What a way to return from injury. I mean, you know, given the fact he was out for, what, three, two, three months?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : three months three and a bit months ago
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, we're always so worried that, you know, when a player is out for that long, are we going to see the best?
Craig matthews : hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: Are we still going to see the same player that we saw three months ago?
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, Craig, it seems like we we're we're seeing it now with Madweke.
Craig matthews : matter way I think Maderwake has been a good sign-in for us. um I think one of the best signs we've bought from Chelsea are all the ones that we've bought in the past. hit the up new Up there with Jorginho, I think him and Jorginho were the best ones that we bought out of a bad bunch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Agree.
Rodney Gooden: Fair.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i think i think you've I think right now, even though we haven't mentioned the golden net we haven't mentioned that name yet, I think you've made JD's night. I really think you've made JD's night saying that.
Rodney Gooden: Oh my days.
Craig matthews : I think so too. No, Bobby, I thought Kai Havertz.
Global Sports Podcast Network: oh
Rodney Gooden: Kai.
Craig matthews : ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: someone had to drop the H-bomb.
Rodney Gooden: Kai, please.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Someone had to drop the H-bomb.
Craig matthews : but the
Rodney Gooden: Kai, please get well soon and show these men why you're an important part of our squad, please.
Global Sports Podcast Network: one had to drop the h bomb
Rodney Gooden: It's slinging dirt on your name, Kai.
Craig matthews : i mean i i did I didn't really share that Kai Havel, by the way, Keit and Georgina the best hands we made out of that. bo player I think Kai Havel had a good first season.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Last season, not not so much.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Not the best.
Craig matthews : That's why not the best.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. And it's true.
Craig matthews : So...
Rodney Gooden: And it's true. You know, it's a long list because we've ah we've dealt with Chelsea quite often over the years, haven't we? You know, so this is it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Willian... Willian Gallagher...
Rodney Gooden: Willian.
Global Sports Podcast Network: William, David-Louise, Petra Chet, Galas, Ashley Cole.
Rodney Gooden: Douglas. sp
Craig matthews : Willian Gallagher...
Rodney Gooden: David Luiz.
Craig matthews : with William Gallas. Remember William Gallas?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : Gallas was the first one. Gallas was the first one.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, dear.
Craig matthews : Yeah. That swap deal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Gosh, yeah.
Craig matthews : Chelsea got a better deal.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Chelsea got a better deal now.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, I think that is a fact.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Rodney Gooden: i go When it comes down to the crossing, I go, yeah, Chelsea have definitely got the better deal overall.
Global Sports Podcast Network: For real, yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely, yeah, absolutely. But to then be 2-1 up, you surely think now, I mean, Craig, I saw you at me in the group chat and I saw and i thought, hmm, I'm like, you know what, let it stay this way.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: Let it stay this way. I don't care.
Rodney Gooden: million
Global Sports Podcast Network: i just want to be right that I've got my, I wanna i just want to make sure we've got our prediction correct.
Craig matthews : Impacts of.
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Craig matthews : Impacts of.
Global Sports Podcast Network: was like, let it stay that way. But then, nah, you know what, Arsenal thought, you know what, we've got to go one up another level. Goodness me.
Craig matthews : man like martinellly martinel and ah impact slow
Global Sports Podcast Network: Listen, first of all, I'm not going to complain at this, but i'm really I sit here scratching my head at this.
Craig matthews : in <unk>b
Global Sports Podcast Network: What was Neuer thinking?
Rodney Gooden: Oh, man.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Jeez almighty.
Rodney Gooden: Every pundit, every commentator, the entire fan base watching that game, whether you're Bayern or Arsenal or neutral, all said the same thing. What was he thinking?
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know what, right? Do you know you know what Neuer reminded of last night
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i don't know i don't I don't know if you guys had watched tonight's game between Strasbourg and Crystal Palace. But did you see the Strasbourg keeper? This guy did not want to stay in his box. He wanted to be part of that starting 11. He wanted to be outfield. There were 11 outfield players. There weren't one keeper and 10 players.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh my gosh.
Rodney Gooden: yeah yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Goodness me. But I mean, for Martinelli to be so cool and, I mean, we've seen it with Martinelli.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, I was going to say, you see Martinelli score this goal in the Champions League every year. Like, this is it. Remember Real?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: It's the same situation.
Craig matthews : Yeah, Chelsea.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: on the break, long ball over to Martinelli, and that's it. He's just got to beat the keeper. Maybe one other man, he'll do it every time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you know what? Another goal, another another scenario I was thinking of was was Villa a couple of seasons back. Lunchtime kickoff.
Craig matthews : oh yeah. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: remember that? Yeah!
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, he went like that, yeah.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's the one I was thinking of, yeah.
Craig matthews : it
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's funny, right?
Craig matthews : ah stuff
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because when I was sat there, when I sat there with my mate, obviously we were watching it on TNT, right? But I was watching it on, we were watching it on the iPad.
Rodney Gooden: ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: um' And obviously notification came up on his phone. So he's kind of, he's turned over to me and he's like, he's like, JP, well done, man. I'm like, what are you shaking my hand for?
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's like, well done, man. I'm like, explain.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, here, explain yourself.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Explain yourself.
Craig matthews : thought
Global Sports Podcast Network: Why are you saying well done? He's like, look.
Rodney Gooden: think
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then as soon as I saw Neuer run out, I was like, what? I was like, no way.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean...
Craig matthews : the
Rodney Gooden: I kind of felt for him because he's so far out. He can't run back because at that point you're definitely getting chipped. So he's got to try and win it when he's getting caught out. But there's just no way in hell he was getting that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: my question to you is, right, if Neuer didn't come out, do you think Martinelli could have had a clear run on goal?
Rodney Gooden: I mean, what if Neuer had stayed in his is goal, like would Martin Ely still...
Global Sports Podcast Network: If noise stayed in the box,
Craig matthews : I think he would. don't know but if I take him off.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. It would have been a 1v1, I think. Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think Noah would have taken the marks right and he'll give away a penalty and then get red cards or something. lost the man or something.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Something stupid like that. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: You think so? Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think so. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: I mean, it's interesting because i don't think...
Craig matthews : My head is quick.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, Martinelli is quick. I i don't think Neuer had the greatest of games, you know? And that was even before that moment too. So I said, yeah, I can see it. I even feel even if they got down to breaking Neuer, staying this goal at that point, it's still a 1v1, you know?
Rodney Gooden: And I still kind of rate Martinelli in a 1v1. So I said, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Rodney Gooden: would been tough but yeah shocking you know his attempt to get the ball from Martinelli there as well just no man's land yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: course, nah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Did you get it?
Craig matthews : hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: To be rounded, just just to... All it took Martinelli was just one one kick of a ball just to get past, and that was it.
Rodney Gooden: yeah uh the criticism that he was getting in the media was horrible they were saying this man's pushing 40 and still playing like he's just about to turn 30 I said it was unbelievable
Craig matthews : hmm hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: nothing
Craig matthews : what
Global Sports Podcast Network: No way.
Rodney Gooden: And it's horrible because I love Neuer.
Craig matthews : but bill
Rodney Gooden: He's like been one of my favourite keepers growing up too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: course. course. In our generation.
Craig matthews : but you've got you got youve got your got
Rodney Gooden: But it's true, that was a mistake.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Do you get it?
Craig matthews : He's a legend. He's won everything.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, he's such a legend, right?
Craig matthews : Won World Cup, won Champions League.
Rodney Gooden: I remember in his prime, he was majestic.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: He looked unstoppable on his day. i was like, yeah, yeah, fair enough.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Craig matthews : He's up there. He's up there. One of my favourite keepers all time. Him and Buffon. Them two are the ones I rated.
Rodney Gooden: Mmm, facts!
Global Sports Podcast Network: Fair enough.
Craig matthews : Buffon.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Buffon. Buffon.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Buffon, yeah.
Craig matthews : Everybody loves football loves Buffon.
Rodney Gooden: Mmm.
Craig matthews : It's that of keep on that. So, it's still a good goal.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
Craig matthews : You know.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I mean, 3-1, good 3-1 win. um There is one thing I do want to kind of address and it is Trossard as he went off injured.
Rodney Gooden: Yes. Bad news. You know our story. One in, one out, man. There we go.
Global Sports Podcast Network: There you go. Yeah, exactly that.
Craig matthews : Every week, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Exactly that. ah you guys Are you guys worried at all? are you got Do you reckon he'll be out for a while? I mean, we haven't heard much news come out of the Arsenal camp today regarding Trossard.
Global Sports Podcast Network: do you think it might be Do you think it might be a couple of weeks? Do you reckon it could be a month? What are we thinking?
Craig matthews : maybe one maybe what Maybe one or two games, maybe it's a kick to the calf. I don't think it's a calf injury, it's a kick to the calf, maybe a dead leg or something, hopefully.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Nothing too serious. Because he did roll down his shin pads, I think it was his calf or something that went.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Or he just got kicked to it. He did get kicked as well, so hopefully there's a dead leg and he can recover off.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah
Craig matthews : for that I think we should be okay for the Chelsea game if he doesn't play, but other games are coming that we need him for.
Rodney Gooden: crossed.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, no, absolutely. Rodney, you you concerned at all?
Rodney Gooden: yeah Yeah, I think just because it's been so many players getting injured too, but I feel that with the Trossard one, again, similar, like a little knock, you know, hopefully he won't be out for a long period of time. Maybe, I was thinking he might not make the Chelsea game, but I'm thinking he'll return to the squad quickly and I guess we can count on blessings that we still got options on that left side.
Rodney Gooden: Martinelli's back, he's fit too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: So hopefully we start to have a few more players come back. But Trossard's been, well, pretty great this season too. So I said, always a bit devastating to see a player like that go off as well.
Craig matthews : yeah
Rodney Gooden: He's been quite clutch. Been, again, doing the usual t Trossard overachieving and we love to see it. So I'll be sad to see him go, but hopefully he'll be back in the squad very shortly.
Craig matthews : hmm
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely. I mean, fingers crossed he's not out for too long. I mean, thank goodness we've got Martinelli back in, you know, and it would be good, you know, if Trossard doesn't make the Chelsea game, I think it it will be good to see Martinelli get run out, you know, start maybe getting back to the flow of things.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then we get back to the competition of, well, who plays on the left? Trossard, Martinelli.
Rodney Gooden: Mmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you know what mean?
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Craig matthews : the
Global Sports Podcast Network: We'll have to see what happens. But, and do you know what? We need to also mention this as well. Arsenal are the only unbeaten team in the Champions League.
Craig matthews : Wow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because Inter Milan lost last night to Atletico Madrid.
Craig matthews : Yeah, that's what a goal. What goal. Last-minute kick of the game as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Simeone, man. Simeone, factor. I've been at club for a long time.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, he has. Highest paid manager in the world, right?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Craig matthews : He's been there for over a decade now.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: believe so?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah, Yeah.
Craig matthews : He's been there for over a decade now minister since...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think he's been finals, lost both of them to Real Madrid.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Craig matthews : We were the best Real Madrid team at that at the time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Craig matthews : They were very good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : That Real Madrid team was Quali. He's a good manager. He won the Liga Cup.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's won La Liga with them.
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Craig matthews : twice. think he won twice three times in the league with them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : won a couple of throws with them. And that's won the Ripper League as well because the season in not thought Arsenal won the Ripper League.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I remember that game as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Thomas Partey played against us. I remember him in his field.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Damn.
Craig matthews : So long ago now.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was quite, yeah, quite some time ago. But what a record to be holding. Top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League league phase. I mean, what more could you ask for?
Rodney Gooden: Exactly.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Rodney Gooden: uh sure sure
Global Sports Podcast Network: What more could you ask for? But we're going to take another short break. And when we come back, we are going to be looking ahead to our game against Chelsea.
Craig matthews : Don't don't don't you
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Craig matthews : e
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this third and final part as we move away now from the triumphant win against Bayern Munich to our Premier League game against Chelsea.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And wow, what a game we have in store. First versus second. That sounds weird enough saying that.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: First versus second.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Chelsea sitting second in the league.
Rodney Gooden: Mmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, I don't even know where to start. I mean... We look back at Chelsea's last game in the Champions League. Impressive. 3-0 winning over Barcelona.
Rodney Gooden: Mmm. Brashing of Barca. Mmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know.
Rodney Gooden: Mm-mm-mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: question I've got for you guys is that Chelsea team is a very strong Chelsea team. Take nothing away from them, from from where they are in the league, right?
Craig matthews : yeah
Rodney Gooden: Axio.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: How do we stop Estavio? Because...
Global Sports Podcast Network: This kid...
Craig matthews : One word, timber.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Got him.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : andba turn buff
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: but
Rodney Gooden: I hear it. I hear it. I was going to say, don't get me wrong. Esteva's a fantastic player, but boss's back line compared to ours.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Come on. Come on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely no.
Rodney Gooden: it's it's ah It's a different kettle of fish, you know? But yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Guys, I must ask, though, I mean, how are you feeling going into this game? Because this is this is pretty much a huge one. You know, Sunday afternoon, 4.30. I mean, what more could you ask for?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Question is, though, you see us winning?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you see us winning tomorrow?
Craig matthews : Yeah, we need...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Sorry, on Sunday.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Three for three.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: We're doing it. It has to be done.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, I mean, do you remember, Rodney, your your predictions when I asked you, when I said to you, right, what you know, Spurs, Bayern and Chelsea, do you remember what your predictions were? Because I will never, I will never forget them.
Rodney Gooden: I think, I think, I think I had us.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And Craig's laughing, he knows why.
Rodney Gooden: I think I had us during. Hold on. I think I had us during one game, right? So I want to go back and I feel like maybe I said we'll beat Tottenham. Then I said draw the buying game. Yeah, maybe beat Chelsea.
Craig matthews : you
Rodney Gooden: Is that is that how it went?
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't think you did. You said...
Rodney Gooden: Oh, no.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You actually said...
Craig matthews : see
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm pretty sure you said you were open.
Rodney Gooden: Did I say win, lost, draw?
Global Sports Podcast Network: You were open to... You said you were either open to a draw or a loss because at the end of the day, it's still the league phase.
Rodney Gooden: Did I say that? No, surely I but did win-loss-draw. So did I go?
Global Sports Podcast Network: can't... I'm sure...
Rodney Gooden: oh no, no, no. I remember this. I said win-loss-draw. I said beat Tottenham, lose to Bayern. And then I said we can draw Chelsea. That's it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: see? There we go. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Rodney Gooden: yeah yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because a if even if he did...
Rodney Gooden: But now, now I've had a sniff and I've seen what we can do. I want all three wins.
Craig matthews : He's
Global Sports Podcast Network: See?
Rodney Gooden: that so what happens That's what happens when players come back from injury, yeah?
Global Sports Podcast Network: See?
Rodney Gooden: And you start to see that, okay, we can perform.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now, speaking of injuries, we need to talk about players coming back into the Arsenal squad.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um One player I do need to bring up is the one and only Mr Victor Jokerez.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, do we know for sure, though?
Craig matthews : he back. He's back. He's back for that give.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arteta did say that him and, i believe...
Rodney Gooden: For sure. Oh, amazing.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Craig matthews : Havertz is back as well. Kaia Havertz back.
Rodney Gooden: OK, OK, OK, OK.
Craig matthews : He's back in training.
Global Sports Podcast Network: is back.
Rodney Gooden: Noni Maruweke assists Takai Havertz for the winner. I'd love to see
Craig matthews : I think, I think, I think. I think,
Global Sports Podcast Network: And best believe, right we need JD on the pod. We will need JD on that pod regardless.
Rodney Gooden: Cheney will love that.
Craig matthews : ah think I think.
Rodney Gooden: Havertz winner.
Craig matthews : i think I think if Hamlet scores the winner and Madiwaka assisted him, there'd be a right at Stamford Bridge, there'd be a right at Stamford Bridge.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They actually would, you know.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, they would.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They actually would.
Rodney Gooden: Actually, they might be too cruel. They might be too cruel to Chelsea fans. I said, both your former players combining for the winner at your yard.
Craig matthews : There'd be a right at Stamford Bridge.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you get it?
Rodney Gooden: Oh my God.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, see? Do you get it? Do you get it?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Do you guys think that Madiwaka will get a from Chelsea fans on the weekend or do you think he'll get booed?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think it's a mixed bag, in my opinion, because the thing is, right, Chelsea fans were actually quite disappointed to see Madweke go.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And especially given at the time, because he was at the Club World Cup, left the Club World Cup, left his medal at the Club World Cup as well, by the way, I think.
Craig matthews : yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, part of squatty.
Craig matthews : yeah
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Oh yeah, I heard that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um So I do think there is going to be, I think there's going to be a mixed reception at Stamford Bridge because there are Chelsea fans that do miss the fact that he's not not there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And now there's going to be the Chelsea fans that are unhappy that he's gone to a, rival you know, he's gone to a London rival. you know what mean? If he'd gone to any other club that weren't in London, it would be a different story altogether.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But the fact that you go to join ah london another London club, that's where I see the mixed bag.
Craig matthews : But but i thought I feel that he he didn't want to leave. They sold him on his head. It's like one of them ones where I'll be selling you or we' we're not going to play. Same with Likens Jackson as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They've got Likens Jackson, same thing. They've bought in two strikers. I said to Jackson, if it's your third choice striker, I'll either take it or leave it. So he decided to leave. So the Mad Awaker ones, like they need to sell until they can bring in players.
Craig matthews : So it wouldn't like he wanted to go
Rodney Gooden: yeah
Craig matthews : there again it's a clock decision it is
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I think some Chelsea fans still won't. I don't think Chelsea fans will think that over the weekend, though. Some will have the logic, oh, well, we needed to sell Madweke. But I think the fair few will be like, well, we should have sold Madweke.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No. And the fact that we sold him to a London club, I just don't think that is right. So I think for me, that's where I kind of sit on the fence with that.
Craig matthews : no definitely
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : a
Rodney Gooden: I don't know. It's it's interesting because There is obviously a crazy mixed reception across the board too. I know some Chelsea fans were happy. They were saying, yeah, go ahead, take him. We don't need him. He's garbage anywhere. We got Esteval, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Rodney Gooden: So this is the thing. I think you're going to get a mixed bag when you get down to the stadium. There's going to be some fans are going to stand up and applaud. There's going to be others that boo. And obviously that reaction is going to be more intense, you know, depending on his performance in that game as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: I think he just needs to keep his head down, focus on what's in front of him and try and support the team as best he can.
Craig matthews : That's
Rodney Gooden: And I think that given his interview post-Bion when he was asked about the Chelsea game, the kids got good head on his shoulders too, and he said that he was going to do just that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: So I think he'll be all right. And I think ultimately with teams too, it doesn't matter what you do for a club.
Craig matthews : true.
Rodney Gooden: You know, look at what happens with Declan Rice when we play West Ham too, all right? Was their captain, was absolutely immense for them, led them to their first European trophy.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : Right. and
Rodney Gooden: Same situation, comes on the pitch, boo, boo, boo. So I said, look, it's going to be mixed across the board.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I was... You know what? I was going to say the same for Trent as well, actually.
Rodney Gooden: but Yeah, Trent too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because look at the reception Trent got when he went back to Anfield.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. The trend is probably more about the way he left, but it's the same situation.
Craig matthews : You've got food, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So...
Rodney Gooden: You know, you've always got this word. These guys are all legends for their club and look at the reception they get. So it's always going to be mixed.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, absolutely. Looking ahead to this game, I mean, i really think we we're in the driving seat here. And I think this will be a really good test here because, you know, after playing in the North London derby, after, you know, playing against Bayern Munich, if we could get a result, if we could get a win, that would be huge.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, true.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. A win would be incredible. Yeah. Cement, I'll lead at the top.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Especially at Stamford Bridge as well.
Craig matthews : Our
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : record is quite good over the last couple of years.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah actually is, yeah
Craig matthews : We haven't lost it five, six years. The last time we lost it, I think it was... don't remember. What was the last time we lost it? I think it was two calls, the man.
Craig matthews : Was it two calls Lampard?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Might have been lamps.
Craig matthews : Lampard.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hard.
Rodney Gooden: Lamped.
Craig matthews : Lampard. It's that long.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Lamps. Yeah.
Craig matthews : It's that long we haven't lost against them.
Rodney Gooden: Wow. Yeah.
Craig matthews : It's that long, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm pretty sure, pretty sure when I say this, it was before COVID.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Yes, it was COVID times, four COVID times, you're right. Because I remember the game, that it was the Emirates loss against Chelsea.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : It wasn't that Stamford Bridge, it was a game where Tammy Abraham scored the winner.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : So, one of our defenders made a mistake and then he had a free run on goal and he scored.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's the one.
Craig matthews : Yes, I remember that game.
Rodney Gooden: Fair.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And then I always think back to the Aubameyang days where he was at Chelsea and then, was it lockdown?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Lukaku scored in that game as well.
Craig matthews : Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: When it locked down, Gabriel scored, went over to Aubameyang, went like that to him and ran off into the corner.
Rodney Gooden: That's crazy. That's funny.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'll never forget that game. I'll never forget that game.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, guys, I've got to ask you, and it's the ask the most golden, it's like the golden question. Craig, you know what I'm going to ask you, and you'll get you're going to have to get off score predictions and goal scorers, because you since you got since you pretty much were pretty much spot on, or close to being spot on, I've got to ask you first, Craig.
Craig matthews : scorpion it turns
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, we know the school.
Craig matthews : but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Score prediction, please, first.
Craig matthews : You know what? I said 2-1, 2-1 on the other day. on the other day for Bayern game and they won
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm-hmm.
Craig matthews : I think we're going to 3-1.
Rodney Gooden: Wow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ha
Rodney Gooden: Okay. Serious.
Craig matthews : And I think, I think SFR is going to score for them, we'll get a goal.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Okay.
Craig matthews : I think we're going to beat them by set pieces, then they set the top of the game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Craig matthews : I think we are going score a school goal from open play, but two of our goals are going to be set pieces. Corner, bang, bang, goal, goal. And the goal scorers, I think I'm going to back Timbrey to get a goal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Craig matthews : I think I'm going to Saka. think Saka needs goal now. haven't scored in the last couple of games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think Kiel get a goal. And I'm going to back Madhuwaiqis to get a goal against his former club. Just like how Esri got a goal against one of the league.
Rodney Gooden: yeah Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : I think it's going to one of them kind of goals where Chelsea trying to for the equaliser and hit them on the counter and score the winner. It killed the game off like yesterday. So, I think Waker will come off the bench and get goal.
Craig matthews : Obviously, he's going to start this game. think he'll come off the bench and score.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Agree. No, I agree with that. Rodney, what about you?
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, it's interesting. Yeah, it's interesting. I rate that prediction as well. I think maybe if Chelsea do get a goal, I also back probably Esteval to kind of get it, you know, so this is it. But I'm going to be bold.
Rodney Gooden: I'm going to go 2-0, actually, you know. i kind of want the ironclad clean sheet days to continue.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Tom?
Rodney Gooden: We need to start thinking about Raya's golden glove. And I know we don't have Gabriel, but I'm thinking, all right, this is the time that we start to get back on the move. So I'm going to go and I'm going to have my goal scorers be the same as Kro.
Rodney Gooden: I'm going have Madiweke in there, cult hero. But I'm going to give it to Eze. And tell you why give it to Eze on this one too. I think for Chelsea, sometimes their centre-backs aren't as great. Nowhere near as great as ours. They can be a bit slow too, especially to come out to and especially tracking their man.
Rodney Gooden: You see the type of goal that Eze scored for, well, pretty much most of his goals against Spurs too.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do
Rodney Gooden: I think they're vulnerable to that. So I think if it's Eze arriving late, just on the edge of the box as well, ball in space, you know, I think he can dribble past this man or get the shot off before he's closed down. And I think that could be the result.
Rodney Gooden: So I'm going to go 2-0. o
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know what scoreline's been really running in my head? And I'm going to be really bold here.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You're going to all say I'm mad for this. I'm going Arsenal.
Craig matthews : not going to say that on 3-0.
Rodney Gooden: 3-0 in their own backyard.
Craig matthews : pretty know
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: That's crazy. That's crazy.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going three-nil Arsenal.
Rodney Gooden: I mean, I'd love to see it, but go on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: With a back four, with a back four of Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiore.
Rodney Gooden: Go scores, Jamie. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I can't see how you can't go wrong with that.
Rodney Gooden: It's a very solid back line. Yeah, I won't lie.
Global Sports Podcast Network: lesb And also, if we look back to the Spurs goal, look at the Spurs goal we gave away.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you get it?
Rodney Gooden: Sit.
Craig matthews : You've got love. Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, thank you.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Surely Ryder's learned his lesson from last weekend now.
Rodney Gooden: No, no, no.
Global Sports Podcast Network: oh
Rodney Gooden: Okay, let's just wind it back quickly. I refuse to let Raya take flack for that one.
Global Sports Podcast Network: To be
Rodney Gooden: That was on Zuby. Alright?
Craig matthews : That's Libby.
Rodney Gooden: That was on Zuby! Okay?
Craig matthews : Libby gave the ball away. Lapsy-daisy in the field. Gave the ball away and then, you know what, Rea, I don't think you're that good hands-wise. Let me just dip it over you.
Rodney Gooden: That's what mean. But Ry is doing... Ry is where he should be. He's there to link the lines and be a passing option then. I said, if Zuby hadn't lost it, you're not in that position, right? yeah
Craig matthews : would have taken him off.
Global Sports Podcast Network: honest with you,
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, that was on Zuby.
Craig matthews : would
Rodney Gooden: Come on, man.
Global Sports Podcast Network: let sp you That was the one game, that was pretty much the one game where he's like, he kind of had a bit of an off day.
Craig matthews : have taken him off after that.
Rodney Gooden: What's Ubi?
Craig matthews : I would have taken him off after that goal. would have taken him off. have brought no guard or someone just to slug it off bit, but...
Rodney Gooden: Here's the thing with that one. I didn't think Zuby was that bad that game outside of the mistake. I think he was having an alright game until that one.
Craig matthews : No.
Rodney Gooden: Then I was like, oh, bro, you can't be doing that.
Craig matthews : No.
Rodney Gooden: You're dilly-dallying, man.
Craig matthews : um on others I he had a great game on this first two, honestly.
Rodney Gooden: and And he had like three business days to make the pass out wide as well. ah
Craig matthews : don't think he had great game.
Rodney Gooden: Fair.
Craig matthews : I think he was very... Not that was poor, but I think he was not himself. like The intensity of the game got to him.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : Or the derby got to a little bit.
Rodney Gooden: This is first derby, you know, he's he's new to this, yeah.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Oh no, I said it was also Eze, so...
Craig matthews : But yesterday...
Rodney Gooden: Maybe there's no excuses, yeah.
Craig matthews : But I think... Yeah, I think yesterday he a world-class game. It was class yesterday for us.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I'm sure yesterday was just making everything tick over him and Rice. Rice our best player yesterday. don't know.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, facts, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Craig matthews : Rice was our best player on that pitch yesterday. I think he's going to our future captain, man.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I'll give him the armband sooner or later.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Eventually, give him the armband, man.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : man
Global Sports Podcast Network: didn't...
Rodney Gooden: Did you see Roche's stats for that Bayern game?
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah did him
Rodney Gooden: Oh, they were absolutely crags.
Craig matthews : Number one.
Rodney Gooden: might have to bring them up for you. It was just another masterclass from Roche.
Global Sports Podcast Network: a
Craig matthews : I think he was number one in everything, isn't it? Passing, tackling, running, sprinting, tap, everything.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow. Wow.
Craig matthews : He was number one in everything yesterday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What a player. What a player. and yet And yet, thank goodness, the media don't talk about his price tag.
Rodney Gooden: Absolutely incredible.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Jeez, my team.
Rodney Gooden: no
Craig matthews : On current form, think...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Gosh, if there's an obsession with the media, it's price tag.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : o
Global Sports Podcast Network: But yeah, as Craig has said before, no one talks about Izak. No one talks about Verts. No one talks about anyone else barring Arsenal. That's it.
Craig matthews : With the most hated car in England, we know it, so we don't care.
Global Sports Podcast Network: course we are.
Craig matthews : We don't care.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Of course. Of course. And that's why we're going to, that's why we're winning. We're winning something this season.
Rodney Gooden: No, absolutely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Don't know what it is, but we're winning something this season. But I'm going, yeah, for me, I'm going 3-0 Arsenal.
Craig matthews : Yeah, I'll back my team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to go. do you know what? I'm also on the Madweke bandwagon here.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going Madweke.
Rodney Gooden: you're giving it You're giving it to him. Okay. Fair.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to Madweke. I'm going to Jochores.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to go Rice.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Fair.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Okay, yeah. yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to go Rice because, you know what, right? His last few performances, he's been, so especially against Bayern, goodness to me, how he did how he didn't get a goal was beyond me because he played really well.
Rodney Gooden: yeah yeah yeah
Craig matthews : e
Global Sports Podcast Network: So I'm going ri for that.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going Rice. oh Yeah, Rice, Madweke, Jokeres. If Jokeres doesn't start just as a backup, I'll then go Eze.
Craig matthews : I don't think Gokic is going to start. I think Artes is going to play Mourinho again. I think Mourinho is in good form. know hasn't scored, but think he's been in good form. The way having Ling's not playing, the way he dropped the defence, and that he did yesterday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Don't...
Craig matthews : See how deep he dropped yesterday into midfield?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : So, there's no striker in second half.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I was going to say as well, I'm sure Arteta will have an eye.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Maybe he will probably have a bit of a firm eye on um wednesday for Wednesday's game as well at Brentford.
Rodney Gooden: Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So...
Craig matthews : We've got Brentford on Wednesday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: but Tuesday Wednesday?
Rodney Gooden: Wednesday. really Oh.
Craig matthews : or or the game
Global Sports Podcast Network: Midweek game, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Oh, dear.
Craig matthews : who
Rodney Gooden: Yeah. Wow. Sketch is getting crazy.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i see So you see what I'm saying now about about the f about December now?
Craig matthews : and it
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, i submit yeah.
Craig matthews : o
Global Sports Podcast Network: game's going to come in thick and fast now. So look, if we can if we can try and get maybe a 2-0 lead here, if we're deep into the second half, we're 2-0 up or something, cool.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Start playing that card.
Rodney Gooden: And I think... And I think we've got to be careful, though, as well. Because I said i know I always bring up injuries, too. But I think across the squad, I think Dex is probably the one player where something happens to him. We do not have a light-for-light replacement.
Rodney Gooden: So got to be careful there.
Craig matthews : No, we don't. I
Rodney Gooden: Like, that guy comes out the squad! ah We're definitely a worse team than we were before.
Craig matthews : just played a lot of minutes recently.
Rodney Gooden: So we've got to be careful.
Craig matthews : for a lot minutes as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: has, he has.
Craig matthews : played international football.
Rodney Gooden: guys
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that's that's what a lot of people were saying about Trossard the other day as well.
Craig matthews : played England. Every time played England, played lot of minutes.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Tom?
Rodney Gooden: Actually found Rice's stats for that buying game as well. So get this, guys. It was 100% tackles one, right? Didn't miss a single one.
Craig matthews : Wow.
Rodney Gooden: 49 passes, five ball recoveries, three chances created, two clearances, one big interception, one big chance created, one shot, and he played the entire game. Unbelievable.
Craig matthews : Top five midfielder from the world football right now.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, he's so good.
Craig matthews : him
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Him, Petrinha. ah Him, Petrinha. Petrinha. Belen Le Maizu up there, he's a good player.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah.
Craig matthews : um Jao Neves for PSG. I rate him as well. He's a good player as well.
Rodney Gooden: m
Craig matthews : um And I think, what else another one I like as well? um The Barcelona midfielder. Pedri, I think he's a very good player as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: andre yeah
Rodney Gooden: Pedri. Oh, yeah, Pedri's a baller.
Craig matthews : Those are very good, bro.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Absolutely.
Craig matthews : Those five for me are the ones that I respect on the rate a lot, highly. Ankaisele as well. Ankaisele is up there as well.
Rodney Gooden: Yeah, Kayser too, I was going to say.
Craig matthews : i said's up there as well Yeah, me.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Rodney Gooden: He's always in the mix. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Hmm. <unk>s them six then six for me
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, there's going to be...
Rodney Gooden: More of a low in six, though, but yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: There's going to be some really good match-ups this weekend. Really good match-ups. so I'm honestly looking forward to the game. It should be a really good watch. Really, really good watch.
Craig matthews : and
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, guys, that is it for for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. You can Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You've been listening to the GSPN Arsenal podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to find daily podcasts for your favourite teams, daily wrap-up, and every week, the Road to World Cup 26. I have been your host, Jamie Patterson. They have been the amazing Craig Matthews and Rodney Gooden.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Have a good day all and take care.
Rodney Gooden: Thank you.
