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Daily Arsenal - S2 - E6: Arsenal Transfer review
13 Plays3 days ago
In this episode we just love showing up late to any party n but we don’t care as we will be discussing our transfers during the course of the summer! Where we look at who was a good investment as well as who were glad to see leave the club. 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.
To make a donation towards Jamie and his girlfriend taking part in the Palace for Life Marathon March click the link here to make a donation. Any donations big or small Ould be very much appreciated!
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Craig Matthews & Rodney Gooden
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Transcript
Introduction and Welcome
00:00:00
Craig matthews
Thank
00:00:14
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 and back from their amazing holiday away in Prague. I am your host Jamie Patterson and I am joined by my crew of Arsenal fanatics.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now it's fair to say right that The crew have missed me over the past five days. So first up, I'm joined by a man who was on the same page as me when it came to David Ryder's positioning for the Liverpool free kick, which really wasn't central enough.
00:00:44
Rodney Gooden
Oh.
00:00:51
Rodney Gooden
so
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the one and only Mr. Encyclopedia, Craig Matthews. And I'm joined by a man who is probably... Most pleased to have me back behind the mic, describing me as a saviour.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
well um'm hopeful ah Well, hopefully I'm here to save the day. it is the one and only Mr. Rodney Gooden. Guys, how are we keeping? I mean, I'm back. I'm back from my Prague holiday now.
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Had a great birthday.
00:01:20
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, how we keeping?
00:01:24
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, good good. to have you back, my man, because honestly, we've missed you and have needed you.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:01:30
Rodney Gooden
But no, I'm glad to see you looking well, Jamie. Glad to see you had a great birthday, great holiday. Hope you're feeling fresh and ready to get back into the season. So there you go
00:01:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. I, yes, refreshed is definitely it. I mean, there was a, there was a brilliant spa at the hotel. Of course, I'm not going to, I'm not going to say no to it so a massage.
00:01:46
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why not?
00:01:49
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yes, hopefully the, you know, the next, the next ah matches before the next, ah the next fun international break.
Arsenal's Transfer Window Overview
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah should be should be hopefully enough to get us through ah in terms of wins, but we'll see how yeah we get on.
00:02:00
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, in this episode, we we love showing up late to any party, don't we?
00:02:13
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know what?
00:02:13
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't care because in today's episode, we're going to be discussing our transfer window over the course of this summer, where we will look at who was a good investment, as well as who we who were we glad to see leave the club.
00:02:30
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, guys, as always, if you want to get involved through our social media, ah please do. And go and look for it in our show notes, which can be found in the description.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, guys, let's let's kick it off. Let's kick it off with Arsenal's transfer market. It's honestly crazy to see so even think about the money we've spent in this market.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
pretty much over 200 million spent in this market. Let's, let's kick it off with our first signing. Does anyone remember who our first signing was?
00:03:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Andrea Berta. There you go.
00:03:09
Craig matthews
um
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's kick it off.
00:03:12
Rodney Gooden
The most important one.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. You know what? Actually, that's a good way to put it then, Rodney.
00:03:14
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's kick it off with Berta. Craig, when you, when obviously we heard about the Edo news with him going to Forest, not going to go into Forest because i think they're a ridiculous club as it is.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But on in terms of Edo going to Forest, we were all quite lost, weren't we? we were all but We were all very much taken back by it. I mean, what were your thoughts when you had heard that he'd left?
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Out of the blue,
00:03:43
Craig matthews
ah I think he had a power struggle in the boardroom. I think he wanted to be appointed higher-up and they didn't give him... He wanted to be promoted higher-up they never gave it to him and he felt frustrated.
00:03:55
Craig matthews
i think maybe it was getting frustrated with Mikel Arteta as well with certain players who want sign-ins and all that as well.
00:03:55
Rodney Gooden
Thank
00:04:01
Craig matthews
I think they wanted to buy a striker last summer and I think they ended up bringing in Stern as an emergency. i um ah that one is that in I think I think Edwin wanted somebody else.
00:04:13
Craig matthews
I think that's what the power struggle kind of, think that's what happened from there.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:17
Craig matthews
And I think after that, he wanted to be more higher ranked in the club, wanted to be a higher, one of the board members left, I think if I remember correctly. I think he wanted to be appointed more higher up and I think he never got the job.
00:04:29
Craig matthews
Then he decided to move on.
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:31
Craig matthews
That's the gist I'm getting from what happened.
00:04:34
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no,
Impact of Andrea Berta on Transfers
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I really, I remember that. Yeah, remember that quite well, to be fair. I mean, Rodney, we were then given the blessing in disguise.
00:04:45
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
of Andrea Berta. I mean, what were your thoughts? when you When you had heard about the category of players he had brought through into Atletico Madrid, the likes of Gio Felix, Griezmann, I mean, the list is fairly endless, to be fair.
00:04:55
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
What were your thoughts of Andrea Berta's appointment?
00:05:07
Rodney Gooden
I was excited. You know, he has a different way of doing business. At Atleti, you know, he was very good at bringing players in, but also offloading players and selling players. And that's been one of Arsenal's weaknesses for the longest time as well.
00:05:18
Rodney Gooden
I also quite liked how dedicated he was to joining the club. don't know if you guys heard as well, but he was giving us priority and wasn't willing to listen to offers from any other the club. He was giving us absolute priority, sat down with the Cronkies as well before the appointment too.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:29
Rodney Gooden
He was really, really committed to coming to the club in the same way that we were excited when Jokeres was doing the same thing and other players in this transfer window have signed seemed to really want the Arsenal. And it was a very different way of doing business when you look at that kind of resume and his his track record, you know, a strong negotiator. We've seen it in this window as well with the way that he's speaking to multiple players at the same time, arranging personal terms very quickly.
00:05:50
Rodney Gooden
it was a way which is very different to how we were before. You see the Arsenal, I think the season before, we struggled to get two deals over the line. Calafiore dragged on, Mikel Moreno dragged on as well.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:01
Rodney Gooden
And it was a very kind of small window with us struggling to get lots of different businesses of business done. Over this window, you've seen eight signers come in. And while there has been some delays on one or two deals, most of them were done very quickly, very efficiently. And it's a very different way of operating, which is almost alien to Arsenal.
00:06:16
Rodney Gooden
So when I saw the track record, saw that this plot this man wanted to come to the club and also saw that he won the award for best sporting director back in 2019, I was excited.
00:06:22
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:24
Rodney Gooden
We needed some new blood in the club, someone to change the way we function and operate. And it was very exciting for me.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you know what, Rodney, you guys you guys have pretty much got it spot on with in terms of Berta. And I mean, the one thing I really admired was his determination, like his passion.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, i think as well as talking about our transfers, let's talk about also the players that he signed down as well.
00:06:50
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, Myles Lewis, I mean, I still can't get over the Myles Lewis Skelly announcement video.
00:06:51
Craig matthews
Hmm. Hmm.
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that was just... brilliant but you know you look at the players that he has also brought in but look at the players that he's tied down to contracts you know what do you guys think has changed
00:06:59
Craig matthews
the
00:07:06
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
in in such a short time for players to be like, you know what, I want to go to
Strategic Signings for Squad Depth
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal. That is the club for me. well And even for players that are currently at the club that have renewed their contracts, what what do you think made them think, you know what, this is a really attractive kind of offer.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, this is what I want to be doing. Like, what do you think is kind of sold? What do you think Burt has done that maybe Edu hasn't probably or probably couldn't have done?
00:07:40
Craig matthews
I would say that of the culture, and not only the culture, his mind that he wants Arsenal to win big trophies. The comfort the comfort three seasons in a row. And I feel that he realised that he needs to go to together ah um i'll get us to the next level, over the line.
00:07:56
Craig matthews
He needs this type of quality of players to come in and step it up. Like last season, them were crying for a right winger to replace Saka. He brought in Madi Wakey. were crying for a creative number 10. He brought in Ezey.
00:08:08
Craig matthews
We were crying for a backup centre-back for Gabriel. We brought in Musqueira. We brought in a replacement for Thomas Partey. Well, not say and I am now replace Thomas Partey, but we brought somebody else who can do a job for Linz and Thomas Partey in Christian Norgard.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll think
00:08:26
Craig matthews
We brought in Gokkeres, who needed a striker to replace Jesus, who's been injury-prone. Not his fault. He gets injured, very unlucky. We brought in an elite striker in Gokkeres, a goalscorer. We brought in the guys from Hanki,
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um hi kipe
00:08:43
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:08:43
Craig matthews
as he can play left-sided or he can play centre-back as well, or he play left-back as well. So, we brought players in that can sort roll and do a job. And brought Zuban Mendy as well. And we brought a good backup goalkeeper in Kepa as well.
00:08:53
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:08:58
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:08:58
Craig matthews
So, we brought players in. to fill a role. So if our main players get injured, at the moment Saka's injured, three players are injured at the moment.
00:09:06
Craig matthews
So their replacements will help us. We're not going to be worried and have a thin bench. We've got a strong bench now. So a headache our tennis team, because squad every week when everyone's fit.
00:09:06
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, that that is so, that absolutely spot on. I mean, Rodney, have you got anything ah else to add to to the question that i asked?
00:09:28
Rodney Gooden
ah No, not really. I mean, honestly, I just think very, very kind of impressive. And I think in terms of what, yeah, in terms of what he was kind of doing to make that deal more attractive for a lot these players, I think it kind of goes beyond Berta too. I think Berta, the signing, the way he moves definitely showcases ambition.
00:09:43
Rodney Gooden
But I think when you look at how we've performed in the league over the last couple of seasons too, you've seen this as a team that are competing in the Champions League, competing for the Premier League. And with each season, there's further incremations made into really kind of bringing home that silverware, especially if you look at our performances in the Champions League.
00:09:59
Rodney Gooden
from the quarters to the semis, you know, all of that. I definitely do feel that if players are signing new contracts and they want to come to the club, you're seeing the culture, you're seeing the ambition and you're seeing that this is a team that knows that they are one or two windows, one or two seasons away from lifting that big silverware and everybody wants to come and become part that journey.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, that is so true.
00:10:17
Craig matthews
facts.
00:10:18
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, you know, for me, it's all good. I mean, we we've always, you know, we're sitting here talking about the transfers we've made and so on. But I've really enjoyed how, structurally, how we go about transfers now is so much better compared to what it was under Edu.
00:10:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, again, do you remember, what was it? um
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if it was Usmanov. it It wasn't Gazzidis back then. But do you remember in ah in a com in a message to Arsenal fans, he said, um when Arsenal knock, it's a different type
Reputation Shift and Player Appeal
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
of knock.
00:10:59
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you remember that?
00:11:03
Rodney Gooden
yeah Oh, I remember the quote.
00:11:04
Craig matthews
I remember. Yeah, remember that.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:06
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:11:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you feel like now that has been a bit more like that? That is a statement now that we can proudly say that when Arsenal do come, it's a different knock.
00:11:17
Rodney Gooden
I think so based on this window alone with how many players really fought to come here and disregarded options from other clubs, how quickly personal terms are agreed for players like, Hincapié for Eze as well, seeing what happened with that one, seeing personal terms agree with Tottenham, but the moment the call is made to Arteta and the conversations had in the boardroom, how quickly that deal materialized, how quickly personal terms agree with Madureke, and of course, looking at Victor Jokerez and how much he did to come and fight for his spot over here at the Gados, man.
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:30
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:11:32
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:11:46
Rodney Gooden
It was amazing, you watching the man go on strike, watching him give up wages, doing everything to make that deal happen. I think now it can be agreed. Now it does seem that when Arsenal knock is a different type of knock, because of how desperate and how excited players are to come play for this club.
00:11:58
Rodney Gooden
Same thing with Mosquera as well. Valencia did not want to let him go.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:02
Rodney Gooden
But as soon as it was Arsenal, he said, I have to do it. He knew he was going to be competing with Gabriel, with Saliba. He knew he wasn't going walk into that first team. But as soon as the offer came, he did everything within his power to move and make this club happen and make the move to the club happen. So really do feel that now you can say that Arsenal are a club who indeed have pull now.
00:12:19
Rodney Gooden
And it's exciting to see as a fan.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. do you know what, Ronnie? There's something I really want to pick up but from what you've just said there.
00:12:27
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
The fact it's a different type of knock, but the fact that also players are enticed by coming to Arsenal, but not just only...
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
because they think they can walk into the team, because they want to compete.
00:12:43
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
what They've got that passion to go and make themselves a name, to go and actually compete with the like with your Gabriels
00:12:48
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
Young Talent Spotlight: Masquera
00:12:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and your Martinellis, your Saka's, your Odegaard's.
00:12:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, realistically, when you look at a um starting XI, realistically, in all fairness...
00:12:57
Craig matthews
No,
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one's positioned safe, is it?
00:13:09
Craig matthews
no, no.
00:13:10
Rodney Gooden
Not really, no.
00:13:12
Craig matthews
all
00:13:13
Rodney Gooden
You want to give some credit to some of the senior veterans, but at the same time, you know that, well, look, I mean, for example, look on the right wing as well.
00:13:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, no one's.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:20
Rodney Gooden
You know, a lot of players wouldn't think that you want to kind of come in there and compete with a Saka. But at the same time, from what we've seen from Madaweke, he's given a run for his money to the point where when Saka returns to fitness, you might have to say, is Noni starting on that right-hand side for a while?
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go.
00:13:33
Rodney Gooden
You know, I like that. I like that a lot. I think it's quite exciting to watch too. I feel the senior players, you know, still do have pull, but said as soon as they get injured as well, it's been exciting to watch some of the younger new bloods kind of come in there and step up immediately. I was so impressed watching Mascara against Liverpool.
00:13:48
Rodney Gooden
You know, you've got an unexpected blow with Saliba walking off.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:13:50
Rodney Gooden
Then you've got the new young 21-year-old who's never played a day of Premier League football in his life step onto that pitch. And he seemed like a seasoned veteran.
00:13:57
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:13:58
Rodney Gooden
He appeared nervous on the ball at times, but at the same time gave off a masterclass performance to the point where I forgot that Saliba wasn't even playing for a little bit. It was that good.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:14:08
Craig matthews
yeah
00:14:09
Rodney Gooden
So, yeah.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest with you, I mean, i couldn't agree with you. With Mascara, you know, little bit shaky, and I can and i understand that, you know,
00:14:13
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:14:16
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, little bit of nerves and I get that. But really did settle into that game really well, didn't he, Craig?
00:14:24
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:14:25
Craig matthews
Definitely, he is solid player. Even pretty soon, I watched him in the game against Athletico Bilbao. He looked very solid. it was He was just doing his job. that me as Imagine with Gabriel when Gabriel first came to Arsenal.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:38
Craig matthews
Gabriel is raw, testo panel works the the team the whole club works. There's you know yeah a player rene in there in Mascara.
00:14:48
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:14:48
Craig matthews
That's why Valencia. We we thought we've got him for £13 million. He's worth more than that. In the future, be worth more it will triple that amount.
00:14:54
Rodney Gooden
Clearly.
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's so true.
00:14:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. What a deal.
00:14:58
Craig matthews
I heard that he was training with the Spain team other day as well, the national team other day. trained with the senior team.
00:15:05
Rodney Gooden
ya Yeah, yeah.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:07
Craig matthews
Give you future. dude Him and the guy who went, Hoistam will be the future centre-back pairing for Spain in the future. Them two. Generational talent, I thought. He's got that ability. He's got that talent about him. He can stay injury-free.
00:15:21
Craig matthews
Yeah, I think he could definitely be a big thing.
00:15:23
Rodney Gooden
No, 100% agreed.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, well, I mean, you heard it here first from Craig.
00:15:25
Rodney Gooden
ah Agreed on that. Very exciting.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig the scout. Craig's an undercover scout. You heard it here first, people.
00:15:33
Rodney Gooden
ah
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You heard it here first.
00:15:36
Rodney Gooden
if
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, we're going to take a quick break. And after the break, we are going to discuss about Arsenal's incomings. It's been great talking about Andrea Berta, but we are going to talk about the best part and it is the incoming. So join us after this break.
New Signings: Zubimendi, Kepa, Norgard
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, OK, thank you. oh Welcome back, guys, to part two of the Daily Arsenal GCPN pod, where we are looking at the Arsenal transfer reviews, joined by Craig Matthews, Rodney Gooden and myself, Jamie Patterson.
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, guys, let's get to the mouth-roaring bit, the best bit, and it is the incomings.
00:16:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, be Zooby, right?
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's kick it off. Guys, do you remember who our first, first incoming was?
00:16:59
Craig matthews
So, Mendy.
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
who be Yep. And bearing in mind, going back to something you mentioned in the first part, Rodney, had the chance to go to Liverpool.
00:17:09
Rodney Gooden
He did. He did.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Snubbed him away from Liverpool.
00:17:14
Rodney Gooden
And he said no.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this was this was one that felt like this was going to go on forever, wasn't it?
00:17:22
Rodney Gooden
It's true. I felt like we signed him for about a year before he actually joined the club. It was ridiculous.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because let's remember, we got, Fabrizio came out with the Here We Go tweet back in what, January, wasn't it?
00:17:27
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:17:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, way back.
00:17:34
Craig matthews
yeah
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Way back, you know.
00:17:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I think it was because that January where we unfortunately didn't make any acquisitions whatsoever, which may have had a really negative impact on how the rest of our season panned out.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:17:44
Rodney Gooden
One bit of business we did do was I think there was a delegate sent to Spain to go and have that conversation with Zubimendi. And I think the bulk of the personal terms were agreed there. So it looked like he was definitely going to join in the summer.
00:17:56
Rodney Gooden
And then even then, when the summer window started, there was still a bit of a delay. I think it was due to the accounting needing to be on, I guess, the next year's books, not the previous year's books as well. But
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:05
Rodney Gooden
I remember there were several delays in that Zubimendi signing, even rumours that Real Madrid were looking to come in there and snatch him up, which ended up being unfounded and ridiculous.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:18:14
Rodney Gooden
But yeah, the Zubimendi transfer saga dragged on for far longer than I was comfortable with. But yeah, was our first signing what a signing. He settled in very nicely and he's looked impressive for most of for the majority of his games when he's played for us, when he's done the shirt and worn the badge.
00:18:24
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Craig, what what were your thoughts on Zuby? Because, I mean, wow. I mean, what a player we have in him.
00:18:41
Craig matthews
he he' is a quote He's going to be a top-class player for us in the Premier League and in Europe.
00:18:44
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:18:45
Craig matthews
he's goingnna In Europe, you're going to see the best of the men in Europe for us. I think in the Premier League, it's goingnna it's going to take a while to adapt to the league.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
i agree.
00:18:49
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:18:52
Craig matthews
But when it comes to Europe, he can take the play, tempo the game.
00:18:58
Craig matthews
That's why I said Decon rise as a double pivot in some games.
00:18:58
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:19:02
Rodney Gooden
a
00:19:03
Craig matthews
would work very well. Just need to work on further forward, the number 10, a little bit better. But them two will work well together. I think they've got good understanding already now. So, yeah, man, I can't wait to see him play in Champions League.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same.
00:19:18
Rodney Gooden
Agreed.
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, ah think you make such a good point there, Craig, about him in the Champions League. He will be class. He's going to be so good for us in the Champions League.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think... The confidence in the Champions League games, I think, will build that momentum going forward into other games and going forward in the Prem, as well as all the cup competitions as well.
00:19:39
Craig matthews
Hmm. Hmm.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think what it is, I think with these new signings, they need to have one game where it was like, oh my gosh, we saw the best out of so-and-so.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's just one game and that is it.
00:19:53
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
One game can build the confidence up and I think the rest is all history.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then, after finally, finally confirming Zubamendi, we then went and signed Norgard from Brentford.
00:20:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
How did you guys feel about signing Norgard?
00:20:14
Craig matthews
Wasn't it Keppa?
00:20:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it was Kappa before, wasn't it?
00:20:17
Craig matthews
It was Keppa, it was Keppa.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Huh? Oh, my bad.
00:20:18
Rodney Gooden
It's Kappa.
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was Kepa, sorry.
00:20:19
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it was Kappa.
00:20:19
Craig matthews
Keppa.
00:20:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:20
Craig matthews
Keppa, yeah.
00:20:20
Rodney Gooden
It's Kepa, the indoor guard, yeah.
00:20:21
Craig matthews
Yeah. I know, lot yeah.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ugh.
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I got so lost with the order. it's just, oh my gosh, forgot about Kepa. dema Honestly, the amount of signings Arsenal made this window has just blown my mind.
00:20:32
Rodney Gooden
It's true, it's true. Eight was unprecedented, yeah.
00:20:33
Craig matthews
love yeah
00:20:35
Rodney Gooden
No, next is Kepa. And what really impressed me with that one was it was just a great bit of business because I think what ended up happening was last season, we were really, really looking at Juan Garcia, right?
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:44
Rodney Gooden
And we know that from Espanol, it was about a 25 million euro release clause.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:48
Rodney Gooden
And when Berta came in, he was not looking at that release clause and thinking that was great business, especially for a backup keeper. Ultimately, we know we pivoted from that deal. Garcia goes off to Barcelona, wishing all the best for his career. But it seemed like we pivoted and ended up getting a very good deal. And that was Kepa for five million from Chelsea.
00:21:06
Rodney Gooden
Now, one thing we know about Berta, one thing we know about Arteta is they love Premier League proven players. And this one was a fantastic bit of business. Five million for, I think at the time was the most expensive keeper sold a couple of years back as well.
00:21:19
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, absolutely amazing.
00:21:20
Craig matthews
to the millennia.
00:21:21
Rodney Gooden
Had a fantastic season on loan the season before too. And now that's the backup to David Ryer.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:26
Rodney Gooden
I know a lot of people are upset with that bit of business, probably because of our continued business relationship with Chelsea, you know, and we'll get to that when about Madaweke later.
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah wo Yeah.
00:21:35
Craig matthews
da
00:21:35
Rodney Gooden
But I thought that was a solid deal and I was happy with that bit of business. Not the most exciting signing, but when you know that Arsenal have a lot of gaps in the squad, weaknesses, and when you look at, well, you look at our kind of goalkeeping depth last season too, you saw what happened in the Champions League as well with our backup keeper for that season too.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:51
Rodney Gooden
And it was not ideal. So now I'm far more confident. I'm happy. If anything happens to Raya, I'm not sweating. Wonderful bit of business. And this is a real masterclass from Berto, I thought. You could see very business savvy, looking to keep the powders dry as possible, not overspend to get quality players.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the money that was spent on Kepa was really impressive. but only I'll be honest, I was one of them Arsenal fans that sat there and was not pleased because I thought, it's Chelsea, why?
00:22:18
Rodney Gooden
LAUGHTER
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Havertz, you know, Havertz. Oh, JD's going to like me mentioning Havertz first, really. LAUGHTER um You know, Jorginho was probably one of the most, like, probably the best signing that we've probably had in Chelsea.
00:22:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, probably the best, yeah.
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Willian, oh my heavens, don't even get me started.
00:22:37
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
see or my Sideshow Bob. Oh, David Luiz, I'm sorry. Yeah.
00:22:43
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, historically, yeah, historically, Chelsea have got the better deal, you know, in terms of most of our dealings with them.
00:22:43
Craig matthews
William Gala.
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Madaweke's Potential Impact
00:22:51
Rodney Gooden
Arsenal players going over there tend to do better than Chelsea players coming over to us, but...
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah. Absolutely.
00:22:58
Rodney Gooden
But I still think, hopefully, this is a change in the wind.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:23:00
Rodney Gooden
I'm happy with the two Chelsea players we picked up this time. so there we go.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. Definitely. But yeah, I think Kepa's a good... You know, look back at last season. look Especially last season, goodness me.
00:23:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
What he done at Bournemouth. Wow. And I mean, how they... I don't know where it went wrong for Bournemouth last season. Because I thought they were probably going to maybe flirt with like a conference league spot.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
good bit of Good bit of business. I think he'll be really key for cup games. I think we we'll probably use him in like the cup games, your Carabao Cups, your FA Cups.
00:23:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. yeah
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe the odd Champions League game, but now I read more into it, I can understand why we've signed him now. But Craig, I mean, your thoughts on the signing?
00:23:46
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:23:50
Craig matthews
I thought he had a great season last season, to be honest. He had a great season at Bournemouth last season. It all made sense. five If you compare 5 million to 25 million and you've got a Premier League proven player, as Rodney said, you'd rather go for a Premier League proven player than go for a guy will come to the Premier League.
00:23:59
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:04
Craig matthews
He has to get used to the league. you know He might it might be unsettled. He might might not like it. He might not like the rainy weather. You never know. He might not like it here, isn't it?
00:24:14
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:24:14
Craig matthews
Then again, you go for somebody who's used to the league, who knows what he's doing, won trophies in the past. So you go for that guy.
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, absolutely. And I think, again, both of you touched on it there. The fact he's Premier League proven, it's not you know, if we did go for Garcia, you know, it would have been one of them things where, you you know, you'd have to get, give him a bit of time to integrate into the league.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it wouldn't have been easy. So I think going with the Premier League proven keeper, he knows, he knows how the Premier League's run, especially from his time at Chelsea and ah and at Bournemouth.
00:24:38
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:24:41
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think good bit of business, you know, we we also kind of needed to be careful. We, well, me and Rodney kind of but reiterated it actually towards the end of the market, which is we need to be careful with PSR and obviously FFP and all that.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And luckily we, we, we're all good in that sense. um Next signing quickly, Norgaard, your opinions.
00:25:10
Rodney Gooden
Pretty similar to Kepa as well. I thought Premier League proven. You knew that when Part A was leaving, you're going need to have a backup ah DM as well because you knew Zubimendi was coming in there being the main man.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:21
Rodney Gooden
And at that point, yeah, you're going to need to have a backup. I think this is another one where we were looking at Lucian Agume from Sevilla. And I think Berta was the one who came in and said, actually, considering you've already got someone who's coming in there from Sociedad, who's not used to the Premier League, you're going to want to make sure that that backup is someone who's a seasoned veteran in that same league.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:41
Rodney Gooden
voting for experience over the raw kind of young talent of someone potentially traveling overseas and ended up going for Norgard. Now, Norgard, the price as well, was actually quite decent.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:25:50
Rodney Gooden
Similar to Kepa sense that it was a wonderful deal for Brentford as a former captain. He'd had a decent season before. He's also very kind of you know experienced, you know very decent in that role too. And again, that Premier League proven experience for a very, very low price and low fee.
00:26:03
Rodney Gooden
Wonderful business from Arsenal too. He might not see that many minutes because he knows he's going to be a backup, but once again, a reliable backup. If Supermendy gets injured, I'm not panicking. There's not a glaring hole in the team.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, spot on. Absolutely spot on. I think Norgard, for me, was a good investment. And I think, I personally think he'll be a fan favourite.
00:26:24
Rodney Gooden
Yeah?
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I but honestly see him being a fan favourite.
00:26:26
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really could see him doing well at Arsenal.
00:26:31
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, like I said with Kepa, I think he'll probably be used in like the Cup games.
00:26:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would love to see him out in the Champions League. I'd give him a run out in the Champions League any day of the week, in my opinion.
00:26:40
Rodney Gooden
there Yeah, yeah.
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, you know, a lot of these players that
00:26:42
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
know that they're probably not going to be starters. Personally, ah I'd give them a run out in a couple of Champions League games, couple cup games.
00:26:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, maybe if, you know, if we are short in one position, brilliant. give you Give your Norgaards the opportunity to go and play in the Prem because they've got the experience that they need.
00:26:58
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:27:01
Rodney Gooden
yeah yeah And from what we've seen, and he looked good. He scored in preseason, didn't he?
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did.
00:27:07
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. So that's it.
00:27:08
Craig matthews
It's good.
00:27:08
Rodney Gooden
And then the only reason he's not seeing play right now is, well, one, Zipumendi's fitness, but also he's currently injured. So this is the thing. Yeah, I know. I know. I know. Injury luck is definitely one that we are not lucky in.
00:27:20
Rodney Gooden
Oh, my days.
00:27:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, really, I'm not.
00:27:22
Rodney Gooden
Not blessed there.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely not. um Who was the next transfer that we ended up making? I can't think off the top of my head.
00:27:31
Rodney Gooden
That must have been Madiweke is the fourth, right?
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
think it was, yeah.
00:27:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it was Madaweke.
00:27:34
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, what were your...
00:27:35
Craig matthews
on awake
00:27:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, because Sesco and Yokoro's dragged on, and then we're in the market for a winger, and then Madaweke came in, and I think this is the one which divided the fan base the most.
00:27:39
Craig matthews
yeah
00:27:45
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. I mean, first of all, I'll give you my opinions on it, right? Because I wasn't, I was mad, but I wasn't mad at Madweke. I wasn't mad at the signing.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was mad at the price we paid because Chelsea played smart here.
00:28:00
Rodney Gooden
e
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
They saw how much Elanga went for to Newcastle and thought, actually, hold on a sec, Arsenal, before before we accept your offer, give us 50 mil and and you can take him.
00:28:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Arsenal bit the bait and was like, yeah, we'll we'll take him.
00:28:16
Rodney Gooden
In
00:28:16
Craig matthews
yeah
00:28:19
Craig matthews
yeah
00:28:19
Rodney Gooden
hindsight,
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but Now, my question to you guys is, do you think he was worth 50 mil? Hmm.
00:28:26
Rodney Gooden
in hindsight based on what we've seen from him so far, I understand that it's expensive for what people commonly view as a backup player. There was all this talk about how when he came in there, he was supposed to be Saka's deputy. And at that point, a fair price for a deputy would have been maybe 20 to 30 mil, maybe 40 at max.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:44
Rodney Gooden
When that fee came for about 52 is what I think he went for. People were thinking, oh, is this our new starting left winger? And then in preseason, he looked all right on the left wing, but recently he's exploded on the right.
00:28:53
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:28:54
Rodney Gooden
Whether it's for England, whether it's versus the Liverpool game now,
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right now.
Masquera's Performance and Future
00:28:57
Rodney Gooden
Based on seeing the performances that I'm seeing from the right wing, I think a sack of backup of that quality and a player with those characteristics in the team, I think he's worth the price. And I can say that always having been a fan of the player.
00:29:09
Rodney Gooden
I know we always do business with Chelsea. I know as soon as people saw him coming in that they didn't want him. But i've watched Chelsea for a while. And I'll tell you this, I've always rated Nani. Right? That's the thing. That's why when it happened, I was never that mad.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
know
00:29:21
Rodney Gooden
I thought they've got a few ballers in that side. And one player that I would have liked to seen at the club was Nani. And so I know a lot of people weren't too excited. But if you see the performances he's putting in now, is anyone debating the price? Is anyone upset that Nani Maduweke plays for us?
00:29:33
Rodney Gooden
I don't think so.
00:29:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely not.
00:29:34
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest with you, another thing that I also kind of sat here thinking as well, right, was I think the reason why we also paid 50 million is English tax and the fact that he plays in the England squad as well.
00:29:46
Rodney Gooden
true yeah
00:29:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that what cut that's what also kind of bolstered his price tag up. You know, if it was a...
00:29:53
Rodney Gooden
And also look at the club you're dealing with as well. Chelsea are transfer window demons, right? They never get a bad deal.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are. No.
00:30:01
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:02
Rodney Gooden
They an exceptional selling club.
00:30:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:30:03
Rodney Gooden
If you look at their incomings, this window, unbelievable. They pretty much bought in almost exactly what they spent. And this is the thing. This is with a bloated team with many members that aren't seeing players well.
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:30:14
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, Chelsea, we, if I hate to o admit it, but as there's one thing we could take notes from. It's learning from Chelsea and how to sell players because wow.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Absolutely. That is so true.
00:30:22
Rodney Gooden
They always get their money's worth.
00:30:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, so true. Craig, who was our next it was the next signing we brought in?
00:30:31
Craig matthews
Gokuras Yeah I forgot Gokuras and that sign was brought in Hold on hold on Was it Muscaro doing Gokuras or Gokuras and Muscaro?
00:30:37
Rodney Gooden
Was it mascara before or was it after? might
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just after...
00:30:43
Rodney Gooden
have been mascara. Oh, to be honest, we might messed this up. It might been mascara before Madiweke, actually. Yeah.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, actually.
00:30:52
Craig matthews
I think.
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, actually, I think you're right. No, it was mascara, actually.
00:30:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was mascara on your forehead.
00:30:55
Rodney Gooden
I think it's Madueke Mascara. Because remember when they did the announcements as well, like Mascaras got delayed. It was just before Yoko Rez. it was Madueke Mascara Yoko Rez.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also, remember, there was a leaked photo as well.
00:31:03
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:31:04
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:31:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was a leaked photo of mascara the interview.
00:31:08
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:31:08
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:31:13
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:31:13
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Mascara, I mean, let's talk about him. I know, you know, before the Liverpool game, we didn't see much of him.
00:31:17
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Saliba off injured. Rodney must have sat there thinking, no, I'm not dropping an ounce of sweat. Play him. Go and play him. Oh, Mascara, you go and do your thing.
00:31:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:31:33
Rodney Gooden
No, Charles, I was terrified. But honestly, the boy impressed me. I think props to props to the recruitment team on that one. I thought, wow, what a baptism in fire.
00:31:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah absolutely.
00:31:42
Rodney Gooden
But this is what happens for a fee of 13 million.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:31:44
Rodney Gooden
I thought, obviously, yes, you know, you want a young prospect. Saliba usually stays fit for the majority of the season. He's been known to have a few bumbles, you know, a few howlers in character, but they're rare. They're few and far between. But you definitely do want a situation where you're not having to replace Saliba with a Rob Holding.
00:32:00
Rodney Gooden
So, you know, you don't want the quality and drop off to be insane because that season where we look like we're going win the league and then Saliba got injured.
00:32:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah. Oh, oh, oh, oh,
00:32:06
Rodney Gooden
And you know how those last three games played out. You could tell it's a huge gap in the squad.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. No.
00:32:09
Rodney Gooden
We did not have a like for like replacement. And now I'm looking at Christian Mosquera and I'm thinking for 13 million.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:32:14
Rodney Gooden
For that incredible talent that's coming in there from Valencia, yeah, wonderful bit of business. The fee is cheap. The talent's amazing. you know And if it doesn't work out as well, he's young. You can probably get a decent amount of money from him as well after kind of facilitating his development.
00:32:27
Rodney Gooden
But for now, yeah, I wanted to stay wearing the shirt. Very impressive. Lovely bit of business. Very similar to the Kepa and Norgard deals. You're getting a very decent player with a lot of potential for a very low fee.
00:32:38
Rodney Gooden
Impressed.
00:32:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, I need to go on to a point that you spoke about earlier on in the show, right? And I'm going to bring it up now. But again, with Mosquera, good bit of business, but profit.
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
he With the way he could play, especially given Champions League, I think for me, we'll see the best of Mosquera in the Champions League.
00:32:54
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:32:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he can get a run out in the Champions League, couple of games here and there, what what would you him of him then
00:33:09
Craig matthews
I feel like he's resolved. If he continues the way of playing now and gets better and better, we can make a health of a big profit on him if we to sell him in the future. Say he gets 25, 26, say Real Madrid or Barcelona come in for him.
00:33:24
Craig matthews
We can make a big you can make a massive profit on him, think.
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Absolutely.
00:33:31
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, again, and another thing we need to talk about is age here. You know, a lot of these Arsenal players that have come in, maybe Barring,
00:33:42
Craig matthews
No God.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perez and all still young.
00:33:43
Craig matthews
oh God.
00:33:45
Rodney Gooden
e
00:33:46
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:33:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, true.
00:33:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're all still fairly young. Mosquera's young. um Who else?
00:33:54
Rodney Gooden
Mattaweke is young as well.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Madweke's young.
00:33:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:33:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, they've still got, you know, they've still got their they're probably good years to still come.
00:34:01
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:34:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if they can continue performing the way they're performing, long-time investment, I think we would have we'd have really smashed that well. And I think going back to what you were saying, Craig, I think, again, profit-wise, I think Arsenal would be absolutely laughing.
00:34:10
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:34:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it depends on how we go about selling them when that time comes.
00:34:22
Rodney Gooden
It's true. you know
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, let's...
00:34:23
Rodney Gooden
I never want to. Yeah.
00:34:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's let's get to Let's get to the main bit because, of course, yeah, that's it, Craig.
00:34:29
Rodney Gooden
The mask is coming out.
00:34:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:30
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the mask. The mask finally came out. We finally, after years of crying and calling for striker, we have our striker.
00:34:40
Rodney Gooden
I'm calling out for a new number nine.
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Victor Jokerez.
Victor Jokeres: Strengthening the Attack
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, v I mean, that for me, I don't know what was a bigger headache. That or us trying to sign Benjamin Tesco for 90 mil. Yeah.
00:34:59
Craig matthews
I'm so happy with doing my events on Cesc. I know he's a younger player and a lot players who have won in Cesc over at Goldcruz, but I thought we need to be in the now, not for the future, because right now when start winning trophies, I think with Cesc it would take him a long time to settle.
00:35:14
Craig matthews
And I think Goldcruz he played in England before he played in the Championship, so he's used to playing English football.
00:35:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:20
Craig matthews
And I feel that, I know people will say the result, if we settle in the future and get a lot for him, but if he gets a couple of titles, ah title wins couple of trophies, then you think the dealer paid for it a bargain, I would say.
00:35:34
Craig matthews
massive bargain if he gets over the line, wins a trophy.
00:35:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:35:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm, that will be, you know what?
00:35:39
Craig matthews
Lord.
00:35:40
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:35:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
At the minute, I know obviously we, what is it Three, four games roughly into this new season.
00:35:49
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:35:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for me, there's not been, you know, i understand. yeah ah i still can't get over right. But remember that first game against United away.
00:35:59
Rodney Gooden
a
00:36:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then remember Leeds at home. What was the one stat that everyone spoke about in that Man United game?
00:36:06
Rodney Gooden
Oh, hair flicks per game.
00:36:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah.
00:36:10
Rodney Gooden
more more More touches on the top of his head than in the opposition box.
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then what does Yokora go and do
00:36:13
Rodney Gooden
That's what it was.
00:36:14
Craig matthews
Let's hear it.
00:36:14
Rodney Gooden
Yep.
00:36:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. And then what does Yokora go and do What does he do in his in in the second celebration?
00:36:22
Rodney Gooden
yep
00:36:22
Craig matthews
lit his hair
00:36:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly.
00:36:25
Rodney Gooden
It's true. It's true. I like it. It's bold. You know, he's aware and he knows what the expectation is as well. People are going to talk and you need to show it with your performance on the pitch and then you're allowed to talk back. So wonderful. Like that. little bit banter.
00:36:37
Rodney Gooden
And it's the type of thing I want to see from my striker. So, yeah, very enjoyable.
00:36:40
Craig matthews
Yes.
00:36:41
Rodney Gooden
But on the Jokeres business as well, I wanted to ask you guys what you thought about, well, that kind of whole debacle, because obviously we know we're in for Seshko, we're in for Jokeres as well, but there were other strikers on the market too.
00:36:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Yeah.
00:36:53
Rodney Gooden
And I think a real appeal of Yokores was the fee that we managed to negotiate down to about 55 mil. I think that was fantastic business for filling a massive gap in our squad that we've been crying out for for a while.
00:37:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:37:04
Rodney Gooden
But there were other options on the market. And I know that there's this mantra amongst the fan base of signing a player that can take us to a title right now. But I would still like us to sign a younger prospect in the future.
00:37:15
Rodney Gooden
And one thing that worried me about this window was a lot of the young prospects got snapped up immediately. Do you feel that we've missed a trick? Should we have done a Liverpool and going for both? You're picking up an Isak and an Eketiki.
00:37:27
Rodney Gooden
You know? Hmm.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, do you know what it is for me, right?
00:37:29
Craig matthews
I...
00:37:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
For me, i always sat there and thought, you know what? If this was maybe going back to couple years back when, what was it, three years ago and like the first game of the season was away to Selhurst in that, you know, way away to Palace in that pink kit, I would have taken a Benjamin Sesko or a young player back then.
00:37:52
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:37:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for me, I was so adamant on wanting ah ready-made striker, someone that could come in and just do the job straight away.
00:37:58
Rodney Gooden
Mm. Mm.
00:38:02
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:38:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think for me, it got to a point where Yes, you know, we could have maybe got a ready-made, we you know, we needed a ready-made striker. This team is capable. It knows it's capable of trying to go one better and win a league.
00:38:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But bringing someone in young, I think the pressure the pressure and the expectation might have been a bit much. If we'd brought in a bit ah Benjamin Tesco, sorry, Tesco, sorry, then I would have, you know, i might have been a bit nervy because it's like, well, hold on a minute.
00:38:28
Rodney Gooden
I
00:38:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great that we sign a striker, but pressure would really get to him. And I know he's not settled in great at United at the minute, but I just, my worry would have been the pressure would have been too much. And I don't think we'd have got the best out of someone young.
00:38:49
Craig matthews
I can give you a prime example.
00:38:49
Rodney Gooden
ah understand.
00:38:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:38:52
Craig matthews
Man United went and bought two strikers. They bought Cesco this summer and they bought Hoyland two summers ago. ah hoy Look at the goals Hoyland scored. How many goals has he scored?
00:39:03
Craig matthews
They paid a big money for him. So I actually bought Cesco for that big money that Al Lapsic wanted and he flopped or he struggled.
00:39:11
Rodney Gooden
Of course, it's a huge risk.
00:39:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:14
Rodney Gooden
But that risk is partially mitigated by the fact that if a player like Shesko comes in and he's 22 and it doesn't work out, you can sell him on for a decent price. Whereas if Victor Jokeres comes into Arsenal and it doesn't work out, the resale value is, well, substantially lower based on his age as well.
00:39:26
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:39:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
what Yeah.
00:39:30
Rodney Gooden
So you're taking a risk either the way.
00:39:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cool.
00:39:32
Rodney Gooden
But I do agree Considering how close Arsenal are to getting to some major silverware, I agree that you might want to bank on experience, you know, as opposed to raw potential, especially because decent players should hopefully be available in the following window.
00:39:44
Rodney Gooden
But one thing I would have liked would be maybe it would have been a prospect left winger like a Gittens. Maybe it would have been a younger kind of striker. I would have liked to have seen if we had the financial wiggle room. And we'll get to that later because I think one of the reasons why this window isn't a 10 out of 10 for me, even though it ranks very highly, is because we were unable to move on several players that I feel no longer have a place at the club for a decent fee.
00:40:05
Rodney Gooden
And I think that would have given us some more financial wiggle room.
00:40:06
Craig matthews
I agree.
00:40:07
Rodney Gooden
And maybe then we could have seen a Jokeres jumps in. And then we also get like a young 21, 22-year-old striker that two seasons from now might be, yeah, a real menace in the Premier League.
00:40:17
Craig matthews
and but but But a web player is available on free transfers as well.
00:40:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:22
Craig matthews
In summer, that guy Jonathan David was available. He's got a lot of goals in France.
00:40:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:40:27
Craig matthews
He's quite young.
00:40:27
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, went to Juve, didn't it?
00:40:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:40:29
Craig matthews
Yeah, he was available.
00:40:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:31
Craig matthews
Maybe we could have squeezed him on for him as a backup to goal career or something like that.
00:40:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:40:37
Craig matthews
Because he came to be a good project as well. This is it the strike.
00:40:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, i would have loved Ekotiki.
00:40:40
Craig matthews
But. Hmm.
00:40:42
Rodney Gooden
But again, with Ekotiki, the fee was massive. So, yeah it's true. You also taking that risk.
00:40:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think Eketike, I mean, for me, I mean, I saw what he'd done in the Bundesliga and I was like, you know what? Fair play. Like, Liverpool have got a pretty decent player in him. And I mean, oh my gosh, you could you imagine if he'd gone to Newcastle?
00:41:02
Rodney Gooden
ah yeah yeah yeah also quite scary too yeah he's a big boy yeah yeah they've really updated their strike force yeah
00:41:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle, that would have been scary. But then again, Newcastle signing Nick Voltermead, I mean, again, still quite scary as well.
00:41:14
Craig matthews
And Whistler as well.
00:41:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:41:16
Craig matthews
Whistler's a player as well.
00:41:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wissler as well, yeah.
00:41:17
Craig matthews
Good. Prove him. Prove him. Prove him.
00:41:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really did. Especially with now they've got the EZAC money as well. I mean, that could pretty much buy them ah good maybe half the squad. Half a squad, maybe three quarters.
00:41:29
Rodney Gooden
yeah Yeah, and it's probably given them quite a lot of PSR wiggle room, which was an issue for Newcastle for the last couple of seasons too.
00:41:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was.
00:41:36
Rodney Gooden
So probably alleviated a lot of stress for them.
00:41:39
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:41:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also Champions League football is what's going to now start attracting players now to St James' Park.
00:41:42
Rodney Gooden
Yep.
00:41:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, as long as they can maintain that spot. But I think they're in a good position to do so.
00:41:47
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:41:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:41:50
Craig matthews
I don't know if they'll get top four this season though. don't think so. Without Issa, I so.
00:41:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
think they'll get top five this season?
00:41:57
Craig matthews
No, don't think so. Honestly, I don't think so.
00:41:59
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:41:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Europe? Europe all?
00:42:01
Craig matthews
They'll get Europe. I don't think they'll get top four. think they need to start. They struggled. They struggled season.
00:42:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. ah did In the season they had Champions League football.
00:42:10
Rodney Gooden
But,
00:42:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
They did struggle, yeah. That is a good point.
00:42:16
Rodney Gooden
yeah, fair enough.
00:42:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:42:17
Rodney Gooden
Well, we'll see. Remains to be seen. But all in all, back to the Yokeres transfer as well.
00:42:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:42:21
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I thought shrewd bit of business. And one thing we haven't touched upon as well was how much Yokeres fought for the move as well, which as a fan, very exciting to see.
00:42:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:42:30
Rodney Gooden
ah Sacrificing was or wages, his agent giving up his commission as well, going on strike.
00:42:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:42:36
Rodney Gooden
giving us priority to the point where he was only interested in a move to Arsenal. Man United came in for several times. He said no, every single time. And you've got to remember, Man United is where his previous manager was as well.
00:42:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:42:45
Rodney Gooden
There's a connection there. And he rejected that in favour of coming down to the Emirates and playing in Premier League and trying to take us to, hopefully, you know and maybe a Champions League trophy.
00:42:49
Craig matthews
Awesome.
00:42:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:42:55
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:42:55
Rodney Gooden
We'll see. But that's his ambition and that's what you like to see.
00:42:56
Craig matthews
i take
00:42:58
Rodney Gooden
So one thing which made me warm to Jokere is, more so than what I see as potential weaknesses in his game,
00:42:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:42:59
Craig matthews
yeah
00:43:04
Rodney Gooden
was how much he's willing to fight for the badge before he's even had a chance to put it on. I thought that was very impressive. Really, really like that.
00:43:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no. And that's something I really do admire about players that come to Arsenal. If they are willing to fight for the badge. And I think that's where we will we'll see the best out of Jokeres.
00:43:20
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:43:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Someone that will really put on the shirt, wear it with pride. And just hopefully lit, hopefully he'll li he'll light the league upll He'll just put set the set the league on fire, hopefully.
00:43:33
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:43:34
Craig matthews
I
00:43:35
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. And I think the rating of that signing really does depend on whether we can play to his strengths and, of course, how we dealt with the other signings as well.
00:43:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:43:43
Rodney Gooden
I think, as we know, with Jokere as more of a transitional striker, you know, he needs balls fed into and balls to feet as well. We need to be playing a bit more counter-attacking football too. And I think that with players like Madaweke coming in after war as well, I think, yeah, that was, that might be, if Arteta can change the tactics and tweak it, could be one of the greatest signings of that window as well.
00:44:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:44:01
Rodney Gooden
So that was it.
00:44:02
Craig matthews
think
00:44:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think...
00:44:03
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:44:03
Craig matthews
ah
00:44:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on.
00:44:05
Craig matthews
I think need to have a season when Jesus first came to Arsenal. That season, if we have that season, this season we'll do what?
00:44:10
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:44:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:44:11
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, sure. The football we played there was different, but yeah, true. I think, yeah, he would thrive in that environment. Yeah.
00:44:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think...
00:44:16
Rodney Gooden
Chaotic counter-attack football. Yeah. Yeah. Yoko's do well.
00:44:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, another thing that I think would really well work well to Jokeres' strength, because you also say about tweaking tactics, right?
00:44:27
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:44:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the long balls through to Jokeres will honestly unlock defences.
00:44:34
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:44:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you have a tall presence of Jokeres in the box. All it takes is for one touch, one control, and for him to go and drive on. i honestly could see that working out really well for him.
00:44:47
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, which is amazing and gives us us a great chance to talk about our next player who I think is very capable of doing that. And that is our own boy, Arsenal homegrown, hailing talent, Everitchi Eze.
00:44:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goem. Yeah. Yeah.
00:45:01
Rodney Gooden
I've talked about this so many times, but you've seen this man pick out Mateta at Palace for how many years?
00:45:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:45:07
Rodney Gooden
Yes, I do
Eze's Creative Influence
00:45:08
Rodney Gooden
feel one of the key components of making that Yocora signing work was the next player we signed after him.
00:45:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:45:13
Rodney Gooden
Eberichi Eze. Boys, let's talk about it. What a dream come true for such an amazing player and probably one of my personal favorite players in the Premier League for the last two years. This was the signing I was most excited by.
00:45:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? i i had the privilege I've had the privilege of watching Eze play numerous times for Palace at Selhurst. I even went to Tottenham to go watch him play and I mean, I remember the celebration that he'd done at Spurs where he'd done a little, you know, my
00:45:40
Rodney Gooden
Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha!
00:45:44
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:45:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
scouting tricks have worked and they've worked off well. I'm proud of myself. But, yeah
00:45:52
Rodney Gooden
There you go.
00:45:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
but What a signing. i mean, even even when he came on against Liverpool, I just thought, why didn't he start?
00:45:54
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:46:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why didn't he start? He should have started that game. Saw really good glimpses of him. And I think after this international break, if I see Eze's start against Forest...
00:46:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just know that he will either assist or be on that score sheet. I'm calling it now.
00:46:23
Craig matthews
I agree.
00:46:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's if he starts, by the way.
00:46:24
Craig matthews
I agree. I agree.
00:46:27
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:46:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before the listeners decide to come at me. So, yeah.
00:46:29
Rodney Gooden
ah i think I think we'll see some Eze starts like quite early into the season. I do feel that the reason part of the reason it inspired that Liverpool game is you've got to adjust to new system and I think maybe he was just sort of giving in some time.
00:46:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:46:42
Rodney Gooden
He's going to have a lot more responsibilities, new pressing duties as well, new formation, new expectations at the club. So I think giving him some time you know will be nice to kind of see him bed in and adjust, but Absolutely agreed.
00:46:52
Rodney Gooden
I would love to see Eze on that left-hand side as well.
00:46:54
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:46:54
Rodney Gooden
Such a progressive dribbler as well. His carries are amazing. Can cut in on that left-hand side as well. And whether it's a taking a shot onto goal as well, cutting in and shooting with that left foot or whatnot, or just feeding our strikers or feeding any other kind of creative player like who's close to attacking the box, I think wonderful.
00:47:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:47:10
Rodney Gooden
Eze's amazing at picking out that man and making sure that the attack amounts to something. And I think Arsenal's struggle for the longest time for the last couple of seasons has been, we're great at progressing into the final third. The decision-making and converting that kind of counter-attack into a goal has been difficult. And we need someone creative, someone capable of unlocking those low blocks, someone capable of making sure that that chance turns into, well, a real goal-scoring opportunity.
00:47:32
Rodney Gooden
And I think Everichi Eze is the man to do so.
00:47:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:47:35
Craig matthews
I can
00:47:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the announcement video as well. ah
00:47:39
Rodney Gooden
Oh, fantastic!
00:47:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? but The Arsenal social media team should get a pay rise because some of the announcement videos have been absolutely so good.
00:47:50
Rodney Gooden
Yes, getting Ian Wright in as well.
00:47:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
so good.
00:47:52
Rodney Gooden
Ooh, masterclass. ah
00:47:54
Craig matthews
write you, man.
00:47:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tell you what, though. I do admit, do admit, you know, maybe they could have done a bit of work with you know, maybe like ah the Jocares, you know, I wish they maybe had... I i cried for it.
00:48:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
i wanted ga
00:48:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wanted, in the announcement video, gabrieria the Gabriel celebration at Sporting.
00:48:11
Rodney Gooden
I went the reverse when he did that.
00:48:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I wanted that. I really wanted that.
00:48:16
Craig matthews
Now
00:48:16
Rodney Gooden
It is hilarious that they're teammates now.
00:48:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And do you know what?
00:48:18
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:48:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even with Eze, I wish Sol Campbell was part of that announcement video.
00:48:24
Rodney Gooden
No.
00:48:26
Craig matthews
the portal right on top, I'm telling you if that ever happened.
00:48:29
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah.
00:48:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:48:30
Craig matthews
The portal right on top.
00:48:31
Rodney Gooden
mural The mural got defaced within a day. What do you think would have happened if we had Sol Campbell in the announcement video?
00:48:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh!
00:48:38
Rodney Gooden
Absolute chaos. No, no, no. You can't do that.
00:48:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah, no. absolutely That would have just caused the riot at that point.
00:48:44
Rodney Gooden
Exactly. You saw the outrage with the Google Pixel ad. I said, you can't do that.
00:48:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, that Google Pixel ad caused... Oh my...
00:48:53
Rodney Gooden
Absolute chaos. So no, but I thought Ian Wright doing it was an absolutely amazing choice as well. Lovely player, Arsenal legend, and most importantly, both Palace legends and transferring to Arsenal from Palace at the same age too.
00:49:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:49:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:49:06
Rodney Gooden
Nothing was more fitting.
00:49:06
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:49:07
Rodney Gooden
I thought was amazing. And the interview to follow up after, lovely stuff.
00:49:08
Craig matthews
definitely
00:49:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm. Do you know what? The one thing I really do respect is players recognising their roots. You know, yes, for Eze, you know, it all starts, you know, he got rejected from XYZ clubs, went to QPR, absolutely shined at QPR, went to Palace, balled at QPR, pretty much is an absolute legend and probably would and probably would even get a statue for the fact that he won them the FA Cup.
00:49:41
Rodney Gooden
this true major accolade hmm
00:49:42
Craig matthews
facts oh
00:49:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He also left them with the community shield as well.
00:49:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what a player. And I mean, the fact that he's now back at Arsenal, he is at Arsenal.
00:49:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:49:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
i still
00:49:53
Rodney Gooden
Back where it was started.
00:49:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I still sit here and think to myself, how? Like, this doesn't feel real. Eze at Arsenal still doesn't feel real to me. Until I see him score and go like that, I...
00:50:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. It is true.
00:50:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:50:04
Craig matthews
yeah we've got a fan called player why he's at arsenal you know that's how it's how it's all got injured don't think he'll be at arsenal i'll be honest with you i think the hamps injury made them
00:50:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? That is such a good point.
00:50:14
Rodney Gooden
e it's true
00:50:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Such a good point.
00:50:19
Craig matthews
so jd you've got to find habits yeah
00:50:21
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I've said, I've said, it's something we owe him.
00:50:21
Craig matthews
but
00:50:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, JD.
00:50:24
Rodney Gooden
but Something we do okay.
00:50:25
Craig matthews
but
00:50:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:50:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We don't, obviously, we't we don't, like, we're not saying that we, you know, we're not saying that we're glad that Havertz is injured, but, you know, if it wasn't for the injury, we probably wouldn't be sitting here talking about it, is it?
00:50:38
Rodney Gooden
It's true. We're trying to avoid.
00:50:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And plus, look on the bright side as well. Palace get, what is it, 68, pretty much the release clause of their day.
00:50:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I think it's 60 million with 7.5 million in add-ons as well. So pretty much almost a 68 mil release clause.
00:50:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. And it's unfortunate as well that they probably might lose Mark Gahey on a three as well.
00:50:52
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:50:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's it's quite refreshing to see that they've at least got some profit out of this window.
00:50:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:51:00
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:51:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, we'll talk about... the final signing. And it's a signing that not many people, I don't know, don't know about you guys, but I'm really pleased with this signing.
00:51:12
Rodney Gooden
Oh, me too.
00:51:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's...
00:51:13
Rodney Gooden
Have you...
00:51:13
Craig matthews
say. ah
00:51:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, you'd play him.
00:51:19
Rodney Gooden
Yeah,
Piero Hincapié's Role and Squad Depth
00:51:20
Rodney Gooden
yeah, yeah. what We're talking about Piero Hincapier. I said the last signing.
00:51:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:51:22
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, absolutely phenomenal as well.
00:51:23
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:51:24
Rodney Gooden
If you've seen him play too, you'll start to realize what I think the plan is, which is, you know, Eze can play down the touchline, but I generally do feel that you want to see this guy cut inside.
00:51:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:51:33
Rodney Gooden
And I think with someone like Piero Hincapier as well, you know that, yes, he's a left-footed centre-back, but he can play left-back and he's got that top speed as well. He can overlap and allow Eze that width to kind of cut inside too.
00:51:43
Rodney Gooden
So I really do feel that this is going to unlock that Arsenal attack and might be the missing piece.
00:51:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And do know what? I also think, because ah we've we've we've spoken about it so many times on the pod, but the fact that Arsenal's left hand could be absolutely transformed.
00:52:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could you imagine if we had a fully fit Ben White with Saka and a fully, and like let's say, Hinkapie with Eze on that left?
00:52:04
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:52:04
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:52:05
Rodney Gooden
e
00:52:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, absolutely incredible. And it also fixes our left hand or our right sided bias as well.
00:52:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, thank you, yes.
00:52:18
Rodney Gooden
For the longest time, I've generally thought that one of our weaknesses is you'll see Saka get doubled up on.
00:52:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:52:23
Rodney Gooden
They know that little triangle of Benoit, Odegaard and Saka is lethal. And so what they'll do is they'll kind of cut that off. And when we kind of pivot and switch players the left-hand side, that left-hand attack all playing through the center are just not strong enough options.
00:52:34
Rodney Gooden
So it became very easy to stop us.
00:52:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:52:36
Rodney Gooden
Now we've got serious options.
00:52:37
Craig matthews
in
00:52:38
Rodney Gooden
I need the left-hand side and the right-hand side to be just as dangerous as each other. making it so that most of the time a team will have to say, right, we can only spare the manpower to have our 1v1 duels.
00:52:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:52:47
Rodney Gooden
If you've got a lot of amazing duel winners in the team, you can trust people to win their one-on-ones, ultimately cut through and create those chances. And I feel that left-hand side with Hincapié and Eze, it will be absolutely amazing.
00:52:58
Rodney Gooden
Stick Rice on that left side too. but also maybe have rotational options of maybe putting MLS up into the midfield again because you've got that added depth in the defence.
00:53:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Oh, my gosh.
00:53:07
Rodney Gooden
You've now got amazing rotational options on that left-hand side, rivaling the right.
00:53:07
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:53:11
Rodney Gooden
Incredible bit of business, and I cannot wait to see in its full form.
00:53:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, my gosh. And you know what? It literally goes back to what Craig was saying, but Arteta's got such a headache. For Forrest, that Forrest game...
00:53:21
Rodney Gooden
ah With team selection! Yeah.
00:53:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has enough. Do you know what? forget Forget headaches. He has migraines.
00:53:28
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:53:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
He literally has migraines over who to be picking. Because, yes, you're probably, you know, I think the only person that might be would be guaranteed their starting spot would be Raya.
00:53:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know.
00:53:41
Rodney Gooden
That's fair.
00:53:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:53:43
Craig matthews
I'll say ah Ryan Gabriel at the moment. Ryan Gabriel's two more.
00:53:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. I think Raya Gabriel Saliba probably guaranteed their starting spots right now.
00:53:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:53:51
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:53:51
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:53:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:53:51
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:53:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. But the rest, I mean, look, again, like I said, get a fully fit Ben White in that squad. Oh, my God, you're cooking.
00:53:59
Rodney Gooden
True. True. Yeah.
00:54:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely cooking. Question for you guys, actually, before before I throw it over to an ad break, is Forrest, for the Forrest game, right,
00:54:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd love to know, who would you play in that left-back role? Because you are you are literally a kid in ah in a sweet shop Who do you put in that left-back role?
00:54:26
Rodney Gooden
I think for me right now, I'm going to give it to Calafiore.
00:54:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:54:30
Rodney Gooden
And then I'll probably rotate. And maybe if we're doing well in that game, I'll put Hincapié on. And I'll see what he can do.
00:54:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:54:37
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I'll try that.
00:54:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig?
00:54:39
Craig matthews
I think he's been in good form. ah defend You know how he gets injured I'd rather but around start with Tadde Roury.
00:54:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:54:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
say.
00:54:52
Craig matthews
think he's had a full three season this season. first one He didn't have a three season last season.
00:54:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:54:57
Craig matthews
If he can stay fit this season, he'll play a lot of games.
00:54:57
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:55:01
Craig matthews
I think he'll be our first first left-back this season if he's fully fit.
00:55:03
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:55:04
Craig matthews
Because he's solid. He can defend, but he's like a winger. I don't think he's a left-back, honestly.
00:55:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:55:12
Craig matthews
not No, no.
00:55:14
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:55:14
Craig matthews
No, honestly, he attacks. You know Italian defenders are known for one thing, defending, isn't it?
00:55:20
Craig matthews
He's known for attacking.
00:55:20
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:55:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:55:22
Rodney Gooden
That's true.
00:55:22
Craig matthews
He kind of reminds you of an old-school Brazilian left-back, Roberto Carlos. Good at attacking, defending, defending.
00:55:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Roberto Carter, I was about to say, yeah.
00:55:31
Rodney Gooden
It's true.
00:55:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah never I never forget the goal away at a City.
00:55:32
Craig matthews
defended
00:55:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, and yeah.
00:55:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, where did that come from? Goodness
00:55:39
Rodney Gooden
That's what I mean. Another centre-back, you know, with dreams of playing st striker. I said, yeah, that's what I mean. That's why him and Saliba are friends, mate. Ha, ha, ha.
00:55:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
telling you, honestly, that's so true.
00:55:46
Craig matthews
yeah
00:55:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, so true.
00:55:50
Craig matthews
Oh, yeah.
00:55:51
Rodney Gooden
no No, but I think, honestly, similar to Greg as well.
00:55:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:55:54
Rodney Gooden
I said he's already had a season with us too to adapt to the Premier League. He's had a decent preseason too.
00:55:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:55:58
Rodney Gooden
think, yeah, go and start him. But I am curious. In a game in which we can afford the wiggle room, I want to see what Piero and Capier can do. Because if those two can cover that left-back position, yeah, we can start experimenting with Myles in the midfield.
00:56:10
Rodney Gooden
And I can't wait to see what that looks like too.
00:56:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
say Same here.
00:56:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:56:12
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:56:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, really good.
00:56:13
Craig matthews
yeah
00:56:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm actually really pleased that Myles was able to even start, you know, in the England set-up.
00:56:17
Rodney Gooden
Mm. Mm.
00:56:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really pleased to see him start. And I hope... I really do hope, right, for Arteta, because this is this is pretty much World Cup. This is World Cup year now, isn't it?
00:56:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:56:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I honestly hope that we can start seeing a bit more of MLS play. i wouldn't be I wouldn't be disappointed and I wouldn't be too surprised if he wasn't selected for the World Cup.
00:56:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But surely he's got to be in consideration for it.
00:56:42
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:56:43
Craig matthews
Wow.
00:56:46
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:56:46
Craig matthews
Super massive. think he's nailed on the left-back spot now. I think he's nailed it down.
00:56:51
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:56:52
Craig matthews
I think the other options there, you've got Lewis Hall, but he's into at the moment.
00:56:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:56:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:56:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:56:57
Craig matthews
Liverpool can play there, but I think England needs to have natural left footer. I think he is a prime, he's young and if he can get more minutes, he needs to get more minutes at Arsenal. I think he might not get to the squad minutes.
00:57:10
Craig matthews
So he needs to get more minutes in the team, I would say.
00:57:13
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:57:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. Definitely.
00:57:15
Craig matthews
And I think he will get minutes because we've got, remember we've got Champions League, we've got Carabao Cup this month as well.
00:57:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:57:20
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:57:20
Craig matthews
So he'll get the minutes, he'll definitely get the minutes. I'm not worried about that, he'll get minutes.
00:57:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know
Upcoming Fixtures and Player Rotations
00:57:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
what? Looking at this Arsenal squad now, I'm not really worried about players actually getting minutes as well because I think the minutes will be really even. I think they'll be shared well.
00:57:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not evenly.
00:57:39
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:57:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they'll be shared.
00:57:41
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:57:41
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:57:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll just be really interesting to see what type of game it will be. And especially like for for like a Champions League game, you know September will be an interesting month because we'll we'll have the Carabao Cup.
00:57:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, Cabal Cup. I'm sure we'll have the start of the Champions League this month as well, won't we?
00:58:00
Rodney Gooden
yeah yeah we do is buying as athlete okay
00:58:00
Craig matthews
Yeah. powerful with mark yeah but we got um
00:58:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:58:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think it's Atletico.
00:58:05
Craig matthews
no
00:58:09
Craig matthews
I'll double check now.
00:58:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm pretty sure it's a 5.45 kick-off as well.
00:58:10
Craig matthews
So, we
00:58:14
Rodney Gooden
okay no yeah is it is it Bilbao yeah it's like to go billbao yeah it's billbao isn't it yeah yeah true fair enough
00:58:15
Craig matthews
failed?
00:58:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry, it's Bilbao. Yeah, it's Bilbao. 5.45 kick-off. Yeah. Yeah, it's 5.45 Bilbao away.
00:58:23
Craig matthews
Yes, I flat it. yeah Away, yes.
00:58:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wednesday and night, I believe.
00:58:28
Craig matthews
A week on Tuesday, Tuesday 16th. That's it, two weeks from tomorrow.
00:58:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh my.
00:58:33
Craig matthews
A week and up.
00:58:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's actually next week.
00:58:34
Craig matthews
Yes.
00:58:35
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:58:36
Craig matthews
16th, yes.
00:58:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:58:37
Craig matthews
Then after we got Bill Baal, I think we've got City after Bilbao, you know.
00:58:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:58:43
Craig matthews
Yeah, that's a 4.30 kickoff on Sunday, 21st. Then after that game, we've got the Carabao Cup against Port Vale.
00:58:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Port Vale.
00:58:52
Craig matthews
That's on the Wednesday. think we've got it on the Wednesday. Let double check. Yeah, we're playing on Wednesday.
00:58:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:58:56
Craig matthews
8pm kickoff. Then after that, I think... Who do we have after that?
00:59:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
City, isn't it?
00:59:05
Craig matthews
Hold on. No, City's against...
00:59:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle.
00:59:09
Craig matthews
Newcastle away on the 28th of September. We've got some hard games coming up, man.
00:59:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:59:15
Craig matthews
we're going to the whole squad to be fit.
00:59:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
so and and that's where And I think that's where the majority of the players are really going to get minutes, aren't they?
00:59:22
Craig matthews
Yeah. And then after that, we've got another Champions League game. I think we're playing the 1st of October. We've got Olympiacos at home.
00:59:31
Rodney Gooden
yeah so lots of opportunities for those players to go get the minutes and lots of opportunities for Arteta to rotate that squad and I'm looking forward to it.
00:59:31
Craig matthews
that's a lot.
00:59:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely.
00:59:37
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:59:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:59:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:59:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, we're going to take a quick break because goodness me, we've been going on we've been going on about our incomings. But for the final part, we will be talking about the outgoings, where they've gone to and how
Departures and Financial Strategies
00:59:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
we think well they'll get on at the at their future clubs.
00:59:51
Craig matthews
Thank
01:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this third and final part of our Arsenal transfer review. Boys, we've spoken about the amazing incomings, but we have to talk about the outgoings. I won't i won't really do this in order. I'll just throw a player at you.
01:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let me know what you think. And quote me if I'm correct. We have let four players go, not all permanently.
01:00:52
Rodney Gooden
yep
01:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
one one permanent, i believe. if I'm right.
01:01:00
Rodney Gooden
two two really yeah it's yeah oh true forgot about Tavarez yeah so it was it start a start window yeah start of the window yeah
01:01:00
Craig matthews
No, two.
01:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two.
01:01:02
Craig matthews
No, three.
01:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two permanent and two on loan.
01:01:02
Craig matthews
three
01:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
01:01:05
Craig matthews
one Tavares left on the permanent rim.
01:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait, didn't Tavares leave ages ago?
01:01:12
Craig matthews
They left it. He left it somewhere.
01:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Tavares leaving and Lekonga.
01:01:20
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:01:21
Craig matthews
Yeah.
01:01:22
Rodney Gooden
And also, Kiwio as well. That's a loan, but it's an obligation.
01:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:01:25
Rodney Gooden
So, yeah, that'll be through.
01:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
01:01:27
Craig matthews
Tomyasu as well.
01:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Zinni, what do you, like, out of out of all them so out of all them four players we've just named, who who kind of surprised you the most?
01:01:31
Rodney Gooden
No?
01:01:43
Craig matthews
give you all
01:01:44
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
01:01:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, agreed. He had a solid performance against Real Madrid when he had to step in. And I thought, honestly, I quite started to trust him as a backup and honestly felt that he was deserving of more minutes in an Arsenal shirt.
01:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:01:56
Rodney Gooden
So I was surprised to see him go, but happy with the replacement that we signed. But it's true. There's someone who I quite liked when I watched him play for Arsenal, I think with Jakub Kiyo. And yeah, I think it's a decent bit of business for the club.
01:02:08
Rodney Gooden
Again, as I said before, happy with the replacement, but I'll miss him, you know?
01:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what, Rodney?
01:02:14
Rodney Gooden
I'll miss
01:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
We we can both, both of us I'm pretty sure both of us can sit here and actually proudly say that we we watched, we witnessed Kibior's final goal for Arsenal.
01:02:24
Rodney Gooden
And we did it!
01:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Yeah.
01:02:28
Rodney Gooden
Live!
01:02:28
Craig matthews
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
01:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Craig, do you remember what game that was, Mr. Encyclopedia?
01:02:33
Craig matthews
Crystal Palace.
01:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
01:02:37
Craig matthews
was at Palace now. Let's go ahead and get Palace.
01:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it? oh Was
01:02:40
Craig matthews
I was at that game as well. You won that game. That's the called me at the end of 2-2 game.
01:02:43
Rodney Gooden
The header.
01:02:45
Craig matthews
Yeah, it was Palace. I'm sure it was Palace.
01:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry, I'm getting confused. Oh, my bad. I thought for some reason it was Brentford. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's it.
01:02:53
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it was a whipped cross in the header into the box. Yay! Yeah,
01:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we had the privilege. Yeah, we had the privilege of watching Kivyos final goal for Arsenal.
01:02:58
Craig matthews
I was like that.
01:02:59
Rodney Gooden
yeah we all watched that live. Yeah.
01:03:02
Craig matthews
was like that game man, was so upset after the girls went home. 2-2 game.
01:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember.
01:03:05
Craig matthews
Yeah man, it was
01:03:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember calling him up after the game.
01:03:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah,
01:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm like, bro, where are you? He's like, oh, I'm going home, man.
01:03:09
Rodney Gooden
sure.
01:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've had enough. This game's actually really annoying me.
01:03:12
Rodney Gooden
um ha
01:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've had enough. I'm going home, mate.
01:03:16
Craig matthews
one of them games man.
01:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, trust me. Trust me
01:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm, yeah, I'm also really gutted to see Kivy Olíva as well, to be fair. I mean, I did not expect it. I really didn't expect it. I thought he would have continued to grow in this Arsenal squad, especially with the players that we've got now as well.
01:03:22
Rodney Gooden
yes
01:03:35
Rodney Gooden
e Yeah.
01:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But gutted that he's left.
01:03:40
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. But I think you also understand it too, because you've got to remember a World Cup season coming up as well.
01:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
01:03:41
Craig matthews
Yeah,
01:03:45
Rodney Gooden
And if you're a backup player too, he's going to want first team minutes.
01:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:03:48
Rodney Gooden
So it was definitely ones where I was surprised.
01:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
01:03:50
Rodney Gooden
But when the deal kind of comes in, you go, yeah, you know what, to be fair. Yeah, you are quite a decent player. Maybe there's an argument for you're too good to be sitting back row when you've got aspirations of being a starter in the World Cup.
01:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
01:04:01
Rodney Gooden
So best of luck to him as well.
01:04:02
Craig matthews
a
01:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
01:04:03
Rodney Gooden
What you guys think about the fee too?
01:04:04
Craig matthews
definitely.
01:04:05
Rodney Gooden
Because we picked them up for about 20 mil.
01:04:06
Craig matthews
Last.
01:04:07
Rodney Gooden
And looks like for Porto, with everything goes through with the add-ons as well, it's going to be about 27 million euros. So not that much profit.
01:04:13
Craig matthews
ah that's That's too low.
01:04:14
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:04:15
Craig matthews
That's too low.
01:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and again And again, this is where, going back to what we were saying and in the show earlier on, you know, Arsenal need to be doing a lot better with their outgoings.
01:04:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:04:23
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, seven million profit. I mean, i it's something, but that's the a it's not good enough. When you look at how other teams have spent money in the market, you know, you know you look at Eze going to Arsenal for sixty like 67 million. That's profit there for Palace.
01:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, look at Chelsea. Chelsea, the best example, as you've said, Rodney, making silly pro profit left, right and centre.
01:04:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:04:49
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know? and yet arsenal And yet for Arsenal, the one thing that everyone drives me insane about is Oxlade-Chamberlain going for a 35 mil
01:05:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Record signing. Yeah. Record. Club record.
01:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
record.
01:05:05
Rodney Gooden
Still.
01:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's crazy.
01:05:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Still.
01:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy. that has to be that has to be achieved next That has to be achieved in the next window.
01:05:11
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. But to be 100% fair to Berta and the staff, I do feel that Arsenal been notoriously poor for quite a long time.
01:05:13
Craig matthews
and
01:05:17
Rodney Gooden
And I don't think it's the type of thing that can change in just one window.
01:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. Yep.
01:05:21
Rodney Gooden
Partially. Because I think what we do is by the time we want to sell a player, it's very clear that they've either fallen out of favour with the manager or they're sort of dead wood in a way. I think what you want to do is if you look at Chelsea.
01:05:32
Rodney Gooden
right, look at how they tried to get rid of Nicholas Jackson this season too. Nicholas Jackson featured heavily for them last campaign.
01:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
you ye
01:05:38
Rodney Gooden
And as soon as they say, oh, no, we're not going to play you anymore, that's when they freeze him out in that window, where his value is still high because you're looking at the goals and assists from last season and thinking, well, it's still high because you were a starter.
01:05:43
Craig matthews
you
01:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
you got
01:05:49
Rodney Gooden
That's when they get rid of him.
01:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, you've got to remember his performance in the Club World Cup.
01:05:50
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got to remember Club World Cup as well. as soon he was As soon as you heard he was benched, it was straight away it was alarm bells there.
01:05:54
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:05:57
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah. Bench for the Club World Cup. Ja Pedro comes in. That's the replacement. But at the same time, looking back on that season, he's featured heavily. His market value still high, whereas you look at players like Zinchenko, Sambi Lekonga, Vieira.
01:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
01:06:11
Rodney Gooden
When was the last time they featured heavily? Zinchenko was complaining about how his kids are crying because he's not being played last season.
01:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it, yeah.
01:06:19
Rodney Gooden
That's happening and he didn't try to sell the players. So it's very, it tanks the value. And I think we need to be a bit better with that.
01:06:24
Craig matthews
Hmm.
01:06:25
Rodney Gooden
So I think we need to get rid of players sooner is one factor. So again, Taberta and his team, I would have loved to have seen increments made at that element of our business, this window, but I appreciate that it's too early.
01:06:35
Rodney Gooden
It might be something to look forward to next summer.
01:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. No, definitely. I think i think we'd have to maybe give it, yeah, definitely another summer to kind of maybe see a bit more outgoing.
01:06:43
Rodney Gooden
mmm mmm yeah yeah
01:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
from arsenal And hopefully for for some profit as well. And hopefully good profit. You know, that's that's something that Arsenal need to work on. And I'm sure, even as I speak now, I'm sure Berta's probably working on that.
01:06:58
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure Berta will be planning ahead for the so for like for so for maybe even January to an extent.
01:07:04
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, because I know he was trying to get rid of players in in you know in the summer.
01:07:10
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Some worked out and some didn't.
01:07:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, but there was talk of, I think, I mean, next player should be Rhys Nelson. Rhys Nelson, there was talk about a £15 million pound fee, potentially going to Fulham where he spent the previous season on loan, didn't materialise.
01:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:07:23
Rodney Gooden
Fulham ultimately explored alternative winger options. But I thought after the Eze deal, you know, him going to Palace, you know, they might need an attacker. I understand that Rhys Nelson's injury record is not ideal, but he has been responsible for some show stuff for moments at Arsenal.
01:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
01:07:35
Rodney Gooden
We all remember that late winner.
01:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Almost.
01:07:38
Rodney Gooden
Ah, the Bournemouth game was insane.
01:07:38
Craig matthews
Yeah, I tell you, the more most...
01:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Seb Hutchinson commentary.
01:07:40
Rodney Gooden
Ah,
01:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely electric.
01:07:42
Rodney Gooden
He'll always be a hero for that.
01:07:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely electric. And trust me, that it's games like that you will never, it's games like that that will live on in in history forever, I'm telling you.
01:07:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:07:52
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. But this is it. but Ultimately, still couldn't recoup that fee. And because he's a hailing graduate, you're thinking that would be 50 million pounds of pure profit. Ultimately, still doesn't materialize. And now he's on loan to Brentford, which I think there's an option to buy.
01:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:08:06
Rodney Gooden
But come next summer, we might be in the same boat with Reece while we're trying to move him on and there's no takers. So I do feel we need to be better there, but I was happy he at least found the new club in the end. And he's not going to sit there at the club.
01:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
01:08:16
Rodney Gooden
He's going to play. He's going kind of have an opportunity to demonstrate his value. Maybe even hopefully find a new home in Brentford. We'll see. But yeah, do need to be doing a bit better there.
01:08:24
Craig matthews
My contract is running in down as well, so we don't sell next summer, we'll be two years left on this contract. So we're not going to sell him quickly, man.
01:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a good point.
01:08:30
Rodney Gooden
True.
01:08:32
Craig matthews
I'm not this player, I've got couple of years left on that. Like, Vieira's got a couple of years on contract, so we should have sold all them in the summer and then just get rid of them.
01:08:40
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:08:41
Craig matthews
Get rid.
01:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I kind of said it as well.
01:08:42
Craig matthews
Yeah.
01:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We we should have really should have really started making some profit in this window.
01:08:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then maybe come January, you start maybe thinking, all right, cool, maybe go and do like a pre-contract agreement with another club for, for you know, I don't know, say a Fulham to go and sign Rhys Nelson in the summer Brentford to sign Rhys Nelson in the summer and so on and so on.
01:09:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then come next summer, you'd then say like they they'd officially become a player on July the 1st. That money goes straight into Arsenal's back pocket. they can go and then ah recuperate a bit of money, go and get some new signings, and and that's it, really.
01:09:16
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:09:18
Craig matthews
But,
01:09:19
Rodney Gooden
and have more wiggle room for the next transfer period. It would have been lovely. but
01:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would have been.
01:09:23
Craig matthews
don't know if that
01:09:23
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
01:09:24
Craig matthews
And only that, if you know the sell-on clause, say that if we sold risk doesn't to Brentford and they only paid us 10 million, so get get us a 50% sell-on clause.
01:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:09:33
Craig matthews
If Brentford sell them in the future, they get 50% on the transfer fee.
01:09:35
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
01:09:37
Craig matthews
because That's what a whole lot of times are doing now as well. They're the sell-on fee now.
01:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
01:09:41
Craig matthews
So that's why they're getting more money for players in the future.
01:09:41
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
01:09:43
Craig matthews
They make a big move. So maybe that's what Bursa is going to do in the future to make a bit more money if they can't get the money transfer fee.
01:09:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that would be that would be really good.
01:09:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would actually be so good if that was the case.
01:09:53
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, so good.
01:09:57
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:09:58
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Then you've got, I think, one of our only ah sales in that case was you got Nuno Tavarez. then you've also got Sambi Lekonga going off as well to Stuttgart for I've read today the fee was 300,000 It was a very low fee.
01:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:10:08
Craig matthews
Hmm.
01:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean...
01:10:16
Rodney Gooden
That was it.
01:10:16
Craig matthews
Huh?
01:10:17
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. I read that today.
01:10:18
Craig matthews
What?
01:10:18
Rodney Gooden
You know, still need to verify. There's a very low, low fee. But Sambi is a player who, you know, obviously hasn't played in Arsenal show up for the longest time. He'd been on loan, I think, maybe two seasons prior as well.
01:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he went to Luton.
01:10:29
Rodney Gooden
This.
01:10:30
Craig matthews
but Three, three.
01:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no, sorry, three actually.
01:10:31
Craig matthews
three
01:10:31
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:10:31
Rodney Gooden
Luton. Then Sevilla, right?
01:10:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He went Palace, went Luton, Sevilla and Sevilla, yeah.
01:10:33
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:10:36
Rodney Gooden
And then Sevilla. Yeah. Yeah. So that's three seasons.
01:10:39
Craig matthews
Free learns, free learns,
Player Adaptability and Versatility
01:10:42
Craig matthews
yeah. But I thought about the story for because he had good great potential. but When they signed him, they said was going to be the next. I think there's a recommendation from Winsome Company that said that this guy has got great potential.
01:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was it was from company, yeah.
01:10:53
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
01:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because obviously he was working with him at Anderlecht.
01:10:59
Craig matthews
Yeah, but it didn't work out.
01:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was, yeah, he was compared to some really good players. And, you know, Arsenal kind of took the took the risk, really. And unfortunately, had one yeah had one season where in an Arsenal shirt, he played the odd Premier League game, played in the Carabao Cup, played in, i think at the time, it was like the Europa League that he was featured in.
01:11:10
Rodney Gooden
Didn't pan out.
01:11:20
Craig matthews
and
01:11:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, okay it was OK, but it just wasn't enough, sadly.
01:11:28
Craig matthews
you think Do you think you'll do well on this team now?
01:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
wasn't enough.
01:11:30
Craig matthews
If you're playing now, you'll do well on this team now you've signed him now, so that we've signed him at the time. If you've just got him fresh now.
01:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Okay, say for example, he was at Anderlecht and he was doing all right for himself at Anderlecht. How old is he currently?
01:11:42
Craig matthews
Yeah.
01:11:45
Craig matthews
I think he's 25 now, you know, 24-25.
01:11:46
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I think around about then. Need to double check.
01:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what?
01:11:48
Craig matthews
when
01:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe Maybe I might have taken a punt, you know, sign him on a long-term deal, kind of see how that runs. And then, you know, i might have maybe taken the risk. But I think i think it would depend on how well he performed, obviously, for Anderlecht before making me think, oh, actually, yeah, I'll take him.
01:12:04
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:12:06
Craig matthews
I think the problem saw with him was that think Arteta played him as a 6 and he's a number 8. That was another problem as well.
01:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:12:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:12:14
Craig matthews
He's not 6. I think Arteta has a mould like a number 6 but he's not a 6, he's an 8. And obviously Deca and Radz is the 8 now so that's our thinking.
01:12:22
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:12:22
Craig matthews
If he's playing on our team now, would he excel be of better? better play as well. But it all about that was long good the good that the midfield we have now compared at the time.
01:12:31
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:12:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You got remember as well. Arteta wanted, you know, Arteta has always had a thing for players who who can play two positions. And let's be honest, when he first came into the Arsenal squad, there was not many players that could play two positions.
01:12:45
Rodney Gooden
Mm. Mm.
01:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, everyone had their set role.
01:12:46
Craig matthews
Definitely.
01:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only player that you could maybe vouch for was a Bamiyang, who could either play in the middle or play off the left.
01:12:52
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:12:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Apart from that, that was it, really.
01:12:57
Rodney Gooden
Yeah,
Transfer Strategies and Future Outlook
01:12:59
Craig matthews
Saka as well.
01:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was it.
01:12:59
Craig matthews
Saka played left back as well for little bit and then played right wing.
01:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I remember that season.
01:13:01
Rodney Gooden
he did. Yeah.
01:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:13:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think one get I think one game I remember us playing 3-4-3 and Saka being a left wing-back as well.
01:13:11
Craig matthews
Yeah.
01:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
What times?
01:13:14
Rodney Gooden
Wow.
01:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
What times?
01:13:15
Rodney Gooden
Come a long way. Yeah, it's true.
01:13:16
Craig matthews
Bante Aero.
01:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know. The banter era.
01:13:18
Craig matthews
Bante Aero.
01:13:20
Rodney Gooden
It's tough.
01:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:13:22
Craig matthews
but
01:13:22
Rodney Gooden
ah But on to Sambi's, well, teammate Stuttgart as well. You've got Fabio Vieira. They're on loan, not a permanent deal.
01:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmmmm.
01:13:28
Rodney Gooden
I think there may be an option to buy, but Yeah, just Fabio. I mean, let's talk about it as well. I was happy to see him move on, per se, because I feel that it's going to be very difficult for him to kind of break into that Arsenal first team.
01:13:40
Rodney Gooden
He's a bit lightweight, even though I do feel that there's a real player in there. But in that midfield, I feel now he's getting bullied too. So he'll probably do better in another league.
01:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? he He had potential.
01:13:49
Rodney Gooden
Hmm. Hmm.
01:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
had potential when he scored that goal against Brentford. I thought, okay, maybe this might be the start to make a name for yourself.
01:13:54
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
01:13:58
Rodney Gooden
a
01:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it just didn't materialise after.
01:14:01
Rodney Gooden
mmm yeah
01:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It didn't materialise after.
01:14:05
Craig matthews
It's too light. As Rolanda said, it's too light for the Premier League. you need to mulk off a bit.
01:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Some players are made for it and some players aren't. And sadly, Fabio Vieira was not
01:14:13
Rodney Gooden
yeah
01:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sadly, i just don't think he had it cut for the Premier League. And I think that's the thing.
01:14:21
Craig matthews
Hmm.
01:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, as great as it is, hearing that a Premier League club want you, especially if you're playing in like a ah a slightly lesser league and, you know, a Premier League club want you, then it's that...
01:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think everyone kind of forgets the expectation. You know, the Premier League is, you know you know, you might get... In your in your respective league, you might have... um say, you know, a couple of seconds on the ball.
01:14:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas with the Prem, you might have one second and but that's it. Your chance is gone.
01:14:52
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's true. It takes some adapting as well. And some players can either do it and some players can't, you know, that's it.
01:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does. And some... That's it, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely.
01:15:01
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, but still happy that he's found at least a time to play regular football and hopefully similar to Rhys as well. You know, he can find a way of demonstrating his value and then ultimately next summer or maybe even in January, securing a proper move, offloading him, separating from Arsenal and hopefully recuperating some of that fee.
01:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
01:15:20
Craig matthews
how how much is worth though now we've hit eight million for a minute is it a million people over the era or the eight million on warden bet
01:15:20
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:15:26
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, i think I think somewhere in the range of 20 to 25 mil is what I'd be happy with for Vieira.
01:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was actually thinking 20 mil.
01:15:32
Rodney Gooden
Nah.
01:15:33
Craig matthews
yeah that would be profit as well so
01:15:35
Rodney Gooden
Nah, yeah.
01:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
01:15:36
Rodney Gooden
yeah Yeah. 8.5.
01:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, before we before we quickly finish up, because goodness me, this has been a lengthy podcast.
01:15:42
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. yeah
01:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
For anyone listening, I mean, thank you and we appreciate it. But guys, quickly, um what would you what would you rate this window out of 10? Or is that just a silly question we've been asked at this point? 8.5.
01:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
01:15:54
Craig matthews
not long
01:15:54
Rodney Gooden
eight point five yeah april five yeah
01:15:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
fair enough
01:15:58
Rodney Gooden
8.5, yeah. I feel that we covered so much ground in terms of level raises and also filling depth in the squad.
01:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
01:16:06
Rodney Gooden
The only way that I can really say that we would clear that additional 1.5 that's missing would be generating permanent moves for a lot of the players mentioned before, from Zinchenko we haven't discussed yet, Vieira, Reece as well, that would have been nice.
01:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:16:18
Rodney Gooden
And maybe potentially one more additional signing with the proceeds from those sales. know, maybe another attacker on the left wing, maybe even another kind of prospect defender as well. so you can definitely move miles into that midfield so that you've got, you know, equal cover on that kind of defense. So we'll see. But I think that would have been a 10 out of 10 window. This was 8.5. And for a debut ah for our new sporting director.
01:16:41
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, incredible.
01:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Craig, what about yourself?
01:16:46
Craig matthews
i said seven and a half out ten the reason why but i yeah i i give you seven and a half eight hours and i'll say the reason i'll say that because
01:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, okay. Ooh!
01:16:49
Rodney Gooden
Even less than me.
01:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
who
01:16:57
Craig matthews
I still think we need more players. like I think we need a backup striker Goukourez because ah don't trust mark ah I just don't trust Habits to score enough goals for us. the only issue.
01:17:06
Craig matthews
Left wing has been a problem for a while. Trust Simon Martinelli, I'll just try and get rid of one or the other and try and get Semenya.
01:17:06
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
01:17:12
Rodney Gooden
ah
01:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just quickly.
01:17:15
Craig matthews
If you've got someone like a Semenya win and got a backup striker to Goukourez, I'll say they'll turn out a 10-win though.
01:17:17
Rodney Gooden
That's true.
01:17:20
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
01:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. um Just quickly, if you had to get rid of Trossard or Martinelli, who would it be?
01:17:29
Rodney Gooden
Oof.
01:17:29
Craig matthews
So many of
01:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
no if you had to get rid of Trossard or Martinelli.
01:17:34
Rodney Gooden
I think it makes sense to get rid of Trossard due to his age. But I think if you're always getting rid of Martinelli because he's got the higher resale value and bringing on a player of a similar age like a Semenyo, yeah, I say get get rid of Martinelli. That makes more sense financially.
01:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
All I can say is, boys, I'm pretty sure both Josh's are having a party right now after your statement.
01:17:54
Craig matthews
them.
01:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm pretty sure they are having a party right now.
01:17:59
Craig matthews
if tough
01:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so on that note, we'll we'll we'll wrap it up there. Let josh let both Josh's enjoy their parties at the minute. Guys, that is it for us today.
01:18:07
Craig matthews
Yeah.
01:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you liked what we've had to say? i mean, both Josh's have really liked what Craig and Rodney have had to say towards the end there.
01:18:14
Rodney Gooden
so
01:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
01:18:15
Craig matthews
but
01:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love and some support ah by subscribing to the GCPN Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie World Cup and more.
01:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, you can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. My name has been Jamie Patterson. They have been the amazing Craig Matthews and the amazing Rodney Gooden.
01:18:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a great day all and we will catch you on the next episode.
01:18:43
Rodney Gooden
Thank you.