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Daily Arsenal - S1 - E126: Rice Rescues A Point For Arsenal at Old Trafford
8 Plays22 days ago
In this episode we will be discussing Sundays game where Arsenal drew 1-1 at Old Trafford as well as discussing a return for Gabriel Martinelli 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.
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Transcript
Introduction and Hosts
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of the Daily Arsenal Podcast. The only place to catch your daily fix of Arsenal where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network, I am your host Jamie Patterson and joining me on today's show is the amazing Craig Matthews and it has been a while but Matt, how are you guys feeling?
Emotional Reactions to the Weekend
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear. Oh dear. with siy This is going to be a fun podcast, boys.
00:00:44
Craig matthews
Oh.
00:00:44
Matt
It's violence and laughs.
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:00:49
Matt
How are you doing is the question.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Deary me. Craig, i think I think your reaction kind of sums it up. I think after the weekend kind of really sums up how we're all feeling.
00:00:56
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
A bit deflated and a bit lost.
00:01:01
Craig matthews
Fed up.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
at where Where do we go from here? matt Matt, how are you on the other hand?
00:01:03
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:01:06
Matt
Yeah, not too bad, thank you. of I'm not too bad. ever The reality of the season and everything was done quite a while ago, so yeah, not too bad. How are you doing?
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not too bad. Just trying to stay as positive as you can about this football team because that's what we love to do, don't we?
Match Analysis: Arsenal vs. Manchester United
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, in this episode, we will be discussing Sunday's game where Arsenal drew one all at Old Trafford.
00:01:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, as always, if you guys want to get involved with any of our discourses any of our topics discussed, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, boys, let's so let's let's just cut to the chase here. Sunday, for those of you that hadn't been watching, I'm sure you guys have seen the highlights, but it finished.
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Manchester United won. Arsenal won. Craig, just in general, how are you feeling after that game?
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Especially knowing that we just came off the back of beating PSV away from home. How are you feeling after seeing that performance?
00:02:23
Craig matthews
Disgusted. Horrible.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:02:26
Craig matthews
Horrible. flu That's the worst man I decided to play in years. I couldn't beat them. They're not that good. They had no strike good strikers up front. Their defence is mid.
00:02:39
Craig matthews
They didn't do anything.
00:02:42
Craig matthews
Matt, answer the question please. I can't talk.
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:02:48
Matt
He is fuming the day after.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
just just to note right Matt Matt you were at the game weren't you you you were at the game now from your perspective I mean how do you think we performed in general because you were there firsthand to witness everything but be honest how how were we
00:02:50
Matt
Yeah. I thought
00:03:06
Matt
they were absolutely sensational. No.
00:03:12
Matt
I think that first half, well, I think in general the game went as expected. Arsenal had a lot of the bull, didn't really do too much with it, tried to force the issue a few times, either overhit the pass or having the makeshift front three. Arsenal have...
00:03:28
Matt
caught up with ourselves and ultimately we played a side which are really well organized whatever you think about them turn up for the big games and essentially played the game in front of them didn't move their block quick enough didn't cause them enough issues didn't really create too many chances same old narratives and stories really and uh were slightly fortunate to uh to come away with a point but then could have won it but then i don't think that would have been fair at all but
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:03:56
Matt
Yeah, I don't think we were great. I think, as I say, first half, we were okay. it was kind of same old. Like on one hand, we've dominated the game.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:04
Matt
But how much can you dominate a game when you play the same way every single week? You win the second balls really well, but you don't win them in dangerous areas. If a team goes long against Arsenal... you start trying to play out from the back against us, youve got problems because we've got a brilliant high press.
00:04:19
Matt
We'll probably win the ball high up and we will probably get chances directly from that. Case in point, Man City at home. But if you decide to go long, even if every single time the ball gets swallowed up by Saliba or Gabriel, which is what happened,
00:04:32
Matt
you're completely fine because United get but back into their settled block. Arsenal aren't forcing the issue quick enough, aren't doing enough to move the block, as I said.
Impact of Stadium Atmosphere on Matches
00:04:42
Matt
United pretty comfortable, score their only chance of the game in typical fashion, and then were brilliant second off, to be fair to them. And what I can only really describe is just Old Trafford, just carnage, chaos.
00:04:53
Matt
Some stadiums in football, for me, Newcastle have that effect, Anfield have that effect, and Old Trafford have that effect. where football and logic just goes out the window. The game becomes a free-for-all game of complete and utter carnage, quite transition-based, which, if you've watched Arsenal lot of the time, doesn't exactly suit them.
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know
00:05:11
Matt
It's always been more tailored to United, and they should have won the game, had some brilliant chances.
00:05:16
Matt
Couldn't thank David Rea, Gabriel Saliba, and, of course, Declan Rice, that they didn't.
Arsenal's First-Half Performance Issues
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. do you know what? you You really did sum it up really well there. I mean, for me, i mean, I'll come on to David Rye a little bit later on, but that first half, watching the first half, I kind of sat there and I thought, you know what?
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've actually been playing.
00:05:40
Craig matthews
Thank
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
we' We're actually all right. And I mean, JD kind of said it on our group chat as well. He was like, we've actually been playing all right, to be fair. You know, and I did agree with him. I think our build up was not too bad. I think we kept United quiet in that first half.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just, again, we we we kind of don't really need to be repeating ourselves, but it's just there was no one there to finish. There was no one there to just kind of just get onto the end of something, you know. And I really think Arsenal in that first half were, you know, were great. We were we were good enough in that first half.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think, again, the end product, we're... we we just we're missing the end product. And again, you know I've said it on previous podcasts before where, you know again, January's been the Achilles heel.
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
not Not signing a striker in any January window where we've been involved in a title race has just not helped at all. And unfortunately, this is the consequence of it all.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know we you know You've got players injured and you've got to try and work with what you've got to work with. The, the one thing for me is, and again, i think we've touched on it again, but Sterling, the fact that, you know, we, we kind of joked around on the group chat saying that it would be, you know, we, we might as well just, you know, what have we got to lose at this point? We might as well just chuck Sterling on, you know, we might as well just chuck anyone on at this point.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the fact that Kieran Tierney, was brought on. And you think, in a game, especially where, you know, equaliser, great equaliser by Declan Rice, by the way. I mean, let's not take anything away from him.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the equaliser was a good finish. But again... You look at the attacking options on the bench. By the way, let's just also note as well, great to see Martinelli back as well.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to... I'll be honest, I don't really expect a lot from Martinelli. I don't expect him to be just coming on and and making a quick impact and and trying to score goals.
Critique of Goalkeeper David Raya
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i can see him just... He's got to try and settle himself in one way or another. but But...
00:08:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, i just... Rice, if it wasn't for Declan Rice scoring and with the Bruno Fernandes free kick, the the one thing that I just kind of... I'll touch on it now because I didn't want to touch on it before, but the positioning of David Raab. Boys, what did you think? when When you saw the free kick at first, there were two things that came into my head.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the the one thing that kind of struck me first was... David Ryder's positioning. When you saw the free kick, what what was your first thoughts?
00:08:35
Matt
I think, to be honest, it was quite funny. I said, and into the wall. And my friend was like, I've got bad feeling about this. And...
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:08:45
Matt
in it goes i think i didn't really think about rise positioning at the time i was more just thinking okay well we've conceded a free kick on the brink of half time probably go slam into the wall like most of the time probably gets booted back out goes for a corner nothing happens half time there you go but in hindsight giving away a free kick to a very good technician someone who's in brilliant form for united
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Yeah.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:09:09
Matt
and It's a great strike, but at the same time, you asked about Ryan's positioning. I saw it at half-time and I was like, oh But what i do want to say, because I think it's very easy to mount on Raya for that, is I think one thing which has happened for Arsenal this season is Raya's not got the credit he deserves because the errors he made get put under the spotlight because of how Arsenal, if they don't score, sorry, Arsenal don't create enough chances or score enough goals where...
00:09:43
Matt
one mistake essentially if he makes one mistake that gets put under the limelight because they don't create enough whereas Liverpool they'll concede an awful goal you won't even realize it it does not matter they conceded a shocking goal against Southampton this weekend it doesn't matter because they scored three goals and they score multiple goals with ease they forced the issue you know with ease so it's one for me where I've seen so many examples this season of when Arsenal do concede
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:08
Matt
is being hypercritical of when they concede, which sometimes completely fair enough because some games are tight margin games and you need to, you know, just find a way to get through. But at the same time, Arsenal aren't really bashing. Yes, date they've had a few huge, huge wins, Palace away, PSV away, etc.
00:10:25
Matt
But they aren't really bashing teams by a big scoreline. So it gets to a point where Arsenal concede one goal and it is the world has ended because Arsenal conceded against United and we're thinking,
00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is true.
00:10:37
Craig matthews
and
00:10:38
Matt
Alright, how are we going to score two goals? Or how are we going to score a goal to get back in the game? And it's testament that was a long shot to do so as it is. so
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, couldn't have said it better. I mean, before before we came on air, actually, me and Craig actually spoke a little bit about Raya's positioning. And, you know, Craig, what did you think of his positioning?
00:10:59
Craig matthews
I don't think he organised the wall properly. think it's the wall. Because normally a goalkeeper would tell the wall to go a certain way. I think the angle where he had the wall, the angle where he standing, he was standing more on left hand side of his post. So if he had angled his body more to the middle, he'd have had a better chance of saving it.
00:11:16
Craig matthews
Because goal went on the right side of the net, of the right side of his body. He is on the left hand side, so he didn't have enough time to move. By the time he moved across the dive, the wall was already in the back of the net.
00:11:29
Craig matthews
I think it was more in the central, I think it have saved it.
Humor in Football Analysis
00:11:34
Matt
Yeah.
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think there's two things. the The second point I was going to kind of speak about was the wall. And again, something that was kind of brought up on Sky Sports this morning. So we're currently recording this on a Monday and it was brought up on Sky Sports where dermot it was brought up on RefWatch. Did any of you hear about it earlier on today?
00:12:04
Matt
It irritates me a bit, I'll be honest, because it's kind of like, you see, even if you want to be critical of Riot, you've seen a great goal, but the narrative is something which 99.9% of people wouldn't have even noticed.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:12:16
Matt
and it's just like, what are we doing? you know what mean?
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So for those of you that don't know, I'll give you a little bit of context. So with Arsenal's wall, it was what what was the there there was like there what was it?
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
11 point something away from the ball and whatever, whatever.
00:12:34
Matt
Thank you.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
The one thing that kind of just made me kind of... and I don't know if it wound... Well, yeah, wound me up, actually, was Dermot Gallagher on RefWatch. I didn't see it, but I saw the video when I'd got home of him getting a tape measure.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And exactly... He measured... I think he measured 10 metres. Like, exactly. And I just sat there thinking, what is this?
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like... what is what am i even watching you know the whole i just don't get it i just did not get it and i just thought why why do you need to be so specific with measurements the fact that the the one thing i just found funny was the fact that you got the tape measure and he just like went out like that and i just thought no why why do we need to be so fussy on measurements now
00:13:13
Matt
Who's the target audience for that?
00:13:32
Matt
who Who is the target audience for that, though? Like, have you ever watched a game of football and thought, I'll tell you what, it it reminds me, right? Not reminds me, sorry, but it reminds me of just isolated examples where when when Joe Willock had the ball out of play against Newcastle and they did a whole pre-match show to show how the science of the ball and stuff.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh yeah
00:13:54
Matt
Stop trying to do the most for things. Like, focus on the football, man. i get I get with that one a bit more because... that they're trying to prove a point, which I don't know why they're trying to prove a point. It was clearly a disallowed couple, or whatever.
00:14:06
Matt
But I just think it sums up, i tweeted earlier on today, that I think it just sums up the problem with current football discourse, that the discussion from yesterday's game, which had a brilliant second half by the which i'm sure we'll get into,
00:14:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:18
Matt
is There's nothing about the football. We're talking about Arteta walking out at the end. We're talking about Arsenal number nine problems for just about the 752 billionth time this season.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:14:32
Matt
We're talking about the the measurements of the wool. Like, what happened to football? Do know what i mean? Like, are we not talking about football anymore?
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? Another thing you can add to that is the fact that the the points gap now also from Liverpool seems to be another...
00:14:45
Matt
Oh, and the Celebration Police is back as well. But yeah.
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, of course. Oh, goodness me. I should have. you know what? I should have added an an alarm to this, like to this show as well. Oh, my gosh. Because whenever the celebration police are in full force. Oh, that's it.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. they They're out in full force. Do you know what I mean
00:15:07
Matt
It just amuses me on that, though, that it's like, don't mean this disrespectfully, but at the same time, anyone knows the season is long done.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:15:16
Matt
So it's not like we need to hurry up, get the ball, because if we beat United, we're going to win the title. If we beat United, it's just pride in the rivalry side, right?
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly that. Yeah, absolutely spot on, mate.
00:15:25
Matt
And didn't even spend that long celebrating.
00:15:28
Matt
It's just...
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, that is it for part one. We are now going to listen to an advert from our partners, Bionic. Join us for part two.
00:16:01
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back as we look back on Sunday's one all' draw Old Trafford against Manchester United.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Boys, there's something I wanted to ask you, right? Because one of my mates kind of mentioned it to me. He's mentioned it to me on a few occasions, actually. And I wanted to to bring it up to you guys. By the way, big up the geese. You know who you are.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he's the one that actually mentioned it to me. But for the last, I don't know how long, but for the last couple of games, have you got up and...
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, a like when you get up normally before a match day, you have that energy. You have that good energy. oh my gosh. Like the Arsenal on today. Like, have you guys had that energy for the past couple of games?
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because my mate says that he hasn't really kind of had the energy.
00:17:12
Matt
Can ask you a new question?
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, go for it. Yeah.
00:17:16
Matt
Why would you have that energy?
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear. Yeah.
00:17:25
Matt
Like there's two players to have that and so two players to have that energy for, Ethan Winery and Myles Lewis-Skelly. And I love the defenders in the midfield and well, defenders and Declan Rice at this club.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:38
Matt
But they're not exactly players where like, oh, tell you what, I cannot wait to watch William Saliba defend today. He's a phenomenal player. But Arsenal don't have the get-you-off-your-feet players at the minute in that sense.
00:17:51
Matt
So I think, you know, what's been such a turbulent and on just not fun season to watch at all, where so many things have gone wrong or gone against us or we could have improved or whatever you want to paint it as is the reality.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:04
Matt
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Wannery are the sole reasons where you've been like, actually, not only do we have something to play for this season, but I want to watch Arsenal.
Arsenal's Recent Lackluster Performances
00:18:15
Matt
you know what I mean?
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, Craig, going on to what Matt was saying, I mean, have you, you straight away, I asked you the question and you just was like, it didn't even take you a millisecond.
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was just straight up nodding. no No. Where do you think it's kind of, huh?
00:18:39
Craig matthews
the end i feel like if If we had any other, if Arthur Wenger was manager at Arsenal, he would have found a solution how to get us scoring goals. Like, he would have found a way to get all the strikers missing or whatever.
00:18:50
Craig matthews
to find a way thrust and school goes and some somehow pass off al wasn't got the there's got the na to make It's just boring to watch us sometimes, like.
00:19:02
Craig matthews
It's just few minutes of possession. We don't do anything with the possession. don't score. We're not creating enough chances. It's like... And every time Arsenal are playing, I'm like, Arsenal are playing today.
00:19:14
Craig matthews
I'm going to watch it again.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
is that
00:19:16
Craig matthews
Then we can see the goal.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
is that how you
00:19:18
Craig matthews
It's like...
00:19:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
is that Is that how you're going to be on on Wednesday, when you get up Wednesday morning?
00:19:24
Craig matthews
No, no, that's Champions League. and I'm more confident in Champions League. but I'll be honest. The league, I've written off the league now.
00:19:29
Matt
Thank
00:19:32
Craig matthews
Champions League, I feel like we say better this season. They're better than Champions League. I feel like they are better football.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? that's That's a good thing you elaborate there on, Craig. Because you realise... Yeah, there's a big difference with our Premier League form and our Champions League form. It's like, you know, we we seem to somewhat struggle in the in the Prem.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yet, when we're in the Champions League, it's like... Hold on a minute. Where's where's this Arsenal team been? Where's this Champions League Arsenal team been when we need them in the Prem?
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know... what Where do you think this sudden burst of energy comes from?
00:20:12
Craig matthews
like a flick of a switch. I think the teams in Europe defend differently to the teams in the Premier League. I don't know if you guys have realised that. I think teams in Europe, they don't do low blocks.
00:20:24
Craig matthews
theyre They're more open to go and attack. When if they get some Premier League teams, they'll come to the Emirates or play them away from home, they'll sit back and try and hit us on the Other teams in Europe, they will be more willing to score goal or two try and win the game. but Whereas in the Premier League, I think teams just kind of sit back, like West Ham did against us the other day, they just sat back and hit us on the counter, score a goal, and then shut up shopper after that.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:52
Craig matthews
that's what think the difference is.
00:20:55
Matt
perfectly but to be honest like you can't tell me psv don't come to goodison park and don't get given an absolute run around like it's i think while was speaking to my friend about this it's a really interesting point my general perspective has always been exactly what craig saying that like european teams defend differently and ultimately i think was saying the other day is like people have got to realize the premier league teams You play Leicester City, we took 80, yes we're not great creating chances, but we struggle against a certain type of side, right?
00:21:27
Matt
you played We played Leicester City for 80 minutes before we could score a goal or really create too many tangible chances. Southampton at home was a bit of a slog. These teams, the very worst, we played Man United away and they had a really competently set up deep block.
00:21:42
Matt
These teams are so much better set up. and it's the way the premier league is and the nature of the physicality and the way you kind of have to be to stand a chance but every single game is the same in deep block or mid block and if it isn't every team has the ability to do so if you said to psv play deep today would they know how to?
00:22:05
Matt
Sporting when we played them, again, so many spaces, we're not getting that in the Prem. So it's like the PSV game was brilliant and, you know, 7-1 was absolutely exceptional and special, but there was no chance on earth that it had anything to do with the Premier League or the game against United.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:23
Matt
Because at the worst, United are a really well set up side. And at the worst, if you're playing nine times out of 10 against Premier League sides, you're playing the same type of set up Premier League side, which we still haven't really found a consistent enough way of beating.
00:22:38
Matt
And in the Champions League, teams respect themselves. Sorry, don't respect themselves. They play because, well, they respect their a ability. Sorry, they don't respect themselves.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:48
Matt
Where it's like PSV are like, you know what? We're a good European team. We're going to play really well tonight. And we can cause Arsenal problems. But the reality is you play that way against teams who, you know, concede very, very few.
00:23:02
Matt
And obviously you then give Arsenal space. You're getting absolutely torn apart. The spaces Rice was getting even for that first goal. You know, like we played PSV a few years ago. We won 4-0. They were playing really high up.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I remember that.
00:23:13
Matt
We exploited. you remember when we played Sevilla at home last year as well?
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep
00:23:17
Matt
Martinelli completed, what, 14 dribbles against a full-back because he started so high and got isolated.
00:23:23
Matt
These things don't happen in the Premier League.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you guys are spot on there.
00:23:26
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
Arsenal's Play Style in European Context
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, in the in the Champions League, I feel like as well, you get you probably get an extra second or two time to do something that you could probably not do in the Premier League.
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every second counts. And if you do not take a decision or you do not take a chance, that's it. It's gone. But with the Champions League,
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't get me wrong, the intensity is there, but at the same time, you've got a bit more time to play with. And I think that probably, now you guys have kind of brought that up, is probably what has helped Arsenal through the the league phase. And again, with us beating PSV 7-1, I mean, goodness me, I can't believe that we're even talking about Champions League football this week with with it being at the Emirates as well.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just out a curiosity, Matt, are you going to the game?
00:24:21
Matt
No. I happily would but just not now.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. I would love to go. Would absolutely love to go, but I don't have... met I don't used to have... I did have membership with the Arsenal, but then I stopped because of the ballot system and I was like, I can't be bothered anymore.
00:24:42
Matt
Isn't it nearly on on family and friends or something along those lines for for Wednesday?
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry? Sorry?
00:24:48
Matt
Isn't it nearly on family and friends for Wednesday?
00:24:50
Craig matthews
i think so could send me an email the other day about it i think you're right
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they sent my mate a message today saying that you could now add another four, like four members to get tickets because I think they they're struggling to sell tickets for the game, I think.
00:25:06
Matt
Jamie Patterson to the Emirates on Wednesday. Here we go.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We go. Yes. Yes, please. i would love to go. i'd be would i would i Would I miss football training? Probably. Yes, I probably would, to be fair.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
To my football team that listening, I love you guys. But look, when it comes to football, Arsenal are up there for me. But quickly, we're going to take a quick break.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when we come back, there's a there's a few a few topics that have been bugging me a little bit that Matt has mentioned to me before the start of the show. And we will bring them up after this break.
00:26:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this final part.
Ben White's Absence: Impact and Speculation
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in this final part, Matt's made some really good points during this show. He hasn't mentioned them, but he's he's messaged me them. And from the notes he's just messaged me, there has been one thing that has really bugged me, right?
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm going to bring it up. And that is Ben White not playing. Like, why? He's back.
00:26:52
Craig matthews
hmm
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's fit. He's ready to go. what I don't get it. but blood Please, boys, help me out. what why Why do you think Ben White is not has not even featured? Why do you think he's not even been brought on?
00:27:09
Matt
I can only think of it some kind of
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even you guys are stunned.
00:27:13
Matt
It amazes me because I can only think of it in a fitness manner where it's like Old Trafford, really high intensity game. You don't want to, you know, like he's not started a game since. I'm sure he starts against PSV midweek.
00:27:23
Matt
But I think if you think about what Arsenal lack and what does well against the deep blocks or the mid blocks or whatever, it's overlapping fullbacks. If you think about... having an overlapper for even Weneri to then have space to, I wouldn't even say to come inside because that's maybe a bit naive to say because it's still a really well-structured mid-block and or deep-block, whatever you want call it.
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:45
Matt
And this it's still really congested in the middle. But it would alleviate some pressure and it would give him the option to play Ben White. Because for me at the minute, particularly even against Man United, he wasn't great, but he's 17.
00:27:57
Matt
People need to always understand that and be quite nuanced about him, as special a talent as he is.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:28:04
Matt
But I think every time Ethan gets the ball, I was saying the other day, almost gets this sack of role where it's like he gets the ball, he's got do everything on his own.
00:28:15
Matt
if he wants to pass the ball forwards there's pretty much no options his only option is passing it back to timber or passing it backwards in the midfield there's no ben white to overlap uh and i don't i don't mind as well though because it's a difficult one because people often criticize odegaard for not giving enough or being that difference maker or giving enough support to the to the wing or offering something different But he also doesn't want to get in his area, so to speak. So I don't mind him being treated like Saka in that sense.
00:28:45
Matt
But it's still a huge responsibility and really difficult. And I think having no Ben White especially and having him in that setup basically means he's just isolated high and wide.
00:28:56
Matt
on his own, where you have one of your biggest difference makers who just can't get near the goal to really make anything happen. And I think that's a big problem. And I think Ben White would would really add dimensions to this Arsenal side.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? There was something that you mentioned and it just, I was waiting for someone to mention it and it was overlap. You know, that's something I think we've been missing from Ben White.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And since since he's been out, I've been waiting for that moment just to see Ben White back in an Arsenal shirt, back playing football, tanned legs,
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i want I want him to get his IB for the time on and come back and just... Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Just... What a player in Ben White. But yeah, you you couldn't have said it any better. The overlapping runs is what really kind of really helped Arsenal in a way.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think that's something we have hugely missed. Another thing also that I wanted to bring forward also with Ben White actually is, and I'll put this forward to you, Craig.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, not a lot of people have given Urien Timber a bit of credit because he's had to come in. Bearing in mind he had an injury last season to himself as well. You know, he's still kind of... He's still... I don't know, but he's still... You know, you've got to give him his credit where it's due, but... What just what what do you think the reason behind not playing Ben White could be also?
00:30:33
Craig matthews
Maybe he's not fully fit. I don't think he's fully fit. I think it was a serious injury he had in his surgery. I think maybe I'll test his turn, break him back in, ease him in gently and bring him I think he'll definitely get lot games to not end the season anyway.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:50
Craig matthews
can kind of rotate Once he's fully up to speed again, I think he'll rotate Tim Butler. Tim has been an awful lot of games since Ben White's been injured. you have to rest him a little bit, some rest him and rotate and whatever. Yes.
00:31:04
Craig matthews
rotate and level allt so yeah
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, my my final question before we quickly wrap it all up. Would you start Ben White against PSV on Wednesday night at the Emirates?
00:31:17
Craig matthews
yes
00:31:18
Matt
I don't think it's Wood Eye, I think it's he's starting.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, wow.
00:31:21
Matt
To be honest. Because...
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some good confidence there, Matt.
00:31:24
Matt
I think it's just...
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like that confidence. really like that confidence.
00:31:27
Matt
I just think it's like...
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think for me, would I would either... Start him, play him for like an hour and then bring him off. Or you bring him off or you bring him on for like the last half an hour of the game.
00:31:41
Matt
Yeah, I think people would like to see...
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
ahs That's how I'd go about it.
00:31:44
Matt
I'm sure if it was up to certain parts of the fan base, we would feel our under-16s against PSV. But I'm afraid that's not quite how Arteta operates.
00:31:50
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:31:53
Matt
So I still think we'll see a pretty strong side.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:31:53
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:31:56
Matt
But I think it's a no-brainer that people like Ben White, people like Zinchenko, people...
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jorginho.
00:32:02
Matt
Yep, Jorginho's another one. Sterling probably is another one.
00:32:04
Craig matthews
Hmm.
Looking Forward: Arsenal vs. PSV
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:32:06
Matt
Tierney, yep, that's another one.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Neto.
00:32:08
Matt
Will, without...
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair
00:32:10
Matt
a He might play him for a laugh, probably not.
00:32:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
enough.
00:32:13
Matt
No,
00:32:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ha
00:32:16
Matt
no not even in like a disrespectful way, but like it's just his continuity with Raya, he clearly t trusts him so heavily.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
enough
00:32:23
Matt
He's played one game this season, Neto, and that's it. And that was because Raya was injured. So, could play.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah. and Spot on. Absolutely.
00:32:32
Matt
I wouldn't be against it. I hope he does well if he does, but yeah.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fingers crossed. Well, we'll have to just wait and see what happens on Wednesday. But guys, that is it for today. What did you make of this show? We'd love to hear your thoughts on social media.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, make sure to go and show us some love by supporting by subscribing to the GSPN Network for all things Premier League, WSL, Serie and more. You find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal.
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, tune in to tomorrow's episode as we do look ahead to the PSV game at the Emirates. That is going to be a fun, that should be a fun episode, eh, boys?
00:33:13
Matt
Oh, I'm rubbing my hands together at that one.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:33:18
Craig matthews
and
00:33:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go, then, there you go. Well, my name's been Jamie Patterson. They have been the amazing Craig Matthews and Matt. Have a good day, all, and goodbye.