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Daily Arsenal - Plans on expanding the Emirates Stadium
12 Plays4 days ago
In this episode we will discussing our plans to expand the Emirates stadium and what it could do in the long run. 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 & Josh Duncan
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Transcript
Introduction and Team Welcome
00:00:11
Rodney Gooden
Thank
00:00:15
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. I am your host, Jamie Patterson and of course i am joined by my amazing crew of Arsenal connoisseurs.
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
First of all, we have a man that always brings such good vibes and such good energy and boy, am I glad to have him on tonight because... At the end of the day, I've got a guy that is...
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll explain the other two guests in a minute, but it's the one and only Mr. Rodney Gooden.
00:00:51
Rodney Gooden
Hey, thank you.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are we, Rodney?
00:00:53
Rodney Gooden
yeah oh I'm not too bad, man. Here we go.
Meet the Guests
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, second of all, I have a man who has been to quite a few games at the Emirates, and I'm pretty sure he's probably had the grace and the experience of having to watch Mikel Moreno and Declan Rice play together.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sure deep down it really does grind his gears in when he sees them two play together. It's the one and only Mr. Craig Matthews. Craig, how are you, mate?
00:01:19
Craig matthews
I'm good, I'm good, I'm good.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very sombre. Very sombre.
00:01:25
JD
you
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And finally, of course, it's the miss it's the one and only. He doesn't really need an introduction, does he? He's the Kai Haberts hater. the Chris Wood lover.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also, I think he also owns, maybe potentially at the end of the season, might have to write a letter to maybe Kai Havertz and Mikel Arteta.
00:01:45
JD
not
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the one and only Mr. JD, Joshua Duncan.
00:01:48
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:01:48
JD
it
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
JD, how are you, man?
00:01:51
JD
You know, when you were first introducing everyone, when said positive, I was thinking, oh my goodness, man, you're talking about me, man. I was like, I'm so happy you do.
00:01:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:01:58
JD
And then I realised it wasn't me.
00:01:59
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:02:00
JD
I was like, oh man, you know, I I'm the nigga with Nancy, but no, I'm all right.
00:02:01
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:02:05
JD
I'm all right. The letter Arteta, already sent that letter to him about two years ago, three years ago.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
but You might have to write a new one, mate. Might have to write a new one at the end of the season.
00:02:08
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:02:10
JD
No, no, no, no. When he wins something, I'll write a good letter. worry.
00:02:14
Rodney Gooden
No, no. Let's talk about the one to have it.
00:02:15
JD
It's in the post.
00:02:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. Because I want to... oh What conditions about that one?
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:18
JD
He's never getting that moment.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:20
JD
He'll get it on his deathbed, innit? On his grave, innit?
00:02:26
Rodney Gooden
Oh, my God.
00:02:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Just quickly, right? What if, just what if, right, he does an Aguero moment, what are you going to do then? Yeah.
00:02:34
JD
What Aguero moment. Aguero! That one! I'll
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
What if it's habit?
00:02:40
JD
write a letter to say you scored a goal, innit? You know what I mean?
00:02:44
Rodney Gooden
That's crazy.
00:02:44
JD
Because you know, it'll probably bounce off his fire or something like that or hit his heel.
00:02:49
Rodney Gooden
That's outrageous.
00:02:50
JD
You know what mean? you won you will
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy.
00:02:51
JD
Have you ever seen him strike a ball? Like, honestly, like, bang, back of the net.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what, JD, every time you've mentioned that phrase, I'm pretty sure I'd be a billionaire at this point now.
00:02:56
JD
Clean hit.
00:03:00
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:03:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm pretty sure I'd be sitting here as a billionaire. I'm telling you. But the reason why we are having this episode is going to be a fairly short one because we are in the international break.
Emirates Stadium Expansion Plans
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And boy, isn't the international break fun? Hey, guys.
00:03:18
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in this episode, we will be. Yeah, there you go. JD's bringing the enthusiasm with him, just s like he was wait for the intro during the intro music as well.
00:03:28
JD
but
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't think we didn't see it, JD. But in this episode, we will be discussing our plans to... potentially expand the Emirates Stadium and it'll be really interesting to know what it could do in the long run.
00:03:37
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as always guys, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed in our show, please do get involved through the social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, guys, you I'm pretty sure for anyone listening, for the for all of us sitting here, we've heard the news, it's been very recent That there are plans, ongoing discussions, that Arsenal are thinking to improve and expand the Emirates Stadium from 60,700 seats to 70,000.
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, guys, when you first heard the news, JD, when you first heard the news, what
Challenges and Logistics of Expansion
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
were your thoughts? What were your initial thoughts?
00:04:31
JD
Because I kind of work in governance, kind of, they've been planning this for a while. So it's only kind of been announced, really.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, so he's got he's got a bit of inside news for us.
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
all
00:04:39
Rodney Gooden
if we go to ja The ja d scoop.
00:04:40
JD
wouldn't say have the inside news. so
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
and in screw Yeah, there we go.
00:04:43
JD
I just understand how this world works.
00:04:43
Craig matthews
here's your
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's got a good ring to it.
00:04:46
JD
Yeah. I think since the Tottenham literally did their stadium, i think Arsenal been trying to work this deal. We've been trying to get a plan and permission and you need to get the council involved and the council can be a bit of a pain sometimes.
00:04:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah of cool
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:57
Rodney Gooden
oh
00:04:58
JD
You know, sometimes they say yes, sometimes they say no, sometimes you need to meet expectations. So it's been in the pipeline for a while. I think now we're kind of seeing it kind of come to light. um yeah It was good for I think it's about time. you know The Emirates is let's be honest, it's a bit outdated now.
00:05:13
JD
It was good at the time when we first moved there.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course.
00:05:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, 2.06, yeah.
00:05:17
JD
But you see, look look at West Ham Stadium, you know i mean? You know, Tottenham. We're not the we supposed to be the biggest club in London, haven't got the best stadium. It's pretty shocking.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is, ah you know what, it's a good point you make there. And Craig, you know, going on to what JD was talking about with, you know, Tottenham building their stadium up, you know, you've got West Ham, you know, what suddenly made them think, oh, actually, we need to actually go ahead and now expand the Emirates.
00:05:46
Craig matthews
NFL, they want Emirates, so they to compete so they can earn more revenue. It's all about making more money. As JD said, the stadium outdated now. Opened the stadium in 2006. 20 years, yeah. Hmm.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:05:58
Craig matthews
twenty naked
00:05:59
JD
Yeah.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it would.
00:06:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah, 2006, yep.
00:06:00
Craig matthews
yeah
00:06:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So pretty much next year would mark 20 years.
00:06:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:06:05
Craig matthews
what he is yeah
00:06:06
JD
Bloody
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:07
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. ah
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodness me. I feel old. he I feel old saying that now.
00:06:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's true.
00:06:13
Craig matthews
a
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodness me. 20 years since we moved into the Emirates.
00:06:15
JD
Yeah.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's insane.
00:06:17
Rodney Gooden
Yep.
00:06:18
Craig matthews
and
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is insane. But go on, Craig, as you were saying, though.
00:06:21
Craig matthews
Yes, I think it needs to be upgraded now anyway. It needs to be bigger for the fans as well because there's not fan who can't get ticket on match day. So needs to get more, I'd love to be 80,000. That'd be better, maybe even bigger.
00:06:32
Craig matthews
I think with the planning permission and the stations and all that, the crowd control, they can't make it any bigger than 70,000. So, yeah
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, again, that's such a good point you make there, Craig, with with revenue. Why is it only taken now to kind of maybe realise that we need to now expand the Emirates, Rodney?
00:06:56
Rodney Gooden
I think to echo JD's point, I feel like they probably did realize earlier that they really wanted to kind of get this done, but it's true. You get bogged down in bureaucracy. You've also got to figure out a lot of the logistics too. If you do do a rebuild, you know, similar to how they've done it at the Bonabeo, you know, Camp Nou 2, you've got to kind of move your players and your kind of regular fixtures from one location to another.
00:07:14
Rodney Gooden
So I think logistically, it's a bit of a nightmare. But I'm pretty sure as soon as Spurs ended up being one of the biggest, what, stadiums in London with 62, thousand eight hundred and fifty you know, and then they pipped us. I thought immediately, I know someone at Arsenal said, we can't let that slide.
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:27
Rodney Gooden
You know, there was already talks about doing an expansion from the moment that happened when they unveiled their stadium in 2019.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:33
Rodney Gooden
So I think it's been in the works for a little while, but agreed. These things take some time. You've got to have a lot of setup as well in terms of how to kind of maintain it. Where do the fans, where do the players go while those works are being done?
00:07:43
Rodney Gooden
How long will those works take? You know, how much permission can you get? So, yeah, I feel it's been a little bit of a long time coming and I'm happy that we finally got the announcement. Because more seats mean even more likelihood that we could all get tickets.
00:07:54
Rodney Gooden
So let's go, boys.
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm so glad you said that. And do you know what? After hearing the news, I was sitting there. I think I've spoken to i spoken to you, Rodney, about potentially renewing my membership. And I mean, you you kind of spurred it on, really, for me to go and renew my membership.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, maybe that might be a bit of an incentive for me to go and renew my my my membership at the Arsenal. I mean, the discussions, the Telegraph were whether were the people that reported it on Tuesday.
00:08:18
Rodney Gooden
you go.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah that the club are making detailed plans that could include increasing the capacity to 70,000 with a potential stay at Wembley while the work is carried out.
Temporary Moves and Revenue Considerations
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, guys, how do you feel about Arsenal potentially playing their games at Wembley? Could we have maybe moved elsewhere whilst the Emirates was being and being redone up?
00:08:34
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
JD, what are your thoughts?
00:08:51
JD
um I think Wembley probably the most logistic place to kind do it.
00:08:55
JD
It's kind of free most of the time, apart from cut five.
00:08:55
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
let let's let let's let Let me just stop you there because the reason why you're all agreeing, because every every one of you is sitting there agreeing, because you all live somewhat closer to Emberley compared to me.
00:08:58
JD
um
00:09:00
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
that is all what That is the reason why.
00:09:07
JD
That's not why. yeah That's not why.
00:09:07
Rodney Gooden
I don't
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's good point.
00:09:11
Rodney Gooden
ah Small factor, maybe.
00:09:11
JD
That's not the only reason. That's one of the reasons. That's one of the reasons. But that's not the only reason.
00:09:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah, small a small factor.
00:09:16
JD
It's not Wembley. If it's not Wembley, then where is it going to be St. James' Park, right?
00:09:20
Rodney Gooden
True.
00:09:20
JD
Where is it going to be?
00:09:22
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's a good point
00:09:23
JD
Tottenham's ground.
00:09:24
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:09:24
JD
You know, Wembley...
00:09:25
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, feel like that's not going to go.
00:09:28
JD
Logistically, Wembley's probably the best place where most Arsenal fans can still get to the stadium.
00:09:31
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, absolutely.
00:09:34
JD
We've played Wembley before. It's kind of free.
00:09:37
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:09:37
JD
And there's more seats. so And you know what?
00:09:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's got an increased capacity.
00:09:40
JD
A lot fans who don't get to go to games, who can't afford to go to games, you know they you know they can go to games.
00:09:40
Rodney Gooden
No.
00:09:46
JD
So I think, ideally, it makes sense on the business part.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rodney, I mean, your thoughts about playing at Wembley? could could we Could we potentially have gone elsewhere? or would it just Or would you have just thought, well, Wembley's just... pretty much the standout pick.
00:10:03
Rodney Gooden
no No, I feel, again, slightly biased. I've never actually been to Wembley to go watch a game, so I was quite excited by that news as well.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, wow.
00:10:09
Rodney Gooden
I thought, yeah, yeah, never actually gone.
00:10:09
JD
Well, really?
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:10:11
Rodney Gooden
So I thought that would be quite nice to actually go watch an Arsenal game there at that stadium. It'd be first time properly going.
00:10:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:16
Rodney Gooden
But, no, I think agreed as well. I think it was fully the most likely choice to close enough to the original stadium to kind of generate all of that, or to kind of migrate all of that foot traffic to another likely stadium. Not to mention you've got the 80,000 capacity. You're usually getting, well, full house when it comes to most of the Arsenal Premier League fixtures. So,
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:32
Rodney Gooden
You need a stadium that can accommodate 60,000 people quite reliably. That one's got space to do that and more. And you can't go to any of the other stadiums in the area because they're likely going to be housed by a rival club. So what? You've got West Ham Stadium then you've got Tottenham's in terms of the other alternatives. I don't think that's happening.
00:10:47
Rodney Gooden
Not after what we did to West Ham last week. And we know the score, right? Asking Tottenham for anything. yeah
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:10:53
Rodney Gooden
It's going to be a little difficult considering the rivalry. So yeah, no, and no, no, no. Can't be done. So I think Wembley is the obvious choice. And fair enough. I'm excited.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Craig, your thoughts, obviously. I mean, do you think now, you know, if this all goes ahead and the council give the green light and we'll be able to start work, do you think...
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
For people like, you know, myself, JD, Rodney and yourself, do you reckon we'll have better chances now to go to more Arsenal games in the season?
00:11:22
Craig matthews
Definitely you get more chances and it's local for us lot, so it's not too far well go get to. Yeah. oh yeah
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, at the minute.
00:11:32
Rodney Gooden
It's
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm just going by this ah sky by the Sky Sports article. It says here, and is um it says that, and as LinkedIn Council spokesperson told Sky Sports, at this time, we're not engaged with any formal discussions with Arsenal regarding the potential redevelopment plans for the Emirates Stadium.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until we have a full understanding of any proposal, we are not able to comment any further. Now... that seems to be a bit of a typical That seems to be a bit of a typical statement you would hear, wouldn't you?
00:12:07
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what do you think has gone on behind the scenes? What do you think has gone on behind the scenes, Rodney?
00:12:14
Rodney Gooden
For me here, yeah, I just think it's, again, you've got the announcement kind of being made. You've got quite a few decisions that are probably going on behind closed doors. But if any of the council members speak, you've got plans being revealed. They probably want to keep things as quiet as possible so that Arsenal can release that statement themselves too.
00:12:28
Rodney Gooden
And I just think it's one of these ones where when you finally got everything kind of done, all the money has been transferred, all the paperwork's fully signed, you'll get an official statement from both. But for now, it's just kind of advanced talks. Same as you get in a transfer window as well, you know.
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:40
Rodney Gooden
With all pens put down to paper, you're in advanced talks. You know if there's a high likelihood that it's happening. And from what I'm gathering, I feel that this deal is in a very advanced position, but it's still not fully signed, fully not signed off on as well.
00:12:51
Rodney Gooden
Still needs maybe another week or two, maybe even a month to kind of put pen to paper and then actually have an official announcement. There we
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, ah again, quoting Sky Sports again, ah David Steiner is a new Arsenal board member with experience in real estate investment.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was not even 20 years ago that the Yemrit Stadium and Wembley Stadium ah were best in class for stadium design in the UK and around the world. While both are still considered excellent venues for hosting top class football and events, there is no hiding the advancement in stadium design in such a short space of time with the opening of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 and other new stadiums around the world.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But are brand new stadiums the future? And that is a question I'm going to put to all three of you.
00:13:48
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:13:50
JD
um Yeah, yeah, I mean, you know, we're getting to a point where, you know, be revenue, football's a business, and then we're fans, people are listening to our fans, but people behind the scenes, they're business guys, and all they care about is making enough money, do you know what mean?
00:13:57
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:14:08
JD
And, you know, they see the Tottenham Stadium doing pretty well, you know, setting up concerts, you know, Beyonce. I think Bernaboy was there that long ago.
00:14:14
Rodney Gooden
Nope.
00:14:15
JD
You know, they get him some big high-profile, you know, performing in their stadium.
00:14:16
Rodney Gooden
no
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course.
00:14:19
JD
But Arsenal, I mean, i don't think they get anybody there apart from apart from the Arsenal women's team the men's team. I don't think they get anybody really
00:14:19
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:14:26
Rodney Gooden
we We did an Arctic Monkeys concert there, like i think two seasons back.
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure Coldplay have been to the Emirates.
00:14:30
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah,
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure Coldplay have performed at the Emirates as well.
00:14:31
JD
there. Well, I mean, we're talking about a couple years ago. We're talking about Right now, they don't get nobody in the league.
00:14:35
Rodney Gooden
yeah.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm pretty sure your Coldplay was either last year or two years ago.
00:14:37
JD
You know what mean? They're like, we could do the hot girl.
00:14:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:14:40
Craig matthews
Robby, Rob, bit rob
00:14:41
JD
Yeah, you were the hot girl at one point, but now we're like that girl that's kind of falling off, you know, that's like, know what mean? Not really putting a bit of weight and being able to it. You know what I mean?
00:14:41
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:14:51
JD
We're not really wanting, you know what mean? We're to get little it factor back, you what I mean?
00:14:54
Rodney Gooden
I see see.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:55
Rodney Gooden
You're saying no longer the biggest stadium in London, so therefore, yeah, the deals are not coming. I hear it. Yeah. Yeah.
00:14:59
JD
Yeah, it's true. It's true. You know, and um what you guys, what you the first statement you said from Sky Sports, that's just corporate jargon. They're just not quite official. It's basic it's it's basically done.
00:15:11
JD
They're just waiting for the day to be announced.
00:15:11
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:15:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:13
JD
And yes, something drastic happens and something collapse, but it'll probably be announced soon.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, right now, Arsenal are now somewhat competing with a football state with two football stadiums. One football stadium that can allow athletics and can host MLB when they want to, because obviously West Ham have hosted ah Major League Baseball and they've also hosted the athletics and obviously um various other events.
00:15:34
Rodney Gooden
Yep.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you've got... You've got the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which still I find hilarious to this day, still don't have naming rights to to their stadium, which is absolutely shameful behaviour, in my opinion.
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah couldn And can host NFL, can also have a go-kart track underneath their stadium.
00:16:03
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do we need to do to compete with these kind of stadiums, Craig?
00:16:12
Craig matthews
do the same thing, but even better.
00:16:14
Rodney Gooden
ah
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you would like to see it you'd like to see a go-kart track underneath the Emirates Stadium?
00:16:20
Craig matthews
I'll talk about the NFL. If we get NFL games in the Emirates, that'll be extra revenue, concerts as well. I think this year they concert. Rob Williams and um um who else is the Wiley and Leigh For Bewell in the Emirates.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, dear. So, right.
00:16:37
Craig matthews
The Emirates is there.
00:16:37
JD
Nelly.
00:16:38
Rodney Gooden
Okay, Wiley.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, Jamie, that's...
00:16:39
Craig matthews
you know day yeah
00:16:40
Rodney Gooden
Okay.
00:16:41
Craig matthews
They had a concert there.
00:16:42
JD
That says it all.
00:16:43
Craig matthews
They had a concert there.
00:16:48
JD
You know what I mean? We're getting Riley. Come on, man. This ain't 2010 or something, man. You know what I mean? I like Riley, but, you know what I mean? He's had his time, innit?
00:16:58
Craig matthews
ah
00:16:59
Rodney Gooden
hilarious nah that's crazy hmm
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear me. Oh my gosh. But on that note guys, we're going to take a quick break and when we come back, we are going to talk about what this deal could potentially mean for Arsenal going forward in their season.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us after the break.
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this episode where we are discussing the potential expansion of the Emirates Stadium. And I, of course, joined by JD, Rodney Goodman and anne Craig Matthews.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, guys, another thing I do want kind of talk about is facilities, because when you look at Arsenal so far, you know, we've really kind of gone...
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've gone ah We've gone quite a long way in trying to, you know, create a ah training ground where we've got the best facilities going. and Again, with the Emirates, what kind of, what would you what do you want from from this stadium?
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you want to see once the Emirates been rebuilt?
00:18:44
Rodney Gooden
Well, want to see. I mean, obviously, you know, you've got the increased capacity. I'd love to see more kind of events, you know, going on in that kind of summer period where you've got, you know, preseason and things that and are kind of not happening. You want the Premier League season kind of coming to a close end.
00:18:56
Rodney Gooden
like to see us do more with the space. But in terms of what I want to see from the stadium, I just want it to be, you know, safe, electric, kind of fun atmosphere. And then as big a capacity as possible because that's ultimately going to help the club drive more sales, going to allow more access for fans like us to kind of go to the game and make it more appealing to generate more more revenue for the club, which will go on to help make the club more successful and more exciting to watch. So in terms of what I want and what I'm excited for for that stadium, I think just that.
00:19:21
Rodney Gooden
Do the build quickly, do it efficiently, do it well, and make it the biggest stadium in London. So I've got another thing to brag about when I talk about my club.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah That's a good point.
00:19:29
JD
with
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a really good point there. um Craig, another thing that also kind of really surprised me, and I mentioned it, i kind of mentioned it in terms of the capacity, but the Emirates holding just over 60,000 and only being able to increase it to 70,000.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think if we were given... if we were given the opportunity to, do you think we could further expand the Emirates to like maybe 80 or maybe, maybe potentially 90,000? Yeah. I mean,
00:20:00
Craig matthews
that That would be amazing if it was 90,000. I don't think they can because of the train system and the crowd control as well.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean,
00:20:08
Craig matthews
After the match day it's so hard to get home after the game because all the stations are always packed.
00:20:15
Rodney Gooden
yeah Yeah, we have.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean
00:20:17
Craig matthews
They'll have to build another station somewhere, Emirates or something to make that 90,000 happen.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, me and Rodney have had that experience before, haven't we?
00:20:28
Rodney Gooden
It's already bad enough at 60, so I said, yeah, let's not go too crazy. Yeah.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, JD, you were very, very, very quick to nod your head.
00:20:37
JD
Yeah, no, it's not capable to make it to 80 or 90,000. I think what Arsenal want to do, I think they want to, I see you in the Emirates that open space, but where the fans, love the bottom fans are, I think they want to bring extra extra seats there so when people more close to the game and they're doing it around the whole thing.
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:53
JD
So I think that create an extra, you know, 10,000. That's why it's only going to 70,000. Um... um
00:20:58
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:20:59
JD
It's not feasible unless you're going to build a whole new stadium again, which Arsenal are going to do.
00:21:03
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:21:05
JD
I think they they can only probably get another £70,000 unless they want to relocate, go somewhere else. And that will take... Remember, that that cost us a lot in 2006 when we did that, when we got the Emirates there.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
It did. Yeah.
00:21:15
Craig matthews
and
00:21:16
JD
You know, us fans, yeah, watching Arsenal and the players that we were buying, you know, we it it took us only till now we've kind of kind of recovered a little bit before we weren't really competing.
00:21:17
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah. $290 mil, man. Yeah, it's crazy.
00:21:28
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:21:28
JD
So I think, you know, 70,000, I think that's more than enough.
00:21:33
JD
um The only thing is Arsenal is... Look, let's be fair, we are a really big club. We've got a fan base across the world.
00:21:33
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:39
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:21:41
JD
And I think for people like me, myself, and i'm a other fans as well, if you're not like a proper season ticket, like you can go to every game, it's so hard to get tickets, even if you're Red member, it's so hard.
00:21:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah, definitely.
00:21:53
JD
So at... At least this opens the avenue for some people who've been waiting on the list, you know, this was the first-ever season ticket. I would love it to be £90,000, even £100,000. I think if Arsenal had the space, they probably could do that.
00:22:03
Rodney Gooden
Hmm. Hmm.
00:22:05
JD
I know they'll easily sell out. But, you know, it work like that, you know, unfortunately.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Another thing that's also just come to my mind now is the nearest the nearest station to the Emirates is Drayton Park.
00:22:21
JD
Oh, God.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
If yeah I know. I'm kind of thinking the same thing as you, JD. If they were smart enough, could they not think about potentially maybe even working on Drayton Park train station?
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we've all seen how small the station is.
00:22:40
Rodney Gooden
Oh, expanding it, yeah. Nah.
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know... but creating a new ticket office, maybe expanding the platforms.
00:22:44
JD
Thank you.
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could there not be maybe some thought to maybe expand the the station or rebuild the station? JD, again, straight away with the note.
00:22:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah now
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll come to you in a minute, JD, but Craig, what are your thoughts? Could they maybe not think to so maybe rebuild Drayton Park train station up?
Infrastructure and Community Impact
00:23:08
Craig matthews
I don't think so.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the reason being?
00:23:12
Craig matthews
don't think it'll work. Even though it's a good idea, I don't think you've got to get planning permission and councils and all that kind of stuff. It'll be a long process. I don't think you don't agree to it anyway.
00:23:24
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only reason why i also bring up Drayton Park Station is because every match day, the station's closed. You cannot get off at Drayton Park.
00:23:34
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's the same thing with Holloway Road as well. Holloway Road is consistently close for match days too, but it also brings up the question, if you were to renovate those stadiums,
00:23:41
JD
Thank you.
00:23:41
Rodney Gooden
Planning permission, who's footing the bill, the disruption to closing those stations as you do the renovations as well. I said it's way too much hassle, way too much work and probably way too much of a big bill for a club who's probably already going to be paying for 80 expansion and the rights to kind of rent are out another state, another stadium while we play, you know, while that renovation kind of being done.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:01
Rodney Gooden
So think you start to look at the bill and the cost and the timeframe and just everything becomes a bit more unfeasible. So. got to be done, you know, just kind of shrink out that expansion, make it a bit more, you know, sustainable with the only the 10,000 increase as opposed to more of that.
00:24:14
Rodney Gooden
And I think the rest of us match going fans have got to deal with the fact that Drayton Park in the whole and Holloway Road, unreliable on a match day. Come into Arsenal and just pray.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. That or hybrid is LinkedIn.
00:24:25
Rodney Gooden
Finsbury Park and Arsenal Station, what you got. Yeah, yeah, true.
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Finsbury Park.
00:24:30
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:24:30
Craig matthews
Stop.
00:24:30
Rodney Gooden
um
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's one of the three. And to be honest with you, to get to Finsbury Park on foot is is a journey.
00:24:35
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, true.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to even get to Highbury and Islington on foot is a bit of a journey as well from the Emirates.
00:24:39
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But another thing you guys also have brought up is obviously the M word, money.
00:24:45
Rodney Gooden
Yep.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, when the Emirates was built, unfortunately, we were we ended up with huge, huge stadium debt.
00:24:54
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, how do we try and avoid that this this time around?
00:24:59
Rodney Gooden
Not build a brand new stadium.
00:24:59
Craig matthews
um
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:01
JD
meeting.
00:25:02
Rodney Gooden
and That's it. We've got stick to the Emirates, lads. That's what it is.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:06
Craig matthews
That's Stan Kroenke, isn't it? I think he's going to pay for the news. I don't think he's going to go into the transfer budget. I don't think. I think he's going take put my news in his pocket. I think I'd really do not.
00:25:18
Craig matthews
He's going to put my news own pocket and try and invest in the stadium and all that. Expanser on the stadium.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that would go that would go a long way. But for me, I would like to see the Emirates as, you know, like a little similar to what we see, you know, like what what we saw with the Bernabeu.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you see how immersive that is. I would like to see Arsenal maybe go one step and just...
00:25:43
Rodney Gooden
Oh, you want to close the roof?
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what?
00:25:46
JD
Yeah.
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would take that, yeah. Why can't we do that?
00:25:50
Rodney Gooden
Fair enough.
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you've already got, like, think about it. If we kind of had a closed roof, think about it. With the roof closed and, you know, the fact that the players don't even walk through the tunnel, but the fact that players walk out and the and the roof is closed, and I mean, remember what I said last season, you know, Rice Cook's better. You know, Rice Cook's better.
00:26:12
Rodney Gooden
With the lid closed, okay.
00:26:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
car
00:26:14
JD
me yeah
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know you know want to go You know, maybe Techwise could be playing his best, but
00:26:18
Rodney Gooden
ah Yeah.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, i think surely we've learned our lesson from 20 years ago when we built the Emirates. We surely should have learned our lesson from 20 years ago trying to avoid landing in stadium debt.
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Surely, guys?
00:26:37
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah, I think so.
00:26:38
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:26:39
JD
Yeah.
00:26:39
Rodney Gooden
And I think this one, because it's just an expansion, you know, I don't think we're going accrue anywhere near as much debt and cost as it when we're building the stadium brand new back in 2006. And in terms of upgrades, I kind of agree with you, Jamie, too.
00:26:50
Rodney Gooden
I think maybe a a closed roof would be nice. I don't care too much about the atmosphere. What I care about is the rain affecting our games. So I go, it's actually quite nice to be able to just turn that off, just to be like, yeah, you know what?
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. There you go
00:27:01
Rodney Gooden
Just shut it off. ah Perfect conditions. There you go. I think that was more fun.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
any any Any other little tweaks? Would you would you guys make it i mean, like for me i obviously for me and Rodney, we've kind of said that we would you know we'd have a closed roof. What what would you guys, what would you yourself, JD and Craig, what would you add? Go on, JD. What would you add?
00:27:21
JD
Well, you know Tottenham, they've got the little thing where it quick makes the quickest beer. Do you know what I mean?
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. Goodness me.
00:27:30
Rodney Gooden
That's hilarious. Yeah,
00:27:31
JD
I think that would be really cool if we got that.
00:27:32
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:27:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
JD, I think I know where you'd be.
00:27:34
JD
and what
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think you'd be at your seat, mate. I think you'd just be too immersed.
00:27:38
JD
Now I'd be up your seat because those beers are bloody expensive in the Emirates.
00:27:41
Rodney Gooden
yeah. yeah
00:27:41
JD
You know what I mean?
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:45
JD
You've got to buy a ticket and then you've got to double extra to just get a bit of food, a bit of grub there, you know?
00:27:50
Rodney Gooden
Actually, you know what?
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. i be to be honest, though,
00:27:51
Rodney Gooden
I second that. I second that because you see the run where you got grow in half time and you got to join the queue to go get a beer and some food too.
00:27:57
JD
Yeah.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:57
Rodney Gooden
yeah If you join the back of that, you you have to leave halfway through the first half in order to go and make that queue, get your food and then come back.
00:27:58
JD
It's... Yeah. It's
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Literally.
00:28:02
JD
new.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
but as soon as we get like as it gets to like 10 minutes before, like the 35th minute, I'm seeing people getting up out of their seats.
00:28:03
JD
It's new.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'm like, yeah, I'm glad I don't do that.
00:28:11
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So I'd just go without, but it would be nice if they made it so that was quite viable. You can just leave out the at that whistle, go out, get yourself a burger, fries, beer, finish that, and then still make it back to your seat without disturbing anyone else. I think, all right, if there was more efficiency with that process, okay, I'm not going to say no.
00:28:30
JD
Yeah, get the food prices cheaper, that's what I want.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:30
Rodney Gooden
That's an improvement.
00:28:32
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:32
JD
That's what they need to do, man.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, of course. Yeah, absolutely. you wouldn't?
00:28:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who wouldn't?
00:28:37
Rodney Gooden
um Unfortunately, with that increased capacity, I think, if anything, those prices are going up, boys. I'm sorry.
00:28:41
JD
I know, I know they're not, but a man can dream, isn't it?
00:28:41
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Yeah, it, baby.
00:28:44
JD
A man can dream.
00:28:44
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I can run with that.
00:28:46
Rodney Gooden
I was like, food and tickets are the first thing things I'm going to race.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can run with that, definitely. I can definitely run with that, absolutely.
00:28:51
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, how about you? Would you, you know, what what kind of, like, features would you like to see the Emirates?
00:28:58
Craig matthews
that that phone network in the emeralds but the phone
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, what a good point.
00:29:01
JD
Oh, yeah. Another big problem.
00:29:01
Rodney Gooden
Oh, yeah.
00:29:03
Craig matthews
a
00:29:04
JD
You know what? It's good you mentioned that.
00:29:05
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, yeah.
00:29:06
JD
I think that's their biggest problem. They are actually going to rectify that. It's good that you mentioned that.
00:29:10
Rodney Gooden
That's ah so true.
00:29:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is a very good point.
00:29:12
JD
that's why they're having war.
00:29:12
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, it's shocking.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh, the amount of times I've been to the Emirates and um'm I'm trying to either a like record content for the GSPN ah accounts and it's like, i it takes forever to send.
00:29:28
JD
I think they're trying get Wi-Fi there, if I'm mistaken. I think they're trying to get Wi-Fi there once they do the expansion of the seats.
00:29:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:36
Rodney Gooden
That would be nice, yeah.
00:29:37
Craig matthews
yeah
00:29:37
JD
That would be...
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be really good.
00:29:38
JD
How quick Wi-Fi would be, I don't know, but, you know, better than using your own data, isn't it?
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh yeah, absolutely.
00:29:43
Craig matthews
there are stadiums in america they they have they have all the all their states in america have the proper the phones and they've not issued stands in america apparently only here all the states in the america want the proper stuff with their stadiums and all that apparently i heard someone was talking about that the stadiums in america they can use their phones and
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah wow.
00:30:03
Craig matthews
All I need to do is that content and stuff like that. So it's only here, it's not upgraded yet.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's a good point. I fully agree there, Craig. Another thing, actually, that's also come to mind is, you know, when you're, you know, like now at the Bernabeu, you know how like at the top of the stadium and you you've got the little like the screen that goes round.
00:30:25
Rodney Gooden
Oh, more monitors. Yeah.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
and what yeah ah Yeah, I wouldn't mind that.
00:30:27
JD
Yeah, you want that?
00:30:27
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:30:31
Rodney Gooden
I don't know if i want the screen that goes around, but I think the Emirates could do with maybe one more monitor, one or two, because I think we've got two big ones in the top kind of upper tier.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we have.
00:30:40
Rodney Gooden
And I'm like, yeah, depending on where you're sitting, you will not be able to see that. so I think, yeah, and enough monitors that you can comfortably see one no matter where you are, I think would be quite nice.
00:30:48
JD
need that man.
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:50
JD
Don't need that man. so we some money i mean i need at moment yeah
00:30:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:30:54
Rodney Gooden
Come on, man.
00:30:54
Craig matthews
ah
00:30:55
Rodney Gooden
want to see replays while I'm there.
00:30:56
JD
Look, I've got
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, dude. I'm sorry, but JD, if you got to see, like, if you saw a goal that was, like, goal of the season, surely you'd want to see it again on the big screen.
00:31:08
JD
the what tea in my yard, you know what I mean? I'll squash it when I get you know what mean?
00:31:08
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:31:11
Rodney Gooden
Come on.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
dear Dear me.
00:31:13
Craig matthews
but
00:31:13
JD
You know?
00:31:14
Craig matthews
Oh, Lord.
00:31:15
Rodney Gooden
Come on.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
a man
00:31:15
JD
This is part of my job.
00:31:15
Rodney Gooden
All right.
00:31:17
JD
I'm the one that saves money on the foolishness you don't need.
00:31:20
Rodney Gooden
All right.
00:31:21
JD
ya Okay. If it was me, I was in charge. I'm not putting a penny towards that. We don't need that. If it's not to watch on TV, they can go home and watch that.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough. Fair enough.
00:31:34
Rodney Gooden
ah are
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean...
00:31:37
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I agree. In terms of priority, I go, that's the that's the lowest ranked. Yeah.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i I do agree with that.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
from like bank Yeah, absolutely.
00:31:42
Rodney Gooden
I was like, can't be ahead of faster food and Wi-Fi and a closed roof.
00:31:45
Rodney Gooden
i was like, yeah, all of those are way, all of those clear.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely spot on. But guys, we're just going to take one more quick break. And when we come back, we'll continue we'll continue this discussion about the Emirates. But I also want to get your thoughts on the West Ham game. Because, JD, we didn't have you on for for the West Ham review.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So I want to get your guys' thoughts on on the West Ham game. So join us after this little break.
00:32:50
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:32:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this third and final part of the of this of this episode of the expansion of the Emirates.
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, quickly, before before I also turn my attention to the to the West Ham game, because want to gather your thoughts on that game, another thing that also comes to mind is we so so we speak of atmosphere, but I want to talk about the Ashburton
Enhancing Atmosphere with Ashburton Army
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Army. I mean, I've got this very much hate relationship with the Ashburton Army,
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I think the atmosphere isn't as good enough. But with the with this potential expansion of the Emirates, do you think maybe the Ashburton army can maybe try and create more of an atmosphere at the Emirates?
00:33:35
Rodney Gooden
No.
00:33:36
JD
No.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of you say no.
00:33:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is...
00:33:38
Rodney Gooden
Because those extra seats are going to be for more fans, which, you know, roll the dice onto whether they're going to be hardcore Emirates fans or whether they're going to be new match goers who've never gone to the Emirates once in their lives and don't know any of the songs.
00:33:48
JD
Yeah.
00:33:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:51
Rodney Gooden
The Ashburn and Arnie, if anything, they've got more work to do now with a bigger stadium.
00:33:54
JD
yeah
00:33:54
Rodney Gooden
And if you're not satisfied at 60,000, you're definitely not going to be satisfied at 70.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:33:59
Rodney Gooden
So this is it.
00:34:00
JD
Thank you, Michael.
00:34:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because again, we we you know we we speak so heavily about the atmosphere, but surely that's got to be coming from the Ashburton Army now. surely Surely now the Ashburton Army have got to sit there and think, right, if this is going to go ahead, we need to either...
00:34:10
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
bring in more passionate Arsenal fans who are season ticket holders or can at least try and make it to majority of the games, home and away, to build an atmosphere.
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you look at other clubs, you know, you look at other clubs across the world, you know, again, PSG Ultra is probably the best example I can give.
00:34:36
Rodney Gooden
and True.
00:34:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
we can Week in, week out, they bring such an atmosphere. When you look at um Premier League teams, Palace, again, with the Holmesdale fanatics, can we could we try and create some kind of atmosphere with the Ashburton army?
00:34:53
Craig matthews
We need people like you to do it.
00:34:53
JD
um
00:34:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. It's got to be done, man.
00:34:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Listen, if I... Look, if I was...
00:35:00
Rodney Gooden
Be the change you want to see in the world, man. You need to see the games, Jamie, and be in there.
00:35:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would
00:35:05
Rodney Gooden
I want to see you beating those drums.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, you know what?
00:35:08
Craig matthews
but
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would be I would happily be a part of that. I would happily be a part of that. Give me a megaphone. Give me a megaphone. um I've seen, I've been to Palace Games where they've had their megaphones. They've got big, they've got the drums. They've got the flags. They've got everything going for them.
00:35:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, give me give me the drums. I'll happily, give me a megaphone as well while you're right. oh ah
00:35:26
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:35:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll do all that. Actually, that's Burton Army.
00:35:29
JD
Mm-hmm.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're listening,
00:35:32
Rodney Gooden
We got a new recruit.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
if you if you are listening, you know, hit me up. Hit me up. Just saying. but But, um yeah, again, I think if this is, again, because, you know, Craig, you know, me and you've spoken on previous pods as well. I mean, you you mentioned the Forest game being probably one of the better atmospheres you've been at um this season. But you've been, me and you've been to games before. Rodney, I'm sure, you know, I'm sure yourself being at the Emirates and JD as well.
00:36:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know when you've been to the Emirates, maybe the one time that the Emirates has been at it's full loudest is probably when North London forever plays. But it seems like maybe as the game goes on, we don't get much of an atmosphere.
00:36:15
Rodney Gooden
It always depends on the game too. And I think what's kind of frustrating about some games at the Emirates, which is ah if Arsenal aren't on absolute fire, I think sometimes the the audience, the fans, you know, they can get quieter than they need to. When we were at Olympiacos, right, I could hear the Olympiacos fans from literally the first minute to the 90th.
00:36:33
Rodney Gooden
whereas even though we won that game you're not always hearing that from the emirates fans however i remember games like the one last season i think there was one i saw at at the emirates uh we beat newcastle 4-1 that one the emirates was popping it was unbelievable but i feel like that was a game where we were dominant from start to finish as well i'm sure the arsenal 5-0 or chelsea at the emirates i wasn't at that one but i heard that one was electric too so i think sometimes the performance you that you see the occasion
00:36:43
Craig matthews
Thank
00:36:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:36:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:36:59
Rodney Gooden
The balance of, you know, season ultras, you know, season ticket holders to new fans to old kind of heads or whatnot, veterans. I think that kind of changes things. And obviously, yeah, I think it really does depend on the occasion.
00:37:10
Rodney Gooden
I agree with you. I kind of would like it that you get a more consistent experience the more you go to the Emirates.
00:37:14
JD
Thank you.
00:37:15
Rodney Gooden
But I think that depends on, yeah, guys like us and guys like yourself, Jamie, coming in there and trying to build the culture.
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. What can I say?
00:37:23
Rodney Gooden
If there's new fans at the Emirates, we've got to teach them the songs. That's all we need to do.
00:37:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
why Exactly.
00:37:26
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly that. you want You want the next generation of people to be going into schools and, you know, walking down the corridors and singing, um singing you know, Saliva chants and, you know, and okay you know get a real ah you know get the going.
00:37:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, Victor's got a new chant. There we go. We need that popping too. Yeah,
00:37:42
Craig matthews
Thank
00:37:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you say
00:37:46
Rodney Gooden
SuperMechRTL.
00:37:47
Rodney Gooden
We need all of it.
00:37:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
more exactly exactly that but again surely say for example we've we've been in situations before where we've been 1-0 down you know we might be 1-0 down but surely in situations like that that's where you really that's where players need the lifting from their fans and
00:38:04
Rodney Gooden
It's true. But I think that's also a part of culture though as well. I think regular match going football fans know that that's when you need to be chanting and singing the loudest when the team's 1-0 down.
00:38:09
JD
Thank
00:38:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:15
Rodney Gooden
Whereas I think for a lot of new fans, The team's 1-0 down and they're so disappointed because it's maybe the first Arsenal game they've gone to all year. and then They're actually just too miserable to stand up and do anything. When actually that's when you need to be singing all of your chance, you know, standing up in your seats, stand up for the Arsenal doing everything you need to do.
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:31
Rodney Gooden
you know, the players need to feel their energy. But again, it is what it is. And I feel like, yeah, that's just something which is learned behaviour from fans that will go to games more regularly. But I think maybe the critique here is a critique with the ballot system and saying that while it does open up the kind of match going fans,
00:38:45
Rodney Gooden
or more opportunities for you to go to these matches, it also does mean that you don't get the usual suspects.
00:38:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:50
Rodney Gooden
And if there's one thing I can guarantee with the usual suspects is you will always get an atmosphere if you get more people who've gone to, you know, they're going week in, week out. so So when you open it up, you know, it is fairer, but you do get that kind of counterbalance.
00:38:57
JD
Thank you.
00:39:01
Rodney Gooden
So it's got to be one where the veterans start teaching the newbies and then we can finally have that ideal.
00:39:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely.
00:39:06
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:39:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, JD? Oh, goodness me, JD's... Wow. JD's really... Wow. Goodness me. Take it away, JD. Take it away.
00:39:17
Rodney Gooden
yeah Go
00:39:17
JD
yeah so For me personally, and i don't see Arsenal a fans doing any of those things. that I think Arsenal fans are a bit too fickle. you know It's like what Roddy's saying, when the team's not doing well.
00:39:26
Rodney Gooden
on.
00:39:29
JD
you know i think a couple of seasons ago, you'd see them walk out at half-time you know and
00:39:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:34
Rodney Gooden
True. Yep.
00:39:35
JD
and leave you know And what kind of annoys me is is because it's so hard to get tickets.
00:39:41
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:39:41
JD
Do you know what I mean?
00:39:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:42
JD
And your team, is why they're losing.
00:39:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:39:45
JD
That's when you need they need their 11th man. You don't need their 12th man out there. You know what mean? They need the man to...
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. You
00:39:50
JD
That's the fans. You need them to kind of push. Look at Anfield. Anfield's are very... They're smaller than us. But that atmosphere... i don't know if you've ever been to Anfield. That atmosphere is ridiculous.
00:39:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
know...
00:40:00
Rodney Gooden
I've heard the legends. Yeah.
00:40:01
JD
They get behind their team.
00:40:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Again, Newcastle, another place as well that you know we've been to.
00:40:04
JD
And I just think...
00:40:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know And you know for any ah for any Arsenal fan that's gone away to Newcastle, you're sitting up in the heavens, but you are still being deafened out by the home fans.
00:40:19
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:40:19
JD
Yeah, yeah. And also as well, as like when you see a team like Olympiacos, one of these, you know, i have a Champions League team or Europa League team, and I've been to any of those games, but they have a very small section in in in the crowd, very small, one but they are so loud.
00:40:25
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:40:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
They do.
00:40:33
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:40:36
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, you know exactly where they are at all times.
00:40:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:37
JD
You know, they're so loud. They come with their drums, they come with their chants, they come with their own flares, you know, they they're looking to fight, you know what I mean?
00:40:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:40:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:46
JD
Yeah. day that and I don't even know their football fans. I think they're just there for atmosphere. I don't know. right what We need some of that in the Emirates. you know we need that We need to create that atmosphere.
00:40:57
Rodney Gooden
It's true.
00:41:00
JD
Especially when they do the increase of the stadium. We need to and you know have that atmosphere where we can be intimidating to the opposite team. That's what we want to be, intimidating. We're here, we're Arsenal.
00:41:12
JD
We're going be in your face.
00:41:14
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:41:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:41:15
JD
I just don't see real Arsenal fans. Arsenal fans... They've always been a bit soft, even when we had, you know, when people had the little, the little, you know, I've never seen green street, you know, the little, the little fighting and things there, the firms, you and also felt always been a bit soft in it.
00:41:25
Rodney Gooden
Mmm.
00:41:28
JD
So ah we'll be of a soft, cushy, you know, divide fan base. And I don't see it changing anytime soon.
00:41:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, I mean, do you have do you agree with JD's point about
00:41:37
Rodney Gooden
Ah, fair.
00:41:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
the about like potentially the atmosphere changing anytime soon not changing anytime soon sorry
00:41:47
Craig matthews
I don't think it's going to change. It's because the fans that go there, they're the ones that have got the money in there, the corporate fans, the ones who just...
00:41:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:41:55
Craig matthews
I mean, not the true fans, but the loyal fans like that, who love the club more than you can't get tickets. Because last season, I was watching a game, a women's game, around with the drama team versus Arsenal.
00:42:06
Craig matthews
was like, the women's fans were sitting in the home fan seat, and just... So it wasn't really... There was no atmosphere. Sometimes you go to Everest, if the team's not winning, then the stadium can be very quiet.
00:42:21
Craig matthews
Everyone's moaning, oh, this is not good, this is not good. And then no one's cheering. Like, you got if you remember when you were in Portsmouth when they the Premier League, how they had the atmosphere when you go to Fratt & Pott, that was the atmosphere to go to, like, that great ground.
00:42:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Rotten Park, yeah.
00:42:35
Craig matthews
Certain grounds to go to were very, like the atmosphere going there was like, even Istanbul, like if you to Galatasaray or teams like that, their atmosphere, that's the kind of atmosphere we need in the Emirates, their atmosphere, electric atmosphere.
00:42:41
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:42:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
o
00:42:44
Rodney Gooden
It's crazy. yeah
00:42:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Electric. I mean, I mean, even
00:42:48
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:42:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember but ah again when they played against Liverpool, they went outside the the team hotel and started lighting fireworks at five in the morning.
00:42:58
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, they're crazy. Yeah.
00:43:00
Craig matthews
They're crazy fans.
00:43:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:43:01
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:43:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's ridiculous in itself, honestly. But another thing that does wind me up, though, with with like Arsenal fans and and the atmosphere is your getaway fans...
00:43:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
give it the big one and they might even try and, you know, they might try and start a chant so that you kind of bite back, but we don't have no bite back.
00:43:26
JD
Yeah.
00:43:26
Craig matthews
Especially Chelsea fans.
00:43:26
Rodney Gooden
yeah yeah
00:43:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's, that's what I've come to realize. You know, you hear, you hear away fans singing, sorry, my old Arsenal, always cheating. And then it's like, what do we come, what do we come back with?
00:43:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing.
00:43:39
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:43:41
Craig matthews
Oh, well Chelsea fans seeing the Champions League could ever won that. so
00:43:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:43:45
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:43:45
Craig matthews
but
00:43:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you
00:43:47
Craig matthews
but
00:43:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. but um moving on, guys.
Arsenal's Recent Performance and Competitor Analysis
00:43:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, haven't had a chance to catch up with you all from that West Ham game. But just quickly, before we you know before we wrap up, what were your what were your thoughts on the West Ham game?
00:44:08
JD
Well, we got the three points. I'm happy with that.
00:44:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:44:10
JD
It wasn't really the most entertaining game.
00:44:10
Rodney Gooden
Mm-hmm.
00:44:14
JD
Disappointing about a few things. um you know I thought Droghage could have played a bit better. I think overall we couldn paint we could have taken more of our chances. and But another clean sheet. Again, I think it's another boring Arsenal game, to be honest.
00:44:30
JD
you know wasn't really any pan a real great play only great moments um yeah that's kind of my point it wasn't wasn't it wasn't pretty to watch but we've got the three points top of the table i think them sort of games you know a couple like last season we lost that game i think season before that we lost that game so you know i'm happy for the three points it wasn't pre but let's just hope this is better things for for future days you know
00:44:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we did, yeah.
00:44:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, Rodney, Craig, I mean, now that we are sitting top of the table, can we now start to think, right, we've taken advantage here. We've actually taken advantage of two Liverpool losses here, where last season we probably wouldn't have taken advantage
00:45:16
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:45:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think this is the sign that maybe the tide could slowly get slowly change? But again, you know there's quite a few Arsenal fans are getting quite hyped up.
00:45:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're all very reserved at the minute.
00:45:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you maybe see a slight change in the right direction?
00:45:32
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:45:38
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, I mean, definitely a shift in the right direction. i agree with you in terms of its early days. We need to maintain this kind of attitude and mentality and renewed fight for the rest of the season and then see what it brings us But I agree. Last season, we would have dropped points in those games. Every time Liverpool kind of lost points, you know, we dropped points as well.
00:45:54
Rodney Gooden
I think these two, the West Ham game, where it's not really a clean win, but you do get it, you know, decent performance, not without its kind of caveats, you know, but even then you go to the Newcastle one.
00:46:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:46:03
Rodney Gooden
I think that game, that Newcastle fixture at St James' Park last season, we don't win that game, especially not after going 1-0 down away. So I'm looking at the performances from this Arsenal team and I'm thinking we've got the depth, we've got the willingness to kind of fight for the badge, you know, to go away to difficult grounds and get a result.
00:46:18
Rodney Gooden
This is wonderful. We just need to maintain it. And again, regards to West Ham game too, i think, again, we didn't have the cleanest Arsenal performance then. Nice to see us get the win there. There's still some caveats. you know We still need to be firing on all cylinders.
00:46:29
Rodney Gooden
I think on a top-tier day where Arsenal are in top gear, we blow that West Ham side away, you know, 4-5-0.
00:46:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:46:36
Rodney Gooden
We really could if We didn't at that point, which means that we need to kind of work forward. we need We've got things we need to work on. There's improvements to be made here. But in terms of what we're doing as a club right now, I think it's a huge step in the right direction. And I pray that we can just maintain it for the rest of the season.
00:46:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. And Craig, you know, going on about, I obviously spoke about how, you know, we're not getting, you know, for us guys sitting here, we're not getting carried away. Obviously for some others, some are getting carried away.
00:47:02
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:47:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But how do you think the season's been looking so far for us?
00:47:08
Craig matthews
3 out of 10, I'll give it a 6 out of 10 so far. Could be better. Room for improvement.
00:47:13
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:47:14
Craig matthews
Room for improvement. I feel like we're winning matches that last season would have lost or drawn. But I still think we can get a near 8 or 10 if he can be more clinical in front of goal.
00:47:26
Craig matthews
Defence, I'm not worried about defence. worried about attack.
00:47:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:47:29
Craig matthews
I feel like if Saka doesn't score or
00:47:29
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:47:32
Craig matthews
ah saer doesn't school
00:47:35
Craig matthews
The goals have been shared around the middle of the Missoula. I think the goals have been shared around this season. The defence has scored a couple. It's not like one person scored all the goals. It's been shared around the whole team.
00:47:46
Craig matthews
But I think we need Godcrest to get more goals and hopefully he can start scoring.
00:47:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:47:51
Craig matthews
um Flossard needs to get more goals as well.
00:47:55
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:47:55
Craig matthews
he fine If he's starting a match, he has make more impact as well.
00:47:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agree.
00:47:59
Craig matthews
one and if um Martin Né has been done well as a superstar this season. come off the bench and scored a couple of goals here and there in crucial games. Man City was a crucial game, needed a goal. Champions League scored a crucial goal in Champions League as well. So, it just needs... This is a little tweak.
00:48:15
Craig matthews
I think we should be fine. Once we can tweak that, fine-tune the attack a bit, I think we should be fine.
00:48:21
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:48:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think for me, I've realised, again, we there's two factors that kind of come into my mind. And the first thing is, I don't think we're playing to Jokeres' strengths.
00:48:29
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:48:34
Craig matthews
I
00:48:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, mentioned it before on previous pods. The long ball that was played to him against Leeds.
00:48:42
Craig matthews
and
00:48:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we could play more like that, I think that's the key to unlocking him. That's the key to unlocking him, I think.
00:48:49
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:48:49
Craig matthews
agree.
00:48:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think... It's either that or remember the ball that Eze crossed in for Jokeres.
00:48:56
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:48:56
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:48:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Those are the kinds of chances he thrives on.
00:49:00
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:49:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He doesn't want to be, he doesn't want to be, say, back to goal and maybe try and turn and score. He wants to be given the freedom and the space. And I think that's where we need to be exploiting um teams defensively.
00:49:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Again, another thing that may be kind of maybe comes into play a little bit is maybe chemistry.
Player Adaptation and Management
00:49:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it sounds a bit crazy saying this, but maybe players haven't quite gelled yet because when have we had an Arsenal team this season where ah where you've heard Arteta's kept the same team?
00:49:23
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:49:39
Rodney Gooden
No, not this season and not the last one.
00:49:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:49:43
Rodney Gooden
It's quite hard to do because that also involves everyone staying fit.
00:49:44
Craig matthews
Thank
00:49:46
Rodney Gooden
Those same 11 have to be available for selection week in, week out.
00:49:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:49:48
Rodney Gooden
And you know with us, that never happens.
00:49:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course. No, absolutely.
00:49:52
Rodney Gooden
So, yeah, it gets a bit difficult. I agree with what you're saying. When it comes down to it, I do feel that, yeah, you know, do we need to be playing more to Victor's strength? Sure. You know, I saw i remember the Port Vale game. Lovely little pass for Max Dalman too. Max can see it.
00:50:04
Rodney Gooden
Eze can see the run. Odegaard now picking out the runs too. At the start of the season, off the pre, We weren't really doing that. Now we're starting to see that a bit more. We need to turn up to 11. And I think now there's also the argument for, can we play more to Victor's strengths? Yes, I think we're starting see that now.
00:50:17
Rodney Gooden
But also Victor's got to adapt as well. I think some of those balls across the six yard line.
00:50:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:50:21
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, you know that that's how we like to play. And he's missed a few of those two. He needs to kind of adjust to the team. So this idea of chemistry and working together, i feel give it a little bit more time. Hopefully we'll start to see the best. But I think right now it's a little column A, little column B. The team's got to play to Victor's strengths, but Victor's also got to adjust his game slightly.
00:50:37
Rodney Gooden
And there we go. Once both of those things happen, we're flying, boys.
00:50:38
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:50:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:50:41
Craig matthews
yeah
00:50:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
JD, Craig, do you do you agree with what Rodney said
00:50:46
JD
Yeah, yeah, I agree. You've got to pay to these strengths. I think is it's haless horunt it's all new to him, and we're yeah actually playing proper strike or not Kai Havert, so it's a bit more, you know, ah don't want to end on a sound.
00:51:01
JD
I don't want to drop that part.
00:51:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
but ah all three all three of us, are really we were hold on our
00:51:05
JD
It's just
00:51:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
As soon as he sort of started talking about Kai Havertz, we were all trying to hold our laughing at that point.
00:51:15
JD
Listen, even though he's injured, he's still not good enough for me.
00:51:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:51:19
JD
You know? Well, why do they see, if he was it was a proper play, would be back right now. know what saying?
00:51:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:51:28
Rodney Gooden
Outrageous.
00:51:30
Craig matthews
Controversial. but
00:51:32
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:51:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:51:32
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:51:33
Craig matthews
but for
00:51:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Craig, have you got anything else to say?
00:51:38
Craig matthews
I think, yeah, I think as everyone has broadly said and JD said that, if we play to goal players' strength, then we'll get more goals. I think the second half of the season, we're going to see more goals from them. I think we'll score more goals in the second half of the season.
00:51:50
Craig matthews
When at crunch time, when we need the goals, we'll score them.
00:51:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think...
00:51:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:51:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm hoping that he kind of finds his form before December, because obviously, as you guys know, come December, that's where the the fixture list gets very congested.
00:52:02
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:52:09
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:52:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's where, for me, I feel like with this Arsenal team, it's going to be make or break.
00:52:10
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:52:15
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:52:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, if we come out of this... ah If we come... If we get to the first weekend of the new year and say...
00:52:24
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:52:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
we have, I don't know, say we have no injuries and say we've actually come out of the that month of December with maybe one loss safe and the majority of wins.
00:52:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that could put us in a good position.
00:52:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:52:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in terms of Jokeres, I would like to see him start firing, hopefully before the Christmas period, because that's where games are going to come thick and fast. And if we're not going to get that out of Jokeres then, i would then be a little bit concerned.
00:53:03
Craig matthews
Can't do a window.
00:53:05
JD
Yeah, agree. I agree.
00:53:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll be honest, with the January window, i don't see us i don't see us signing anyone.
00:53:12
Rodney Gooden
yeah
00:53:12
Craig matthews
And.
00:53:13
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, you see amount money we spent this summer?
00:53:13
JD
Yeah.
00:53:15
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:53:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. but Yeah, my my girlfriend has said to me numerous times, she's like, When it gets to January, I don't want to hear you complaining.
00:53:23
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:53:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't want you to I don't want you to be saying that we need to buy someone in January because, like as you've said there, Rodney, we we've invested heavily.
00:53:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:53:30
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, exactly. It's like 254 mil. It's yeah, we can't we can't spend anymore. And if we did spend, you know what that means for the starting 11?
00:53:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:53:38
Rodney Gooden
We've lost probably about four people to justify going in in January.
00:53:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:53:41
Rodney Gooden
So I don't really want to see that either.
00:53:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. No, absolutely.
00:53:45
Craig matthews
but So, quick question here.
00:53:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
JD, go on.
00:53:48
Craig matthews
Jesus is going to be back soon.
00:53:50
Rodney Gooden
Yeah, true.
00:53:50
Craig matthews
Do you think you'll rotate Jesus?
00:53:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:53:51
Craig matthews
Do you think you'll rotate Jesus and go, Karin, play both of them together?
00:53:52
Rodney Gooden
Reinforcements.
00:53:56
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:53:58
Rodney Gooden
I feel that with Jesus, if we had maybe some games in another kind of competition where we could just slowly get to build the minutes and he was still fit, seemed in top form, similar form to how we saw him against Palace like last season.
00:54:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:54:12
Rodney Gooden
I go, OK, at that point, yes. But it's because he's been out for a little while that I go, even when Jesus does return to the pitch, Is he going to be starting? Is he going to be fit enough to be regularly rotating with Yoko Reyes? Remains to be seen. i feel like you've got to kind of give him those minutes, same way that Ben White's trying to build up his minutes right now.
00:54:27
Rodney Gooden
But I would love to see it. I'd love to see him just return to form. And I think at that point, wonderful two options that you have up top.
00:54:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I can't lie, Craig. I think, for me, you'd probably have to try and integrate Jesus back. But I think it depends on the games that we have also. If we're still in the...
00:54:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
If, say, we're still in the Carabao Cup, get if we're still, like, in the Carabao, then I would maybe give him, say, an hour or maybe give him a first half just to get him back to first-team fitness and...
00:54:56
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:54:56
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:54:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And just integrate. I think and the one thing that Arteta really needs to be careful with this season with a lot of players, because now I'm going to bring Odegaard into this equation now as well, is trying to manage minutes, but also trying to be really cautious that players don't get injured again because Odegaard for me is now starting to get worrying.
00:55:07
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:55:15
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:55:18
Rodney Gooden
Mm.
00:55:19
JD
Yeah.
00:55:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very worrying.
00:55:19
JD
Yeah.
00:55:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So don't know.
00:55:21
JD
yeah
00:55:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't know. But I just think Arteta needs to be really careful this season.
00:55:25
Rodney Gooden
Yeah. Although, is the Odegaard stuff really that worrying?
00:55:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really careful.
00:55:29
Rodney Gooden
Because I think the knee one, yeah, potentially. But it's MCL, you know, and chances are, because he did play that additional 10 minutes, don't think it's going to be a really high grade, so he will come back. I think the issue with Odegaard is, because it's been the three starts and he got taken off on that first half, people freak out. But the second time he got taken off was him hurting the same shoulder.
00:55:46
Rodney Gooden
So argue that was one where he probably got rushed back a bit too early. So I go, that's less of an Odegaard thing.
00:55:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
course.
00:55:51
Rodney Gooden
I think that's more of a management thing. I'm sitting there thinking he probably wasn't fit.
00:55:53
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm.
00:55:55
Rodney Gooden
And you know what players are like. He's a captain. He wants to be on the pitch. But maybe Arteta or the medical staff or whoever rushed him back a bit sooner rather than later. And then, yeah, that's been the issue. So I think maybe it's going to be taking a closer look at some players and thinking to themselves, I know they want to play.
00:56:09
Rodney Gooden
Same way Saliba and the rest of the starting XI will want to play. But are they in a fit enough position? Because we've got the depth to say they can wait another week or two. That's it.
00:56:18
JD
I agree. i agree.
00:56:19
Rodney Gooden
Hmm.
00:56:19
JD
um Yeah, I think with Odegaard, you know, he's...
00:56:26
JD
We've not need to play him in certain games. think we have the squad not to really play him, you know, I think that's probably why he's kind of injured now, you know, we didn't mean need to play him certain games.
00:56:28
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:56:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:56:39
Craig matthews
you
00:56:39
JD
On that other note, I don't want to make you guys laugh, but my mum was telling me to go to bed as well.
00:56:45
Rodney Gooden
Yeah.
00:56:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i mean she has made this is right yeah she has made
00:56:48
JD
okay
00:56:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
make her a brief appearance
00:56:54
JD
it's It's not me guys, I'm telling you, this is why I'm gonna be as quiet
00:56:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:57:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
She
00:57:00
Rodney Gooden
Fair enough.
00:57:00
Rodney Gooden
JD would have come for you. All right, boys. Let's wrap it up.
00:57:02
JD
as I 31 now, I do what want, Mum!
00:57:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean it's made a brief appearance on the last...
00:57:07
Rodney Gooden
but
00:57:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
She made a very brief appearance on the last time me and JD jumped on the pod, didn't she?
00:57:11
Rodney Gooden
No.
00:57:12
JD
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:57:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was quite funny. That was quite funny. But, guys, on that note, we we kind of need to... Yeah, we better wrap it up before JD ends up, you know...
00:57:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
getting into it, you know, before any interview is over.
00:57:24
Rodney Gooden
Evicted. he
00:57:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, guys, as always, that is it for today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media. You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal.
00:57:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've been listening to the GSPN Arsenal podcast, so part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. The only place to find daily podcasts for your favourite teams, daily wrap up and every week, the road to World Cup 26.
00:57:54
Craig matthews
Thank you.
00:57:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've been your host, Jamie Patterson. They have been the amazing Rodney Gooden, Craig Matthews and JD. Don't worry, we'll make sure you're back before you curfew.
00:58:02
JD
it
00:58:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a good day all and take care.
00:58:03
Rodney Gooden
I'm