Transcript
Craig matthews : Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast where this is your one-stop shop as we bring you the latest Arsenal news and views brought to you on the GSPN podcast network. I am your host Jamie Patterson and i am joined by the one and only Mr Encyclopedia himself it is the one and only Craig Matthews. Craig how you feeling my man?
Craig matthews : Yeah, I'm feeling good, man. How are you feeling?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, not too bad. I think I've recovered from ah from Saturday night, to be fair. um By the way, for those of you that are are not watching on YouTube, Craig, I'm absolutely loving the retro shirt here.
Craig matthews : Thank you, man. Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: For those of you that um obviously are not watching, Craig is in our yellow ah yellow and blue Arsenal shirt with the O2 sponsor. it was If I'm right, was that not 2004-05 away kit, if I'm right?
Craig matthews : three four um yeah the invincible season i love that kit tap of the final one yeah memories there yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Or free for
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What a kit that is. What a kit. i The kit that I've got is the very first kit I had actually was the 2006 yellow O2 shirt.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Boy, was that. Yeah,
Global Sports Podcast Network: okay
Global Sports Podcast Network: man. Heartbreaking memories. Heartbreaking memories.
Craig matthews : yep
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hopefully. her Who knows? Maybe we can win Champions League this year. Who knows? Yeah, pray. Yeah, that's it. Amen. Yeah, pray on that. Yeah, absolutely. Oh, hello.
Global Sports Podcast Network: oh um just ah before we continue on, I have got... It is a Monday night. You know, there's Monday night football going on. And of course, oh, what is this now? For the third week in a row, United are playing. yeah How is this even possible?
Craig matthews : I don't get it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: On a Monday night, like, how is this even possible?
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: Tell you what, though, but you United 1-0 up at the minute. Bournemouth... having having their chances here and there, um but we'll find out maybe a little later on if they can grab an equaliser as United are 1-0 up.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But let's move on. In this episode, we are going to be discussing our two one win at home to bottom of the table Wolves. Goodness me.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Still, I can't wrap my head around that scoreline. um but But with that result, keeps us top of the Premier League. So, as always, guys, if you want to get involved with any of our detor ah topics discussed on the show, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description. Craig, I don't understand this...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, I just don't get it. Cause me, me and my, me and my mate James, we, we met up before the game as per usual, you know, went into more, I went into Eden's. I've got his usual.
Global Sports Podcast Network: was way, I, you know, I even went to my, I went to, even went to my pilot guy as well, man, got my pie, got my fix of pilot. I walked up to Finjery park, me and James. Now we've we've met up now. we couldn't have time to go to the pub, but we were there talking on the way and we were like, yeah, this should be a this should be in the a winning here.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, I think a lot of people going into this game would have thought, yeah, Arsenal to win at least 4-5-0. There's a reason why they're top of the table. You know, even my girlfriend, she was like, I'm not going to have any sympathy for you if you end up if you end up losing this game. And I'm like, I wouldn't want any sympathy because we should be beating a team like Wolves. But to only win 2-1...
Global Sports Podcast Network: two one I mean, let let's just get into it. I mean, where where where do you think it's... What made Wolves so good?
Global Sports Podcast Network: And what went wrong for Arsenal? Let's look let's look at Wolves, actually. Coming into this game, where did they get it right at times?
Craig matthews : Defensively, they solid. They defended with five at the back. They gave away a couple of three kicks and entered the edge box a couple of times when they said, Arsenal, when are you going to break us down? You have go through us to get break us down.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : We couldn't break them down in the first half. We chances, but we could not break them down. And I thought the managers set them up very well after the play. And they were very... I thought they were very unfortunate to get a point.
Craig matthews : To get a point against... um The boys are going ask, but they they played very well. We didn't do well at all. We were very... It's the worst thing I've played this season. them Honestly, the worst thing played this season. I'm very poor.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, I mean, sorry, before I just give you my reactions, I've just seen Bournemouth have equalised Antoine Semenyo.
Craig matthews : I told you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Semenyo, we need him at Arsenal. I want him at Arsenal. Wow. Picked up the ball and has just ran. No one no one's there to to go and stop him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Finishes it off beautifully, hitting the post and I mean, 1-1. Five minutes left before half-time. I mean, I did say that. i just said it i did say it at the start.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I could see, but you know, Wormuth having their chances and now they've equalised.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So that's one all. um But yeah, going back to going back to what we were talking about. I mean, i was at the game and I mean, me and my mate James, we were saying, oh yeah, it should be a a fairly straightforward win. You know, no matter what we, no matter what what who we filled out should be a relatively straightforward win.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And again, something that really gets on my nerves, and I've realised it quite a lot, is I feel like Arsenal at times don't know how to deal with a low block. And as you said there, Craig...
Craig matthews : Yeah, that's true.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wolves really came prepared, playing five at the back, you know, having that low block, you know, even towards the end of the first half, they were one-on-one with David Raya. mean, if it wasn't for Raya's spectacular heroics, I mean, goodness me, it could have been worse.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It could have been a lot worse by half-time. And even when I got to my seat, by the way, brilliant seats as well at the Emirates, but When I got to my seat, I was i was there talking to a few Arsenal fans and, you know, as you do, you you get talking away. And ah was there was a couple sitting behind me and they were like, goodness me, like this this is unrecognisable. And I said, well, you've taken the words out of my mouth.
Global Sports Podcast Network: that Watching that Arsenal team...
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I did not recognise that Arsenal team in the slightest. You know, i thought maybe the likes of ah of a Jokere, you know, I actually said to my mate James, I thought, oh, you know what?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Maybe this could be a game for Jokere to really bang. You know, maybe grab maybe grab a goal, maybe grab two or three goals, you know, really try and go at them. But again, it just never seemed to click. And it just frustrates me that we we just somewhat can't deal with a low block, can we?
Craig matthews : No, can't. It's frustrating because we've got the players... I thought he needs a player that can unlock a defence. And Eze is starting. I thought Eze deserves start on Saturday because of his form.
Craig matthews : But I don't know, man. I think he's struggling with confidence at the moment. I think his confidence has really gone low. I know he's got a hatch from this Tottenham a couple games ago, but since the player.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Since the Bayern game, not that game, since the Bayern game after... He hasn't been the same player since. I know if it's because Odegaard come back or what it is, but it doesn't seem confident at all.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I don't know what it is, honestly.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, I mean, something that we go on about on the show is the fact that you know, giving players a run of games. And do you feel like we've given Eze his run of games, but do you think maybe we've kind of dropped Eze at maybe not the best of times where his confidence is shining?
Global Sports Podcast Network: He knows that Odegaard's back now.
Craig matthews : I think
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you think maybe he got dropped? do you You know, the fact that maybe he's got dropped, do you think maybe that's had an impact on his performance?
Craig matthews : the game that really told the Aston Villa game last week, him playing left wing, it's not a position. He's better just give him the freedom of the pitch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yep.
Craig matthews : Like when there's at Palace, He was given the freedom to do what he needed to do.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yep
Craig matthews : think Arsenal are given the freedom. Arsenal's system is very rigid and very structured. You have to do tracking back. You've got to do this. You've got to do that. his The system at Arsenal, maybe Arsenal's going to treat the system.
Craig matthews : but Even with Victor Gokoriz well. off the operas as well after that was him know fans or some um ah I've been on group chats. I've seen fans have had enough of him.
Craig matthews : No, he's not good enough. He's not this. He's not that. We without't play you don't play the system to help him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Like, we don't create enough to...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm-hmm. No.
Craig matthews : Like, does he get clear-cut chances in games to score goals? No. Does he put himself in the box to score goals? No. The chances in games are people are crossing the ball in the box.
Craig matthews : You know if he can fly in and get a tap in, he doesn't really gamble enough in that kind of aspect. it But he he's another player I've seen confidence with Lowe as well because he was doing quite well.
Craig matthews : He was on that goal against Vernon and he got injured. He was on a good little run and was doing quite well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He was. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Then he got the injury, then the injury kind of messed him up a bit and he's been out for a while, came back in. Other players like Mickam Arena were scoring goals for fun in the team. Gabriel Jay's come off the bench other day does well.
Craig matthews : So, you know, kind of have this on the way back from injury as well. So, he has to really start working harder, so he's going to end up being full choice striker. And I don't think that's fair on him, but at the end of the day, as a other team,
Craig matthews : You have to pick players with and who are in form, and if you're not in form, then you can't play in it. So he has to kind of fix himself up a bit now. It's crunch time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. No, you you're spot on there. And, you know, i think going back to what we were saying about confidence, do you think in the starting, do you reckon in the group, there's a bit of an, and there's a bit of ah ah a confidence in a bit of ah an issue with players confidence?
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because it seems like during the course of the season, we are slowly starting to maybe establish a few players here and there, you know, Miles Luskele being one of them, you know, Jokeres I'm going to put up there, Eze now you've just mentioned.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Who else could potentially go into that kind of frame?
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah don't know if I'd put Ben White into that mix neither, but, you know, fair few players that we we could maybe mention. But why why do you think it's kind why do you think confidence is a little bit low?
Global Sports Podcast Network: especially after Especially coming up against Wolves as well.
Craig matthews : I honestly feel because, you know, like, if you don't play football for a while, you're in and out of the team, hardly playing. you lose your confidence you You lose your confidence in that because you need to playing regular.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Uh-huh.
Craig matthews : Like, Lewis Kelly, for example, like, he should have spotted against Wolves over there, not be on the bench. He could have spotted him because Califreau was suspended. How's the confidence of a guy down there? He came off the pit and looked very good when he came on against Wolves.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Craig matthews : I feel that The way how Alcesta's mind in his minutes this season is wrong. He should be giving him more minutes, or even at the minutes room. Maybe he'll get more minutes in the second half of the season, but I think that Alcesta's got his favourite players, hasn't he? Other players, he's not utilising the squad enough.
Craig matthews : You've you've got players on the bench, like Waini Eri not getting enough minutes. You've got Norgard not getting enough minutes. When players get injured now, he wants to throw them in the deep end and expect them to perform.
Craig matthews : It's difficult when you're playing regular their minutes in football. It's very difficult.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : ah You play football, I play football, you know how it is when you If you're a striker, you're not getting regular minutes and you caught and and he come into a game when you're going to be a bit cold and stiff, you haven't played for a long time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : So you need regular minutes to kind of get your rhythm and all that. so
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you know what? you You say that. I feel like i can cut I can kind of relate with that because, you know, for me, I can't remember, can't even tell you last time I even kicked the ball, to be fair. It's been a little while.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And, you know, for me, i've I've kind of had that in my, you know, while playing, you know, i remember I was playing every week for one of my old teams and I was scoring goals for fun.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And i was probably in one of the, you know, best patches of of form. um And, you know, currently the team I'm with now, it's, it's difficult to kind of also balance like a work life and a social life with football and also try and be playing in a, you know, I don't get to play every weekend, which is so difficult.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that's the issue. Oh my gosh. United are two, one up now. Casimiro corner and,
Craig matthews : It's going to be a draw, it's going to be a draw, telling you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I can see that happening, but geez almighty, I feel like Petrovic could have got a better hand to that be hands the header and he can and he's like absolutely, he's fuming with himself.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, you know, at the end of the day, it's it's never easy.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And the thing is with Arsenal is how do you give players a run of minutes
Global Sports Podcast Network: But then given, say, Eze, for example, now that Odegaard's back in the fold, it's like you're pushing him out wide.
Craig matthews : Mm. Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We've we've said this, meet me and you have said this for so long, and it's the fact that with Eze, he's better off as a can. He's not, he being being that left winger is not the best bet.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that's the problem. That is the issue. You know, that is the biggest issue going at the club right now is, well, I get it, right? players are starving for minutes. You know, you've just mentioned it there. Your Ethan Waniaries, your, you know, your Mars Leoskellys, your Norguards, you know, players that don't rate featurely feature regularly enough for Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And what do you do in that sense?
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because... Yes, I get it. There are games that, ah you know, especially during this festive period, games are coming in thick and fast. I believe this week is one of the very few weeks that we have where we get a whole week off from football.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, there's no Carabao Cup. There's no Champions League. There's no midweek games.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: This should be the best time for us to really relax and recuperate. But... What do you do going into the Everton game, for example? Because in order to raise raise the morale up and get players' confidence up, what do you do?
Craig matthews : yeah He has to because now we've got a paper-fin squad now, with all the injuries at the moment.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : We've got so much players are injured. So, has to care to say to the French players, you know what, Ferd? going to put arm around you and I'm going to give I'm going to try and give you some minutes where I can because right now we've got a lot games in December, as you've seen before, the Carambello Cup coming off in the Copicola.
Craig matthews : So, we've got Crystal Palace soon after Everton game time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: literally next week. it's literally next week
Craig matthews : Next week, Champions League in between that as well. FA Cup in January. So, um We've got some hard games coming up.
Global Sports Podcast Network: May I also add as well, we have got Premier League, we have got Premier League midweek as well, Villa.
Craig matthews : We've got Brighton.
Craig matthews : Wow. Is that end of December?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, the 20th, or it might be the 30th. Yep, 30th.
Craig matthews : And we um ah have to beat them this time because we haven't lost them in the last week.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, yeah.
Craig matthews : It's horrible. fur
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : um um um I'm hoping that Gabriel can be fit as soon as possible. it Once he's back fit, and Sanir is back to full fitness, then I'll follow back four and be back again.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : We just can't afford any more injuries.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, no, definitely.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Speaking of Saliba, we, you know, got to see him over the weekend. How do you think he got on?
Craig matthews : um You know, he brings calmness to the back four, him and Gabriel, so it's good to see him back, but... You know, he had i another new defensive partner on Saturday. i think he said left or right.
Craig matthews : on if they in gab position was
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think he was right centre-back with Hincapie.
Craig matthews : Then when Finn got injured, he went to left. And then I think he put Timber back and he put...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : No, did you put him? Yeah. And they put him in Pappier.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, Timber was left-back. Timber was left-back. Ben White, right. It was Ben White right-back. Saliba, Hincapie and Timber left-back.
Craig matthews : Yeah. And as soon as Ben White got injured, Timba went to right back. Hipafia went to centre back with... um Yeah. I thought Hipafia was playing left back now.
Craig matthews : I think Timba was playing centre back next to...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, Timber moved into the centre-back role. Yeah, yeah. No, Timber moved into the right-back role, I believe.
Craig matthews : I don't know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And it was...
Craig matthews : um hold I think Timba was playing centre back with Saliba. Saliba played left centre back and Timba was playing right centre back. Ben White right back and then Hipafia was playing left back.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, but then when Ben White got injured, though.
Craig matthews : They swapped it around. but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, that's it.
Craig matthews : They swapped it around. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But again, you know, i don't want to sound like... We we don't want to come across as us saying that players are not gelling, but... Again, we've it's really like we've not seen Saliba and Hincapié play together. And again, I think it's one of them things where, I think you mentioned it before um on last week's pod, where players need to gel.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Players really need to gel. And i know we're coming into mid-December now. And I know we're we're now in this festive, we're in the middle of this festive period where, you know, games are going come in thick and fast. But...
Global Sports Podcast Network: adaptability is going to be a huge thing over these next few weeks.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Really is going to be really key over the next few weeks. But we're going to take a quick break. And when we come back, we are going to start. We're going talk a bit more about the goals. We're going to talk about Arsenal's performance. And we're going to see where else um Arsenal could have really done better. So join us after this quick break.
Craig matthews : Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this second part of the Wolves review. With myself, Jamie Patterson is Craig Matthews. Now, Craig, let's let's go on and talk about the goals that were scored.
Global Sports Podcast Network: First goal, um you know, that... Wow. Goodness me. First goal. um Funny enough, I actually got it on camera. um Bizarre goal to score because, you know, Arsenal, we're known for scoring from corners, but scoring directly from corners? With the help of Sam Johnston. I mean, what was your reaction when that went in?
Craig matthews : It was a good corner from Saka and it hit the key from the back of his head and went I was very happy with that corner.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : It was very good corner. um Yeah, we needed a goal. We couldn't score from an open player so we had to get a set-fifth to score the goal. I don't know how you felt in the stadium.
Craig matthews : yeah there are who not and not um' not not another clean sheet again for david ray can see the like lot of what when that guys called on golf we all love what oh no here we go again drop point i't know how you fought in the how you fought this baby
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, do you know what? when So when we when we scored the first goal, I felt a sense of relief. i so I felt a sense of relief. But at the same time, I was like, wow, are we lucky? I was like, wow, are we lucky? Because I just sat there and I just thought we've been nowhere near great.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Nowhere near. despite Wolves not taking their chances and despite Arsenal not really producing much, I thought, oh dear, this could be one of these games where we could look to slip up.
Global Sports Podcast Network: When the equaliser went in I was like, this is what we get. I was like, this is what we get for not taking our chances. This is what we not get for putting enough pressure on on the Wolves defence.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, they they sat back, they waited, and then they pounced. And they pounced at the worst time.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: As soon as that went in, I thought, I just sat there and I thought, no. I was like, there's no way we're dropping two points here. i mean me and Me and my mate James were like, you know what? If this is the case...
Global Sports Podcast Network: We both said to each other, we're not even going to go to the pub. We're going go home. We were like, we literally, after the game, we're going to go home.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We were literally going to do a U, Craig.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Not even bother going to the pub and just going straight home. i know And um at that point, my gut was like to me, you know what? We've got five, we've got, what was it? How many minutes of his time? Five, wasn't it?
Craig matthews : Five or four for four minutes, four minutes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Six. It was six, sorry.
Craig matthews : Okay.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was six.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was six.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: was six or seven or something like that. But I sat there. I turned around to the guy next to me and I said to him, you know what? I can see a scoring. And he was like, you know what? I hope your gut's right, mate. And I was like, no, I can see it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't know where it's coming from, but I can see it.
Craig matthews : oh
Global Sports Podcast Network: When that goal went in, i just thought I just thought, wow, how could we get undone like that? I mean, very frustrating, really frustrating. And the Emirates really felt the effect. But the rallying cry from the Arsenal fans was something else. Really got behind the team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think I started churning. Everyone else followed suit. And I thought, right, this is the time now. This has got to be the time. i mean, when that equaliser went in, Craig, what were your thoughts?
Craig matthews : My head dropped.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Really?
Craig matthews : was like, what is this? My head dropped. It was not again. I'm fortunate that we got it the winner. thought we were going to draw the game because it was so late they got the equaliser. It was the 90th person.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I think they got the equaliser.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was.
Craig matthews : All the players had dropped. I was going to be like Aston Villa Barton again, dropping often points again at home. So, you know, I thought when we got the winner, when Jesus came on and got the winner, the deflected header of the defender, thought, well, we need to win that game.
Craig matthews : I want to say as well, like sometimes in football, you can't always win pretty football. Sometimes you got win ugly. and that And that game was an ugly game we won. It wasn't a great game on paper, but you you get the win.
Craig matthews : You go back, you go training. I think he's given them two days rest. think they're training tomorrow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : So you get two days rest on recovery. more you Come come on, come come on, things that need to be worked on,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I'd like to kind of hope that we can get a win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium because then it gives us a bit of an advantage and it's like, well, OK, we might have struggled to have won at Goodison Park, but now at least here, you know, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, now we can go and make it, we can go and make a bit of a statement now and really stamp our authority.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But when that second goal went in, I mean, look, at the time, I thought Jesus had got a clean header on it. Me and my, you know, everyone thought that.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But when that goal went in, oh my gosh, I lost all emotions. i We were there. We were all falling on top of each other.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We were hugging each other. Oh my gosh, we couldn't believe what we had witnessed. I mean, look, right, as you've just said there, Craig, bearing in mind, right, the two goals were were own goals. But sometimes in football, you have to win ugly.
Global Sports Podcast Network: on you That game was the definition of winning ugly. We were nowhere near great. And you know what? I don't want to jinx anything, but they always say if you are if you want to go and win, if you want to be champions, sometimes that's what champions do.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, they win ugly.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that's what we've done. We were nowhere near our best. And yet we still won ugly.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: When that went in, I thought... At that point, I mean, I put it on my Instagram story. You must have seen it. I was like, need a strong drink. And whatever drink it is, it needs to be strong.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, oh my goodness me. one that When that goal went in, it was just relief and elation at that point. And I just thought, wow... How have we won this game? I wasn't complaining, but I just thought, you know what?
Global Sports Podcast Network: We were not great. We were really not great. in the ah All over the park, we were not great. We were nowhere near. And to get the winner was just something else. Absolutely something else.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um But yeah, guys, we're going to take another quick break. And when we come back, we we'll have a little review of the other Premier League games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um And we'll continue to so to discuss um what next really for Arsenal in the sense of the fact we've got no football this week and we have Everton coming up this weekend. So join us after this short break.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this third and final part of the Wolves review. Craig, I mean, now that we've won, mean, now that we've got the three points, we've still kept that gap from City.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, now we have a week. We have a week off. No football, no nothing whatsoever. Question is, how what do you how do you how do you go about a week like this? Because it is really rare that we get a week off.
Global Sports Podcast Network: How do you go about yourself this week if you are one of the Arsenal players?
Craig matthews : try and focus on the rest of the game, and try and get my players but out of form, try and get my performance, try and lot of work in training during the week. cause my sit hotels man sit after the good on noels my fit man i we a pre points behind us
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. ah can't believe I can't believe we're bri we're talking about Villa being in the in the mix here.
Craig matthews : aville very unfortunate na season and forget talented football and then meth off against in latin partner that that finally government finally governor to seees them
Global Sports Podcast Network: They were.
Craig matthews : ah i feel like they've got a good deal now em' has done under maid love a great amazing job of as ability go give a credit the credits due
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. agree.
Craig matthews : We didn't give him enough time at Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i agree. I agree on that.
Craig matthews : Didn't work out for him there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely. i mean let i mean, we look at the Premier League table now and I mean, let's look at the top three. The top three are separated by three points. Villa are three points off Arsenal with 33 points.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: City are only two points off Arsenal.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, that in itself is we ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. And let's talk about City, actually, as, you know, they played against Palace over the weekend.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: One at Selhurst Park. I mean, what did you make of that game?
Craig matthews : I feel like City, every time see that Arsenal are going on a run, and a full third, for example, every time Arsenal go on a good run, he seems to get into good form again, and always seem to do well.
Craig matthews : Haaland's in top four at the moment, you know all players are scoring goals,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They're defending, they can be caught, get out, they do make mistakes at the back sometimes. So, you can't get chances against them. But think Adam Walton had a good shot. was a good shot, hit the post.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, very unlucky.
Craig matthews : If that gone there, that would be bit…
Global Sports Podcast Network: Pino hit the crossbar as well. So, you know, Palace did have their chances.
Craig matthews : Yeah, so it's just frustrating.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But It is. and And for them next, ah they've got they've got the Conference League on Thursday night at home to, I don't know pronounce their name. I think it's Coops or Cups. Coops, I'm going to call them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um So they're at home in their final Conference League game.
Craig matthews : Mm. Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um So it's going to be a big, big night for Palace ahead, especially as now I think they're set to lose Saar and I believe maybe Nketiah to AFCON.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because I believe players players are due to go away, I think, on the 17th with the competition starting on the 21st. So that's going to be going to be a very interesting time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Very interesting time for Palace.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Looking at some other ah other matches. think we've got to talk about Sunday's games, haven't we? Goodness may Forest 0.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah. spurs nil
Craig matthews : It's a Sean Dice effect. Sean Dice a good front line. He's one of them managers, yeah?
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : You look him and you think, okay, he managed Burnley, managed Everton, you know it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but when it comes to organising teams, especially teams in the lower league on the table, knows how to organise where he was.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : He's a very good man manager, the old home from the old school tough manager, the old rough and tough. But knows how to set teams against the big boys. so wouldn't surprise Putnam lost they're not the players who've got good players. they' got a quality squad, to be fair. Let's be honest, they've got some quite decent players in their team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, no, absolutely.
Craig matthews : so
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, You would have thought maybe with Forrest losing a Langer, you'd have thought, ah, well, maybe something. You know, maybe they could they struggle this season?
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: did have the song They didn't have the best of starts. And now Sean Dyche has come in, has done quite a job on Forrest.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The fact that they've got a result against Spurs is ridiculous at home. Question is... We have to sit here and laugh at Spurs, obviously, but...
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, I mean, oh, hold on a minute.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh! 40 seconds.
Craig matthews : I told you ah did tell I told told
Global Sports Podcast Network: Evan Nilsen. has only taken Bournemouth 40 seconds to go and get an equaliser.
Craig matthews : I told you bro What are the odds of women going on to win?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, my goodness.
Craig matthews : That's all I want to know
Global Sports Podcast Network: Took the words out my mouth. Yeah. I mean, I literally messaged my girlfriend and was like, I can see Bournemouth getting something here. Goodness me, what start that second half. What a start to the second half. Wow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Evan Ilsen with the equaliser.
Craig matthews : We've got Bournemouth here as well. We've got Bournemouth this month as well, you know, so we've got to be careful. We've got to watch them very carefully.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We'd have to be really careful. Yeah, absolutely.
Craig matthews : And away from home as well, their grounds.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It is.
Craig matthews : sir
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's well on side. Evan Ilsen well on side. Ball played through, was brilliant. Brilliant touch, great finish.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Keeper could not... not in keep and could with just He just stood there watching the ball go into the net.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: what a game.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Goodness me, Monday Night Football does not enter to does not lack any form of entertainment. What a game. But, yeah, in terms of Tottenham, I mean, goodness me, it just goes from bad to bad to worse.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What do you do if you're a Tottenham fan? would you Would you now think of sacking Thomas the Frank engine?
Craig matthews : I
Global Sports Podcast Network: Or do you still have belief and let him stay on?
Craig matthews : honestly feel that. You know, you give one transfer window, that the team the team has got some... I feel the team is on balance, like the goalkeeper is not that good. The goalkeeper is not good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Vicario.
Craig matthews : They've got two good defenders in Van de Ven and Romero.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I feel the full-back position is a bit like... Jess Spence on his day can be a good player when he's on form.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know what? I'm kind of surprised at Jed Spence because I thought we would really... I thought, you know, I remember him at Forest. Jeez almighty. And what player he was at Forest.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I thought, oh, you know what? I'm like, damn, what what a move. What an absolute move for Jed Spence.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: And right now, Tottenham... look All jokes aside now, we we talk seriously now here when when it comes to Tottenham, but... if If by the new year, um my my thought process is is they'll probably give him till end of Jan to let him get a couple players in the window if he can.
Craig matthews : yeah
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But if they continue to play the way they are, surely, surely there there has to be thoughts about him maybe even getting getting the sack.
Craig matthews : Who gets sacked? Who gets sacked?
Craig matthews : It's a shame, not shame, but I thought that like, the one that, the one that, the one that, the that conflicted the Europa, the Europa League last season because Man Utd were poor, let's be honest. They didn't play one, that was a boring final.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. both teams Both teams were absolutely shock horror in the Europa League final.
Craig matthews : and And this season, the first that they thought they kick on, they sat there in the summer as the manager of Thomas Frank.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : like I feel recruitment has been poor as well. Some the players that brought in and recruited them have not settled in well. Xavi Simmonds still find his feet.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Colin Mawani is on loan. here is some Some games he's good, some games he's poor. Kunis is another one as well. On his day he's a one-beater.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : who was a Liberian as well. They got like, they what they've got decent players but they just don't have the mentality of with them being a big club, as they said they're big club, innit?
Craig matthews : They don't have that mentality.
Global Sports Podcast Network: sure
Craig matthews : They don't have that mentality, let's be real.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And you mean, and like you've just said there, you look at the players that they, ah you know, you look at the players that they've, you know, brought in, you know, the Xavi Simmons, Kolo Mawani, alongside, you know, alongside like Mickey vander van der Ven.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And, you know, you look at some of the Tottenham players in that squad, you know, when Madison's back, will we see the same Madison? We don't know. We don't know if we'll see the same Madison when he's back, you know,
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: do you give it another summer window? Do you maybe just give it till next summer, like next next season? And if United are, I mean, sorry, if s Spurs are worse off, do you then maybe think of sacking him before January and then getting someone in before January?
Craig matthews : ah
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's, what do you do?
Craig matthews : It's hard. isn't the fit the thing The thing is, that if they don't qualify for Europe in this season, they might sack him because they need European in football.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What do you
Craig matthews : That's what they need.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : If they don't get European football, that's what they need because they need the revenue. Obviously, they've got new stadium, they've got a couple of years now, so they have to pay for itself and whatever.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : The fans are not going to want mediocrity at the pub. they go They said they they they are bragging that Arsenal won a European trophy, whatever, what you won? But the end of the day, when was the last time guys challenged the title?
Craig matthews : That's what they need to be doing. Challenging different titles and getting top four.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The last time I maybe put Spurs in that conversation was...
Craig matthews : On the porch. That was the last time.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wasn't it 20, was it 2015?
Craig matthews : 2016.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, yeah. 2015.
Craig matthews : twenty sixty when The season left the wonder league.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah twenty fifteen ceo it was like or something like that. or fifteen sixteen one of the two
Craig matthews : And they haven't really. ah since I think the box has gone. there Their record in the league has been very. Hasn't been great.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah no absolutely
Craig matthews : hey
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow, wow, wow, wow. Sorry, sorry, wow. What? I mean, free kick. Jeez almighty, tavernier.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Bottom of three, two up.
Craig matthews : Was it 3-2? ah told you woves were come like a we I told you I you, knew, I had a feeling
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow. I mean, listen, um it's it look, good free kick, but jeez almighty. Oh my goodness me. Tavernier, take a bow.
Craig matthews : My nightly getting pumped at home again, yeah?
Global Sports Podcast Network: They are. And do you know what? Keep, you know. ah you know what? If I'm saying if Kunja didn't jump, if Kunja didn't jump, he put ah he probably would have blocked that.
Craig matthews : Wow, I'm watching it myself. Under the... Ooh!
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you get
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow. Oh, what a game. oh what a game. This is unbelievable. This is going to be some finish. I'll tell you that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Some finish. But yeah, I don't know. Right now, let's see what happens with Spurs because it will only time will really tell, if anything. um But goodness me, Bournemouth right now. I mean, I think like you said, we've got Bournemouth in January, haven't we, at some point?
Craig matthews : ah channel is it or this mark now?
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that, it might be Jan.
Craig matthews : so a lot of this
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm sure it's January and I'm sure it's at home.
Craig matthews : You might be right, you know. it's a wave. got the McBournness round.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh yeah, of course. We've already played, we played them. in We have played them at home this season, haven't we?
Craig matthews : No, haven't played them yet.
Global Sports Podcast Network: All right, cool. So that's going another, going to be another interesting game, especially at the vitality as well.
Craig matthews : it's yeah So, we've got Everton on Saturday, Palace on Tuesday, Brighton at home once,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brighton at home on the 27th. Yep.
Craig matthews : then on the 30th we've got Aston Villa at home, third of away, FA Cup away,
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's the one. Mm-hmm. Liverpool at home.
Global Sports Podcast Network: United home.
Craig matthews : not in the forest not ah not in the forest away into milan on the 20th of jan champions league the 35th of jam we've got my night at home that's going to be a sunday kickoff 4 30.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, yeah. forgot about Forest away.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Uh-huh.
Craig matthews : but then last game of the champions league we've got car rats and of me then we've got leads away on the 31st of john then we've got someone at home on the 7th of brantford away
Global Sports Podcast Network: Kyra Armati.
Global Sports Podcast Network: See, just looking at January alone, i mean, that is...
Craig matthews : them up sola pump
Global Sports Podcast Network: Just looking at January alone, that is ridiculous. Wow.
Craig matthews : February got some hard.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Wow.
Craig matthews : February got some hard. got three London derbies in a row. Brentford, Tottenham and Chelsea in a row.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brentford away, Tottenham away, Chelsea home.
Craig matthews : And Chelsea at home. And you've got Brighton away after that fourth of March.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brighton away. Yeah, that's, yeah. January, February is going to be a very testing time for Arsenal. Very testing time, but we will, we'll have to see how we get on. We'll have to see how we get on.
Craig matthews : Yeah. Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hopefully, in fingers crossed, we get players fit and ready by then.
Craig matthews : me Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Fingers crossed.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But guys, that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we'd love hear your thoughts on social media. As always, you can find us on Apple.com. podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You've been listening to the jspm ah GSPN podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to find daily podcasts for your favourite teams, a daily wrap-up and every week the Road to World Cup 26. I have been your host Jamie Paterson. He has been the amazing Mr Craig Encyclopedia Matthews.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Have a good day all and take care.
Craig matthews : Thank you.
