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Daily Arsenal - It all worked out perfectly for Eze!
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In this episode we will be reviewing our North London Derby win against Tottenham winning 4-1, yes let me repeat that agin Arsenal four Tottenham one!!! 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.
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Craig Matthews
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Transcript
Introduction and North London Derby Excitement
00:00:10
Craig matthews
Thank you.
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 as always brought to you on the GSPN podcast network.
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am your host Jamie Patterson. And on this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Mr. Encyclopedia himself. it is the one and only Mr. Craig Matthews. Craig.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, i don't even need to ask you, but I'm going ask you anyway. are you feeling, man?
00:00:54
Craig matthews
Ecstatic, happy, wonderful, amazing. It's been a great weekend as an Arsenal fan and a football fan in general.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now. Now, off air, right, I asked Craig how he was, and he said to me, bro, I cannot lie to you, this is probably the best weekend I've ever had.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Best weekend I've ever had. And you know what? I can speak on all, but I can pretty much speak on behalf of a lot of Arsenal fans. Wherever you are, wherever you're listening to this podcast, I really hope you're listening with a smile on your face, because boy, oh boy, are we.
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think you know what we're going to be talking about in this episode. Yes, we are going to be reviewing every little bit of our North London derby win against Tottenham.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Winning 4-1. Let me repeat myself again. Winning 4-1. four one Right, guys, as always, if you want to get involved with any of the topics discussed on the show, please do get involved through our social media, which can be found in our show notes in the description.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, I'm just going to keep repeating it again. Arsenal, Emirates Stadium, atmosphere, Arsenal 4, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
00:02:10
Craig matthews
the
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
where I mean, where do you even start at this point? Bro, where do you even start?
00:02:24
Craig matthews
I have to say it was like training session, attack versus defence. Tottenham
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
Analyzing Arsenal's Strategy and Fan Impact
00:02:30
Craig matthews
came to the Emirates to park the bus and the bus broke down.
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
love that.
00:02:37
Craig matthews
yeah not in in my what It malfunctioned, yeah? And then ah half time started to get a replacement bus and the replacement bus malfunctioned as well. And they scored more goals. Oh, man.
00:02:49
Craig matthews
um
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, my God. What a brilliant way to describe a game of football. Were you back the game by any chance?
00:02:57
Craig matthews
Nah, nah, nah. was at rugby yesterday. I didn't trick them rugby England.
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough. Fair enough.
00:03:03
Craig matthews
Yeah, but somebody sent me some clips.
00:03:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I saw your TikTok and was like, what? i was like, wait a minute.
00:03:07
Craig matthews
Nah, nah.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait a minute. Tickets are gold dust.
00:03:09
Craig matthews
I would have told you. I would have told you if I went. Someone sent me a clip of the game.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say.
00:03:14
Craig matthews
Someone sent me clip of the game, would have put on. yeah
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
no, of course. Of course. Oh, wow. I mean, do you know what, right? It is really rare that I will say this on this podcast.
00:03:32
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that Arsenal game was perfect. Actually, almost perfect. Almost perfect. If we'd kept Killing Shield, I'd have said perfect.
00:03:40
Craig matthews
Hmm. yeah
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I mentioned this on my social media channels today. And I'm going to mention it on this podcast as well. But the Ashburton Army. give yourself Give yourselves a round of applause, Ashburton Army. Yeah, well done.
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Wow. First of all, crowdfunded TIFO. I did not know we had that in that. why I did not know we had that in the locker.
00:04:11
Craig matthews
the
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
By the way, can we compare the TIFO that was unveiled at the Emirates against PSG compared to what we saw against Tottenham Hotspur?
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:04:25
Craig matthews
that that The one where I guess PSU was 1 out of 10.
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's the difference?
00:04:28
Craig matthews
The one that I had yesterday was 10 out of 10. Amazing. I had all the club legends on there as well. Ian Wright was on there, I think, or Thierry Rony was on there.
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thierry was on there.
00:04:38
Craig matthews
was going to give it back off.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Odegaard was on there. um I can't remember. I think Wrighty might have been on there. But, well, gone.
00:04:47
Craig matthews
I've got it here. Let me double check. got it here on my
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in the meantime, whilst Craig gets that up, I'm gonna i'm honestly going to big up the Ashburton army.
00:04:56
Craig matthews
phone.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Atmosphere-wise, was electric. I mean, obviously, I wasn't at the game, but it was a great atmosphere. Probably up there as one of the best.
00:05:05
Craig matthews
I found it.
00:05:07
Craig matthews
I found it. So it was Odegaard, David Rowe Castle, Henry, Big Soul Campbell on the top, Saka, Tony Adams and Gabriel McAless was on the yeah yes he is there yeah I can yeah
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Wow.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. But my question to you is, right, now the Ashburton Army have fun, like, and bearing in mind pre-match as well, You know, they they advertised on their Instagram page that, you know, they wanted, you know, they wanted people crowding outside the Tollington and everyone walking through to the Emirates.
00:05:31
Craig matthews
hmm
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, and obviously they they say no phones allowed because they want people to enjoy it in the moment and so on. But obviously going to have people record it regardless.
00:05:57
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I can't lie. And this is rare. Like I said, it's rare that I'm saying this. the Ashburton Army actually done a pretty good job with the TIFO.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's really good that it was crowdfunded as well. But my question to you is,
Player Performances and Competition
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, do you reckon the Ashburton Army are going to be more involved this season? And do you think we might see more TIFOs like this and, you know, bigger and better TIFOs? I'm not saying that we, you know, ahead of like Bayern, for example, but as the season goes on, do you reckon we'll see more TIFOs um more work from the Ashburton army.
00:06:35
Craig matthews
Well, it was great start what they did yesterday. They need continue. I think maybe they'll listen to your podcast the last time we criticised it. Remember, we criticised it last time, the PSG one.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
did.
00:06:42
Craig matthews
It was horrible. I think maybe the that they listened and they realised that um they need to do better. There was a massive game against Popham because, you know, our so-called noisy neighbours, our annoying neighbours down the road came to the Emirates.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:00
Craig matthews
So had to show them, ah give give them a good Welcome to our home. It kind of reminded me that the whole thing that they did the Tifa kind of reminded me like a like a Istanbul derby like a Turkish derby.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:07:15
Craig matthews
When I saw the outside the thing that the red flames outside the stadium and under the tunnel it kind of reminded me like going an intimidating stadium like an intimidating stadium if you go to maybe like an inter
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:07:30
Craig matthews
Milan derby where it's a very hostile atmosphere.
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:33
Craig matthews
so I thought that it was very good that they um did that yesterday. I'm very happy with them. I think more to come. Just keep on doing it. Keep on raising funds and keep on making good tees for us for the club.
00:07:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
The question is, when do you reckon... o goodness me. Sorry. with Me and Craig are also keeping an eye on Monday Night Football, as it is Man United against Everton. Very crazy, crazy game, if you haven't seen it.
00:07:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Bruno Fernandes seeing his shot just over the bar there. But United are slowly knocking on the door, and there is 10 minutes left of that game. But...
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
my My thing is, right, is that was a really good Tifo. It was a good atmosphere. I thought it was absolutely electric. My thing is now, and I said this on my on my TikTok and my Instagram, is will we see more? Will they now be consistent with it?
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i understand we you know we've we've got Bayern next in the Champions League. You know, it would be nice if we can really create a hostile atmosphere for that game as well. I think, you know, look
00:08:39
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you can have, you know, the flames at the start, you know, if everyone could hold up banners, I, I look, it's little things like that, that could go a long way.
00:08:48
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:08:51
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I'd like to see it more often, whether we will, we'll have to find out.
00:08:55
Craig matthews
and Definitely.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the next game I would love to see it at would be something like, and say like a cup game or something, you know, say another champions league game or, you know, Palace in the Carabao cup, you know,
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of them kind of games. um But again, we'll have to see what happens. But let's talk about that first goal. The first goal coming from Leandro Trossard.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the vision, the vision to look up and just and for Trossard to run into the space really caught Spurs off guard there, didn't it?
00:09:26
Craig matthews
and
00:09:32
Craig matthews
yeah
00:09:36
Craig matthews
There's one person I want to mention. yeah i Sometimes think I give him a lot of stick here, but think we had an excellent game yesterday with Mikko Marino.
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:43
Craig matthews
He found the pass, visionary pass.
00:09:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yep.
00:09:47
Craig matthews
you know you That's a very technical pass he did yesterday because the pass took out two of the defenders, took out Van de Ben and took out Romero.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep
00:09:55
Craig matthews
romera And then the way how Trussell turned and shot in the bottom corner of the net very good shot as well. It deflected off the player, but still good shot. And have to say, ratings now, I'll say Trussell's been our most improved player this season.
00:10:11
Craig matthews
When a comes to games, he's improved a lot. I think he's more clutch in games now. He scored the last game against Sunderland, scored the yesterday.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:18
Craig matthews
day think he's getting more confident. I know Josh Finn's not going to like me saying this, but he's getting more more confident.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, absolutely.
00:10:25
Craig matthews
He's getting everyone more confident each game he plays and he's getting getting goals and assists for us as well and scoring crucial goals.
00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
With Martinelli coming back from injury, do you see a bit more of a competition down the left now for Arsenal?
00:10:44
Craig matthews
He's got Maddowake here as well. He can play there as well. I think...
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And Madweke also back as well.
00:10:51
Craig matthews
m
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
How big is competition going to be for that left for that left side now?
00:10:56
Craig matthews
It's going to be very big, but I feel that Martina is very versatile. You can play on the right, you from the middle, and you can play on the left. So, it's good. Competition is healthy. think it's you keep turning your toes and it makes realise that you're not you're not going to start every game. if you don't perform well in one game, you're not going to start the next game. So, everyone has to be consistent. That will push each other, push put post the players together and help us win some trophies, hopefully, at the end the season. So, competition is good.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. And again, Craig, I want to go back to what you were saying about Mikel Moreno, because originally, you know, was you know was our striker.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what I really liked about his play was with strikers, you know, they they like to roam in a little bit of
00:11:39
Craig matthews
Mm.
Eze's Hat Trick and Its Significance
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
space.
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
They might stay more closer to the goal, but Moreno was willing to drop back a little bit, you know, give a little bit of support.
00:11:47
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, could maybe ping a pass out wide, whether it was to Saka or to Trossard. And it really showed in that got in in the first goal that really did show through. I mean, yes, there was a deflection, but we don't care.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goals are gold, aren't they?
00:12:05
Craig matthews
nah, you know.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah, we don't care. And I tell you what, though, what I mean, great finish.
00:12:07
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that really did set Arsenal up well, didn't it?
00:12:15
Craig matthews
yeah off yeah
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, on. Because I was going to say, because then, ha who else? Who else? I went and predicted this.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? I but i got one of them my predictions correct, which was the fact that Eze scored. And on top of that, I wanted him to do the celebration.
00:12:38
Craig matthews
yeah and i didn't do uh yeah
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he did.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love it. I absolutely love it.
00:12:44
Craig matthews
no
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. I mean, Eze, he's just growing into this Arsenal team now, isn't he?
00:12:54
Craig matthews
There's something Les Ferdinand said, was really watching a clip of it today, or yesterday I was watching it.
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:00
Craig matthews
He was saying that since Ed has come to Arsenal he's not let the hand break off, he's been very cautious. After all that,
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:07
Craig matthews
yesterday the hammer was fully left it off he was fully in and and in game mode this they just didn't need to do it's called a wonderful hat trick two other one left foot what two left foot one right foot i think it was a right two yeah perfect hat trick um i thought yesterday because mccann rino was dropping more deeper as it's going more into the number nine rule getting more space as if you saw how much space he had in the game when he was
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:13:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did, yeah.
00:13:36
Craig matthews
He just kept on getting through and he's put on good quality goals. on I feel with this team now, we're not relying on one player. We're not wearing our sackers for the goals. we' like The goal's been spread all around the pitch.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:13:48
Craig matthews
so and and With Eze, we've worked for all that money. and i think some pundits are saying, that we'll say in practice before the game that year he needs to step up now. He's been at the club for a while now. but I think he slowly, I think the international break did it very well. He scored a good goal for England over day the other day in the international break.
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do
00:14:07
Craig matthews
I think he's confident he'll see this guy high. So, him scoring yesterday was not a surprise to me. Honestly, it wasn't a surprise.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? I wasn't surprised that he scored against Tottenham, but the manner of how he took his goals, the first goal was just brilliant.
00:14:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know good you know manage to And the thing is, right if you look at the first goal, right yeah man of do you see the amount of Tottenham players that are around him?
00:14:30
Craig matthews
yeah
00:14:34
Craig matthews
I know, there's loads of it.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three. I'm sure there were three players around him at the time.
00:14:36
Craig matthews
and
00:14:39
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:14:39
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
For him to even... Oh, my gosh. Just to even get a shot off.
00:14:48
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bearing in mind, it was a fairly clean shot as well.
00:14:50
Craig matthews
oh
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, oh, my gosh. Just what a finish.
00:14:54
Craig matthews
yeah
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And as soon as... As soon as he ran over, I was waiting for him. was waiting for him to go like that, to do his famous cross celebration.
00:15:03
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just for him to go like that.
00:15:05
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah It's the best of them all.
00:15:08
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And do you know what?
00:15:10
Craig matthews
and
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, just even, again, it's just one of them where great finish and it had to be Eze to go and score, didn't it?
00:15:20
Craig matthews
Yeah, because I think Ezra was watching Sky Sports News on note on Friday, whenever Thomas Frank had his interview, and he was saying, Ezra who?
00:15:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:29
Craig matthews
Or Ezra showed you who he is. No, it's not. sometimes sometimes with football sometimes people will say things or do things and then they had perfect reaction to the action that was taken shot him yeah
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Do
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? Seeing that made me think back to last season with Myles Lewis Skelly and Haaland.
00:15:52
Craig matthews
yeah
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was like, well, who the heck are you?
00:15:53
Craig matthews
oh
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Myles Lewis Skelly was like, well, there you go.
00:15:55
Craig matthews
a
00:15:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's who I am. Do you know what mean?
00:16:00
Craig matthews
did the Hollins have a brace in front of him. So, yeah, it does for sure.
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly that.
00:16:05
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly that. But we're going take a quick break in the meantime. When we come back, we're going to talk about the other two goals from Eze. and And of course, painfully, we are going to talk about the Tottenham goal as well.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But join us after this quick break.
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back to this second part of the Tottenham review. Joined by myself, Jamie Patterson, is Craig Matthews. Craig, oh let's just continue talking about Eze, because the second goal again, what did you make of that brace?
00:17:21
Craig matthews
I think it's got the second one first half, wasn't it? Or the first obstacle second half? No, second half, wasn't it?
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second half.
00:17:29
Craig matthews
Well, second half, I think Tottenham, I don't know they'll do. They made the change at half-time. They brought on Javi Simmonds, the guy that...
00:17:39
Craig matthews
They won the Eze, but then they got the team with Eze. They got the team with Eze, so he came on.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
see me as i ah yeah absolutely absolutely go on
00:17:46
Craig matthews
welcome yeah you got a to as they said d k one on The ball came to Eze, opened up a space, scored a wonderful goal, quality goal, put in the bottom corner, keeper had no chance.
00:18:00
Craig matthews
Then after that, it was just, how many more do we want to score? We could have scored five or six. I think one thing I'm a bit disappointed with as well is that we could have scored five or six against them we wanted to. We could have scored more.
00:18:16
Craig matthews
But, hmm.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. Eze, I mean, Arteta said it at the end of the game, but Eze could have at least had four or five of them, couldn't he?
00:18:26
Craig matthews
There's one in the second after he took a shot and and the keeper stayed there.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:18:29
Craig matthews
That was good shot. If he maybe kept it low, would have scored. Or even put it in a top corner, have scored. But I thought, if you score a hat-trick in a North London derby and even the great Harry... I'm not saying that.
00:18:41
Craig matthews
Harry Kane didn't score hat-trick in a North London derby.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ha ha ha ha!
00:18:45
Craig matthews
Thierry O'Ree never scored a hat-trick in a North London derby.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:48
Craig matthews
Ian Wright never scored a hat-trick in North London derby. So for him to do that speaks words. It means a lot.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. he's He's written himself into the history books. And I mean, wow. Just, I mean, we're going to keep going on about it, but.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a gem of a player we have in Eze. What a gem. um Craig, you should know this, Mr Encyclopedia. Who was the last person and how long ago was the last hat-trick scored in the North London derby?
00:19:24
Craig matthews
ago. That was 48 years ago?
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:27
Craig matthews
was it years ago
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And do you remember who it was?
00:19:30
Craig matthews
I can't remember who whole lot of ah hold although Hold on, hold on.
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh! Oh!
00:19:36
Craig matthews
Was it arm soderland soland Sunderland? Sunderland, yeah.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, it was. Yeah.
00:19:40
Craig matthews
Yeah. sunderland yeah um
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Comes in clutch. That's why he's our encyclopedia. He comes in clutch. Bit like Leandro Trossard.
00:19:51
Craig matthews
yeah
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, that was the last, yeah, 48 years ago, Sutherland was the last player to score a hat-trick in the North London derby. And again, unbelievable.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable. To see that. And the thing is right. He's in a way he's written himself into the history books, hasn't he?
00:20:14
Craig matthews
Yes, he has.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's really written himself into the history books. And you know what? I'd love to know. i would love to know what Eze must have felt waking up this morning.
00:20:20
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because this all must be so surreal for him at the minute. It must be all so surreal. And again, to really, really write yourself in the history books is something else.
00:20:29
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:36
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um...
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
One thing I do want to ask you, and I asked this on my i asked this on my Instagram, um and I even said it in my in one of my bit in one ah content videos, but with Odegaard coming back into the team, who would you be looking to start in that 10 role?
00:20:49
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you have Odegaard? Would you have Ezey?
00:21:02
Craig matthews
I feel that after yesterday's game, Ez is undroppable right now. You can't drop him. Maybe you can rest him a couple of days, but you can't drop him because he stepped up massively for us yesterday.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
00:21:13
Craig matthews
so i don I don't think we should drop. I thought Odegaard needs to work. I need to cap to the pub captain.
00:21:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:21:18
Craig matthews
I needs to... I think we can ease Odegaard back into the team slowly, not rush him back because they had a knee problem. so We don't want to break down and get into the game. I'll just have him on the bench, bring him on for maybe half an hour, maybe 45 minutes in some games.
00:21:33
Craig matthews
I would have started. right now, Odegaard. I know he's a top captain and people might think, how can he say that? Well, after all, as this is a man in form, normally as a football manager, what I would do as a manager, if the players in form are doing well, as I was saying in football, don't change a winning team, you don't need to. Don't change a winning team if you don't need to.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:51
Craig matthews
And actually, you don't need to change a winning team. The team is doing well, You can tweak it here and there, wrestle and rotate players here and there. But with Eze, I think he needs... With confidence, I think if he gets dropped for the next game, his confidence will be shattered.
00:22:04
Craig matthews
So, think we need to drop him. I think he needs to play more games i you see the best Eze, like we saw yesterday.
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Another thing is, um and i kind of alluded it last week with JD, but do you think with Eze, do you think we're starting to, do you think maybe he's, a you know, do you maybe think in that game, because you obviously said about how, you know, he he took the handbrake off.
00:22:30
Craig matthews
o
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are we starting to see hints of Crystal Palace Eze, where he was given free roam at Palace? Do you think we're now maybe starting to see that a little bit more?
00:22:38
Craig matthews
I think so. But think Nick Amrind is at the but the the most credit as well because I think the way how he dropped deep yesterday, they gave Ezid the last to roam up. But I think if Godcreds was playing yesterday, it'd be a different game for Ezid because Ezid would like to track back and do more defensively.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:54
Craig matthews
Because
Gameplay Strategy and Defensive Analysis
00:22:56
Craig matthews
Marina is more of mid-folder, he's got a mindset of mid-folder, so he's dropping deep and Ezreal was running in behind over three-number nine.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:09
Craig matthews
like a free-rowing number nine, so it was easier for them to get the goals and spaces opening up because Tottenham had a bat five in the first half and they changed the bat four. But then when they did that, they were not really marking their players properly. They were just leaving gaps all over the pitch. What we did well yesterday is that we moved the ball quicker.
00:23:27
Craig matthews
When Arsenal moved the ball quicker matches, we seem to open up teams easier and score goals. When we do this slow passing, recycling passing sometimes, go back and forth, back and forth, it doesn't really work for us.
00:23:40
Craig matthews
I think the best way for us is the DT on low blocks. That's the problem with this low block. Get the ball, move it quick, move them around, move them around and then they get goals from that. That's how we get our goals yesterday because we move them around, fast, sharp movement, intricate passing.
00:23:55
Craig matthews
That's how we got through and scored the goals yesterday.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think compared to other games I've seen, you know, there was a real momentum shift. And like you said, with our passing, I just really liked the fluidity, you know.
00:24:11
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's the way to break down more teams in the Premier League is that fast, is that ticky-tacka kind of football, that free-flowing football.
00:24:15
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:24:19
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, if one player stops, it kind of ruins the momentum. And
00:24:27
Craig matthews
Of course.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
In yesterday's game, I mean, JD said this in the print in the preview, we should be dominating. we He said, in his words, we have to dominate this Tottenham team because if we lose to them, this will be beyond embarrassing.
00:24:34
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:24:39
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And thank goodness, obviously, we didn't lose. But it was just so good to see such free-flowing football from Arsenal. The question is whether they can go and take this on to Bayern Munich at the Emirates and as well as playing Chelsea away will be an absolutely, it will be a different story altogether.
00:25:01
Craig matthews
definiteery
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, goodness me, while we're here celebrating, we do have to address the elephant in the room.
00:25:10
Craig matthews
then
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it is the one goal from... Tottenham and jeez almighty how embarrassing to be lobbed Richarlison oh my gosh I didn't even think about that oh my gosh I didn't even think about that
00:25:29
Craig matthews
But you know, what if got say to you before you go? Do you remember he got lobbed against Tottenham in the preseason friendly? Sarp, Papa Sarsa lobbed him.
00:25:41
Craig matthews
So it's hard happen to him.
00:25:44
Craig matthews
why It's hard happen to him now.
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my, oh my gosh.
00:25:49
Craig matthews
I and i
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's even more, oh, that's even more embarrassing.
00:25:52
Craig matthews
and didn't know the bad thing, I know the worst thing about as well.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:25:56
Craig matthews
Both of them were a mistake in the field. Lewis Kelly gave the ball away.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh, yeah.
00:26:01
Craig matthews
it got lobbed. Yesterday, Zimmerman, he sort of passed the ball quicker. Lost the possession. Michalos and Tore's opportunity. I logged him. I think I was disappointed with the goal conceded yesterday, to be honest you. I think we could have kept a clean sheet, but sometimes, Rare does too much.
00:26:18
Craig matthews
He needs to stay on his line more. Not all time off the line.
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what? I said this on my video today. i said there should be a ban. There should be a, genuinely, there should be a ban that Raya does not even step one foot outside his box.
00:26:32
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:35
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because why? Why?
00:26:38
Craig matthews
the
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
The thing is, right, if Raya had stayed, look, I'm not saying that he needs, look, if he had stayed in his penalty box, would have been a different story.
00:26:47
Craig matthews
oh
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We could have add the clean sheet.
00:26:50
Craig matthews
yeah
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough.
00:26:52
Craig matthews
yeah
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Come on now. I mean, I sat there and I actually, i kind of said to my girlfriend, like, this is just, the you know, did he not learn his lesson from Mateta?
00:27:02
Craig matthews
yeah yeah
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it seems like he's getting put like, honestly, it was such a silly goal to give away. And again, ah something I want to go back to um that you mentioned actually on the group chat is um Craig went on to our group chat and he said, do you guys think Zuby had a good game today? I thought it was a bit slow on the ball. Plus he gave the ball away for the goal. Do you want to do you want to kind of elaborate on that a little bit more, Craig?
00:27:28
Craig matthews
i i thought this game was not as a supermandy game You know what I mean?
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:27:34
Craig matthews
I think he could have started maybe Norgard. Norgard is more than Norgard type game because more like a... I know he didn't buy him to be a starter wanted him to like a replacement but I honestly thought that...
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:27:47
Craig matthews
So Mendy was very slow on the ball yesterday. Didn't look... don't know if he was tied for his national break but he didn't look himself yesterday.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I agree with you on that. I just think... we You know, we we always talk... You know, last season we spoke about Mars Lewis Skelly. You know, he doesn't feel pressure.
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I feel like in that game, feel like Zuby did kind of feel the pressure a little bit. Because, again, you've got remember, a lot of these players are not used to playing in big games like this.
00:28:11
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:28:20
Craig matthews
yeah
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
By the way, there's another player I do want to shout out, actually. And I will get onto him a little bit in a minute. But... With Zuby, in answer, because I'll tell you what i said, actually, as a response.
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I actually responded back saying that I thought he was all right, but I do think he was too comfortable. I think he was too comfortable in that game. And that is what led to... That's what led to him, you know...
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
conceit Well, that's what led to the goal being given away. I think it was the fact that he was just too uncomfortable. He was too comfortable in front in the game.
00:28:56
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And unfortunately, we got punished for it.
00:29:02
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
we you know but I do think alertness-wise, he I feel like he could have just been a bit more on it, in my opinion.
00:29:09
Craig matthews
he He did apologise after the game on online. He just said, I'm sorry for giving the ball away.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah did see that. Yeah, it's a bit
00:29:14
Craig matthews
So, you know, it's his first season in the Premier League. He's had a lot games. So, you know, given the benefit of that, doesn't do that again. But I thought yesterday his game was very...
00:29:26
Craig matthews
He didn't look his normal self, compo himself yesterday.
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no.
00:29:29
Craig matthews
But it's his first debut. He'll know about the next one when he'll go to their ground.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, when we go away to Tottenham, he'll he'll know. He will definitely know.
00:29:36
Craig matthews
He'll know. Yeah.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely will know about it. But we're going to take another quick break. And when we come back, I want to talk about Arsenal's defence. And one player that I was impressed with.
00:29:49
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:29:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
massively. So join us after this quick break.
00:29:50
Craig matthews
the
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back with the third and final part of our Tottenham review. Now, there is one player I need to talk about.
00:30:41
Craig matthews
I feel I know who it is.
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh. And I mean, for those of you that have been listening, I've spoken so highly of him. I've wanted him to play. What a game for Piero Hincapié.
00:30:56
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, I mean, bearing in mind, big boots to fill in the space of Gabriel, but how do you think he got on in that game yesterday?
00:31:00
Craig matthews
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.
00:31:06
Craig matthews
He was excellent man. Typical, he's a South American player, very tenacious, good in the air, he won a lot of headers yesterday. today think Gabriel would have been proud of watching on the sidelines yesterday.
00:31:19
Craig matthews
won his battles well, he didn't give a Charleston a sniff. So I was very proud of him.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:31:24
Craig matthews
I think him and Sliba worked well together yesterday. When I was talking about the line-up yesterday, be honest with you Jay, thought that Muscara was going to start. thought we were just talking about in the pod, I didn't think Muscara was going to start, but I thought
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same.
00:31:35
Craig matthews
After this, I'm always going to put California center back on for him. I didn't do that. But if I fear next to, um, it worked. It worked.
00:31:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
It did.
00:31:46
Craig matthews
I'm very proud. I'm very proud of him. He done an excellent job yesterday.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same here. I mean, I have gone on about my love for Hincapie and he just goes from strength to strength.
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my goodness. Look, I don't want to look. i'm I'm trying my best not to blow my own trumpet here, but what a player we've gotten in Capier. What a player we have. And I tell you this now.
00:32:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love his flexibility and I love how he's just adapted into this Arsenal team.
00:32:17
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:20
Craig matthews
Of course.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, I also agree with you. When I saw the starting line-up yesterday, I thought, oh, no more scara. I thought, okay, fair enough. I thought to myself, you know, we saw him against Liverpool, played well against Liverpool.
00:32:30
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:32:34
Craig matthews
yeah
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Who else has he come up against? that he's You know, any game he's played against, he's, sorry, Abletico, yeah.
00:32:38
Craig matthews
Atletico, Vegas Atletico, think Kemal came one against Atletico.
00:32:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, any game he's featured in, he's done really well.
00:32:44
Craig matthews
You
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not put a foot wrong.
00:32:50
Craig matthews
know, I think it is as well, Jamie. I think Arteta was very smart of not playing him yesterday.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:32:57
Craig matthews
know you're going to why, I think the reason don't want to play him in a massive game because imagine if anything, made a mistake or an error, his confidence shattered.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:33:05
Craig matthews
So Arteta is very I think Patia is morebi more experienced with playing more matches, international football has gotten more experience.
00:33:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:14
Craig matthews
He won the title in Germany by Leverkusen, so he knows how to play in big game.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:33:19
Craig matthews
So after other the little great or um or take in mu spear out the firering line yesterday bring them on the second mouth yeah head of the north london darrby you know i mean i think did a great job him.
00:33:30
Craig matthews
I think he protected him yesterday. Honestly, I think he protected him.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:33
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:33:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I agree. Honestly, look, when when obviously i heard the news that Gabriel could be out for a month or two, Max, I thought, you know what? Gutted. But I thought, you know what?
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got two good defenders. i don't I'm not really too worried.
00:33:47
Craig matthews
in yeah yeah
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, excuse me, for me, Hicapieh just did not put a foot wrong yesterday.
00:33:56
Craig matthews
yeah
00:33:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, so good. What a player we have.
00:34:01
Craig matthews
yeah
00:34:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, oh my gosh, Arteta is going to have such a headache. And I mean, he is going to have such a headache for for Champions League this week.
00:34:11
Craig matthews
yeah
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
The thing is, right, these next two games, I expect players that have not given been given the opportunity, I expect to see get minutes.
00:34:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe not starting minutes, but bench minutes for sure. You know, Mars Luskele, Ethan Waniere, Mosquera, you know, Hiccappier.
00:34:29
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:34:35
Craig matthews
Then why?
00:34:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Players that we may not see, i can see potentially getting minutes during the week. Whether it's Bayern Munich or Chelsea, I can see it happening one way or another.
00:34:45
Craig matthews
yeah because you you have to rotate the squad. You can't play the same players in three different games, three difficult games.
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
00:34:52
Craig matthews
It's impossible.
00:34:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, also and also I was going to ask as well, what your thoughts with now, you know, with Madweke back, Martinelli back?
Squad Depth and Transfer Discussions
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, we've still got, you know, we've got the likes of Odegaard still to be back and, you know, Jesus, Havertz and Jokerez. I mean, say maybe in about two weeks time, imagine we have every everyone back fit.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what would you do then at that point?
00:35:20
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:35:23
Craig matthews
Pick his strongest 11 and pick his strongest bench. so um I think Warnieri might miss out on the bench, you know.
00:35:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You
00:35:29
Craig matthews
Honestly, um think you some players on that bench yesterday might not be on that bench in a couple of weeks time. the The team, like, now I'm not doing that team every week.
00:35:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:40
Craig matthews
Players like um The bench would be so strong, it be difficult to have certain man in the team.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely.
00:35:47
Craig matthews
Everyone has to fight for their players.
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what?
00:35:49
Craig matthews
Norgard might miss out as well, as if it goes through.
00:35:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You took the words out of my mouth. I was just about to say that. i was about to say, I think Nor God will miss out. I potentially think maybe someone like a... I think maybe even a miles-less Skelly could even miss out as well.
00:36:03
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:36:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that's...
00:36:04
Craig matthews
It's a shame as well because he had a great season for us last season, but
00:36:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is.
00:36:08
Craig matthews
Sometimes you've got to realise in football sometimes, I don't think he's done wrong this season.
00:36:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, i agree.
00:36:14
Craig matthews
Every game he's played for, he's played wrong. But think the reason why he's not starting lot games is because the form that Califori's Califori's in great form for this season. it's very... If I was a manager, I would try to rotate them.
00:36:27
Craig matthews
Some games you start Lewis Kays, some games you start Califori. I don't think Califori's going to play every single game the season because you know his injury record,
00:36:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is...
00:36:36
Craig matthews
No, I'm to say that because the other ones who get injured tomorrow and I'm crying.
00:36:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ha
00:36:41
Craig matthews
Yeah. But Lewis Skell is ah is the a reliable deputy to come in if any injuries. He'll do a good job as well.
00:36:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:48
Craig matthews
So, I think he'll play in this field as well. So, there you go.
00:36:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. That's a very good point. I mean, again, this week is going to be such a headache for Arteta and everyone in the team. You know, competition for places go is going to be there.
00:37:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, the fact we have Bayern Munich at home and Chelsea away, this will really, really put us under the test here.
00:37:08
Craig matthews
Oh, I know. Hard fixes.
00:37:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
This will, this, the ah big thing for me will be mindset and mentality.
00:37:18
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:37:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we could, look, if we could come from Bayern Munich with a draw, Or a win.
00:37:23
Craig matthews
Hmm. Yeah.
00:37:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not complaining. And a win against Chelsea, I'd be very happy with that.
00:37:28
Craig matthews
You know the thing is, we are beating the Champions League this season, so we don't have to beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
00:37:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:36
Craig matthews
If we get a draw against them, we'll still be in the top put five, top six.
00:37:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I believe actually Rodney said, Rodney also kind of echoed the same thing. He said that he'd be, ah he said he'd actually be open to either a draw or even a loss because it's still early days in the Champions League.
00:37:55
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:37:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he said he was quite open to that. But I said, no, this is, you ah for me, draw a win.
00:37:59
Craig matthews
hmm no yeah hmm same because is
00:38:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
if If we draw, whether it's a 1-1, sorry, or 2-2, or even a 0-0, and it's a close game, I'll take it. I'll take especially in the Champions League. is If we can stay unbeaten in the Champions League, I would happily take that. I think the only big team after Bayern would be Inter Milan away, isn't it?
00:38:22
Craig matthews
in group? hold on and not and se repians are that podham
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:38:29
Craig matthews
I don't even know either, I don't know.
00:38:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh. I'm pretty sure they might be.
00:38:35
Craig matthews
Let's see. Let's check in it now, one second.
00:38:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. I'll let Craig check that in the meantime.
00:38:40
Craig matthews
Yeah, we've got Inter, wait, 24th of Jan.
00:38:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But into the way I was right, weren't I? Yeah. Hmm.
00:38:47
Craig matthews
So got, so I've fixed it in December. No, I've fixed it now, so we've got got mine on Wednesday, Chelsea on Sunday, day
00:38:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:38:55
Craig matthews
Bretton on Wednesday, the 3rd of December.
00:38:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:58
Craig matthews
Aston Villa away. Club Roode away in Tampa City, 10th of December.
00:38:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:03
Craig matthews
Go Wolves on the 13th at home.
00:39:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
isn
00:39:05
Craig matthews
Everton away. It's going be a hard game.
00:39:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:07
Craig matthews
They'll beat my night tonight, so it's going hard game. Crystal Palace in the Cup. Brighton at home.
00:39:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:13
Craig matthews
Aston Villa at home. How have we got Aston Villa twice already?
00:39:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we've got to play them because obviously come, come boxing day, it marks the halfway point of the season.
00:39:18
Craig matthews
don't if different.
00:39:24
Craig matthews
Oh yeah, I know how it does. This is back in the day in front of the league. You play the team once, you play them again. we've got them at home.
00:39:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:30
Craig matthews
We've got Bournemouth away. Liverpool at home. We've got Nottingham Forest away in 7th of Jan. Then we've got Inter game. So between the Inter game, got Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
00:39:42
Craig matthews
One home, one away. United at home after Inter.
00:39:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:47
Craig matthews
Then we've got Carat.
00:39:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that Kaira Almaty.
00:39:50
Craig matthews
Carat at home.
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:39:51
Craig matthews
Yeah. Then we've got Leeds.
00:39:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I'm hoping to get tickets for that game.
00:39:55
Craig matthews
Then we've got Leeds away, of Jan, it's a free kickoff, it might change, the time might change anyway.
00:40:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
course.
00:40:02
Craig matthews
7th Feb we've got Sondland at home. Then we've got Brentford away, 11th of Feb. Tottenham away, 21st of Feb. Chelsea away at home, of Feb. We've got some hard games in February.
00:40:16
Craig matthews
Tottenham, Chelsea, Brighton away, of March. ah Everton at home, 14th of March. Wolves away, 21th of March. Bournemouth at home.
00:40:27
Craig matthews
Man City away 18th of April. That could be a part of idea that's what this hard the That the that game.
00:40:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
hopefully yeah
00:40:36
Craig matthews
I was way to defeat. We've got Newcastle at home 25th of April. Fulham at home 2nd of May. West Ham away of May. Burnley at home 17th of May. Last game of the season, Crystal Palace.
00:40:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah that's gonna could be a very interesting game there I'll tell you that depending on the outcome that could be very interesting but I'll tell you what though give
00:40:51
Craig matthews
So I'm hoping... So I'm hoping we can... Yeah.
00:40:59
Craig matthews
alpha umpa I'm hoping we lift the title against Burnley. would be a nice way to lift the title the last home game against Burnley at home. Yeah. Yeah.
00:41:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be, yeah, would be, absolutely. But I'll tell you what, though, right now, with the way things are looking, it's looking good. You know, we're in a good position right now.
00:41:17
Craig matthews
yeah
00:41:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just got keep our fingers crossed that we just keep consistency going.
00:41:24
Craig matthews
and
00:41:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the only thing for me. We've just got to be consistent and we've just got to keep pushing ourselves. Do you know i mean?
00:41:32
Craig matthews
Quick question.
00:41:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is it. Go on.
00:41:33
Craig matthews
Would you bring anybody in January if I had a chance to, if I had to sip out some players and bring somebody in January, would you bring anybody in just to give us a final boost if we need it for? It's a hard one, isn't it?
00:41:44
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:41:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Oh, because you know what? Me and my girlfriend, we've had this talk and she was like to me do not complain about not bringing anyone in January. And I was like, you know what?
00:41:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't complain. Do you know what? And I said this, I think I said this last week on one of the pods, but if I was Arsenal, I would start preparing for the next season.
00:42:03
Craig matthews
no
00:42:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know how, you know but with what we did with Zuby?
00:42:12
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:42:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would start doing pre-contract agreements. You know, say if, for example, Semenyo, for example, we go to Bournemouth and we say, look, we'll give you 60 million for Semenyo.
00:42:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he stays at Bournemouth. But as of July the 1st, he's an Arsenal player.
00:42:32
Craig matthews
That could work.
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't see a lot of clubs doing that. And I think that's where clubs, i think that's what Arsenal need to be doing. pre Pre-contract agreements so that we don't have to go through this stress in the summer of, oh, we're interested in Semenyo.
00:42:40
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:42:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, but now we're having bidding wars with like Liverpool and and City over him. do you not i mean
00:42:54
Craig matthews
I might not as well, maybe.
00:42:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah you know what I mean?
00:42:57
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:42:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You we can then go and turn our attentions to another player and and go from there. But If I was Arsenal, yeah. Pre-contract agreements. I don't, I think it depends on where we are in the league.
00:43:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it depends on injuries and also game time for players.
00:43:12
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:43:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you know what mean? You don't want to bring someone in in January, set guarantee them game time and they and they don't get enough game time. And then they go back to their club unhappy.
00:43:24
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:43:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what mean?
00:43:26
Craig matthews
I had walk-up here as well. Not having a problem.
00:43:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so it's going be a big year for everyone because everyone's going to want to be playing more minutes.
00:43:33
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it'll be really interesting to see what happens. But what about you, Craig? What do you think? Would you bring anyone in in January?
00:43:43
Craig matthews
The reason why said that, I know everyone's going to be fit and everyone's be... ask for that sometimes. When you look at the team of won the title in the past, yeah, the majority them going back, last time won the league, after the won the league in 2004, yeah, I remember Arsenal brought Reyes in January and he kind of changed, he had a change of dynamics at Arsenal when he went on the won the league.
00:43:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:43:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:44:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:44:06
Craig matthews
Sometimes you can bring a player in January, like when we brought in Trostard and Jorginho couple years ago, in that general window. It kind of boosted us in the second half. I know didn't win the league that season, but it kind of helped us.
00:44:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:44:19
Craig matthews
I think Jays was injured at that time, so we needed somebody to help out in the meantime.
00:44:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jesus was injured, yes.
00:44:28
Craig matthews
I know Eddie Nketi did step up in some games, he did step up that season, but he kind needed a boost in that left wing to help Martinelli as well. Martinelli got injured as well, I think I remember correctly.
00:44:40
Craig matthews
or the or
00:44:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something like that, yeah.
00:44:41
Craig matthews
yeah I would say if if the right player came of it was available in January, had the money, I would say boost it because if that player can get over the line other top competitions like Champions League, Premier League, you know I would say go for it.
00:44:59
Craig matthews
I would go for it. But if if not, then I'm happy with the squad we've got right now.
00:45:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I look at the squad that we have right now and To be honest, I'm quite happy with it. i don't I don't know where we'd need to strengthen necessarily.
00:45:16
Craig matthews
But
00:45:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we are maybe talking up front, maybe I would say maybe another striker because... Look, JD's going to love me saying this, isn't he?
00:45:28
Craig matthews
oh
00:45:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with Kai Havertz, he's not... a goal scorer. He has scored goals for us. Don't get it wrong. Don't get me wrong.
00:45:37
Craig matthews
it's not a natural finish up.
00:45:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has scored goals for us, but he's not a prolific goal scorer.
00:45:38
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:45:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what I mean?
00:45:42
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:45:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think we if we were to get back up in that department, I think that's where we we could go well.
00:45:48
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:45:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, even if we go and agree for a striker to come in in in in the summer, I'd be very grateful. If we start agreeing terms early,
00:45:57
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:46:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
for next summer, I'd be very grateful for it, but ah it will be a big ask.
00:46:01
Craig matthews
Yeah. Definitely.
00:46:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't expect much in the summer from, our um in January from Arsenal, if I'm being honest. Maybe, maybe one, maybe one selling here or there, but I don't really expect much movement from Arsenal in the window and in in my honest opinion.
00:46:10
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:46:15
Craig matthews
Yeah. Yeah.
00:46:21
Craig matthews
I don't know if you've been hearing rumours that we might loan out Wanieri to Bournemouth or inquire about him on a loan move in January. don't know true it is, but that's another risky one as well because you loan them out and they might want to leave.
00:46:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. The thing is, is.
00:46:39
Craig matthews
It's very tricky.
00:46:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's my concern.
00:46:43
Craig matthews
yeah
00:46:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is my only concern. But with Ethan Wanyeri at the minute, I just think, I think he's just got to be patient. There is going to be game time for him. He's just got to be patient.
00:46:54
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:46:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got minutes against Spurs.
00:46:57
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:46:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'll most likely get minutes against Bayern and even minutes against Chelsea.
00:47:00
Craig matthews
I'm Chelsea.
00:47:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I wouldn't be too concerned yet.
00:47:02
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:47:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
i wouldn't be too worried.
00:47:06
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:47:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wouldn't be too worried. But we'll have to see what happens.
00:47:08
Craig matthews
Yeah.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:47:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, guys, that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? We'd love to hear your thoughts, as always, on social media. So be sure to get involved through our show notes.
00:47:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, you can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. You've been listening to the GSPN Arsenal podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to find daily podcasts for your favourite teams and a daily wrap-up, and every week, the road to World Cup 26. I've been your host, Jamie Patterson. He has been the amazing Mr. Craig Encyclopedia Matthews.
00:47:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a good day, all, and take care.
00:47:50
Craig matthews
but