Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal podcast where this is your one-stop shop as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news and views brought to you on the GSPN podcast network. I am your host Jamie Patterson and of course I'm joined by the one and only Mr Craig Matthews. Craig how are you keeping tonight mate?
Craig matthews : um it It's been a good week. It's been a good couple of weeks for Arsenal and I'm very happy with the team and everything. It's been a good couple of weeks for us. couple of months obviously, not a couple of months.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, for real.
Craig matthews : good yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, absolutely. I mean, Oh, that was... Oh, my gosh. Sorry. ah um For those of you that don't know, we're you know it's a Thursday night. Obviously, we have European football one we We've got our we You know, we're we're always watching the football. We are.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Both of us have our eyes cast on Crystal Palace in the Conference League playing against AZ Alkmaar. And they have just... AZ Alkmaar have just pulled goal back to make it 2-1.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah So that should be a very interesting game. um But, yeah, I'm feeling good. I think, you know, the last month or so, as you've said there, Craig, it's been it's been great being an Arsenal fan. Clean sheet after clean sheet after clean sheet.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Chelsea, we're still coming after your record. Don't you worry about that. We're still coming after your record.
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But in this episode, we'll be looking ahead to our upcoming away ah upcoming game in the Premier League away to Sunderland at the Stadium Light. where we're looking to go into this international break, the final international break as well, with a win.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now, as always, guys, 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.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Craig, this game is... you know what? In the build-up to this game, I don't think anyone would have predicted... Sorry. Oh, it's 3-1.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's 3-1 Palace. And it's Ismaila Saar with the goal. Brilliant finish.
Craig matthews : on the hat trick now, isn't
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brilliant finish.
Craig matthews : Two goals, one was with the hat trick.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep. Yep. Brilliant, brilliant finish there. That should be now. I mean, we were just saying this off-air, weren't we, Craig, that... um You know, Palace need another goal to kind of kill off this game. Another goal or two two would kill the game off now.
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So this will be interesting now. Very interesting. But um going back to this weekend's game, Craig, I mean, given the fact that, obviously, going into this game, Sunderland, given the position they're in they are, I believe, I'm going to check now, actually, the Premier League's table,
Craig matthews : I think they're third or fourth, I think. Are they fourth? Third or fourth?
Global Sports Podcast Network: I believe they're sitting in the top four. Yes, they're sitting fourth in the league with 18 points.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And bearing in mind, they're only a point off City, who are sitting second in not who were sitting second with 19 points.
Craig matthews : Wow.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now, what are your feelings ahead of this game? Because let's be honest... We've just discussed it. And I mean, Sunderland have done so well this season, but what are your thoughts ahead of this game?
Craig matthews : We have to be ruthless because this is a hard game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : It's not easy game. Sondland, in a way, it's not going to be easy. They're promoted. They're on a bounce. They're on a good run. They've got a good draw against Everton. They're very unlucky not to win that game. They're playing some good football. They've a lot of good young manager.
Craig matthews : I think Nini's predicted that Sondland will stay up and we like their manager as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Took the words out of my mouth, yep. Yep, took the words right out my mouth.
Craig matthews : um and um and they' doing And they're doing quite well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We we did predict that.
Craig matthews : They've got some great... throws their ice captain, Grealish Lackers are there. They've got some decent players. Yeah, decent QP, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Ruchiele, Ranildo, who they got from Atletico Madrid...
Craig matthews : also that
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, they've still got the likes of Ballard, who who scored their winner to get them promoted into the Premier League. um They've got a really good goalkeeper in Roofs as well.
Craig matthews : yeah decent teeth file yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Really decent keeper. I've got him in my FPL team and he's really been producing for the last few weeks for me. um But going into this game, I'm, you know, I'm...
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm far from comfortable. You know, far from comfortable. they You know, Sunderland have got a great team up their sleeve.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And um another thing as well, for those of you that listen to the podcast um at the start of the season, and I asked for everyone's managers to watch, me and Craig...
Global Sports Podcast Network: put down that it was the Sunderland manager that would be the manager that that would be the manager to watch and do well. And I mean, look at the start he's had.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, one of the biggest results they've probably got so far in the season, if I could be wrong in saying this, would be the the win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Craig matthews : 100% yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And, you know, looking at teams like Chelsea, they you know they've gone to Chelsea, The fact that they've gone and got a win, they will be fearless going into this game.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely fearless because they they'll they'll think, well, if we can beat Chelsea, the you know the world champions, we can beat the world champions, we can beat anyone on our day, surely.
Craig matthews : 100%, I agree. um Yeah, there holers we could see and and they're team. They're fearless, they've done well, they're very unfortunate. but One game their loss was very unfortunate. The game they lost a couple of weeks ago, I think it was.
Craig matthews : Their team had just relentless. They were losing at Everton. Everton should have been three or four up, didn't take their chances. The second half, the managers got into them at half-time. And second half was different game. The second half, Sonny was taking the game.
Craig matthews : Sonny was taking in the game to... um Salon was taking a game to Everton's second half, one of them games where anything could happen. ah like the signs where they brought the right profile of players for the team.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. I think when you when you look at Sunderland as a whole as well, right, you know, they i think that the the promotion money that they they earn from being in the playoffs has really, really put them in in such a great place. Signing all the players they've signed,
Global Sports Podcast Network: And bearing in mind, if they stay up, you know, if they if they stay in the Premier League going into next season, the revenue that will come in would be honestly so, so good for them, wouldn't it?
Craig matthews : Yeah. or Once asked everyone, if Sunday went through a hard time, and so off they got relegated from the Premier League many years ago. they they went to They got relegated from the Championship. I think they had back-to-back relegation, everyone remembers.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : They went out to League One. ah If you want to if we don't know what happened to them, watch the documentary on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Amazon.
Craig matthews : There's a documentary on Sunderland going down and they had to rebuild. The lost the ah the old owner left it all, the almost bankrupt the club. Then they came back up, we got a new owner now and they've done well for themselves over the years. They just kept on building, and building, building. They got promoted last season.
Craig matthews : They were on the dogs in that final against Sheffield United. Everyone put Sheffield United to get promoted.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
Craig matthews : yeah and they came off and they got promoted. So that shows that they don't care about big reputations or big players or what they go there, do what they need to do and get the results of who they did. So well done to them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, going into this game, I'm just looking at Sunderland's previous result. I'm looking at you know the start of the season. you know that you know They win at home against West Ham.
Global Sports Podcast Network: they you know They've lost to Burnley away. I think they went out of the Carabao Cup.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They've, you know, they've gone and beaten the likes of Brentford, held Palace to a draw, held Villa to a draw, despite being down to 10 men.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They've beaten Forest, they've lost United, beaten Wolves, Chelsea and drew to Everton. I mean, so far, that's been a very impressive record. And bearing in mind, we're only now in November, you know,
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: so I think for Sunderland right now, that they're in a great position. And, you know, certain players we've mentioned already, the likes of Xhaka, Ranildo, you know, you look at the defence in, you know, in the goalkeeper Rufs and Mukele.
Global Sports Podcast Network: what What are we going to need to do going into this game to try and get through Sunderland's defence? Because it's been pretty much shown that their defence has been pretty solid this season.
Craig matthews : The safety I said last week about the Burnley game, um the low blocks, they're going to lot low blocks. They might try to hit us on the counter and tackle as well with the players they've got. So, as I said before, we've got to move the ball quickly, move their defenders left-right and set them, move them around a bit and then hopefully we get had a chance to score and take our chances.
Craig matthews : It's not going to be easy game. Saka, all the players in the Arsenal team, they're going to give you physical game. It's going to physical game this game. They can play as well, but they're going to give physical challenges as well. So have to be a game where you've got be very smart as well and just use your ability to beat them. Our ability will beat them. On our A game, our ability will beat them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Another thing I also think to myself is, you know, going away to the Stadium of Light, it is going to be a rocking atmosphere, you know.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I think going into this game, that's something we're going to need to do. We're going to need to really die down the atmosphere. If we can keep possession, if we can maybe start creating a few chances, just to say like, look, we're not here to play around.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That could quiet down. That could really quiet down the Sunderland fans.
Craig matthews : so Definitely, i agree.
Global Sports Podcast Network: One player I do want to talk about as well is, of course... we and we we can't mention him in this, we we can't forget to mention him in this episode, Granit Xhaka.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, the fact that he's playing against his former club. Obviously, you know, we all remember his time at Arsenal. He had a very love-hate, you know, it was a very love-hate relationship.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Arsenal but towards the end you know it blossomed it did blossom didn't it we all grew we all grew to like him and you know he was our club captain scored goals crucial goals when we needed them um
Craig matthews : Yeah. Hmm. yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: how would you kind of How would you stop Xhaka's style of play? Because we all know what it's like when we add Xhaka.
Craig matthews : yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And let's be honest, the majority of this team might not be familiar with how Xhaka plays because obviously, you know, garie I think the defence will be fine and, you know, the likes of Xhaka will know how he's played.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But how would you stop him trying to pop a shot or just run with the ball?
Craig matthews : stick to the regular rice on him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, read my mind.
Craig matthews : Just stand in front of him. Stand in front of him. Either it's going to be a red card happening for him or he'll end up I don't know, if you stick them two players on him and give him no movement or no running space or no way to dictate the play, he'll stop Thunder. He's the main source of the passes going to him and he dictates the play.
Craig matthews : Stop him from playing and we win the game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. Do you know what? you I had the same thought in my head as well, which is players that we need to be stopping would be, you know, if we had Zuby, I think Rice, I think either Rice or Zuby to stop him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think that's what shuts down the supply for for us there, doesn't it?
Global Sports Podcast Network: And also, I was going to say, in terms of our defence, you know, we've boasted that we've been keeping clean sheet after clean sheet after clean sheet after clean sheet. do you do you think Do you think that might come under threat this weekend?
Craig matthews : Yes, but if we defend properly ah don't make any silly mistakes, we should be able to win the game without conceding. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be a very hard game against Sunday in a way.
Craig matthews : If it's at home, i I'll be more and more confident at home. Away from home, back-to-back away games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, same.
Craig matthews : I've played a Champions League away game the other day as well. depends how the players react and make sure they get plenty of rest before that game on Saturday off evening. so It all depends on they get enough rest and they're focused. It's a game.
Craig matthews : yeah It's a hard game. god
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, that's something I did also say to you lot um at the start of the week. You know, um this week's going to be a bit really interesting week for Arsenal because we've got three away games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, obviously we were away to Burnley. You know, that was ah that was a good result against ah ah a pretty decent Burnley side. You know, went away to Slavia, you know, got a good result against Slavia.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um And now, obviously, Sunderland coming up this weekend before the international break. You know, this, you know, I always say it and I'll always keep saying this, but resilience is going to be huge for this team, isn't it?
Craig matthews : I agree.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Absolutely going to be huge. But we're going to take a quick break in the meantime. And when we come back from the break, we're going to talk a bit more about Arsenal and obviously certain players missing and how we can potentially maybe line up ahead of this game against Sunderland. So join us after this quick break.
Craig matthews : Uh-huh.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this second part of the GSPN podcast here with Craig Matthews. And we're going to talk about Arsenal now because it's been it's been a lot. there's been you know There's been so much positivity, so much good talk about the club.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But as I've mentioned before, we we need to kind of address our worries and our concerns, especially in the injuries department.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now... Mourinho had a really good performance against Slavia Prague um the other night. And I'll be honest, I wasn't keen on playing Mourinho up front because I obviously thought back to last season and I thought, well, yes, he bagged a brace against Leicester, but we didn't, you know, we, you know, compared to what we see for Spain, I would like to see that for for Arsenal.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I mean, to an extent, I was i was made to eat my words. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Mm-hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Obviously, with this weekend now, we we probably know that Mourinho will probably start. um
Craig matthews : He's
Global Sports Podcast Network: What is your, you know, how do you think Mourinho will get on after, you know, after playing against Slavia Prague? where Where do you see his confidence being at?
Craig matthews : confident of his rocket height. I feel like... I feel like he... feel like he's better further forward on the pitch. Not playing in this field for Arsenal. I think he's better out front. I mean, there's supporting striker, like behind striker.
Craig matthews : I think he's more effective. He can hold the... He's not going to be as powerful as Gokic is going to beat off the fence, but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah.
Craig matthews : When the ball goes in the box, he's very deadly. Headers, like set pieces, he can score a header. Like, he did Newcastle, like he did the other day. It's very brave for headroom, so I wouldn't be worried too much about him on Saturday.
Craig matthews : I think if he can give him some goals, supply of goals and early crosses, he'll put the ball in back of the net as a short-term option.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : It's only for a short term because after the international break, Golkoz will be fit. Jay Z is back in training today, as you can see, back in training this week.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : You know, that's going to be a massive boost for the club. If he... If he is fully fit, say that he trains again tomorrow and he looks fully fit, I wouldn't mind risking him on the bench. I know it's a big ask for playing, but I wouldn't mind putting him on the bench for the game against Sunderland on the bench. He can bring him for like 10-15 minutes and see what he could do.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you know what?
Craig matthews : If he's fit to...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, go on.
Craig matthews : If he's fit... If he's fit to play and he has no inner flex from any injuries or anything, I'll take him to Sunderland on Saturday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you know what? i I'm also in agreeance with you because my my thing is right, especially before the international break as well. Look, if if say, for example, we didn't have the international break and we had a game on next weekend, then I wouldn't i wouldn't take him.
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But since we do have the international break, obviously he won't be he won't get called up for Brazil. So he'll have an additional two more weeks to then train before potentially playing against...
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um playing against the likes of, you know, Spurs, Bayern Munich, Chelsea.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't see, I don't see why, I'm in agreeance, I don't see why you couldn't take him.
Craig matthews : Bring him on for 20 minutes. It's not like 15, 20 minutes. That's enough minutes for him just to ease his way back into the team. Like, getting back reacquainted with his teammates again or whatever.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : I saw some finishing and training other day, I'm very impressed. He looks sharp.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He does.
Craig matthews : I saw some of the videos the other day of searching online. Like, he's finishing looking immaculate. Heading, left foot, right foot, volleying. So, if he's available and he's fit,
Craig matthews : um would I would take him. I know people say the risk, but but I thought we should take that risk. We've got no Gokras on the bench. We need a striker on the bench.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : ah don't I don't want to risk the young kid who came on the other day. He's too young.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Anous.
Craig matthews : Yeah, don't don't risk him now. Let him play in the under-21 to get more experience and whatever.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, of course.
Craig matthews : If Jasons is fit and available, you pick a Jasons on the bench.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I mean, to be honest honest with you, if we do bring Mourinho off, which could be a possibility, you know, did then then you've then got to start reshuffling your attack, your, you know, your attack and potentially your mid...
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Midfield, sorry. And I just think, yeah, I don't see why if you gave Marino, say, 80 minutes against Sunderland, brought Jesus on for the last maybe 10, 10 to 15 minutes just to get some fitness.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Craig matthews : Mm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And like you said as well, Craig, the fact that he's been, you know, he's he looks so much sharper. He looks so much sharper. And look, I know that we're basing this off training videos.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But I can see, i can see a better Jesus coming back.
Craig matthews : You know what, I would say if you ask us, everyone's saying that if he can stay fit for the end of the season, no injury anything, he comes back on Saturday and stay injury free from now on to the end the season, we have a big chance winning the league if he can stay fit.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : Because this guy can play left wing, they're playing right wing, can play up front, he can play just behind the fly car.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And again, it goes back to the fact that Arteta loves versatility.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, he loves he loves players that are versatile. And that's that's what Jesus can give you. I mean, you know, when when we do get Jesus back properly, you know, whether that's this weekend or after the international break, you think about Arsenal's attack now with Madweke back.
Craig matthews : e
Craig matthews : i
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, that's going to be another thing. How do you integrate Madweke into that team now?
Craig matthews : i know it's it's it's a good head it's a good headache to have isn't it
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah.
Craig matthews : Compared to last season when we had all the kids on not suspect that the bench last season and it was very difficult to be their minutes because it was hard game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : But now we've got a strong bench and players like 8-1 years have to fight for the players even harder now. Because when all these players come back, the bench claim is going very difficult to be on the bench every week.
Craig matthews : you know what mean?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And then it goes back to, you know, again, it goes back to the conversation we had ah about a week or two ago about whether you maybe think of maybe, you know, sending Ethan out on loan and, you know, let him get, let him get some game time, whether it's at another Premier League club, whether it's, you know, maybe at the, chat maybe in the championship, you know, that's the that's the thing.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Arteta is going to have a good headache after the international break, isn't he?
Craig matthews : Yeah. ah i how ah I think how much should be felt in the international breakups, how much other guys should be feeling the same.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's really going to have good international work. Yeah, good headache.
Craig matthews : Jesus.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, gosh.
Craig matthews : JD's going to cry.
Global Sports Podcast Network: JD.
Craig matthews : sad is' gonna cry
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, dear, dear, dear. But imagine, though, imagine if... je I mean, look, imagine if he scores the winner against Bayern Munich or scores the winner against Spurs. I mean, i would like to see what his reaction would be.
Craig matthews : say this. He's got a good goal. I don't like him. I still don't like him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah!
Craig matthews : I still want him gone.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah! Yeah! that's so that's so true.
Craig matthews : I still want him gone. He's not my striker.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's actually so true.
Craig matthews : He's not striker. ah not like
Global Sports Podcast Network: oh my goodness
Craig matthews : not like dry co
Global Sports Podcast Network: The thing is, right, i look, as I said before, I understand, I do understand where JD's coming from with this with this relate with this like hate towards Haberts because his hold-up play, yeah again, hold-up play is really good, but it's the fact that, again, his hold-up play was really good, but you know it's just that final end product with Haberts.
Craig matthews : a
Global Sports Podcast Network: But again, yeah.
Craig matthews : And he looks Bambi on ice sometimes when he's playing. He's always falling down and clumsy.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Craig matthews : But you know what? He's an Arsenal player, he's got a backup player, really. A backup teammate.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's it. Yeah, exactly that.
Craig matthews : He's got a backup.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, you're absolutely spot on. Absolutely spot on at the minute. And the thing is, right, again, I'm actually quite relieved that we're getting players coming back towards this part of the season now, where, again, you know, we come back and it's going to be quite heavy when we come back after the international break, where we have, you know, again, North London derby.
Craig matthews : Mmm.
Craig matthews : I'll go for it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: buy Munich at home and Chelsea away.
Craig matthews : I'll tell you away.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, grateful for the fact that it's not Spurs away and buying home or Spurs away and buying away, as I said to the boys on on yesterday, as I said to you, as I said to the boys on yesterday's pod.
Craig matthews : By the way, yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But, you know, again, i really do think
Craig matthews : Mmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: this will be a big test for Arsenal. It'll be now, to be honest, actually, it'll be now till pretty much the end, ah by by New Year's Eve, sorry, New Year's Day. It'll be now till New Year's that this will be a testing period for Arsenal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And this is where resilience is going to need to come into play now.
Craig matthews : um
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So...
Craig matthews : We had a hard start as well. Remember the switch at the start of the season was but now and
Global Sports Podcast Network: We did, yeah.
Craig matthews : October was very easy to fix in October. but november again if we can go If we can go November, December on Skate, go into January transfer window,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Craig matthews : There may be, maybe it might be some business here and there, might be someone wanting to go in and wanting to come in and never know. Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Do you know what? as As my girlfriend has said to me, she said to me, Don't complain when you get to January. And I was like, nope, I'm actually not going to complain this year.
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The only thing that I would like to see us do is in January, if we do, you know, if we, depending on what the situation is, the only thing I'd like us to do is we either, if we're going to try and look at players to bring in, they either, you either bring them in in January on loan or,
Craig matthews : Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: you do what you've done with Zuby, which is, you know, build a pre-contract agreement and as of the 1st of July, he then becomes an Arsenal player. do you know what I mean?
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, there's there's a lot of options there. But I think, again, i think for the priority for January, it's got to be outgoing for Arsenal because, yes, despite having... Who have we got out on loan?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Zinchenko, Kivior, Rhys Nelson, Sambi...
Craig matthews : Rich Nelson.
Craig matthews : Fabio, no, it's permanent. Sammy's permanent.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, yeah, Fabio Vieira.
Craig matthews : Fabio Fiera and Kane, the goalkeeper as well, the young keeper.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You know, if we can start agreeing... Go
Global Sports Podcast Network: on. Hein.
Craig matthews : Heinz on loan as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Alex Hart. Yeah, Hein. Yeah. So, look, if we can start agreeing contracts where clubs want to start playing buying our players, then I'd say it's a successful window.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um
Craig matthews : Hmm.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I guess we just have to see what happens from there on in, really.
Craig matthews : Definitely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. But guys, we're going to take another quick short break. um When we come back, I'm going to ask Craig the most important question. And of course, it's predictions.
Craig matthews : Connections. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And the thing is, right, for me and Craig, we seem to be actually doing quite well on predictions. So hopefully we can give you guys the correct predict predictions for this weekend's game. But join us after this quick break.
Craig matthews : yeah ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And welcome back to this third and final part of the pod. And of course, we go into the most important part of the show, and it is the score predictions.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Craig, first question is, before I but before i even ask for your prediction, do you see Arsenal keeping in a clean sheet?
Craig matthews : Yes, I'm confident.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He says that very confidently as well, actually. says that very confidently.
Craig matthews : Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And your scoreline and your goalscorers. Give us a scoreline.
Craig matthews : feel there's a three-nother way win, you know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, really?
Craig matthews : I feel there's goals in this game. feel something that can be exploited at the back somewhere, somehow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay. Okay.
Craig matthews : ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And your goalscorers?
Craig matthews : my My goal scored... I think I'm going to go Mikael Marino to get one.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep.
Craig matthews : Saka. I know what, because this a good form at the moment. going to back Beckham Rice to get a goal.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, that's a shout. That's a great shout.
Craig matthews : You know what? know what, yeah. and And I think Gabriel will get an assist as well for Marino's goal. He'll head it a across the board and Marino will have a tapping header.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay, so we're saying set piece here. We're saying set piece here.
Craig matthews : Set-piece.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Set piece again, all early.
Craig matthews : Yeah, set-piece, yeah.
Craig matthews : Yeah, it will be that again. Yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Good prediction there, Craig. um I'm actually going I'm going Arsenal.
Craig matthews : Oh, you
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think it's going to be a really tight game. But I do see us ah do see us winning this game. um Won't be easy. Will not be easy.
Craig matthews : missed.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ooh.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Craig matthews : um
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, sorry. i For some reason, i just, I looked up, saw the ball got crossed in. I think, I don't know who crossed it in, but... Oh,
Craig matthews : He missed the open ball.
Global Sports Podcast Network: it was Munoz. Munoz crossed it in. Keepers got a hand to it. But it is out for a goal kick.
Craig matthews : and mr oph
Global Sports Podcast Network: However...
Craig matthews : miss the o
Global Sports Podcast Network: all
Craig matthews : just the open door
Global Sports Podcast Network: Pretty much...
Craig matthews : oh
Global Sports Podcast Network: But um yeah, I'm going 2-0 Arsenal and I will go... I'm going to also agree with you. I think Declan Rice will score. And I'm going Mikel Marino. I'm going Mikel Marino, Declan Rice.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Three players that are in relatively decent form.
Craig matthews : okay
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I know that if Mikel Marino scores this weekend, imagine what that will mean for his confidence going on international duty for Spain.
Craig matthews : yeah
Craig matthews : definitely yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: It will be an all-time high for him. So ah that's what I can see happen. That's what I can see happen.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But we'd love to hear your thoughts on social media as that is it for us today. Have you liked what we've had to say? If so, we'd love to your thoughts on social media.
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, a daily wrap-up, and every week, the road to World Cup 26. I have been your host, Jamie Patterson, and he has been the amazing Craig Matthews.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Have a good day all, and take care.
