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Daily Arsenal - S1: E131 - Reviewing England’s international break and looking ahead to the return of the Prem!
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In today’s episode we will be discussing about England’s performances under Thomas Tuchel and of course we’ve missed club football?? So we will talk about Arsenal upcoming games and a return of a certain Starboy!!!
Host: Jamie Patterson
Guest: Craig Matthews
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Transcript
00:00:00
Craig matthews
Thank you.
Introduction to The Daily Arsenal Podcast
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome to the Daily Arsenal Podcast, the only place to catch your daily fix of Arsenal, where we eat, sleep and repeat talking all things Arsenal.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, brought to you on the GSPN Podcast Network, I'm your host Jamie Patterson and as always I am joined by my other partner in crime, my other Arsenal connoisseur, he is back.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fresh from his holidays in Portugal. And unlike JD, he's brought back the warm weather with him.
00:00:43
Craig matthews
but but
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the wonderful Craig Matthews. Craig, it has been a while. How are you keeping, mate?
00:00:52
Craig matthews
I'm happy and refreshed, ready to go man. Got energy again. Hopefully my team can make me happy to now and end the season, man. so
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly that.
00:01:02
Craig matthews
that's it really.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Listen, like like i said like I said in the intro, you've done something that JD hasn't unfortunately done, is bring back some warm weather for me. It's been nice and warm in the UK today, so I can't complain. i literally cannot complain.
England's Performances Under Tuchel and Arsenal's Upcoming Games
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But guys, it's been a while since you've last heard from us. So in this episode, we're going to be discussing about England's performances under Thomas Tuchel, And of course, you know, we have we, Craig, I must ask, have you missed club football?
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you missed Arsenal?
00:01:34
Craig matthews
Yes. Yes.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Love that. Absolutely love that. As we will be talking about Arsenal's upcoming games and a return of a certain star boy. Now, as always, guys, if you do want to get involved with any of our topics discussed, please do get and get involved through our social media, which can be found in the description.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's kick it off with the international break. Now, first of all, Craig, normally when we when we go into an international break, and I'm talking about any football fan, we we always sit here and we always say, oh, the international break, oh, it's going to be boring, oh, it's going to be this, it's going to be that, and everything else in between.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But how are you feeling going into the international break?
00:02:26
Craig matthews
They always seem to stop our momentum in the past. Whenever we've got an international break, the comeback was sluggish, not the same, the rhythm is gone. la i think we won our last game before the international break, if remember correctly. I think we won our last game before the international break.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, we did.
00:02:40
Craig matthews
don't remember saying.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, we beat Chelsea.
00:02:41
Craig matthews
We won. Oh yeah, 1-0, yeah.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
1-0 at the Emirates.
00:02:44
Craig matthews
So...
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mikel Moreno.
00:02:47
Craig matthews
I always say that it takes us a while to get our rhythm back after the international breaks. I'm hoping the injured players who injured can come back and switch it and fire in again for now and the end of the season now.
00:02:59
Craig matthews
yeah
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely. we' We'll discuss a bit more about Arsenal and their international breaks after because it's never been it's never been easy, it has especially for Arsenal. It's just never been easy to kind of get back on the bandwagon and just push on.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we will discuss a bit more
International Breaks: Disruption or Opportunity?
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
about that. We are going to focus, though, on England and on Thomas Tuchel's first two games in charge of the England squad. Did you get an opportunity to see both games?
00:03:29
Craig matthews
I saw the thirdr the second game, watched the second game other day.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
England, Latvia.
00:03:33
Craig matthews
I saw the highlights of the holiday, I saw the highlights of England versus, put it in with the first game, Albania, I watched the highlights.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was England, Albania.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, before we just discuss about england England's results, Craig, I must ask, what were your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel's first ever England selection?
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
were there any Were there any that kind of raised your eyebrows? Were you were you surprised? were you Were you sitting there thinking, oh, well, you know what? I knew he was going to come along. were you you know What were your general thoughts?
00:04:10
Craig matthews
thought that I thought that it fixes all the players. and for Only one player has not been in form recently. That's Phil Foden. All the rest of the players are in good form. Ralf was in form. Kane's in form this season.
00:04:21
Craig matthews
Skelly's in form. Dan Byrne was one of the league cup with Newcastle. He's in form. Pickles had a good season. Right back. He played right back. Kyle Walker, wasn't he?
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Carl Walker.
00:04:31
Craig matthews
He's doing funnily enough.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:33
Craig matthews
He's doing quite well at East Riverlands, so he's in form.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:36
Craig matthews
I thought Qantas was good form for Aston Villa. Aston Villa having a great season as well. so Deca Rice, obviously, you know what he does, he brings to the table. I think the team was a balanced team, but I just thought that maybe Paul Ferdinand doesn't seem to fit into England's system or where we play.
00:04:54
Craig matthews
don't think he is struggling.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree with you, Phil Foden. i don't know what it is, but since, probably since the back end of not last season. Wait, was it last season?
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I feel like after the back end of last season, I haven't seen that same Phil Foden.
00:05:13
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
haven't seen it and it does pain me because we all know how talented of a footballer he is, but we just haven't seen much out of this Phil Foden from this season.
00:05:22
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's That's the one thing that does really, that does trouble me quite a fair bit, but... There's one guy I do want to talk about and I'll come on to him in a minute.
00:05:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But let's talk about some of the other England debutants.
Spotlight on England Players: Achievements and Challenges
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dan Byrne, as you mentioned there, Craig. I mean, interesting move, in my opinion, because after that header in the League Cup final, to then be told that you have to report for England duty at 8am the next day after winning the Cowbell Cup.
00:05:53
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:06:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what a week. it had been for Dan Byrne. how How do you think he must be feeling now, after the week he's had, and now going back into like next week, knowing that, oh, well, I'm back at Newcastle now. Do you think that maybe this might be the start of of something from Dan Byrne here?
00:06:21
Craig matthews
I feel like he started out, he started out Newcastle was young, got released, started playing non-league football for a long time, then he got his moves. He's been through the football pyramid. He's from lower league, worked his way up to the Premier League.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he did.
00:06:35
Craig matthews
You can't regret someone like that. He's man, like a grassman grasped his way to the top. You have to give what credits credit credit's He never gave got this opportunity now. He's done quite well, to be fair. He's done very well. so I feel like from now end of the season, if he can stay in the same form, he'll keep his shirt now because Maguire's not being picked in the squad.
00:06:54
Craig matthews
John Stone's injury-prone now.
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:56
Craig matthews
So, he's got a chance to stake his place in the team.
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. You couldn't have said it better. You know, i think at the end of the day, you look at, for someone like Dan Byrne now, great timing for him to kind of join the England squad and join the set up.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I personally think, right, again, age is not a massive factor in this. i he How old is he? Like 32 or something.
00:07:20
Craig matthews
32, yeah, 32.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And his height is what? Six foot seven. I mean, po six foot seven.
00:07:25
Craig matthews
He's a giant. He's a giant. That's all I got say.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's like a like similar to like an NBA kind of player. Do you know what mean?
00:07:32
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, yeah, for me, Dan Byrne, I think great player. I think if he continues the way he's playing in the Premier League, especially towards now that the home straight, I could see him really kind of stamp his authority in the England squad, especially, as you said, with, you know, no Harry Maguire, you know, John Stones injured,
00:07:43
Craig matthews
I
00:07:48
Craig matthews
i agree.
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, yeah, I just think that there's really good potential for him. Really good potential.
00:07:59
Craig matthews
Oh.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the next player I've got to bring up, we we we have to. Like, this isn't an Arsenal podcast for a reason. We have to bring him up.
00:08:06
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Myles Lewis Skelly, what a way to score at Wembley on your England debut. I mean, oh my gosh. I mean, I...
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I sat there. I remember because over the weekend, me and my girlfriend, we went to Hastings and we were sat in a pub and I turned around to her and she kind of jokingly said like,
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure the focus for Myles Lewis-Skelly would be to stay on the pitch. And I was like, ha, ha, ha, very funny.
00:08:42
Craig matthews
just a
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i was like, look, you know, it just, look, as long as he, as long as he plays a good game, whether he gets an hour on the pitch, whether he gets the full 90, I just want him to do well.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when he got played through and he took the and he and he went and just finished it with that cheeky nutmeg through the keeper's legs. Oh, I was so happy.
00:09:06
Craig matthews
yeah
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, so happy. And i mean what a confidence but what I mean, what a confidence booster that will be now. What a confidence booster. I mean, Craig, what do you make of his performances over the last two games against Latvia and against Albania?
00:09:24
Craig matthews
you've heard a season pro like in 20 years kept it simple fed did defended well didn't give any cheeky files away like it was solid But you have to give credit to the Arsenal Academy, like Hale Lender.
00:09:38
Craig matthews
You've got to give credit to people Perton Matusaka, like Jack Walshrow who saw his development from a young age as well.
00:09:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:43
Craig matthews
All these people who who worked with him and helped him along the way. And especially mum, go give his mum credit. His mum is his agent as well.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:50
Craig matthews
I know that his mum studied. I read a story about his mum. His mum studied, went to learn about a for industry what the went to uni, studied it and she's an agent and helped other mums who are of young players in the academies but also academy or other academies to help them out so yeah
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i think I think a lot of players need to take a leaf out of that book because... going Going a little bit off track here, but you look at other footballers, like, for example, Hakimi.
00:10:17
Craig matthews
o
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, Hakimi, I think, I believe also Yamin Lamao also has got his mum as, like, an agent.
00:10:24
Craig matthews
yeah
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or, like, basically, to cut a long story short, they've kind of signed off all their assets under the mother's name.
00:10:32
Craig matthews
on
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you you look, who was it, that actually, that split up?
00:10:34
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it Hakimi?
00:10:39
Craig matthews
It was Hakimi and his wife were up and she wanted to take it but take everything off him.
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Split up. And he, she thought, and she thought he was, she was going to get everything of, the of, of all his possessions, but ha, turned out not.
00:10:42
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:50
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, just Myles Lewis-Skelly. I mean, just what a talent he is. What a season he's having.
00:10:57
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you make your Premier League debut, you make your Champions League debut, you've made your England debut, your senior debut, and you've scored. You've scored for Arsenal, you've scored for England.
00:11:07
Craig matthews
you
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, it can't get any better than this, can it?
00:11:14
Craig matthews
Definitely not. That's the limit for him now. When he's been up with the trophy, then that's it.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:11:19
Craig matthews
He's done it.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
but My question to you is, do you think the media, with the media now, we we kind of get a gist that the media are going to pile quite a lot of pressure. Do you think he'll be able to handle that pressure, especially now as he's featured for England in two
Managing Young Talent: Media Pressure and Support
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
games?
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bearing in mind, he started, he's it's not like he's come off the bench. He has started two England games in a row. And I know it's early days, but...
00:11:47
Craig matthews
yeah
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think? What do you think? Like, yeah. What's your thoughts?
00:11:53
Craig matthews
I feel that he's grounded. You know why? He's got his mum, he's got his family around him, his grandma was at the game the other day celebrating and scoring that goal.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:59
Craig matthews
so I feel he's got the right people around him to kind of... Like Jude Benjamin as well, his mum's his age and his mum looks after him and his dad looks after him and all that.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:08
Craig matthews
He's got that ground, that that like that level where Like, he don't have to worry about anything. His parents will look after His mum will look after everything for him.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:17
Craig matthews
So anything the media, they'll niff it in the body. And Arsenal, I think Arsenal, they train the media, train them very well as well. So they'll know from a young age, they'll train them up how to speak to the media, how to deal with them outside the pitch.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely.
00:12:28
Craig matthews
Arsenal will look after him.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:12:30
Craig matthews
So he'll be fine.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:12:32
Craig matthews
He'll be fine.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just think right now, just looking at Myles Lewis-Skelly, I just sit here and I think to myself, what a player we've got in him. What a player we've got in him.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the thing is, right... Before this international break, a lot of people were getting onto Miles Lewis Skelly saying, oh, well, you know, hope he you know you know oh well he's going to cost England a red card. and you know there was so i don't know if you saw like any of the comments.
00:12:58
Craig matthews
i saw it saw it i saw it horrible
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if you...
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, horrible. And it was literally, it it was as soon as as soon as he got to St. George's Park and it the England social media team put a photo up of him The comments were just...
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was so it was honestly so heartbreaking, the comments. I don't know if you'd... It's just...
00:13:21
Craig matthews
I just want to comment about it's horrible, it horrible that book.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is. And the thing is, right, he's young. Myles Lewis Kelly is still young. He's, what, 17? 18, my bad. My
00:13:33
Craig matthews
Not
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at 18 years to go and...
00:13:35
Craig matthews
eighteen yeah
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
but eighteen years old to go and Play the way you're playing. And look, I understand, yes, everyone's going to look at... You know, everyone's going to look at the the red card he got against...
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who did he get a red card against?
00:13:52
Craig matthews
I think got one against Wolves after Sin did.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I forgot.
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that was rescinded, yeah.
00:13:56
Craig matthews
Then you got one against, then you got one against, I think some off against recently. Hmm.
00:14:03
Craig matthews
of
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wasn't... I was... No, it's not. I can't think, but... the the point The point I'm trying to get here is the fact that the kid's still young.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, Lou Skelly's still young. And, you know, look, he's still learning. But at the end of the day, he's got so much, so much going going ahead for him. It will be, it will honestly be so, so good.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, in the meantime, we're going to take a quick break. We're going to hear from our partners at Bionic. Join us for the second part as we take a look at Thomas Tuchel's playing style and his formations and to also just talk about more of the past two results from the England games.
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us after the break.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome back as you join us for part two of reviewing international, reviewing, earla I can't talk, reviewing England's international break, as well as also looking ahead to the return of the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel: A Winning Manager for England?
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Craig, what were your, now, at the very start, you know, obviously we've, we had lees Lee Carsley taking over after Gareth Southgate's Now, when you heard of Thomas Tuchel potentially being lined up as the England manager, what were your original thoughts?
00:16:10
Craig matthews
I was thinking to myself at the time, was thinking, isn't it any good, like, in the British managers out there, they could have done the job as well. But then thought, try something different. We had a British manager at Southgate, got us to finals, but then it would get over the line.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:23
Craig matthews
so Two calls of approval, winner one Champions one Premier League, pre one the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
00:16:31
Craig matthews
So he's got his one league with PSG.
00:16:34
Craig matthews
So he's winner. He works with most of the players like Chelsea as well. So he knows a few the players from Chelsea like Rhys James and players like that. He's worked in the Premier League. And he's fairly for a lot of players in the Premier League as well. So he knows it in the system as well. playing the Premier League for while. So you would think, I would say give him time Implant, I know the results are very not condensing like a massive battery or anything like that.
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:59
Craig matthews
I think he needs to get his style of play his style of play, get the player to play the system wants to play. I think Ino's not playing some great football under him. I honestly feel like he's got some great football under him.
00:17:12
Craig matthews
once Saka is fit and firing again, once some players come back from injuries.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:17
Craig matthews
Inal will play good football under him. I believe in him. I think he'll do a good job for him.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree. I think the thing is, when I first heard that England were bringing in Tuchel, I thought, hmm, I'm not sure. Like, I just didn't know how I felt about it. Because I thought, again, I also was a bit like you. I thought, oh, well, thought we might have gone down the path of an English manager.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's also the issue of what English managers, what good English managers are out there. You know, you kind of look at previous England managers we've had in the likes of Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello, go as far back as Svenja Eriksson, obviously Southgate.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And kind of just sat there and thought, well, what good English managers are out there at the minute? And I don't know about you, Craig, but I only thought there was probably, hate to say it, but I only thought there was one good England manager out there.
00:18:16
Craig matthews
Eddie, how?
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, took the words right out of my mouth.
00:18:19
Craig matthews
read your mind. I read your mind.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Read my mind, took the words right out my mouth.
00:18:24
Craig matthews
it's
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was, I actually, i was really hopeful we'd get Eddie Howell in because, you know, you look at the work, you look at what he'd done with Bournemouth.
00:18:25
Craig matthews
but o
00:18:28
Craig matthews
Mm-hmm. butly
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was with Bournemouth for a good few years, got them from relegation. He got them, you know, got them from the Championship up into the Premier League.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth now are a proven Premier League team. And it's just... I just thought, oh, surely, you know, we' we'd bring him... You know, we'd bring someone like Eddie Howe in.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... I look at, again, I look at Thomas Tuchel and I go back to exactly what you were saying about he's a proven winner. He's got a pedigree of going to teams, big teams, and, you know, bringing home trophies.
00:19:10
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I remember briefly, he did say that he wanted to add a second star to the England badge. Now, I think it's very ambitious and I i kind of understand where Tuchel's coming from because, again, like you said, Craig, we've been in you know we've been in finals and we've always just drawn up short.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've always just drawn the short straw and we've been really unlucky.
00:19:40
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, I think for me it depends on his selections.
00:19:48
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think it depends on his selections and... I look at, like, for example, who was a player that I was like, oh, why did they bring him in? Henderson, for example. I was like, why did we bring in Jordan Henderson?
00:20:00
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, even for some of the some of the games, I was kind of questioning some of the England players that were starting that game. You know, Pickford, for example. I feel like Pickford needs a bit of competition.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think... Look, not trying to sound biased or anything, but I would have gone for someone like a Dean Henderson. we We talk about, you start at the start of the show, you spoke about form, right?
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you look at Pickford. I feel like Pickford has only just found his form in the last couple of months. But with someone like Dean Henderson, who's been at Palace, he's been their the starting keeper, has probably not put a foot wrong in certain games, but has also been playing really well.
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know alice soina You know, Palace are in a quarterfinal a game against Fulham this weekend.
00:20:47
Craig matthews
definitely
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would have been nice to have seen a a bit of a change-up, especially against teams like Latvia and Albania. you know I mean? No disrespect, but, you know, it would have been nice.
00:21:01
Craig matthews
or
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would have been nice.
00:21:04
Craig matthews
yeah
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was at the Latvia game, actually, and looking back at that game, the first half, I wasn't really too impressed with because I just thought... There was something not right.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was just something not right. And it's just, we weren't, we weren't clicking. And then second half, it was second. No, the Rhys James free kick was amazing. You saw the Rhys James free kick, didn't you?
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
that That was quality, that free kick. And that was in my end, actually, funny enough. Great, great goal.
00:21:34
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, Yeah, i just look, I just think, obviously, with Tuchel, it's going to take a bit of time. I really do think it's going to take a little bit of time with him. And I think what he's what we're going to need to be is patient with him.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to need to be really patient with Thomas Tuchel because, at the end of the day, we you know he hasn't got along with us. He only signed an 18-month contract with England.
00:21:56
Craig matthews
no
00:21:59
Craig matthews
yeah
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, again... Only time can tell. Only time can tell with Tuchel. But it'll be interesting to see how we fare up against a France or a Netherlands or a bigger opposition. do you know what I mean?
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that would really be a big test for Tuchel then.
00:22:15
Craig matthews
hmm
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Trying to think if we've got any big games coming up in over the next international break. I don't think we... I don't know. I'd need to look into it a bit more. But...
00:22:28
Craig matthews
it's it's well to my group it's well to my walk-up group i feel well to my walk-up group now i think so i think they're walk-up qualifying
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, goodness me. You've got me thinking on the spot here. I'm not sure. I'll have i'll have a check in in in the next ad break, actually, which ah ah which we will take now, actually. but will Whilst whilst we're was the ad break's going on, we'll we'll have a look.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And join us for part three as we will be moving away from the international break. And we will be looking ahead to Arsenal's games and just the Premier League football being back in general. So join us after the break.
Anticipation for the Premier League's Return
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know why that always does that, but but welcome back guys to the third and final part of our podcast, where we're now going to be shifting our attention away from international football, and we are finally greeted back with Premier League football.
00:23:47
Craig matthews
I know.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
However though, we're not greeted with it this weekend, as we have got the FA Cup, sadly not in the FA Cup, but you know what, though? We've got some cracking games in the FA Cup this weekend. i briefly mentioned one of the ties, which will be Fulham Palace. That will be that be a cracking game.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then we've got Bournemouth and Man City. I mean, could you imagine Bournemouth pulling off something there?
00:24:31
Craig matthews
Awesome, they could
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. i could say I think especially being at home for Bournemouth, that will be really good. so And then I believe the other games that are on are Brighton Forest and Preston North End at home to Villa.
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be really interesting, especially being at Preston North End. Preston North End at home as well. That is going to really draw crowds in for a quarterfinal.
00:25:06
Craig matthews
Of course.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I had to ask you for an FA Cup winner, if you out of them out of them eight teams, who who would you who would you put your money on?
00:25:17
Craig matthews
you know. I thought they got a good chance.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I...
00:25:22
Craig matthews
Dark Horse, I'll say they're Bournemouth. Bournemouth and City, they can go all the way as well because they're Bournemouth after the final.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:29
Craig matthews
Could be.
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. do you know what? For me, it's cities to lose. It's cities to lose.
00:25:34
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm going to go dark horse. And you know what? I'm only saying this because my my girlfriend's probably going be listening to this. But I actually I think Palace have got a decent chance at this. i think they've got a good chance because going into this week weekend's game, they they got a result against Fulham in their last Premier League game.
00:25:46
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:25:51
Craig matthews
Hmm. Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
depending on who they get in the semi-finals, will be interesting. If they get a Brighton, if Brighton were to get into the semis and they face up against each other, that will be that will be a very feisty game.
00:26:04
Craig matthews
Pasted Dalby.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Big derby as well.
00:26:06
Craig matthews
Yeah. Hmm.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very big derby, but we'll see what happens during the course of this weekend. For Arsenal, on the other hand, we've been greeted. So we're we're currently recording on a Thursday night.
00:26:21
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And earlier on today, all Arsenal fans,
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're delivered with some good news. And it is the one and only Bukayo Saka is now training.
00:26:29
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Craig, I could hear as sigh of relief there for a second. Oh my gosh. like it's At the minute, it's a real pinch me moment.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the fact that we could have him for Real Madrid... Let's not talk about Real Madrid just yet, but Fulham...
00:26:52
Craig matthews
yeah
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have Fulham on Tuesday night at the Emirates. I will be at that game.
00:26:58
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh. you know what? I'm not asking for Bukhar Saka to start, but I would love to see him come on come off from the bench.
00:27:00
Craig matthews
What?
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, the question is to you, how big a miss has he been for us? Let's be honest.
00:27:12
Craig matthews
Massive.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
How big of a miss has he been for us?
00:27:13
Craig matthews
off I thought if he was a fit and available for the time he was injured, we'd be further off in the table. Higher off in the second. We'd be more close to Liverpool in the table.
00:27:24
Craig matthews
Certain games like Old Trafford at the United, we drew 1-1.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:27
Craig matthews
We would have won that. Maybe certain games like West Ham at home, who'd have unlocked that defence, would have won that game. Certain games that we've lost or drawn, he would have determined game in a different way.
00:27:38
Craig matthews
Like Forrest away, we drew 0-0 with them. He'll keep us good to put a goal.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:42
Craig matthews
go good record against him as well. So there are certain games he's been unavailable could have done with him.
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:27:48
Craig matthews
But I thought the team have done well with him being absent to a certain extent, especially in the Champions League. Not saying we can't do without him, we need him. But I think the Covers had other players step even Waineri stepped up in his absence.
00:28:07
Craig matthews
Obviously he's the one who's really stuck up me in absence. The others, not so much. But he's one that's really impressed me a lot since he's been injured.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? Again, yeah goodness me, you must be some sort of mind reader because I was going to ask you about the Champions League. And I was actually going to say, like, you know, you look at our form in the Prem, you look at our form in the Champions League and it's just been, it's been so different.
00:28:21
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, this Arsenal team in the Champions League is somewhat unrecognisable from what we see in the Prem.
00:28:32
Craig matthews
yeah
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think having Saka back, the one thing I wouldn't do is I wouldn't rush him back. So, like, for example, Fulham, I would only expect him to maybe play 15, maybe 20 minutes at a push, just so that he can try and get back to some form of fitness.
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you know what i mean?
00:28:55
Craig matthews
Definitely.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't rush him back. I just, that's the thing with Saka as well. You don't want to rush him back because before before his injury, pretty much played majority, if not every game.
00:29:05
Craig matthews
Every game.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Again, you couldn't have said it better, but the absence of Saka has been missed. However, players like Ethan Waniere, let's big him up for a second because they're big shoes to fill.
00:29:25
Craig matthews
Mm.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're big shoes to fill. But he's turned up.
00:29:27
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
he has He has really turned up when we've needed him. The thing is, though, what do you do now...
Arsenal's Strategy for Champions League Matches
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
going forward Now that we've got Saka back and you're Arteta, what do you do with your front three?
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because let me just remind you, we've now got Martinelli back, now Saka, Ethan Waniere, Trossard and Sterling.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how would you play that front three?
00:29:59
Craig matthews
i I would... I would...
00:30:05
Craig matthews
You know that... You know Odegaard's points are very poorly, you know? know it's our captain, you but...
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:10
Craig matthews
I would... I would play Mennieri in the number 10 role behind... As I gave free role behind the striker.
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
o That's actually not a bad shout, to be fair. we've We've seen... i remember watching him... Was it last... It was last season against West Ham.
00:30:27
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he played the number 10 role. And I thought, wow, is there anything this kid cannot do? Like, he was running at defences, was really kind of applying that pressure needed.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:30:39
Craig matthews
Or, or we could play them up front.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:30:43
Craig matthews
They've got more pace than Marina.
00:30:45
Craig matthews
They could play like a sports line. Suck on the right. Martina on the left. And Vainier is a Roman. Roman in to them. Just get the ball off. Put
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, that could be a good shout. That could be a very good shout. Question for you that's just come to my head. Would you play Saka up top or would you play him on the right?
00:31:03
Craig matthews
him on the right.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:05
Craig matthews
If we came down to it, um'll get I'll make them be flexible, make them all rotate. So there'll be no...
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:12
Craig matthews
Like how City's in the back of the they have no striker for Haaland, Kenti and City. They had Jaysson with his friend on the wing. So I have no striker, so I'll play, maybe I'll say to like, whoever's closest to goal, just rotate. So Martin can rotate, Waineri can go on the left, right, just rotate.
00:31:30
Craig matthews
Mix up their defence, like I guess, just against Real Madrid. They are going to come for a shot against us, they're going to they're going to roll us over. what I thought if we can if we can do something special on that night especially at home win at home get a nice 2-0 win at home go to the Bernabeu and defend for 90 minutes and get to the semi-finals but all we have to do is get to Real Madrid
00:31:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be, oh, that would just be huge, wouldn't it? That, that would be huge.
00:31:55
Craig matthews
yeah 100% so
00:31:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think great timing for Saka to be back as well, especially before Real Madrid. So what I would, I think if I'm right, we've got, right, don't quote me on this, but I believe we've got
00:32:10
Craig matthews
yeah.
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fulham next week. I think we go away to Everton.
00:32:17
Craig matthews
yeah.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
we have a high Then we have the home tie against Real Madrid.
00:32:23
Craig matthews
mm hmm.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we have Brentford at home before then going to the Bernabal, if I'm right.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... If Saka could feature, and then what I would also say is, if he could start potentially against a Brentford, or maybe not Brentford actually, you'd have to start him against Everton or something.
00:32:43
Craig matthews
me
00:32:48
Craig matthews
So yeah, you're right with fixtures. We've got Fulham on Tuesday, Everton on Saturday, Everton the 5th of April, that's a Saturday.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh. Yep.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:32:55
Craig matthews
Then we've got Real Madrid at home on the Tuesday. Then Arsenal-Brentford on the 12th of April. Then the Real Madrid-Arsenal away on the 16th of April.
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:33:05
Craig matthews
floor Ipswich away on the 20th of April.
00:33:08
Craig matthews
Crystal Palace at home on the 26th. Bournemouth on the 3rd of May.
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:33:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:13
Craig matthews
Liverpool on the 10th made away, Newcastle on the 18th was made at home and Southampton was at the end of the season.
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, gosh.
00:33:20
Craig matthews
So if we get through the semi-final, we'll have more games in between that semi-final, in between the last.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. That is a good point. The the thing is, what do you do? What do you do now? Like, especially now you've said, now you've just said fixture list from now till end of the season.
00:33:34
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:33:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
more so with Bakar Saka. How do you integrate him? How do you just slowly integrate him so he's a bit more prepared for Madrid? How would you integrate him back into that team?
00:33:44
Craig matthews
what i always spot um our our spot ending i have as an impact so and or the under what's happened to you bring them one half poundon if you if you're chasing the game and bring them one i wouldnt spot end the game because the injury have to the very serious injury that and career threaten injury has its all lu through and so
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:01
Craig matthews
yeah wouldn don't want risky any any breaks down because even then need them they also them need them and need them but of firering so always people with saying that even if bygones and bygones, have to rest this one now to end the season because of the injury. would have done that in the present season, but the way it's going right now, the players keep on dropping that fly at the moment. We need him.
00:34:20
Craig matthews
need him back firing on all cylinders straight away.
00:34:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely.
00:34:24
Craig matthews
So, I would be very...
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. i think for me, the way I can see it is I think you bring him on as an impact sub.
00:34:35
Craig matthews
Hmm.
00:34:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think what, yeah, you bring him on. I'd bring him on against Fulham. Let him get half an hour out there. I'd bring him on against Everton. i would start Ethan Waniere.
00:34:45
Craig matthews
Yeah.
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I would just bring him on as an impact sub. And then against Real Madrid, I would maybe play him for an hour and then bring on Ethan Waniere.
00:34:57
Craig matthews
Yeah, I get you. good Because by that time, when they do that, by the time the game is getting tired, the legs are getting tired, and when Aaron's got a good shot on him, he can kind of, you know what mean?
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And we all know that with Wanyeri as well, he loves to go he loves to go out in defence. He's not fearful. He's fearless. He's fearless. you know Come up against anyone and just each does the job, doesn't he?
00:35:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, I'd love to hope as well that the the men have taken the inspiration from the Arsenal women. I mean, just quickly, what a from the Arsenal women, what a performance.
00:35:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Credit you where it's due. To go away to Madrid, play in poor, poor conditions. I mean, just...
00:35:46
Craig matthews
I was at that game last night and it was amazing.
00:35:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian Wright, it was...
00:35:51
Craig matthews
and was the best atmosphere in the Emirates in years. I've never told them go to the Emirates here and the Emirates was very quiet, very boring. like But last night it buzzing. The first time I'm into a game, what I can say is like a carnival game. that was like The atmosphere is life and like, were making noise.
00:36:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i really I really need to try and get myself a ticket for Arsenal-Leon at the Emirates.
00:36:14
Craig matthews
I want to go, I want to go, I want to go to it, want to try to get a ticket to it.
00:36:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Do you know what? maybe Maybe we should get tickets and just go.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:36:20
Craig matthews
Oh, I'm on it, 100%, I'm on it. If I'm not working that, I'm definitely going to go, 100%.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Right, we'll do that then.
00:36:23
Craig matthews
Alright, no, it is.
00:36:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll definitely do that. On that bombshell, guys, we are going to wrap it up there because we could continue going on. It's been a while since we've last brought you a podcast. But guys, have you liked what we've had to say?
00:36:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
we would love to hear your thoughts on social media. Make sure to go and show us some love by subscribing to all things Premier League, WSL, Serie A and more from the GSPN Podcast Network.
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
As always, you can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify by searching Daily Arsenal. I've been Jamie Patterson and he has been the amazing Craig Matthews. Guys, have a great day.
00:37:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Take care and we will see you on the next podcast.
00:37:07
Craig matthews
Peace.