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Football Week In Review: Gunners, Chelsea Flying, Reds Crumbling + NFL True Or False
23 Plays4 months ago
Football Week in Review
Arsenal
- NLD W and Bayern win - which did you enjoy more?
- Eze check in
- Is Rice the best midfielder in the world?
- Ideal line-up as players return
Liverpool
- Slot out? If so - who replaces him
- How much longer can this run go
- Biggest blame?
- Is a title worth this run of form
Chelsea
- 9 wins in last 11 games - are they underrated?
- Flowers for Estevao, Caicedo and Enzo
- Title contenders?
NFL True or False - Thanksgiving Edition
- The Lions will never make the Super Bowl with Dan Campbell and Goff
- The Chicago Bears are the best team in the NFC North
- George Pickens is the best WR in Dallas
- The Kansas City Chiefs will miss the playoffs
- Lamar Jackson will have significant offseason surgery
- The Eagles will win at least 1 playoff game this year
Game of the Week
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:00:11
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome everyone to episode 40 of the Love of the Game podcast. Recording this late on a Friday, November 28th, 2025, aka Black Friday.
00:00:27
Emeka
I'm here with my boy, making the magic happen behind the keys, Mr. Chinon. Chinon, how you living this Friday, man?
00:00:33
Chino Onwuka
I'm doing good, man. Trying to stay warm. Man, how is it for you? Just a couple of days ago, you were you were out on the ocean, on the beach, sipping some pina coladas, and you're back to this. How are you doing? That's the better question.
Episode Topics and Black Friday Plans
00:00:48
Emeka
before Before I get into it, man, I want to hear my man Chukwu. Chukwu, how are you living this weekend, man?
00:00:54
Chuku
Yeah, Zer, yeah, Zer. Good to be back. Good to be back with the boys. Man, we're just trying to stay warm. You know, it's been a little frosty out in this last couple, this past week. But, you know, we're trying to be, trying to stay warm, you know, stay, you know, stay active. And, yeah, you know, keep keep things keep things going. So, ready to chop it up with the boys. And, you know, I think we have an exciting episode coming through.
00:01:18
Chuku
So, ready to go.
00:01:20
Emeka
Yeah, big episode, big episode. We got, you know, it's Champions League week. We got... a little club in North London making some news that we're obviously going to discuss about Thanksgiving NFL games. But to answer your question, you know, I'm miserable right now because I see why these athletes, when they're so low, the first thing they think of you, just your season just ended, your heart's broken. And the first thing they say, it umm a go to Cancun because somebody who just went to Cancun. It was beautiful. And to go from there to this snowstorm outside my window. Oh my God. It was,
00:01:57
Emeka
I'm still recovering, fam. I'm still recovering. But hopefully, you know, what warms my heart is spending some time with you boys and chopping it up. So, you know, I'm glad I get to do that, as always.
00:02:08
Emeka
Before we dive into the news, as I mentioned, this is the one recording this, the tail end of Black Friday. Ask the boys, are you guys get up to any shopping, any deals, any cash spent on this holiday?
00:02:20
Emeka
If you can call it a holiday at that.
00:02:22
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I mean, I probably have about $500 worth of Arsenal merch in my cart right now. And i want to hit send, but I'm like, should i be prudent and wait till boxing day? So I got to, I got some things in the cart right now. I'll play it by ear to see if if I, if I hit that button to, to make the purchases and, uh,
00:02:47
Chino Onwuka
I might hit up Best Buy to to get a couple of things and in in advance of for some Christmas shopping. So, yeah, a couple of things. my My wallet will be a bit lighter by the end of the day tomorrow for sure.
00:03:00
Emeka
It's funny you say that. I have, I had, i still have, I guess, $250 of Arsenal stuff in the cart. And before I could hit send, I got lost in the sauce today. And I i dropped a little grip on some Lululemon. It got me.
00:03:13
Emeka
So, like you, I might have to pause on the Arsenal
Arsenal's Recent Performances and Significance
00:03:16
Emeka
stuff until boxing day. But, hey, man, that's, his life is good. paul Walk at the the pocket in the wallets. A little light these days. little light these days. But, hey, we're going to make it work.
00:03:28
Emeka
The reason why we're so excited to buy all the Arsenal gear is because, as I mentioned, it's a little club up in North London making all the news this week. I know we get criticized for talking a lot about Arsenal, but yeah we'll we talk Arsenal a little bit in this podcast because what a week.
00:03:44
Emeka
It all worked out, you know. Started off with the North London Derby. Smacked up one little white club out there that, you know, tried to think they could sign. Man like Eze.
00:03:57
Emeka
Eze said, yeah, no, no. I'd rather call hat trick against you in the Derby. Smacked him up on Sunday. And then, you know, we thought, all right, let's see what happens.
00:04:09
Emeka
Midweek. Champions League against Bayern Munich. Former Spurs man leading the line. The two best teams in Europe it was billed. And I think it's fair to say played them off the park in the second half. 3-1.
00:04:24
Emeka
Could be even more. Two back-to-back. Great wins, although no clean sheets. I know Toto's not going to happy about that. Aggregate 7-2 this week against two big clubs.
00:04:35
Emeka
I'll start with you, Chukwu. Of these two wins, which one satisfied you more? 4-1 against Spurs or three one against Bayern Munich?
00:04:45
Chino Onwuka
While Chukwu's thinking, I can go first. For from
00:04:48
Chuku
Sorry, guys. I'm back. I'm here. I'm here. I'm sorry. I think it's not even a question, boys. Like, for me, it's easy to to say I think the Bayern win by far trumps the Spurs just because, in my opinion, like, we've been handling Spurs. Like, Spurs is nothing new, you know? Like, the U.S. a North London derby, but...
00:05:12
Chuku
Bayern, you know, I've been a fan as long as you know some of us. I mean, I'm not trying to show our ages here, but we've been we've been around the club for a couple of decades now. And, you know, Bayern have been one of those teams that they've given up some horrific experiences in the Champions League, you know, under the lights. And I just think the fact that we've finally reached a stage where, you know,
00:05:34
Chuku
we I think we can all agree, arsenal this current squad is you know is is up there. It's up there, some may say, most quality a team have in the you know in the in the in Europe, if you ask if you ask me, as far as the the quality and depth that you know the team possesses. I think it was important to show that you know in the in the biggest stage. And for us to do what we did, i mean, we held Harry Kane.
00:06:01
Chuku
Someone who has been a threat to us wherever he's been. We held Harry Kane to zero shots. zero I didn't even say shots on target, guys. I said zero shots.
00:06:12
Chuku
He was not even like, I mean, I'm sure he was there, but he wasn't noticeable. And that's something that I'm saying, being able to do that with your main titlesman of defense of Gabriel missing, it just goes to show the quality and depth that the team has at the moment. And I just think that is a signature win that really shows me that, you know, we are really among the best of the best when it comes to the teams in Europe. So I think without a doubt is the Bayern win for me.
00:06:42
Emeka
Do you know what? you agree?
00:06:45
Chino Onwuka
I totally get that. But for me, it's still the the North London Derby. One, it's Spurs. Lads, Spurs. And no matter what, you know, whether we're ahead of them, know, whether we always beat them, which we do, whether if North London and is red, which it is, whether if we've won two titles on on on top of their heads at their home ground, which we have,
00:07:14
Chino Onwuka
nothing will ever sweep me more than beating those lot, and especially in the way we did it in dominating fashion. You know, some of the wins we've had over them recently have been a a bit cagey, but I think this was our most comprehensive, you know, victory in a while. And then to top it off with the Eze hat trick, especially when we know everything that happened in the summer with him, almost going there, then him coming to Arsenal, you know, his hometown club, the journey that he's been on,
00:07:43
Chino Onwuka
Then all the stuff Spurs tried to do with, you know, Simmons and, you know, they tried to copy the let it all work out with with with him and some of the stuff that's been said with, you know, Thomas Frank saying who's Eze before. I think that just all made it sweeter. And on top of that, the reason, you know, i agree with a lot of the things Chukwu said, you know, we have a lot of history with Bayern in Europe where, you know, they've had the upper hand on us for a long, long, long time. You know, this, the win over Bayern shows that you know proves what we we're all seeing on a week-to-week basis, that we're one of the the most dominant teams in Europe, you know showing that you know we have the pedigree the boys believe.
00:08:24
Chino Onwuka
But that the North London Derby win, that win against Tottenham, was more important to me because, to me, that brings us closer to the key thing that needs to happen this season, which is winning a major trophy.
00:08:43
Chino Onwuka
That game happened on a Sunday. What happened the day before? We had Liverpool lose. We had Man City lose. Two teams who most would say our are two biggest rivals. And it is really huge to be able to capitalize on that and increase our margins on those teams. Not saying there aren't other teams that can come into play.
00:09:06
Chino Onwuka
You know, we had to take advantage when those two lost in the fashion that they did. And we did that and we did that in comprehensive fashion. The Bayern game is big, but it's just a group stage game. We could have lost that game and still been on track to, you know, put ourselves in position to win the Champions League. So because of one who we were playing against, the fact that, you know, two of our rivals lost the day before,
00:09:31
Chino Onwuka
The Eze hat trick and the fact that, you know, i think it it helps us bring us closer to to, you know, doing what we want to do
Eze's Role and Impact at Arsenal
00:09:40
Chino Onwuka
in the PL. You know, it's the's the North London Derby for me. Not saying that the Bayern win wasn't great, but you asked me which one I preferred, which one meant more to me. it was definitely taut in blank.
00:09:53
Emeka
Talking shit, baby. I want to say, you know, cheat and say both of them meant everything to me. But I can't lie. Like Juku mentioned, man, I truly have Bayern PTSD.
00:10:05
Emeka
There are two clubs in the world that give me true PTSD. And that's Bayern Munich and Barcelona. And i would never I would give anything to smack them up as much as I can. Because these guys really gave us three consecutive five ones in the Champions League.
00:10:19
Emeka
Like, when you really sit down and think about it, 5-1. Not once, not Three times in a row. We played them, I looked it up, four times, two legs, eight games in five seasons.
00:10:33
Emeka
i These men have something dirty in me in my head. I'm so happy we smacked them up. It was comprehensive. And know it's a group stage. I fully agree with that. But...
00:10:45
Emeka
A lot of the talk after before the game was, you know, these are the two best teams in Europe, both in form. Bayern best attack. Arsenal best defense. And i don't know. There's something about this team with me where I really want them to get the level of respect I think they have.
00:11:02
Emeka
And I think... If you guys haven't seen it in their listeners like look up Declan Wright's interview of the CBS Champions League crew after the game because already asked him some Last year you guys didn't have this kind of aggression this anger and I see in the team like they really believe that the one of the best teams out and they attack teams with that kind of fire and Growing up and seen you know listen as a young kid We had that.
00:11:27
Emeka
And then those mid-Wenger years, and you end was admit the late Wenger years in that decade, Emery and the like, you started being a little soft. You need have that kind of aggression. Teams, soft is an easy lick.
00:11:39
Emeka
And now no one sees Arsenal as an easy lick no more. And Hearing the old the praise and plaudits, it's not even December yet, so obviously it means nothing. But I can't lie, it feels nice that the the consensus now is that Arsenal are playing like the best team in Europe, and you get that respect by winning big games in Champions League. and So for me, just a little bit, I'm to give the Bayern Munich win a little bit of sauce above it.
00:12:05
Emeka
But, man, the norm. Eze scoring a hat-trick after the transfer window happening is just unbelievable. And, you know, I've used that to pivot to this. You know, we've spent, funny enough, this podcast, we've probably spent the most time talking about, of all our signings, Jokeres, when I think it's fair to say the two best signings we've had are in the midfield, Zubimendi and Eze, who give Zubis flowers later. So right just want to talk about the guy Eze.
00:12:32
Emeka
Odegaard went out for two months. He's we you know allegedly bought him as a left winger, but now he's playing at the right eight. You know, we have our issues with him at times. We wanted to get on the ball more. But how would you judge his first, I believe it's now two and a half months, as a gunner? How would you rate it one to ten right now? Obviously, asking this covering off a hatchet and an assist midweek. But hey, what better time to ask him now?
00:12:59
Chino Onwuka
No, it's been it's been great. And I'll give it a great eight. Because like you said, he's it's there's still been teething issues. He's still coming to grips with the team. The team is still coming to grips with him.
00:13:14
Chino Onwuka
you know He's playing in a position he hasn't played before. you know, right eight instead of left eight to fill in for Odegaard. He's playing in dynamics. He hasn't played before, you know, facing such deep blocks. And you can see, you know, sometimes he struggles as to where to get the ball because it's different from what he faced at Crystal Palace. But, you know, even with that, you know, i know I think we'll talk about it later, but, you know, when everyone's fit, you know, I think he's, him and Odegaard are both going to play and he's going to play on the left wing. But the fact that,
00:13:46
Chino Onwuka
you know, he's come in, he's probably still not been at his best. He's still adjusting to things and the contribution he's made One, not only just filling in for Odegaard so that we haven't we haven't felt that loss like we suffered through last year, and not just filling in, but even when you know we we know all that he can do, even with that, he's getting hat-tricks, getting assists, he's getting shots off, he's dangerous.
00:14:15
Chino Onwuka
No, I think it's been it's been really good, and you know I'm really looking forward to seeing you know, what this team looks like when everyone's fit. You know, one thing with Arteta is sometimes things don't go according to plan. we've We sign players for certain positions, maybe due to emergency or other reasons, they have to play elsewhere and things change.
00:14:37
Chino Onwuka
So, you know, we've had to play him, you know, in a certain position because of everything that's happened. Now that everyone's back, it'll be interesting to see exactly how we manage the SA dynamic and just the team as a whole. But again, i'll get I'll give it an eight. Like, you know, we've seen other signings, you know, big signings come in and into new teams and struggle. And, you know, I don't think anybody would say at his best, but you can see the contribution that he's made.
00:15:08
Emeka
Chukwu, how would you rate Eze so far as as a gunner, new number 10?
00:15:14
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, i know we there was definitely some teething pains in the initial stages, but truth be told, i mean, ever since he stepped on that pitch, I mean, I feel like his quality has been there. Like, I'm not surprised about, you know, the hat tricks, the goals, the assists coming in, the GA as they call it. I'm not surprised because the signs were there, boys, like,
00:15:42
Chuku
He was constantly getting in attacking positions, being able to get in areas where he's able to you know show his striking ability. And, you know, there were some games where some of the keepers were just making some amazing saves, you know. And, I mean, I just felt like he'd been unlucky a couple of times. But he's shown, you know, throughout know season the quality. Like, look at some of the passes he was able to lay out. You know, he laid out the but a ball to Martinelli in Man City to get get us the the point.
00:16:14
Chuku
He admit did a similar, well, did another, know, crazy assist to Martinelli over during the midweek game with Bayern. And, you know, like he's, the passes are there. The passing range is there.
00:16:27
Chuku
Then the goals, you know, the goals are just, they're going to be there because Eze is not someone that's scared to, you know, take a shot in the box. Like this guy is amazing. fearless in in attack. And i just think the quality, you know, it just shines. So I say all that to say I'm giving him an 8.5. I just think he has all the the ability.
00:16:48
Chuku
Like this is someone that is a seasoned vet. You know, like he may be, you know, not crazy old, but he's literally at the prime of his career. 27 years, I believe.
00:16:59
Chuku
And like, I just think he's at the perfect time to showcase his abilities, you know, at the club. And here's the thing. This is why I love our our team and and the fact that we have so much depth is that the fact that of the matter is we don't necessarily have to make it a thing where Izzy has to play next to Odegaard. Yes, that's something that, you know, can definitely, you know, is an option. No question about it.
00:17:24
Chuku
But was just thinking, like, You know, Eze, I feel like to unlock, you know, Eze, you kind of need runners around him. There may be games where, you know, if we're playing Eze on the left wing, we might see a Havertz and Yoko Riz thing where...
00:17:41
Chuku
Havers is the one occupying the quote-unquote order guard role because, to be frank, I know, Mecca, you mentioned this earlier about you know him playing at the right eight.
00:17:55
Chuku
i don't look at it that way. I really don't. i really The way i've so we've been set up, I really do think we're playing more of like having – two eights and one ten than it is having, you know, the two eights and one six. I just think that Rice and Zubomendi pivot is just something of like, we've got to speak on that at some point, but like the the way they're able to interchange in that midfield, it really gives Eze playing the ten or playing, know, yeah, the ten role. more license to roam in attacking areas. And it's really been effective, at least something that I've been seeing in the last couple of games that we've been playing we've been playing with Odegaard out. And I just think...
00:18:38
Chuku
There are definitely going to be games where Odegaard is going to be playing and Eze is going to be playing the left the no left wing. But I just think one of the reasons why I love this team is just there's going to be so many ways to interchange, even in-game substitutions, that I just think it's going to be endless. And that's why I believe, honestly, that this really is the year we yeah you know lift some silverware. Because I just think with the ability the squad has to rotate,
00:19:06
Chuku
Arteta is sport for options, and I just think, you know, I can't wait for the the team to get fully healthy, and I'm really interested to see how we integrate guys like Havertz, Jokeres, and we'll talk about guys like Jesus. It's just going to be a crazy, crazy time to you know see what this team is all about, and I can't wait for things to start to click. But Eze has been amazing, and I just think it's only going to be up from here. and I really do.
00:19:32
Chuku
So 8.5 rating. reader
00:19:37
Emeka
I'm going to give as a... I'm going to say eight, you know, because there is some extra level he can go to. But he has been, like, he's a big game type of guy. You nailed it. Assist against City.
00:19:52
Emeka
Winner against Palace. Hat trick in North London Derby. Assist against Bayern. Like, he is a moments player. I think we haven't had a moments player in a while. He's just so fun to watch.
00:20:03
Emeka
And you guys have already covered up most of it. But something I thought was interesting, you know, watching the game midweek is that, Aside from Leonard Karl, who looked amazing, I think Bayern's best player was Olyse.
Arsenal's Depth and Key Players Discussion
00:20:14
Emeka
One of our best players was Eze. And just the fact that in a match as big as Arsenal-Bayern-Munich, two of the best guys played at Crystal Palace three years ago. It just goes to show the level of talent in the Premier League. And it made me start thinking about who are some guys in these like mid-table clubs where in three years I'm going watching Champions League and they're gonna be playing Madrid.
00:20:36
Emeka
And I'm going to think, yeah, that's what that seems about, right? like it just The level of talent in the league is is crazy. And there's there's a universe where Palace has you know Zaha, Eze Olise, Mateta. They're making noise and in that. But you know that's how football works and guys get picked off. Just that. it interesting to think about it. Wow, these guys are really two pounds. They had a jersey swap afterwards. I was just thinking, yeah, like, what?
00:20:59
Emeka
Crystal Palace, man.
00:20:59
Chino Onwuka
And not just those guys, like just to your point, like Declan Rice was playing at West Ham three years ago and he's arguably the best midfielder in the world on form right now.
00:21:00
Emeka
Made some guys. Not just those guys. Well, I read my mind.
00:21:11
Chino Onwuka
So, yeah.
00:21:12
Emeka
him. i mean i read my mind man
00:21:14
Chuku
I mean, this ain't nothing new, guys. I mean, Van Dijk was playing in Southampton, and he was considered our many considered the best center back in the world.
00:21:20
Emeka
but like before
00:21:23
Chuku
So, talent is crazy in the in the EPL, man. It's just this crazy.
00:21:27
Chino Onwuka
And obviously looking forward, I think some of those guys right now who are so some of the big clubs, whether in England or Europe, will be looking at or, you know, Elliot Anderson has been amazing this year.
00:21:37
Chino Onwuka
And then Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace as well.
00:21:40
Emeka
Yep, those men too. He's kind of not as shining anymore, but Beliba, if he gets his stuff together, still only 21, he can be something.
00:21:51
Chuku
And, man, let's not gloss over the same dude that we all know a lot of teams are going after. His name has been mentioned quite often recently. And Semenyo, man, I really do think Semenyo is that talented. I think he could be playing at a big stage very, very soon.
00:22:06
Chuku
So...
00:22:06
Emeka
Absolutely. Hey, the... yeah i mean You know, I'll... I mentioned a man who David Moyes once famously said it was worth $150 million.
00:22:17
Emeka
Declan Rice, West Ham United. i It's so rare that you have a 100 million pound transfer and I truly, genuinely believe we ripped him off. Because Declan Rice is looking like the best midfielder in the world.
00:22:32
Emeka
I don't watch French League. Vitinha is fantastic when I do see him. So obviously I can only speak on what I do see. But for at least in the Premier League, to me, it's not even to a contest. And I was thinking back, like, it's funny how last season on the pod, one of our ongoing debates, <unk>s especially at the start of the year, was that, is Declan Rice an eight? Like, is he not better as a six?
00:22:56
Emeka
His four passing isn't that strong and blah-de-blah-de-blah. Arteta knows what he's doing because Declan now is moving. Like Juku mentioned, we shape up some times where he's like a dual pivot with Zubinbendi. And I'll be like, oh, no, we're really trying this double pivot and giving Eze freedom. And I'll see my man make a long busting run from one end of the box to the other and pop up there. Like, what can he do?
00:23:21
Emeka
Honestly, what can't he do? Corners and everything. so um'm I'm going to say, like, the question isn't for me isn't, Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the world. because I think that's the answer. but I'm phrasing it like this.
00:23:33
Emeka
Declan Rice is the best midfielder Arsenal have had since Dash. And I'll start with you, Chano. Who would you say while he's playing right now? Just right now, Declan Rice is playing the best level of midfield at Arsenal since who?
00:23:49
Chino Onwuka
Ooh, ooh. I mean, obviously, when you think of a a similar type of, you know, commanding Maverick midfielder at Arsenal, you think Patrick Vieira, but obviously it's it's the best midfielder since Cesc.
00:24:04
Emeka
I was thinking the exact same thing, andb brother.
00:24:06
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:24:07
Emeka
And we've had some guys in between.
00:24:08
Chino Onwuka
Since Cesc. Yeah, yeah. Now imagine a lineup of those three together. o my Lord.
00:24:14
Emeka
Oh, my goodness. What would you Chico? How has Rice been as, you know, an Arsenal midfielder in your eyes?
00:24:23
Chuku
Declan Rice is world-class. I don't care what no one tells me. i don't care what anyone has to say. i don't care about all these accolades and got to do all this x blah, blah, blah, blah. Bro, if you have eyes, if you can see, this brother can do everything, bro.
00:24:40
Chuku
I mean, you watched the the interview, right? are the note mom with the with CBS, I believe it was Conry and Michael Richards, right?
00:24:49
Emeka
Yeah.
00:24:49
Chuku
Okay. I think Michael Richards just summed it up pretty well for me with his comments on Declan Rice. I mean, i'm not I'm not... No, I might be... i'm Well, no, I'm definitely paraphrasing here, but basically, you just put it simple.
00:25:03
Chuku
Declan Rice has a six, a very, very good six. But Declan Rice, at the 8, he can be as good as he want to be, bro. He is just...
00:25:14
Chuku
The fact is, why even just hold him to one... root This brother just is a complete midfielder. It's just what it is, man. He is literally what...
00:25:22
Chino Onwuka
See, chi chi I agree with you, but I think it's a disservice to him to say just a very, very good six because that first season he came into the team where he was playing six and we went 16-1-1.
00:25:37
Chino Onwuka
That was Declan at the six. And this guy, people couldn't, this wasn't even where, he was pinching the ball from everyone anywhere. He was tackling everybody.
00:25:51
Chino Onwuka
Let's not forget when it was, I think it was it against Liverpool where it was the whole Jon Snow moment, where it was five on six.
00:25:56
Emeka
Yeah, but that's not me.
00:25:57
Chino Onwuka
That was, let's not forget that.
00:25:57
Emeka
misses the world.
00:25:59
Chino Onwuka
So he can do like, there's different, like,
00:26:02
Chuku
Respectfully, respectfully, you're missing the point.
00:26:03
Chino Onwuka
Hold on, let me finish, let me finish. he So I think he's world-class at the 6 and at the 8.
00:26:05
Chuku
Well, go ahead.
00:26:09
Chino Onwuka
Now, at the 6, he's not a regista at the 6. He's not a deep-line playmaker. He's a destroyer, right? So I think sometimes we conflate, you know, the job of 6.
00:26:26
Chino Onwuka
If we want him to be at a a a number 5 type of 6, if you know who number 5 you know who we're talking about, that's different, but At that six, that what i was what, 23, 24 season?
00:26:41
Chino Onwuka
The way this guy was suffocating, haven't seen that type of thing since Kante. So yes, he's like i I get what you're saying. I don't want us, I don't want this is Declan Rice we're talking about.
00:26:54
Chino Onwuka
less and less Let's not pretend he isn't that dude as a six just because he's not doing Cruyff turns like Sergio Busquets.
00:27:00
Chuku
Thank you.
00:27:02
Emeka
He was a hundred million pound transfer as a DM. Like that doesn't happen. That doesn't happen. And somehow he's become world class in two different positions. It's again, I truly think we robbed West Ham. I wonder if him always had that quote. I remember rolling my eyes and being, bro, this man is trying to scam these teams. 150 mil.
00:27:23
Emeka
He might've been on to something, man. Like these guys started his career as center back. Went to DM, excelled, world class. Went to the 8th World Cup. Just two years ago, all of a sudden now, he's the best corner taker in the world.
00:27:37
Emeka
He just decided, hey, man, by the way, I can do that. And then against Real Madrid, he also decided, I'm just banging two class free kicks. Like, man, what can't this man do, honestly? so It's hard that I've felt this love for Arsenal play who wasn't come from a hill end. Like, Saka is...
00:27:55
Emeka
You know, right now, there's no one. He's one of ones because I seen him grow up and all that. But Rice might be up there with him, man. I love Declan Rice. I love watching. I feel blessed and privileged. I get to watch him play football for my club because that boy, man, that boy is something special.
00:28:11
Emeka
And long may continue. I saw an image that made me think of something because it was like Ballon d'Or favorites. It had Mbappe, it had Haaland. It had Rice at number three. And at first I was like, bro, this man's doing too much on on social media. But then I started thinking,
00:28:28
Emeka
It's very early. Sorry, I don't want to get this out the way. This is very early. But there is a universe where Arsenal win a couple trophies and England win the World Cup or go far in the World Cup.
00:28:39
Emeka
I can see that kind of nice winning Ballon d'Or. I really could. The level he's playing right now and the quality of the teams he has around him and the trophies he might win along with it.
00:28:50
Emeka
hu We might be seeing an Arsenal Ballon d'Or winner. Something I never ever thought I'd see. But my goodness, that's the level young Declan is playing at right now. surena what You have any thoughts on that?
00:29:03
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. And so this is, i y'all know me, I, I, I tend to lean towards more like what could go wrong or, you know, with a bit of a handbrake, you know, we've talked a lot about the depth on this team.
00:29:18
Chino Onwuka
And I think honestly, in every single position, you know, yes, like we have a great first 11,
00:29:29
Chino Onwuka
Our depth isn't the same quality as our first 11, but it's to the point where, you know, you see it and you're like, okay, you know, those guys can get us through what we're going through right now. There is one player on this team that, you know, if he's not there, then my heart will palpitate. I'm not going to say any names. so I'm not trying to, you know, bring anything, but we all know who I'm talking about. He is the one guy, I think he's the only guy on the team that we cannot replace.
00:30:01
Emeka
I don't want to even bring life into it to jinx it, but 1,000% agree. He's the one guy who's... And the funny thing is, his replacement right now is starting at striker and and making moves and madness as things, but there's no one that does what Declan can do with this team. There's just no one that can do it with the stamina. That's the thing that impresses me the most. Like...
00:30:22
Emeka
90th minute, he's busting his butt back, making a tackle, and then running to the other side of the box. Or making those long runs 75 minutes into the game. Like, he is just... He lets us get away with playing Calafiore as a left back. Because Calafiore is just all over the pitch.
00:30:38
Emeka
Why can he do that? Because Bryce can recover for him and cover for And also, prevent his end product on the other end. Like, he's just... I can go on and on and on about Declan. I'm sure some of these listeners are thinking, good we get it.
00:30:50
Emeka
I'm just saying, like when you watch him, it's it's marvelous. like I couldn't, I i love Deca Rice. always do sign with him a football manager. In a million years, if you told me this what he looked like two years later, I never would have believed you. Like, this is incredible love of midfield I'm watching. And, like, it really does remind me of Vieira.
00:31:11
Emeka
And this is Zachary Lundgren, an Arsenal fan to say. But he really plays like a white Vieira. And just the physicality combined with the technique It's unbelievable. Anyhow, i'm go i I've been yakping on and on and on and on.
00:31:24
Emeka
But I think it's time to move on to another topic that Chinon has mentioned, and I'm very curious of your thoughts about this, Chukwu. I think it's fair to say, if everyone is healthy, there's certain mads in Arsenal lineup who are locks.
00:31:39
Emeka
Raya, the back four we have currently, Zubimendi, Saka, Declan Rice. So that's eight positions, I think, are are solid and set.
00:31:51
Emeka
That leaves three positions. And I feel the most respectful saying this three because one of them involves our captain. But the way Eze has been looking, I think it's a fair toss up there.
00:32:02
Emeka
Like, left eight, left eight or right eight, again. Right eight, left wing, and striker. I'll start with you, Chukwu. Your ideal lineup, so no injuries, or plain Champions League final. against Real Madrid, you know, in Belgrade.
00:32:17
Emeka
Everyone's fit. Who are the three guys you would have to complete your 11 if everyone is fit in Arsenal right now?
00:32:27
Chuku
I would go... Eze's name has to be there.
00:32:33
Chuku
It's tough because you haven't seen Havers play fully with this with this team, with Eze in front. So it's tough to say. But i think for now...
00:32:45
Chuku
Again, are you going to ask me like in terms of what I like envision or what i like oh what we've seen so far? Because like I said, we have not really seen Havertz play.
00:32:54
Emeka
and Obviously it's hypothetical, but just, you know, again, just fast forward to the Champions League final. You can project a little further or you can go with what you've seen. Up to you. Just you have to pick a lineup.
00:33:05
Chuku
Sure.
00:33:05
Emeka
Ooh,
00:33:06
Chuku
All right. Sure, sure, sure, sure, sure. Ezra, I'm just going to believe Jokarez, Havertz.
00:33:17
Emeka
I didn't expect that. I did not expect that. Chinon, who would you have?
00:33:24
Chino Onwuka
Of those three positions, the first name on the team sheet is our captain, Martin Odegaard. Like, let's even take me out of the picture.
00:33:37
Chino Onwuka
Who is Arteta starting? Like, you meant, like, I don't, you said, like, there's positions that are locks. Like, Odegaard is a lock in our first team means if he's fit.
00:33:49
Chino Onwuka
Like, I don't.
00:33:50
Emeka
The reason why I said three felt disrespectful, because Odegaard was the guy, but i for the sake of discussion, don't have to put him there.
00:33:54
Chino Onwuka
so Yeah, so i so it's like, it it it like real honestly, this is not even like, it's not eight positions. It's nine positions that are locked. Like if there's one position you could take out, you probably can take out left back is maybe MLS comes back into a bit more form. Like
00:34:14
Chino Onwuka
this is is not this this has nothing to do with my personal feelings or what I want to see. If Odegaard is fit, he is a lock for that starting lineup because he is Arteta's avatar on the pitch.
00:34:33
Chino Onwuka
He is our captain. He is able to lead the press in a way, like, we haven't seen it now, so so we forget. We've been, like,
00:34:49
Chino Onwuka
the way he's able to lead the press. And, you know, we talked about, you know, the thing with Eze is, you know, he's not coming on the on the ball as much. You know, he's not dictating play. You know, Odegaard can do that.
00:35:00
Chino Onwuka
So that's why I think I would love to see Odegaard and Eze together so Eze doesn't feel the responsibility to have to come deep and get the ball. He can just sit in those pockets.
00:35:10
Chino Onwuka
Odegaard will find him. And I like what Chukwu said where we need runners in the team. That's where, you know, for this iteration, You know, we can still bring in subs later. i would have Yokoras up front because he can be that runner. He can be that outlet, pushing the defenders back, allowing pockets of space in the middle. One of the things we've seen with Eze is that he is a, he's a gunman in in terms of volume of shots.
00:35:36
Chino Onwuka
I think he's doing what we thought Yokoras would do, where if he gets a chance at goal, he's bashing that thing. And he's a sharpshooter because of his technique. So, Let all everybody else do all the all the dirty work. Let Odegaard progress the ball.
00:35:51
Chino Onwuka
Find Eze in that spot. Everyone's focusing on Saka. Or everyone's now focusing on Eze because now he's closer to goal. Saka's free to space. We switch the ball.
00:36:03
Chino Onwuka
Guess in the box. See if there's any Jokeres going wrestle them and you know free up some space. like
00:36:09
Chino Onwuka
Whether things change
00:36:10
Emeka
of
00:36:12
Chino Onwuka
over the season and things, but i'm as of right now, if you're talking first names on the team sheet, it is Gabrielle and Saliba, Declan Rice, Saka, and Odegaard, and we've had a couple of players join the fray in Timber, Zubomendi, Kalfiori, it's now is not looking like he's getting to that level. like that that's those those Those are lieutenants.
00:36:41
Chino Onwuka
And we got some captains and corporals who are who coming up and then play like, let's not get it twisted.
00:36:46
Emeka
Well, you know, both great answers. But, you know, if I'm a teacher, I'd say you didn't listen to the, you didn't read the question. Because I said Champions League final. So if my three guys, I'm getting Eze.
00:37:00
Emeka
I'm getting Havertz, even though I want to say Jokeres, but I still believe in Kai for the pressing. And left wing, I'm putting in Gabriel Martinelli, the Champions League assassin.
00:37:13
Emeka
In a big game, the Champions League final, I'm saying this jokingly, but I'm also dead serious. Like, give me Martinelli. I know people say bring him off the bench against tired legs. Yeah, bring Jokeres off the bench against tired legs and go to guard. But Martinelli, that pace, I need runners.
00:37:28
Emeka
And... you know i don't like wish i don't I wish Leo is fit and he's and healthy, but if he's injured, I would be curious to get Martinelli running this team with Eze now kind of getting his groove on because that combination combination makes magic happen.
00:37:46
Emeka
Eze will no risk a through ball, and there's no one in this team that even comes closer to the pace a young Martinelli has. seen him sit down New Year. I've seen him score against... in Bernabeu against Madrid.
00:38:00
Emeka
I see him slot past Donnarumma. Like, this man There's no one I want more to be good in Arsenal than Martinelli. But, again, in the Champions final, I'm not and being deadass.
00:38:12
Emeka
I would start Martinelli left wing. I love my captain, Odegaard. We'll put you in the second half when the game is getting a little frazzled. Calm everyone down. But in my hypothetical lineup right now, give me Habrus to lead the press. Give me Ezzet to get some two balls in. Give me Martinelli making the runs in behind to make some magic happen.
00:38:30
Emeka
Either way, the point is to exercise.
00:38:30
Chino Onwuka
but I respect your answer.
00:38:32
Emeka
No, sorry. Yeah.
00:38:33
Chino Onwuka
No, but I think Shuku and I were both answering your question. We were both giving our lineups for the Champions League final.
00:38:38
Emeka
I was joking.
00:38:40
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
00:38:42
Emeka
I was joking. Come on. You put in the group chat. Like, Martin Nullis Champions League stats? h My guy. He loves the midweek game. I'll give him that. He loves the midweek game. But the point the exercise, it was just a... The depth we have in this team is amazing. I think, Yostar, your analogy was perfect. We have generals.
00:39:02
Emeka
We have captains and corporals. We have a lot of these guys, man, that can come in and out, and that's how you win a title. Well, there are two ways to win a title. You can win it the way Liverpool won last year, where Salah and Van Dijk turn superhuman and carry you.
00:39:16
Emeka
Or you can win it how Man City used to win it back in the pep days, where we just have 12 guys who are really good at any given week. It could be Gundogan, it could be David Silva, it could be Foden, it could be Bernardo Silva.
00:39:30
Emeka
One of these guys is to show up.
00:39:31
Chino Onwuka
and that's And that's what I want to see from Arteta this season and next.
00:39:32
Emeka
And that's what I want to see from our team.
00:39:36
Chino Onwuka
It's that sort of rotation where any given – and we're starting to see it. We don't know who's going to play. We don't know who's going to play where because they can all do it at a very high level.
00:39:47
Chino Onwuka
you know That's what I want to see going forward.
00:39:51
Emeka
And long may continue. But, yeah, it's – we're 40 minutes in. We're still talking about Arsenal. So, let's try to wrap this up a little bit. But, listen, I think – we're talking about Arsenal a lot in this pod. I think this week it's deserved.
00:40:03
Emeka
Am I fair in saying this, Chico? I think this week 40 minutes is deserved on Arsenal because what a week we had.
00:40:10
Chuku
Oh, 100%. This was a crazy week, crazy time to be an Arsenal fan. I mean, I feel like we could definitely go on and on about the club. But let's just say, know, to summarize, we're excited. And I just think it's time for the, you know, the fans to have a chance to get a sense of what silverware feels like. You know, I think, you know, we've been waiting a long time. And,
Liverpool's Struggles and Managerial Decisions
00:40:32
Chuku
you know, but I mean, I think we can ill speak for all of us when I say this is one of the most exciting national squads we've gotten to got into watch in you know in a very, very long time. And I think these players, they they deserve recognition. And part of getting that recognition, you have to get you have to live some you know some silverware. And I think it's time. And, yeah, you know, I think Arteta is going to be the man to do it.
00:40:58
Chuku
You know, I have all the faith, you know, and the in the team. And we just got to you know, execute. So very, very, you know, curious to see how the season ends. And I definitely think we have a good chance, is what I'll say.
00:41:11
Chuku
We have a good chance.
00:41:13
Emeka
Amen, brother. Well, while we were all excited and dancing in our group chat and seeing us smack up Bayern Munich 3-1, I looked at my phone and my score app, and I had to squint because I thought there was a mistake because at the same time, in England, further up north, Liverpool were getting...
00:41:35
Emeka
Dealt with by PSV. 4-1 loss. Liverpool have lost some games this season. That one shocked me the most. Smacked up 4-1 against PSV.
00:41:47
Emeka
If you haven't seen the penalty Van Dijk gave up, it is one of the funniest penalties I've seen in in a very long time. I have to say, it was hilarious. Nine losses in their last 12 games.
00:41:59
Emeka
I'm going to repeat this again. Liverpool Football Club have lost nine times in their last 12 games. And someone with that run beat Real Madrid. Isn't this football funny? We talked about Liverpool a lot on this podcast.
00:42:12
Emeka
Beginning when they were winning these last-minute games, I said, is it like heart of a champion or is it catching up to them? XG remains undefeated. They... I don't know where to begin, so I'm starting with you, you know, and a simple question.
00:42:27
Emeka
I know you're to joking, i give an extension, blah, blah, blah. But deadass, should Liverpool fire Arnie Slott? Or do you think he can turn this back around?
00:42:38
Chino Onwuka
Like, honestly, all jokes aside, I don't think they should at this point. Like, regardless of of how it happened and what it can say, like, this guy did win you a Premier League title just a couple of months ago. Only their second title in 20 years. So if you can get some sort of grace or some sort of leeway for that then i don't know what we're doing it's still early in the season you know both ways for Arsenal and for Liverpool things can change where okay yeah they're you know 12th now Everton's ahead of them Manu's ahead of them but you know if they struggle you know with everything and they still find a way to to make Champions League then
00:43:31
Chino Onwuka
Then, yeah, that's a really bad season, but then it's like, okay, now you have one more season to for us to see where it goes. Like, we all know the extenuating circumstances, you know, the the horrible loss of Diego Jota. Like, I know we haven't spoken about it too much, but there's no way to tell or quantify, like, how much of an effect that's having on the team.
00:43:54
Chino Onwuka
That is then balanced with they spent $500 million, okay? So then, you know, he's struggling to deal with that, You bring in a new manager who who isn't in there to to understand what these players are going through because whoever is new that's coming wasn't there when all these things happened. Then there's no way to say if if that grief is so is is a part of what's happening and we don't know.
00:44:21
Chino Onwuka
If someone who was there, who was affected directly by it, is struggling to deal with it, how is a a a person off the street, no matter who he is, going to be able to come and deal with it? I just don't know. So I think they definitely have to just ride it out to the end of this season and and and hope that, you know, next year is better.
00:44:43
Emeka
Chukwu, would you, you slot in or you slot in and out?
00:44:49
Chuku
I mean, at what point, I hear what you're not saying. I really do. But it'll be tough for me to be slot in and have the faith that, you know, yeah, give him the rest of the season and, you know, let's see what he does in the offseason and figure it out. Because, honestly speaking, it'll be one thing if he wasn't backed the way he was backed. I think the problem is when you spend that kind of money on a title-winning team,
00:45:20
Chuku
Like, yeah you can fall off. You can drop off, you know, sure. But you can't be at this at this rate. Like, 12th in the league, losing to PSV at home in the Champions League midweek.
00:45:38
Chuku
Like, this is some appalling losses we're seeing. Like, don't know, man. I definitely think for the stature that Liverpool is in and the kind of club they're at, like, If I'm one the owners, i I'm just looking at this like, how the hell did we spend over 200 plus mil on strikers to, some may say world class, some may say up and coming world class, some may say at least very, very good but you know up strikers, breaking the bank, and you're telling me those two same strikers have two how less goals than Richarlison?
00:46:19
Chuku
With Charleston and Spurs? I mean, I don't know, man. Like I said, like I just think it's tough knowing the resources and the way you know the manager has been backed.
00:46:33
Chuku
The right thing, I feel like the level-headed thing is probably to do what you're not saying and try and see it through and see if he can come back again and rebuild and see what he got for next season.
00:46:51
Chuku
But me personally, i just think it's slot out. and if i was If I was a Liverpool fan... I'm thinking slot out because there's just no way, you know, what what when the entire team starts looking this bad, the coach is the one person he can is one person you can change. And I just think as crazy as as crazy as it sounds, especially knowing that this is the same manager that won won them the league last year, I just think, yeah, a new voice might be needed because there's no way this team
00:47:24
Chuku
with all the money spent and the players that were part of the squad that won them the league the year before can be crumbling this bad. Like, this is this is horrendous where where they're at.
00:47:36
Chuku
I mean, how many losses do they have? i feel like it's like six already in the league.
00:47:40
Emeka
I mean, in the league.
00:47:42
Chuku
Is it six?
00:47:44
Emeka
Funny enough, in the league, only three games, three three points back and forth, but six wins, six losses in the league. Negative two goals.
00:47:50
Chuku
That's insane still.
00:47:51
Chino Onwuka
and And it's not just a this season thing. Like, I've seen some stats where if you look at 2025, overall in 2025, they've lost more games than, like, Manchester United and some other teams because of how they ended last season.
00:48:03
Emeka
February, I think they've been a 500th team, lack a better term. Like, they've, you don't know it
00:48:08
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, something like that. So I agree with you, like...
00:48:09
Chuku
I mean, they like checked out at the end. I mean, let's you know they checked out.
00:48:12
Chino Onwuka
Sure, but still.
00:48:13
Emeka
not thinking out here.
00:48:13
Chuku
don't know what it is.
00:48:14
Chino Onwuka
But still, right? and And so, like, I agree with you. Like, you know, I wanted to, like... i I just want to own up. I was completely wrong about this Liverpool team. I predicted them to come first. I do not know.
00:48:26
Chino Onwuka
like like Like, if you'd ask me like, hey, what is going wrong? There's there's nothing I could tell you because I don't know what is happening. Like, you know what? Premier League, sometimes I'm like, yeah, like if you're not about it, like any team can beat you. But I'm so like no disrespect to PSV, but at home to lose 4-1,
00:48:47
Chino Onwuka
I don't know what's happening. So this is this is not to this is not to bail out Slott in any way because this is really bad, but he he won them a title last year. The 500 million and the and I don't want to downplay the loss. Maybe those offset each other. Who knows what impact that's having.
00:49:10
Chino Onwuka
If this was Chelsea... I'll give you a different answer because we know how Chelsea operate. If this was Real Madrid or some other clubs, but, you know, Liverpool is another one of those clubs where they they have a history of behaving in a certain way. They don't just fire coaches here and there like that. They have a lot long-serving managers.
00:49:33
Chino Onwuka
So, you know, I'm also considering the fact that Liverpool are one of those clubs that that move a bit different from the norm.
00:49:40
Emeka
I'm on your side, Chino. I think you you really nailed a lot of the points I was going to say. And also, in general, I don't lean towards sacking managers. I know like you're right, Chino, Chuku. When a team is struggling, it's easier to change one guy than everybody else. I get it. But I just i don't know. I just like letting guys see it out unless it gets untenable.
00:50:02
Emeka
And for as bad as Liverpool are, they are three points off fourth place. and like still in qualification for Champions League. There's still time. This guy won the league this year.
00:50:14
Emeka
I'm to say last year, because months ago, not years, months ago they won the league. They were singing those one Arnie slots. I don't know. Win the league should get you some leeway.
00:50:25
Emeka
It should get you some leeway. And it's funny because this run right now, is the exact same thing that happened to Man City this exact time last year.
00:50:36
Emeka
Man City won. i had to look this up because I knew it was bad, but didn't realize how bad it was. They won one game in the months of November and December.
00:50:49
Emeka
13 games, 1 win, 3 draw, 10 loss. They were getting smacked up by Jokeres in Sporting. 3-0. It was bad last year for Man City. And we used to pull Man's were actually saying sack Pep.
00:51:02
Emeka
Now, I will admit, the key difference is Man City spent all their money after they got that bad run, whereas Slott has spent it beforehand. So there's more expectation. And also, Man City came off 4 wins in a row.
00:51:14
Emeka
Liverpool coming off 1. But still, it just happens. And... is You know, I guess I'll ask you, you know. Again, it's early. i know you don't like to think whatever, but just work this out with me for right now. and we Let's imagine where the world where Arsenal win the Premier League.
00:51:31
Emeka
Players are hype. Tenters are hype. And then now three years in a row defending Premier League champions, we have a terrible run. November, December, we're just getting smacked left and right. We're losing 10 games in 13.
00:51:43
Emeka
Would you want to fire Arteta? Because I would be no. We just won the league. Am I off base there?
00:51:49
Chino Onwuka
I would be livid.
00:51:50
Emeka
i would
00:51:52
Chino Onwuka
I would probably be cussing him and the team out because like six losses or whatever in a row. But again, there's no part of me that would like part of me. Cause I don't think it's realistic. I wouldn't say what would be coming out of my mouth. Wouldn't be, Oh, fire. Tets. I get him out. It would be our test. That you better fix this quick. that That's sort of the the way my mindset would be.
00:52:17
Chino Onwuka
So, yeah, I agree with you.
00:52:18
Emeka
Yeah, I agree with you.
00:52:19
Chino Onwuka
with,
00:52:19
Emeka
I think it it would have to get to the point where they're facing relegation for me to actually, like, say, fire him. Because another thing, for me at least, is who would you replace him with?
00:52:28
Chino Onwuka
If if we're we're facing relegation, and this will always be a barometer for me, but chopping 30 shots to Watford, that might bring about some some PTSD.
00:52:36
Emeka
a
00:52:40
Emeka
It has to be that bad. It has to be like we're literally in the relegation zone and it's like, I don't know, brother. We're going to survive. need to reach that. And like I said, who would you replace him with? There are no good dinners. People going to save Rick Klopp back. And listen, if Klopp wants to come back, yeah, for sure, fire him. But Klopp is eating Red Bull money right now. He's not doing nothing. he's not doing nothing When you look at the free agent managers, like...
00:53:02
Emeka
Xavi, Brendan Rodgers, like, Ange, not that many. Gareth Southgate, like, the hot topic I've seen is just pay Bournemouth for Areola.
00:53:13
Emeka
But if I'm Bournemouth's owner, brother, you pay me $80 million midseason to sign him. Like, I ain't sporting Lisbon. I got money. So... I just don't know like we're getting as a better interim than letting slot at least take it to the point where it's just Untenable like literally take it to the point where in Mourinho in the defense when he got fighting Chelsea where like where brother is it's February and we're in relegation like has to be that bad for me to to slack slot and
00:53:44
Emeka
I know, like you said, Chukwu, it's easier to change the manager than change the players. But, again, I was watching the CBS Champions League show, and between laughing at Jimmy Carrick, I tears.
00:53:55
Emeka
He actually made a really good point that I'm curious if your thoughts are, Chukwu. He said last season, and just run in general, Liverpool have been good for close to a decade. And for the most part, they've been backed by the spine of Alisson, the goalkeeper, Van Dyke at center back, Salah, right wing.
00:54:13
Emeka
And especially last year, all three of them had world-class seasons, 10 out of 10, especially Salah's case, Ballon d'Or level season. All these players around them, the Konates, McAllister's, the Gakpo's, they all got the accolades and the praise. We want their champions now.
00:54:31
Emeka
These guys are all in their 30s. Alisson's injured, Van Dijk has gone from superhuman to regular, and Mo Salah's got a kiss of the Obamayaks. Fair. But I kind of blame all the guys around them. Like, you were all there being passengers and being laughing. Again, I get a love Guabata Chino's amazing analogy.
00:54:49
Emeka
Okay, the captains carried us last year, but we got all these generals, and they're all high-paid, and now we need you to step up. Konate, Van Dijk is clearly not prime Van Dijk anymore.
00:55:01
Emeka
But then now what excuses that give you to become instantly washed up? Everyone's mad at Salah. Fair enough. Salah's not being great. Look at Gakful's numbers. He ain't being great either. You know i'm saying? Like, that's my thing about Liverpool's team right now is were we actually overrating a lot of these guys just because they got to be passengers while they had three truly elite, and I say four because Trent is there. Trent's gone now.
00:55:26
Emeka
But they had some truly elite guys, and that just let them carry... I won't call them i you know average because they're good, but not maybe as good as we thought. And now when Van Dijk and Salah and Alisson take a step back, we're actually seeing the real level of Liverpool right now. And it's it's about as pretty as we thought it was.
00:55:47
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, you definitely hit the nail on noggin there with the whole... those would Basically, Liverpool are suffering from the fact that...
00:55:58
Chuku
I just think their the coach isn't getting the best out of the players that that they have. i just don't I just think there's a big factor of that the worst that we're seeing play out. I mean, from what I've know heard from Liverpool fans that watch their team and what I've also seen here and here, whenever I've paid attention and watched Liverpool, the fact of the matter is it's almost criminal to bring in fullbacks, especially a fullback like Kirk has.
00:56:27
Chuku
and not utilize him in this in the way that he was best utilized. And the reason why people thought he was going to be a good purchase, which is you're using him in an overlapping sense, you know overlapping fullback. I mean, last I checked, I barely ever see no chances where Kerkas has a chance to overlap. with Gakpo and Gakpo is playing him on the overlap. i just i don't see I don't see the action take place a lot of times. And that's just an example.
00:56:58
Chuku
But I definitely would agree that I think it's definitely on the no other, know I guess, squad players playing up to their part to, you know, seeing that they're theirre captains who have kind of been leading them for, you know,
00:57:14
Chuku
many years aren't obviously gotten a bit older. They're going to, know, their level of play isn't going to always remain at the at very top, but it's not like they're, know, and it looks, and know it appears like they've just gone like garbage, but there's still a quality player still in those players referring to Van Dijk, you know, referring to Salah. I still think there's, you know, they still got gas in the tank. It's just,
00:57:44
Chuku
The way the team is set up, I just don't think it's set up in a proper way to succeed. I know Gravenberg had an amazing year last year, for sure. He was getting nominations for being one of the better or know best midfielders in the league for his performances that he know that he know laid out last season. But the truth of the matter is, I've still never believed in Gravenberg being a full six. I still think Liverpool have been missing that...
00:58:13
Chuku
that you know ball, really strong ball winning in defender, defensive type minded type of midfielder, you know, in in their midfield. And when you're playing guys like, you know, now don't know what the hell's happened to McAllister, but when you're playing McAllister now, you're playing Curtis Jones, you're playing, you know, Gravenberg, you're playing So, Buzz Light, like, they're missing the, you know, again, Caicedo type, Declan Rice type, there I say, type of mode. And I know these players arent just grow on trees, but, you know, there's a reason why Liverpool were linked with these, you know, with these those names I mentioned. And I just think that's something that they they truly miss in their squad at the moment. And, yeah, it's on the is on the the manager to figure this out because...
00:59:03
Chuku
Like I mentioned, there's no way you spend half a bill or so have yeah have a half a bill and on on a side that just won to won the league. And granted, you lost quality player in Trent, sure.
00:59:17
Chuku
But you've been given the resources to replace and you know replace and rebuild the team to to your liking. So now it's on the own manager to to go and fulfill his vision.
00:59:28
Chuku
his vision And I just think at the moment, you know, he's not doing a good job putting the players that you know have been brought in or at least acclimating the new players into the team. We've barely even seen Frimpong, you know, play. play I mean, I know a that is due to injury, but the fact is we're just not seeing him, you know, put these players in the best positions. And right now we're literally seeing it with Isak where Isak was someone else, you know,
00:59:56
Chuku
arguably people that were had him ranked above Holland as being one of the better or best strikers, know, in the league with some of his performances from Newcastle. And all of a sudden he gets to you know Liverpool and he's looking to show himself. Like this can't be something that, you know, you can just turn to garbage or to shits overnight.
01:00:16
Chuku
This is clearly something to do with the way the team has been laid out. And, That was one of the reasons why but I just believe, you know, if you know at this point, if if they were to lose to West Ham, I just think that might be truly it. I mean, I just think it's course for serious consideration to to look at bringing bringing a new voice. But that just my opinion. And, yeah, I just think we're seeing the downfall of Liverpool if they don't turn it around pretty soon here.
01:00:46
Emeka
It really is like, just shows how fast it goes. We recorded this pod three months ago and came on the heels of us crashing out. These guys got Isak and everybody else. And even when I predicted Liverpool to finish fourth, I didn't see this.
01:01:04
Emeka
I thought there'd be some growing pains. Granted, they can turn it around, but it's, man, it's something else to see. And Arnie Slott's got his work cut out for him. Like, I'm one of those guys who just says, oh, he just coasted off Klopp's team. Because he made some changes and, you know, especially with Gravenberg. And he won his title.
01:01:22
Emeka
You can't take that away from me. He won his title. He's got a lot of work cut out for him now, man. Like, it's it's a big challenge to take a team that's free-falling and Free falling is the word for it. And I'm curious if they lose to West Ham.
01:01:39
Emeka
What it looks like. That's all I'm going to say. i'm cur Especially because they're getting smacked up at home. That's the big thing. When the crowd starts turning on you, you can't survive that. They haven't turned on Slott yet, but it's it's getting dicey. Like the walkout against PSV.
01:01:55
Emeka
o They better start chipping up a little bit. That's all I'm say. Because... I can't imagine Liverpool, the brass FSG, are, you know, extenuating circumstances aside, spent half a billion dollars to be below Man United right now. They're below Man United. Like, there are talks about who gets sacked first, thought of Armourin. Like, it's unbelievable what I'm seeing from this team.
01:02:22
Emeka
And they started this season top of the league at the first international break. In fact, the talk was Liverpool are going to away again.
01:02:27
Chuku
Bro, forget about Amorim and United, bro. They're below Everton. They're below their local rivals, Everton. Bro, this is ridiculous, bro.
01:02:40
Emeka
I
01:02:41
Chuku
Yeah, Liverpool, I don't know. You really spend half a ball to be below your local rivals, Everton. That's insane, bro. That's insane. But yeah, I mean, sorry. so I just have to point that out.
01:02:54
Emeka
think fair to say, like, the below Man United, below Everton, like, the team that came in, preseason favorites, to win the Premier League are now in 12th, granted, early, but nine losses in in 12 games, losing to Galatasaray, losing to PSV, losing to Brentford. It's...
01:03:15
Emeka
And it's the way they're losing, too, shipping three goals every game. Like, it really is incredible. And, hey, I'm not going to shed a tear if they sack him, but I just, you to cap it all off, I just think winning a title should mean something.
01:03:32
Emeka
Like, I felt some type of way when Leicester sacked Ranieri, and he was in relegation, and I get it, but I just feel like winning a title should like she get you a season at least. Like, go down with the ship.
01:03:43
Emeka
And I got give my hypothetical. If Arsenal are so lucky enough to win a title in my lifetime, we can we can lose lot of games the next year, and and I'm going to take it. I'm to take it on the chin. Because winning a title, in my eyes, really, really holds a lot of weight, especially for a team like Liverpool. You know what said? They've two titles in 20 years. My brother is very generous. It's two titles in 35 years.
01:04:04
Emeka
Like, I'm a 30-year-old man. I've lived a very good, long life. I've seen two Liverpool title premiers leave titles in my life.
Chelsea's Current Form and Potential
01:04:11
Emeka
Like, it's... Not a common thing. This isn't, you know, Daglish and back in big Bill Paisley. This is a different era. They don't win that much.
01:04:21
Emeka
So to sack the guy who won it, it's tough. But that being said, it's also tough to see a team get smacked up every week. We've been there. So, hey, long may it continue, all I can say.
01:04:32
Emeka
So, I mean, it's funny how a lot of weeks we record this pod, we always talk about Liverpool because in our eyes, We have them as, you know, them and Man City are the two teams where you say, okay, those are the two title rivals. The big three is right now the Premier League.
01:04:46
Emeka
Second place right now in the Premier League is one team in West London. The billion-pound bottle jaw, as Bacary never once called them, have, of the Liverpool, won nine times in the last 11 games, majority of that without their best player, Cole Palmer.
01:05:03
Emeka
They're having guys having amazing seasons from Brazilian wonder kids like Esteval, another 100 million pound midfielder in Caicedo, and then a 100 pound midfielder again in Enzo.
01:05:14
Emeka
Guys are having great seasons. You know... How real are Chelsea? And the follow-up question I'll say is, he's not been there for a year season and and a bit.
01:05:26
Emeka
What are your thoughts on Maresca as a manager? Do you think Chelsea had found something long-term there, or he's another bald fraud ready to get found out as time goes on?
01:05:36
Chino Onwuka
How real is Chelsea? I'm sorry for the amount of money they've spent. They better be real. I think there's... I've said this on the pod before. I struggle to wrap my head around Chelsea because...
01:05:52
Chino Onwuka
You know, when weeks when we have expectations for them, they fall below expectations. When we don't have expectations, we're then surprised. But then what we're surprised about should have been the expectations all along.
01:06:03
Chino Onwuka
For the amount of money they've spent, like who cares about how they spent it? This is where they should be. They should be in the discussion with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City.
01:06:14
Chino Onwuka
This is where they need to be. Now, do they have the the carrying power to to do this for a whole season? I don't know. You know, last year they started off really good as well and and they sort of faded through the year. So it'll be interesting to see. I mean, they they're real enough that I think this weekend is a really, really big game between Arsenal and Chelsea. And if we can go and get three points or even a point at Stamford Bridge, I think those are really, really good points.
01:06:44
Chino Onwuka
I mean, do I see them as one of the best teams in Europe right now? No. But on their day, on their day, they can be a real threat to to anyone. And we saw that just a couple of months ago at the Club World Cup, whatever you think about that tournament.
01:07:00
Chino Onwuka
Nobody expected them to go in there and win. Nobody expected them to beat PSG, and they did. So... They have a great, great player in Cole Palmer. It'll be really interesting to see you know how fit he is for this weekend and how he can you know push on for for the rest of the season. The fact that they've been able to do what they've done without him you know really speaks a lot.
01:07:22
Chino Onwuka
Kaiseido. Kaiseido. We've talked about Rice, our guy, but we are not trying this pod to to to give flowers to to players who are balling because...
01:07:35
Chino Onwuka
We do this for the love of the game. And, you know, banter, rival or not, we appreciate talent. We appreciate ballers. Kai Sado, he's unreal. he's He was great last season. I think he might be getting to, you know, another level this season. I think they found a partnership, him in a balance with him and Enzo in the midfield.
01:07:57
Chino Onwuka
Kukurela has probably been You know, well I'll stand up for my man, Calafiori, but Cucurella has arguably been the best left back in the Premier League so far.
01:08:11
Chino Onwuka
You don't need to tell me about Starboy Estevão, a.k.a. Messino. I'm pretty sure. i i know when I dropped him in the group chat before anybody knew who he was, so I'm not i'm not surprised as to his talent.
01:08:25
Chino Onwuka
You know, maybe I'm a bit surprised at how quickly he's adapted the Premier League.
01:08:28
Emeka
I was about to say, listen, he's a star boyy boy, but you're not surprised that he's doing this good this early.
01:08:32
Chino Onwuka
Yes. Yeah, I thought there'd be flashes for sure, but I just think his maturity, I think he's just stepped up. like And he's not even just doing it for Chelsea. He's doing it for Brazil as well. you know What I was worried about wasn't his his his talent. It was just more the physicality of the league. But I think he's found a way to... he This is when he can tell it's not just about you know skills and ability. his His intelligence, and he's finding a way to to be effective even as he gets up to speed, even as he grows into his body.
01:09:03
Chino Onwuka
which is great to see. And I also think Chelsea has been managing him really, really well. They're not just throwing him out there and playing him in every single game, even though Colpama was out, you know, he plays every other game. So shout out Chelsea for managing him really well.
01:09:18
Chino Onwuka
So I think Chelsea's a really good team. So now there's still questions at striker. There are questions in defense, but hey, like, I think this is as good as they could have asked for, you know, if you asked them at the beginning of the season.
01:09:33
Emeka
Chukwu, if I remember, I think you had Chelsea second. Or was that me? I can't lie. But it was you, yeah. You had Chelsea second. So honestly, props for that. I had them third. So maybe the season's too early. But clearly you were high on Chelsea. So I guess, have they met your expert expectations of them so far this year?
01:09:54
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, definitely think they've met them. I mean, i know I picked them to go to do decently well this season, but, i mean, won't lie, i been a little bit more I've been a little bit more impressed in terms of what I've seen when they play against top opposition.
01:10:15
Chuku
the thing I think the problem with Chelsea at the moment is they play too much like to they have They play as well as or as good as who they play against, is what I'll say. like when the When they play against those middle-of-the-pack clubs, the level you know the level their level tends to drop, which is something I've noticed a lot.
01:10:42
Chuku
When they play against the top teams, all of a sudden, you know that's when they can start to come and show up you don't show up show up and I mean, while I would mention on the on the praise, though, I will say, you know, shout out to Chelsea because they stopped a masterclass from happening.
01:11:01
Chuku
And by masterclass, I mean, boys. Not to talk about Arsenal for a second, know, a minute here, but. Imagine, there's a reason why, you know, we went in for Caicedo in January a couple years ago.
01:11:17
Chuku
And could you boys imagine that midfield a pivot of a Declan Rice and Caicedo, man? Boy, that would have been something to, to I think that would have just been a little bit too much for the league. But shout out to Chelsea for stopping that monstrosity of a combination from taking place. But, yeah, no, I just think with the team, really, in my opinion, Chelsea are just a world-class striker away from really causing serious damage, I believe. what A world-class striker and another kind of, you know, i mean, world-class centre-back would be nice, but even with their combination of, I think, Fofana and Colwell has a good chance of being a really, really good tandem. Fafana has really, you know, these last couple of games has has really put together a nice stretch. If he can stay healthy, you know, I think that could be a good pairing.
01:12:15
Chuku
Reece James is, know, back in the fold, playing in midfield. Like, it's crazy what, you know, again, if, the you know, Mariska has been able to manage his minutes, if he can stay healthy, that's a really quality player they have, you know, on their hands.
01:12:30
Chuku
And I just think, yeah, a striker, a clinical striker is just something that, I just don't see Chelsea currently having at the moment. Ja Pedro is not that guy. I think I've seen enough to realize, yeah, he's just not that clinical of a striker. He's good in in around the forward areas. He's a good you know second striker or you know know secondary attacker, i think. But they're definitely missing that true number one option up front.
01:12:59
Chuku
But with what they have, I mean, I think you know they've kind of met met man met my expectations as far as I did consider them a lock for top four. So they have definitely yeah done their part and yeah, it's going to make for a very interesting game over the weekend.
01:13:18
Chuku
So can't wait to see how that plays out.
01:13:21
Chino Onwuka
And just to quickly add, first of all, Chuka, I think you made some really, really great points. Thanks for that insight. But I didn't answer part of your question. i do think that there is a level above Maresca that they can go in terms of a coach.
01:13:36
Emeka
And I'm just playing off that point. it is You nailed it, man. I struggle with Chelsea because on one hand, I get hype. Like, yeah, like, man, they're looking good. Like, look at the guys they have. but And then I remember, how much money have they spent on this side? And this is what they have to show for it? Like...
01:13:55
Emeka
Yeah, if you buy enough young players, eventually some will hit and you know you take it and and you go. But you know it's it's a cliche, but you look at a football team, you look at the spine. Keeper, center backs, midfielder, striker.
01:14:10
Emeka
Amazing midfielders. You spend 200 million pounds. I expect you to get two good midfielders. And they have had they have one very, very elite one in Casano and someone playing the best football of his career. So it ends up.
01:14:23
Emeka
So props to them. Cole Palmer, you put him in there, fantastic. Center backs, like, you know, you said Chukum is right that, you know, if everyone's healthy, Caldwell and Fofana, that's a very good pair.
01:14:34
Emeka
But then they're not really healthy. They're injured all the time. So then there's a lot of games I'm watching Chelsea and it's Chaloba or Badishai or, you know, guys like Hato. It's not really the best strong, you know, Tosin.
01:14:48
Emeka
These are the guys who have a center back. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez... Comfortably the worst goalkeeper in the top four side, I think i it's fair to say. And you know that the strikers are a guy who was playing Ipswich last year and a guy who has scored one goal, I think, since August.
01:15:05
Emeka
So, like, your spine of your team isn't that great. I just don't know. like I don't know what to make of Chelsea. Like, right now, they're performing.
01:15:16
Emeka
Smacked on Barcelona with that stupid high line. Like props to them. They're doing good right now in the Premier League. Second place. Like I'm not going to anything away from them. It's just when you really deep how much money they've spent on this side, it just gets me like, I don't know if it' if it's value for money here, but maybe I'm just too close to it. I got too many Chelsea fans in my life.
01:15:37
Emeka
I don't know. For me personally, it's this is about what they should they should be doing even more than this, I'd say. They should be doing even more than this. And I got to see it for a full season. They're very consistent. It will not shock me at all if they go on a run where they we know win two games in a month or something and they drop back down again. like Or it wouldn't shock me if they go a deep under the Champions League as well.
01:15:59
Emeka
Like, they're one of those teams where I just don't know what to make of them. And for now, I guess if you're a Chelsea fan, they take the take the take the waves, man. It's great. I just want to you know shout out to Esteval, man. like I can't lie. With these Brazilian kids, I i see them how... can't believe I'm blanking on his name right now. The brother in Rio Madrid, the striker they bought.
01:16:22
Emeka
Edric. I see him like Edric where I'm like, all right, brother, you come to Europe. I'm going to close my eyes I'll give you like two, three years if I really pay attention because that's how you need to bet in. The fact that this kid is 17, 18, comes from Brazil straight to England, and is playing well for Chelsea and Brazil, props to him, man. Like, for i I'm jealous.
01:16:44
Emeka
I'm jealous. We haven't had a Brazilian wonder kid since Martinelli. Even keep calling the wonder kid, but we haven't had a Brazilian wonder kid like that. And the level of hype, no matter how much the country of Brazil falls footballing wise, there really is nothing like a Brazilian wonder kid, man. Like the world is the, all your oyster. You just, you just can project so much on them. And I can't lie. I'm jealous. Chelsea have that going for them.
01:17:08
Emeka
And, Hey, listen, Chukwu mentioned the striker away. what What's Lukaku doing these days, man? Third time's the charm. Sign him up. Sign him up. He has to work eventually. Whatever the price is, bring Lukaku back, man. That's my piece of advice if you're listening.
01:17:24
Emeka
yeah I know Blue Co. You got got ears everywhere. Sign us up for the pod. We're there for you. Anyhow, as mentioned, a big game this weekend, game of the week. First versus second.
01:17:37
Emeka
Arsenal are making the trip away to Stanford Bridge. A place we have not lost at since 2021. Throwing it out there. Been a while since Chelsea beat us. We'd like to pick games in this pod and I'll kick us off.
01:17:53
Emeka
Maybe it's just the vibes I'm on, North London Derby, Bayern. Give me 2-1 Arsenal win. i think i think I think the vibes are high enough, and again, we don't lose at Stamford Bridge. Give me give me a another comfortable win. It's going to be a little you know nervy, but give me a two one Arsenal win.
01:18:10
Emeka
Chinat, what do you have for this game?
01:18:12
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I have that as well. I think it's going to be a very tactical game. It's going to be back and forth. I don't know how entertaining it's going to be, but yeah, my prediction would be a two one victory for Arsenal. And I know I said this last week to you, Chukwu, you know, when we went out for dinner to celebrate our our our good brother's birthday.
01:18:35
Chino Onwuka
But a if we win on Sunday, then I'll start to believe. And I'll probably say that every week.
01:18:43
Emeka
Chukku, what got?
01:18:45
Chuku
Well, get ready to start believing, man, because I'm going 3-1. I just think the vibes are too high. the you know Yeah, Cole Palmer is back, but the defense is still not fully healthy. You got Fafana, cool, but you're still going playing one of Badassie, you know, Chalaba, or the young Akchamponga, somebody, but that's not going to be Chocolo.
01:19:10
Chuku
And I just think... you know With Arsenal getting healthier, it's interesting to see who's gonna all going to be back on the side on Sunday. But you know I think where it is, Yacouret is going to be back.
01:19:23
Chuku
The way Eze is playing, Odegaard is back. yeah I just think you know this is prime for a 3-1 smackdown. I are going to be with three points.
01:19:37
Emeka
And if this game goes sideways, I know my producer, I'll just go edit all this out. Just just edit all this out. no one needs to hear this. If get does it doesn't go. I'm looking forward to it.
01:19:47
Emeka
Sunday game.
01:19:47
Chino Onwuka
The episode will just randomly go missing.
01:19:48
Emeka
It's all a little different. Literally. But all right, man. i'm i'm I'm looking forward to it. it's this is This is the joy of being a team that's pushing for the Premier League.
01:20:00
Emeka
All these games mean a little bit more. and God, it's beautiful. Before we move on to the other type of football, you know, we've talked about three teams in the Prem, but a lot has happened. Champions League, otherwise in football.
Manchester City's Challenges and Key Players
01:20:13
Emeka
Any quick rapid-fire thoughts before we move on?
01:20:17
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, just quickly, it was a really bad week for City as well. you know, two losses in the Prem, you know, and then in Champions League, they rotated everyone out and it did not work out for them. So, you know, that's a <unk>s another team where they're still not really fully shaken out of, you know, their doldrums. So, yeah, interest that's that's one to monitor as well.
01:20:39
Emeka
I can't lie. Like, maybe it's the football manager brain in me. Rotating for Leverkusen to play full strength against Leeds, I get it. Premier's more important kind of deal.
01:20:51
Emeka
Doesn't make sense to me. Like, buying Leverkusen, yeah, they lost some guys. That's still a good team. You're playing Leeds, brother. Like, I don't understand. I understand that they had a big game this weekend, but I'm playing my first team against Leverkusen. I'm rolling the dice against Leeds.
01:21:05
Emeka
That's just me. But, hey, i Pep rolled the dice and Eat, eat, eat some else.
01:21:11
Chuku
Not just that, bro. Like, they rested their first team just to bring them on at some point in the game. Like, bro, you don't... At that point, if you knew you were going to bring them on the moment things weren't going your way, might as well have just played your first team and then, you know,
01:21:28
Chuku
Yeah, the better odds that the you know your first team do does something as far as, you know, get a goal or two goals up and then you bring in your, you know, subs with the second team. But yeah, i' know. Something going on Pep, man. He just, he he definitely played that one wrong. So yeah, I mean, you know, Holland FC, you know, no Holland, no glory. is the way they've been playing for a minute. You know, a spotlight is on Foden and Mandem to step up, man. Like, you know, I know Doku's been tearing up defenders, but again, it's the the problem. No end product, man. End product has been his his main Achilles. And, you know, you'd think with the amount of additions, you know, Turkey,
01:22:10
Chuku
you know, Reinders, you know, Nico Gonzalez that they've added over the last year, not year year and a half. You'd think by now, you know, things would start clicking, but, you know, maybe again, you know, with Haaland, anything is possible. So as long as they still got that tall-ass Norwegian on their team, they can win, you know, they can win any game, you know, just by his sheer ability to put the ball in the net. So, You can't ever count them out, but they're definitely looking shaky. That's that's for sure.
Other Team Highlights: Aston Villa, Tottenham, and More
01:22:44
Emeka
Yeah, and for me, i just got two rapid-fire thoughts. One, don't look now, but somehow Emery is cooking something. Aston Villa are maybe the most informed team in Europe.
01:22:56
Emeka
Ten wins in the last 12 games. it's I'm impressed to see them. i Honestly, like from what the bad summer they had and the horrible start to the season. Props to Emery, man. like I know we had our jokes about him, but he's cooking something there for Aston Villa. And we make fun of Tottenham a lot.
01:23:14
Emeka
My goodness. Richarlison scored three consecutive games against Man U, Arsenal, and PSG, and none of those goals mattered.
01:23:25
Emeka
I almost felt bad for the guy. Like, the goal he scored against Arsenal... It's one of the best goals I've seen in a minute. Like, it's not just a typical half-field shot. When you look at it, he had to put that thing, like, in... Ryan was going to get there if it wasn't a 10-10 shot.
01:23:41
Emeka
And it got smacked 4-1. Man scores against PSG in the Champions League. It smacked up 5-3. Ninety-third-minute goal against Man U. Takes his top off, running around, yelling. They still equalize down the line. Like, I've never seen a three-goal stretch where you score against three big teams and all of them mean absolutely nothing.
01:23:59
Emeka
It's just the most spursy thing in history. I just have to flag that because I had a great life thinking about it.
01:24:07
Emeka
Chukwu, any but final thoughts or are we good to go?
01:24:10
Chuku
No, we're good we're good to go. We're good to go.
01:24:13
Emeka
Well, you know, we love the game here. And while we love the beautiful game of football, there's some other football, especially Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving weekend, we had three great, two good games on
NFL Thanksgiving Game Reviews
01:24:28
Emeka
Thanksgiving. And one, i don't know what that Baltimore-Cincinnati game was.
01:24:32
Emeka
They were on Turkey Drunk 2. And we also had a Black Friday game. I can't lie. I can really enjoy the Black Friday tradition they have now. Game on Friday. Put more games on Friday.
01:24:42
Emeka
Screw the antitrust rules. On this podcast this season, we played a nice little game, true or false. And I thought, why not mark the occasion with a little Thanksgiving edition NFL true or false.
01:24:55
Emeka
It's simple game. I asked my co-host some questions, and they tell me, is this statement true or false? And it's all evolved into teams that played either on Thanksgiving or Black Friday.
01:25:05
Emeka
And I'll start with one that I've seen a lot of times in the past 24 hours. It shocked me. Because I'm curious, maybe i people agree with the internet or I'll say my thoughts for later.
01:25:17
Emeka
start you, Chinna. Chinna, true or false? The Detroit Lions will never make the Super Bowl with both Dan Campbell at head coach and Jared Goff at QB.
01:25:27
Chino Onwuka
You said will not, right?
01:25:29
Emeka
Will not make the Super Bowl.
01:25:31
Chino Onwuka
False.
01:25:33
Emeka
False. All right, dang it. No, true or false in that statement before I say anything.
01:25:38
Chuku
True.
01:25:40
Emeka
I just, damn. It's hard to make the Super Bowl. I am, for the record, false for me. It's hard to make the Super Bowl, so I get it. The odds are it's probably going to be true, but I can't believe how people our mad people are Dan Campbell, especially over the fourth down things.
01:25:58
Emeka
He does this all the time, and just because it doesn't work out once, I'm losing their mind. Well, yeah, I thought he should have kicked the field goal. He would have lost it either way. This is still the same Detroit Lions team.
01:26:09
Emeka
They're just having a bad season right now with injuries and just bad luck. You're a lot of down season every once in a while. I still think Dak Campbell's really, really good at head coach. I'm not the biggest Goff fan, but worse QBs than Goff have made the Super Bowl.
01:26:24
Emeka
For example, Goff and L.A. Rams made the Super Bowl. So I'm a heavy false on this. I think guys jumping off the bandwagon are jumping off a little too aggressively. But hey, is that true? Chiku, what what are your thoughts on that?
01:26:38
Chuku
I mean, look, two things can be true and correct at the same time. Do I think Dan Campbell is a good man good coach? you know Yeah, he's a damn good coach.
01:26:49
Chuku
He's done amazing work at Detroit for many years. But I just think in the NFC, there's just better better teams. Better teams, and I just think the road to the Super Bowl is just hindered by you know again you Like you said, is it's very hard to make it to the Super Bowl.
01:27:09
Chuku
but It's not something that... you know There are several other teams that aspire to you know to get to that place. And i just I don't know. For some reason, I just think there's just been something missing when it comes to Detroit. And i just don't think they're good enough to to get there.
01:27:26
Chuku
And that's just my my my opinion. I mean, look, I could be wrong... cool, but so far the way it's been playing out, like something is so something is missing with that Detroit team. And I just think they haven't proved to be consistent enough as a team when it gets to the when when they're in the playoffs to to, you know, I guess, shake off that that's whatever it is, that voodoo that's stopping them from getting to the through the Super Bowl. So, yeah, that's just my take on it.
01:27:59
Emeka
All right, well, on that note then, Chukwu, true or false, if not the Detroit Lions, it's not the Green Bay Packers, and damn sure not the Vikings.
01:28:10
Emeka
The Chicago Bears are the best team in the NFC North division. True or false?
01:28:16
Chuku
Man, that is just, man, the timing of this question.
01:28:21
Chuku
I think it's false. I just just think, I still think that at the Packers, the Packers are going to be the best team in the NFC North. I just think Jordan Love doesn't get, know he's not having the greatest season as far as number-wise, number-wise.
01:28:40
Chuku
But as a pure quarterback talent, I just think he's very underrated, personally speaking. i think they've been struggling with you know injuries on the offense.
01:28:53
Chuku
But, I mean, we're starting to see a little bit now why the Packers paid Christian Watson the money they paid him. This brother is – he's legit. He's legit. I think the more and more he's going to get a chance to you know get healthy, stay on the field, People forget they also got a bad boy in Jadion Reed as well.
01:29:12
Chuku
I just think the the talent on the on the Packers is is overlooked. they They added Michael Parsons to their defense. Yeah, i like what they got going on in Green Bay, so I'm to say false. and i just I think Green Bay is the best team.
01:29:28
Emeka
channel
01:29:31
Chino Onwuka
I'm going to give you some stats. So, false. One, so far this season, sha Chicago Bears have had the 31st strongest strength of schedule based on some website.
01:29:43
Emeka
Let me stop you there. I bad knows the stronger schedules than you can Patriots.
01:29:47
Chino Onwuka
so So, hold on.
01:29:48
Emeka
So, so hold on.
01:29:50
Chino Onwuka
and But we're just talking about the NFC North.
01:29:52
Emeka
just As a Patriots fan, just know the predict card I just don' have the schedule.
01:29:52
Chino Onwuka
Ain't nobody about the Patriots. There's two left. but Just too lagging away, Why are you getting impressed?
01:29:57
Emeka
but
01:30:00
Chino Onwuka
And if you look at...
01:30:01
Emeka
so
01:30:02
Chino Onwuka
Just hold on, Kana. Let me land. Okay? i I wanted to bring in some stats. Their point differential is plus six. The Packers have had the 27 best strength of of schedule so far. So, you know, pretty easy schedule. Their point differential is 68.
01:30:21
Chino Onwuka
The Detroit Lions have had the nineteenth Strongest strength of schedule. Their point differential is 76. So I think that says it all.
01:30:30
Emeka
This is an easy false for me and for but what you've said. As a guy who's a fan of a team with a very fraudulent record, I can confidently say the Chicago Bears are the most fraudulent 93 team I've seen in a minute.
01:30:41
Emeka
Like their schedule is a joke. They win these games off flukes. Caleb, I want to love you so much, but my God, it can be horrible. But I want to give you a big shout out to Ben Johnson.
01:30:53
Emeka
I know some people here didn't like that he was getting shirtless and dancing in the locker room. I love it, man. I love it. I love when a nerdy coach, you know, kind of guy rallies like that. That's that's beautiful right there. Shout out to Chicago. I love Bears fans in my life.
01:31:09
Emeka
But that being said, they are the most, as again, as a guy who's a fan of a very fraudulent 10-2 team, I can confidently tell you the Bears are very fraudulent 9-3 team. So yeah I do agree, Chico, the Packers are the best team in the division.
01:31:21
Emeka
But for now, number one, Chicago Bears. Go Bears! You know, a question that's very near and dear in a lot of our fantasy group chats.
01:31:32
Emeka
True or false, George Pickens is the best wide receiver in Dallas.
01:31:37
Chino Onwuka
False. False, false, false, false, false.
01:31:39
Emeka
Good.
01:31:42
Chino Onwuka
he's a very good wider let me just say He's a very good wide receiver, but they're they're I mean, it could be 1A, 1B situation. I think CeeDee Lamb is still their best wide receiver. They have different strengths. You know, Chico, I think you pointed out that Pickens is their best deep wide receiver. I see that.
01:31:59
Chino Onwuka
You know, if you're looking for the intermediate game, if you're looking for an after the catch, that's probably CeeDee Lamb. And, you know, there was one game, I think it wasn't this week, the week before, where You know, Pickens had the big performance and some people were saying, oh yeah, this is my proof of, you know, why Pickens has, is the number one wide receiver now, even though he ignored all the games before that. And even in that game, if you look at the target share, the wide receiver with the most targets in that game, yes, they have different things they're supposed to do was still CeeDee Lamb. So as of now, CeeDee Lamb is still their number one, in my opinion. Let me say, let me put it that
01:32:36
Chuku
Yeah, i would have to agree. I i think would take a lot for Pickens to overtake Lamb for real, considering the amount of work CD has has done over the over the years in Dallas.
01:32:48
Chuku
I just think it's a lot closer than what people think, though. Like, I definitely think it's a definite 1A, 1B sort of situation. And it wouldn't surprise me if down the road Pickens, know, if Pickens was to supersede CeeDee Lamb, it's not something that will surprise me because you know I've already said, in my opinion, deep deep threat.
01:33:15
Chuku
I just think George Pickens has know the better hands and is the better threat down the field. I think Pickens, again, you guys can correct me if I'm wrong here, but at least in my eyes, it feels and looks that like he's faster CeeDee Lamb.
01:33:32
Chuku
and From my from the way what I've seen on the pitch, I know like CD Lime is you know very you know good after the catch, but God damn it. Like, yo, Pickens damn near, damn as good as as a CD. No, after the catch. Like, he is making plays, know, making the defenders miss.
01:33:53
Chuku
Like, he's he's really good. I mean, look, at end the day, these are really, really two really, really good wide receivers. I want to pose a question to you guys. I know it's really quick here, but I was really thinking thinking about this the other, you know, the other day, man.
01:34:08
Chuku
Am I wrong to think, yo, Dallas have the best duo wide receivers in the league. Who has better duo?
01:34:18
Emeka
I mean the, I don't know
01:34:18
Chino Onwuka
did we Did we do this, like, not too long ago?
01:34:23
Emeka
if we didn't,
01:34:24
Chuku
If we did, then I apologize because I wasn't...
01:34:25
Chino Onwuka
like you i guess we were just talking about it. I think it's still, you know, not they have a very good duo. And, you know, there's two, i guess, three teams that come to mind now.
01:34:38
Chino Onwuka
You know, the Rams now with Puka and Devontae Adams. i'd I'd still put Dallas ahead of them.
01:34:45
Chuku
You
01:34:46
Chino Onwuka
you know And then you have Philly.
01:34:49
Chuku
put dolls out of them?
01:34:50
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Dallas ahead of them, yeah.
01:34:52
Chuku
Okay. Okay.
01:34:52
Chino Onwuka
Then Philly with AJ Brown and Devonta.
01:34:52
Chuku
100%.
01:34:56
Chino Onwuka
I'd still have Dallas ahead of them, but to me the top cards are still Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins because Jamar is a level above all these guys.
01:34:57
Chuku
hundred sir
01:35:06
Chuku
Hmm. See, I don't disagree. Jamar is the best required receiver among the all these guys, but I'm taking Pickens and CD Lime over T. Higgins.
01:35:19
Chuku
I don't think it's like, I mean, respectfully, I, yeah, I think those two over.
01:35:22
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, no, sure. But as a duo, if you ask me which duo I'd rather have together, i would still take arguably the best wide receiver in the league and a wide receiver that complements him well and is sort of a similar deep threat like...
01:35:33
Chuku
Hmm.
01:35:39
Chino Onwuka
you know T. Higgins and Pickens are same style of player, so when you just stack them up or add them together, divide, multiply, sum product, the the answer for me would be would it be the Bengals duo.
01:35:55
Chuku
Okay. I mean, I respect that. What about you, Micah? What are you saying?
01:36:01
Emeka
I think you can go any of the three for me. Rams, Bengals, or or Dallas. I'd probably lean more towards Dallas, but she if you pick Devontae and Puka, I'm not gonna be too mad at that. like They're both amazing. And also say, I wouldn't be mad if you said you picked Chase and Higgins. These are six of the best receivers in the league.
01:36:25
Emeka
It must be nice to have a team that has two of them. I'll say that. But, yeah, funny enough, I'm going to say true. My question. i My heart, my head, you know, wants to say CD.
01:36:36
Emeka
CD is the guy, all that. But my heart just saw this man hurdle, man. And just when the Cowboys needed a and the game.
01:36:41
Chuku
and
01:36:44
Emeka
cowboys needed first end the game and they went to throw. They threw the pickings. And that says something to me. I don't know. i He's just bigger than CD, and I like receivers that are big.
01:36:56
Emeka
He's faster than CD.
01:36:56
Chino Onwuka
i
01:36:57
Emeka
I like receivers who are faster.
01:36:57
Chino Onwuka
i get I get that and I'm with you, but you know I was studying the tape. And the reason why that is, and again, this isn't too to discount what Pickens is doing. This is why it's so great to have a tandem like that is, based off what people have on tape for Dallas, it's in those moments, who who do they usually go to?
01:37:21
Emeka
Jake Ferguson lost it, but no, CD this year.
01:37:23
Chino Onwuka
CD, right? So the the coverage is shaded towards that. So if you if if because of history, because that's what's usually been, he has that relationship with Dak, you shade the coverage to CD in any way,
01:37:39
Chino Onwuka
Pickens is going to eat and that's the that's the that's the that's the poison chalice you have to drink every time now if you're going up against Dallas and it's successful.
01:37:44
Chuku
Thank
01:37:49
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, especially when you have a guy who's good intermediate in yak and the other guy is a deep threat. If people are are having to shade, you know, safeties or play zone just to suck in because you're worried about CD, what's that?
01:38:04
Chino Onwuka
What is that going to do? That's going to leave pickings all the time in good coverage deep. And it's just what can you do? What can you do? So it's a perfect combination. I think a lot of that is what's happening.
01:38:14
Emeka
like
01:38:16
Chino Onwuka
And. you know Maybe what happens is CeeDee's to have to be the decoy a lot the time, and Pickens is going to get that praise, and wide receivers are divas, so who knows what that's going to do. But you know I still think a big product of that is CeeDee.
01:38:32
Chino Onwuka
Still, whether he's the ball's coming to him or not, he is demanding a lot of attention from the defense, and we'll see if the defense is evolving going forward, which will then expose them to something else.
Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances
01:38:44
Chino Onwuka
It's beautiful.
01:38:46
Emeka
Hey, it really is. But again, my head fully agrees with you. i acknowledge this. The things Pickens does with the ball in his hands, I don't know. At the end of the day, they're both amazing. But I just thought I'd switch it up a little bit. I'll take Pickens.
01:39:02
Emeka
I know a team who couldn't take either one of them was the Kansas City Chiefs. It's a boring question, but I feel obligated to ask it because earlier in the season when the Chiefs started 0-2, I asked the pod, true or false, the Kansas City Chiefs will not only make the playoffs, but win a playoff game. And we all said true.
01:39:19
Emeka
<unk>ul True or false, the Kansas City Chiefs will not make the playoffs this year.
01:39:30
Chuku
My head wants to say no. They won't make the playoffs.
01:39:36
Chuku
But I don't know, man. There's just something about my homes, man. this This brother, he's playing some ridiculous football, man. i just think t the football gods are just destined to have this. There's no there's no way. There's no way the football gods can go a year without having my homes in the playoffs.
01:39:56
Chuku
So I'm going to just go with my – this is not my head talking. this's is more of my, i guess, heart. And i would I would think he finds a way to make it to the playoffs still.
01:40:09
Emeka
I'm the exact same. Like, logically, they're they could have lost one game, and they've lost it against Dallas. Dallas and NFC, they cannot lose to an AFC team from now on because they lose every tiebreaker.
01:40:22
Emeka
They're only two games back of the Chargers, and the Chargers schedule is brutal. Like, they can make it in, I don't know. And like you, like until the Chiefs are mathematically eliminated, in my heart of hearts, I will always pick them just because...
01:40:36
Emeka
They have Mahomes, man, and Mahomes does things no other QB can do. So even though it's a low chance, I just can't i just can't pick against them. So I got to say it's it's it's false. They will sneak in as as a seventh seed, and I promise you as a team who's a potential first seed, I do not want to play the Chiefs in the playoffs.
01:40:56
Emeka
So yeah until they literally mathematically eliminated, I'll always give them that respect. So if it's false for me. Chenna, what do you think?
01:41:06
Chino Onwuka
Man, I've been the the probably the strongest believer and in in in Chiefs manifest destiny because of Mahomes on this part, I feel. But man, I'm just i'm just looking at the math and and the schedule. I think the Chiefs are in real trouble. So I'd probably just just based on the probability, I'd have to say no. They're in big, big trouble.
01:41:31
Emeka
They have to win out. Like, literally, i think Mahomes even said it. Like, that not only win out, win out and have some luck go their way.
01:41:38
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:41:38
Emeka
So, like, you're not wrong. They're in big trouble. until Until I see the the bell rings, the count 10, like, out of just pure respect to Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes, I will always pick them to win every game, essentially.
01:41:54
Emeka
But ain't looking good, bruv.
01:41:55
Chuku
Yeah.
01:41:57
Emeka
All right, wrapping it up. Like I mentioned, we had some two great Thanksgiving games and something that I don't know what the hell that was. The Ravens got shellacked by the returning Joe Burrow.
01:42:08
Emeka
Burrow, I missed you. But I think anyone's watching the game, the biggest takeaway is just simply Lamar does not look like Lamar anymore. So, trickle true or false?
Lamar Jackson's Performance Concerns
01:42:19
Emeka
Sometime after this season, we're going to get a report that says Lamar Jackson was carrying a significant injury to the point where he's going to have surgery in the offseason.
01:42:28
Emeka
True or false? Do
01:42:31
Chuku
False, man. i just think Lamar is just playing. There's no excuses. He's just playing bad football. And I don't umt believe there's any rumors of any major injuries causing him to have to go through surgery. I just think he's just playing bad football right now.
01:42:51
Chuku
And, yeah, no, I would say false.
01:42:57
Chino Onwuka
True, man, something just doesn't look right. He doesn't look the same. Like, I'm wondering whether he just came back from injury early to try and help the team just to give him a chance. But yeah, it's like we've seen Lamar play bad football, but we can still see the flashes. Like, we're not even seeing those flashes anymore.
01:43:18
Emeka
This is a home run true for me. Lamar looks crocked. And like, I know people make, oh, Lamar's a running back, blah, blah, blah. Brother Lamar is one of the best QBs in the league. He's amazing. Even without his legs, he can throw the ball amazingly.
01:43:31
Emeka
This guy does not look right.
01:43:32
Chuku
you
01:43:33
Emeka
It's just something is wrong. And is one thing I've i've actually started to appreciate more this season is that for QB, a toe injury is a really big deal.
01:43:44
Emeka
It took out Burrow for like 10 weeks. It took out Purdy for seven weeks. Lamar only missed three with his toe injury. And the Ravens trying to downplay it is not that big a deal.
01:43:56
Emeka
Clearly something's up there. Toe injuries are messing up QBs all around the league, so maybe Lamar's got something with his toe. I don't know. you You can't tell me this is Lamar Jackson I've been seeing the last couple years. You just you just can't. Something's wrong, and I think they are they were, you know, Ravens were 1-5, got spooked, brought them back.
01:44:16
Emeka
Yeah, they won four in a row, and so it worked out, but... That was a rough watch to see. That was a rough watch to see against the Bengals. So out of disrespect to two-time MVP, I'm going to say this has to be true because that didn either he's injured or Space Jam happened and took his powers. I don't know because that is the Lamar Jackson I'm used to seeing.
01:44:36
Emeka
But we'll end this episode with a final true or false question. I want to start with you, Chenard, because I need Chukwu's opinion last. True or false? I asked this question about the Chiefs earlier. I'm going flip it up for the Eagles.
01:44:51
Emeka
The Philadelphia Eagles will win at least one playoff game this year. Not only will have to make the playoffs, which I think it's fair to say they will, but they will win a game in the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Prospects
01:45:02
Emeka
True or false?
01:45:04
Chino Onwuka
True, this is still the defending champions we're talking about. Even even though not their best, they're still a threat to to most teams in the league. It could come down to who they're playing against. It could come down to where the game is being held. It could come down to weather.
01:45:19
Chino Onwuka
So yeah, you know if you odds odds on, you get them them odds on to at least win one playoff game still.
01:45:30
Emeka
I'm a hard false on this. I think the Eagles are... Fraud's is disrespectful. They're good team. Man, I don't like what I'm seeing from them at all.
01:45:43
Emeka
The vibes are horrendous.
01:45:45
Chuku
right
01:45:46
Emeka
AJ Brown's going on stream saying, feed me. Yeah, he got fed today. More importantly, the offensive line looks shambolic. It does not look right. there's a There's a stat I read and I ignore because I thought he was built differently, but proves undefeated.
01:46:02
Emeka
You look up the history of NFL. If you're running back and you get 370 carries, regular season and playoffs combined, you fall off the next season. Saquon broke that threshold.
01:46:14
Emeka
I thought he was built differently. That ain't the same Saquon I'm seeing right now. The line is struggling. I'm not going make fun of Jalen Hurts. He's a good QB, but... When you take away that offensive line cheat code they used to have and Saquon's not busting 80-yard runs every game to break it open, the offense looks pedestrian.
01:46:35
Emeka
And for me, I'm saying this is false because I think the best-case scenario they could finish is a two-seed. Probably the three seed. And the NFC, when you look at the playoff teams, it is tight.
01:46:50
Emeka
And you finish the three seed, you're going to maybe play like the Seahawks or the Packers. I'm picking them against the Eagles. So I just think this is an exact repeat of the 2023 Philadelphia season.
01:47:05
Emeka
They started off that year 11-0, lost seven in a row. Everyone was like, the team's got to change. Got smacked up in the playoff by the Bucs. I think something similar is happening right now.
01:47:15
Emeka
The vibes are horrendous, and I will not be shocked that A.J. Brown gets traded in the offseason. Like, that's not talk for another day, but I just think this season, Super Bowl hangover, so what you want to call it, i it ain't ending pretty for the Philadelphia Eagles.
01:47:30
Emeka
As a resident Eagles fan of the podcast, I have to end it for you, Chukwu. True or false, the Eagles will win the playoff game.
01:47:42
Chuku
I would say it has to be true. I believe the team is still good enough to make it to the playoffs. Not been pretty, you know, lost some stinky games, yeah. But this is still a top, you know, a top offense we're talking about here you know, MVP candidate, yearly MVP candidate in Jalen Hurts.
01:48:05
Chuku
Offensive weapons in Devontae and, you know, AJ Brown. And Saquon is still in the mix. I mean, as long as we still got this, you know, key group of guys together,
01:48:16
Chuku
I'm always going to have a no sense of belief. And I just think, yeah, if we can kind of peek towards the later parts of the season, if we make it to the playoffs, ain't no way i don't see us getting at least one win. I don't know if we're going to make it to Super Bowl, but, again, even if we make as a wild card, wild card win still counts, right, as a playoff win, you know?
01:48:41
Emeka
Yeah, one playoff game.
01:48:42
Chuku
Yeah.
01:48:42
Emeka
That's what's all is.
01:48:43
Chuku
And, yeah. and i Then I'll say I'll arguell give us a good solid chance of winning at least one game for sure.
01:48:51
Emeka
Well, there you have it, folks. Another episode of Pod in the Bag. you know where We're past Thanksgiving, so we're now officially in Christmas season. Mariah Carey's defrosting right now, and Christmas trees are going up around the world. Lights are getting and out. i wish you and everybody listening to this nice, safe holiday season.
01:49:13
Emeka
We took a couple weeks off there. You know, brother was in Cancun, man. let it Let us live. But we back, back at you know, every week. We're going knock on wood up until the Christmas holiday at least. going to to record.
01:49:25
Emeka
i hope you join us and and and listen to this as we stick back and try to give you, you know, soccer, NFL, basketball, and and much else. Always served up, piping hot, fresh, with love on the side on Love the Game podcast.
01:49:42
Emeka
Thank you very much for listening, boys.