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Gooners Against the World! You Mad, Bro? · Football is Life

0:02
Hey folks, welcome to our latest episode of football.
0:05
I'm not going to do it. I'm just going to let
0:06
you boys go on. Take it away, boys. Take it away,
0:08
the goodness. Football is life in North London
0:10
forever! No, no. By the way, actually, Louis
0:16
Dunford, I'm a big fan of another one of his
0:18
songs. So, yeah, it's a good song he wrote. Yeah,
0:20
it is a good tune. I'll give you that. So, yeah,
0:24
look, this is the gloating episode. This is where
0:26
you get to just, you know, it's what you've been
0:28
waiting for, what you've been hoping for. We're
0:30
going to stay humble. There's work to be done.
0:32
There's a trophy to win. Okay, I like that. Still
0:35
work to be done. Good to see you, Billy. Good
0:38
to see you, boys, as well. I think the last time
0:41
we saw Billy was a bit of a negative Nancy, wasn't
0:43
he, Mike? That's right. I would like to start
0:44
with him saying his dad was right. Go ahead.
0:48
I refuse to say those words. Oh, too funny. Well,
0:55
listen, we've got to get into it. The Gooners
0:56
did it. You know what? I remember Liverpool won
0:59
it the first time in a club. It was a similar
1:02
situation. I don't love it, the fact that it's
1:05
not, like, it does feel a little bit less special
1:07
because you're... You know what I mean? You'd
1:09
rather it be a game you're playing in, right?
1:12
It's like, I always feel bad for teams when that
1:14
happens because I feel like it's just not quite
1:17
as cool. Like, even if it's an away game and
1:19
you get your away, you know, I mean, ideally
1:21
it'd be at home. So, yeah, I do think, you know,
1:24
Liverpool, we got to experience that last year
1:25
with slot, which was nice to get, like, you know,
1:27
but the time before that, we had the same thing
1:30
where they were watching. It was Chelsea, I think,
1:32
did us a favour. Yeah, it just isn't quite the
1:35
same. But anyway, it doesn't matter, right? It
1:37
doesn't matter. They did it. They've won the
1:39
league, deservedly so. I'll be the first to say
1:42
congratulations to Arsenal. I've said all season
1:45
I do think they are the best team. I've been
1:48
very critical of Man City in terms of I've not
1:50
been a believer in them. I think they would have
1:53
been actually quite poor champions this year.
1:56
I really do. I'd have more of a problem with
1:59
that in terms of like... i don't think they've
2:01
deserved it um and i think arsenal have definitely
2:04
definitely um be the ones that have deserved
2:06
it this year overall um even though i don't love
2:09
watching it so um but we'll get into that beautiful
2:14
game well well we will talk about that once i
2:18
let you have your moment boys because i'm going
2:20
to be nice so listen i guess what i want to maybe
2:22
get for you guys is a reflection over 20 years
2:25
um you know this team you know do you think this
2:28
is a sign of And Arsenal, I think to me the question
2:31
is, do you believe they're going to kick off?
2:33
Because sometimes what you get is your teams
2:35
kick on. They get the first one and they kick
2:37
on. But the opposite can also happen where it's
2:39
like they don't do that. But yeah, I mean, look,
2:41
a lot of players I would say that should be at
2:43
or around their prime, right? So, you know, it's
2:46
not like you've got an ageing squad. Lots to
2:48
be excited about. And as I say, a big game next
2:51
week. But yeah, what do you make of the season,
2:54
the way that you've gone about it? Like, how
2:56
enjoyable has it been? watching this Arsenal
2:59
team this year. Go ahead, Billy. You can start.
3:03
I would say it hasn't been wildly enjoying to
3:07
watch. And as for future possibilities of winning
3:11
trophies, I think a lot of that comes down to
3:13
the Champions League. They don't even have to
3:15
win it. I think they just need to show up and
3:17
have a good performance. And that will do wonders
3:20
for the team going into next season. But, I mean,
3:24
this season... It hasn't been super exhilarating
3:29
to watch, but I think Arteta has addressed an
3:33
issue the team has had for years and something
3:36
that all the pundits would say, that we were
3:37
a weak team that couldn't compete physically
3:40
with anybody. And he's turned us into a powerhouse
3:43
team that will go bully you everywhere on the
3:46
pitch and you can win your matchups and that
3:50
helps you win games. Okay, interesting. Surprisingly,
3:56
I have an opinion. Weird, eh? Who would have
3:59
thought? I'm shocked that you have an opinion.
4:00
Go ahead, Ross. Yeah, I'll go ahead and I'll
4:02
give it and then I'll come to you, Mike, and
4:04
get your perspective. But I think two things.
4:05
One, I have no, like, I feel like I've been more
4:10
bullish on Arsenal this year than most Arsenal
4:11
fans, right? So, you know, like, and I am, you
4:14
know, as much as we do talk a lot of shit in
4:16
this podcast because it's fun, you know, I'm
4:19
pretty, I like to think I'm quite objective and
4:20
sort of like, you know, if they're the best team,
4:22
I'll just call it. They're the best team. They
4:23
are. It is what it is, right? There's no danger
4:27
that they're not going to... What happened in
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last year's Champions League final? Arsenal will
4:32
be so in that... Worst case scenario, you lose
4:37
it and you're not going to be like, we got smoked.
4:41
That is just not going to happen. The teams are
4:43
very, very closely matched up. You've seen that
4:46
in recent years. They've played very recently,
4:48
right? So in Arsenal, they've actually done well.
4:50
Same as, honestly, we've gone toe -to -toe with
4:52
them. even this year when we weren't that good
4:54
at home, like we've shown that. So I wouldn't
4:56
be like, I'm not, they're not this team that
4:58
I think Arsenal should be afraid of. I think
5:00
that they just have, look, they have some difference
5:02
makers. They are probably got more difference
5:05
makers on one side of the ball and you've got
5:07
the difference makers in the other. And that
5:08
just can make either a compelling watch or a
5:10
very boring watch. We'll find out. But to me,
5:12
either way, Arsenal are going to be banging that
5:14
game. And I think, you know, I think you're going
5:17
to be like, you're not going to be like. devastated
5:19
with an absolute trouncing. On the Arteta, yes,
5:25
I agree. I think he's said this. He's felt like
5:28
there's got to be this way. Mike, I was obviously
5:32
lighting you up at the Arsenal, the Burnley game.
5:36
It's just like... The more I watch them, the
5:41
more I watch, and obviously the more the season's
5:43
going on, the more games I'm watching because
5:44
they're compelling games. It doesn't matter who
5:47
Arsenal are playing. I have to watch the game
5:48
because it's the game that matters. And it's
5:51
just like the diving, the time -wasting. To me,
5:55
it's actually gone... To your point, what I do
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love about Arsenal is see their robustness and
6:00
their physicality and the way that they're...
6:01
I love that. I wish that... I don't like this...
6:05
some of these red cards nowadays, I don't agree
6:07
with it. Right. I actually think you need to
6:09
allow like tacklings and art and like, it's a
6:12
contact sport. That's just, that was a red. I
6:16
mean, again, you know, that one to me is only
6:20
a red because, because there's no attempt to
6:22
play the ball. Right. It was high. The thing
6:25
is, it wasn't that powerful. That's one thing
6:27
I would say. I think that's what all the pundits
6:28
said. The only reason it wasn't a red was because
6:31
it wasn't forceful enough. Yeah, but the thing
6:33
is, to me, it's not that. To me, we've all done
6:37
it, right? We've all played. I've done it where,
6:39
obviously, the ball has been lost, and it wasn't
6:42
even like, you're in the attacking. zones it's
6:45
not it's not like it's critical and you just
6:47
decide to make a tactical foul i've never made
6:50
a tactical foul like that like i can trip you
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up i can i can pull you down and take the booking
6:55
it was a nasty challenge and it deserves a red
6:57
card because it was zero intent to play the ball.
7:00
And he went in studs up high on Sunday. I don't
7:03
care what. And to me, that's what I want to see
7:05
people send off for. He got lucky, but it's just,
7:07
that's what I mean. I do think Arsenal have got,
7:09
I've thought that they've got, and look, I have
7:12
to say it. Look, teams will do this in sport.
7:14
They will, you know, I'm watching some of the
7:16
NBA stuff right now. And it's like, teams will
7:18
try it. If they can get away with diving, they'll
7:20
get away with it. Like players do this all the
7:22
time, right? I don't like it. I don't think they
7:23
should. And I think if they don't, they didn't
7:25
act the way they do, then it would make life
7:27
easier for the refs. But this is why I've realized
7:29
when I was watching that Burnley game, I realized
7:31
what my problem is with Arsenal this year. And
7:33
it's not that, it's actually the fact that I
7:35
think, I love their players. Eze, I love him.
7:38
Declan Rice is one of my favorite footballers
7:41
in world football. Like, I swear to, like, honestly
7:44
can say that, right? I'm not a big Kai Havertz
7:46
fan for sure. I'm not a big Jokers fan. I love
7:48
Bakayosaka. But their problem is all these players.
7:51
I'm like, I know how much better they are. can
7:54
be than they are i know that because i've seen
7:56
flashes and i just want them to be that way because
8:00
so it's almost like he didn't what i'm trying
8:03
to say really i think he's gone so far where
8:06
you get you're now Honestly, so in that Atletico
8:09
Madrid Simeone bucket now for me watching it.
8:12
In that Burnley game where it's like a game that
8:14
there's no jeopardy for this Arsenal team. There's
8:17
just no jeopardy in that game. But the diving
8:20
and going over and time wasting. Honestly, I
8:23
was counting it like it's over a minute to take
8:25
a throw in for Arsenal. it's over a minute to
8:27
get set and it's like it's pathetic like the
8:29
referees need to sort it out but I think that's
8:32
why I have a problem with it because I just think
8:34
it's so unnecessary I love the fact that Gabriel
8:37
and Saliba are like super timber is so physical
8:41
like they are just difficult to play against
8:44
like it's really tough Declan Rice is is you
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know Zubin Mendy's out the team I think because
8:48
he's not physical enough by the way I do think
8:49
that's a problem right um But, Jermaine, I think
8:52
that's the only... There's no asterisks. Arsenal
8:55
are the best team. They deserve to win the league.
8:56
Congratulations. It's just, like, it's getting
8:59
so... I get annoyed watching it, not because
9:01
I'm not an Arsenal fan, but because as a football
9:03
fan, it's a lot of things I hate about the game
9:06
that are wrong with the game that I think they
9:08
lean into too much, and they don't need to do
9:10
it because they've got a fabulous team of players.
9:12
Fabulous team of players. I don't know what you
9:16
boys think about that. That's my perspective.
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So I think that Arsenal is not the only team
9:22
that time wastes. They're not. So I think they
9:25
are playing the game that is the game today.
9:28
I agree with Billy. I think there are two material
9:31
changes to this club compared to the last three
9:34
years. One is the physicality, and the other
9:37
is the discipline. How many red cards did they
9:40
have this season? That's true. That was 0 .0.
9:42
Now, they should have had one for Havertz, but
9:44
you look at that. So they got physical without
9:48
going over the edge and getting red cards. And
9:52
so I think the discipline of this team, combined
9:55
with the physicality, has made them a bitch to
9:57
play against. Yeah. And I agree with you. I'm
10:01
not saying other teams don't do it. Arsenal become
10:04
the athletic. I expect it from certain teams
10:08
because of sometimes just a situation. You see,
10:12
for example, when... West Ham or somebody or
10:15
like Burnley come to Anfield they come like you
10:19
expect it because they're just like they know
10:21
they're so in feet like you know they won't take
10:22
an absolute beating right so they are just taking
10:24
their time I don't I think the referee should
10:26
stop it I don't expect it from a team like Arsenal
10:29
that are so talented and I think it's like You're
10:32
so defensively good. Like you say, you can win
10:35
those battles. I just think it's like, you're
10:38
the team that should be going, get the ball back
10:40
in play. Let's go. Let's beat, you know. So I
10:42
just think, I think he's gone too far where you're
10:45
going to be, you're just going to be unlike,
10:46
like see the Man City teams that won leagues.
10:49
Obviously it was devastating for me, but it was
10:51
kind of hard. You have to say some of the football
10:53
was. phenomenal like you could i couldn't accuse
10:55
them and say i couldn't have that feeling because
10:57
it's it's just anti -football and it's a spirit
11:01
of the game it's a it's gone too far you see
11:03
that the set piece stuff the coach honestly i
11:06
give him so much credit like in terms of like
11:08
being creative you're doing short ones now like
11:10
100 like good good on you like well and the thing
11:13
about the whole set piecing is like those are
11:16
supposed to be an advantage We've turned them
11:18
into goals. Everyone bitching about their scoring
11:21
on corners. Why do you drive to get a corner?
11:23
Because it's an advantage. You're supposed to
11:26
try to score. 100%. And Arne Slott's been driving
11:28
me wild. I know. What is with that? Oh, 40 %
11:33
of the goals. Shut up. I think the thing is,
11:35
he's done, and he keeps going back to it, and
11:38
I think the problem, he's done this day, and
11:39
this is what he's been obsessed with. I'm like,
11:41
well, Arne, why would you not coach our team
11:43
to be better at those things? We've got Virgil
11:44
van Dijk. We do have people. that are phenomenally
11:48
dominant in the air, right? So I'm just like...
11:50
So the point is, like you say, I have no problem
11:53
with Arsenal scoring their goals. Like, again...
11:55
are they the best goal? No, they're all forgettable
11:58
goals, right? They're not goals you're going
11:59
to remember most of them, right? But I have no
12:01
problem with that. Like the set piece side of
12:03
things and being well coached and being a bit
12:06
creative in what they do and how they move and
12:08
make, you know, I think it's honestly, I say
12:10
a round of applause for the creativity side of
12:13
things, right? It's just, again, they've taken
12:16
things and I think it is this, it's seeded in
12:18
the desperation a little bit. And I hope now
12:22
that they've won one. That evaporates. And you
12:24
realize you don't want to be the team. You don't
12:27
want to be the team that is known. Because that's
12:29
what you'll be remembered for. That horrible
12:32
Arsenal team. Like Simeone's Atletico Madrid
12:34
team. Name me one fan that doesn't support them
12:36
that will give you a positive reaction to the
12:38
way that they play football. They won't. And
12:40
that's what Arsenal need to be careful. Because
12:42
do you know what they've got? They've got a lot
12:44
of likable players. Declan Rice might be the
12:46
most likable footballer in world football. So
12:49
don't tarnish this. With the nonsense. And even
12:52
he, I'm seeing a little bit of regression in
12:54
his behavior, which I don't like. Before, he'd
12:57
be getting guys up off the deck. I love the way
12:59
that he led in the pitch. He was all about the
13:00
game. And even he's regressing a bit. So that's
13:03
my only concern for this Arsenal team. But I
13:07
think they could go on and win. I mean, I don't
13:13
see anyone else in the English Premier League
13:14
next season taking the jump with Guardiola going.
13:19
I don't know. Maresca? I don't know. Maybe I'm
13:22
wrong. I do think that it was getting over the
13:27
hump after all this time. They had to win one
13:30
for this to kick on. And I do think a lot will
13:36
come down to the Champions League and how they
13:40
perform there. And if they were to win both,
13:44
I think that not only from a recruiting standpoint,
13:47
is that like... the world is your oyster and
13:49
the money that they're going to be taking in
13:51
from what they've done this year is banana lands.
13:55
It's crazy. I genuinely have it. It's 50. I don't
14:00
think the only, the only thing that PSG won it
14:04
last year. I think, I just think art, I really
14:09
do. I think, I think it's a flip of a coin. It
14:12
really is. It's 50, 50. There's no real. Again,
14:16
it's teams with two very different strengths.
14:18
I do think a lot of it will come down to how
14:20
both, because again, it will be interesting to
14:22
see how PSG, do they just stick to just the philosophy
14:24
they always stick to? I don't know that they
14:27
will. I think it was going to be a tactical affair
14:29
between Enrique and Arteta. And I think that's
14:31
going to be super interesting to see who, and
14:33
I do think, I actually do think, Sometimes these
14:36
games are decided with a, you hope it's decided.
14:39
Yeah, yeah. No, actually, I hope it's decided
14:41
by a moment of magic. Like Eze, he's got that,
14:43
right? Okay, you've got a guy like Eze or Saka.
14:45
They've got Dewey. They've got Dembele. They've
14:49
got these guys that can just be a moment of,
14:50
I want it to be decided by that. But I do think
14:53
this game might be won and decided on actually
14:56
in the dugout. I do think this is going to be
14:59
a very tactical affair. I hope that, I think
15:02
a goal early can change that. I just hope it
15:04
was an early goal because I do think that changes
15:06
things. That'll open it up. Yeah. And honestly,
15:08
in a way, like Knox, I don't want Arsenal to
15:11
win it. It's like, I just think if PSG score
15:13
early, it could be a fabulous game because Arsenal
15:17
coming out. It'll afford a different Arsenal,
15:18
yeah. But an Arsenal can, like one that PSG,
15:21
like Liverpool, you can create chances. Now look,
15:23
I think Marquinhos is playing. He is as good
15:27
as any defender I've seen this season. Some of
15:29
the blocks and the way that he leads that back
15:31
line has been incredible. What's the young boy
15:33
that got beside him now? The guy, Pacho. I don't
15:38
know who he was. He's been excellent. But I do
15:40
think Arsenal, I just think they can score against
15:43
him. You can score goals against this PSG team,
15:46
as Bayern Munich proved. So I just think I would
15:49
love it to turn into that. blow for blow is what
15:52
we want. I don't think we're going to get that.
15:54
I think it's going to be very tactical and I'm
15:56
hoping it's not like, I hope it's a moment of
15:59
brilliance that wins it. We'll see. We'll see.
16:03
But yes, what a season for the Gooners. And listen,
16:05
that's like 90 % of our listeners. We're basically
16:07
Arsenal TV here. That's right, yeah. So to all
16:09
the Gooners out there, like and subscribe. Like
16:12
and subscribe. Yes, like and subscribe. Exactly,
16:13
that's it. That's it. And yeah, you get your
16:16
flowers. You get your flowers. So yes, well done.
16:18
And again, shows sticking by the manager. And
16:21
again, I have to say I did. say way back when
16:23
everyone was calling for his head i was like
16:24
i could see what he was trying to do i could
16:25
see the picture i was like and i think he's done
16:27
a you know you have to say he's done a good job
16:30
um in terms of what is you think of what they've
16:32
built now in terms of like the feeling around
16:34
the club you know not just this trophy right
16:35
but you know that's obviously what you're going
16:37
for but now there's such a vibe and positive
16:39
feeling around the club can i ask you a question
16:41
and i'm gonna get I got a little bit salty here,
16:44
right? But I just, again, it's just, again, this
16:46
could just be personal thing. And I just want
16:48
you to give me just honest, think if this was
16:50
Liverpool, right? Or Man City or Man United or
16:53
Chelsea. So obviously Liverpool won the league
16:55
and we were, the players were watching. I can't
16:57
remember, it was outside somewhere and Chelsea
16:59
did the job and they were obviously jumping about
17:01
like the Arsenal players were, which was all
17:03
great, right? So that's all wonderful to see.
17:06
But then I start to see things like, they're
17:08
like, they had like a cardboard cutout of the
17:12
premier league and i'm just going this is my
17:16
other problem with this team i'm just going guys
17:18
what we do and then they're doing like they're
17:20
responding like every like the bottle thing and
17:23
all this stuff i'm like guys just be better is
17:27
that just me like is that is just you really
17:29
this is 22 years of All of these people, since
17:35
we won a title, you've got a dickhead in the
17:39
city stands with the Arsenal tears bottle. Yeah,
17:41
screw you. We're going to come back at you. So,
17:45
absolutely. I think the trophy is a little bit
17:49
dumb, but it's fine if you want to get it out.
17:51
You don't have it. It's so dumb. You don't have
17:53
it with you. You just won the league and you
17:55
want to celebrate with the trophy. So, like,
17:57
celebrate with a trophy. You'll get it in a couple
17:59
of days. It's a little bit dumb. It's a little
18:05
bit dumb, Ross. Billy, I appreciate your honesty.
18:07
It's not as dumb as you're making it out to be,
18:09
but it's a little bit dumb. The bottle thing,
18:12
that's totally fine. That's just banter with
18:14
the fans. Who gives a shit? That's totally fine.
18:16
So again, I'm softer on the reaction to things.
18:21
Because they've been calling it bottlers for
18:23
how long? So of course they're going to answer
18:25
that. I'm just happy that Billy is honest and
18:28
objective and says, that if that's another team
18:31
you're going what a bunch of clouds what are
18:34
you doing but the the oversell anyone saying
18:38
that we're over celebrating you can go fuck yourself
18:40
no no no it's not and it's but it's every match
18:44
for like the past you know it's really we over
18:46
celebrated it's so stupid no but it's it's related
18:50
in terms of uh like you know what it is i'm trying
18:53
to think of an analogy it's like so you know
18:55
what you know what it's been ross is i i On the
18:59
Arsenal side of this, I feel like there's more
19:02
non -Arsenal venom than there is for any other
19:05
team in the league, more so than I ever saw at
19:08
Anticity. And so I think that this team has developed
19:14
an identity of us against the world, and so they're
19:17
going to celebrate. And listen, I have no problem
19:20
with celebrating. It's like, look, by the way,
19:21
you can say this. I was getting... Last season,
19:24
fizzing pelters in the same way from all of my
19:28
mates, right? It's the same thing. The media
19:30
go, that's the earnest look. Criticism, criticism,
19:32
criticism, right? Okay, it's like, I think the
19:35
difference is like a Jurgen Klopp is well up.
19:38
I think that the figurehead of your club matters
19:40
in these scenarios. And I think Klopp was just
19:43
a bit of a, even then I would still get a bunch
19:45
of shit, but it's like, because Klopp was so
19:47
good, it's hard. It's the same as Guardiola.
19:49
It's kind of hard not to just kind of go. he
19:51
is really good i just think it's like it's it's
19:53
almost like you've just got like like i don't
19:56
know i think it's in the leadership there's somebody
19:57
go like guys it's like a bunch of mates that
19:59
you need somebody to be level -headed and sensible
20:01
and go guys like don't like we're gonna look
20:05
like like idiots here and i just think it's something
20:08
seeded in them the way they show up with these
20:10
things that that you go what like just and you
20:13
see that see see the guy with the bottle and
20:14
all that right you know why my is like don't
20:17
even respond because Actually, you give it more
20:19
airtime. You actually lean into it. You actually
20:20
make more of these things. You just go, do you
20:22
know what? We do our talking on the pitch. We're
20:24
going to lift that trophy in front of our fans.
20:27
That's all you need to do. You don't need to
20:29
get involved in these things. You could just
20:30
be better than that. I wouldn't want my players
20:33
doing that and responding to some moron doing
20:36
an Arsenal bottle thing. You go, who cares? That
20:38
guy's an idiot. What does he know about it? Was
20:41
it Miles Lewis Skelly who did it? No, I think
20:44
it was somebody. It was Ezi. Several people have
20:48
done it at this point. I think everyone in the
20:49
club has done it. I think it's still just a whole
20:52
bunch of banter, Ross. I think back to when Haaland
20:57
said, stay humble to Jesus. I thought that was
21:01
way out of line and really fucking stupid. But
21:04
then we go and we beat Man City and Lewis Skelly
21:08
goes and does his celebration after scoring.
21:14
That is banter. Let me give you an example. You
21:19
boys will know this. The best example is, to
21:22
me, there's winning with class. This is what
21:25
Arsenal lack a little bit. They don't win with
21:27
class. Do you know who did it perfectly? I don't
21:30
know if you remember because you're big Boston
21:33
sports fans. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. They
21:37
took that video of themselves and it was like
21:39
bad boy for life. They didn't say anything. There
21:42
was a smile and it was hilarious. To your point,
21:47
banter is funny. Some of the things these arms
21:51
have played is they just don't have the class
21:53
to go with it. Again, it's just a little bit
21:56
better. Just be a little bit better. Ross, Ross,
21:58
Ross. I blame Martin Odegaard. They have more
22:02
class. than any of the past eight teams to win
22:09
it because I have never seen every single member
22:13
of the team going out into the public and celebrating
22:17
with the fans. I'm thinking of Declan Rice at
22:20
5 a .m. the other day with Saka and Eze and Timber.
22:25
You never see that from the players. That's great.
22:27
I love that. That's what it should be. It should
22:30
be something that means a lot to the people,
22:32
both the players and the fans who support them.
22:35
Yeah, I'm with you on that. That's wonderful.
22:38
But it's all the other, it's the cardboard trophy
22:40
and stuff. I'll give you the cardboard trophy.
22:42
I'll give you the cardboard trophy. But like,
22:44
that's one thing. You know, common denominator,
22:48
all the over -celebrating, who's at the front
22:50
of it? See when he's injured and out of the team,
22:52
Declan Rice doesn't do that shit. He doesn't
22:54
do it. We've all known that Declan Rice should
22:58
be the captain of this club. And there you go.
23:00
And that's the problem. And that's what I'm poking
23:01
at is. That's the problem. We'll see. I mean,
23:05
we'll see what happens next season with that,
23:06
but I hope, I hope they change it. Cause they
23:08
should. I do too. I do too. Because I mean, it
23:11
is because the, the, the thing that's going to
23:14
get legs now is the reuse of it's not done because
23:20
now it's not done. We've got a champions league
23:22
to win, right? Like read the double entendre
23:26
of that statement. Now it's not done. We've got
23:29
another trophy to go after. Declan Rice should
23:33
be the face and the captain of the club. Exactly.
23:36
And that to me is like losing with a bit of class.
23:40
To me, he oozes class. That's why I like him.
23:43
And that's kind of what I was poking at is you've
23:45
got the wrong guy in charge and that's where
23:47
that behavior comes from because it's always
23:49
him. He's always involved in it and usually at
23:51
the forefront of it. Blame the Norwegians. They're
23:53
all weird. Holland's the same way. So there you
23:55
go. But listen, look again, well done to Arsenal.
23:58
Deserve winners. We're going to move to, let's
24:00
just talk briefly about a couple of things. So
24:01
obviously Man City, Pep leaving, big news. Enzo
24:04
Moresca, I think, I think confirmed it feels
24:07
like. Yeah, I think that's all locked in. And
24:09
Xabi Alonso comes in at Chelsea. Interesting
24:14
because obviously Maresca was at Chelsea at the
24:16
start of the season, right? And obviously worked
24:19
under Guardiola. So it seems like that's a, let's
24:22
make a smoother transition as we can. I mean,
24:25
based on who's available, I get it, right? Makes
24:29
sense to me. I don't know that he's going to
24:31
take them. I don't think he's going to sort out
24:33
the defensive frailties they have. I think from
24:35
what I've seen at Chelsea, it's going to be the
24:37
same problems next year. Xabi Alonso, though,
24:39
I think probably as good as Chelsea could have
24:41
got. Probably. Probably, right? Given the fact,
24:45
the way that the shit show they've been and who's
24:47
available. My brother's a Chelsea fan. He's pretty
24:51
happy with that. I think you have to be. I know
24:52
he's maybe, he didn't have a good time in Madrid,
24:54
but you're probably going, I think two decent
24:57
appointments, right? But also probably, I'm going
24:58
to ask you like, probably two appointments that
25:00
don't scare you guys, right? No. I, Maresca City,
25:05
I think is stupid. It doesn't scare you, right?
25:09
To me, they're the only team that can... We're
25:12
not going to be... We're just not going to be
25:14
there. I genuinely think City are the only team
25:16
that could compete. I really like United getting
25:20
Carrick for United. I think that's a good...
25:24
I think he earned it. I just don't... He 100
25:26
% earned it. We talked about this last time.
25:29
There's no way they're going to compete with
25:30
you guys. There's no way they're going to compete
25:32
with you guys next year. Since January, they
25:35
have the best record in the league, right? Why
25:36
is that, Billy? Because they signed Merrick.
25:40
No, no, no. Honestly, being blunt, it's because
25:45
when you're playing one game a week and everyone
25:48
else around you that's been playing. For sure,
25:49
that absolutely helps. But I also think that
25:52
Merrick unlocked for them and said, play what
25:57
you're best at. He did. I think he definitely
26:01
earned it. Am I scared of United? No. I'm talking
26:06
to you. I'm not scared of United. Exactly. You
26:10
know why? Because what Michael Carrick, I think,
26:12
does is stabilizes them in that area. He's not
26:16
going to push them. So you then throw in champions.
26:19
They're in third place. Yeah, well, no, but I
26:21
mean, but I mean, stable, but they haven't been.
26:23
They've been. out of the top, out of the Champions
26:25
League. My point is stabilizing them as a Champions
26:27
League club to me. I think that decision has
26:30
been made with that in mind. And then to your
26:32
point, Billy, yeah, the upside, maybe, maybe
26:35
he could progress as a coach. We will see what
26:38
happens. And with these other appointments, I
26:41
mean, I think the ranking of the top four next
26:45
year, I think there's a lot of flexibility in
26:49
that. I think he's ahead of them. I think this
26:53
season they also have, or going into this offseason,
26:55
they have way more ability to sign players than
26:58
they would have last season. You've got Champions
27:01
League now, you've got stability, absolutely.
27:03
They look like a way more complete outfit than
27:07
they did. But let me ask you this question. How
27:10
many signings are they away from competing, not
27:13
winning, but being in April and being in a title
27:17
race with Arsenal? How many signings? I think
27:21
they need two centre -backs because I don't like
27:26
any of the ones they have. Okay, that's two.
27:28
I think they need a DM to replace Casemiro. At
27:33
least one DM. And maybe a left -back to replace...
27:36
And a right -back. And a right -back. Masraoui's
27:41
fine. He's not great. Masraoui's fine. And then,
27:46
so you've got Mbwemo, Fernandes, Minou. Is Cesco
27:51
the guy? I think they need a striker. He could
27:54
be. He's fine. He's on the pitch. He seems to
27:58
score towards the second half of the season.
28:00
Listen, boys, I've watched United this year.
28:02
Look, he's done a great job. He's earned it,
28:04
no doubt. They are eight signings minimum away.
28:09
from being able to compete because the thing
28:11
is because of the rotation and the fact that
28:13
you're going to have a lot of injuries how many
28:15
injuries of ours like you pick like that so it's
28:17
just it's they've gone out of the domestic cup
28:19
super early yeah so just they've had that they've
28:21
had such a solid and you know it's like strength
28:23
of schedule matters so much right when you're
28:26
playing how many more you look at how many more
28:28
games arsenal played the man yeah and the problem
28:31
is united that's united you go okay yeah you
28:33
could i agree with you but they're starting 11
28:36
Yes, they've got a good starting XI, but you've
28:38
got three games a week. You're going to come
28:41
on from real fun. Maybe it's not next year. Maybe
28:44
it's not next year, Ross, but I think in the
28:48
next two to three, you will see United be a team
28:51
that is actually capable of doing something.
28:54
I still think this season, right after Carrick
28:57
came in, he beat Man City and Arsenal back -to
29:00
-back. I think that is a team that is absolutely
29:04
capable of shaking shit up in the league and
29:08
maybe not winning it, but could absolutely be
29:11
a top three, top four side that is competitive.
29:14
But that's the same as this year. Well, when
29:18
you think about where they were before, I think
29:20
that's still... Before this season, I would have
29:23
said that they're a bottom half team. I know,
29:25
but my point is that you're not scared. That's
29:26
my initial point. You're not scared. Going into
29:30
this season, depending on who they sign, I don't
29:32
want to go play United at Old Trafford. I don't.
29:33
Okay, wow. Billy's coming in strong there. I
29:36
think United are further away than people realize.
29:39
I do. I do. Just like I don't want to go play
29:41
Bournemouth. Yeah. I think you don't have to
29:46
be like Man City with seven squads to go be a
29:49
team that I don't want to play against. I know
29:53
there's a lot of teams you say, I don't fancy
29:54
going there. But I'm talking about them challenging
29:57
for a title. That's what I'm talking about. It's
29:58
context here. The context I'm saying is challenging
30:01
for a title. I think that they're still a long
30:02
way off. And I say long way. I mean, again, I'm
30:05
not saying they're like 10 years. I'm saying
30:06
that they are a number of signings away to have
30:09
the depth and quality. Because again, I go through
30:12
that team, like the goalie looks good. I think
30:16
you could replace everyone on their back four.
30:18
I really do. You could use an upgrade. I don't
30:21
put any of those players like starting any of
30:23
the top teams. I think their midfield is like,
30:26
they need, they need to think at least two center
30:29
midfielders, at least two, right. To beef that
30:32
because Casemiro is leaving. Who's been, you
30:34
know, you've got menu and Fernandez and not a
30:36
lot else. Right. And then, you know, like, you
30:40
know, Cunha is. patchy in and out, and Buemo's
30:43
been good, but a bit patchy. Cesc will be good,
30:45
but a bit patchy. There's not one... Fernandes
30:47
is the only guy you hang your hat on on that
30:48
team, and you can't be a one -man team and go
30:50
and compete for the biggest trophies. So I do
30:53
think that they are. But you're right, Carrick,
30:54
absolutely no -brainer. Like, earned it. You
30:57
can't... To your point, Billy, you look at the
30:58
record, you can't not give him the job, right?
31:00
And at least give him... And I do think he stabilises
31:03
that platform. Do I think Man United are top
31:05
14 next year? Yes. I don't think they'll be anywhere
31:08
near Arsenal or whoever's winning the title.
31:10
Yeah. I would agree with that. I would agree
31:13
with that. But I think you're right, Billy. There'll
31:15
be a team that will be dangerous, 100%. Like
31:18
they were when you played them this year. Like
31:19
you saw it, right? I get that. So with the managerial
31:23
changes, just pivoting to City for a moment,
31:26
I really wish Waza was here. And I think, Waza,
31:30
you might need to just do your own solo reel
31:32
for the fans on this. But first of all, the shithousery
31:37
of the timing of the announcement mid -Arsenal
31:40
match. It leaked as well. It leaked. He was raging.
31:43
I don't. No, he was fizzing. He was fizzing.
31:47
He was like. So maybe he's a good actor because
31:50
the other thing is the timing of his exit with
31:55
the financial fair play stuff about to be announced.
32:00
I think shit's about to get very real for Manchester
32:03
City. Well, Southampton have felt something recently,
32:06
so we'll see if they're going, oh, let's see
32:08
what happens, right? I mean, and that Southampton
32:13
ruling, well, I mean, yeah, you know, learn from
32:16
Bill Belichick, be better. But I think that that
32:22
timing is not accidental of his exit. I love
32:27
that. Make that into a real mic. There's a hot
32:29
take. That's it. Pep knows. Pep knows the mafia
32:32
boss is getting out before the charges hit, right?
32:34
That's it. I love it. I mean, he's not going
32:38
to manage in the championship. I mean, look at
32:41
that squad. I mean, Holland could score 100 goals
32:44
next season. Yeah. Let's see. Let's see. But
32:47
there's no fantasy football at that level, boys.
32:50
Listen, a couple of shout -outs I want to make.
32:51
I was actually in Atlanta this week for work.
32:54
I go to this lovely Italian restaurant called
32:56
Cerrico Fresco, and my boy Marcus looks after
32:59
me in there. He's a massive gooner. so he's from
33:02
the states he's in he's actually in north carolina
33:04
this weekend playing golf with us he's out his
33:06
girlfriend's parents live there so big show he
33:08
was absolutely buzzing with the arsenal when
33:11
he's a big uh he plays football or soccer um
33:14
and um yeah he's uh so shout out to my boy marcus
33:17
he always looks after me uh my mate chris um
33:20
and then also steve doyle our good friend yes
33:23
congratulations in amongst all this we haven't
33:26
talked about it but aston villa and we McGinn.
33:29
Super John McGinn. That was the Scotland Fan
33:33
World Cup. He's in banging form. We love to see
33:36
it. McGinn, absolutely. What a fan. I mean, talk
33:39
about... a fan favourite I can't think of another
33:42
player that's made such an early impression on
33:44
a fan base than John McGinn at Aston Villa he'll
33:47
just be beloved we'll talk about Liverpool in
33:50
a second with Salah and Robbo leaving but yeah
33:52
John McGinn and listen Unai Emery and I know
33:55
Arsenal obviously moved on from him I've always
33:57
been a fan I genuinely think he's one of the
34:03
best managers in the world. I do. I've said that
34:05
for a while. I just think he's such a top, top,
34:07
top manager. Can you imagine if Arsenal were
34:11
to win Palace with the Conference League, Villa
34:17
with the Europa League? It's likely. Well, Palace
34:20
should win that game and then it comes down to
34:23
Arsenal, PSG and a shootout, right? But listen,
34:26
Aston Villa fans, absolutely great scenes. So
34:29
happy for, again, I think most people love and
34:32
respect Unai Emery. He's a fantastic coach. I
34:35
think the way he handles himself is brilliant.
34:36
The way he develops players, like Morgan Rogers
34:38
has just become an absolute world beater, right?
34:40
He looks, I mean, better than Jude Bellingham,
34:42
in my opinion, on current form. So, yeah, I mean,
34:46
just fantastic to see. Obviously, as a Scotsman,
34:49
love to see John McGinn at the heart of it all.
34:51
Captain lifting that trophy makes me feel a bit
34:53
of pride as a Scotsman. So, yeah, he's telling
34:56
a great story about, you know, like growing up
34:58
and stuff and what it meant to him. So, yeah,
35:00
congratulations to Aston. Aston Bija. Aston Bija.
35:05
Very good. Good evening, everybody. Good evening,
35:07
Steve. Yeah, I think I said an Indian there.
35:10
I don't know. But yeah, impression is not my
35:14
thing. Okay, well, let's move on to Liverpool
35:15
briefly. And then we've got a couple of topics
35:17
we want to hit on. But Liverpool, so we've got
35:20
another Salah gate, another Mo gate. So I don't
35:23
know if you saw it, but Mo Salah came out with
35:25
another social media post talking about how Liverpool,
35:29
maybe, you know, he's one of the standard setters,
35:32
you know, off the pitch, which I... I've always
35:34
believed to be true, and yet I think you do need
35:36
those people. But then he did talk about the
35:38
heavy metal football, the style of Liverpool
35:40
being front -footed. Yes, so quite seemingly
35:44
very pointed at our current coach, Arnus Law,
35:47
who's under massive pressure. Arnus Law dealt
35:51
with that, I think, as he does pretty well, and
35:52
said that him and Salah want the same thing,
35:54
Liverpool, to be successful, and they're making
35:56
assumptions that his style of football and the
35:58
way that he wants to win is different than what
36:00
Mo's saying, which I think is, from what we've
36:03
seen, Well, anyway, you can draw your own conclusion
36:06
from that. I don't know though. I mean, I'm thinking
36:08
back to like Roy Hodge and Brendan Rogers, the
36:11
last times it was toxic at Liverpool. It's so
36:14
toxic. Honestly, I still believe I do. Like I
36:17
think I saw one sensible Liverpool fan saying
36:20
is that I think there was a slot out banner at
36:22
the training ground. It's going to be horrible
36:24
tomorrow when it's a big game, a horrible send
36:28
off for Salah and Robbo. So I think somebody
36:30
saying, look, somebody said, put a sign up saying,
36:32
look. it's not been good enough, but we're still
36:37
behind you, because you have to be, right? And
36:40
that's where I'm at. I'm just kind of like, I'm
36:42
a bit disappointed in the Liverpool fan base.
36:44
I've said this, I do not like the football. It
36:48
pains me to watch Liverpool, certainly the second
36:51
half of this season. It has been tough and horrible,
36:55
but you've been through these times as Arsenal
36:57
fans, right? I've been through them before as
36:59
Liverpool fans. And I just think you've got to
37:02
back, like, I just think you've got to back the
37:04
guys there. I just don't like this because the
37:06
opposite is what we're doing now is thinking
37:09
if we stay toxic, it'll become untenable and
37:12
we'll have to move on. I just, I just don't think
37:14
that's the right thing as much as selfishly.
37:16
Yes. Would I prefer a different coach with a
37:19
different philosophy? But yeah, he's lost the
37:26
locker room or, I mean, clearly he's lost. Salah,
37:29
but Salah's out. Do you think that with Salah's
37:31
exit, this rights itself? Well, yeah. So actually,
37:35
sorry. Yeah, good point, Mike. So I'm glad you
37:36
mentioned that. So he's lost a fan base because
37:40
he doesn't have the answer. It doesn't have the
37:43
answers, right? Okay. And it's been so bad and
37:44
he's not shown any chops. As I said in the last
37:47
podcast, the problem is you can't be that short.
37:50
You have that short memory. He did have the answers
37:53
and he said that. He was like, Mo loved the way
37:54
we played last year because he got loads of freedom
37:56
to go and score 35 goals. So I was like, good
37:59
on you, Arna, for standing up for yourself because
38:00
that's really fair. So I think he's lost a faction
38:05
of the dressing room that's very, very important.
38:08
And I think the problem is Salah has been the
38:11
key figure ahead of this. he's obviously Robertson
38:14
is never going to do what Salah did because he's
38:15
a better human being. And he's got less ego,
38:18
but he's been treated in a certain way this year,
38:20
kept his mouth shut, but you bet your bottom
38:21
dollar. He's been watching Milos Kirkez be an
38:23
absolute car crash for half the season. I'm thinking,
38:26
why am I, I've been there. You go, why am I not
38:28
playing? Like, you go like, like there's no player
38:30
psychologically. That is tough on a player where,
38:32
you know, you're better than that player and
38:34
they're not even playing well, but yet they still
38:36
get played ahead of you. Right. So I think you
38:38
think about those person. Robo's got a big personality
38:40
in the dressing room. it just erodes. And what
38:43
it showed on the pitch, we are not a team. And
38:45
that's all that's happened now. To your point,
38:47
Mike, with Mo and Robbo leaving, with new players
38:51
coming in, if you establish a new leadership
38:53
group, yes, that can change, right? The problem
38:56
is, Lot's talking about, it's amazing what some
38:59
signings can do to you. I think the problem is,
39:01
Arnie, you need better answers than that because
39:04
it's been too long. If this has been one month
39:06
of a fall -off, you could get away with that.
39:08
So I'm dreading the game tomorrow because I...
39:12
I'm pretty sure it's going to be horrible and
39:13
toxic. And if we don't win it, it'll be the worst
39:17
send -off possible for two legends in the club.
39:19
I hope that everyone just wraps their heads and
39:22
goes, the fans included, and goes, we've got
39:24
to even just buy in to all being together. The
39:27
players do it too. We go and win the game. We
39:30
give those guys a send -off and then we dust
39:32
ourselves down and we deal with the issues that
39:34
we have in the off -season. That's why I hope
39:37
we've got to be better as a club. I'm honestly
39:40
disappointed. I hate reading. It's just horrible,
39:43
and I just don't think it's right, and I think
39:45
the Liverpool fans are letting themselves down
39:46
a little bit. That's it. That's my honest answer.
39:50
I think Jurgen Klopp would say the same thing,
39:52
and if he's there, he might give him a talking
39:53
to, which is probably... He's been all over social
39:55
media lately. Well, he's been doing a lot of
39:57
the Robbo story and all that, which is cool.
40:00
And by the way, great. Watch that. Phenomenal.
40:03
Brilliant story. But yeah, I think he's flying
40:06
in for the game. I'm hoping he just gives the
40:08
fans a talking to and a bollocking because they
40:10
need it. I understand. I'm with them. I'm not
40:13
denying what they're seeing, but I'm like, guys,
40:14
we've got to be better than this as a fan base.
40:17
Yes, that's what I'd say about that. Okay, listen,
40:20
a couple of other very contentious things I want
40:22
us to get to. Listen, Fantasy, it's the last
40:24
week of the season. Throw a Hail Mary if you
40:26
have to. There's not much for us to say here,
40:28
right? You're on your own now, fuckers, right?
40:31
We've given you enough dynamite and gold on this
40:35
podcast because we've not let Waza say anything.
40:37
He just drops off, which is helpful, right? Between
40:41
Mike and I, we've given you some absolute...
40:44
belters right so listen you can watch all these
40:46
other numpties talking about it but listen we
40:49
know what we're doing right mike is the data
40:51
guy and he tells you this and i give you the
40:52
the spicy instinct the instinctive picks um and
40:55
between us we were pretty up spot on but anyway
40:58
enough of me bragging um bruno fernandez player
41:03
of the year normally that would go to Almost
41:08
always. I remember I had a problem with Liverpool
41:10
one year. I felt one of our players deserved
41:12
it, but a City player got it because they won
41:13
the league. And I'm like, it normally does go
41:16
that way. How do you feel as Arsenal fans, first
41:20
of all? So who would your pick be? Let's put
41:22
it that way. Who would your pick be? Or who would
41:24
you put ahead of Bruno? Or do you think Bruno
41:26
is a deserving winner of that award this year?
41:30
Billy, you go first. well i might have actually
41:32
missed something i i know he won the football
41:34
writers player he won the pfa player of the year
41:38
as well um i'm sure i saw on social media today
41:42
yes probably no um i i'm not opposed to someone
41:48
not on the winning team winning the the player
41:52
of the year if if uh If Liverpool won the league
41:57
a couple of the seasons, that Howland scored
41:58
a million goals, I had no problem. Or if Arsenal
42:01
win the league a couple of the seasons, Howland
42:03
scores a million goals, I have no problem. So
42:05
the PFA Play of the Year, according to Gemini,
42:07
has not been announced. So this was the writers.
42:10
You're right, Billy. Okay, so I know that came
42:12
out. That was three hours ago, yeah? Three hours
42:14
ago. I saw the Football Writers Play of the Year
42:18
a couple of weeks ago. Bruno Fran has been Premier
42:20
League Player of the Season after Stelar Mania
42:21
three hours ago. The PFA players? So the PFA
42:27
is the Players Award. Now we name the Premier
42:31
League Player of the Season. So maybe it's not
42:33
the PFA one, but it's another one as well as
42:35
the Writers' Association. Yeah, so he won the
42:36
Writers' Association. And he's won another one.
42:39
The primary nominees for the PFA are Fernandez,
42:43
Rice, Holland, and Raya. Okay, there we go. So
42:47
yeah, sorry. So he's won two already, and this
42:50
will be the third. So, like, yeah, he's done.
42:56
Well, and what, he's tied it and he can break
42:58
it tomorrow? Yes, that's right. I don't necessarily
43:03
think we should be sitting here saying Bruno
43:06
Fernandes has the most assists ever, so now he
43:09
should be the player of the season. Who's ahead
43:13
of him? Personally, I would put Raya and then
43:18
Declan Rice. I think Raya had an unbelievable
43:22
season, 18 or 19 clean sheets. Which, I mean,
43:28
we can argue if clean sheets is a good stat or
43:31
not with the fact that we have in front of him.
43:33
But he's made some real saves this season. And
43:37
I think he was probably the most important player
43:43
in some of our success, particularly with our
43:47
1 -0 to the Arsenal wins. And Declan Rice is
43:52
absolutely in that conversation, but I think
43:55
he was better last season than he was this season.
43:57
I agree. I think you could give it to Raya. You
44:01
could give it to Gabriel. Gabriel's my pick.
44:04
It's a no -brainer. Gabriel. Think of many...
44:08
How many goals come from set pieces? How many
44:12
goals has he scored this season at centre -half?
44:13
And how many blocks? I've watched it. Yeah. He's
44:18
the genius at getting his leg in the way. He's
44:22
been in both boxes. Yeah. In both boxes. Yep.
44:25
What more does he have to do to get it? In my
44:28
opinion, and I'm not, whether you like his personality
44:31
or whatever the way he goes about things, in
44:33
both boxes, he has been dominant this year. And
44:35
I just think if he can't win it this year, you're
44:38
never winning it, big man. You're never winning
44:40
it. To me, it's outrageous that somebody, listen,
44:44
here's the thing. See what you get an assist
44:48
for now? Holy fuck. Come on. I didn't like the,
44:54
like last weekend, particularly like, and I think
44:57
Bruno said it after the game, like he's only
44:59
playing for the assists now. Yeah, it's obvious.
45:01
Like he's turning down shots everywhere. Roy
45:04
Keane called him out on it. Roy Keane is my...
45:08
He said why believe Billy. Roy Keane's rant was
45:11
exactly what I was like that. I was like, this
45:13
is what this assist that I'm like that. Do you
45:15
know what it is though? It sums up my problem
45:17
with Bruno Fernandes. That tells you everything
45:20
about his character, right? It's like, who cares
45:23
about an assist record? Like, I mean, like honestly,
45:27
like it only becomes things to the media. You
45:29
go, what about winning games, right? And you
45:31
know what? Like you say, if you can... Again,
45:34
if you're passing up, like, this is it. You see
45:36
that? He's falling on the floor because somebody
45:38
missed a chance to give him the assist. It's
45:40
all about you, Bruno. And that is just not...
45:43
And I just think Man Utd have had an easy schedule.
45:46
Like, again, some of those assists, like, some
45:49
of them are brilliant, but a lot of them aren't.
45:50
Like, they're not actually brilliant assists.
45:52
So it's like, there is weight in these things.
45:54
And I might think about impact. Like, yes, Bruno
45:57
Fernandes has an impact. Do you know why? Because
45:58
the rest of the team aren't that good. But when
46:01
I look at the player, you go, who is playing
46:03
at the elite level, right? Gabriel is playing
46:07
at an elite, like Saliba is not even close to
46:09
being in the conversation. Like everyone was
46:11
talking about Saliba. Saliba's actually, you
46:14
know, in these partnerships, like you talk about
46:15
like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, John Terry
46:18
and Caraglio. There's always one you go, you
46:20
realize they're the one that is the most important.
46:23
And Gabriel has proven to be, he is way more
46:26
important to that team than William Saliba. Saliba
46:28
is a bit classier in the ball. He's a bit more
46:31
polished and he's quick and he's almost like
46:33
Van Dijk in terms of he's not a lungy defender,
46:35
right? But Gabriel is the guy in both boxes,
46:40
right? Well, and he personifies, like he personifies
46:43
that physical play. like he is the model of that
46:49
like he is not losing a physical battle no matter
46:52
where he is i agree i agree and then is there
46:56
any other players you look at teams like look
46:58
at bournemouth look at brentford teams that have
47:00
really overperformed that have kind of been overlooked
47:03
here in terms of i mean Yeah, you can't, like,
47:08
I don't think this kind of award should necessarily
47:11
just go to the guy with the most goals or the
47:13
most assists, but Igor Thiago has had a fantastic
47:17
season. That was the one I was thinking of. And
47:19
deserves, like, recognition. I wouldn't give
47:21
it to him in a million years. No, I know, like,
47:23
I think Semenu totally deserves the recognition.
47:26
Yeah, if Semenu stayed at Bournemouth, if he
47:28
stayed at Bournemouth, I think it could have
47:29
been an argument. 100%. Like, he kept going the
47:31
way he wanted. Yeah, if he stayed at Bournemouth
47:33
and they got Champions League football, absolutely.
47:35
I think there could have been an argument there.
47:36
And then the only other one I would say that,
47:38
again, I think the problem is its body of work
47:40
is not enough. With Cherokee, to me, would be
47:42
the only City player I would say and go, if he
47:44
played the whole season like that, he kind of
47:48
came into the team later, broke in, established
47:50
himself too late. But he was a real difference
47:53
maker for them. He is not a Cherokee fan. I know.
47:57
That's fine. You mean, but he was, I mean, he
48:00
was, I think. But again, I actually think it's
48:03
one of the weakest. we've had in terms of like
48:06
players, like depth to choose from. Actually,
48:07
in Arsenal, like, I don't think Decon Rice has
48:10
been, had one of his best seasons this year either.
48:13
I agree with you. I genuinely, objectively don't
48:15
think so. And I think it, I just think Gabriel
48:18
has to win it. And I agree. If not him, Raya.
48:21
Yeah, I think it's Raya or Gabriel. It should
48:24
be. the winner of the, I agree. We'll see. Okay.
48:28
Other contentious thing, two more topics to get
48:30
to, and then we'll wrap up. But, um, England
48:32
world cup. Wow. So, wow. Give me your hot. So
48:38
what I want is like, what, what is like the,
48:39
cause look, everyone's got their opinions, right?
48:42
What is your like biggest, like in terms of people
48:44
that have been omitted and obviously then selected,
48:47
cause you think clearly you think somebody shouldn't
48:49
have been out. Who should you think they should
48:50
have somebody's place? What was the biggest shocker?
48:54
to you in Thomas Tuchel's announcement? What
48:58
do we think? Because for Scotland, it was Blum
49:00
and Ollie McBurney not being picked. Let's tell
49:02
you that right now. Scored a battle of goals
49:03
for Hull in the championship and doesn't get
49:05
picked, even though we've got an injured striker
49:07
and he picks donkeys that aren't playing and
49:08
scored three goals all season. I'm scrolling
49:12
through the list. I'll tell you mine. I'll tell
49:15
you mine. It's really easy. Morgan Gibbs -White
49:17
should be in that team. There is just no planet.
49:23
that he is not making that squad, that is absolutely
49:27
mental, the season that he's had. What else does
49:30
he have to do? Morgan Gibbs -White is one of
49:34
the few. I think Lewis Hall over Jed Spence.
49:41
Why is Jed Spence on the plane? Because he loves
49:44
defending, apparently. But he's done nothing.
49:47
He's on a Tottenham team that's about to get
49:49
relegated. It's bizarre. It is bizarre. Adam
49:54
Wharton could be on the plane. I'm looking at
49:57
their out -of -World Cup squad, and this starting
50:04
XI could make it out of the group. Yeah, they
50:07
could. The U .S. would bite your hand off to
50:10
have every one of them replace our starting XI.
50:13
I know. What do you think, Mike? Is there anyone
50:18
else? I was going to say Hall for sure. And scrolling
50:23
through the list. Look, the team is awful, but
50:29
Jared Bowen is a gamer. Dude, Jared Bowen should
50:33
be in ahead. Do you know who the worst pick?
50:36
I'm going to tell you right now. Don't get mad
50:38
at me. Nah, Nani Madowike. Awful. Like, Morgan
50:43
Gibbs -White. Jada Bowen – and I could just go
50:47
on and on with players, right? They should be
50:49
– and I'd put Cole Palmer. I'd put – I would
50:52
almost – Yeah, I mean, Cole Palmer, I think one
50:55
day it's going to come out like he's still carrying
50:58
some awful injury. But honestly, Madaweke, like
51:01
the only thing – the reason I can think of including
51:04
him is he does run at guys. Like when he gets
51:07
the ball, he goes forward. If you need to press
51:09
and go at a team and make a tactical sub – Like
51:13
Jared Bowen or, as I say, the thing is Gibbs
51:16
White is so dynamic. And I always talk about
51:18
not playing guys out of position, but I'm like,
51:19
look, Saka's going to start every game for you.
51:22
So it's not like, so it's like, but if you want
51:23
to bring somebody on, you've got guys that can
51:25
go out there and play there quite comfortably.
51:27
Like Morgan Rogers can play wide. Like Madawake
51:29
is a shocker. That is a shocker. The only other
51:33
one that was contentious, maybe a little bit,
51:35
was Tony over Calvert -Lewin. I thought maybe
51:37
a little bit contentious, I think Calvert -Lewin.
51:39
But again, I do think Tony maybe is a little
51:41
bit more. and nasty and maybe that's why he's
51:44
brought him in so I was okay with that one what
51:47
about Harry Maguire that was the other one that
51:48
got a big uproar his exclusion from the squad
51:51
I actually think John Stone yeah John Stone played
51:55
this year John Stone hasn't played like a minute
51:57
this year I think Harry Maguire has had his best
51:59
season in like five years and He's been cracked
52:05
for the last five years and been a shoe -in for
52:07
the last five years, and now he's okay and he's
52:09
not. I know. You're right, Bill. I do think the
52:11
people talk about his experience. He has only
52:13
played 11 games or something, or 12 games, so
52:15
I'm like, look, whatever. Again, playing once
52:17
a week. I mean, look, he is well -rested, though.
52:21
Generally, I feel like the other guys, Rhys James,
52:25
always injured. Honestly, you're going, that's
52:28
a one. Yeah, I do think it's – look, what I would
52:32
say, though, is I have to say, though, respect
52:34
to Tuchel for making tough decisions. Do you
52:37
know what I think he's done, though? I do think
52:39
he's gone for the players that aren't going to
52:42
be starting. He wants harmony over anything else.
52:45
He doesn't want – because you imagine Cole Palmer
52:48
or somebody like that sitting on the bench, not
52:49
like – Yeah, powering, yeah. They start to nip,
52:52
nip, nip. Guys like – Jordan Henderson's been
52:55
picked. He's been good, but he's a locker room.
52:57
He's there. He is, though. He's there because
52:59
he's going to be motivating the guy. Like, he's
53:01
got no problem knowing he's had his time. Like,
53:04
I do think he's – like, Madawake is not going
53:07
to be chirping and not playing. He's used to
53:09
not – you know. So I do think there's an element
53:11
of that baked into this thinking is he's got
53:13
this balance of I want to make sure I've got
53:15
enough quality. But, yeah, we'll see. Yeah, it
53:20
was a shocker when that whole list came out.
53:23
I was blown away at the number of players. Wow.
53:27
Cannot believe it. We'll see. We'll see. So the
53:33
final point I want to make, Scottish football,
53:36
mate, you watched it. The title decided it was
53:38
a Scottish Cup match. Celtic play against Infirm
53:40
when actually now they've kicked off at three
53:42
in the Scottish Cup final. Martin Neal working
53:45
miracles. Madness at the end of the game. Late
53:48
winner for Celtic. Hearts obviously feel bad
53:50
for them. I felt actually they're... The injuries,
53:53
players came off injured. Just the season felt
53:55
like it caught up with them in the wrong game.
53:57
But the thing I want to talk about... Yeah, that's
54:00
what I want to talk about is this pitch invasion.
54:03
So I just want to start with my point of view.
54:04
There's been a lot of talk sport and Simon Jordan
54:07
and callers and Martin, you'll say this. And
54:10
I just want to highlight a few points because
54:11
I think there's been a lot of utter tripe. right
54:13
and he this is what people i think missing this
54:16
right so pitch invasions like how many times
54:17
you've seen a club get promoted like wrecks him
54:19
everyone goes oh the picture nobody has a fucking
54:21
problem right so martin neal is right in that
54:23
sense right in terms of the pitch invasion the
54:25
problem is not that the two things that here's
54:27
my problem hearts after the game came out with
54:30
a top track that the game wasn't officially finished
54:32
because it was like eight seconds or to go or
54:34
something right even though the game was done
54:36
when they scored the goal when the keeper was
54:38
up right but they were like okay technically
54:40
and i know they were angling for that to be a
54:42
reason to get some like nullification and then
54:46
yeah you hear the audio from the var the referee
54:49
confirming that derrick mckinnis the hearts manager
54:51
confirmed he wanted to end the game to get his
54:54
players out of there and off because he knew
54:55
the game he conceded the game was over right
54:57
eight seconds there were two goals down So I
55:00
just think that is such like, like, look, Celtic
55:03
deserve pelters for some of the way that will
55:04
come to their fans in a second. But that is,
55:06
this is the problem. Tony Bloom coming out. You
55:09
guys know at heart, you know what you did. You
55:11
know, you said the game was, you authorized the
55:13
game to end. And then because you think, oh,
55:15
we might be able to get away with getting this
55:17
nullified. I'm sorry. That's horrendous, right?
55:20
That's my number one problem. And this is the
55:22
problem. People not being honest. And just saying,
55:24
yeah, that's not even a factor. We knew the game
55:27
was won. We've no issue with getting beat. They
55:29
beat us, right? It happened. So that's poor.
55:31
Fans come onto the pitch to celebrate. It's fine.
55:33
The problem is fans come onto the pitch and the
55:35
game's not been blown. There's no final whistle.
55:37
That's a problem. Because you know why? Because
55:39
the players can't come off, the opposition players
55:41
can't get off the park. Then we saw what we saw.
55:45
Celtic fans seemingly... And we don't know how
55:51
bad it was. Obviously, they're investigating
55:52
it, whatever happened, right? There's been different
55:54
variations of how bad these things were. That's
55:57
the problem. And that should be punishable to
55:59
say, look, guys, I'm sorry. See if the final
56:01
whistle blew, fans start coming to the pitch,
56:03
as you've seen a hundred times before, the hearts
56:06
players just would funnel up the tunnel. There
56:08
would be no issue, right? That's the problem.
56:10
And I feel they're the two talking points that
56:12
got completely lost by people in the mainstream
56:15
media. It's like... If you're not honest, you're
56:19
trying to peddle hearts, you're trying to peddle
56:21
this to make it worse just for their own cause
56:23
instead of just being honest and saying, no,
56:24
we actually said, yeah, the game should end.
56:27
So take that off the table, right? They came
56:29
out saying that their players were assaulted
56:31
and then it's been softened to confronted or
56:33
taunted. And you're going, guys, this is the
56:35
problem, right? Celtic needed to come out stronger
56:37
and say, guys, see the people that come onto
56:38
the park before the final whistle was blown?
56:42
unacceptable, right? There's a debate whether
56:44
they should be allowed to come on at all and
56:45
whether we want that in football. The media like
56:47
it because it creates these pictures and these
56:48
images. So I just think the whole thing kind
56:51
of blew this and I think this is going to be
56:52
severely looked at in the summer. So anyway,
56:56
that's my Scottish football rant. But yes, anyway,
56:59
well done to Celtic. Hearts, I mean, there's
57:04
been a lot of like, oh, hearts are amazing. I
57:06
actually feel that's kind of crap. It just came
57:08
up. I just felt... Injury, your injuries cost
57:11
you. I think you were the better team and they
57:13
just normally have injuries going into the game.
57:15
Then guys going down in the game. And it just,
57:18
I think it just, they ran out of depth and it
57:21
is what it is. So anyway, that's us boys. Anything
57:25
to add or anything to close on? No, whatever
57:30
the weather. Listen. Massive game. Massive game
57:35
next weekend, boys. Massive game. I'm really
57:38
looking forward to watching it, genuinely. I
57:40
think it's two really good teams. I hope, as
57:43
I say, we get a really compelling game. We have
57:45
some crackers in the Champions League this year.
57:48
And yeah, big question is, will Julian Timber,
57:51
he's hinted he might be available. So I would
57:54
lean towards he might be on the bench if that's
57:56
the case. We'll see. If he comes on even for
58:01
10 minutes, I think that's the sign that he's
58:04
available. But for the game tomorrow, I mean.
58:08
I don't think he will. I don't think he will
58:10
either, but we'll see. I mean, it's, yeah. And
58:14
my parting gift to everyone is, listen, every
58:18
person for themselves in fantasy, God knows.
58:21
Especially with City Arsenal. God only knows
58:24
who's going to play. If you've looked at social
58:27
around the predicted starting XI. Giocares, Giocares,
58:31
Giocares. It's crazy. Giocares is going to start
58:33
because Kai Havertz will start the Champions
58:35
League final. So I think a lot of people believe
58:38
it's going to be Jesus because he's on his way
58:40
out. No, I'm telling you. Kai Havertz, Mikel
58:44
Arteta has got like a hard -on for him. He just
58:46
loves him. He's got a semi for Kai Havertz. Just
58:48
get some going. I don't know what it is, but
58:50
he just, he loves them. I don't know why. But
58:54
yes, he will play. Julian Alvarez in and Gabriel
58:57
Martinelli out is a big rumor right now. Well,
59:00
we'll see. I'm telling you, Giocarez will start
59:02
tomorrow. That's my tip. Victor Giocarez, you
59:05
can, for an Arsenal player. I think, I do expect,
59:08
I was thinking like Gabriel, Raya, feel safe,
59:10
but. Maybe he'll wrap them in cotton wool. I
59:12
think he's going to start Kepa so that Raya starts
59:15
the Champions League. I think because Raya took
59:17
a sore one as well in the ribs. I think you're
59:19
right. I think Raya's one that won't start. But
59:20
I think Gabriel might play. Yeah. We'll see.
59:23
But listen, enjoy it, boys. Enjoy final day.
59:25
Listen, it's all about not the other side of
59:27
North London, mate. Down the bottom, Spurs. We
59:30
didn't even talk about it. The thing is, though,
59:31
if City get relegated because of all this financial
59:34
fair play stuff, Spurs stay up. And I tell you
59:36
what. Is that what they're saying? Yeah. Did
59:38
you hear David Moyes, though? David Moyes. Yeah,
59:41
David Moyes. I would love to keep West Ham up.
59:43
Like, he's motivated. I see. I mean, the great
59:46
thing is at least there's something at one end
59:48
of the table that matters on game week 30. And
59:51
there is the whole Brentford, like Brighton,
59:54
they're all still. Yeah, yeah. I mean, there's
59:55
the Champions League for sure. But like, there
59:58
need, wins and losses have to happen for things
1:00:03
to change at the bottom, which is exciting on
1:00:04
the last day. I agree. Well, listen, boys, great
1:00:07
to chat to you as always. Enjoy it. Well done
1:00:10
again to the Arsenal. Well done to the Villa.
1:00:12
And let's hope we have some fun tomorrow with
1:00:14
some twists and turns. Let's see what happens.
1:00:17
All right. Thanks, everyone.