Arsecast Extra Episode 693 - 04.05.2026

0:12Hello and welcome to another Arsecast Extra as always with James from Gunner Blog. James, a very goodly morning to you. Goodly bank holiday morning, Andrew. Bank holiday here as well, bank holiday there. It's a celebratory day, celebrating a fantastic Arsenal result. Although I sort of feel like we should start the podcast coming out to the Zed Cars theme

0:36Andrew Allen: in honour of our switch of allegiance this morning to, of course, our beloved Everton Football Club. Yes. What are we now? Toffee Blog or something like that. Yeah, Toffee Cast. Welcome to Toffee Blog Extra. um yeah i mean it's a 24-hour window in which we are everton fans we may continue to be everton fans tomorrow based on events this evening yeah we shall see are you gonna watch i don't know andrew i watched the burnley game um city play burnley i feel like as it gets closer to the end it becomes ever more difficult to endure. Yeah. Are you going to watch? I don't know. I don't know. It's sort of one of those where I might just sit in the dark and play PlayStation and when my phone buzzes, hope for the best and not like a load of, oh, for fuck's sake, or typical texts.

1:34To me, the temptation of like, will the phone buzz would be too great. I'd have to turn the phone off. Okay. You know what I mean? I'd have to shut myself in a darkened room.

1:44Andrew Allen: Um, otherwise, otherwise I'm kidding myself if I'm not just picking up that phone every 30 seconds, hoping for something. Yeah. I might watch it. I might. I'll see how I feel later on. I've always said, I've always said, I thought that this would be the one, you know, like I've sort of said it all along. You probably heard me on this podcast, poor listeners going, well, they got to go to Everton and get to Everton. the hill dickie the hickinson dickinson yeah so it's not that i've pinned all my hopes on it but i'd say many of my hopes okay well it's it's over to moisey and the boys can he do his old charge mickle a favor tonight we'll have to may i just say you may go back and listen to more than a decade of this podcast i don't believe we've ever had a bad word to say about david moise never at no stage have we read out hashtag moise out tweets on this show we've been nothing but faithful definitely not we love our scottish grandpa we do oh lovely lovable scottish grandpa that's it um come on come on beto we are all but we are all behind you i'm looking for ballon d 'or winner beto i'm gonna like pick up my phone i'm gonna do what you said i'm going to go in a dark and i'm going to turn my phone off i'm going to sit there i'm going to play playstation at like five past ten i'll power up my phone i won't look at any of the messages i'll go on one of those live score websites and it'll say everton one manchester city nil some bloke 89 minutes yeah i know yeah i know i i've done it to myself but there you go That's okay.

3:34I'm on Upper Street, Andrew. I'm at a place called Good Space on Upper Street. And thank you to them because they've let me record here quite a lot recently. But to get here, I get a bus that goes all the way down the Holloway Road. Right. Past the stadium, up to Highbury Corner, turns down Upper Street, goes past the town hall. and after Saturday I can't help but think you know I'll be nice be nice to see another bus go this route big red bus funny to the town hall funny how the mood changes isn't it funny what three goals and a half can do for your mood it is funny and and and funnily enough I sort of feel like I almost want to start talking about half time yeah I don't know if I've ever seen anything quite like that.

4:23It was so, I don't know quite how to describe it. You were there, obviously, so you sort of experienced it in real terms. But certainly watching at home, I was very pleased with the half of football that Arsenal had put in and the position that we were in in the game. And we'll talk about all those things in a minute. But it wasn't just the fact that there was like a halftime whistle went, maybe the fact we scored just before halftime played a part in that as well. But there was sort of the applause and the roar for halftime that sort of then kept going. I think that's the thing, you know, it wasn't sort of like, yeah, great, let's go get a pint and have a piss or whatever.

5:10You know, it was sustained and it sort of took on a life of its own in a way. I mean, what was it like for you in the stadium? Because watching at home on TV, it was really, it was remarkable, really. Yeah, well, I'm glad it translated. I'm glad it transmitted to you guys at home. In the stadium, like I say, I don't really remember anything quite like it. It was a halftime that was treated like a full-time. And that Jokeres goal right before the break might have been a lot of people's cue to get out of their seats and get into the concourse. and queue up for their pints. But instead, like the stands were full and it kind of started as like your traditional half-time ripple of applause, but it just built over the next 20, 30 seconds.

5:59And it wasn't just the crowd. It was the substitutes, the staff. They were on the pitch, you know, high-fiving and hugging players. It was really, really amazing. And I think it's really whetted my appetite for tomorrow night at the Emirates Stadium, for the Burnley game at the Emirates Stadium. I just think there's going to be this kind of groundswell of support that builds out of this game. And that was my overriding feeling, I think, coming out of the Fulham match was it felt like Arsenal kind of got the fans back in a way. I'm not saying they ever lost them. I think the sport's always been there, but maybe the belief flooded back into the stadium in that first half.

6:42No, I agree. I think there is something to that for sure, you know, because we won last week against Newcastle, but it was a bit hairy, as we said. And we talked about how we felt about that game, you know, result aside, you know, it felt like going through something. I think the thing that occurs to me and the blog title on Sunday was we needed that. And I don't just mean the team needed that kind of performance. I feel like the fans needed that kind of performance as well to sort of reignite greater belief in the team. You know, it was sort of everything you could have wanted from a half of football.

7:22after the game we played in midweek, you know, it was a difficult game away from home. There are all these stats doing the rounds about like, ooh, between Champions League knockout games, Arsenal's record has not been great, et cetera, et cetera. It just felt like if you were to script a half of football to re-inject some energy back into everyone, and I don't mean just the fans, I think into the team as well, that was exactly what you would have done right um it was it was like medicine in a way you know like a tonic of some kind and i think the the that age-old question we get right about is it the fans job to lift the players or is it the the players job to lift the fans and people have different opinions on that you know some will say it's it's down to what happens on the pitch others will say if it's not happening on the pitch, it's the duty of the fans to sort of raise the team and show support, et cetera, et cetera.

8:25Wherever you stand on that issue, I think what we got was something quite reciprocal. On Saturday, the team and the fans were sort of completely in unison. I agree. And there were a lot of ingredients to that that Doubtless will come on to, you know, Bakayi Saka coming back into the team. I think the excitement about seeing Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, the type of football that we played. It wasn't just the manner of the win. Sorry, it wasn't just the win. It was the manner of the win. And I think as well, the kind of degree of luxury and comfort we were afforded by being in such a commanding position in the game.

9:03I think it's about six weeks since we had more than a one goal lead in a football match. Yeah. So the breathing space that that afforded us, I think, again, augmented the atmosphere. so it was a really fantastic day like you said just what everybody in that stadium needed Yeah and it was a really really dominant first half from Arsenal if you look at it statistically 14 shots to 2 62 % possession 90 % pass success you know so there was an efficiency to which we did everything that Fulham couldn't live with in that first half and like you say there were some factors that obviously got people excited and enthused.

9:46Bakayo Saka being back is obviously great news because whatever concerns you might have about him and his form or his output this season, I think they can be completely valid. I think when you see that version of Bakayo Saka, you really do remember what it is that we've been missing. You know, with all due respect to anybody who's tried to fill the gap this season, Saka is a star for a very good reason, right? Because of the quality that he has and because of what he can produce. And I think the fact that he returned and was so impactful was another big factor in how enjoyable that first half was.

10:26Andrew Allen: Undoubtedly. And I don't want to rewrite history. I don't think he's had his best season or anything close to it, but it was a pretty effective demonstration of what he can offer, the kind of directness and intelligence with which he plays. and actually as a kind of case study of 90 minutes as the differences between him and Nonny Madueke, I thought it was quite insightful in some respects. But yeah, I think him being back in the team gave everyone a lift. His first start, I think, since the Carabao Cup final. I think more so than that, when that line-up was announced, it just had the right combination.

11:11well we've spoken so much about chemistry and balance I think in attack particularly relating to this team and how it's felt a bit off at times we've talked about that front three of Madueke Martinelli and Jocharez and the degree to which it it hasn't worked at certain points I just felt there was a lovely balance about the team and also a bit of freshness you know some some new faces, some fresher legs, some new impetus. And I think at this stage of the season, that was exactly what was required. Yeah, it was Saka who got us going. Free kick we got in midfield. I think it was Miles who was fouled.

11:52And we got a free kick on the far side, worked it over to Saka's side of the pitch. And he just absolutely roasted Raul Jimenez, I think it was, who sort of fell over. just because of the movement of Saka. Yeah, sometimes they say of a winger, oh, he left him on his arse, like as a figure of speech. Do you know what I mean? But he very literally left him on his arse. He absolutely did and put in a low cross. Despite the fact he absolutely hates Victor Jokeres, he was willing for the team to put it on a plate. But, you know, jokes aside, great movement from Saka, great delivery from Saka, and you're centre forward in exactly the place you want him to be.

12:36And he tucks it home to make it 1-0.

12:38Andrew Allen: Yeah, quite right. And Mikko Arteta's mentioned after the game about Joghorez's goals, I think, being a consequence of certain actions, certain movements that they've worked on. Well, he was the right place, right time. And it was sort of similar timing, wasn't it? So I think Eze's goal against Newcastle, but obviously what we were able to do in this game used that as a bit of a launch pad for the rest of the first half. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I can't remember when the second goal was. It was probably about 40 minutes in, was it? But we did have the ball in the net about half an hour in, I think.

13:18Calafuri headed in, but was offside. But, you know, we caused Fulham some problems, I think.

13:26Andrew Allen: It's quite a funny reaction to the offside, by the way, because the way they show it on the monitor, they initially sort of show like a three-dimensional view and then the camera rotates round to sort of show you the players in line. And on the first view, fans, there was a bit of outcry, like, wow, he's barely off there. You know, he's only a couple of inches in front. And then when they sort of wheeled the camera around to show the actual disparity and the degree to which Calafiori was offside, everyone just laughed as if to be like, oh yeah, no, fair enough. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you can't really argue with that one.

14:06But I think we had played nice stuff in that first half. There were some good combinations, I think. Ezzet and Trossard linked up really well a couple of times with some nice one-touch passing between them. Myles was doing well in midfield, and we'll obviously talk about him in a bit more detail later on. But there were encouraging signs, I think, from the performance. Like after we scored against Newcastle, we didn't stay on top of the game. I think we said this last week where that was the perfect moment to, you know, to get a grip of the game and to sort of build a platform on which to go and win it more comfortably.

14:39Instead, I think, you know, Newcastle probably had the better of the first half last time. So the difference this time around was we did not take our foot off the gas or we did not allow Fulham to get any kind of control in the game, which I think was really important. and you build that momentum over the course of the first 45 minutes and eventually the goals will come and that's what happened.

15:02Andrew Allen: Yeah, absolutely. And I must say as well, just for a bit of balance, I think Fulham were not at the races at all. And, you know, they had not quite lasagna gate, but they had a significant bout of virus in their training camp, which I believe meant they hadn't trained very much at all from coming into this one. so I think that was in our favour too I mean they were some way off it but you know the onus was still on us and we played good football and we had just a bit of I think a bit of imagination in our play you mentioned Desiree you mentioned Trossard I think they were on it I think this was Trossard's best game in a long time personally so yeah it was you know a performance where we continually were sort of looking to kick on and score that second goal that we've missed so much in recent weeks.

15:58Andrew Allen: And what that does to a crowd, a game state, the confidence of the team, the security. Unfortunately, this time we were able to get it. Yeah, I mean, and there were, I think, you know, a couple of moments where the nerves might have kicked in a little bit just before halftime. I think there was a Ben White moment, wasn't there, where it just seemed for about 30 seconds seconds that he forgot what legs are for um and that was maybe a little bit worrying and then there was a uh califuri played it back to raya and his clearance sort of hit off gabrielle and went behind for a corner we didn't really need to concede but yeah it didn't seem to generate the kind of nervousness those things have done in in recent weeks you know well even the ben white one which It was a strange little episode.

16:48Andrew Allen: Immediately, the crowd were - Singing his name. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Which, you know, again, he's kind of, I think that's the Emirates at his very best, isn't it? When adversity strikes, they're there to lift players up and support them. And that speaks, I think, to the change in the atmosphere that we experienced on Saturday. Yeah. but not long before halftime we got the second goal that we so badly needed I think this is a really nice goal by the way Eza plays a quick ball down the line inside right channel Yacarez did really well to hold it up and look for the run of Saka I think Saka's movement is excellent as well because you know the defender's there and then in an instant it just demonstrates what sharp movement can do you know where the defender is not unaware of Bikai Osaka at all it's just that in a split second he ducks inside the pass from Yokoraz is excellent um he he returns the favor I guess with with an assist and it's just a really really good finish from Bikai Osaka you know he doesn't have much to aim for inside that near post you know Bernd Leno is a very good goalkeeper but the way just finished that off, it was like Saka of old, right?

18:06It sort of rekindled or reminded you of everything that has made him such an incredible player for Arsenal over the last number of years.

18:14Andrew Allen: Absolutely. And I think most goalkeepers there are probably presuming Saka's going to go across them into the far corner. Instead, like you say, he finds that narrow lane into the near post. Really, really nice goal. Good hold-up play from Jokka Rez. nice little pass inside, sack us onto it, so efficient, so cool in that situation. And also maybe, I mean, we're into May, but maybe the first kind of signs of a little bit of a partnership between those two. Certainly in the first couple of goals we scored, they combined really, really well. And it seems odd to be saying it so late in the season, but I thought there was a bit of chemistry there that's potentially really interesting.

18:55Andrew Allen: Yeah, better late than never, I guess. better late than never and you know what a good time it would be for that to click so yeah and we get that second goal and i suppose there's just a bit of an exhalation isn't there from everyone of like well you know this barring a disaster this game is it's kind of one yeah and then with injury time in the first half playing out um i think we get you know that risk reward balances is very fine sometimes because we keep the ball on the the right hand side and Bakayo Saka plays a pass into the middle that could easily have been intercepted by the Fulham player on another day right but I think it's is it Saliba or Gabriel who gets there I think it's Gabriel who gets there first I'm just going to go back and watch it again I remember not being sure from my seat if it was gabriel it is gabriel it was over on that left hand side okay yeah it's gabriel and it's one of those where if he's very slightly on his heels in that moment i think it's harry wilson is coming across who could intercept that and then maybe fulham have a chance on on goal but gabriel gets there first it goes out to trossard who takes it on like we're over the three minutes of of added time that were signaled but as we know three minutes is a minimum but then Trossard just takes it on does really well the cross is excellent the header from Jokeres really really good you know he peels off the marker very well and you know to score two goals in quick succession just before the break you know just gives you that breathing room that you need not just in a game like this where we have to win it and we have to get all three points in the Premier League, but I think you can't look at how important this half was in the context of the week we have, you know, and the game that we have to play tomorrow night and the idea that, you know, we might have played 90 minutes or 85 minutes with a one-goal lead and we had to dig in and we had to suffer, for example, which is a word Mikel Arteta uses quite often, isn't it?

21:11you know I think it just gave everyone the breathing room time to relax for the fans for the players it meant the second half had a very different dynamic and we saw that you know at the break with a change but just a really really good goal you know direct, quick efficient, clinical all the things you want

21:33Andrew Allen: Absolutely and it is a bit of a sliding doors moment that errant pass from Saka which is a bit into an old man's land across his own goal. If Gabriel doesn't get there first, you know, we don't get this goal. We don't get that halftime moment. We probably are at 2-1 and it's a very different atmosphere and a very different proposition. And that's the madness of football, right? How fine those margins can be. But yeah, brilliantly done. I thought Trossard's run and cross was brilliant. Jokeres just peels away on the back post. Fantastic header back across the keeper. and that's 21 goals for him in the season.

22:10You know, we should mention that brace took him past the 20-goal mark. First Arsenal player since Saka a couple of years ago to do it. First striker since Aubameyang and first player in his debut season since Alexis Sanchez. Wow. Great numbers. Great numbers. And I think, you know, the sort of obvious... what's the word I'm looking for here? Like to sort of frame it, yesterday, you know, the obvious, fuck, my brain is fucked. I'm sorry about this. It's been a long season. It has been a long season. Basically, what I was going to say was that, you know, the observation, there's the word I was looking for, eventually 30 seconds later, is that if you have Saka and Jokeres outside, or Saka and Trossard outside of Jokeres, it's better for Jokeres, right?

23:06And I think that is obvious. And I think that makes all kinds of sense. But I also think on his own merits, this was maybe the most complete centre-forward performance that Jokeres has put in for the club. You know, I really think Saka and Trossard were helpful, no question. They both got an assist for him and he took those chances very, very well. But I think he deserves credit, you know, for his own performance. It's not just because of those two outside him. I think as a blueprint, you really do want those kind of players around Jokeres. But I think he also has a role to play or a responsibility to do what he should be doing as a centre forward.

23:46He did everything you could ask for on Saturday. I thought it was a really, really good performance from him. Yeah, and I think he should be commended for the way in which he's kind of bounced back from that Newcastle game a week ago. So, you know, he came on for Kai Havertz there.

24:01Andrew Allen: I think people were really concerned about Havertz's absence over the week and the games to come. He had that nightmare moment on the counter-attack, which, you know, I think played out on podcasts and on social media and in conversations in pubs over the next few days. But he's bounced back from that with two really quite strong performances, particularly first-half performances against Atletico Madrid and now Fulham in two huge, huge games. And I think that kind of, that relentlessness, that sort of ability to shake off disappointment and go again is the hallmark of a lot of excellent centre forwards.

24:42Andrew Allen: And he's shown that, I think, in the last few days. So big credit to him. Good goals. Confidence boost as well, right? Well, exactly. I mean, we'll be hearing from him a bit later today, actually. I think he's doing the pre-match press conference for Arsenal. Right. Up the road at the Emirates. So it'll be interesting to hear from him about, you know, where he's at right now and how bullish he feels going into these crucial final games. So 3-0 at the break. When everyone stopped cheering, we could take stock and enjoy that. And certainly Mikel Arteta did in terms of what he did with, you know, the team.

25:20He made a change at halftime, 45 minutes for Bukayo Saka. There's no need to ask more from him, is there? You know, when he's just coming back from injury, a long-ish layoff with a tricky kind of injury. So it made sense to take him off and put Nani Matawake on.

25:40Andrew Allen: He's just shown us how important he is. Do you know what I mean? And it's like, well, we need him. We need him. We can't take any risk with him. Can I ask Andrew, 3-0 at half time. was there any part of you that was thinking against a very lacklustre Fulham well we could get five or six here you know we could end the goal difference argument potentially I think maybe on another day that might have been something that we could have properly considered but given the fact we've got a Champions League semi-final on Tuesday I think the most important thing for Arsenal was to secure the three points.

26:25If you get another goal, great. But don't go hell for leather. There's no need to risk anything in this game now because you're 3-0 up. You've put yourself in the perfect position to go on and win it. Don't risk an injury. Don't get more fatigued than you already are. For me, it was just about seeing out that second half and let that 45 minutes play out with the least amount of fuss or drama possible. I think if we didn't have a midweek game, if we weren't in Europe, if we weren't in the Champions League, I think Saka stays on for another 15 minutes at least. You know, I think we probably play that half with a bit more intensity, but there was no need.

27:09There was no need. Whether that, you know, is translated into performance tomorrow night, we'll have to wait and see. But I just don't think there was any need whatsoever to exert ourselves above and beyond what you have to do at Premier League level to keep a team like Fulham, you know, even if they've got the green apple splatters, you know, to just sort of keep them at bay. You know, you have to work hard enough as it is. I don't think we needed to do more.

27:37Andrew Allen: No, I think we'd done enough as well. I agree with that. And I think Tuesday night loomed rather large. I wondered if he might make more than one change at the break, You know, if you'd bring off a Declan Rice, for example. To be fair, he didn't wait too long before doing that. Yeah. Let me have a look at the substitutions. I mean, there are a few, you know, half moments here or there in the second half. Jokeres could have had a hat trick, couldn't he? Yeah, good save, I think, from Leno, actually. It's a decent chance. I can't remember who played it through to him, but it's a good save from Leno.

28:11Trossard, I think it was. I mean, Trossard was really good in this game. And did 90 minutes. It sort of makes you wonder, like, where has he been, kind of, you know? Because we're re-speculating, or maybe it was on the preview pod with Lewis, I think, where he's sort of speculating that, you know, maybe Trossard's lack of involvement of late has been because of injury. It may well be. It may well be that he was carrying something, but I just think it was a really strong performance from him. Six dribbles, four shots, two shots on target, two key passes, an assist. would have had it was his cross as well for the Califuri yeah wasn't it

28:50Andrew Allen: for me he played himself into the team for Tuesday oh yeah no question no question I mean Saka and Tross are either side of Jokeres I think is the way to go yeah absolutely the changes he did make then Rice and Jokeres came off I mean there's a luxury we haven't had the ability to take Declan Rice off in a game. No. That hasn't happened. Of course, we didn't put Christian Norgard on, though. No, we didn't. We didn't. I think it was... Well, I was going to maybe touch on that in relation to the downman sub, but he put Zubamendi and Gabriel Jesus on. That deal we did with Brentford where we have to pay them a million pounds for every minute Norgard plays in the Premier League.

29:37Andrew Allen: We may reflect on that. Yeah. With some regret. Yes. There was a funny moment as well. I'm just looking at my live blog where Arteta's miles out of his technical area and Albert Stivenberg was sort of running to try and drag him back in as the fourth official chased him down the line. It was quite funny. Like a sort of repeat of Arteta pulling back Granit Xhaka from the Spurs fans. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or what was the one? Was it the kid? Oh, yeah. After the Bournemouth game. Yeah. The double take. Where the hell did this child come from? He did put Daumann on, took Eze off, put Max Daumann on. I mean, he could have put Norgard on there, but maybe he feels minutes for Max Daumann are more useful.

30:24There was a moment, I think, where he had a good run through on goal and took a shot which went wide, leaving both Jesus and Matueke frustrated on either side of him. They were looking for a pass, but it didn't come.

30:38Andrew Allen: Jesus presumably was offside, as he was for almost the entirety of the second half. Calafuri hit the bar. Yeah. I don't know how he came out of this game without a goal, Calafuri. I mean, I thought his reintroduction to the team was another kind of exciting element. And we were robbed, by the way, on the offside goal of an immaculate celebration, I thought. I can't really remember it. Perfectly executed knee slide, war into camera, you know, would have been part of highlight reel packages for years to come. Right. I'll have to go back and look at that again. Oh, yeah, I see it now, yeah. Oh, very good.

31:22But yeah, I mean, Fulham were a bit more in the game in this half, I thought, but, you know, it was over as a contest. And I think that was ideal. I mean, I don't know if you saw the team that Atletico put out over the weekend. Yeah, Ham Sandwich Man was in goal.

31:41Andrew Allen: Basically, yeah. The mascot played up. I didn't really know too many of the names, I have to say. I'm a professional football journalist, Andrew, and I would say I knew next to none of them. You know, maybe says more about me, but who knows. Yes. So let's talk Miles Lewis-Kelly And let's talk the decision to play him in midfield on May the 2nd. And it's been a discussion that's been going on for quite a while, right? And this is the first time it happened. I thought Arteta was really interesting on Miles in his press conference afterwards, where he said, first, the first question about him, he said, I've been quite tough on him this season.

32:29And then he talked about, I think it was Sam Dean who asked him why it's taken so long to play him in there. And he said, well, probably because I don't have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier. But he said, I have to do things when I believe the player is ready, the team is ready, and the opponent is the right one to play him in that position. he said it was a big risk because I knew if we didn't win people would say how do you play a kid of this age in this scenario in a position he hasn't played all season I knew that but I had the feeling it was the right game for him another really interesting aspect of this is the fact that Miles didn't know he was playing there until about five minutes before the team sheet was announced i think they didn't get that team they kept the team under wraps you know because um normally they announce the team on twitter the arsenal twitter account will will do it with exactly 75 minutes before kickoff it took them an extra three or four minutes to do it this time around so maybe the graphics team were scrambling because they didn't get the team until really late.

33:45But what did you make of that aspect of the decision? You know, not to, let's say, train it, if you like, in the preparation. Maybe they did train a little bit. Maybe there was an inkling, but the decision hadn't been made. But for a guy who's so meticulous with his preparation and so detailed with everything that he does, this was a bit, not out of character for Mikel Arteta, but something unusual for Mikel Arteta.

34:18Andrew Allen: Yeah, I can only imagine that's by design. You know, that he felt that there was something to gain from delaying in that way and springing this element of surprise. And this was the biggest surprise in that starting XI, to see Myles get his first Arsenal start as a midfielder. I think he was selected in midfield for the Wigan game, wasn't he? And then had to revert into left back when Saka pulled out with injury. But this was the first time he'd actually started in that position. And I wonder as well, if there's a degree of sort of not wanting Miles to overthink it, you know, it was a big responsibility, but also a big opportunity for a player who has had a difficult season.

35:10I don't think there's any getting away from that. You know, he's gone from being the first choice left back to probably the third choice left back. And he's not been afforded opportunities elsewhere in the team particularly. So that pressure of you're finally getting your moment and it's going to be in a game with huge ramifications for our title challenge. for a 19 year old the less time they have to live with that maybe the better yeah maybe so maybe there's method to the madness uh in a way listen whatever whatever the strategic thought behind it

35:51Andrew Allen: i think it elicited a really good response i mean i thought he equipped himself really well miles and looked the part, looked every bit the part, added elements to our midfield that I think at times we miss in terms of his ability, his willingness to take risks in that part of the pitch and carry the ball or play the more difficult pass. And I think Sam's question to Mikel of why has it taken so long, I think is entirely valid. And, you know, I think that is a question that lots of supporters are asking. Because we've seen Declan Rice and Martin Zubomendi run into the ground. And on top of that, an obvious reticence to use Christian Norgaard.

36:51So, you know, for me, it probably does come a bit too late. but I'm glad that Mikel took the leap and put his faith in Miles and gave him the chance because it was undoubtedly rewarded. Yes, it was. It was a great performance from him. Um, I do wonder if it, if it's opened the door again for Miles, you know, because I think when we brought in Piero and Capier, that was, you know, some might say that's a challenge for a player. like Myles Lewis-Galley, right? You have to rise to the nothing is going to be easy in the professional game. You've made your breakthrough. You were, you know, one of the shining lights of what was, generally speaking, an underwhelming season last time out, right?

37:40Because the expectations were high. And listen, we got to the semifinals of the Champions League and that was great. There were some brilliant moments along the way, but in Premier League terms, it was a bit underwhelming based on what we were all expecting going into that. But he was one of the bright spots you know if you can call it that in a season where we finish second you know it's um it's not an exaggeration to say that he was one of the good news stories of last season then you bring in piero in capier when you've already got um ricardo califiori i don't think that's a challenge i think that's the manager signaling to you that he wants something different in the position that you've major breakthrough in and if it has been a season of real frustration for miles lewis kelly i can completely understand that you know he's played a bit but nowhere near as much as he would have liked and i think i hope you know between miles and ethan um you have two really talented young players who have made the breakthrough from the hayland academy to the first team you know and a first team that is at a really, really, really high level, you know, that's not easy.

38:54But I think this season there's probably been, or there probably are doubts over what's going to happen with both those guys, right? I don't think really that there is a left back future for Myles Lewis-Galliot at Arsenal when we've got Ricardo Califiori and Piero Incapier. And I know there's sort of fitness issues with Califiori, et cetera, et cetera. But I think that tells you the kind of player, although they're slightly different in terms of their own styles, physically, I think there's a similarity between Calafiori and Incapier that I think tells you what Mikel Arteta's preference is for that position, right?

39:34But I wonder if now this is a door opening for Miles. And maybe it's, you know, a little bit unexpected. Maybe it wasn't something Mikel Arteta was really planning to do. And the fact that it's happened and it happened to such effect or such good effect, I wonder, does it require maybe a rethink from the manager in terms of what he thinks about Miles' future and everything else? Yeah, I don't disagree with any of that, really. I think the hincapié signing, to me, signalled big trouble for Myles Lewis-Gellie, the left back. Myles Lewis-Gellie, the central midfielder, off the back of Saturday's performance.

40:19Yeah, I think maybe there is a future for him at Arsenal. I think irrespective of that, I'm actually just very, very glad that he's had this moment in what might be a very successful campaign. I think it'd be very possible for him to feel on the outside of it and like he's not had his time to shine. And I think whatever happens in his future, like if Arsenal do go on and win the Premier League, I think his contribution in the form of this game will really, really be remembered.

40:57Andrew Allen: And I say that hoping that Myles is at Arsenal for a long time to come. He's a player I really like. And obviously, like all Arsenal fans, I enjoy seeing our academy players kind of continue with the club. But I don't know what his future holds, but I do know that he made a massive contribution on Saturday. and if we win that Premier League, he'll every bit have earned that title. No, for sure, for sure. I thought it was great. It was sort of like the icing on the cake of Saturday, wasn't it, that he came in and played as well as he did and showed that potentially he is an option in that position, maybe for some games between now and the end of the season, but maybe also going forward.

41:37Yeah, and listen, I think we should never underestimate what an academy player's involvement can do for the vibe,

41:47Andrew Allen: the lift that can give the crowd. I mean, obviously, Bukhara Saka is the sort of preeminent example, but it was a nice moment before the game as well, by the way, for Per Mertzaka to kind of get his flowers in the form of one of those silver cannons before he leaves the club. But, you know, this was a, if you look at Saka down and coming on, Miles having that starring role in central midfield, it was a positive reflection of Pairs' contribution in this time of the club too. Well, yeah, let's not ignore the fact that the Saka and Emil Smith-Rowe song got a bit of a run out as well. You know, that's how good the vibes were related to the Arsenal Academy on Saturday.

42:31You know, it's very, very, very rare to hear home fans singing about an away player.

42:39Andrew Allen: No, that's quite right. And if Emilsmith Road stuck one in the top corner, I don't know if it would have been the same. But fortunately, you know, he did all right by us. He did. So look, you know, to conclude part one, just what the doctor ordered ahead of not just tomorrow night, But I think the remaining three games in the Premier League, this is one of those moments where we had the chance not just to win the game, but to go six points clear. City have five games left until Grandpa gets involved later on. But they've got five games left. We have three. At this point in the season, I would absolutely swap points on the board for games in hand.

43:28So as a sort of tonic, if you like, as a footballing tonic, as another step closer to the title, I think it was just everything you could have wanted from a game on Saturday.

43:42Andrew Allen: Yes, it was kind of perfect. I mean, it does leave open the slim possibility that we could win the Premier League in our next home game against Burnley.

43:55Andrew Allen: if City dropped points a couple of times. So I'm just so used to Spurs dropping points until this weekend anyway. But yeah, if they drop points in their next couple of games, I think that's on for us as a possibility. But more than that, I've said it, others have said it, Arsenal have looked of late like they've been crawling towards the finish line. And just to see them kind of clamber to their feet and break out into a jog was rather lovely. And yeah, has given everyone a lift ahead of another gigantic game on Tuesday. Yeah, there was actually an interesting little question, which we don't necessarily need to do, but an observation, I guess, from Jezza81 on the Discord.

44:42He said, you've made some comparisons with marathons recently. And you said in a previous post about hitting the wall close to the end and seeing people hobbling over the line, He said, what's also common in marathons is hitting the wall around 32 or 35 kilometers, having a few very tough physically, mentally kilometers. Then when the end is in sight, you sort of find a second wind that you didn't know you have. So hopefully that's kind of where we are with this, that we did hit a bit of a wall, but now with that renewed energy and renewed confidence and belief that we can take that into not just tomorrow night, but I think, you know, a very difficult game next week against West Ham are going to be fighting for their lives.

45:24You know, we really do need to use this as some kind of momentum, right?

45:28Andrew Allen: Absolutely. And, you know, what motivates you in those final stages is the sense of achievement, you know, that's just in front of you. And Arsenal are so, so, so close for all our worries, for all our anxiety and gripes and concerns and fretting. We are so, so close to history. Mm. Mm. Yes. Yes. Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed. All right. Listen, we'll take a little break here. But when we return, we'll be back with your questions and more in part two right after this.

46:19Welcome back to the ArseCast Extra. This is part two of the show where we answer the questions that you send to us on bluesky at gunnerblog.bsky.social and at arseblog.com. Also on the ArseBlog Discord chat server, which you get access to if you are an ArseBlog member on Patreon. I want to start with another Miles-related question, but it's sort of about tomorrow night as well. It comes from Nishant, who's at nishantgunner10.bsky.social. It says, goodly morning, gents. Thoughts on Miles' performance in midfield? We don't need to do that because we've already talked about it. But the question is, has he done enough to get another start against Atletico?

47:06I'd be very surprised yeah I'd be very surprised and that's not to pour cold water on what Miles did on Saturday because I think he really showed himself to be an option and I think he could have a role to play in that position between now and the end of the season he could have a role to play in that position on Tuesday night but has he done enough to start probably not no I think the reason he started was to keep Zubimendi, a player who has been quite fatigued, I think it was, you know, to keep him fresh for Tuesday. That was the, the, well, the team selection is obviously to try and win the game, but I think it's one of the really rare moments I can think of where Mikel Arteta has sort of made a decision with another game in mind.

47:56You know, it's not that he hasn't done it in the past, but I don't think it's ever been quite as blatant or obvious as this one, that the reason he used Miles there was because he felt like he really had to sit Zubimendi down, you know, from a physical perspective. I thought Zubimendi was actually really quite sharp when he came on as well. Snappy. So we need a bit more of that from him. You know, we need him to be a bit more like first half of the season Zubimendi for the last few games, you know? So I think that's part of why Myles was picked there. And I would be very, very, very surprised like you if he kept his place.

48:35Yeah, but I think you've got to remember Zubamendi had a decent game in Madrid as well. He did. We discovered something a little bit in terms of the shape of the midfield there, particularly in the first half with Declan Rice dropping so deep and Zubimendi playing a bit higher, helping to win the penalty with a couple of really nice touches in the build-up. Whether that will work again, you know, against a coach as reactive and smart as Simeone,

49:03Andrew Allen: who will doubtless, you know, in game, he found a solution to that, right? At half-time by changing Athletic's shape, sacrificing his own son in the process. But I think, yeah, I think it will be Zubimendi and Rice and quite right too. They are the first choice midfield pair. I just had an image of Diego Simeone setting his own son on fire. I think he would if he thought he would help him win a football match. Yeah, I think he would as well. Yeah, that's an interesting aspect of tomorrow night is whether you go with that kind of same midfield construction as we did, which was a little bit different.

49:41And it did work very effectively in the first half, not quite as much in the second half, until maybe the last 15 minutes of the game or so. So, yeah.

49:52Andrew Allen: But we changed it again by then, really, and certainly changed a lot of personnel. So it almost became a different game in that final 10, 15 minutes. Yeah, it's going to be fascinating, that kind of that duel between the coaches on Tuesday night. Have you been able, just before we go on with another question, it is, I don't know if this is the right way of putting it, But because there's so much focus on the Premier League and our desire to win it, that sort of magnitude of being in a Champions League semifinal, one game away from a Champions League final, it doesn't feel, I don't know if it's as big as it should.

50:35And maybe that's not a bad thing either. You know, maybe it's not a bad thing that it isn't quite as hyped and gigantic as it might be otherwise. but it sort of feels like it's not secondary again i'm not trying to dismiss it in any way secondary again ale ale but yeah i mean am i wrong to think it has been a little slightly on the back burner in comparison with the premier league when in reality this is like a huge huge game and a massive occasion which i'm sure will be evident tomorrow night in the build and the atmosphere and how we all feel about it. But because it's so quick between Fulham and we were so invested in that Fulham game that it hasn't really had a chance to hit home.

51:22Yes. I mean, the thought has crossed my mind.

51:27Andrew Allen: You know, are Arsenal so focused on winning the Premier League? They don't realise they're in the process of winning the Champions League. You know, it's almost sneaking up on us, our European campaign. And we have kind of seen the 26-27 season, I think, through the prism of our Premier League form. But when you look at what we have produced in Europe, the level of consistency, the defensive record, you know, we have put together an incredibly compelling, thorough European campaign. And I agree that it's surreal that potentially the finest hour in this football club's history, certainly on the men's side, may almost catch us by surprise, you know, that it might be something that comes off guard, either as, and bizarrely, almost as a kind of a bonus or a consolation prize.

52:34Yeah.

52:35Andrew Allen: It's an odd mix of stuff. It is. I mean, let me ask you this one before your question from the Discord. Nightmare on Elneny Street asks, how important is getting to the Champions League final going to be to give us the best chance of winning the league in this run-in? Do you think it will have an impact? It could have an impact? Or do we have to sort of keep it distinct? it's a good question i i kind of feel at this stage it's it doesn't make that much difference i think it's only one more game you know whether we make it through or whether we don't and and after this semi-final is done it's not like we're sort of trying to squeeze in a champions league final between premier league games i'm guessing the question's more about like the psychology of it like yeah could it have a negative impact if we go out tomorrow night or you know if we make progress and make our way to the final is that sort of momentum and and confidence that we can take from that it's hard to say obviously you know yeah i really don't know i mean i've always sort of thought about it more in the physiological terms you know i look at tomorrow night and i think well i hope we don't have extra time and penalties you know to contend with for a multitude of reasons.

53:59Andrew Allen: I know there's a few days between Atletico and West Ham, but I don't like the thought of 120 minutes plus ahead of a Premier League game where, like you say, the opposition are fighting for their lives. Yeah, I really think it could work either way. It could be that reaching the final convinces the team that this is their year, this is their season and propels them onwards. Equally, if we were to go out against Atleti, which is very much in play. Like, I do not take the second leg for granted at all. You know, I think it's going to be a difficult game, even after an impressive showing from us on Saturday.

54:45Then, you know, equally that could redouble the efforts on the Premier League and focus the minds and make the team even more determined to get that one over the line. So I think it's almost impossible to say, unfortunately. I know from a fan's perspective, it would be incredibly exciting to think that,

55:08Andrew Allen: okay, we've got these three Premier League games ahead of us. But beyond that, we have a first Champions League final in 20 years. I mean, it would just set up an absolutely extraordinary finale for the season. Yeah, it would be amazing. It would be absolutely amazing, you know. And I think the fact that it has slightly snuck up on us shouldn't obscure quite how big it would be and quite how momentous it would be to reach the final, let them win it. Sure. Well, let's see. It's a huge game and, yeah, we'll try and talk about it a bit more tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll do a sort of combination episode of the 30 and a bit of a preview podcast.

55:53So you can join us for a bit more on that game tomorrow over on Patreon. Right over to you, your question.

56:00Andrew Allen: Well, I liked this from Andrew does stuff on blue sky who said, is hashtag ass full the funniest of all the premier league hashtags. There were shouts for, uh, ass cry as well. Yeah. Play crystal palace, but, uh, there you go. juvenile jokes about arses. Come on. Come on. We're all better than that, aren't we? Absolutely not. Well, this is a kind of existential question that I thought was interesting. Stevie B, who is at Annihilate now on Blue Sky, said, would you rather be in our position, which is Champions League semi-final, plus six points and plus four goal difference, or City's League Cup win, FA Cup final, and minus six points and minus four goal difference?

56:50I think ours, because we have the points on the board. As I said, in part one, I'd much rather have the points under our belts than have the games in hand. So as disappointing as it was to lose the League Cup final, the potential of winning the Champions League final is far, far greater, right? I mean, whatever disappointment I felt after that game, I will be able to just sort of put in the dustbin of my mind forever. You know, I'll say, well, it was a bit disappointing at the time, but, you know, we won the Champions League that season, so fuck it. That's how I would be able to cope with that, you know.

57:41So I think our position would be the one I'd like to be in. I'm with you

57:45Andrew Allen: 100 % I think listen with all respect to the League Cup and the FA Cup and we've had some great you know days out celebrating those in the past the prospect of a potential Champions League final I think is an easy trade and in the Premier League it's not to me that was straightforward we've got the points on the board I think our goal difference advantage at plus four to me is not hugely significant because, you know, if City win their games in hand 2-0, that's gone, you know? So I think with two games in hand, a plus four goal difference is easily made up. But the points on the board, I think that's huge.

58:35Andrew Allen: And the pressure changes hands now, doesn't it? I think it's all the focus is on City now. And it's probably the first time in a long time that they are playing with that kind of scrutiny and pressure applied in the Premier League. Yeah. Well, let's hope they feel that pressure tonight. Might be a fun episode of the 30, that's for sure. Yeah. Let me see. Where are we? There's more questions about Miles, but we sort of talked about that. Sports was asking, was Calafiori getting injured in the warm-up a sliding doors moment for our season. Besides getting an injury to a very talented player, it deprived us of an opportunity of seeing Miles in midfield months ago.

59:25Maybe. I mean... The question is how much stock Mikel Arteta would have put in a midfield performance against Wigan versus how much he might be convinced by a midfield performance against Fulham in the Premier League, you know?

59:40Andrew Allen: Yeah, forgive me as well. I think I said it was Bakas Saka, didn't I, who got injured in the warm-up for that one? But it was Calafuri. It was Calafuri and it was Saka who came into midfield, I think. Into midfield, right. There have been so many injuries this season, it's easy for them to kind of blur into one. Yeah, maybe. I mean, I had a question specifically about Riccardo Calafuri. Deacon Healy here said, are we underestimating the importance of Calafuri in our fluidity? It was a marked improvement in our ability to access space with the handsome man rewarding all over the pitch. There was a really interesting move.

1:00:19I can't remember whether it was before or after we scored the second goal. But Calafuri sort of came over from the left-hand side and did a run behind the defence. I think it was Saka who found him. And Calafuri cut it back for Saliba. Saliba clipped a cross to the back post and Gabrielle nearly got on the end of it. So maybe it was like after a set piece or something, I can't quite remember. But I just thought the idea of Calafiore as this sort of roaming, progressive kind of running inside forward was really, really interesting. And shows what he brings to the team. I mean, I think Incappier has been really good and is a fantastic defender, but I don't really think you're seeing Piero Incappier in those positions.

1:01:16Andrew Allen: No. You know? And I think not as effective in those positions when he does get there. Yeah. I mean, there was another question on the Discord. Who did you play on Tuesday, Andrew? Well, that was the question here. Let me see. It's from Calaman on the Discord. So given how much Calafiori brings to the team in attack, who would you play at left back on Tuesday? I wonder who Calaman would go for. We'll never know, I guess. If only there was some hint in his name. Yeah, I don't know. Interesting. Turns out he's a massive hincapié stan. Who do you think it will be? I have this weird hunch that sort of Califiori is going to get the Premier League games and Hincapier is going to get the European ones.

1:02:09Andrew Allen: And I'm not even sure it's about the competition necessarily, but more opposition. You know, I think you look at the Premier League games in front of us, West Ham, Burnley, Palace. I think they're games where predominantly I'd expect it to be on us to sort of kind of have the attacking impetus and take the initiative. And I think Calafuri is better in that respect. I think against Atleti, that may be also true, but I just think Arteta may favour the kind of defensive solidity of Incapié. And I think certainly in a prospective final against either Bayern or PSG. and wow I'm looking forward to the second leg of that that's for sure nil nil yeah I think we could say almost with some certainty it won't be but you never know I think it would be in Capier I think this Tuesday this one is I think in some respects the closest call I really don't know I think it will be in Capier for us, partly for his freshness, partly for his security.

1:03:27What do you think? I think it'll be in Capier. I also think, you know, I think the defensive aspect of this game tomorrow night is going to be really fascinating, you know. Because the first half, I'm pretty sure like the plan will be to make sure that, you know, nothing untoward happens in that first half. Yeah, we cannot give Atleti a lead here. No, absolutely not. So I think that will be part of the thinking. And I think being more defensively solid means Incapier will play. But I also think when you're looking to try and change a game or introduce a slightly different dynamic to the game, then Califiori is a brilliant candidate for that, right?

1:04:15True. You know, so I think not that he's an ace up the sleeve, but something along those lines where, you know, if we do have to go for it, if we do want to go for it in the second half, you know, if we want to avoid extra time and penalties, if we want to try and score a goal, then maybe there is something in Incapier being in reserve or Califiori rather being in reserve that gives you the opportunity to do that.

1:04:42Andrew Allen: yeah I think I see it that way too and of course the freshness coming into Tuesday I think is a factor as well so I think it will be in Capier but great to have both options at our disposal hopefully they can both stay fit as well speaking of fullbacks Pete Quavo on the Discord says goodly morning I feel Ben White's return to the starting 11 is very important to the way Arteta likes to play. But I also feel that Arteta is consistently frustrated with him for some reason. Does it seem Arteta is conflicted with how he feels about White's overall play? Or am I imagining things? I don't know if that's something that is more noticeable in the ground than on TV.

1:05:36I mean, what I will say is I think Ben White being available now is really good news because Shurian Timber remains sidelined. We did see him on Saturday. He was there in the tunnel right at the end. They showed him on TV. So hopefully he's not too far away. I think, listen, everyone who knows, everyone who's listened to this podcast for a long time will know what I think of Ben White as a player. I think he's just been absolutely fantastic for us. And if he's not what he was, it is in no small part because he put his body on the line for this football club and for this shirt, right? I don't think his recent form has been as good as he can be.

1:06:22Is that right? I don't think it's. No, he hasn't played as well as he can. That's what I'm trying to say. I think it is because I don't want to say the legs have gone or anything like that. I don't think it's that, but I think he has been impacted by injury and been, you know, in and out of the team and not really had any rhythm. I don't think he's been as poor as some people have said, but certainly he's not played anywhere near as well as we know he can or has done in the past. I don't know if Arteta is frustrated by that. I thought there were some quite nice link-ups on Saturday between him and Bakayo Saka.

1:06:59Yeah. Sort of gave me memories of how it used to be, that right-hand side, the way it really clicked with him and Odegaard and Saka operating together. You know, it gave me some nice memories. Declan Rice did a bit of an Odegaard impression on a couple of occasions

1:07:17Andrew Allen: coming over to get involved in those triangles. And I agree, that was promising. But is there a trade-off at the moment with Wyatt? I mean, I know he had that kind of very odd 30 seconds in the first half And maybe that's partly what the question refers to. Arteta was quite agitated by that, as you can imagine. Sure. But I don't know what you thought. I felt in Madrid, he struggled to contain Luckman at times on that side. And it almost feels like there's a bit of a choice ahead of Arteta. Not quite the same as the choice at left back. But if he goes with White, he gets the combination play, but running back towards some goal, maybe not quite as good as he was.

1:08:03Andrew Allen: Mosquera, if we assume Timber's not going to make it, which he's not been part of training today, as far as I understand it. You know, he's very athletic, very solid in the duels, but he's not going to give you what White does going forward. No, I think as well, Mosquera struggled with Doku in the Man City game, you know, where not that Doku and Luckman are the same, but they're similar kinds of players in terms of being direct wingers very quick as well. So I just feel like if you do have Incappier on one side and you're going to play Bakayo Saka on the right, which I think we take as red, right?

1:08:44Because he got those 45 minutes and was so impactful. I just feel like you need that little bit of balance on the other side. Like if it was Calafuri on the other side, I'd be maybe more inclined to play Mosquera on the right. Sure. You know, I just feel, and you said it in the first half, and I think, you know, it was evident in the final third that there was real balance in the profiles of the players that we had in those positions, right? That made our first half so effective. You have to try and find that balance. So if it's going to be in Kapi, I think I would go with White because of his relationship with Bukayo Saka.

1:09:31But I guess we'll see. I guess we'll see. Yeah. Interesting. Let me have a look at this one. This one comes from Ed W. And he says, on a scale of one being Vout Fass and 100 being William Saliba, how good is William Saliba? Seriously, though, quietly a lead, player of the season stuff again.

1:09:58Andrew Allen: He's very, very good, Andrew. Okay. He's so... That's it. No, I think he's so good that as the question kind of hints at, I think it's in danger of being overlooked at times. You know, we have just come to expect such a high level of performance from him. And he continues to deliver. I think as well, maybe he suffers from the fact that Gabriel has a more kind of, what's the word explosive style and scores goals as well so I think he this season has taken a lot of the attention and the headlines in that partnership but you know the partnership is absolutely reliant on both of their contributions and I think Saliba's level of consistency and availability especially when you consider he's the junior partner in that partnership.

1:11:03You know, he's the younger player. I think he's had another very, very strong showing. Yeah. I'm sort of in awe of what he does and how consistently he does it. I think he's just absolutely brilliant. I'm trying to think of like another defender in the world that I would swap him for. And, you know, that list is very, very, very short. I think he's brilliant. And like you said, the consistency of his performances, you just come to expect it. It becomes normal. And I don't think it is necessarily normal to be that good and that consistent. So, yeah, I just absolutely love him. I think he's fucking brilliant.

1:11:49He would be basically my first name on any Arsenal team sheet, to be honest. There's a few players, to be fair, who would be up there, but he is right near the top. Well, Andrew, I have a question for you from me, actually. Okay. I need your help, basically. Right. I received an email this morning.

1:12:09Andrew Allen: I'm a member of the Football Writers Association. And as a consequence of that, I get a vote in the Footballer of the Year Award. Right. What? A vote is due on Wednesday. Wednesday May 6th so my question is quite simple really who should I vote for

1:12:40Andrew Allen: Beto after his winner tonight yeah exactly he's put down some bloke what does that mean I mean the thing is you know as a football reporter or a football journalist you can choose from all the footballers right? Correct. But as an Arsenal fan can you bring yourself to vote for a player from another team? Well also I sort of think you know I mean obviously I'm biased but I think traditionally you kind of want to go from a team who's won it I think and obviously we don't know the outcome, but Arsenal are the league leaders at this point in time. So I think I'd be justified to go for an Arsenal player.

1:13:32Andrew Allen: It's not that there's a ton of candidates outside of that. I mean, I think maybe Bruno Fernandes will get some votes. Bernardo Silva, I think, might get some votes. But I think Arsenal players will collect a lot of votes as well. I suppose the concern is that without one outstanding candidate, the votes may get split somewhat. You might have some for Declan Rice, some for, you know, Gabriel Saliba, we've just mentioned, David Raya. David Raya, yeah. I mean, who would be your pick for Arsenal's player of the season, bearing in mind that, you know, we do have more games to come and somebody could make themselves the hero and all of that.

1:14:23Andrew Allen: And timing is everything with these things. Yeah. If Declan Rice has a Stormer, you know, in the semi-final tomorrow night, that could win him the award, you know? Yeah.

1:14:38Until recently, I have been saying Gabriel. And the reason for that is because I think for me, he kind of symbolizes a lot of qualities of this team. You know, I think his defensive ability, his set piece threat. You know, if this is the set piece season as it's been deemed by so many, then let's have the king of Brazil and the king of set pieces as Footballer of the Year. So that's kind of where my head has been. And certainly if I've been voting at Christmas, that's probably what I would have said. Now I'm kind of potentially coming around to Declan Rice. I just think when I look at the scale of his contribution over the course of the campaign, I think he might be kind of the safe vote.

1:15:39I think he might be the one that most people gravitate towards. He's an Englishman. I think that will collect him plenty of votes as well. probably um so yeah i'm kind of between those two right now what do you think i mean i can see the rice one i probably have rice just a little bit ahead of gabrielle um i mean it's five goals and 11 assists in all competitions for declin rice But I think beyond that, you're looking at a guy who's put in a huge physical effort as well. The body of work is impressive. I mean, I also think Raya should be in there. Raya should be certainly a candidate. I mean, he's going to win a third consecutive Golden Glove, which is kind of incredible.

1:16:34I mean, it sort of feels like they should let you keep it, you know what I mean, after that. Replace it with what, though, you know? Yeah. The only thing of Raya is like, I agree his performance level has been brilliant, but I do think he, in April, you know, I think his performance level dipped slightly, I think, in the midst of that. Or there were a couple of uncharacteristic moments, but then that's probably true of all the Arsenal players. And all goalkeepers as well, you know. Yeah, it's a tough one. Like, I think nobody has been, like, head and shoulders above everybody else. And you might say, well, that's because nobody's quite at the best level they can be at.

1:17:20You know, Saka, for example, is he at the best level he can be at or has he been at the best level he can be at this season? No. But maybe another way of looking at it is that the reason Arsenal have been top for so long this season is because there is a consistency of performance across the board from lots of the players. You know, Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, first half of the season, Zubimendi. You know, Eberachiez has come in and done well of late. Yeah, I don't know. It's a tough one. It's a tough one. I think, yeah, I think I'm coming around to the idea of Rice just in terms of the contribution across the whole season.

1:18:01And maybe he is the guy whose performance level has kind of never dipped below a certain standard.

1:18:07Andrew Allen: And when I think about mistakes or wobbly moments, I mean, you know, obviously I remember in the North London derby at Spurs, he made a big error, but it's kind of the exception that proves the rule in some ways. It's kind of the only one I can think of in his case. And again, you talk about the themes of the season, set piece goals. Well, he is as big a part of that as Gabriel, you know, in terms of his delivery and his role in that. So maybe Rice will get my vote. But it's, yeah, it's an intriguing one. I do think there is that risk, isn't there, that Arsenal's players kind of split the vote a little bit.

1:18:49Yeah, and they'll probably give it to Bruno Fernandes because, you know, he's played one game a week all season and has been a beneficiary of that. Is he going to break the assist record?

1:19:03Andrew Allen: I think he's on course for it, although frankly, his season should be over. I don't know if you watched United-Liverpool yesterday. No. I thought he made a terrible challenge that should have been a red card. I haven't seen Match of the Day yet, so I'll have to. Well, yeah, check that out before the 30. For me, that was a red. And he got away with a booking. He used John Kors to break the assist record. And listen, I think he's, I think, I don't, I actually don't want to say it. And you can hear the words kind of fighting to stay in my mouth. But I think he's been very, very, very good. I just think, yeah, it would feel a bit odd.

1:19:44Andrew Allen: But somebody pointed out to me that in 1999, I think it was, that the title race was incredibly close between Arsenal and United. And consequently, nobody quite knew where to put their vote. And I think it ended up with David Ginler in the Footballer of the Year, instead of a player from United's treble winning team, you know? Yeah. Yeah. And it would be cruel, I think, if touch wood Arsenal win a Premier League and a Champions League and Bruno Fernandes walks away with the Footballer of the Year, something's gone wrong. Well, listen, can I tell you now how much I couldn't give a fuck if Bruno Fernandes won Player of the Year, if we won the title in the Champions League?

1:20:29Fucking make him the new king. Let him have it. Yeah, make him the fucking King of England for all I care.

1:20:34Andrew Allen: I mean, I suppose, you know, all that does is really demonstrate the unreliability and maybe inconsequential nature of individual... Individual awards in football, yeah. But I do have to vote for somebody. Right. So, you know, you've got to use your vote, Andrew. That's it. People fought for the right for football writers to have this vote. Democracy might die if you don't. You don't exercise, you're right. Journalists didn't put themselves on the line for nothing. Those brave, brave journalists. Let me ask you this question. Yeah. Wcampo33 on the Discord says, what did you make of Andrea Berta being spotted in Turkey last week?

1:21:19Any insider info from James about that and or any summer recruitment gossip in general, which I think can wait. Oh, yes. Summer can wait. We have to see. We've got plenty of time for that. Yeah. You know, we might need a whole new fucking team, depending on how they're saying. That's true.

1:21:38Andrew Allen: Once they've won the Premier League and the Champions League, I think many of them will just retire, I imagine. Just put them out to pasture with their medals around their neck and we just start again. Clean slate, go again. But, you know, why do you think Andrea Berta was in Turkey? Was he just getting a new set of teeth? Andrea Berta's going to come back and blind us all with his Turkish choppers? Maybe. I mean, that is what people in football do. Unai Emery is really something, aren't they? Emile Smith-Rowe got it. He's been in terrific form this week, I must say, Unai. Wow. I don't know if you've seen his interviews and press conferences.

1:22:15I saw the interview after the tackle on Ollie Watkins. Yes. The VAR stuff. I think he's quite right. It was a terrible challenge. Terrible challenge, that. But after what he did yesterday, I'm not predisposed to saying anything nice or kind about Unai Emery at all. Not that I really am in general. He's a terrible, silly little man. And yesterday was further proof of that. Truthfully on Andrea, I don't know why he was specifically in Istanbul.

1:22:53Andrew Allen: The man has a full head of hair. do you know what i mean so we can rule that out i think or maybe that's his secret maybe maybe so um what do we know about him he's a guy with a big contacts book who likes to know a lot of people in football and explore a lot of potential options and situations so i imagine it's sort of the ongoing work of a sporting director is building those relationships with clubs and contacts and doesn't necessarily have to be specific about a certain player or a certain club or no no i mean you know they've got some attractive players at that club that's for sure but i think i think really the difference here is the cameras probably he's at clubs at games all the time and it doesn't get coverage but we know the turkish media are kind of transfer crazy um yeah no surprise it it found its way out i mean do you have to go in disguise as a sport like could he go to the joke shop and buy one of those sort of groucho marks glasses and mustaches before he goes to a game cameras are scanning the the stands director's boxes right who's in there we can cut to x y or z at a certain point in the game and it's like oh Groucho Marx thought he was dead.

1:24:16But now it's Andrea Berta jotting down in his little notebook, whatever it might be.

1:24:23Andrew Allen: Yeah, I think there are some old stories about Arsenal scouts doing that in the old days in kind of Steve Rowley's time, you know, turning up with a wide-brimmed hat so it wouldn't be clear who we were after. Trying to smuggle six-foot-four Arsene Wenger into a stadium. Yeah. My name is Guy Incognito. exactly that what about this one can I ask you this because we had a couple of questions like this one from I had it right here true story number four who says Declan Rice is I think our best slash most influential central midfielder since Paddy V and a great lad to boot any concerns about him having to help relegate that rabble from East London next weekend.

1:25:13And Stetosaurus on the Discord says, do you think there'll be any difficulty for Declan Rice going back to West Ham and pushing them one more step towards relegation?

1:25:23Andrew Allen: I wouldn't have thought so, given all the stick they've given him since he left.

1:25:31Andrew Allen: I'm not saying that he would be out to send them down per se, and I'm sure he'd rather see them stay up at Spurs' expense, but he has had a lot of stick online, in the ground. They weren't happy with him for choosing Arsenal. They all wanted him to go to City because it was kind of less offensive, I suppose, for him to join another club outside London. So I'm sure he'll say and do all the right things. And if he scores, you know, it'll be the muted celebration. but inside I think I think he'll thoroughly enjoy it he'll be dancing he'll be dancing yeah um yeah I don't worry about that at all I think there's too much at stake for him you know in his career as somebody who wants to win things if a consequence of winning the title with Arsenal means that West Ham are relegated like you say I don't think he'll be happy about it but he's not going to go easy you know on any opposition because he's got a bit of a pass there that's just not going to happen, you know?

1:26:37Andrew Allen: Well, it's the ultimate justification for the Arsenal move as well, isn't it, to win the Premier League and potentially the Champions League. So I think that will be foremost in his mind. I think he'll be bang up for that one, bang up for it. I'm not worried at all about that. I think it's probably our hardest remaining Premier League game though, because there is just that, when you're playing against a team who are kind of scrapping for survival, it just adds a bit of volatility to a game. And West Ham aren't very good. I mean, they were heavily beaten by Brentford at the weekend.

1:27:18Andrew Allen: And it's a shame we haven't got the league wrapped up so that we could hand over the three points and try and take Spurs down. But alas, we've got to go there and win. But that's Unai Emery's fault again. I know. Well, and it's him who faces City on the final day. So let's hope he doesn't come to that. I refer people to today's blog if they'd like my thoughts on that one. So is there anything else or do you think we should get out of here and get this podcast out to people? I think let's get it to the people. They want to revel in it and get themselves excited for tomorrow night. Yeah, absolutely.

1:27:55It's going to be a huge game and a huge occasion and hopefully one we can rise to. nice to be back to convincing winning ways as well after fulham on saturday so everyone's feeling good and hopefully that translates in every performance we see between now and the end of the season so as ever thank you so much for being here thank you for listening and downloading and sharing and subscribing thank you to everyone by the way who bought tickets for our live event at union chapel which is on saturday may 16th as ever they sold out in a flash and we're looking forward to seeing many of you there. Hopefully it is a night where if results go our way, if grandpa and some bloke do what we need them to do tonight, perhaps it could be a night of real celebration.

1:28:40Nevertheless, we thank you for coming on board there and we'll see you there on Saturday evening. For now, though, folks, take it easy and we will catch you on the next one. Bye-bye.