Arsenal Attack Underwhelming?

27:44company, not a bank. Banking services provided by lead bank member FDIC.

27:47Frank Leboeuf:I like things my way, my coffee, my schedule, and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self-injecting with the VivGuard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains FGuard Tegamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit VivGuardMyWay.com. That's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T MyWay.com. and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hattrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. We criticize players when they don't speak out. Virgil van Dijk has, and now we're going to tear him apart. But here we go. He speaks about all three goals that were conceded in Liverpool's defeat against Bournemouth.

28:29He explains the first one, it was a difficult ball to judge during the circumstances. The wind is very tricky. The second one, we were down to 10 men. You can argue that you have to maybe kick the ball out or not. The third one, of course, which came from the long throw, What I felt on the pitch was I was clearly blocked, but obviously the ref and VAR don't give it and that's something we then have to accept. Excuses. Let's go to defenders. Let's go through this one by one. Mario, wind, tell me about it. The wind, no, no, no, don't give me that man. Because if I have the wind, that means they have the wind too.

29:04So it's not just only for me. That's what people would say. No, if they have a problem, you have the same problem. Look at this, the wind goes, no, he miskicks the ball. He knows that he made a mistake there. Come on now, you can turn around and put your hands up. No, no. And we have to judge Van Dijk on the ability, what he has. And not on thinking like, oh, he's a little defender. No, he's a great defender, so then you have to deal with it. OK, so the first one, we're not giving Winders a pass? No. You know, without going on, because we'll go to the other boys on this, a Dutchman. That'll be in the Dutch newspaper tomorrow.

29:41What's the Dutch paper, Jack? I don't know. He's having a pop at another... The Amsterdam Times. The Amsterdam Times. You're looking for people, man, Greg. You're looking for people, Greg. What's up with you, man? That'll be in the Amsterdam Echo. Guess what Mario said. Mario's right. He'd have more respect, and this is not the first time with Van Dijk. It's every week. You'd have more respect if he came out and said, I made a complete mess of the first goal. It was an easy clearance. I should have cleared it. It's absolutely on me. The wind is difficult. It's tricky. Oh, yeah, well, you want to play in, you know, these conditions every week.

30:24There's no rain. There's no wind. There's nothing. No, he just made a mess of it.

30:27Frank Leboeuf:Here's my thing. I'm fine. The wind plays tricks with the ball, and you miss a jump. But if that happens, then you play the man. If you miss the clearance. But if you look at Van Dijk, he seems to miss the clearance and then just stop. Now, even if he just chases that, it comes off his knee and goes out for a corner. Worst case scenario. But he gets deceived by the wind. I'll give him that. And then just switches off. As though, you know, I don't have to play this ball. And I thought it was absolutely ridiculous defending. by, again, two years ago, I don't think anybody would have argued one of the best defenders in world football.

31:05Frank Leboeuf:So it just comes across as a little bit cheap, a little bit untrue. Was it the wind that made his arms come up when he made the mistake? He did. Kieran, wind?

31:20No, listen, I mean, I think once he watches it back, he's obviously going to admit that he could have done a lot better there. I think, for me, you know, Van Dijk's one of those players that he gives off the impression that he's always in control and that's kind of the way he carries himself, it's the way he plays and it's just his overall kind of bravado. I think this is also why he's one of the best centre-backs in the world because he doesn't look flustered and the way he handles himself on the pitch, he's a Rolls Royce of a player. in football no matter who you are though you're always going to face periods where you're not as in control as you think and things don't go your way so you know I think when you couple that with the calm nature that he has it just doesn't look like it comes across as though you know he may not care or something it's similar to like a Mesut Ozil when a lot of players a lot of people used to say the same thing about the way he played but you can't deny the fact that he's one of the best centre-backs the world has seen he's just going through that period right now where things aren't going his way but also you know he's I don't think he's getting the most amount of help from from his midfield I think if you look at Liverpool last season the the midfield were performing much better than they than they were this season I think there's there's holes in there there's they look vulnerable at times through the middle and that always puts pressure on the centre-backs.

32:55So I think you can see that in the way he reacts sometimes when teams are having chances against Liverpool and you can see he's getting frustrated. Maybe he's also frustrated that he's not getting the protection that he was getting before. OK. You know, the thing is with Van Dijk is he may be better next year than this year, but he'll never be back to the player he was. Neither will Mo Salah. And it's for one reason. Age. And when you start getting older and a little slower, as you do, and it's only natural, the brain can still work and try and put you in a position, but generally everything slows down.

33:34And when you start making those mistakes, what you see is, what we've seen from Van Dyke this year, I think, it's just my opinion, is that you start looking to your post and blame. Because you know that you're not able to do the things that you once were. You're not in that control that Kieran talked about. You don't have that level of authority that you had, that sort of positioning through your physicality. And so when you find yourself in bad positions and making bad mistakes and making poor decisions that maybe you didn't 24 months before or 18 months before, players will, sometimes it's a natural thing to try and look to your post and blame elsewhere.

34:11And I don't think it's hard to, I think it's hard to argue, no matter who you are, that Van Dijk hasn't done that this year to a lot of his teammates. We've seen him do it to Kanati, who's made a lot of mistakes. We've seen him do it to Kerkes, who's struggled. We've seen him throw his hands up a lot. And I think that's a consequence of him knowing that his legs are slowing down. And we're seeing it on the other end as well with Mo Salah. And it's unfortunately for Liverpool that those are two of the players that they gave the big bucks to. But those are two of the... I mean, we can talk about Kerkes coming in and struggling.

34:45and we can talk about the midfield. But those are two of the players who are the biggest earners who may have had one of the biggest drop-offs. You know, right, Canati's dropped off as well. But in terms of being a leader and being the goal-scorer talisman up front, you did not expect those two to fall off the cliff like they have. I want to just, if we go to the third goal, Mario, is there any sort of argument here that it's a foul? The third goal, you're talking about the throw-in. Yeah. Like, look, at this moment, when you are that close, you look, we had extra time, guys. You should not even be, you should attack the ball because you know it's going to happen.

35:28Look, and you as, where he's standing, dude, nah, man. Look, okay, that can happen, but you got to go for it. You got to, they bump him a little bit. I don't know if you guys have seen the size of Van Dijk. Listen, I stood next to him a couple of weeks ago. Hey, he is twice the size of me. I don't think anybody can move that guy because he is big. So then how do you explain that happening then, Mario? Your captain is defending. You got back to 2-2. What explains that? How can he not attack the ball as you would expect him to as your talisman? I wanted him to attack the ball. But you know what the thing is, Dan?

36:03I think Van Dijk, like we talked about, like how you guys highlighted certain things. I think there is a lot of responsibility. When the team goes worse, it comes more on his shoulder, even more and more. And I think last season, when you're winning and sometimes have a little dip, it doesn't mind because you know the team is doing well. But now that when the team is not doing well, it's a lot of weight on his shoulder and he has to carry that. And I think sometimes that gets the better side of him because he has to focus on a lot of different things. And then he forgets the things what you expect him to be able to do because of the player.

36:36Like we say, OK, it's slightly less than what he was maybe last season. but he's still for me he's still a good defender and I enjoy watching him but he's got to do those things go and clear that ball you know it's only a couple of minutes left just be brutal and do your job and make sure that everybody knows I'm the captain I'm going to take us out of the heat Anybody see a foul in there? No, it was Curtis Jones was it? It was next time Curtis Jones was marking was it Evan Nielsen? Yeah and he was sort of almost shoveled Evan Nielsen until a little nudge It's nothing more It's a little nudge and then watch what happens when the goal goes in.

37:12Look at the arms up. The arms go up again. If I had a dollar for every time he beat his arms up this season, he wouldn't be sitting here. There's no foul there.

37:19Frank Leboeuf:There's no foul and no attempt to recover at all. And that's the thing for me. Once you get that number of bodies in the box, there is going to be that contact and that nudging. Just ask Arsenal. They do that better than anybody else. So to feel that you're going to get that call every single time and again for me Van Dijk gets a sling nudge and then just shuts off doesn't bother with anything else going on a little bit like the first goal he shuts off exactly it doesn't bother with anything else going around and again you're the captain people are taking those kind of cues off of you if that's what you're doing don't expect anybody else to do any different yeah of course captain who signed a brand new contract who was given what he wanted Kieran to stay to be the captain to be the leader, this would be concerning, isn't it, for Liverpool fans and Liverpool staff?

38:15Slightly, slightly. I think the way Xhaka puts it, I have to agree with him there. I just feel that for him, he's probably looking at it now and saying, OK, we're going to make Champions League. I would think he thinks that they're going to make Champions League. They're not going to go and win the title. and he may have just taken his foot off the gas a little bit after what was a colossal season from him last season. I think the toll that it takes on you to go and win leagues, win Champions Leagues and stuff, I don't see it as so alien that you will have a period of time in the game where you are off the boil.

39:04as it would seem. And I think that that might be the case with him at the moment. So, yeah, I think it could be a concern for Liverpool fans and the club. But at the same time, I can see him reacting to this. And I can see him bouncing back. I think he has that character in him. He has done it before. and those players that develop into world, world-class talents later on in their careers like Virgil did, he's been through many, many things before in order to get to where he's got. He will have the character to turn this round. So I wouldn't be overly concerned if I was Liverpool, to be honest.

39:52I'd be concerned about the top... I would be concerned about Champions League football. Well, yeah. What do you think they live on a consistent run? They were on some smoke and mirrors run before that game. Unbeaten, there was a lot of draws against a lot of poor sides. They did have a good result in Marseille, but as Frank said, Frank Le Boeuf, and they showed Marseille were terrible. Marseille were terrible. And Alisson had to make some saves. I think with the sort of mini-resurgence of Man United, with the possibilities of what might happen at Chelsea, with Aston Villa, with one or two others, and with Liverpool's defensive frailties, there is a question mark about European, certainly Champions League football next year.

40:31And that would be a huge concern if I was Arnley Slott. Because I don't know how that would sit with the board going into next year if they didn't have that Champions League football and the money that comes with that. Newcastle City, Sundan away are their next three games. Just a reminder, ESPN FC has you covered over on our YouTube channel. There you are, there are the upcoming games. Carabag, of course, in the Champions League. because Liverpool are looking to guarantee a place in the top eight. And then those aforementioned matches, Newcastle, City and Sunderland. And then Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

41:04YouTube, as always, is available. ESPN FC, you are the first stop for everything you need to know about what's going on. Not long now until the transfer window shuts, Shaq. It's exciting. He was always open. He's been quiet, hasn't he? He's been very quiet.

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42:39Frank Leboeuf:So you're getting something that actually fuels you. And there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry, chocolate chip, even gluten-free options. Breakfast that delivers. Snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box. Both Mario and Kieran will be back for Extra Time. As always, you can check that out over on our YouTube channel. Be sure to check that out. And in fact, Extra Time is next. Everyone to answer your questions. Stay with us. Thomas Frank been sacked yet?

43:26Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time Craig is here It's like he just appears It's almost like somebody unlocks him from a room or something Right, and then he just appears And then he's here And then he goes away again Back into the room I got all that. Is there room in your room for a Scotsman? Stevie? Well, now that I've heard he's in Orlando in a couple of weeks. I know. I'm trying to lure him in. I'm trying to lure him in. Let's see if there's an extra time question if he wants to hop over and stay with me in Miami. Breaking the cabinet rules of TV here. Do not tell people where I'm going.

44:07Oh, yeah. Why? Because you might get abused there. I'm not off my trip to the panhandle. A few weeks ago. Craig, you're welcome any time, mate. You're welcome any time to Miami. How have you been, Kieran? You all right, mate? Yes, all good, mate. All good. Can't complain. I'm not sweating about the Arsenal at all.

44:27Frank Leboeuf:I was thinking, I want Kieran as my lawyer. That's a problem. Every player who we've criticised, Kieran has come out in a stumbling defence. I know. I was like, oh boy. Did you know that he was Virgil van Dijk's agent? I did not. And Jokeres, apparently. And Jokeres, he loves it. He started off with, I love Jokeres. I know, he's going to come going. Mario, are you in Amsterdam or LA? I'm in Amsterdam. Oh, very nice. They'll get the paper early tomorrow.

45:00We got snow here too. We got snow here too. It calmed down a little bit. It's like Stevie, every time he said something about Liverpool, I remember it used to be, it was always picked up. Yes, it was. He rang them up once, angry about something. It was my fault. Kieran, if Arsenal win the league with their current projected 83 points, which would be the eighth lowest winners total in league history, would they still be deserving? Or fortunate their competitors were also lacklustre, would be the lowest winners points tally since Leicester? No, I can't hear any of this, if they'll be deserving or not.

45:34Of course they will. I think last year Liverpool won it convincingly, but also off the back of people not performing, other clubs not performing. And no one mentioned anything about that with Liverpool last year. So no, I think that it is deserving. I think even for them, they have underperformed this year, even though they're sitting at the top of the table. so you know if they win I think it's just a bad I think it's just a bad year all round to be honest and if I'm being totally honest I prefer watching I prefer watching clubs outside of the top five at the moment you know I like watching Bournemouth I like watching Brighton I like watching Fulham but the top teams I haven't really enjoyed watching let's not have that discussion you went from 7 tell them you went from 7 to 4 I'm worried for him.

46:29From 7 to 4, I don't want it to get too spidey for Arsenal because it will be interesting.

46:34Frank Leboeuf:Yeah. Claires don't care though, do they? No. You just went on the tile. I can't wait for a Crystal Palace film. Come on, Kieran. There you are. Regarding Man U and Carrick, haven't we seen this many times before, Mario? A new manager comes in and does great for about 10 matches then everyone figures him out and it all goes wrong. Why will this time be any different? I think, you know, what he's bringing is like the timing was perfect, right? Because you had a team that was kind of having a manager that wanted to implement so many new things. And I felt like none of the players were kind of locked into the idea of what Omerin wanted to play.

47:17Now you get a new coach, the coach that understands the culture, the history and everything. And he lets players play on the position and give them some freedom and have a certain structure that everybody understands. Great, two good games, but now he's going to play the game, I think it's Leeds the next game that I play. No, that's Arsenal's game. But the next game, what is important, he played two top teams. Two top teams where he can play reactive football. Now he's going to face a team where he has to take charge. And then I want to see what character's team is going to do, because then we have a better understanding.

47:50Because playing against teams that are better than you, it's sometimes easier in the sense of like, I can sit, wait and counter attack. But what are you going to do against a team that are going to sit for you and wait? Mario, another question for you. What's wrong? Just sorted the weekend out. I thought you were moaning because I was going to Mario and not you. What's wrong? No, I'm happy going elsewhere. What are you groaning about? Well, I was just getting up to speed with the weekend. I've bookmarked 10 o 'clock on Saturday. What weekend? Saturday. What's happening 10 o 'clock on Saturday?

48:18Wolves-Bourdes. Oh, there you are. Kieran will be... You can watch it with Kieran over soon. Together, sit there. This is what you want, isn't it? Wow, look at this. What's going to happen to Wilbs?

48:36Mario, how can Odegaard as the captain of the club always be the first player to get subbed off when the going gets tough? Shouldn't the captain be someone that will be there on the pitch for the whole game and inspire the team in difficult situations like Declan Rice? That is exactly, I agree. I don't understand why he takes him off. It's probably because he feels like his team is unstable and he feels like I need to put more energy or more drive in it. But that is your captain. He's supposed to be the guy that leads that line. But that's why, you know, okay, he had the injury, came back. I think he's up to speed now.

49:11So that could not be the task. The only task for me would be is that he then has his doubts and he feels like, okay, I got to secure and maybe close it up a little bit. And don't have... Because Odegaard, what he's good at, he can open things up, but sometimes it can also look very risky. And maybe he wants to take that out and say, like, okay, let me go safe and try to just win the game or play it out.

49:32Frank Leboeuf:Can I have a snarky response to that? You can have a snarky response. Normally that's my job. Except for Odegaard, because Marino's better from set pieces. Oh. If you're a captain of the ship, Shaq... Sorry. The captain of the ship doesn't leave halfway through, does he? No. Goes down with the ship. Absolutely. Doesn't get off when the going's getting tough. Exactly. So you would have Rice as captain? Would you change captains? Does it make a difference who captain is? Surely you need to motivate yourself? I don't think it makes a huge difference, but I would. I think Declan Rice or even Williams to Labour, to me, more in that area, have more leadership skills than Martin Oligar.

50:11No, I mean, you mentioned just then about, is it important having a captain? and I think Mikel has that take that there's different types of leaders. Erdogan might not lead in terms of his voice and character and things like that, but as a player, he's definitely one of the players that drives the team forward and tries to make things happen. So, you know, I think bringing him off, you know, you still have leaders on the pitch. You have Declan Rice, you have Gabriel. I don't really see it as much of a concern, to be honest. To me, the driver... That's my lawyer there. That's my lawyer right there.

50:54Money well spent. He's saving that. Kieran, you have won the white flag. You have won the white flag, my friend. You are honestly... Do you disagree with me? When I come in your way, I'm bringing it. Do you disagree with me? What did you say? Anyone? No, I don't disagree. But I love you. Declan Rice is the guy that drives this team, I think. Right. He's the biggest driving force in what they do from the middle of the park, and what he does on the field. I don't think there's any doubt about that. Do you need a lawyer, Shay? You seem to be in search of a lawyer if you think that's something to a…

51:29Another one. Right. Kieran, this is for you. I get a finger and a till again. Again. I say again. I get a finger and a till in the first place. All those IFAB deals used to go in these dodgy meetings. Ask the next question, Dad, please.

51:46Frank Leboeuf:I've never heard the word till in a long time. It's like Stevie yesterday going, I was looking at my bank book. What's a bank book?

51:58Frank Leboeuf:What was the word? What was the word, Kieran, come over? Oh, I wrote it down, submaximally. Submaximally. What did you call it? I'm out playing submaximately at the moment. I know, when he first came on, I thought... I looked it up. I think submaximal is a word. Okay. I was shocked. Well, yes, I think Kieran did. He would be the best shocked. He just threw that in from nowhere. Okay, Kieran, this is for you because you love him. With reports from ESPN suggesting Arsenal are in a summer move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, does this signal the end of Victor Xhocarez's project? How would Alvarez fit into Mico Arteta's tactical system?

52:42I don't think it's the end of Victor Giocares' project, no. I think he's only been there for a year. We have seen signs. I don't think we haven't seen enough signs. What are you talking about? We have seen signs that he's in contact.

52:53Frank Leboeuf:Just leave my lawyer, Lord, please. If you bring Julian Alvarez. My lawyer's doing his thing. Already, Jesus is starting ahead of you. Once Kai Avertz comes in, he's going to be there at the top of the tree. Giocares is going to be third. You bring Julian Alvarez. Leave my lawyer. Let my lawyer stay. How can he... I object. How can he have such a love for Xhoceres? I think if we go back in the live show, he said when Havertz is fit, I'd have Havertz playing up front. I object. What's going on? What's your first goal on you? No, no, no. I just like him. I would have loved to have played with a player like him, to be honest.

53:30I think he's a bully. I think he's a bully, and I think it's just not happening for him right now. Would you have him or Julian Alvarez? I would have Julian Alvarez purely because he's done it in the Prem. Because of that experience. And we don't have time to wait. It's been a long, long time. So Xhokares will be a bust then? Yes, very sub-maximal. Whatever Elvarez is. Sub-maximally. You look up sub-maximally. Xhokares is a bust. I'm a dictionary. What are we doing with? Some on the back. With the reports that Kane will sign an extension Shaq with Bayern. You did Bayern this weekend. I did.

54:11Frank Leboeuf:And they lost to Osborne. Curse you are. Do you think that he should return to the Premier League instead to see if he can win that elusive league title and break the goal record? He's won a league title. Who's he returning to? A team that's going to win the title. He's fine where he is. Well, he won't get a game at Arsenal for the job.

54:35Frank Leboeuf:Yeah, yeah. No. My short answer is no. Final question for you, Shaka. Your first experience with snow, what was it? Do you remember? Yeah. I went to Canada with my mom, I think. Telling to think when I was, I was probably 14 or 15 years old. It must have snowed in Trinidad and Tobago before. What? You just got Stevie on us. No, what? What do you mean? When's it going to snow in Trinidad and Tobago? Sorry? Why is it going to snow there? That was my question. Well, it's more of a statement. No. Well, yeah, I'm saying, I'm just saying, has it ever... I should have phrased it. No, you said it must have snowed.

55:12Never. I can't get my head... It must have.

55:15Frank Leboeuf:Never. It's the Caribbean. Never in the history of Triantibagal has it snowed in Triantibagal. It snowed in Florida before. Okay. Right. It must have. It snowed somewhere before, so it must snow in Trinidad. Are you telling me, right? Mm-hmm. He's not believing you, Chad. You're not that old, but you're not... How do you know it never snowed? It must have snowed during the antebago. It must have! Do you have to take this seriously or not? No, it's not even come close. Yeah. Well what? No. Really? Yeah. The lowest it gets to, the lowest temperature it gets to in Trinidad is probably somewhere around...

55:56Producer Mike said it's never ever snowed.

55:59Frank Leboeuf:Never snowed. The lowest temperature it gets to in about 17. That's the quickest he's ever looked at, isn't it? I know, we're still trying to find out who Man United are playing next week. That's it. I'm surprised at that, Shaq. I'm surprised that you were surprised at that. Hey, I don't know if the digmer is seriously or not. Oh boy. Shaq, take crack to your country, man, because he needs to fight. You know, different kind of food, give him that. No, I mean, I love the cricket. You know what the way there is down in Trinidad? Pot. Sub.

56:39I bet he never uses that phrase again. I hope he does. I hope he does. Please, Kira. ESPN FC will be back tomorrow to look ahead to those big Champions League games. 16 games all playing at the same time. Who's going to finish him?

56:52Frank Leboeuf:I love them games that were on mid-table. Yes. Yeah. Those games in the Champions League are great. I'm looking forward to Villarreal versus, is it Kairat? It's Kairat, yes. They'll be looking ahead to those games tomorrow. Those are great games. Should we check it out? Mid-table ones. You ready to check? Yeah, I am. You are. Mm.

57:19Two teams, one cup. The primetime stage is set for the TGL presented by SoFi Finals, Los Angeles Golf Club versus Tigers Jupiter Lynx. Keep up. It's playoffs. Tune in Monday, March 23rd, 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2, and Tuesday, March 24th, 7 p.m.

57:34Frank Leboeuf:Eastern on ESPN and on the ESPN app.