Why Arsenal fans should believe | with Ranking Vini Jr, Neymar and Saka | Truth about Pep

0:00Are you really buying a car online on AutoTrader right now? Really? At a playground? Yeah, really. Look at these listings from dealers. Wow, your search can really get that specific. Really? And you just put in your info and boom. Cars in your budget. Mom needs a second, honey. You can really have it delivered? Really. Or I can pick it up at the dealership. One sec, sweetie. Mommy's buying a car. Mommy, look. Uh, I think your kid is walking up the slide. Kyle, again? Really? AutoTrader. Buy your car online. Really? What's your favorite? A boy from Brazil, brought up on the skills of R9 Ronaldinho, is absolutely fine with set pieces, yeah?

0:38I'm absolutely fine when we win games and decide title with this. But obviously I'm not the happiest guy. I prefer to play small game side than do a corner. I prefer. I'm here with the man who's won four Premier League titles and who's probably about to win his fifth. One of the best clubs in the world. I think it's Mikel Arteta. He had a lot of impact, you know. He's played with the biggest names and for the biggest manager in the last decade. That's why he won a lot, you know. He has won a lot and he's still winning sometimes. I hope not this year. Seriously, I just love it when players come to sit down alongside myself and open up like you've never seen before.

1:23I couldn't move for like two or three months. My daughter comes to me, oh let's play daddy. I was like, ah. And then come tears from my eyes. I learned so much about a player who seems to be a little bit misunderstood. So stay watching and you'll get to know the person as well as the player.

1:44Gabi. How are you? Hey. How are you? You good? Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. Thank you for coming, man. You're welcome. No, thank you to invite me. I'm sorry about the delay again. No, no, no, no chance. I'm not really good on social media. Don't be silly. I saw you. Take me back to the beginning. Where did you learn to love football? Obviously, you're from Brazil, from Rio. You grew up in a favela. Yeah. Take me back to those moments. Yeah. I think the love for football comes from my mom's side. Because my dad's side is more like musician and musical and this kind of thing. When I was three years old, my mom gave me one ball, a football ball.

2:27And then since then I just remember that I just keep kicking the ball around in the house, you know, breaking some stuff. That's normal. And then after I saw myself playing in the streets with my friends, and then after I saw myself playing with the big guys when I was like 10 years old, and then I was doing like every year different stuff, you know, football, football, football and then yeah I think begins from that part, you know, when my mom gives a ball and then I just start to kick. Yeah, the love affair starts. I read about you, a military base where you was playing football very early. Tell me about this.

3:09So basically I was playing in the streets most of the time right that's the normal is a typical brazilian uh history and then one friend of mine in in my favela there georgie peri he does he just say oh i know where is it and then let's go there and then i went there and then i started to play there and then calls pequeninos do meambianchi that is uh in a place that is a complex of police that uh there is like a prison you know but there There's one pitch that these people from this team, they rented, basically the owner, he's the coach as well. And then he was like, oh no, I do this to help people that is in the street.

3:54So basically, I think in his mind, he was like, I want to show also to these people, come here, these kids, come play football and see that they will never be there. And also I was in love because this guy was like, oh, I do this for football, but my main target is to help people. He gives like bread with cheese and then some drink. And then most of the kids in that time, they went there to eat, not to play football. So basically this is story about this place, you know, and then they have till today. So that's good. Obviously you're from Brazil. How important are the icons from Brazil? like the guys like Neymar, like Ronaldinho, R9, Ronaldo, etc.

4:39Romario. How important are these guys for the young kids in Juveas growing up? My time, because today it changes a lot in Brazil, I don't know, maybe England as well, you can say better than me. Today I don't really see the same passion that I had when I was a kid, about like the icon, you know. And then when I was growing up, I was like, oh, we play 5 against 5, I'm R9. And then my friends, no, I'm Neymar. Oh, no, I'm Ronaldinho. No, I'm Robinho. No, I'm Kaká. So today I'm not seeing this anymore. Obviously, I'm far from like Brazil. Why? Why do you think? I don't know. I think the internet just runs a lot of things out, you know, like changes a lot.

5:28So I think this patient change and also I never dream to be like a millionaire or billionaire or something like that. I dream to become like a football player. Today is like, oh, I need to help my mom. I need to give the house. So in that time also I think about this. Speaking about Neymar before, just tell us how good this guy is. because I see a lot of people in my eyes, I don't think he gets sometimes the respect he deserves. I don't know about Brazil, but I'm talking in England especially. You've played with him, you've been in squads with him, you know him. What is Neymar like? So as a person, he's one of the greatest person I meet in my career, in my life, because he's such a big personality, you know, like a big icon, big legend in the game as well because of his style.

6:31I treat him as the best player I have played with because actually he is. Because, you know, and then I play with some guys that I can tell here, you know, like better than me. you play, you face them a lot. That is like Yaya, is like Davy Silva, even Kevin, Kun Agregor. And these guys was unbelievable. But we are talking about someone that can do everything. I saw because there is someone that you have trained with, we have played with, and no one know how good it is because only you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. In the training, you feel, you can see, no? So Neymar, not only in the training, of course, training, but in the games, I think the impact, the quality, he can do everything, to be honest.

7:24You know, like obviously it's sad to hear a lot of people talking and being disrespectful with him. For me, Neymar is one of the greatest of my generation. You've even got a tattoo, same as him, have you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. To be honest, I didn't know he had one. I only saw this in the Olympics games that we won together. It was the first one in Brazil's history. And then I saw there and he had it in the leg. And then we had the same. That's mad, isn't it? Well, now it's true because we won and then we did at the same time. Oh, is it? So you have the same tattoos. That's mad. It's crazy, isn't it?

8:02I mean, being a player, the pressure. Talk to me what the pressure is like in Brazil for somebody like Neymar. Brazil, I always felt when I was there for the World Cup. The pressure, I mean, England, we have pressure, but I don't think it's anywhere near like Brazil. It's a lot of pressure because today is like more than 20 years without winning World Cup. Obviously, when we say 20 years, it looks like, wow, but every four years happens. But still, because of what Brazil has done in the past, there's a pressure, obviously. And then such a big country, you know, with a lot of legends in the game.

8:44And then most of them that finish their career, they go to the press and then they talk. Not all of them, but most of them. They talk a lot. They put more pressure and it looks like they've never been in the game. That's what I think is my opinion. So this comes from pressure. For example, you are real Ferdinand. You are legend in England and United. What do you talk about England and United? People at home are seen. They are listening to you because you have been there. You are legend of the club. You know, there's an impact. So sometimes if you are not right and then you don't say things right, you make like millions of people watching you at home and then you say, no, I follow this guy.

9:29And then that's why it's very like, prescient, and there's more pressure in every single way. Do you guys talk about this stuff? Because it's a big thing in the game now, like, where ex-players, like myself and others, they're talking, there are players that do that for Arsenal. Do you guys, does it impact your changing? Are you guys that's going, have you seen this guy, man? How's he talking like this? Like, is this normal? Yes, of course, I think everyone does, no? Like, I can ask the same question. Like on your time, you was in the dressing room and then obviously in the guys that you look when you was a kid, you were talking on the TV about your team or the game, the last game.

10:08You had this as well. Yeah, I would say this as well. Like this guy is chatting shit. What are you talking about, man? So, and the difference is we didn't really get to see the guys. Because I think if I was able to see the guys, if I thought he said something, I think I would be the type of guy who would say, hey, Ros, why would you say this about me? Why were you talking like this? But now the guys are all around the pitch. They're very close to you guys. There's contact all the time. Yeah, I think like you say, there's a type of comments. Everyone that makes it happen knows how difficult it is, how tough it is.

10:41And then if you show me one single player in the road ever who did all the games, perfect. is impossible. There's no one, you know. Obviously, there's like legends, there's like icons, top grade, world class, and then there's the like table, you know. But still, like obviously, when you're being disrespectful with someone, that is like something that we as a player, and then I'm quite sure you as well, and then them as well, they don't agree and they get like mad. I talk about TT because he's someone that everyone looks at it, you know, and then the way he talks impacting the fans. So that's why we also look all the time to him because he's someone that loves Arsenal, for example, and then has been the game.

11:36And then for a lot of people, you can say better than me. He's one of, if not the best ever player here because of the season he did and everything. He has a responsibility. Exactly. And that's why it's good when he talks. That's why I ask. I wasn't criticising him. I just said, I ask. Keep talking because you realise the fans, how tough it is and then it's not easy. You're someone that the fans look at. But just taking it forward to when you left Brazil and you came to England and you came to Man City, Pep Guardiola obviously signed you. What's your first day like when you walk into Man City with Pep Guardiola?

12:22I was 19 and then obviously I was playing the national team already and then I was like starting every game with scoring goals. But still I was playing with these guys in the FIFA because there's no Brazilian teams in the FIFA. Yeah, yeah. So I was playing all the time and I was like, wow, I'm here with Yaya that was playing at Barcelona. And then I watch him a lot because back in the school time, I was like missing school to watch Champions League. Oh, wow. And I watch a lot Barcelona and Yaya was there and then, wow, Yaya Thure, David Silva. What's it like walking into a changing with those big personalities?

13:00Like you say, Yaya, Vincent Kompany would have been there. Yeah, very good. These guys. Very good. If you take it in a good way, you learn a lot. I have learned a lot with them. Not only like football. I think I would say more about how to be as a footballer or even as a person in football than like inside of the pitch. you know, because like I say about I'm so happy that I'm from a generation that play with old people that I took a lot from them, you know, to be respectful with the others, players, you know, and then, yeah, to be there all the time. And then obviously, our city was a mix of like young players with the like old players experience.

13:48And Pep's description of you, I've got it written down here is he said about you, the best striker slash defender I ever found. Was a big part of your game, is a big part of your game, sacrificing yourself. And there's parts of your game that remind me of Samuel Eto 'o, where he's happy to do a job sometimes that is more than just about him. It's just about the team. Is that your mindset? Yeah, basically, like, I want to score goals. I know how to score goals. That's my main target now at the moment, to be more in the box. Is it? Yeah. It's funny you say that, because when we last met and I spoke to you, that's one of the things that we spoke, even when the cameras went off, we were talking and I mentioned to you, like my observations of you, you can do everything because you're one of those guys.

14:33I think the players that play will appreciate you more than even the fans I think because the amount of effort you give But I I and I'm thinking from a defenders mindset if you're everywhere It's more easier for me maybe in some ways But if you're in just around the 18 yard box with your qualities I'm more nervous yeah and i think you can do more and more damage when you're there is that is that so how are you thinking about this yeah i'm just thinking about like okay i can show i can create a lot of problems and chaos you know i think mikko says a lot of uh this before like about me create chaos and then i make people around me better yeah you know because i'm the type of nine that drops and then create something you know and then i'm the type of guy also when i'm in the box i try to create something i try to dribble one two and then obviously uh is much better me being closest to the golden in the half the pitch you know so uh and also we have a lot of amazing players that play in that position then they can give us the ball up there so yeah that's my main focus now you know because at the end goals are important, you know.

15:55But obviously my main target is to win, to win games and then win trophies. And then to win this, you cannot be selfish. I prefer to win a tournament than be top scorer of the tournament. But if I can be both top, amazing. Also, it's about what the team needs. Exactly. I mean, sometimes that's more important than what you need as well. Yes. So it's good. Like back at City, when I played a half season, 16-17, but 17-18, we did everything. We broke all the records because of this, because of the team, you know. And then guys like Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, they wasn't playing. They wasn't playing.

16:39Even Yaya sometimes on the bench and then don't play. Because the team was like, the squad was very big, you know, like. 22 or 23 players that could make the stat 11 every game. So you need to understand your role in the team. And then in City, my role was like, oh, I fight. I'm fighting with the legend of the club to play. And then I still play. I still scoring goals. Today is a lot of difference, no? Back on your day about tactics, about like strikers being defending. I don't think like the strikers in that time was running you, facing you, you know, defending you, no? No, no, no, it's not the same at all.

17:24Like when you lose the ball, the word is transition. So when you lose the ball to switch to defensive mode immediately as attackers, because you're the first line of defense, there's so much more importance now on this than in my time. Yeah. Definitely. So your time was basically more like time on the ball. Oh no. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. For a defender? Yeah, for a defender. Yeah, yeah. Hit the ball, looking around. Because they don't really defend, you know. But it's changed. In 10 years time, he'll be something new, something different. Do you think it's better now or better then? Sometimes I look at the mirror and then I say, you know what?

18:07I think I have been going in a wrong area. Is it? Yeah, wrong area. You prefer to be before? Because I'm more like, if you see my type of playing football, I want to create something all the time. I want to take the ball and then create something. Freedom. Freedom. So obviously, if I have to run and try to defend the back, I will do it. In that time, I will do it as well. But I don't know. Today is just like, it's a lot of things going on, you know. But obviously, I'm not saying today's more hard to play football or before. And I'm not agree with this comparison. And like comparing players as well, I'm not agree.

18:49I don't like this because every single player has your own quality. And then the times as well before in the past. Now is, I think it's just a waste of time comparing. I love comparing. I love it. I love it. You love it. I love it. I love comparing eras and comparing players. Just like with my friends. conversation. Yeah, no, me and my friends, we really fight for this sometimes. Even in the club, sometimes there's some comparison that makes me feel like all my days. Do you know football? That's what I think, you think when you speak to someone, they say, you don't even know football, you play, but you don't know nothing.

19:26But no, I love this. Just to talk about, you're talking about freedom and the past. A lot of people say about Pep, I don't necessarily agree but a lot of people say he doesn't allow the forward players to have freedom what was his instructions for for you as an attacking player he never come to me or anyone like i saw i speak that and say i don't want you to dribble i don't want you to be free but obviously there are some roles that you have to follow like tactical stuff you know but with the ball obviously be creative try everything because there is a lot of people that don't understand there's three parts in the pitch.

20:06That's the defensive part, the middle and the attacker. So why would you dribble in the defensive part? So basically normally he says like in the final third you do your tank. You create, you do and score goals. That's it. So yeah, people think like he don't allow players to be free I'm not agree because I have been there and he never said to me oh I want you to do this but obviously as a nine sometimes I was dropping too much I was going to the side too much and then he says like no I want you to be more in the box you know he seems like he's got specifics he's very specific I saw Kyle Walker do an interview recently talking about he was very specific about certain things like Kevin De Bruyne he wouldn't really want him to turn on the ball even Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield or lower block positions.

21:02Them specifics, give me just an insight because I'm really interested in the way Pep coaches. Is that what would he be saying to someone like you as a number nine Manchester City? To try to be free, like don't be aligned with you because this is not my game. So try to be between the lines and then to receive the bow and then try to receive in the right position. Put your body in the right position and then that's all and then after obviously with the bow in the pens where on the pitch and then where we are try to play simple or try to create something. That's it like nothing more to say you know and then obviously in the training during the week you train, you learn, you teach a lot.

21:53I come from Brazil and then I have seen this with everyone that arrived there from Brazil. Ball comes to the left, to my right foot, receive with the right and then receive and then go. Balls come from there, receive with the left. As a Brazilian that play, I arrived in the academy in Palmeiras at the age of 15 or So, ends of 15 begins 16. So I didn't have a lot of coachings before. So I controlled the ball like this, you know. Oh, your studs, because studs. Yeah, a lot of time. And then he was mad with this. Is he? Yeah. Like what? Because he's so like specific with things that makes like, okay.

22:40And then it was so good. But why no studs? Because like to don't lose time. basically like this and then to to attack quicker to pass quicker to dribble better you know obviously i was controlling with the right foot all the time come from that right foot okay today today i control with left i do everything with the left as well if you don't do it was is he going crazy you're going crazy stop the train stop the train hey hey like i think zinchenko i saw your interviews with Sinchenko. He says once about the training session that he make like bad passes and stuff and he stop the train. Basically, he's this character, you know, that he's so patient that he would like stop the training everyone inside because it's no good.

23:34Wow. That's why he win a lot, you know. He have won a lot and he's still winning sometimes. I hope not this year. What's the single most difficult thing about playing with Pep? So basically he's not someone that you can read, you know. So one time we face your team there, United away or Trafford, Carabao, I think same final. He just creates from nothing Bernardo as a false knight. And then there he starts the false knight thing. And then me and Kun on the bench. What's your reaction to this? Me and Kun just look at each other and say, what's happening here? And at the end of the game it was 3-1 or 4-1, I don't know, for us.

24:19So... You can't speak. You can't speak. But basically there, I think one thing that is tricky with him is like this, you know, you never know if you play or not. No matter what. Obviously there's a few players that normally play every game, but like attacking players, they can change a lot. That's good as well. We have won a lot there because of this. He gives opportunity, he gives trust as well in other players as well, not only their status. This is important to win. I always say this, it's not the 11 players who win, it's the 22 players that win, 24. And that's what happened at Arsenal. My first season at Arsenal, we have a few players that normally can make the start 11, but others not.

25:13So today if you see the squad is top. Every position you can have someone that can impact the game. If you see there's one he starts that we are the most in the prime team that the bench players come on and impact the game. So that's a good thing to have you know that shows that we are in a good way. We have a lot of different type of players and then obviously Arteta knows this and he's doing well with this. We'll get to Arsenal in a minute, don't worry. I know you can't wait to get to Arsenal. A player who interests me massively because he was a big part of your your success at Manchester City, Vincent Kompany.

25:59Did you see him becoming a manager immediately? And have you been impressed with the way he's dealt with things, especially at Bayern Munich now? Yeah, yeah. He's someone that you walk into the dressing room and you see him on the laptop doing football stuff. He was a player? Yeah, he was like this at the end of the last two years. He was like in the train, coming to London to play against someone. He was on his laptop doing like football manager. So I knew straight away. We know. We knew it, everyone. So he's a type of guy also very good. One of the greatest captains and players I have, defender I have played with in my career.

26:49Because he's someone that at the same time he comes to you and then kills you with the walls and everything. After the training he comes to you and says, look, it's all about football. It's all about on the pitch. I want to get you better and then I want the team to do better. And then so you come and say, wow, that's good. So that's why I talk about before about like, I'm so glad that I have played with someone that from your area. Unfortunately, we didn't play together. You love to. No, I would as well. I always say about this, there's certain types of players that I said before that I know that as a player I would appreciate more playing with.

27:31I think you would be one of them 100 % because you're more than just a number nine, more than just the goals. There's so much more that comes with it. And the respect that players have for those players is always, I always think, is different. Did you have someone at United in your time that no one appreciates that he deserves? Like put himself there in training? Two players. Michael Carrick was amazing. With the ball left and right, like you say, he take the ball. The way that it's written in the paper to receive the ball is him. Touch, bang, touch, bang. But always available. When I have the ball, if I'm in trouble, he will always, I look up, he's the first guy I will see.

28:12He's there. And also defensively, he wasn't the guy like, say, Fernandinho or these type of guys who's to slide and he's just his position in intelligence will stop the pass so the pass never come by he doesn't look on on the eye no one has seen him defend yeah but i know yeah yeah this this type of and a guy uh park jisong the korean guy i know this guy i know i play a lot of fifa with you guys so i know all the players so that's like him wow like this guy i've never seen a guy run like this guy and as well to receive the ball for the the left back or the right back when he played in front there these guys played better because his movement to receive the ball is amazing and then defending it was an unbelievable player and he scored big goals yeah so yeah this is this is why i say to you i know the type of player you are and how you would be appreciated within the dressing room because i had the couple of these guys yeah so uh yeah no these guys were were great it's It's quite similar to Bernardo Silva and Gudoga.

29:15Yeah. Even Fernandinho. Yeah. They are the type of players that only who train every day in the dressing room, you know how good they are. Like Bernardo, you can give him the ball anywhere. Yeah, yeah. I saw this guy. I love him. This guy, I love Bernardo Silva. And then also, I swear, he's on my top three best, like… You played with? Player, no, but person. Okay, cool. Is he, yeah? Incredible. Ah, that's good. This guy, I watched him play at Stamford Bridge once, holding midfielder. Yeah, no, he's... The best player on the pitch. Crazy, and then he plays eight, then he plays ten, then he can play wide, he's like...

29:51But this is intelligence. Yeah. Football intelligence. But just coming on to Arsenal, how important is Mikel Arteta? A lot, a lot. I mean, like, he changed. He completely changed the dressing room, the club, direction, everything. If you see when he started at Arsenal, till now you can see the amount of things change, you know. So, yeah, to become like from fighting for maybe play a proper league, because that time it was in conference here, to come like three years in a row in the second, you know, same final of Champions League, you know, without playing Champions League for six, seven years, we are talking about Arsenal, you know.

30:37So I think he's the main person that makes this happen, I think. Are you seeing any similarities between your previous time at City and that squad and the way the environment was to what you're seeing now at Arsenal? No, really, not a lot. A few things, yes. Yes, but like I said before, there was like a mix of like 10 or even more than 10 players that are very experienced. I mean like more than 32 years old, but still like, okay, I want it. And then today Arsenal is more like young players and then obviously they never won the Premier League before, but it's coming, I hope. And then everything will change.

31:24For me, at the moment, we win the first Premier League, everything will be much easier because the pressure is still there, you know. Did you think that? Yeah, because I say this, I think that if you guys win the Premier League, which I think you will, I think we'll see a different, even a different, a new Arsenal. I have been in a city like this, you know, and then you won, I don't know how many, but a lot of Premier League. I think that after the first one was just like easy, you know, for you guys. It's different because I joined a team that knew how to win. Yeah, it's true. It's different.

31:56So it's different. But for me personally, it was like, I relaxed. And I think that will be like with the guys in Arsenal when they win it. Because it's pressure. Like you say, it's hard to win. It's very difficult to win it. But when you win the first one, as a squad, I think you guys will be able to. Because I think you can tell me if I'm wrong. But I feel at the moment you guys are playing a little bit like this at times. In the Premier League because it's pressure. It's hard. the importance to win so many years. But when you win it, the following season, you'll start to be more as a team like this.

32:29I mean, like the club deserves, Mikko deserves a lot because it's not easy to be in charge of this project, you know. And then after the last three years, being second, imagine his head, you know, and then obviously the players, you know, the staff. Is that in your mind now when you're playing? Do you sense that in your squad a little bit like? We finished second a couple of times and we've been brilliant. I think all the three times in this period, like let's say February to end of the season, it starts something that stays on our heads. You know, remember the game against Villa last year. So this keeps coming.

33:12Like the other day we draw against Wolves. And then obviously, with all my respect, but they are both of the season. we are top of the season. Normally we shoot to win this game and then we draw the way we draw and then obviously we start to think about but it's something that Mikko is very helpful with the team. What does he say after? So after Wolves, what's the conversation like in the change room after Wolves knowing that you have the memory of the past bad moments? We as a player we stand and and then we talk. So it was quite an emotional situation because it was very good talk, the players.

33:52And then after, obviously, he's the boss and then he goes in charge and then he says some words. But basically, I think it's more than him, you know what I mean? Like, I think the players need to talk more, to take more ownership because obviously he passes us the tactics, he passes us everything and then on the pitch it's about us, to take chances to play more free, but obviously it's not easy. But still, I think it's more down to players than to the coach sometimes. Yeah, I agree. Who are those players that speak very vocal? Oh, Declan, he speaks a lot. He's a proper, no, he's a different captain than Martin.

34:37Martin is more like he speaks, but he's more like very professional and then a magician with the feet. He's more technically a leader. But Dek is like because I play with company and then I play with David. So it's the same. So company is the leader that talks, encourages you with words and everything, but David... And Dek is a company version. Yeah, yeah. So Declan is the one that talks a lot.

35:12And Gabi Magalhães as well, he talks. Martin also, Bukayo. Bukayo, sometimes I joke with him because he starts to talk now and then he's a good thing. I see him wearing an armband now. Exactly. And then he comes from the academy. In a couple of years, he will be the legend of the club. So he started to talk as well. Jurian, he talks. Davi Raya, he talks a lot as well. Oh, good. Merino. I always think the best teams I played in didn't have one captain. Yeah, that's good. They had many. That's why Mikkel, he has like a group of captains. So that's good, you know, that you share like leadership and then that's good.

35:58But more than this, I think every single player needs to understand that we are there to win, we are there to make impact. Look, it's not easy for me to be on the bench and sometimes play zero minutes. But still, I'm going to get mad, right? Because I want to play. But at the same time, I'm happy the team win. I'm happy who is playing in my position, scoring goals. And then I'm happy if I have a chance to play, you know. So I understand this. I have won tournaments playing a lot of games. and then I have one tournament playing not as many I played before. So it's the same taste, you know. Right, man, we've got loads still to come right on this pod, but we'll be back shortly after this.

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37:48How much is it Mikkel running in the dressing room opposed to the players running in the dressing room? I think he does much more, much more. I think, like I say, we as a player, I think we need sometimes to step forward and then further. And then he speak more, take more on the ship. I think sometimes it's needed. Like sometimes it's needed to take one ball and then try to create something. He cannot do this. He can't give us the tactic. He can't give us the information. He can train us, but he cannot go down and play for us. Sometimes it's needed that we step forward and just to create something.

38:31And then obviously, like I said before, depends on where in the pitch. football is not only like 90 minutes and one. No, it's like small details in 90 minutes. So it's like short game in a big game, like a lot of short games in a big game. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's a good way to look at it. We just spoke about him, Declan. Talk to me about Declan Rice because you can see it in England and he's very well thought of. But you train with him every day, you're there, you see him. How good is Declan Rice? He's the type of player that can do everything. And then when he arrived at the club, I said to him, just do a favor for me.

39:13Every time you get the opportunity, shoot outside of the box. Because this can decide you again or the direction of the game. If you shoot from, I don't know, long distance, you score goal, you're open. Like I had this situation with company. It's not the same quality shooting, but he just tries to shoot. He scored 1-0 Leicester. Yeah, crazy. We win the league. So I say to him because his quality to shoot is amazing. But he's the type of player who can do everything. Like you look and say, oh, this guy can defend, this guy can create, this guy can shoot. He's an amazing player. I know you don't like to compare, but you played with like Rodri.

39:57No, it's different. Yeah, it's different. What's different? Well, he's playing as an 8 now. From Rodri and Fernandinho, he was more 6 all the time. But I can compare him a little bit with Fernandinho. So I think Fernandinho defended better than him, obviously. But I think Fernandinho also had a very good shooting from distance. but Declan is more like, I don't know, the way he runs, you know, we call him a horse because actually when he starts, he cannot be stopped. So yeah, he's amazing, man. Is Declan's character as important as his ability, do you think? Yeah, I think so, yeah. Sometimes I come to him and say, Deke, look, because I'm the type of guy, I don't go like everyone here.

40:58I go in front of you and say, I go like after. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I came to him and say, Deke, look, the way you react and then the way you speak impact everyone here because you're such a leader. You're born to be a leader. And then just be careful with your reactions. because he's like me. Emotional. Yeah, emotional. I'm emotional. I react. If you see me reacting that way, it's because I'm emotional. So I learned this, you know, to try to react better in certain things, you know, even with me, myself, if I miss a pass, if I miss a goal, you know, before I was like, the next five minutes, I'm miles of it.

41:43You know? But now, no, I miss a goal. Let's go. After the game, I think about it. So he's the type of guy that he explains a lot with his emotion. And then this is a good thing. For me, it's a very good thing. You know, he's very honest guy as well. So I appreciate him as a player and as a person as well, as a leader, the way he talks, you know. Talking of emotion and showing emotion all the time. Another player you mentioned, Sakar. He's very different in that aspect. Yeah. He's one of those players who I think whether he's going really well or it's not going well, very much he looks and feels the same.

42:19He's very good. He's very good. People don't realize how good he is. But obviously, he's the type of player that needs the ball, you know. You are not going to see him dribbling like five players and score goals. You can see because he has this quality, but it's not his main quality, style. But at the same time, he can pass you and then put the ball in the top corner. And he wins you a game or a trophy because he's that good. So yeah, I used to say to him like, B, you know what? You have to have the ball on your foot all the time. I mean like, same with Martinelli, same with Tosa, Noni as well.

43:03You know, these guys, they need to be like on the ball. So the way you build to give the ball to these guys like 10 times, 15 times, 20 times, I don't know. but these guys needs the ball, you know, like Ebs. Ebs is the one that I think last week or last two, three weeks, he's a little bit pissed off me, maybe. No, in a good way, because I say to him all the time, look, you at least 20 times you need the ball on your foot per game. And you're saying what you got to scream for the ball and tell people. Yeah, tell people, scream. If they don't pass you, tell him to pass. and then not dropping there.

43:50This is the whole midfielder world, to build and then to give the attacking players the ball, you know. And then I keep saying to him every day now, before the game, I say, look, I'm counting, huh? Because he's that good, you know. Because when you see someone that is so good and then he's not having an impact or doing well, you want to help, you know. and I'm this type of guy, you know, I want to talk. You're behind pushing them. That's good. Just on Saka, you've played with obviously some of the best wingers in the game today, like in the Brazilian squad, you have like Rodrigo, you have Vinicius, etc.

44:30Rafinha, these guys. Where does Bakayo sit with those guys? Oh, in the same table. In the same table. They are all the same. Obviously, we are talking about like momentum. Different styles and stuff like that. styles but they all have their qualities and they had the impact in one moment big one so Bukayo is there as well obviously when you you still need to win trophies but this he'll go and then I'm so like modern teammates I'm a big fan of Bukayo's personality because this this guy is so humble strong as well personality and he's strong but so humble man I know his father his mom and I say wow well done because this guy's so humble because today in football is it's not something that is easier to be like you see someone that come from Academy and then being so big in team in the club or in the team or in the football and then he stayed the same so him I said to him wow it's quite unique I think yeah I look at him that's one of the things that stands out for me other than his obvious ability and stuff but he's just as a human he looks like the right type of human.

45:48He's amazing guy yeah and then I saw him talking with the kids you know like in the academy in the gym because we use the same gym sometimes so this is good because they look at him you know up to him and say oh I want to be soccer so that's good. Another one the academy might be wanting to be soon is Max Dallman. How like you've been there that's why I was happy to speak to you as well. These little things, I love these conversations about who's coming, the next guy. Yeah. This guy, he announced himself. Not how good is he or how good he can be. What is he? What type of player is he? What do you see?

46:25He's the type of players that he's very, very good on the ball. On the ball, he's very good. To take the ball from him is really hard. And then he can play wide or through the middle. So that's a good sign as well. And then he's strong man. He's strong. He's very strong. A proper, I think he's a proper English player. Like let's say Jack, he's strong and good on the ball. Obviously I'm not comparing, I'm just saying like English like, strong and good on the ball. And then he's a killer as well in training. Like Ethan. Ethan. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. He's I tell you, he's a killer in front of the goal.

47:12He's a killer. Incredible. We play a D-zone game, you know, like someone, the coach have the ball and then play to one player. Edge of the box. Edge of the box. Yeah. And then my guy, Ethan. Who? Ethan Nannoueri? Ethan is the best I have seen. No way. Out of 10, nine goals or 10 sometimes. Wow. So he's a killer. And then Max is the same like tank in front of the goal. Plus, he's very strong and hard to take the ball from him. So we can see, I think we are seeing someone that in the next couple of years, he'll be there. But obviously, depending on the way he takes the tank, his family, the club, the momentum, this depends.

48:00but at the moment what I see is that someone that have a brilliant uh photo ahead. It's crazy I mean that you was around Foden when he came through. Yeah. You've been probably around with the national team with uh Vinicius, Rodrigo, Hendrik. No Hendrik not much but we we come in from the same academy. Okay yeah Palmeiras. Foden was unbelievable. Yeah yeah Foden was. How? How? Like, if you, if you, okay, I know you don't like comparing. Okay. But Foden you say was unbelievable when he came through. Where, where does Max Daumann sit with him? Now you've seen him at close as well. Max says he's still 16.

48:43He started with last 15. I told you before, when I was, I tell him, I say, wow. Me 50, I was playing the streets yet. I didn't make it yet. It's crazy. You 15, you are playing Champions League. Premier League. It's crazy. And I asked him after they go, he scored. I say, how was the score today? Because it was Sunday and then Monday I say, how was the school today? You asked him this in the training? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he was like, no, I'm going later. I say, oh, okay. Because in Brazil it's impossible. If this happens, it's impossible to go to school. It's impossible. Oh yeah, the people were too much to the fans.

49:23Yeah, yeah, it's impossible. So he's very good. Max, very good. And he's there. He's there. He's there. Definitely he's there. Listen, I can see you smiling, your back fit and everything. But listen, I just want to take you back to some moments where it wasn't so enjoyable. You've had injuries. Just talk me through what it's like for a professional footballer when the team is playing and you're having those dark days and dark moments. Take us back to the emotion, what you was feeling then, please. Well, it depends on the way you take it. I then, as everything in my life, took some moment to learn from it.

50:03And then obviously, because through the tough moments, there is, if you take it in a good way, there is a crucial moment that can define your life. because you can see who actually is with you, who is the people that loves you, and then they stay with you no matter what. My wife, I appreciate her, and then I hire her so much more now. I was already, but now so much more. And also... Because of what, the support? The support, the calmness, the everything. The way in the tough moment she looks after me, after my daughter, you know, and also plus she was pregnant. So it's not easy. And then today.

50:54Because you couldn't move. I couldn't move for like two or three months. No, two months. I couldn't move. And then my daughter comes to me. Oh, let's play daddy. I was like, and then come tears from my eyes. Because, you know, I've been there. so it's tough it was tough and then that's why like i think was more like this i i was like i'm missing football but you know what i take this as an opportunity time to learn about like life about like my lifestyle uh the thing that i need to prioritize more you know so have you change even things like your food and your nutrition and stuff like that a lot so basically i did this surgery one week after i got injury because helps the doctor say and the williams and then um i sit down with my wife obviously the the nutrition tone from arsenal he sent me all the details but i sit down with my wife and say look uh we need to do this every day the food As a family?

52:04But like she comes to me and then say like, okay, I help you. And then I change my nutrition, my food. And for like three months, four months, I was eating like very good. I mean like no sugar, nothing. Wow. I mean, bad sugar, you know. I wish you could tell this to Anderson. Remember Anderson who played for Man United? I wish you could tell. I played against him. Is it? In Brazil when I was there, he was in international. Oh, he loves sweets? We can tell. Straight away we can tell. Ando, see, even your Brazilians, your guys, they know. No, no, he's a great guy. He's an amazing player now. He was like the golden bull when he came to United for the young player in the world from Porto.

52:49But he had a bad knee. And that's my point. He had bad injuries on his knee and he had maybe one or two, maybe more, operations again when he was in United. But I think this was the killer for him is that in the time of injury, just understanding that some things in life need to change. He didn't see that. And this is a shame because his talent was crazy talent and a great guy as well. Really good guy. Funny guy. So yeah, I changed, I changed my sleep as well. It was very, very, very important. Are there moments when you're down like that? Is there moments where you think, I don't know, how am I going to get out of this?

53:28For like one week, I was like two weeks, I was like, oh my days. But thanks God that I talk about my wife because she helps me a lot. And also I will always have my faith in God, you know. You, yeah? Yeah, I always believe in Jesus. But I wasn't a Christian, you know. I wasn't like someone that really did. No, I always believed, but I never was the guy that read the Bible every day. But I pray and then I thank God every day. And then I understand in that time that I have to do better with this because it's what I trust, what I believe. And then I start to do like, they study to get baptismal. I don't know how to say it.

54:21Baptized. Baptized, yeah. I always say it's hard, baptized. Yeah, baptized. Yeah, baptized. Well done. Thank you. It's hard to say some words. My Portuguese is worse than your English. Don't worry. You're doing well. So, and then I studied and then, yeah, I got and then everything changed. And then, yeah, and then I knew in that time it was so important to do it, you know, and then I knew in that time it was God. God stopped me for one reason. and I started to think in this way and then yeah, I was happy. You know? Which is crazy man. It was one of the most happy times in my life and then I was injured.

55:02It's crazy. Wow. It's really crazy. That's mad that is, isn't it? It's mad because I love to play football but 11 months without playing football and then it was one of the best moments in my life. So it changed you? change change complete change and plus obviously I my daughter and then my wife was pregnant and then I could be with with her during the last three months of pregnancy so and then after as well because when my daughter burns here in London after one day I fell to national team straight away so for like two weeks This is the life of a footballer. You know, so I took this. I missed the birth of one of my kids.

55:51You see? Even worse. Because the semi-final against Man City. I missed. I drove back. We had a semi-final against Man City. My wife called at maybe, I think, midnight, 12 o 'clock in the night. Woke me up. I think the baby's coming. I think the baby's going to be coming. I get in the car. The driver drives me all the way back. I got there five minutes late after the baby was born, killed me. I drive back and you play the game. We lost. Thanks, Man City. So yeah, this is the life of a footballer, ups and downs. But you need resilience. And that's what I think what impresses me about you, the resilience that you've shown.

56:35Now you've returned after this 11 months. You've seen it for a different light. You made a positive out of a very negative situation. and I want to talk about the Arsenal mentality that leads me to that, is that you come here to win titles and Arsenal are often perceived as being a soft touch and that seems to have changed now. You guys are seen as a tough team to play against, hard. Obviously it's Mikko, you know, because he changed everything. Like I said, we said before, like he came in a moment that was tough and then to see the way we play, the situation we have now that we can win titles.

57:16You know, we are one of the best clubs in the world, team in the world. So I think it's Miquel Arteta. He had a lot of impact, you know. There's a guy on your coaching staff who I played with, Gabri Hines. Yeah. What's he like? How is he? Because when he played, I'll just tell you how he was like, he was a crazy guy. funny guy he's a good he's a good to know yeah yeah tell me he's a good thing he was crazy funny guy yeah he didn't speak a lot of uh english but if something happened and he wasn't happy gone i remember i'll see we he tried to fight with working one time he tried to get to him but everyone was in the middle it didn't happen but he's a very hot guy you know he's a very uh you can see the red mist quickly but what's he like now as a coach i think he's still a little bit there.

58:05He's a very good guy. He's a very good guy, very honest, you know, patient a lot, a lot, a lot. That's good because I am as well. And then I think he's emotional as well. But he's an honest guy. That's good, you know. And then he comes to help. And then he, as a defender, as someone that was in the game and then we are talking about someone that won things and then was in national team, World Cup, United in a great team. So he understands a lot and he has learned about it. So yeah, he comes to help a lot and look to our defensive line, you know, what do we do? So it's his face, you know, so yeah, it's a very good thing to have him there.

58:55Yeah. And just to talk about, I can't have you sitting here as an Arsenal player. You're going to win the league and set pieces is a big part of that. And I think you guys have had some unfair criticism in this department because it's a set piece. And if you play within the rules, sometimes you can massage the rules a little bit, but you do what you have to do to win. What's it like in the Arsenal changing when you see people criticizing you about set pieces and the way you approach them? We love. It's true, we love. These shows means that sometimes, honestly, with all my respect, you know, I know my place, but sometimes people are just like, wow.

59:36Like, why? Why? Sometimes I think, since I joined Arsenal, I think most of the people outside, they hate Arsenal. I don't understand why, but this looks like, because you can say like, Arsenal didn't play good today, but they won. That's it. There was a lot of games happens like this when he was playing that. We didn't play good, but corner, you go 1-0. Three points, home. People forget. Forget, exactly. Yeah, people forget that. And most of the people, that's why I take, I keep saying about who is with the microphone on TV, in screen because people at home sometimes they don't have time to watch the game.

1:00:20They're just listening to that. They listen or they check the results after. And then they say Rio there, oh no United play so bad I don't understand why they keep scoring goal from set pieces. This guy he'll say oh Rio you're right I keep following you and then I put my rate. Influence. Exactly so we love We love, man, because we're winning the games. Obviously, we don't want to win 5-0 every game. It's scoring like one set pieces. One set pieces for sure. But four goals, unbelievable goals. Tic-tac or Nomegs or forever. Three being passed to the keeper. Everyone wants. But sometimes, man, Premier League, the toughest league in the world, sometimes you cannot win.

1:01:09This is a good thing, very good thing. You have a lot of ways to win a match. It's a good thing, it's not bad. So a boy from Brazil, street football, brought up on the skills of R9 Ronaldinho, is absolutely fine with set pieces, yeah? I'm absolutely fine when we win games and decide title with this. But obviously I'm not the happiest guy. I prefer to play small game side than do corner. I prefer, every day. So in training, how much are you doing set pieces? We do a lot. We do a lot. That would kill me. But like I said to you, like everyone, even the coach, even Nico, we love him. He knows sometimes players want to do like finishing drills.

1:01:57I don't know, 1v1, 2v2 or small side games. And then do like free kicks and set pieces, man. But it's important. Wins you a tournament, wins you a game. This never changes, I think, even in our era. If a manager said set pieces, it's like, okay, you do it. But we never had, we never done it a lot in my clubs. But again, I understand. And if it's going to help you win the league, so I keep saying, if it can help you win the league, who cares? You guys are not going to care. Even to defend. Yeah, yeah. Like, I think sometimes you'll see like, I don't know the stars. But if you see Arsenal is the lowest to concede as well.

1:02:40That's a good or bad thing? Yeah, it's good. I would be happy if I'm a defender, if I'm Gabriel or if I'm Saliba and the guys. So if you can score, how many, I think there's a stats that is unbelievable. The World Cup, because I'm saying World Cup, because it's the biggest tournament in football history. So how many titles decide by this set pieces? I mean like the game is so difficult and then set pieces go and then open. Yeah, that's true. So it's important, but as a Brazilian, as a street guy, football guy, who loves to watch beautiful football, sometimes obviously it's not good. It's annoying me, but it's what it is.

1:03:23You have to do it. If you get this, you don't care. At the end, yeah, one more. And I hope I get one more. So how confident are you, before we finish, that Arsenal will be lifting the Premier League trophy this season? Very confident, very confident because we are in a good place and then we have amazing score. Not only like who play a lot of games, but score. Like me, like obviously the last few games I haven't been playing a lot, but still I know myself and then I know Mikkel knows this. I can, I can, so earn and then I can decide a game or I can play one game and then I still can decide a game.

1:04:02you know and with me is the same with Leo is the same with Bukayo is the same with Noni it's the same with Martinelli so V, Kai I'm saying about the attackers so it's good if you see our attacking players is amazing you have big big depth in your squad so it's good so I believe I believe 100 % that this is how we are doing something. So lastly, five-a-side team. We always do it. No goalkeepers because goalkeepers, they don't count. Yeah. Give me a five-a-side team of the best players that you played with. It's hard. I start with Thiago Silva. I told you. I said to the editor, the producer behind the camera, Thiago Silva will be the team.

1:04:49Thiago Silva. So Thiago Silva and Dani Alves together. Oh, Alves. How good is Alves? Sorry Kyle Walker, you were amazing, but yeah, Daniels. Kyle Walker as well, yeah. He's top, he's top. Different, isn't it? Different, but amazing. So, Thiago, Daniels, it's okay. I might have Marcelo, man. Marcelo? I cannot be like three defenders, you know? Well, no, I put Thiago, Neymar. Cool. Coutinho. Talk to me, just tell me about Coutinho, because we haven't spoken about him. How good is Coutinho? To get in your team, he's got to be some flag because David Silva, Gundogan, Rodri, all these guys. Yeah, it's crazy.

1:05:37To be honest, it's crazy, one. It's hard to say that. He's amazing players, you know. It's hard. What was so great about Coutinho? Him is the type of player that he keeps the ball. He's short plays, a magician, and his shooting. I'm saying about this, like, for example, David Silva, in Europe, he's the best player I have played with, right? In Europe, we are talking about European players, no Brazilian players. David Silva, unbelievable. But, like, I think Coutinho has more, like, quality to finish the action, like, score goals. So that's why I go to Coutinho, but I could say David Silva all day, easy.

1:06:19That's why it's, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think if I ask you, you do straight away, but it's hard. So I go from to like to complete each other in the game, you know, and then five sides is not a normal game. So it's short. So I go to Coutinho and then Kun. I put Kun. Just on Kun, what was his super strengths? He can attack your back, he can keep you on his toes. You play against him. He's one of the best up-hide games, one of the best. Top five. Yes, exactly. So he can finish in, like there was one game against Chelsea. He missed a tap-in from like half a meter. Tap-in, no goal, he missed.

1:07:08Next action, give me the ball from outside, top corner. Yeah. Hard trick this game. So this, you never know. You know him. So he's the type of striker that he can miss chances, but he can score like three easy. Yeah. That's what I think as well. If he misses a chance, it does not affect him. No. Zero. And you know as a striker, when you miss a chance sometimes everyone looks... I have learned this. I have learned this. Yeah. In the past I punished myself a lot, but now I'm okay with this. Like, I know I'm going to miss some chances, but I know at the same time that I need to, I train to get better, to don't miss any.

1:07:50But football, you know, is a normal world. This is normal. So, Thiago, Coutinho, Neymar, Kuhn. Ah, normal. I change, I change. Can I change? Yeah, change. Thiago, I go only one. Thiago can defend everyone. I don't mind. So Tiago, Neymar, Coutinho, Kuhn and Yaya. I knew Yaya was going to be there. When you think of Yaya, what do you think immediately? Powerful with quality. You know, like at the same time, he can run like big distance. At the same time, he can play short. He can not make you, makes you, you know, He can score free kicks, penalty. I never see him missing one penalty. Never. And the way he takes the free kick is funny as well because he goes, you know, and then so powerful.

1:08:54Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, yeah. I don't know. Five side is hard. I change a lot. No one knows my five side, yeah. No, no, it's a good five side. Thiago, Neymar, Coutinho, Kun Aguero, and just behind in the number 10. Yeah, yeah. That's it. Good. Well, Gab, listen, man, I really appreciate your time. Always good to see you, man. And good luck. Stay injury-free. And good luck with the title. Amen. Thank you. I appreciate it. Nice to be here with you, you know. Such a legend in the game, you know. So, yeah. Thank you so much.

1:09:46We'll be right back. And of course, the drama. Can the US make it out of the group stage and into the spotlight on the biggest stage? World Cup Daily. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch full episodes on YouTube.