Arsenal go six points clear as Saka and Gyokeres inspire win over Fulham

22:46He's only the third player in the Premier League era behind Thierry Henry and Alexis Sanchez. And some of the cases you're going back, it's like Joe Baker in the 60s, Malcolm McDonald in the 70s to look at players who've scored more than 20 goals in all competitions in their debut season. And Ian Wright up there with 26. That is incredible company for Victor Jokeres to be keeping. It would be good company because it's at Arsenal. Yeah. So, you can imagine they're going to be good players. They're going to be good players, the play centre-forward for Arsenal. And, yeah, but as you said before, they've won, what, four points or two points?

23:22Well, five now, yeah. Five points, which, yeah, that five points could win it. But, yeah, I'm one of them. I'm a big man on first goal, equaliser. You know, some of them goals might have been equaliser. Significant goals as well. But he's won them five points now, three points today, added to the two that he'd won them earlier on. But is that what he was brought in for? Was he brought in maybe to turn the draws into wins against lesser teams? Or was he brought in for the big moments against big teams in big crunch matches? I personally thought he was brought in to be like he was today, running the channels, holding up, winning his duels.

23:59So a different option. Yeah, and taking pressure off the centre-halves. because sometimes when you go away in this grueling league, it's constant. Sometimes you get a team and it's just wave after wave and you need that centre forward who's going to get it down the channel. We might nick a throw on and people go, oh, he's won a throw on. But that throw on wins you the centre arse coming up, giving them a breather. They get a rest and it alleviates the pressure. And that was, I don't think he's been as winning so many duels as what I thought he would today did. and he's playing against two big physical centre forwards, in my opinion, probably two of the most physical around, in my opinion, that light that battle.

24:39And I thought he was amazing today. I really did. Credit where credit's due. He was very good. The other player that you were really impressed with was Myles Lewis-Skelly, who you said set the tone for Arsenal early on. And he joins us live from the Emirates now. Myles, hello. Thanks very much for joining us. Thank you. Thank you guys for having me again. Miles, I know you're going to say it's too early for this to settle anything, but it must feel a lot nicer being six points clear at the top. Yeah, honestly, I feel like, you know, we have three finals left now. So every day we try to stay in the moment as a team and take every game as it comes.

25:16And we go into every game, you know, wanting to play with that intensity, that joy. And we feel like when we take care of that, you know, our quality will shine through. and today it was a great example of that. When did you get the heads up that you'd be playing in midfield? Oh, well, to be honest, just in the change room before the game. So, you know, when I saw the team sheet, I was like, I had to scratch my head a little bit. But inside I was buzzing. But yeah, I'm just, I'm glad for the manager and the team for putting their trust in me. But you've got background in that. I mean, that's where you played before you broke into the Arsenal first team.

25:49Yeah, that's, you know, I learned my trades and it felt so natural out there just playing freely and just being the best version of myself. So, yeah, it was really, really special for me today. Myles, Jamie, read that. Paul and I were talking about how good you played. Obviously, I had a chat with you last week where you had a sort of 10, 15-minute cameo in midfield. And today, to get that start, you started the game really well. Your first couple of touches, everything seemed to be really calm from your perspective. Did you get that feeling and you really grew into the game? I think you made 74 out of 76 successful passes, which is obviously a great return as well in there.

26:28Yeah, you know, for me coming into the game, I had to make sure that we take the energy from the crowd and every action, we make it a good one. So, you know, it was important for me to go into that first duel, that first action positively and just carry on that momentum during the game because, you know, when you start feeling confident and you start to play simple from the start, it really, really helps. Miles, talk to us about that first goal. A set piece, a variation of one anyway. You had a big part to play in it as well. Yeah, it's something that we work on in the training ground. Just being aligned together as a team.

27:05I feel like it was important that we all had that alignment together. And the quality, when we get into positions like this, we allow to express ourselves and the quality to really shine through. So, yeah, good team goal. Happy with that one. Myles, Paul Merson here. First of all, well done. But how pleased are you to be given a chance in midfield? Coming through the academy, playing in midfield, you hear things about you. You're a midfield player and you have to go and play left-back where you was amazing. Then you find yourself out the team. How pleasing was it to come in there and show what you can do in midfield?

27:39Because I thought you were absolutely outstanding today. Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Paul, for that. Yeah, honestly, it was just coming in and making sure that I'm the best version of myself. That's something that I don't take lightly, you know, before the game, you know, recover, recover, right, eat well, sleep well. So, you know, control all my controllables. And, you know, when you get into the game, just express yourself. So, yeah, I'm glad I was able to do that today and we keep going. Miles, you had an incredible debut season last year. You know, you played predominantly nearly all the games at left back.

28:12And then you come in this season and it hasn't perhaps gone to plan or the way you would have really liked it. How difficult has that been to make sure you stay focused, to make sure that you're ready when your opportunity comes? Yeah, that's something that I pride myself on is, you know, being mentally tough. You know, in this journey, there's ups and downs and it's how you view them, your perspective on step back, stepping stones, as you call them. So, yeah, for me, it's just staying ready, being a good teammate. And, you know, when I do everything right off the pitch, you know, opportunity will come.

28:44but for them you've got to just stay in a present moment and be ready. I watched you at the end of the game and you were like signaling to the fact you look like you had a lot of fun out there as well today. Yeah, you know, I'm a fan at the end of the day so just celebrating this with my people, it's a special night. So, yeah, we've got to keep going and... Yes, Miles! I'm loving it, I'm loving it. Miles, you were doing that at half-time as well. That wasn't just at the full-time whistle. Yeah, you know, it's important because we're all in this together So, you know, as much as the fans, we need them as well because they give us an extra 10 percent.

29:20So, yeah, they're part of us. They're our 12th player. And also all that energy that you brought, that's something that Paul really picked up on, especially in the early stages of the game. And he said that you were the player who set the tone in terms of your sort of application as much as your talent. Yeah, you know, the first 10 minutes, you know, it's hugely important just to set that tone and to set the intensity and the energy to start the game off. So, yeah, I was just doing my job today and that's what I have to do to be effective and efficient. So, yeah. And Miles, just talk us through that nice hug with Mikel Arteta at the end.

29:58Yeah, that's the boss. So, I'm grateful for him and that shows our connection is strong. So, yeah. Yeah, man. What was you saying? I better play Tuesday.

30:16We have to wait and see for that. Yeah, we'll keep our eyes on the team sheet for that one. Miles, listen, you've done everything that you could to get yourself a place in that line-up for Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. But congratulations on the win today. Six points clear and you'll enjoy tonight, I'm sure, with three cup finals still to come. Thank you so much, guys. Take care. Well done, Miles. Well done. And it's really interesting hearing from Miles Leriskelly because you hear the mentality that he was saying he prides himself on, that ability to focus when he maybe isn't getting the opportunities that he got last season that he would hope to have kicked on and got this season.

30:51The focus that he still has to play like that when he is included, how impressive is that in a young player? You know, he's at Arsenal. He's been at Arsenal since he was a kid. So he's learnt the right way. And, you know, as I said, he's played centre midfield. I don't personally think he plays there if he hadn't played there as a kid. And he's had to wait for his chance. A long time. He come into the left back. He got all the accolades, you know, who's going to be the next England left back. And he's probably sitting there probably thinking, I'm a centre midfield player, really. You know, I'm a centre midfield player.

31:21And, you know, I'm so, so pleased for him. And he got an opportunity. And sometimes it's so, so difficult to come in when you haven't played a lot of football. Well, especially in the Premier League. And to produce like he did. He kept everything simple. He didn't complicate anything. He played himself in the game. He'd done everything you want a young lad to do. sort of making his debut really for the club because he's making his debut in his position. And you're spot on, but, and we joke there, it's been hard for him this season. He was the man last year. Everyone was talking about him. And this year, obviously, Hencapio and Calafiore and Mosquera have played left back at different times.

31:59He's had to sit on the bench and he's had that cuddle with the manager, but I bet there were times he was thinking, just give me a chance. And he's had to find his way as a midfield player. But what he showed today is, we all saw his quality. and sometimes you just need a little bit of a chance an opportunity and it worked well because what you've also done is given Zubermendi a bit of a rest and he's elevated him he's pushed him in ahead of Norgard so excellent performance and it was perfect for him he just managed the game really really well You said that you saw his quality he saw his quality as well because he looked back at his own wrap of kind of all his best bits in the course of the game and is watching obviously quite analytically he's judging exactly what he's done, but he was sort of looking back at how he'd performed in the game.

32:46Relatively impressed, relatively low-key, but kind of enjoying it. But I want to ask you the question that you were sort of hinting at with him. Does he play against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday? It's a different kind of game. It is a different kind of game against Fulham to Atletico Madrid. He's given Mikel a headache, a major headache, a major, major headache. because he, as I said before, he'd give you that energy. He lifted everybody. You know, he's come in and he's lifted everybody. He'd give them the energy. He played on the front foot. He got close to people. I just think recently, and I'm a big fan of Zubomendi.

33:24I'm a big fan of his. I just find he's been chasing the game recently. He nearly gets there and he nearly gets there. This lad was tight when he went to win a ball. He won a ball and everything was simple. He'd done everything right. And them simple passes give all your top players like your Saka's and your Trossard's and your Eze's and your Jukka Eze's, because them free get the ball, he gets more of the ball. They're just simple passes that make everything tick together. And I don't think Zubamendi's been doing that recently, but I'm a big fan of Zubamendi. What do you think? Different game, Jamie, as Paul says.

33:58But, you know, if he starts, if he doesn't, he's given the manager, as Paul says, a really difficult problem. And what he's shown today is that if things aren't going well, he's going to be one of his go-to guys. So that's all he had to do. Paul's right about Zubimendi. I watched him and he's been, and the crowd are a little bit edgy with him at the moment. He's a really good player, but he's played a lot of football this year. So the fact that you could bring in a player of that quality in a game of this magnitude and just look so calm. And he'd been like he'd played 35 games this year. That's how he managed that game.

34:28I couldn't give him a bigger, more credit than that. and that's going to be so important for these next few games because you might need him to come on because he can score goals as well. He's got a great left foot. He can shoot from distance. He's going to have a really big part whereas if he hadn't played to that or done so well, he'd probably sat on the bench for the rest of the season. So fair play to him and also fair play to the manager for seeing that as a good opportunity to bring him into the team. Talking of Mikel Arteta, we will hear from the Arsenal boss very shortly after his side notched up a 3-0 victory against Fulham to take them six points clear at the top of the table.

35:03So where does Mikel Arteta see the title race now?

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36:16Welcome back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. Mikel Arteta is with David Craig. Mikel, you said to us before the game it's all about winning, getting points on the board, but it wasn't just a performance today. It was the manner of that performance. How happy are you with that? It was a great team performance right from the beginning. There was some great individual performance as well, which is very important. So, yeah, we started the game like we wanted. Very aggressive, very lively, great combinations, a lot of attacking actions, really, really, really intense in the high press as well.

36:59And, yeah, we got the crowd going. And when this stadium starts to create that kind of atmosphere, we make it really difficult for the opponent. When you're fighting on all fronts, there can be difficult moments in a season. You've endured that coming off Champions League games and then not winning your next game. Today you ended that run. Was that very much in your mind with your team selection today? Yes, but especially the kind of game that we expected. And yeah, we had more players available as well. We've been missing some players. It's true that we lost a few players as well before the game.

37:32But I think it was a really good balance in terms of the qualities and the chemistry that we could find on the pitch. And then the boys delivered a great performance. Everybody outside of here has been talking about nerves and people being anxious, but there was no sign of that today. Did you feel this was a different Emirates and a freer performance and one of more expression? I think we showed a lot of authority and determination and composure. I think we brought a lot of energy to the stadium. They responded in a brilliant way and that was a big win. We're going to hear from Myles Lewis-Skelly shortly.

38:08You spoke about him glowingly before the game. How impressed were you with that performance, given that he hadn't started in that position this season. I was impressed but not surprised because I said it to you before, the way he's acting, the way he's trained every day, the way he's been in around the boys, he's been exceptional. And he has this quality and I think the game suited him. We're getting to your favourite subject now, mathematics. Six points clear, the goal difference is plus four. As I've said to you many times, you've been on the side when you've gone on and lifted the trophy. Do you really sense now that you're fully in the driving seat with the games left to play?

38:42You've got three, they've got five. Game two, done, another three to go. That's all I can say. How positive, though, are you and the mood within the camp? I mean, you had the blow up at City, but you've responded. That response was, you will know, was crucial, was it not? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I think the team has been so consistent throughout the whole year. I think we won the most games in the history of this club in one season. And still the season hasn't been finished. So imagine what the boys are doing. You've got a second leg of a Champions League semi-final. How well does this set you up?

39:14We know Atletico rested all 11 players today. You didn't have that luxury. But does this victory give you some real momentum going into that? It's what it is. We have done a lot of rhythm and we've been so used to playing every three days. We're going to play one of the biggest games in the history of this stadium. So what else do we want? Well done. Thank you. Well, Michael Arteta giving the less expected answer when managers talk about fixture congestion, and saying, well, you know, on the plus side, we get a lot of rhythm. The thing is, after this game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, Arsenal don't have another midweek fixture between now and the end of the season.

39:50Whereas Manchester City, who've progressed through the domestic competitions, suddenly have displaced fixtures that need to be sorted out in midweek. How much of a factor do you think that could be in the title race? Is it about teams keeping their rhythm in the way that Arteta suggested Arsenal might be able to? Or is the ability to rest players going to be more important? If Arsenal won their next three Premier League football matches, looking at that, Man City will have to pull up trees. Pull up trees to consistently go bang, bang, bang, FA Cup final, bang, bang again. and always playing catch-up from now to the end of the season, unless they win big against Everton and Brentford, where they can swing it around, where Arsenal are playing catch-up, where the goal difference becomes a lot.

40:41Otherwise, they're always going to be chasing their towel, and it takes its toll in the end, knowing that you've just got to win this game to not do anything, really, just to stay on the towels. And that's hard. It is very difficult. And these are good teams. Everton are very... For me, I think they're an underrated team. Brentford have been kept busy because of the big winning against West Ham today. Palace, I don't see a threat with Palace. Bournemouth, very difficult game. And probably the easiest game of the whole lot, in my opinion, is Aston Villa. Because they're already being the top five, in my opinion.

41:16That's cemented. And they could have played in the Europa League final on the Wednesday before that. So for me, that looks like that could be an easier game. So that could be their goal difference game, in my opinion. Bournemouth is going to be Andoni, Iriola's last game. There's going to be a celebration there. They're going to want to put on a bit of a show. There's a game there that really shouts at me, and it's Burnley at home for Arsenal. And if we go on, let's work on the basis that both these sides are perfect and they win all their games. I watched Burnley last night. If Arsenal can't beat them, 3-4-0, and get their goal difference up, I'll be amazed.

41:54They've had enough. I watched them. That's a big opportunity. And I looked at, like Paul says, Everton away, always difficult against David Moyes' side. Brentford at home, they're trying to go for Europe. Crystal Palace, yes, big opportunity. But if it does go to goal difference, I look at those games that Arsenal have got as a big advantage. But again, we're all guessing. This Man City side can blow teams away. They're absolutely incredible. But what Arsenal have done is they've just flipped it and put the pressure right on where they're six points lead. Now, would I be surprised if there is a draw at West Ham that are trying to fight to stay in this Premier League?

42:29Brentford or Everton away, anything can still happen. But I just feel, and I've got to stick with it because I've said Arsenal for a long time now, they are favourites, but I don't think they're an 80 % favourite. We should point out as well, 80 % to 20 % in terms of the opt-to title percentages. But remember that Arsenal have played two games more than Manchester City, both of which they've won. So that's going to boost their odds a little bit more because City can't have a 100 % chance of beating the opponents that they've got coming up. So that will play into all of that. I think your point, Paul, about the fact that City are playing, they will always be playing after Arsenal, always be playing after them and will always be chasing their tails regardless of what happens.

43:12I think, though, if they win these next two games against Everton and Brentford that are difficult games, severe pressure on Arsenal to beat West Ham because West Ham is one hard game because West Ham are fighting for their lives absolute lives to play in the Premier League where everybody wants to play in so it all depends what they do in them next two games if they win them two games before Arsenal play and then the pressure's swung round and you don't know what's happened on Tuesday night if Arsenal win they're buzzing if they get beat you know and then it's like it goes to extra time there's so much to go with but if I had to pick a team at the moment I would have to go Arsenal because of the fixtures that Man City have got.

43:50And they've got to play Everton and Bournemouth. And I just think they're real, real difficult football matches. I think as well from, don't get me wrong, they've got the big squad, Manchester City. So they've got lots of players that he can change. But what he will have to do is have to rotate his team accordingly. And that's not always easy. If you look at that 14th and then the 16th, two days later, you've got the FA Cup final. No, Crystal Palace are 14th. It's on the 13th. So it's three days. It's still a shock. Oh, three days. Sorry. Yeah, they've got like three games in seven days at one stage.

44:17Sorry, Kelly. But still, he's got to just, those games are coming thick and fast. Whereas for Mikel, he can really sort of look at his team and go, I can rest there. I've got a nice opportunity to work with a team and just be a little bit kinder to them on the training pitch. If they win all their games, Arsenal, I agree, Paul. I think they win the title, even if Manchester City do, because of that goal difference. I think they can rack up against Burnley. Not just rack up against, but Crystal Palace should, should be in the Europa Conference final. Do you know what I mean? Do you think both teams go unbeaten, Paul?

44:52I would say yes, because I couldn't sit here and say, I know there are games, Everton and Bournemouth, but if Man City play to their best of their ability, I don't see how they don't win. I mean, they're playing that well. So for me, I think it'll come down to goal difference. And it also comes down to how hard a game they have and how much that might take out of them, even if they do have to switch their squads around. it's going to be fascinating to watch all of this play out. But while Arsenal and Manchester City are going for the title, Fulham are still looking potentially at qualifying in the European places come the end of the season.

45:23But of course, defeat tonight has made that a little bit harder. A 3-0 defeat by Arsenal. We'll hear what Marco Silva made of it next.

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46:13If you're enjoying this podcast, there are plenty more from Sky Sports we think you'll love too. There's the Gary Neville podcast for Gary's immediate reaction to the biggest matches. Transfer Talk has the latest on all the big moves in and out of the Premier League and beyond. And for WSL fans, check out Pitch to Pod with Jordan Nobbs and Nikita Paris. Just search for Sky Sports wherever you get your podcasts. For now, though, let's get back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast.

46:50Welcome back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. Here's Marco Silva on the latest defeat. Marco, you were very transparent with us before the game about the problems you'd faced building up to this. You didn't want to use it as an excuse, but coming to a place like this against the team in this kind of form, how difficult did it make your day? Of course, it's definitely, I don't like. It's the easiest way and I don't like to go in the easiest way. Of course, we should have performed much better. Disappointing result for us, disappointing afternoon, the way we performed, the way we were not at the level that opposition like Arsenal demands from ourselves.

47:37the goals that we still have to achieve we were not at the level of course now going back and looking for everything of course losing four or five key players that we are losing right now of course made a big impact in everything that we are trying to do and this game is a good example of it but these things that we should analyze it's not a moment to talk now we we should analyze in the end of the season when you prepare the season the season after because this type of things we have always an impact and of course we have to be ready for it. It could have got very ugly when they went 3-0 up for you, but in the second half, were you happier with the way that your team competed and battled given the circumstances you've outlined?

48:18I think it was the minimum that we should have done. The conversation was clear with our players, we can perform well or not. Arsenal started very strong and well. The game, we knew it was going to happen. We talked about it, what we should have done completely different because in this type of games the performance, the quality of the game can be difficult to set in a football match but all the other things, they have to be there and when I talk about the other things they are the basics and this afternoon if you look for the goals you can see that the chances they did create most of the time is the basics that you should have and they were not there you look for the first goal you look for the second you look for the third and other ones other chances that they had they were not there the basics that should be the way you defend, the way you control striker, the way we cannot look just to the ball, we have to move behind you.

49:09And the conversation at the time was clear. It was not at all our image. It was ourselves there on the pitch, but it was not our image first half. And the meaning that was an obligation for us is to do completely different things in terms of percentage of winning duels, to set our game, to try to set our game. And of course, it was there in second half, but it was too late. Nothing was going to be decided today with regards to your European ambitions. there's still three games left how hopeful are you you can get those bodies back because it would appear you will need them if you reach them we need clear I don't know if someone is going to be ready or not for the next week of course some we know that for sure they are not and in a moment that is a decisive moment of the season if you don't have all the squad ready we have to go with the others and we trust on all of them of course all the availability of the team we are going to be stronger it's not the case right now but we are not hiding ourselves We go for the fight as you mentioned was there were three points that we lost probably are going to The gap is going to be bigger or not.

50:09We don't know it's going to happen. It's not under our Our control but definitely are the three games to play and you have to be completely different next week We have to be and the game you play last last week at home against Vila was clear our image You have to go back for that level We have to go back for the standards and the basics that they were not here afternoon this afternoon and of course we all of us start on myself as always. We have to be very disappointed in the performance. Marco, I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Well, Marco Silva wanted more from his players in this game against Arsenal, but they're still in a good place in terms of European qualification.

50:44Just to remind you, sixth place will definitely be a European place. It possibly could be a Champions League place if Aston Villa finish in fifth and win the Europa League. Seventh will definitely be a European place. Eighth could be a European place. There are a couple of variables in that. And Fulham find themselves three points off sixth place. Now, with Bournemouth playing Crystal Palace, they could move on to 52. But otherwise, their level on points with Chelsea could be three points behind them if Chelsea win. They're still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe, whichever competition, come the end of the season.

51:18They are. It's going to be really wide open. You're going to see teams dropping points there. I think if you look at the job, for example what Keith Andrews has done there considering how many players he lost at the start of the season it's absolutely incredible the job that he's done to put him in an opportunity to get Champions League football they've got a couple of tougher way games they've got to go to Liverpool and Man City as well so that's not going to be easy but they're really difficult to play against Brighton have done a really good job Hurtster hasn't got the credit he deserved this year and Andoni Arreola is an elite manager as I've said for a long time so it will be tight do you think Chelsea they're still in this pool?

51:54You know what? Fulham are still in it because of the reason Jamie just said. Brentford have still got to play Man City, haven't they? Yeah. Away. And Liverpool, is it? Away. Yeah. Although they beat Liverpool at the GTAC. Brighton have got to play Man United. Bournemouth have got to play Man City. Chelsea have got to play Liverpool. So they've all got hard games. When you're chasing teams, you want to play them. Big advantage playing Bournemouth. I mean, they're good fixtures. No, they're good fixtures, but you've got to win them. But you want to play the team. So it's a big advantage playing Bournemouth because you gain three points.

52:30You could beat Wolves in a couple of weeks' time and not gain points on anybody. So you want to play them teams. But they are nice fixtures. No disrespect. They are nice fixtures. But you've got to win them. You know, I think Bournemouth are a very good football team. You know, I'd be surprised if, in my opinion, if Fulham beat them. I don't see them getting into Europe. So the question then is, is Marco Silva's future at Fulham linked to whether or not they're playing European football next season and which competition they might be playing in next season? I don't know. I've got a feeling he won't be the manager next year purely on what he wants to do.

53:04I think he's done a really good job there. He's a top manager that knows that. Very animated. And rightly so. That would have been frustrating for him today because you're not only playing against a really good side, you've not got all the players at your disposal and a lot of them are probably suffering with that virus. It doesn't help. And he knows they weren't at it because for Fulham to win games, they have to be at it. and they had some really important players not playing today. Obviously, Iwobi's out. He gives them that real presence. In midfield, they didn't have that power that the boy from Sheffield United, the tall boy, what's his name?

53:35Sanderberg? Yeah, Sanderberg, sorry. So Sanderberg not playing. I think he's so important for them. So they miss that edge that they normally compete with. But I look at those three fixtures. There's no reason why they couldn't win nine points. And he hasn't said what he's going to do yet. They're also six points off equaling their highest ever Premier League total. Unbelievable, Kel. He's a really good manager. But I don't know, I've just got a feeling, it's not based on anything else, I just feel that it might be, he's probably looked at a lot of managers of late getting big jobs in this last couple of years and he hasn't been in the mix.

54:04I feel that this might be his chance now, his opportunity. What do you think, Paul? His contract's up at the end of the season. I just personally think with the amount of money that the managers get in this day and age, why would you not have signed a contract and you're losing all that money every week for the loss? So for me, I don't personally think he'd be there. I wouldn't be shocked if he's next door. Next door? Next door at Chelsea. Really poor, yeah. Why would you think he would suit them? Why do you think they would look at him? Because he's a very, very good manager. I think he's a real, real good, good manager.

54:36His contract's up, so he's not going to cost nothing. And I just think it ticks the boxes, in my opinion. I think he's a top manager. And there ain't a lot of top, top managers about, and especially someone you won't have to pay for. Yeah, well, until potentially they do what they've done to all the managers that they've brought in so far and sack them. There's two things in management. You pay your tax, you get the sack. Yeah. That's the way it is. Depends how quick it is. Sort of divorce out before the marriage. Yeah. On life advice as well. It's always good to have. Yeah, yeah. It's always good to have.

55:08Got the experience. Six points off their best ever Premier League total, off equaling that. Potential of qualifying for Europe. over the time then that Marco Silva has been at Fulham put aside this 3-0 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates a place where they've had no joy ever what kind of job do you think he's done at Fulham you're impressed by him aren't you yeah of course he's done a great job but there's a lot of good managers as I mentioned Andoni Arraola so if there are any jobs coming around in the summer it's not going to be that easy the Tottenham job he probably thought that might be an opportunity obviously Deserbi's gone in there So, yeah, it will be fascinating to see what Chelsea do, because that is a brilliant job for somebody, but who will be the person that gets it?

55:51And I'm sure they're probably interviewing a lot of different people because they want to get the best in class that they can probably get. But in terms of what he's done there, he's done a good job. He improves players. The one thing maybe that goes against him, he doesn't play enough young players. He doesn't give enough young players opportunities. He likes to have experience around him. Whether that goes against him long term, I don't know. but in terms of the results that he's got of Fulham, because it's not a club that spends fortunes, they've done things really well, but I do like him. Jamie, Paul, thank you very much.

56:20I like you both too. It's been a lovely evening watching Arsenal against Fulham and with the guys here in the studio. Arsenal got all three points to go, six points clear at the top of the table. And after 22 years, is this Arsenal's one shot at the Premier League title?

56:39thanks for listening to the sky sports premier league podcast don't forget to hit follow so you don't miss an episode