Chelsea's Brazilian Boy Breaks Liverpool's Heart, Arsenal Climb to the Top of the Table

5 Oct 2025 · 1 h

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The 2 Robbies Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode Title

Chelsea's Brazilian Boy Breaks Liverpool's Heart, Arsenal Climb to the Top of the Table

Hosts

  • Robbie Mustoe
  • Robbie Earle

Episode Overview In this episode, the hosts discuss the significant developments from Premier League Matchweek 7, including Chelsea's dramatic victory over Liverpool, Arsenal's rise to the top of the table, and Manchester United's win over Sunderland. They delve into tactical insights, player performances, and managerial strategies.

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Key Discussions

  1. Chelsea vs. Liverpool
  2. Match Outcome: Chelsea secured a late victory against Liverpool, with Brazilian wonderkid Estevao scoring the decisive goal.
  3. Key Performance:
  4. Chelsea showcased impressive energy despite missing multiple starters.
  5. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, received praise for his tactical decisions, including the deployment of Malagusto in midfield to stifle Liverpool's McAllister.
  6. Liverpool's Struggles:
  7. This match marked Liverpool's third consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their form.
  8. The hosts analyzed Liverpool's midfield issues and the absence of key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
  1. Arsenal's Dominance
  2. Match Outcome: Arsenal beat West Ham 2-0, climbing to the top of the Premier League.
  3. Key Takeaways:
  4. Arsenal displayed control throughout the match, emphasizing their tactical maturity.
  5. The hosts highlighted the contributions of players like Declan Rice and the adaptation of substitutes like Zubomendi.
  1. Manchester United's Win
  2. Match Outcome: Manchester United secured a 2-0 win over Sunderland.
  3. Key Highlights:
  4. Mason Mount and Cesko were pivotal in the victory, with Mount scoring a notable goal.
  5. The win provided some relief for manager Ruben Amarin, alleviating pressure ahead of the international break.
  1. Additional Match Results
  2. Brief Recap of Other Matches:
  3. Brentford 0-1 Manchester City
  4. Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest
  5. Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham
  6. Leeds 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
  7. Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
  8. Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley
  9. Wolves 1-1 Brighton

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Key Insights

Tactical Analysis

  • Chelsea: Demonstrated resilience and tactical adaptability under pressure. Maresca's innovative team selection was pivotal in nullifying Liverpool's threats.
  • Liverpool: Struggling to find form, lacking connections in the attacking lineup, and relying heavily on Salah and Izak.
  • Arsenal: Showed tactical fluidity and depth, with players like Zubomendi and Rice stepping up in key moments.

Managerial Perspectives

  • Enzo Maresca (Chelsea): Deserves recognition for effectively managing a depleted squad and earning a significant win against a top rival.
  • Ruben Amarin (Manchester United): His future remains a topic of discussion, but the recent win could stabilize his position for the time being.

Upcoming Matches

  • Liverpool vs. Manchester United: The anticipation builds as both teams look to rebound from recent performances when they meet after the international break. This match is seen as crucial for both clubs' aspirations moving forward.

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Conclusion The episode encapsulated a thrilling week in the Premier League, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition. With Chelsea's resurgence, Arsenal's commanding form, and Manchester United's slight revival, the discussions set the stage for an exciting continuation of the season post-international break. The hosts emphasized the importance of tactical strategies and player performances in shaping league outcomes.

Next Episode

  • Date: October 19, 2023
  • Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

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*Thank you for tuning in to The 2 Robbies Podcast! For further updates and discussions, stay connected with us.*

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Transcript

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0:12Hello and welcome to the Two Robbies podcast, your destination for in-depth discussion and analysis of the Premier League. I'm Robbie Musto, he's Robbie Earle, and here are today's topics. Slots slumping Liverpool suffer a third successive defeat as Brazilian wonderkid Esteval scores late for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table in a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham. And Manchester United see off Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford, offering Ruben Amirim a small sigh of relief heading into the international break. That's what we have coming up in today's episode.

0:49OK, my friend, great to see you and Steve working so hard at the weekend. It was a nice weekend to watch in. Good shows as ever, sort of a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, ahead of the international break. I suppose, mate, let's start with one of the big stories of the weekend at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea hosting Liverpool. Liverpool off the back of back-to-back defeats in all competitions. The first little dip maybe under on a slot that we've seen at the tie. Liverpool conceded another late goal, give up another three points, dropped from the top of the table. Should we start with Liverpool and where we are with them going into this international break, or should we give Chelsea a bit of love from the start?

1:38Let's give Chelsea a bit of love, Rob. And I tell you what, in the game a bit of love. What a game. What a game. I mean, one of the best games so far this season. And I was surprised at how Chelsea had the energy. I just, I don't know, with the players that they've got out, and the manager made a big thing of these eight or nine players that are unavailable for the game. Obviously, the Champions League game where they beat Benfica to Stamford Bridge 1-0 with Jose coming back and all that emotional kind of pull on the game. I just was really knocked out of the game and how both sides went flat out.

2:08I thought the midfield area was going to be really competitive. It was incredibly competitive. I thought Chelsea did a really good job. and Maresca did a good job of picking his team. I mean, it's impossible. Maresca's a little difficult to kind of see what he's going to do. But putting Malagusto in midfield and not Rhys James was different. But when the game started, you could see why. The Chelsea three midfield players went right against the Liverpool three central midfield players. And it was the Sobos-Lion, Gravenberg and McAllister. So it was the three for them. The best three, yeah. But they were physical, man-to-man.

2:40Liverpool couldn't get any football going. I just thought it was a brilliant game and I think Stephen Warnock said a good advert it's a bit of a cliche but it was a great advert for the Premier League the late goal added to the drama the celebration of Maresco running down the line I don't know Rob I just thought in general a lot of my notes in this game initially were like for both teams both teams gave everything both teams seemed to be an end to end game both teams had injuries They use the subs bench a lot. So both teams did. They kind of went through their options tactically and off the bench.

3:17And at the end of the day, Chelsea ended up winning. And with all those players out. Now, you know, I'm not jumping too far ahead. But isn't that a good sign, Rob, that Chelsea kind of under strength can still be really competitive against, obviously, the champions right now, Liverpool? I thought they were impressive. I think that's a big point. I think, like you say, there's lots of good things you can write about both teams. is what's negative. You can write something a little bit about Liverpool. The way the game went, the intensity in midfield, playing Malagusto in there, pretty much nullifying McAllister's threat and the ability for him to get on the ball.

3:51And as you say, matching up. I thought what can I say though, Rob, is maturing into a proper... You know, that defensive midfield player that we know is key to successful teams. They've got one. They've got one for the next 10 years, mate. And he looks apart. he's starting to look more the pot to that point I think the team Rob, you know this is a team that we've often talked about the youth and the inexperience, the immaturity and getting through difficult times and that, listen this was a team that didn't have some of its best players you know had injuries on the day, went up against the best team in the country statistically and sitting on top of the league and came out on top Rob and again it's another day and another important step for this Chelsea group and I'm going to go straight to it my friend and might be a little bit of surprise to one or two people my underappreciated performer of the week Enzo Mareska my friend Enzo Mareska who been getting a bit of stick from he's been getting stick he's been under the the spotlight I thought when uh was it Tuesday Wednesday night when they played in the Champions League and Jose's back it was like a love affair for Jose and he's just got to sit there on the other side and win the game and not get all the love.

5:08He's at one of the most difficult football clubs to manage in terms of one that we know that the player trading X model to the ownership group that fell out and now seem to be going. But, you know, we hear every defeat the ownership is steaming into the dressing room and, you know, not happy with things. He plays a Liverpool team, Rob West, tactically gets it perfect in midfield, nullifies the big threat from Liverpool. I just think he's one of those managers who doesn't get credit. I think if now and then we credit one or two of the players and say, oh, he's done well today and he looks support and, you know, Joe Pedro looks a good bit of business.

5:45But I don't think the manager ever gets a jot of praise. And you know what? For a young manager, it's his first rodeo in the Premier League. Yes, he had Leicester and brought them up. You know, he makes big calls. He's difficult to play against. technically he's a very smart operator around the football pitch. He's building something, Rob, that given time, that if you say when Jurgen Klopp went in at Liverpool and it took him three or four years to get to where he wants to, I think if you give Enzo Marescu the similar time at Chelsea, Chelsea will start to compete. And so, mate, I just think in an era where he gets plenty of stick on a regular basis when things don't work out, How about a little pat on the back for Enzo Moresco and what he does?

6:32And by the way, when he runs down the touchline all the way to his teammates and back, I don't want a red card for that, mate. Those are scenes. Those are Jose Mourinho. Those are Jurgen Klopp. Those are things that we all watch and want as football fans. But all that and the red card, Enzo Moresco is my under-appreciated performance of the week. Very well presented. Very well said, Robbie Earle. Thank you, sir. And I think you know I'm a fan of him. I've always liked him. I'm really nerdy with some of the stuff that I get into with football, watching what he does tactically. He didn't read what he did at the weekend.

7:08I like it. And I'll tell you what is interesting, Rob. A couple of things. Remember, he didn't have his best player in Kyle Palmer. And the way that he motivated this group for this game, after all that, was very impressive. But you jumped on something, which I'll follow up on. He's building. And you gave the example. Which example did you give? Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp did. I'll give you another example. We're seeing it right now play out. Mikel Arteta. He's been building for many seasons. And with Liverpool having to do it, Arsenal having to do it, I think Pep was quicker, but he didn't get its success straight away.

7:40To be a champion in England, it isn't something that often comes around very suddenly. I mean, I'm sure there's examples. Leicester City maybe suddenly. But often you have to build. And we could look back and say, well, he was building. Got a bit of stick, got through some difficult times, won the World Cup, Club Cup, and was building, had to deal with different players coming in and out, Rob, and that's been criticism. Well, just what makes the job difficult is having to really just have new players. Oh, he's another winger, he's a new defender, he's a new mid... To your question, Rob, though, to your point, do Chelsea allow you to build?

8:17Liverpool allowed Klopp. Yeah. Arsenal allowed Mikel Arteta. Will Chelsea allow him the time that might be three more years of building to get where they got, or will the spotlight and the gossip and it's Chelsea and they don't keep people too long unless you win, might that be turnover before we get the chance to see the build outright? Well, that's a great question, right? I think the pertinent parts of this are the ownership, the fans, and the dual directors of football. Lawrence Stewart, Paul Wynne Stanley, these guys that are implementing this very unusual strategy of buying all these young players.

8:56Surely those two guys, Rob, have a huge influence to the ownership and how this project's going. So when you ask that question, will he get a chance to build it, I hope those two guys back him and suggest to the ownership that he's worth sticking with. The only loose cannon in all this are the fans. And if there's a run of games where he's not getting results, The fans turn that club into a very difficult environment for the manager. It sometimes becomes untenable. I hope they don't have that sort of run, and I hope he does get a chance to build, Rob. No, I like that shout. I was actually surprised at how good they were, Chelsea, with all the problems that they've got.

9:40And they really kind of deserved late, though the goal was, in Esteval, Rob. And just a quick line on Esteval. We've had a few glimpses of him. we saw him in the Club World Cup playing against Chelsea of course gets his goal he's 18 he's a talent if you get Gennacho going the other side of the pitch and him on one side that's new again new players to get used to everything I really like Chelsea Rob and that's a good shout now let's flip it over to Liverpool Rob that's three defeats three on the bounce all competitions Go on then, mate. So just quickly, I'll set you up with the team. I mean, it was kind of near their strongest team, isn't it?

10:25I mean, obviously the goalkeeper changed. Alisson was out. Mamadashvili went in and looked okay. You had a back four, Bradley, Kanate, Van Dijk and Kerkers. You're midfield three from last year. Salah from last year on the right. Izak, the most expensive player in the history of the world, whatever, up front. And Gakpo, your consistent number 11 on the left-hand side. so why are they not or did they not get a result it's a good question so let me start with the two fullbacks my friend which fullbacks in modern day football are very key players in terms of when you're building out the back I think neither of the two fullbacks probably had a difficult day against Ganacho on one side came off at half time and probably it's not just in some respects let me say, defensively when Liverpool were looking to build up their build up play was really poor was really poor mate I was keeping that Canarte who came off with injury is struggling on I think in build up, I don't think it's badly Kerkhez is still settling into Liverpool I think I'd put Andy Robertson back in at the moment I think the midfield got...

11:44Smothered. They got smothered by Chelsea. Yeah, smothered by athletic, young, mobile players who stopped them playing Robs. And then, what I would say is, and I wrote this down, that in an ideal world, Salah and Izak will bring you 50 Premier League goals between them. The moment they don't look like they're going to bring you five, Izak's still waiting for form and we've not had the connections. Salah's way off the player that scored last season. Gatpo does his role in there. I know Kirk has come on. But their intensity, Rob, not only to attack, but sustain attacks and keep the ball in the last third is nowhere near what it was last season and whether the midfields played a part in that.

12:33So what I'm basically saying is, and I've done, there's very few connections in this Liverpool team and lots of vulnerability at the moment. Now, I'm not sure if that's something that can be rejigged in a couple of weeks and they get back to purring or it's something a little bit longer term that needs attention. Yeah, I think it's longer term that needs attention. I mean, but a media issue in this game was Conor Bradley at right back, Rob. And I think the two players that were expected to take over from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and that's another subject. The more people are looking at Liverpool now, and I agree with it, the more you can say they're missing the influence of Trent going into midfield, playing the creative passes, being the guy that's going to feed the little guy, Mo Salah on the right-hand side.

13:23Is Mo missing Trent Alexander-Arnold? The midfield player's missing him, moving into midfield, allowing the other guys to move up. And it didn't always play, so right-back was an issue. Got a yellow card quickly. And it was only a matter of time before the manager has to make a change. So, it was like, goes back. Florian Verts comes into midfield. The left back has been, yep, has been an issue. I mean, it's, you know, another thing, Rob, and obviously careful how we say this and talk about it. Obviously, we know there's changes around the team. Less so, it kind of went back to a little bit of tried and tested when Verts is on the bench and et cetera, et cetera.

14:00But, you know, there was Virgil van Dijk, Rob. I know you saw the quote, I saw it reported a few times, basically saying, I repeatedly said, I'm paraphrasing here, that this was going to be a difficult season for what's happening on it, but also off the field. Of course, he's referencing the tragedy of Diogo Jota. And I get it. I get it, Robert. It's a difficult thing to talk about, isn't it? It's not something that you put it. But players, we've seen the reaction. we were there the day with Mo Salah on the pitch we know what it's meant to this group of players and it can be a faction in many different ways Yeah, it could be and I don't want to, you know, we don't have to expand on that it's just interesting when the captain kind of references that and I think, you know, I think it's a valid it would be a valid, understandable kind of comment to make given the crikey, the trauma in that club around that period leading to this season so it probably, like anything Rob, there's never one reason why No, it's a number of.

15:03It's a number of, combination of. Can I chuck you? It's a bit of a leading sort of question, but I just want to chuck it in anyway. You know, Liverpool this summer spent a shed load of money on taking this club to the next level, having the depth that's required, going deep in all competitions. And I think we talked on the podcast, and we point you to the fact that bedding some players in is going to be as difficult as Arna Slott coming in last season and taking over Jurgen Klopp's team. So if you look at Wurt, Isaac, Eketike, Kerkhez and Frimpong, I dare say it's only Eketike who's really made a mark so far.

15:51Yeah, and that's a big part of it, isn't it, Rob? When we talked about the players that are sadly not longer at the football club. You know, you need your new guys to come in. And I don't want to be the guy to say, I thought this could be an issue. But when you've got of your outfield, I've said it so many times, four or five changes to the champions, that's kind of a lot of positions in a team that has to be hit the ground running. Because to win the Premier League title, you know, you can't slip up too many times. You can't lose more than four or five games and then you're going to be out of it.

16:24So that's a good point you make. those players haven't made a mark yet. And that's not to say, Rob, that they won't. And I always felt like my kind of pre-season thought was, wow, like these players are signing, but it could take a little bit of time. And in that time, they might slip up enough to kind of give Astle or maybe others a chance to win it. I feel like the team will get better. I feel like Florian Virts will get better. I feel like Izak. I just feel for Eketike because he started off great. And we had this conversation, Rob, and we saw them like, do they really need Isaac? Do you really want to upset the trend right now of Ketike coming in, being the main guy, Anfield scoring the goals, starting brilliantly and then getting pushed onto the bench?

17:08So it is a combination of things, but I just reiterate, there's still a lot of good players there and I expect Arna Slott to get them grooving. It's just, I think, as we're seeing, it's going to take a number of weeks, if not months. There is a little bit of worry about centre-back there now, isn't there, mate? with Canate coming off and talk about it being an injury. Obviously, Leone, the kid Giovanni Leone, is out for the season. They didn't get Gay. I mean, that could become... I mean, Joe Gomez has been a reliable, great servant for them. He has played Grabenberg back there when he's needed to as an option.

17:44But, you know, if Canate's out for any length of time, it causes a little bit of a problem to Warneslaw on his team. Yeah, I mean, why wouldn't they go and try and get Mark Gay again in January. In January, yeah. You know, the football club, Crystal Palace, they're in a great spot in the league. I don't know whether they'll feel like they can turn down another, I mean, January, Rob, what was it? 30, 40 million? Probably 30, 40 in that. Or six months wait and get nothing. You get for free. You know, do they want to turn down 40 million? Yeah, it's going to be a big call, isn't it? I mean, Liverpool need, and there's a thought that others might be in for him.

18:21Yeah. I think he wanted to go to Liverpool. and Liverpool's a gigantic club. I still think Liverpool, if they want him in January, they can go and get him and that would make a big difference. So, yeah, just a few issues. Just on that one, mate, finishing up, do you see, is there anything in looking at Liverpool when so far with Arnestlan and Liverpool, they've generally been leading the way and things have gone pretty much to form. You know, the 10-point gap, their form dropped off at the end of last season, but they had such a gap, they won it by 10 points. Is there anything in seeing a different side of Liverpool, if Arsenal can push on a little bit, and we'll talk about Arsenal next, like chasing it a little bit, not being top of the tree?

19:06Yeah, I don't know how that affects the team. I don't know how that inspires them. Does it motivate them to try and catch? Does it burst that bubble a little bit? Everybody thought that Liverpool were going to run away with it. A lot of people said, oh, forget about it. If they get Izak as well, forget about it. And it's just not that easy in this league right now. And the defensive side of things, Rob, we said that this wasn't sustainable, to score those late winning goals, to win, to stay top of the league. And I said, didn't I? To you, I said the three things that could happen here, they've got to figure out the defending, or will they not, and they drop points.

19:47Well, that's what they're doing right now. They've got nine goals conceded in seven, which when I look at the top of the table, Chelsea have nine goals in seventh. And then you're right down to 10th place with 11, Manchester United. So, you know, top teams don't concede that amount of goals. That remains for me to be the one major concern for Arnazsla. And I know the talent they've got going forward. You've got to maybe rethink the structure of the team or some of the personnel to start making clean sheets or keeping those clean sheets. gaining points is going to be harder. Let's move it to the Gunners, my friend.

20:27Arsenal tilt to West Ham 0, a West Ham team that have dogged Arsenal over the last couple of seasons, I think 2023, 2024, when they were going for... West Ham beat them in games that became quite pivotal against Arsenal. Remember the one when he's tried to flick it over Declan Rice, wasn't it, in midfield and they got done. They got done at home a couple of times. But, I mean, none of that at the end of this weekend. Arsenal, I think you were doing this game and it was one of those where we went to, I watched the first half and then I watched the second half of Manchester United just so we were across a couple of games.

21:09I mean, my takeaway, Rob, watching the game was, wow. The football that they played and the control which they had, and this is including their captain going off, in a time when if Odegaard goes off, we start thinking, oh, you know, they're going to lose something. They didn't miss a beat. Zubamendi comes on rice, drops into a slightly more advanced role and dominates the game, scores a goal. I thought that was pretty good. And to the point, Rob, where I'm saying right now, and I'm saying at the top of the show, the best footballing team in the league by distance is Arsenal at the moment. Yeah, it is, Rob.

21:54Yeah, I mean, I like the line-up. You know, a lot of people have been saying, like, come on, Mikel, let's throw some of those attacking players out there. It was West Ham United at home. I think he knew how Nuno was going to approach the game. It was going to be defensive, so he did get his attacking players out there. But with Odegaard and Ezzer and Rice in midfield, that's kind of nice, right? and then Odegaard sadly has to go off apparently I think reports are an MCL knee injury MCL yeah which is not the worst one not the ACL it's not the worst but still it's still not good so he had to go off Rice goes a little higher Zubomendi comes on I just I just like that midfield kind of set up in midfield and just they look like a team with they're on a mission they're on a they're a team that looks like and I said this I say this a lot like It looks like they realise something special is happening.

22:47And I think it's there for them. The intensity, the football, the quickness of the football, the attacking, the skill nature of them. They gave nothing, nothing to West Ham. I don't think West Ham United had a shot on target the whole game. So a combination of bright play, enthusiastic support, strong, powerful. Tactically, the system is pretty grooved now. Yes, there's been new players. Saka's back playing on the right. Trossard was lively. Ezzer will improve. I think the type of player that Aberture Ezzer is there's going to be games where he looks incredible. There's going to be some quiet ones.

23:21I think that's the way he is. But I liked it, Rob. Like you before, I'm going to go pretty early here because it's important with our chat to my underappreciated performer. And I don't think anybody's going to get this and I don't think you would have thought this, but I'll tell you what it was because I watched him real close. Ricciardo Calafiori is my underappreciated performer and I'll tell you exactly why. Not only is he a physical, physical beast of a defender to get past, he's a threat from set pieces. He drifts forward at left back and has scored goals and will continue to be a threat going forward.

23:57But most of all, his ability to roll inside into the midfield, the centre of midfield, this big guy who's a centre-back slash left back and be very neat and tidy on the ball, Rob. You don't see him giving the ball away much. Myles Lewis-Skelly has done it, and we love him doing it. Califiori can do it equally as well, Rob, and he's got the physicality and the set pieces and the strength defensively that Lewis-Skelly hasn't got. So I just think, I don't know whether Arsenal, I'm sure they do, I'm sure the manager does, realise what a kind of a player he is, Rob, that can do a bit of everything.

24:34And you might scratch your head earlier to say, well, he's Califiori playing, he's good, but Miles Lewis, Skelly looks so good I'm telling you, you're seeing it week in week out, he can do it all and when I saw him twinkle toes in midfield keeping possession plays alongside Declan Rice, allows you the two to get forward, Ezzer and Odegaard there's that back, the square box in midfield that he can bring, I mean the thing with him, Ron to your point, the thing with him, he turns up, I saw him one time, he was like right side, not right wing but inside right. I'm playing give and goes. He's a proper footballer.

25:10He's a proper footballer. Surprised me a little bit. I absolutely agree with the shout. I think it's a great shout. I mean, the other thing is, he looks like an Adonis. I mean, he's struck around the place like he, you know, and he's got that about him. He's got the hair flowing from him. He can play as, I mean, he'd push Davy Ginola on the hair front. He could play as a third centre-back if need be, Rob, when they have to go that way, he falls in, which he does for the Italian team. I think it's a brilliant shout. I think he's taken the level, you know, Myles-Louis Skelly's now got to raise his level, another level to play, but I think you get a different type of defender, and I think that's important for Arsenal to have.

25:53You know, we're talking Zinchenko and Tierney were the two before them. It's a very different level and competition we're talking now. Very different. You know, Mikel Arteta's talked about how Calafiore upsets opposition when he rolls in, when he goes a bit higher, when sometimes he goes as a left winger and Trossard comes in. I mean, all those elements to his game. And it's really funny, Rob, that you pick him because he was on my thought. And you know who else was on my thought? He was very close to being my under pressure. Timber. That's the other one. Uri and Timber, my friend. How good is he?

26:28How good is he? In an era where I've talked about full-backs become so important, not only with your possession, but the defending, the rolling in, the roles that they have now. He's strong, isn't he? Oh, mate. He's got to get a new... They talk about a new extended contract. I can absolutely see why. I mean, we used to think Ben White was a player back there and could play. I know, I know. I mean, Urien Timber's next level again, which is where the depth is. So, no, it's a great shout. The Arsenal full-backs and certainly Kelly Fiore. I am absolutely 100 % behind that one. It's a great call, my friend.

27:04I'm also going to give you a call of two people who are appreciated, but I just want to single them out. Mikai Asakame has played 200 Premier League games. 200. I think I played 250, 260 in my career. I played just over 200 Premier League games in my career. He's played 200. I mean, he's going to be 600, 700 if he stays fit and goes the course. He's had 100 Premier League goal involvements, either scoring or assisting, mate. I mean, it's incredible numbers for somebody who's a powerful, wide guy who, you know, plays on the right-hand side, you know, Salah-esque with what he does. You know, he's one of their own.

27:45He's bought them through. He hasn't cost them a penny. I just feel like he's not underappreciated, but wow. I mean, superb. Tip of the cap, yeah. The other fella, the other guy, and he has been underappreciated, and we've talked him up, and so, Declan Rice, my friend. Yeah. And what I want to say about him, and it's not necessarily his play, although that's part of who he is in the goal, it was the situation at the weekend. I was a bit peed off with the West Ham fans, who were booing him, and I know that happens when, Yeah, he was getting a lot of stick. And I know that happens when an ex-player moves.

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28:23But this is a guy who didn't leave on a free for no money. He played his heart out. I think he wins a European trophy. He leaves for£100 million,$123 million. He goes to another football club. When he scores the goal, he doesn't celebrate. He's got respect for the club and the set of fans and whatever. And yet people still were booing him. I just didn't sit right with me I get when some players get booed and I get when some players leave in certain circumstances and it's not great, this guy did every single thing he could till the day he left for West Ham Football Club and I just thought that was bad treatment and by the way he's playing as well as any midfield player in the Premier League right now I like those two shouts Rob I'm going to finish the conversation with Arsenal with me just really quickly running through the subs bench.

29:17Kepa. Very experienced. Chelsea goalkeeper a few years ago. Mascara has been very good as a centre-back to come and help out. Ben White talks about how good he is as a right-back. Martinelli. By the way, these are all on the bench. Has come on before, scored goals, really important player. Christian Norgard, last season's captain at Brentford, one of the best players at that football club. Ethan Waniere, through the academy, getting better, can come on and give you silk and give you creativity in the middle of the park. also could come on from the middle of the park is Mick Amarino, could score goals different sort of player, more physical certainly gets in the box, how about Martin Zubemendy to come into the game, can knit things together from a deeper role, and finally Miles Lewis-Skelly that can come on and be an excellent I mean that is some amount of backup on the bench to help the first team whenever they might need it, so I hope we haven't gone over the top there on Arsenal Rob, and you know, it's a long way to go and the hardest thing in sports is to close, is to finish, is to get over the line.

30:15And obviously they want to do it. I just thought, you know, Rebecca asked us on the last segment of the show today, Rob, what's, you know, going into the international break, of the first seven games in the Premier League season, what's on your mind? Most on my mind, I mean, there's so many clubs on my mind, obviously, but I think Arsenal's progression, the adding to the attack in the summer, and they went from the goalkeeper to defenders to midfield players. Now the front line's been updated. it looks pretty strong In finishing and agree totally with the Arsenal thing Rob, I go back to just over seven days ago when Arsenal were 1-0 down at Newcastle with four minutes of time and Liverpool were drawn back with Palace and were looking to go on to win there would have been an eight point gap between those two teams, there was five at the time there would have been an eight point gap and let me tell you mate, it would have started It would have started.

31:11Yeah, there's a lot of people who don't want him to do well. There's a lot of haters out there. All of a sudden, the result last weekend, the result this weekend, Arsenal are sitting top of the pile, and it's a very different look. And all of a sudden, the spotlight falls a bit on Liverpool. And that's what's great about this Premier League, mate, and why we love it so much. Brilliant. Let's move things on, because we spent a bit of time on those two games. Let's go to Old Trafford. Always a story. Ruben Amren with his team getting beat last week against Brentford. A lot of spotlight on whether he'd keep his job, whether he had to win to keep his job.

31:44The news seemingly coming out of Manchester United that he's fine, he's safe. Obviously, we're not happy with things, but we want him to continue. He got a win, Rob. He got a 2-0 win, two goals early. Mason Mount was a big decision. Jeff Cunha's defense put Mount in. Mount's got a lovely goal. Cesco gets 2-2, which can only do him some good. I thought it was one of his better games in the red of Manchester United. It looked more like a centre-forward. And they got people closer to him, Rob, so it looked a little bit more joined up. He got his win. I think it's the first clean sheet of the season.

32:17They got Le Mans in goal for his first Premier League start. A lot of good things, I thought, for United. A little bit hanging on it at the end. I mean, it could have been, I thought, a penalty kick as it is. Traore went down on Le Mans' challenge, which he got a yellow card for simulation, which is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. But they hung on. They played decent football. There was more control. And I was thinking, Rob, I was thinking about Mrs. Ameren, who must be enjoying a Sunday roast today. Finally. She hasn't enjoyed many Sunday roasts, has she? No, she hasn't enjoyed many Sunday roasts at all.

32:54But hopefully she's in a country pub somewhere in Manchester, enjoying a nice Sunday roast and a glass of red wine and enjoying Manchester. because there haven't been too many days when I don't think that's happened in the Amarine household. Yeah, fair play. Sunderland at home, you know, no drama. They get the goals. You're an expensive striker. A$99 million striker scores a nice goal, tucks it away quite nicely. My only little gripe, and there's no gripe now when they get the result. The win and the play, yeah. And Mason Mount scores a goal. So I'm just going to, you know, I do want to see Kunia and Bermot and Sheshko.

33:29I do want to see that. Don't tell me that the manager will feel that they can't afford to, you know, it's too attacking to have all three players out there. That's where the money was spent. Like, don't tell me we're not going to, you know, you're going to have an expensive forward on the bench where there's other parts of the team that needed investment, needed upgrading, centre midfield, goalkeeper, right wing back. Yeah, I hear you, Rob, but might his position be, and listen, we've all said about the system and fitting players in, but might his position be, you know what, we're not quite structured enough to play those two.

34:03So one of those two will play and Mason gives me a bit more defensive structure, stability, maybe when we haven't got the ball. And I know what you're saying. We want to see United attack. But if that means we're going to lose games and I've got to make a tough call on this early on, I don't know. From now till Christmas, it's either one or the other of those two. They can fight for a place with a big lad. and Mason's going to play as long as he's playing a part. I don't know. I'm just saying to play devil's advocate. Listen, if those two were playing and we're talking about another defeat, mate, we could be talking about the guy's job, never mind whether we like seeing him or not.

34:45To your point, the game before against Brentford, the front three did play. So maybe he didn't like the defensive kind of compactness with those, I don't know. And maybe it's irrelevant. I know what you mean. I suppose Kunja hasn't scored yet. We know he's a quality player. When the team's playing better, I get you. Bruno would want him higher. But I think sometimes we're going to make a couple of tough calls. And maybe one of those is, one of the two underneath it, I'll rotate them if there's enough games, enough competition. And if you're scoring, you're staying in the team. If you don't, maybe we change it out.

35:25I think it's a great win for them prior to a break. You know, the noise can drop a little bit. He can concentrate on working with some of the players who are obviously not on international duty. And they line themselves up to a particularly decent game at Liverpool when we get back. So, yep, I look forward to that. Up to 10th in the Premier League table, Rob. And it's worth a little pause now as we go into an international break. And that's a good chunk of the games. That's a good start after seven. I just want to get a quick line on just expectations of Man United, Rob. What's acceptable, what's not, you know, in terms of finishing positions.

36:00Where are they going to be hovering around? Where are they going to be spending their time in this table? What's going to be acceptable for the manager to sort of, for the ownership or the fans to feel like, ah, we're going in the right direction now. You know, we're up to 10th. Are they got to be getting up to around the top six? or is between 6th and 10th okay, Rob, for the fans and for the ownership? I like 8th. I like 8th and up. And I love between 8th and 4th. Yeah, yeah. I think 8th and 4th is the next logical step. I think it's realistic. And then from there we think about, okay, how do we start to break back into that top four?

36:41I mean, that will bring European football, which is important to Manchester United whatever level that is and I'm sure we know they want to be in Champions League but that might be a little where you are on the road but yeah I think eight and above Rob and some consistency I think putting some back-to-back wins and showing it looks like it's going in the right direction yeah and then I think everything feels better that way and the other just thing Rob and it can't be easy being Ruben Amram to be fair since he's taken over the football club last year and started this. There's an honesty about him, Rob, that I like.

37:19Yeah, I do too. There's an honesty that I know sometimes he says the headline things and maybe he says the wrong things. But there's an honesty. He wants to get this thing right and he wants to be successful. He cares about it. That comes out. Yeah, he cares. And I think that's important. So, yeah, good win. Good Sunday roast for Mr. and Mrs. Amman. Away you go. Brilliant. alright what's next next other results we've got some other results let's go quickly through so we've got Bramford 0 Manchester City 1 so a Bramford team that I thought Rob looked to want to just stay in a game more than win the game at times and then maybe Thiago had the chance late on against Donnarumma where if he does a little bit better he might bring him back into it it's a City team that still and I thought you made a really good point in terms of Haaland didn't I'd wrote a note about Haaland Rob because like when that goal goes in I mean was it nine Premier League goals now and another seven or eight and other competitions and internationally all that I said I kind of a Haaland should come with a government health warning you know like you have cigarettes and there's a government health warning like this is bad for your health I mean he's just a brute and he he's a brute mate he runs through centre backs like school kids and stays on his feet he has good balance he bumped into the guy but he bashed him three times buddied him a little bit stayed on his feet still dragged the ball onto his left foot where he shoots scores and so i just wanted to make it that connection see so tiago's running through three really these people chasing him you see how his touch never allowed him to get the finish yeah harlan's bumping into people and knocking them off and still has the ability to have the ball in the right control to finish the goal.

39:09That's why he's special. I thought he made a valid point like, as great as he is, they need others. They're going to need others. I thought it was a big win. I thought it means they're still in and around it, Robin. I don't think at this stage we can be talking them out. The Rodri injury is a blow again. It looks like at this stage we're not going to be able to rely on him on a regular basis until, you know, he's got that level of fitness back and that match fitness. Yeah, and back to those wingers, Rob, isn't it? You know, I think all champion teams for as long as we can remember have had goal-scoring wingers.

39:50Yeah. And maybe Omar Mahmouche is going to be the guy that he's got an eye for goal when he comes back, maybe on the left-hand side. But Savinha, I really like Savinha and Oscar Bob. Yeah, yeah. I think the man at Pep said about it afterwards that the wingers have got to start chipping in with goals. We saw that before. Remember that season when Gundogan got a crazy amount of goals from the field? Yeah, 12, 13, didn't he? He's always there. Riyad Mahrez before that. There's always been others to score. And, you know, Erlen Haaland, I mean, I think they're the top goal scorers, right? I think they've scored the most goals, Man City, 15 goals so far.

40:21So the goals are there, but, I mean, it's all from one guy, really. So that's something to watch. You know, when you watch them play in the first half, Rob, you're like, you just can't rule out Man City because they're so dominant when they get the play going. I didn't think Brentford did a... I thought disappointed, like Lee Dixon in commentary. Expect a little bit more. Find a way to make it uncomfortable for City instead of just sitting back and being passive. I just thought they felt like they wanted to stay in it and give themselves a chance. I guess they did at 1-0. Yeah. Not great. Yeah.

40:53Shall we move to St. James' Port? Newcastle 2, Nottingham Forest 0. Newcastle starting to get a little bit with Guimaraes and Volchimada with another penalty kick I thought it was nice for Volchimada was it by Munich was it Colin Ruminig was talking about that kind of money I just don't think that's helpful and doesn't need to be but Volchimada scoring the goals and Newcastle going in the right direction I mean the story probably from that game it's Nottingham Forest it's Ange what is it, eight games in charge now no wins, I think a couple of duels in the Premier League. Is it seven or eight? Seven or eight.

41:30Seven or eight. But, I mean, the questions are being asked about how long he'll be there. Will he still be there after the break and all that stuff? I mean... It's a valid question, Rob. I saw a report on the Daily Mail Friday saying that, you know, there's reports that, you know, they're going to discuss it. Like, he could go in this window. We had a little chat in our studio, Rob, and Rebecca asked us, like, Like, is he going to be there? Do you think he'll be there, yeah. And I said, I'm going to say yeah, because I didn't think this game was awful from Forest. It was the approach that would make sense.

42:06Yeah. And I don't know if they're a great team anyway, not in a Forest. I'm not sure anybody else does a lot differently. I mean, I know there's been a ton of changes from last year, but Anthony Alanga was a really important player. It's hard to repeat. I thought Nuno Espirito Santo did an amazing job last year. He did a great job, yeah. Got about as much as you could possibly get out of this team. So there's always going to be a drop-off. And, of course, Stephen Warnock said, you know what, I think he's going to go. What do you think, Rob? What do you think the appetite is with Mr. Maranakis making a change?

42:36I think he's got two or three more games. I think we're talking ten games. For some reason, I feel like he'll get there. The November window, Rob, maybe. The November international break. Break. And then somebody thinking about doing something and maybe the window. Or certainly just getting a different look from the set of players. The issue and the reason why that's in doubt is that Mr. Maranakis, who's in charge, will make decisions not solely based on football, its personality, its other things. He didn't, Nuno didn't lead the football club because he wasn't getting enough results and he wasn't happy enough with the football because they had a personal falling out and disagreement.

43:17And he brought in Edu. And he brought in Edu. But what I'm saying, it's not always just what happens on the pitch. No. So if there's a clash in any ways, or Edu's sort of said, I'm not sure I can work with Ange, and blah, blah, blah, blah, he could be out of the door. He could easily be out of the door in this next seven days, and I wouldn't be surprised. I tend to think that having chosen him, there's a bit of a relationship between the two. I think they're both Greek-born, and I think he'll try and give him as long as he can, and I think that's two or three more games, max. Yeah, I hope so. I mean, I hope he gives him a few.

43:54I think it's like 27 days, isn't it? Is it 27, 21? I think it's like 27 days he's been there. And there's been a lot of games come thick and fast and, yep, no wins yet. But you've got to give him a little bit of time to see if some of his philosophies and all that can start bearing fruit. Because the football is entertaining. I don't know. Yeah, it's kind of sorry. I suppose the question they'll sort of ask is, can somebody do better with this group of players? That's the crux of it. and maybe Ange isn't suited to stopping goals going in and defending resolutely and then counter-attacking. He wants the ball and maybe that doesn't suit the group of players.

44:34I also think, Rob, just show me very quickly on that. I think Boris looks like one of those clubs where the temperature of the dressing room will be kept. One or two will be asked how they think he's doing. Yeah, quite possibly. I mean, I hope that that sort of stuff doesn't get back to the owner I'm just looking at their next couple of games, right, Mr. Earl. They've got Chelsea at home next, right? Yeah. Their next league game after that, they have Porto at home. Then they have Bournemouth away, difficult. Yeah. And then Man United at home. I'm looking at the league table. I think right now, West Ham United under Nuno Espíritu Santo, this is hilarious, isn't it, really, the former, I think they're going to find a way to start getting some points.

45:14I think he's an excellent manager, Nuno. And if they get a couple of results, not enough for us going to the bottom three. Yeah, yeah. And if they spend any amount of time on the bottom three... And if they've got Chelsea, Bournemouth and Man United, it's a Man United game. They could get one point out of those games. Yeah, and West Ham are only one point behind right now. If they get a win in any of those three games, then the course could be in the bottom three. I think these other things, I think the promoted teams, all doing okay, maybe Burnley apart, I think, other teams clicking on. I think all that will have an effect.

45:44There'll be a worry. There'll be a worry of relegation, not a forest. There will be a worry, yeah. Well, let's see how that one goes. We'll obviously keep across everything as we take the break. A team who, honestly, you could have put the whole team in the underappreciated category. Bournemouth 3, Fulham 1. Sachinon gets a goal for Fulham. Got to like how his career has come back on track, Rob, because you remember the Spurs move and things didn't really go for him. And then our friend Semenyu comes up with brilliant, two important goals. Clive at Skry's scores of beauty. And Bournemouth do what Bournemouth do, continue to play the right kind of football, continue to defy the odds of losing some of your best players and affecting the outcome of results.

46:29A couple of points here. Two outstanding players they've got. Justin Kluiver scores a brilliant goal. Brilliant goal from midfield. Sticks in the top corner in awful conditions and Anton Semenyo. And also again, we kind of say the same people each time I feel like we're Bournemouth. And the manager. The manager turning up the attacking dial. How many times have I said that? Like, when you're down, come on, manager, show me something. Brings a defender off Rob, plays with three at the back, throws attacking players on there, gets in front, and then actually brings another defender in later on to shore things up a little bit defensively.

47:01Ryan Christie comes into midfield, you know, Tyler Adams comes out, more attacking threat. With those attacking players that they've got, it's quite the story. He affects games, doesn't he, this fella? He does affect games. You know, and that's a unique skill that managers have. Some people like for like, and you see the team, it doesn't really change anything that's gone on. This guy knows how to affect it and go for things. And fair play to him. I mean, you know, at some point, people are going to be looking at this guy. I know he only signs short-term contracts. He's talked about being really happy with Bournemouth, and Bournemouth is an ambitious club in terms of ownership.

47:37But he's another one that I would think is starting to get on the radar of some of the big boys, mate, if jobs become available. Yeah, I mean, like Oliver Glasner, I always feel like if you have a good season, then that's interesting. If you have another good season, there's something in it to do that. And he's on that track right now. Semenyo, whether somebody comes in in January, he's such a good player. I was surprised he didn't go in the window. They lost, of course, other players. But it's remarkable how so many expensive players. I think they made$100 million in profit, Rob, and lost all those defenders.

48:13and brought players but still had 100 million and they're absolutely flying high. Doing the job. Fourth, the fourth right now in the Premier League. It's a story, and it's a brilliant story at little old Bournemouth. Well done. Let's go to Ellen Road, Leeds 1, Tottenham 2. So a little bit of this game, and do you know what, Rob? The value of man management and good managers, and Thomas Frank, you know, Matthias Tell had left out of the European group, probably not happy, ends up scoring a lovely goal, slightly deflection. Kudus, who's done so well in a number of assists, but looking for his first goal.

48:46And then you see the manager after, mate, and he's hugging them and he's getting them onside. And just having your group, understanding your group, getting the best out of every individual. Listen, we've been in dressing rooms where everybody's got to feel a million dollars, whether you're the striker who's earning the most money and scoring the goals or the right-back who's earning the least amount of money. A good manager makes everybody feel good. and I think that's one of the great strengths of Thomas Frank, as well as he's a tactically smart guy and he knows how to put a team together. He looks like he builds a real relationship with his players.

49:18Yeah, that's that side of it. It's a really important side of it. And I'm just starting to feel a little bit more connected to what's going on at Tottenham, Rob. I think I said to you, like, I haven't seen enough of them yet because he changes stuff so much. And this was the same again, really. I mean, he switched systems late in the game. He's got a ton of good options. He's got a bright attacking front line. You know, there might have been some that say, are they a striker light? You know, Richarlene can be inconsistent. Solanke's had surgery. Mokudis, Rob, looks like a really, really good acquisition.

49:55Odebeer, Xavi Simmonds. You know, you've got Brennan Johnson. There's quite an exciting, young, dynamic front line. I think the midfield is enhanced massively by Paulina. Jael Paulina massively improved and added some defensive nails and some experience and reading the game. Yeah, that's what they've needed, haven't they? Under-Hands, they didn't have that player who could protect a little bit. And on the back four, Porro, Romero, Van der Ven and Udogi, that's a good back four. They don't now just leave the defensive area and bomb forward. There's more protection involved, there's less of a high line.

50:33It's less stressful back there. It's a good team. And I was excited to see what a conventional coach would do with this squad, young squad. And there's still Archie Grace to come in. Jed Spence didn't play. Lucas Bergvall is another midfield player. So the more I'm looking at it, the more I'm liking it. I thought this was an awkward game at Leeds. I thought it played well in the first half. It was an awkward game, yeah. And they came through pretty strongly. And they're up to third place in the Premier League table as we go into this break. So I'm liking, liking Thomas Frank. liking this new look spurt.

51:03It's very different to last year, but it looks more durable and more structured. Pretty good. Like it. And to be fair, Daniel Falk has done a good job with Leeds, mate. They had a couple of chances late on. I think Calvert-Lewin and Peru, the left putter, Picario, comes up with a good save. So they're competitive and they look like they're going to have a good go at it this time around. So, yeah, delighted for Leeds. Good three points for Tottenham. let's move it to the Hill Dickinson Stadium Everton 2, Crystal Palace 1 Palace go 1-0 up and we're on a 19 game unbeaten run I think it's 12 in the Premier League but that goes to David Moyes and his Everton team and it was interesting I was listening to Jack Greenish after who was named man of the match with the late goal that he scores slightly fortuitous block when he gets in but he talked about working with David Moyes and having the ability to change the game.

52:00Half-time, I think keepers Beto came on and Alcaraz came on for Barry and Dibling, who started in the Sion XI, and it just gave them a little bit more ability to run in behind, a little bit more pace and possession to test the back three, the Palace that we talked of so well. And it changed the game. It put Everton more on the front foot. No doubt Palace a little bit fatigued from midweek in Europe. That's something they're going to have to deal with as the season goes on. but a great win for Everton a great sort of goal for Jack Grealish who the goal was missing and I know he's probably a bit disappointed not being the England squad having started the season that he started but can do no more than continue to do what he does and you can see how much he's revelling and being an important player back in the team again Yeah I think he loves being the kind of the star a little bit and the maverick a little bit a bit of attention around him.

52:57He's such a humble, lovely, what a guy he is, Rob. And the interview after saying it shouldn't be me getting man in the match, it should be Adam Walton who's the best player on the pitch. Very humble and he was in the right place at the right time. Interesting that David Moyes is encouraging him to get in the box more, to get more goals. With his quality, you should be getting a little bit more in terms of production goals. Wide players, you just said at City, isn't it? Wide players can't just be out there. And maybe he didn't get enough at Man City and maybe he'll get a few more now. But fair play, fair play to David Moyes.

53:28It looked like they were going to lose the game and this record at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was going to go unbeaten, but they found a way, come back in at 2-1. I mean, David Moyes, he's got the Midas touch in so many ways to keep this team going at Everton. They're in eighth place right now, a different-looking team in that new stadium. You feel for Palace, though, Robin, and he can't go on forever. That's some run, by the way. That's some run. Was it April? Six months since they lost a game. it was back in April the last time they lost a game incredible running as you say the European challenge is going to add another layer to them but they'll be absolutely fine with Oliver Glasner got one of the best progressive managers in the Premier League let's go to Aston Villa a couple of goals for Marlon 25-63 minutes enough to give Aston Villa a 2-1 win against a Burnley team that are finding it hard to get results.

54:24And we've got Wolves won, Brighton won. Wolves won up this time and then another late equaliser. Was it against Spurs recently? They gave up the lead. Wolves, was it Spurs? A couple of weeks ago? Yeah, I think so. I think they gave a late goal. They seem so close to winning this game, Rob. And a team that needs a win. Absolutely needs a win. Yet to win. Yeah, and there's a really good header from Van Hecker for Brighton to make it 1-1, but you just feel for Wolves a little bit. and Victor Pereira got himself a red card another manager with a red card didn't he Victor Pereira who's always got something to say irresponsible behaviour I think is the category that's the I think apparently apparently I think the Times reported that he was seen kicking the ball kicking the ball towards the referee they have a little dugout now apparently there's a referee's dugout and apparently he kicked the ball towards the referee's area there so frustrations there yeah we know what it's like how difficult it is just to get his first win for the team and he's a passionate guy and I think Wolves fans love that in him.

55:23Had to settle with the points as we go into the international break. Listen, mate, a little part of the podcast that we started to do this season, a little preview of a game coming up when we get back. So it's a couple of weeks before we get back. It's Sunday, October the 19th. Remember, it's 11.30 a.m. Eastern Time on the USA Network. So 11.30 a.m. Eastern Time on the USA Network. Liverpool, three state defeats, face Manchester United, who've yet to go in back-to-back games with Ruben Amram in charge. Who wins this one and why, my friend? Well, I think just real quick, I think Liverpool do get back to winning ways, Rob.

56:03I think Ugo Iketike deserves a start again. And I know he's the big money guy. Is there a way that you can play both of them? But I think we're going to see Iketike again. and they're not far off. They're really not far off. There's a few little issues. Manchester United will go there where that system will get forced back a little bit. So, yeah, I would favour Liverpool. If they don't win that game, then that is a little concerning given the run of form and on a slot trying to find the formula. He's gone back a little bit to last season's team, but we'll see. I just want to see a critique. I think he was dynamic, effective, good finishing.

56:45For me, should we start on the front? What's your immediate thoughts on this one? Your immediate thoughts has to be that Liverpool get back to something like, I think, playing against Manchester United, which always means a little bit extra because of the history and rivalry of those two teams over the years. I also think from Manchester United's point of view, though, Rob, it's a great chance for them to be seen to take in a step. If they could go to Anfield and get a result, go back to bat, Talk about players who are in a bit of form. One or two might have some minutes in international football.

57:17It might help them along the way. I just think it's a great opportunity for Manchester United to show that, you know, we talked about top eight and above. If they can go to Anfield and put a decent performance in it and get a result, then all of a sudden we're looking at them very differently. So it's a game that I think both teams have a lot riding on. if not that it's Liverpool v Manchester United, which means everything anyway. From Liverpool's point of view, Rob, and there's lots of the defensive issues, the control of the midfield, I'm looking for a good Liverpool day, a good Liverpool forwards day.

57:57We haven't really had one, have we? For all that quality that we've got. Mo Salah's got to come away. You know, Mo kicking in, a three, four, five, when they're on it, you go, wow, that's what's... So much looking forward to it. So I know we've got a little bit of a break between now and then, but always a big game, always one to look forward to. Just a final, if Man United find a way to win, they then just get two points behind Liverpool. Just two points behind Liverpool. Before straight defeats for Liverpool, mate. And all of a sudden, everything that was on Arteta and Arsenal turns to Liverpool and Arnaz Lott.

58:39Which is what's great. I mean, honestly, I read a note after today's game where somebody said it really just feels like the Premier League is getting started in earnest now. Yeah, I think so. We really feel once after we get over this international break, every game is going to really start to see inequality. And those big games are going to be so important. Listen, mate, great to catch up. Have yourself a great weekend off. I think it's the first time in over the year that Liverpool haven't sat top of the table. There's Arsenal winning. The Gunners go one point ahead of the Reds. It was a good week for Bournemouth, Spurs, Man United, and Newcastle.

59:16We're going to take that week off for international break when you can catch up on all those World Cup qualifiers and international football. So we'll be back on Sunday. That's October the 19th, when Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield. Kick-off 11.30am Eastern Time on the USA Network. But for now, I'm Earl. He's Mustard together with the two Robbies. Thanks for watching and listening. be safe, stay healthy it's a good night from me and it's a good night from him good night

From the publisher

Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe discuss a massive Matchweek 7 in the Premier League

01:03 - Slot’s slumping Liverpool suffer a third successive defeat as Brazilian wonderkid Estevao scores late for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
20:23 - Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table in a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham
31:27 - Manchester United see off Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford, offering Ruben Amorim a small sigh of relief heading into the international break
37:42- Other Results: Brentford 0-1 Manchester City, Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham, Leeds 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur, Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace, Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley, Wolves 1-1 Brighton


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