Arsenal On The Brink: Drama In East London

14:09Alan Shearer:Well, you would have thought so. So it's worked out really well for Arsenal and as we've said in the last few weeks they're on the verge of something really truly special and historic for that football club. I was just about to say, what if they win the double, the Champions League and the Premier League? And a team that, on paper, I'm not going to say it's not that great, but we've seen better teams over the years, haven't we? If they could get this done, it would be remarkable. It would be an unbelievable achievement. And it's in their grasp. What have they got? Three more games to do it? They've just got to win three more games.

14:48Gary Lineker:Two league games and a final. wow incredible

14:52Alan Shearer:Manchester City too are on the brink of a double possibly treble if Arsenal falter it's not over yet they'll have the League Cup and then they've got the FA Cup final against Chelsea where they'll be strong favourites so you know the two between them will sweep up all the trophies and then Villa and Crystal Palace could conceivably win the other two European trophies and that'll be quite a season for some English clubs I don't believe the title race is over yet though guys

15:20Gary Lineker:well it's never over till it's over is it we've seen that you said Man City were going to win every game so that was rubbish too

15:32I just think there's another twist

15:34Alan Shearer:do you I think there's another twist I'm not so sure I thought that was always going to be the hard one they've come off the back of a huge night in midweek which you have to take into account to a degree playing against a team fighting for their lives who've shown significant improvement in the second half of the season, albeit the last resort was a really poor one. So I think this was always the biggest test. I find it hard to imagine that they'll let it slip from here, but it's football. And the Premier League is hugely competitive. And Arsenal's winning run at the moment is three games, which is the best currently in the Premier League.

16:16Alan Shearer:So it shows you how competitive it is at present. We sometimes talk about the quality of the football when we've seen games like PSG and Bayern Munich, but overall that intensity and the competitiveness of the Premier League is really strong. I mean, the one thing I would say about Arsenal this season, I think they've had really strong patches and they've had little dips. Everyone's going to do that. But what they do throughout the season, Bloody hell that he fend well. As we've already mentioned him, you know, David Raya. He's been absolutely magnificent. Talk of him possibly footballer of the year.

16:56Alan Shearer:Now, it's very rare that goalkeeper gets it. But, you know, I think if Arsenal clinched the league, I think who else would there be from them? Declan Rice possibly has been, you know, he's so consistent. Runs himself into the ground. is making a massive difference in so many games. And outside of that, what, Bruno possibly. He got football writers, didn't he? Bruno, is that right? Yeah, he got that, which, yeah. So, and I think that was deserved. I think, you know, what he's done, his consistency and the number of assists he's had this season contributed a lot. It's quite unusual a player gets it that's not one of the title, at least chasing teams.

17:40Alan Shearer:But so, you know, congratulations to Bruno. Fernandes for that. He's been brilliant this season, no question. But I wonder when it comes to the players voting for their own, I wonder what they'll do. Who would you choose? Because I would choose David Rea without doubt. I think he's been Arsenal's best player. I think Gabriel deserves a shout.

17:59Gary Lineker:Declan Rice for me.

18:01Alan Shearer:Yeah, I think I'd go Declan. I just haven't got it in me to vote for a goalkeeper. I mean, I spent 17 years playing and the bastard's always getting in the way.

18:13Gary Lineker:Tell you what, or you do not win the Premier League without having an outstanding goalkeeper. And he is exactly that.

18:20Alan Shearer:He really is, isn't he? I mean, he's all-round game. He's good with the ball at his feet. I mean, some of the crosses he came out for, I know he got lucky with the one at the end and he probably was fouled. But I thought he was... And that saved... I think that saved on the title for them, really.

18:38Gary Lineker:I mean, you see Mikel Arteta's reaction on the touchline when he saved it. It was like, oh my goodness me. It was a huge moment, huge moment. Can I address Arteta's attire?

18:54Alan Shearer:He wears those grey trousers and black top every game. What do you think, Mike, as our fashion consultant? I think he looks smart. He's a handsome looking chap, isn't he? His hair's always in place. Has he got a bit of dye on there though? Or is that just... I don't know. I don't know. It looks like he's a bit of a day on this. I don't think so. He's always like jet black. He looks fantastic. He's got his grey pants, his nice top, his shoes on. Yeah, he certainly looks a part. He looks a business. Yeah. He looked happy when that goal went in from Tross. That was a huge moment. You were predicting on the chat all along.

19:31Alan Shearer:And I actually agreed with you. You went 1-0. It's going to be 1-0 Arsenal. It's definitely going to be 1-0. And you even named the minute, but you were, what, five minutes out?

19:38Gary Lineker:Five minutes out, yeah. Yeah, you've got to give them huge credit, Arsenal, because I know how they feel and I know the pressure and the stress they're under and all of those things. So for them to find a way... And you're going to have sticky points in the season and Arsenal have been in some difficult situations and one of those, again, was today, but they've got through it. They've got the points and they deserve great credit for that. And it's... I mean, can you imagine their feeling now? the relief and everything else that goes with it, knowing that they've got two games, two games to win that title.

20:16Gary Lineker:You've been in this exact position, Alan.

20:18Alan Shearer:What's the way to approach it?

20:20Gary Lineker:You try and sound as calm as possible. But I mean, that's very, very difficult because it's, I don't care who or what you are, you're going to have feelings, you're going to have emotions, you're going to have all of those things. And because these players have never been there in terms of never won it and the pressure is on them hugely to go and win it, to finally get over the line. And they're only human, so they are nervous and edgy, and I get it and they understand it. But I do think the situation they're in now, and I said it, I think last weekend and last week was huge for them. And I thought even after, what, five or ten minutes, I thought the way they passed it, the way they moved it with pace and all of that, I thought, this could be easier than I thought.

21:07Gary Lineker:But obviously it wasn't. But I just think with the confidence that they'll have now, and they will have it after the last seven or eight days that they've had, that they'll go on and they'll beat Burnley and they'll beat Crystal Palace.

21:19Alan Shearer:40 years ago, I was in a similar position with Everton. We had three games to go. We needed to win them all to win the title from Liverpool. And we had a few injuries, but we played away at Oxford.

21:33Alan Shearer:And we arrived at the ground. some people know this story but we arrived at the ground and they unpacked the skip and they'd forgotten to put my boots in so I had to I had to borrow a pair and they were a size too big and I think I hit the post I had a couple of near misses and I didn't have my boots Micah and we lost 1-0 you lost 1-0 yeah we won the last two games and I scored five but in that game I didn't have my boots and they were my lucky boots they went on to the World Cup and I won a golden boot I've done well in this episode I've got the hat-trick in the camp now

22:17Gary Lineker:you dickhead you dickhead

22:20Alan Shearer:can you believe they forgot your boots it's unbelievable isn't it but what do you mean they forgot your boots how did they forget your boots but they carry it in those days you don't really add one pair and they put them all in a skip and carried them to the ground and they just, they weren't in there. Oh my God. What did you say to the kit man at the time? Well, I'm too nice. Because if you're superstitious, that is a big thing, that, isn't it? Definitely. If I wasn't superstitious before, I was fucking well after the game.

22:52Gary Lineker:Can you imagine Arsenal going to a game next week and the kit man forgetting to pack Bukayo Sacco's boots? I know.

23:00Alan Shearer:It begs belief. The game's moved on a little bit. I think the game's moved on a little bit nowadays. They all have their kit laid out, don't they? All this pair of different boots on the bottom. It's all very different. So what was the feeling going into the game though, Gaz? It's 40 years ago. I can't remember.

23:18Gary Lineker:You can't even remember what happened yesterday, never mind four years ago.

23:22Alan Shearer:What was yesterday? But was you confident going into the game then? Well, always, yeah. It was just one of those days. We battered them. They got a breakaway. They scored a goal and we missed. It just wasn't to be and it was just a nightmare. And then we lost the FA Cup final and then we did the open top bus ride together on the day after. Liverpool had the double and we had fuck all. It was the worst decision ever, ever in the history of football that was. But anyway, we digressed. So Arsenal going into this, well, this spell now, they must be hugely confident.

23:57Gary Lineker:Yeah, they have to be. I mean, Burnley are home and Palace are winning. Palace are going to play a reserve team. And that's up to them, by the way, because they've earned that right to do that. It's their football club. They've got an agenda that they need to protect themselves in terms of winning their trophy. So they're entitled to put whatever team out they want. So, yeah, they have to be super confident. No, but it's not going to be. Yeah, on paper, yes. But look at the QPR game with Man City. You think that was going to be an easy game? it wasn't you know I just feel as though yeah they probably will get it done now and they've got to be super confident totally agree but Palace sometimes when you he's going to play second string but players who have got something to prove also so sometimes they can be the hardest games you know

24:51Alan Shearer:we shall see we've got to get over the one let's take a little bit a little break and perhaps talk about the Manchester City perspective on this title race when we come back. This episode is brought to you by Snickers. Right. So VAR goes up and whether you're watching with your mates or just watching on your own, it all kicks off. You're arguing, fuming, getting way too worked up.

25:18Gary Lineker:Honestly, it's like watching someone slowly turn into a different person. You're not you when you're hungry. Classic.

25:26Alan Shearer:So maybe it's a sign, a sign for Snickers. Never a bad call to help you avoid a full-on meltdown. I've seen a few in my time.

25:34Gary Lineker:Remember Tamuri Kitbaya? And he wanted to prove a point to the manager that he should be in the team and he scored the goal. Whipped his shirt off and threw it into the Gallagher end and started absolutely smashing the advertising board, volleying it, didn't he? Full-on volley. Can you remember? VAR might test your patience, but it's a shared frustration everyone laughs about. Remember, it's a sign for Snickers.

25:59Alan Shearer:Just remember, everyone loses it sometimes. That's football. Well, you're not you when you're hungry. It's a sign for Snickers. Visit snickers.co.uk to learn more. Welcome back to The Rest is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Can you imagine what Manchester City players and Pep Guardiola were going through watching that, particularly that crazy finale? Agony. They'd have been all, and I absolutely guarantee you, jumping around their room and then suddenly they'll be demoralised. I mean, that must have been tough for them. Did you see Pepe at a press conference? Yeah.

26:37Come on, you items. I quite like that. I thought that was outstanding. Yeah, obviously, they'll be devastated, won't they? Because they know they're going into the game against Palace on Wednesday and they would have been going into that game full of confidence. However, they've only got themselves to blame against Everton. They didn't turn up. the Miami 4 that point in the end was a good point but to concede free against Everton it's not

27:05Alan Shearer:it's not good enough Having said that Mike having said that they did come from 3-1 behind and if they if that game had finished in a draw today that would have like you'd have gone wow that comeback is probably won the league But what have we talked about all season guys we've talked about Arsenal opening the door for Man City haven't they they should have never given them that chance that opportunity and now Man City it's in their hands essentially goal difference and goal scored came into it at the time but they go and draw against Everton and from their point of view they've only got themselves to blame working all working so hard to get to that point and then you go to Everton and there was one nil up it's not as though there was one nil up at the time manage the game we've talked about Man City so many times they control it you know they pass you to death the star view of the ball and then one moment of madness back into the game and then yes they get the draw in the end but they've only got themselves to blame now they can blame the decision if there is a difference between the two sides and there's not a lot of difference because points tell you that it's probably that Arsenal are harder to score against yep

28:14Gary Lineker:yeah defensively I think yeah I think they're slightly better defensively not many better than Arsenal with them the way they defend those two centre Arsenal brilliant I know Gahis came in, made a big difference, as has Semenyo. Their signing's in January, but Arsenal are better defensively, yeah. I don't like Man City's high line. I don't like it at all. When Kusinov plays, it's fine because he's absolutely rapid. Gahis and Aki are fast enough, but not fast enough to play that high of a line all the time. And we always know how we do it. I've spoke many times on the podcast about starving the opposition and winning the ball back high and all that sort of stuff.

28:57And that's why they do it, sort of trying to pressurise in certain areas of the field. But you just leave yourself too open, too open at the back. And they could have been punished, but they got away with it yesterday.

29:12Alan Shearer:In the end, they ran out comfortable winners. Doc, who's found a bit of form, hasn't he? Great finish again, wasn't he?

29:18Gary Lineker:Yeah, he's like three is curled in. Yeah. That's two games. Definitely found his form, but I'm not sure it's going to be enough. I think his end product is getting a lot better now, isn't it? He's got to keep that consistently. Yeah, he's got to keep it. But I think that comes from confidence though, doesn't it? I think he knows that's his position. I think he was fighting for his place at the start, but now he knows, okay, this is my position. I know exactly what I need to do. And he can see his confidence building as well.

29:46Alan Shearer:Another goal for Erling Haaland. That's 26 goals. Not bad, is it? He's four ahead now of Thiago. He's going to win another golden boot. He's going to beat all the records if he stays at City. That's for sure. He's going to win a lot of golden boots and he might even chase you down now.

30:02Gary Lineker:I agree. Yeah, I think that's the big question is that at the end what you said, if he stays at City. I know he signed a long deal, but I think he'll continue to smash every record if he continues and stays there.

30:16Alan Shearer:Eight assists as well now this season. He got another one yesterday, didn't he? So is he the all-round centre forward these days? I wouldn't say yet. I still think there's certain parts of his game that he can improve. Even just his one-touch sets, you know? So sometimes I feel like he's fighting with the defender all the time where he doesn't need to. He could set it off and spin, but he took his assist really well for Mahmoud in the game. And I think he can do that a lot more, but the game's not that stretched. When Man City play, everyone's always played a low block. But in terms of that, he's definitely improving his all-round game.

30:55Still think he's got a bit to go, though.

30:57Gary Lineker:I do think also they're starting to put balls in earlier for him. Yes. And have done for a bit now. And when that happens, he's a much better centre forward.

31:06Alan Shearer:Yeah, surprise, surprise, Al.

31:08Gary Lineker:Yeah. It's not rocket science, is it? Not really, no.

31:11Alan Shearer:I don't know how you were with wingers, but if they weren't getting it in, they would be on the receiving end. Correct. Yeah, exactly. Elsewhere, elsewhere. I suppose the other thing to look at, you know, the big game, obviously Tottenham leads in the relegation fight. But perhaps European spots, Brighton, Bournemouth, both going really well. Brentford as well this season, although obviously they lost their game in the end. So, I mean, Bournemouth.

31:40Gary Lineker:Bournemouth is incredible, isn't it? I mean, do you know what? it's thinking if and there's a real proper chance now that they could be playing in the Champions League I mean even just saying Bournemouth Champions League and yet their manager is not going to be the one that is going to manage them in the Champions League if they get there it just seems crazy because to have their best season and then get to Champions League and for him not to do it just seems crazy but they're unbelievable they're what a season they're having really really good team

32:13Alan Shearer:Very well coached. Obviously, they're very good at finding players in the recruitment sense. Young players as well. Only Liverpool in 94, 95 and Liverpool in two other years as well, 97, 98, 98, 99, have scored more goals via teenagers in a Premier League season than Bournemouth this term. They've got 17, which speaks volumes for their recruitment and the bravery and confidence to put youngsters in. You really like Kruppi, don't you, Al?

32:44Gary Lineker:I do, yeah. I do. I think he's got huge potential, yeah. Huge potential.

32:50Alan Shearer:Somebody might have a pop at him, take a little punt. Because obviously, you know, he plays up front, doesn't he? There are not many around that are that promising. So if you can get one early. So I wouldn't surprise me if they have big offers for him.

33:06Gary Lineker:Me too. I think he's got potential to go right to the top.

33:11Alan Shearer:Yeah, another bloody French player as well. My goodness, they produce some talent, don't they? How did they do it? What are they doing that we're not doing? I don't understand. Because all the French players seem to be rapid and good technically from a young age. Like, what are we not doing? Is it coaching? We've got some really talented youngsters, haven't we? But they seem to have both. How can you have Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola, Dewey? it's not fair that though is it it's not fair they're all rapid at least say you've forgotten at least say at least I've not even mentioned no but that's a little bit of half-half because he could have been English if he wanted to not now not now he could have been English he could have we let that one slip but they've got the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League 16 games of any team this season

34:07Gary Lineker:believable isn't it incredible

34:08Alan Shearer:I mean Obviously, they need Villa to win the final of the Europa League. I think they'll be favourites. Unai Emery, he knows how to win that trophy.

34:19Gary Lineker:Who's the last two games? Who's the last two games, Bournemouth?

34:22Alan Shearer:They've got City at their place, Bournemouth. Yeah, I mean, that again is, you look at the fixtures between City and Arsenal, and that is by far, I would say, the toughest. And they've got Forest away, haven't they? Forest away would probably be safe, completely safe by then. Just need a point, don't they? If you're listening to this on Monday, obviously Spurs play tonight, home to Leeds. Massive game. If they could somehow get three points out of that.

34:48Gary Lineker:Big opportunity for them.

34:50Alan Shearer:Be four points clear of West Ham.

34:52Gary Lineker:The relief that Spurs would have had as well when Arsenal are winning that game. That would, you would think, after how they played last week and getting the points last week, that would give them the belief and confidence to go again. So it wouldn't surprise me if Spurs would win.

35:07Alan Shearer:I wonder how the Spurs fans were reacting to that game because, you know, on the one hand, they wanted Arsenal to win to keep West Ham down. And on the other hand, would they want Arsenal to win the league? Would they help? So I just wonder, I think there'd be a mix, you know, of Tottenham fans thinking, oh, a point, a draw. We'll take a draw because City then probably win the league and Arsenal don't. So I just wonder how they would have responded to that at the end of that game there. Who've Spurs got left to play? Or Leeds, Chelsea and Everton. It's not easy that, you know. Nothing's easy, Mike.

35:49Alan Shearer:And not when you're fighting for your life at the bottom of the Premier League. But they're in a lot better position than they were a couple of weeks ago. That's for sure.

35:56Gary Lineker:Tomorrow's huge for them, isn't it? At home, after two victories. Yeah, it's a huge game for them. Watching on together. Yeah, it's not going to be easy. Go on, Spurs. Go on, Spurs.

36:10Alan Shearer:Before we go, a quick word on Rochdale. I know we talked about it a couple of weeks ago when they missed out on promotion back to the league, didn't they? With York City in that mad injury time. Shenanigans, really, going on at the end of the game. Extraordinary scenes. And then today in the playoff, they were 2-0 down against Boreham Wood. only to go on and score two goals in the last 10 minutes with an equaliser in the 98th minute. They went on to win on pens. What about that? To go up? To go up, yeah. Oh, I've not seen that. Sorts of whith, Borham Wood, at this difficult time. Boy, oh boy, that must have been brutal for them.

36:54Alan Shearer:But if they'd have missed out again, it would have been grim. But, you know. Yeah, well done then. The character to show losing that and then coming back and then going to the playoffs and then winning, like that that's amazing story that isn't it extraordinary stuff great way to end um we'll watch the game tonight and no doubt we'll discuss that at some point so um thank you micah thank you alan that's it uh goodbye from me goodbye from me goodbye from me

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