Arsenal The Team To Beat

17:27Forget about how you win at the moment. Obviously, he's still working on bits and pieces, how they can be as good as Pep's teams. But I think it's a new look Man City. When you've got a new midfield, Anderson, and you've got Enzo, it's different to last season, isn't it?

17:44Alan Shearer:What is the difference, if you've noticed any, Michael, in terms of the way Maresco wants to play as opposed to that of Pep Guardiola? So I think they want to play similar in terms of, when Pep first came in, it was all about get the ball back. And then everyone started dropping really deep against City teams, so they just dominate the ball. But what used to happen with Man City is dominate, dominate, and then a lot of players used to run beyond the ball. And if you've seen it, if you go back to early Man City games, Rodri was always getting caught out. So it's not like they can't learn, they will learn.

18:18And in one of the games, he put Gehi in midfield. And I wasn't happy about that decision, but he had to do what he had to do. And Gehi was always beyond the ball. So when City lost the ball, again, that counter-attack. Man City are always going to dominate the ball. I think what's different with this Man City team means they've got more energy. So Anderson's got really good legs. Enzo's got really good legs. Shirky takes a lot of risks in that midfield area. And they are trying to get the ball back as soon as possible. But I don't think they're as disciplined as when Man City were at the best.

18:55And that's because of the likes of Bernardo Silva and the likes of Rodri. And people can give me these stats and everyone will give me these stats and say, well, the amount of tackles that Anderson's won, compared to Rodri. There's not much in it. But it's not just that. It's the position where Rodri was always to stop a counterattack, read where the game is and speed the game up when it needed it and slow it down. And that's what Anderson needs to learn. We saw Anderson in the World Cup, fantastic player, but he's sort of energetic, wants to press high. And then sometimes he's not as disciplined as he should be.

19:33And you add Enzo into that, who always wants to get into the box, sometimes they can leave themselves open. So in terms of the differences, I think the profile of midfielder is just different. I think they're actually playing with two eights, playing as number sixes. So they want to get out and they want to vacate the areas that they're supposed to be in. But in terms of what they can bring to the City side is that energy, which Man City, we said last season, they need some more energy in there.

20:04Gary Lineker:I did that game, PLP, on a Saturday. Nico O 'Reilly got injured in the warm-up, so they brought in Enzo Fernandes to start the game. Just, I mean, Coventry, I thought were brilliant. I mean, Frank must be thinking, what on earth have we got to do to get something out of this game? Because they missed so many chances. And they really frustrated City at times. Probably, there's no way they deserve to go away from Man City with nothing. They without doubt deserved at least a point, at least a point. I would say they're giving away a lot more chances, Man City. And that has to improve. They can't go on like that because teams will punish them.

20:43Gary Lineker:It'll be really interesting to see how they get on in Porto tomorrow night. I'm doing that game. So, yeah, they've won three. And that's a good thing. And you're right, Mike. It's all about winning. And he has to get off to a good start. And he has done. But the one thing they're going to have to improve on is that not give so many chances away because another team will punish them.

21:02Alan Shearer:Now we've got three games into the Premier League season, I think we've all reiterated the fact that we think Arsenal will win the league. Who out of, I think it's probably Chelsea or Manchester City, maybe Liverpool, do you think as the team that will offer the biggest threat, if any at all?

21:23Gary Lineker:Those two, Chelsea and City, I don't know. Which one of the two? Probably say Man City. I would go Man City purely because I feel as though Man City are better defensively. They've worked together as a unit a lot more than Chelsea. I think Chelsea might be more entertaining if you look at the games that they've played so far, especially that Fulham game. Fulham could have won that game. The amount of chances are conceded against Arsenal as well. The amount of goals have conceded this season. I think if they really want to be title challengers, they need to improve on defensive actions.

22:02Alan Shearer:Let's move on to Liverpool. Your old favourite scored a couple of goals, Ali.

22:07Gary Lineker:Yeah. Did you see what happened? I said it, didn't I, last week. If you're going to get the best out of Isak, you have to play early balls in behind. And Liverpool haven't been doing that. And they did it this weekend. I mean, his two goals were brilliant. I'm going to say what you want about the goalkeeper. but the way he shifted his feet the way the passes in behind from Gakpo wasn't it? Early balls, quick balls, running in behind, into his path that's how you'll get the best out of Alexander Isak, playing balls like that, playing balls from in from out wide I should say and he's brilliant at doing that there's not many better, once he gets you lined up 1v1 the way he shifts his feet but you have to play those quick those quick balls into his feet and in behind to get the best and his finishes were superb He's come from a bad injury, hasn't he?

22:54I think you guys have had injuries. Al, you've had multiple injuries. And it takes a while to get back to your best, doesn't it? First, you've got to deal with that. And then you've got to deal with being at a massive club where everyone expects you to do well because of what you've done at Newcastle. Equally as a big club. But then if you come into a team where the guy who's sort of brought in his second fiddle, Eketike, is scoring goals. And then your confidence is short because of the transfer fee being brought for as well. Then you've not had a pre-season on top of that. He's not superhuman.

23:35There was going to be a period in the season where he wasn't going to be his best. Now he's had a proper pre-season. He did okay at the World Cup. Now you're probably going to see the real E-set. but he needs to because he's a top quality player and when you're at a club like Liverpool and you're getting scrutinised every single week he needs to step up but Al's exactly right if they give him that service he will score goals I think it was just being a recovering from injury and now a confidence thing and it looks like he's got his confidence back

24:04Gary Lineker:I think with also the dislike from not just from Newcastle fans but fans in general because of what he did and how he got out of Newcastle I think mentally clearly he had to deal with that with him not playing and not training and not turning up, whatever. I think that doesn't go down well with fans, does it? So, yeah, that would have been tough for him as well. I've no sympathy for that. But when you're seeing those balls played like that, then there's not many better than him once he gets you lined up. Remember when he got Van Dijk lined up at St James' that's the balls you need to play into him because he's brilliant at that.

24:41Alan Shearer:It's bound to take him a bit of time to settle, but bagging a couple of goals like that will help his confidence. Also, Bradley Barkler obviously featured. He came on. Nice few touches. He looked sharp, didn't he? He is sharp. He looked sharp. He sees, you know, when they have the little numbers of the, how fast you've run. Yeah. You know, like, oh my gosh. He's already top three in the league, like miles per hour or something. Yeah. And the good thing about him, it's from like a standstill and he could just go. He had something different. He's got a bit of Mbappe about him in that sense. I mean, he's not Mbappe.

25:18Alan Shearer:Yeah, but I know what you mean. But in that, from start to stationary to actually full acceleration, it's like really impressive. Go on, Floyd. Names. Is it Isak, Wurtz? Yeah. Who went in? And then Barcola. It is exciting, isn't it? It is exciting. They've just got to do it now. They needed that win. I mean, Ipswich made it very easy for them in the first few minutes. Yeah, they did. And the game was sort of over. and you worry for Ipswich if they continue to defend in that manner. I mean, after that, they didn't do it too badly, but I think it's going to be a tough season for Ipswich, but as it always is with the promoted side.

25:56Alan Shearer:Let's take a break there. There's plenty more to discuss when we come back.

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27:56Alan Shearer:Let's move on to Everton and Manchester United. I mean, there's Maitland now. I mean, what a stunning feeling. I mean, it's Sikner, obviously, for United and their supporters, right at the death there. But, I mean, sometimes you have to just go, fair play, mate. What a goal. What a goal.

28:15Gary Lineker:What about the angle from behind? I mean, just the way he whips. Because I wasn't sure how he hit it. I wasn't sure whether he hit it with the front of the foot, the inside of the boot or what. But the angle from behind when he sort of whips it with the inside. and keepers got absolutely no chance. I think that was a big result for Everton, because of what's going on in the farce in the transfer market with them ending the way they did and leaving themselves really, really light. I think that was a big result for them. They probably deserved it. It was a very good game. I thought, I'm not sure.

28:50Gary Lineker:Well, I am. Man United are not good enough defensively, I don't think, to challenge anywhere near the teams we've already mentioned. but that was a cracking game. I thought Rashford was outstanding in the game. He's looking sharp. He looks very sharp and he's direct. He's not second-guessing himself. He could have had at least two or three assists in the game.

29:15Alan Shearer:There was one bit of play where he went on a mazey dribble, got inside the box and then he just had the wherewithal just to put that little back flick. fantastic tackle I think was it Tarkovsky that shot that brilliant brilliant tackle Tyree George looks like he's got something that Everton I think that could be a good signing for all of them yeah there was talking about they don't have another striker don't they apart from Barry but actually he can play up front as well I know he's played off the left but and the right I think he's a good player who is he's got He's enthusiastic and he works hard.

29:55He's only 20. And he took his chance really well. He had another one a little bit later on, but I think he was fractionally offside maybe on that opportunity. But he works well. He works well for the team. And the manager seems to like him. Someone who's just 20 years old, putting them performances in terms of tactically what the manager wants. I thought it was impressive.

30:18Gary Lineker:Brilliant finish, wasn't it? Yeah, really good. Great goal. Superb strike. Excellent strike.

30:23Alan Shearer:Manchester Derby next. I'm doing that on Sunday.

30:26Gary Lineker:Was it at Old Trafford? Yeah.

30:28Alan Shearer:It's at Old Trafford. Yeah. Big game. Huge game. That's a big game. Big game for Maresca as well. Obviously, his first Manchester Derby in charge of City. So, big one for him. What about Newcastle? Newcastle came from behind, Alan. We were watching the politics show together, weren't we, Mike, at the Rest is Fest in the Southbank Centre. and when we went in, we'd seen that Newcastle had gone two behind and we thought, oh, Alan's quiet. Yeah, yeah. Alan's quiet.

31:01Gary Lineker:It was a bit, there was a lot of excitement. Bournemouth are Newcastle's bogey team. I mean, I don't think Newcastle have beaten them in the league in the last sort of eight or nine games, if I'm right. And then they go 2-0 up and Alex Scott, Alex Scott was brilliant in midfield. He was bossing it. And Bournemouth, I tell you, they're press. Because, you know, I said last weekend Newcastle did a job on Spurs and Deserby couldn't do anything about it and didn't. Well, Bournemouth came to Newcastle and did a job on Newcastle in terms of particularly the first hour. But the one thing I would say is Bournemouth, like how fit, how brilliant their press was in stopping Newcastle to play.

31:39Gary Lineker:But as you know, to constantly and keep on doing that for 90, 95 minutes, it's tough, you know. So, Newcastle, certainly the last half an hour were the better team. Huge Harvey Barnes goal straight after going 2-0 down. Give them a little bit of belief. Great goal as well. It was a fantastic goal. He's actually one of Newcastle's best finishers, you know. You don't pose a threat from that left-hand side. And once he gets into the box, he does offer a goal threat. So, it was a great strike. The manager made the substitutions. He worked. Ramsey came on and got his goal. So after being 2-0 down to get a point, without doubt, you'll take that.

32:20Gary Lineker:But Bournemouth will be all right. But the worrying trend for them is obviously conceding another late goal after doing so well in the game. Because I don't know whether it's just they run out of steam, they're knackered, because it's bloody hard work doing what they did for 90-odd minutes.

32:38Alan Shearer:Marco Rose actually played for Jurgen Klopp for, I think, about five years at Mainz. So you can see a bit of the old Gagan Press, Jurgen Klopp style of football in there, can't you? Yes, we can. Alex Scott, do you remember what I said last year? Yeah. How good of a player he is? Brilliant. He's so good in me. How composed is he on the ball? Yeah, he was superb. Left, right, left, right. He's just, he goes forward at the right times. He's got that Cruyff in the bag. He slows it down. He speeds it up when he wants to. Yeah, he's going to be in the squad very, very soon. Well, obviously, there's a big international break coming up, isn't there?

33:18Gary Lineker:He'll be a one, if it's not in January, he'll be a one next summer. Yeah. That'll go for probably three figures. I'd agree with that.

33:27Alan Shearer:Yeah, he's got a real talent and he controlled the game in many ways.

33:31Gary Lineker:He did. He bossed it. Actually, he was brilliant. Yeah, he was very, very clever.

33:35Alan Shearer:Could he be the ball-playing midfielder that perhaps England have lacked?

33:40Gary Lineker:He's got the ability to. I think he does a bit of everything, doesn't he? Even when he gets forward, he's cute and he's clever. He's good on the ball, can handle the ball under pressure. Yeah, he was superb. It's hard to say, isn't it? Because, again, the game's about systems right now, isn't it? And he fits into that system ever so well. At a Champions League club, and especially if you go into the Champions League, you're up against people who are just as fast, just as strong. In terms of the decisions they make, they're a lot better than the Premier League. But as a raw ability, I think he's got all the tools to be whatever he wants to be.

34:24That's how good I actually think he is. I would love to see him in a team that's challenging for top four. although Bournemouth did last season, but on a regular basis? Because I actually think he's that good.

34:36Alan Shearer:Maybe the team in the season so far, I don't think we thought we'd say this after three games would beat the whole city. I mean, what a start they've had. I mean, not conceding in three Premier League games, having been one of the teams that conceded the most goals last season in the championship, I think they were about 14 most conceded goals. So, I mean, to come into the Premier League, and obviously they've brought in a lot of new players, but I mean, it's quite remarkable the start they've had.

35:10Gary Lineker:Amazing. Absolutely superb. They've got a system clearly that they're enjoying, sit and soak up the pressure and try and hit you on the break. Very well organised. And yeah, you're right, not one of us said about Hull. we all said, yep, going back down. But they've given themselves a great opportunity. We all didn't say it like that. I would say I want them to do well because my mate, Burnie, plays for them. But I just, the stats are telling us something else, Alan. Brilliant. We should listen to our eyes at times, shouldn't we?

35:42Alan Shearer:They avoided relegation to League One a couple of seasons ago just by goal difference. They've come a long way. Every promoted side that has got at least seven points in the first three games that have come up from the championship has stayed up. Can we change? Can we change? We probably only need another 30 then. It'll be all right. Yeah. I mean, you know, in those games, you know, they've had United and Villa. So, it's a cracking start for them. Brilliant start. Yeah. And it just shows you if you can defend, it always gives you a chance, doesn't it? Yeah, if you can defend, but also if you want to defend.

36:24You see the back three, Ajayi, Egan and Mendy. The way they control the center of the box. Even Mendy, he always wants to get forward. He's one of those defenders who wants to be involved, doesn't he? When he wants to have them marauding runs forward and has a shot and all that sort of thing. But when they go into that low block, I mean, the organization between them is fantastic. And yes, if you watch the games, they probably should have conceded. There's been a couple of chances where on a different day, they do concede. But if you keep free clean sheets, then you feel like you're invincible, don't you?

37:08That's the difference. It's what it's going to do for their confidence. And I just think it's an amazing story, them doing so well, because it's against all the odds.

37:17Alan Shearer:Only West Ham in 23-24 have had a lower share of possession in their opening three games of a Premier League season, on record since 2003-4. So it just shows you again, doesn't it? Possession doesn't automatically mean you're the best. It doesn't. I remember when Leicester won the league, they didn't have that much possession, I don't think, in that season. Not that I'm saying I'm going to win the Premier League. A point for Spurs. Still no goals. Still no goals. But at least they're on the leaderboard. They're on the scoreboard, I should say.

37:58Gary Lineker:Malmush missed a big chance when he went through one-on-one, to put it wide. I thought they got very lucky with the goal that was disallowed. Forrest disallowed and Nico Williams and Tonali. I said on TV, it probably hit his hand, but there was no conclusive evidence that I saw the pitches that came through to say 100 % guaranteed hit his hand. It might have, probably maybe did, but I never saw any evidence. The ref gave it, so I always thought that, and I still haven't over the weekend, I've still not seen any angle or any footage that says 100 % hit his hand. Where are Spurs at, Gary?

38:36Alan Shearer:Will that draw take confidence from that? I'm not sure you take that much confidence from a goalless draw. It was away, but it did show that they, you know, defensively they can do something, which is always important. It's definitely a step in the right direction after get, you know, the first two games are a bit of a debacle. So, yeah, I hope so. I'm going to, yeah, the next game, playing Everton, two old clubs. I'm actually going to Tottenham for that game. So I think you get a better feeling, don't you, sometimes when you see a team in the flesh, so to speak. But obviously they've got to start scoring, which is the next step.

39:19Alan Shearer:But what they couldn't afford was another, I think, defeat. So it's not a great result, but it steadies the ship a little bit. And I think you'd probably say the same for Palace. I mean, extraordinary game against Fulham there. And they came to manage to win a game. Two fullbacks scoring three goals between them. did you see one of Mitchell's goals yeah

39:45Gary Lineker:it was like honestly I mean it was it was embarrassing wasn't it it's like oh my goodness the defendant what you got on this week there now you're off to Porto I'm off to Porto yeah I'm doing Porto Man City so I'm off to Porto this afternoon can you spend any time there because Porto's a beautiful Porto's beautiful isn't it and I'm coming straight back unfortunately because Porto is beautiful but yeah looking forward to it I'll have a I'll have a look around there tomorrow and then do the game tomorrow night CBS Micah you back in back in back in CBS but it's four days because we've got to do Beckham and Friends show today then it's Champions League week the first week's always three days isn't it yeah so it's four days in a row Micah don't forget to ask Sir David and Sir Thierry about my foundation please move a mile

40:33Alan Shearer:I've got it I've got it don't worry thank you you've got to do that I don't know I've just So you can put it on their socials.

40:41Gary Lineker:It'd be amazing for my foundation. We'll raise a right for you, if those two can do it. What is it? Move a mouth for the Alan Shearer Foundation. Yeah, donate a fiver or whatever you want and then nominate three people and then put it on your socials, please.

40:54Alan Shearer:Perfect. Micah and myself did it on stage the other night. We crawled from there.

41:02Alan Shearer:So great stuff, chaps. Enjoy the Champions League. It's always great when it comes back. It's great. It's always big games. And look forward to watching a lot of football this week. But for now, goodbye from me. Goodbye from me.

41:18Gary Lineker:Goodbye from me. Have a great week, everyone.