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- [00:00]
Ayo Akimolere
McDonald's meets the Minecraft universe with one of six collectibles and your choice of a Big Mac or 10 piece McNuggets with spicy nether Flame Sauce. Now available with a Minecraft Movie meal at participating McDonald's for a limited time. A Minecraft movie only in theaters. Spring starts with savings at the Home Depot, so if you're working on getting your yard spring ready, you'll need the right tools to get it done. Like the Ryobi One 18 volt cordless string trimmer, now only $120, or the Ryobi One 18 volt cordeless blower, also for only $129. Save on cordless power during Spring starts event at the Home Depot now through April 2nd. This episode is brought to you by the Nissan Armada Pro 4X with a twin turbo V6 engine ready to propel your adventures up to 8,500 pounds of towing capacity to haul all your favorite toys in space for eight passengers, Nissan's most powerful car yet will chew up and spit out anything you throw at. Learn more about the all new 2025 Nissan Armada at nissanusa.com Towing capacity varies by configuration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner's Manual for additional information. Always secure cargo the Athletic FC Podcast.
- [01:19]
David Ornstein
Network.
- [01:24]
James McNicholas
Welcome to the Athletic FC Podcast with me, Ayo Akimolere. With the contracts of key players up for renewal in the not too distant future and a big summer window on the horizon, Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has plenty to do. So where do Arsenal's priorities lie this summer? And could Victor Gjokares be the answer to their number nine dilemma? All right, with us today we've got the Athletics, David Ornstein and also James McNicholas as well. James fresh out of the international break, Arsenal win 21 over Fulham. Mikel Arteta described Bukaya Saka's return as a beautiful moment. Talk to us about the feeling the sound in the stadium when Saka came back from injury and scored the winner.
- [02:13]
David Ornstein
It was quite incredible actually. My colleague Art de Roche nudged me and said, I think Saka's coming on. You know, he was sort of trotting back towards the bench and the crowd rose like the whole stadium was standing before the board even went up because they knew what was coming. Ethan Renieri comes off on comes Saka is a huge, huge roar of welcome, appreciation, gratitude that they've got their star man back and then seven minutes later an even bigger one when he stoops to head the ball into the back of the Net Martinelli found by Rice Marino.
- [02:47]
Ayo Akimolere
Martinelli. And Saka scores. The perfect return for Bukaya Saka.
- [02:55]
David Ornstein
A fairy tale return runs over to the Arsenal bench. Celebrating with the fitness coach, Sam Wilson and you know, the staff who've really helped him recuperate, rehabilitate and be ready to play after this international break. Wonderful moment for him and Arsenal and a timely lift really, because we're seven days out from the Real Madrid tie in the Champions League, which, you know, is a defining moment really for Arsenal season. Everything kind of hangs on that. And to have their talisman back potentially ahead of that game is a huge boost.
- [03:29]
James McNicholas
Yeah, David, you can't help but think, you know, even the game against Fulham, Saka comes on, scores a goal, a shining moment, and then Arsenal technically lose two defenders. You know, almost a tale of Arsenal season in many respects.
- [03:43]
Art de Roche
You took the words out my mouth. It encapsulates the last nine months really, doesn't it? And it's not been a vintage season so far for Arsenal and it's been undermined by losing key players. However, it could still have a strong ending. And by the way, when I say not vintage, you know, that's because that they would have expected to pose a bigger challenge to Liverpool so far for the title or whoever else had been up there, a bigger challenge for the domestic cup competitions. But they've done fantastically well in the Champions League and, and let's see what the next chapter of that brings. And they are competitive. You know, this is something that was not the case in the early days of Michael Arteta's reign in the Unai Emery era and towards the end of Arsen and Wenger's tenure. And so we've got to remember that and keep the perspective and the context. But with the progress which is undeniable, expectations have shifted and that's brought a bit of, of disappointment so far. But Arsenal getting this far in the Champions League and, and they, they are capable of, of beating Real Madrid. I, I, you know, I don't think that's impossible. Even though Real Madrid will, will understandably go in as favorites and to retain their Champions League birth is vitally important for the club and for a summer that we know is going to be hugely important in the transfer market because there is now this sort of growing external pressure, whether or not it translates internally, let's see on Mikel Arteta and the squad and the club to deliver silverware next season. But you know, the injuries have times been crippling for them. Martin Odegaard missed three months earlier on then it was Saka, now it's potentially Gabriel, maybe even timber. We don't know the prognosis of those at the time of recording. We just need to wait to see what actually happens here. And they have the massive bonus of bringing Saka back into the fold in an area of the pitch that has been maybe more in need of impetus than the other end of the pitch where they may have lost Gabriel, if that makes any sense at all. I think the high of Saka returning is just about bigger than the potential low of losing Gabriel. That's just a personal opinion. And look, Arsenal, Arsenal will be, will be, will be concerned. But also, I actually think there's a lot to be optimistic about, you know, the way that they're shaping up for this, this big couple of weeks and months ahead.
- [06:14]
James McNicholas
James, we're going to be talking number nine shortly. I mentioned Gilcheresis at the top, but have a little word for Mikel Mourinho. Seven goals this season, two assists, but five goals in eight games. Up front, Mourinho and deflected in. Mikel Arteta has a knack of tweaking his team and you know, he's up front out of necessity, but it's not a bad return, is it?
- [06:36]
David Ornstein
No, not at all. I think he's got four out of the last five Arsenal goals in the Premier League. He's having the best goal scoring league campaign of his career at this point in time. He's done tremendously well. And there was a lot of criticism of Arsenal's decision to go through January without signing a striker. And I think a lot of that was understandable and perhaps even justifiable. But you have to say, the way that they've dealt with the fallout to that, the tactical innovation that Mikhail Arteta has shown by, by playing Marino there first, bringing him on as a substitute against Leicester to score twice, and then starting with him since, and the way in which the player himself has taken on this challenge, adapted to it, learned the position, they're both very, very deserving of praise for that. He's doing really well. I mean, it's. It sounds crazy to say, but when you look at the raw numbers and you look at that Madrid vs Arsenal tie, he actually comes into it as one of the form attackers from the two squad I don't think anyone would have imagined a few months ago. Look, he's not a perfect solution and it's important to remember this is a midfielder playing up front. There are things that Arsenal miss, I think, without Kai Havertz There certainly his movement, his ability to drift into wide areas, his willingness to run in behind, which I think is an underrated aspect of Havertz's play. Arsenal absolutely adore Havertz because he enacts Michal Arteta's instructions to the letter so efficiently, with so much energy and physicality. I don't think Marino is used to that. And so inevitably there is a bit of a drop off, but you couldn't really ask for much more from him. I mean, frankly, if Arsenal had bought a forward in January and he produced this sort of goal scoring return, I think we'd all be saying it was going rather well. So massive credit to him. And he scored an international break for Spain as well. So it is certainly a rich vein of form.
- [08:16]
James McNicholas
All right, let's move on because we need to talk about Andrea Berta. James. After Arsenal's new sporting director was officially confirmed on Sunday, James, they do left in November. Firstly, tell us how the club search led them to Berta, because we've spoken about a few names that were involved, but also, you know, how involved was Mikel Arteta in this process?
- [08:37]
David Ornstein
Well, when Edu left, Arsenal had to act quickly to fill the berth. And Edu had his deputy, Jason Ato, who is the assistant sporting director and he stepped up as interim. And at the same time, Arsenal instigated a recruitment process to find a permanent successor for Edu. Ato was a candidate within that. The process started with the of an external recruitment agency who sifted through candidates, identified potential people for Arsenal to speak to, and that was gradually worked down to a smaller short list who progressed to an interview stage. I think from, I'd say around January, when it became very clear that Berta was available when it was announced he was leaving Atletico Madrid, his candidacy grew and grew over the months that followed and he emerged as a really strong contender for the position. Ultimately, you know, after, after meeting with the key executives at the club, the key decision makers, the hierarchy, including Michael Arteta, because the relationship between the sporting director and the manager is going to be so critical to Arsenal's success moving forward, it was decided that Berta was the guy to go for. He's got a wealth of experience from Atletico Madrid. This is a guy with international profile, good relationships across Europe and who ultimately, I think Arsenal feel can help them get the deals done, that they need to go to that final stage of the project to go from Repe challengers, you know, people who are consistently there or thereabouts, to becoming serial winners, which is what everyone at Arsenal wants and Mikel Arteta above all else. Clearly he believes, and the club believe that Andrea Berta can help them achieve that.
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James McNicholas
You know, we talk about sporting directors a lot on, on the podcast. I'm just thinking about what made him stand out. James has listed a lot of pluses there, but also I'm just thinking someone who's constantly played with a team in the Champions League, someone who's constantly dealt with a manager that's highly demanding. Are these some of the things that really work for Arsenal?
- [10:29]
Art de Roche
Yeah, definitely. They had a very competent incumbent in position in Jason Ato, who knows the club inside out. Now he started there as a scout, he has worked alongside Edu, he's risen up through the system and he's familiar with everybody on the football side and the more administrative side and the executive side and. And he was a strong contender for the role. So if you're not going to go for him, you need to bring in somebody that satisfies your desires for what you're looking for, to go to another level that nobody inside the club you feel has quite that skill set and ability base. And Amberta ticks a lot of the boxes in their eyes because he has operated in this role at the elite level of European football, which Jason Ato hasn't, because he's not been in the number one role on a permanent basis. And it looks like that will come to him in time, whether it's, be it Arsenal or elsewhere. And Berta has that advantage. If you look at the available options that were on the market and those that Arsenal either spoke to, interviewed or considered and discussed and pondered internally, you had names such as Dan Ashworth, who of course came out of Manchester United, has been a very well known sporting director. But is he the type of individual who Arsenal were looking for and is this the type of role that he wanted to take on? It emerges off the back of the Newcastle and. And Manchester United experiences that he was less this recruitment guru that he was being painted to be in some quarters and more maybe sort of a really good club builder, logistics and. And department structure, if that's even a word. You then have people like Roberto Alabe at Real Sociedad. He's done a fine job there, but he's not considering his next steps until the final day that he spends at Rasiedad, which is in the middle of the summer. That would not have been ideal for Arsenal. And so that one sort of seemed to have Flitt. Thiago Scuro at Monaco has done a really good job and I think the likelihood has always been that he will extend his time there. He's relatively new in the job. And, you know, other names that James mentioned in reporting, like Thomas Rosicki's done a really good job. He's well known at Arsenal, but if you look at all of those options, there would have been some more others who are of the correct ilk, but they're in jobs and they're unattainable. I'm sure there are people Arsenal would have spoken to or looked at that we don't know the names of. And Berta, as you point out, has. Has worked with somebody of the ilk, Diego Simeone and. And the success and progress that they've bought at Atletico Madrid. But also his personality, his combustibility, his emotion, managing that, dovetailing. It probably hasn't always been smooth, but that is direct experience of a managerial mold that, that Arsenal have, to be honest in. In Mikel Arteta, someone that's very powerful, very influential, very vocal, he's done a fantastic job, and somebody that can challenge that person and can communicate with them and collaborate with them, and they felt Berta ticked that box. Has a very strong network of relationships around Europe and the world with agents, with club directors, sporting directors. He's worked outside of football, so that's where he actually began. He then comes into football at a lower level, moves higher in Italy, transitions over to Spain. Most people that you speak to who are involved in deal making in. In European football, they've dealt with Andrea Ber. He's said to be a very subtle, understated, discreet guy who doesn't make many public pronouncements, which is quite interesting because Edu at the Brazilian fa, before he came to Arsenal, he would pick the squad, he would announce it, he would hold press conferences, he would do interviews, he would interact with the media. It worked differently. When you come to the Premier League, where everything is a little bit more under the radar, that. That is more Andrea Berta's way. I'm sure he'll work fastidiously, like, extremely hard to try and deliver what Arsenal want this summer, which is an immediate and crucial priority in the transfer market. And then you start to build the chemistry between yourself, the manager, the execs, the players, contract situations which are massive. Maybe we don't know the full scope of the role yet. Trying to bring up the level of the academy and the pathways. Is he going to extend his influence to the women's side? All questions that remain unanswered. But let's be absolutely Clear he is at the core of Arsenal's operations now. And I think they will feel, to return to your original question, that they wanted somebody of that global ilk and standing who has kudos, who has the relationships already, doesn't really need to build, and a bit of an aura that can carry Arsenal Football Club and this project on their shoulders. And they felt he was the closest fit and that's why he's in position now.
- [15:31]
James McNicholas
James, you've written about Mikel Arteta's fifth phase, which basically looks at the club looking to obviously win trophies. I wonder how that does marry with Mikel Arteta's ambitions as well, Someone who's come with that ilk, helping him to get to that phase. But also probably why Jason Aito wasn't top of that list, because he still sort of. He knows the game, but perhaps not the reputation.
- [15:54]
David Ornstein
I think so. And probably there's a sense in which Arsenal were looking for some outside perspective, something that would give them, you know, a different take on how to move forward. And I think they welcome that external experience. That said, look, the club think very, very highly of Jason Ato and they would like him to stay and work alongside Andrea Berta because there's been a lot of good recruitment work done at Arsenal in recent years and there's not necessarily a need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think they don't want to sort of dismantle the structure, the infrastructure that Edu spent so long building up. But yeah, I think certainly Michael Arteta has spoken about this summer being critical in Arsenal's development, being incredibly important. On the eve of the Fulham game, he actually suggested that this is a summer that he had earmarked for some time. You know, he spoke about how years in advance he looks at each summer window and what it could signify in the trajectory of the squad. And this one, he has always felt would be particularly big. I think those of us outside the club would agree with that. You know, when you look at what needs to be done, the center forward position needs to be augmented, strengthened. There's some very experienced players going out of contract in Jorginho and Thomas Partey. There are some other players at critical points in contract negotiations. Bukayo, Saka himself. Gabriel. Who else? William Saliba, you know, all with two years remaining on their deal. Gabriel Martinelli, another with two years remaining on his deal, albeit with an optional additional year in the club's favor. So this is incredibly important time. Arsenal have got Andrea Berta in ahead of this summer transfer window. I think that was an important part of their process. They did not want to leave this unanswered heading into the summer. And he's got a couple of months now to get his feet under the desk. And it's going to be a fascinating period because we have this new element, this new person who will be wielding some influence on recruitment matters for Arsenal. So it's going to be fascinating to see how that plays out. You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with I.O. accamulere.
- [17:55]
Art de Roche
Have you ever wondered what goes through.
- [17:57]
Ayo Akimolere
An athlete's mind before they step on the field? Or about the secret superstitious pre game rituals? Hi, I'm Isabella Rossellini. In the latest episode of this Is Not a Beauty Podcast, we'll speak to the barber responsible for the the hairstyles of some of the world's greatest athletes to dig into how beauty shapes sports. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. This episode is brought to you by Indeed. When your computer breaks, you don't wait for it to magically start working again. You fix the problem. So why wait to hire the people your company desperately needs? Use Indeed sponsored jobs to hire top talent fast. And even better, you only pay for results. There's no need to wait. Speed up your hiring with a $75 sponsored job credit@ Indeed.com podcast terms and conditions apply. I was never really a runner. The way I see running is a gift, especially when you have stage four cancer. I'm Ann. I'm running the Boston Marathon presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance to thrive in life, even with cancer. Join bank of America in helping Ann's cause. Give if you can@b of a.com supportann what would you like the power to do? References to charitable organizations is not an endorsement by bank of America Corporation. Copyright 2025.
- [19:29]
James McNicholas
Right, David. Let's discuss Berta's priorities, starting with the summer transfers first. You know, James and David, you've both reported that Sporting's Victor Gjokare has been admired by Berta for quite a while. Is it fair to say that that number nine position is the top target for the club this summer?
- [19:49]
Art de Roche
David yeah, number nine is of course, at the top of the agenda. Everybody knows that now. It's not the only priority, which is something I'll come on to talk about in a moment because you know, they've long wanted a wide attacker, a winger. There are areas that need to be addressed, such as midfield. Given the departures of Parti and Jorginho likely and the potential arrival of Zubimendi maybe one other. Let's see if they follow up the Nipan interest from. From January there'll be departures. At least one at left back with Kieran Tierney going to Celtic, Wolseyko depart two. They're going to need one or two goalkeepers with Neto returning to Bournemouth and maybe Setford going out on loan. And that's just some of the work that needs to be done. It's an extremely vital summer for Arsenal but let's take nothing away from that center forward role. They've been linked with many names for a long time. January saw them attempt to sign Ollie Watkins. It was an opportunity presented to them potentially by Aston Villa depending on what decision they would make on John Duran. It didn't work out with Arsenal. John Duran departed and let's see if that ship has sailed now. I think most probably but. But you never know in this industry. Then there are the sort of priority targets which is Alexander Isaac in the eyes of Mikel Arteta. But Newcastle have no intention of selling him. Their fans hate that we're even having this conversation. The price, if there is one, would be extortionate for any suitors. Yeah, he has a bit of an injury history which clubs may bear in mind. However, like. Like there's no doubting his quality and the admiration doesn't go away. But I think there is a realism at Arsenal, Liverpool as well who like him too. And there'll be many other suitors. So then you do have to consider alternative options. They've done a hell of a lot of work on Benjamin Seska and rightly so many at the club would like to push forward with that potential opportunity. His footballing profile, his age profile. There are other suitors too. I think there are some reservations on whether he's quite ready for what they want to do, which James described as delivering major trophies now. And. And is there somebody that can come in and help with that immediate priority? And of course Yokares has been mentioned in relation to Arsenal, many other clubs for quite a long time and we published the story on. On Sunday evening that Arsenal are developing a strong interest in him and that Andrea Berta has been a huge admirer of him for. For a long time. That that dates back to his time at Atletico Madrid and people saw that and said oh, what are they reporting? He's always been on the radar. What's changed? I think it's pretty clear what's changed in that the. The sporting director who's arriving rates him extremely highly. And when you look at the price, in theory, I think people have said around 70 million euros. The salary you would imagine would fit into Arsenal's wage structure, which is another issue maybe with Alexander Isak, who's being paid very well at Newcastle, want understandably, a rise. And what sort of a rise would Arsenal or Liverpool give him? That would take him far beyond what Newcastle would be prepared to do. Gores, you would imagine would fit in. His record at Sporting speaks for itself. People can scrutinize that in the Portuguese League, scrutinize Coventry, they can scrutinize his style for Arsenal's system, etc. Etc. It's great that we all talk about these things. I don't know nearly as much as everybody else that's pontificating on that front, but we, we sourced properly that he's going to be a really strong contender, which to my understanding previously was not necessarily the case. I don't think he figured as highly as it looks like he will this summer. That is not saying they're going to sign him, but clearly he's one we should be paying close attention to. And I said I'd come back to the point about the other positions. What I want to say is that if you do, in some hypothetical world, go and spend the amount that is being touted for Alexander Rezak, what money do you have left over to address the other positions in the team? A lot of that might depend on departures, but there are a lot of ifs and buts here. If you do do a deal at the level of. Of say a Yokares financially, that probably leaves you quite a lot more wiggle room and room to maneuver on upgrading in certain areas and molding the squad that you feel can go on to challenge for those multiple major honors that everybody's talking about. So we don't know how this is going to end up and we can only report our information at the time and there's no sort of agenda or they're doing a story to coincide with Andrea Berta's arrival. Absolutely not. Sorry to disappoint you. It is just the way journalism works and Arsenal's work will get going in in due course.
- [24:58]
James McNicholas
Okay, brilliant. Well, as we're talking about Gyokaris, let's hear from the Athletics Jack Lang on whether or not the player would be a good fit for Arteta's side reverse to Dagokoresh. Can he get a shot of?
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Art de Roche
He can.
- [25:10]
Ayo Akimolere
Of course he can. Victor Go Koresh in The Olympic Champions.
- [25:15]
Jack Lang
League for Sporting, he can do no wrong. Is your careers a good fit for Arsenal? Well, my crystal ball is actually in for its annual service at the moment, so you'll forgive me for hedging my bets a little bit. Obviously history is littered with cases of strikers in Portugal, in the Netherlands, leagues of that level moving to our league and not quite being able to cut it. So I think that is an open question. In terms of style, I think yes and no. I think he has some things that I think would be very interesting to Arsenal. He's very powerful, he's very quick, something that the current options aren't necessarily. And as I wrote in the piece, there's something about him that's just very self sufficient is what I wrote. So he's someone who will receive a ball in a channel and instead of kind of being buffeted by a defender, he'll kind of just find a way to trample through him or go round him and seem to always get a shot off. And that to me at least really is a big difference with someone like Kai Havertz, who's a really good player. But I can think of quite a few times this season when he's been fed a ball into a channel and, you know, ends up losing the ball or turning back. But in terms of structure, in terms of system, Arsenal don't get many of those opportunities to play on the counter attack into space. So would he be an option, a feasible option in those games, a bit tighter against mass defences? I think that's certainly up for debate. Perhaps not. So then you're looking at a striker who maybe you're playing in the bigger games when there is more of an even field to the match and Arsenal may get a bit more space. Hopefully if it happens, it'll work out well.
- [26:59]
James McNicholas
Yeah, thanks for that, Jackson. Really interesting points he makes there. James look really fascinating, you know. Garez. 85 goals in nine to one appearances across all competitions since joining Sporting in the summer of 2023. This season, 42 goals in 42 matches for Sporting and 12 in 12 for for Sweden. Right. This is the thing, thing, top striker. But also to get those numbers, I feel selfish focused on scoring goals. Arsenal are a team that like to share it about. It's about teamwork. If you look at Kai Havertz up front, is he the right tactical fit? I know he can score goals, but is he the right tactical fit for what Michael Arteta wants from a striker?
- [27:41]
Art de Roche
It's great question.
- [27:42]
David Ornstein
I mean you can't argue with the goals record. Can you? It's astonishing. And, and if he can translate that kind of productivity to the Premier League, then he'll be the bargain of the century, frankly, at any price. In terms of what Arsenal want from their centre forward. You mentioned Kai Havertz and I think we can't discount him in this conversation. He really does embody so much of what Mikel Arteta wants to see from a striker. His team ethic, his tactical intelligence, his physicality, and actually a pretty decent goals record himself this season. Not quite in the Gyokeres territory, but I think about 1, 2, which is a creditable return. So I think he does so much of what Michael Arteta wants. But if you listen to Arteta this season, there have been several games where afterwards he's spoken about efficiency in the penalty area, efficiency in the box, efficiency of decision making and execution of finishing. And I think if they do go down the road with, with Jocarez, that will be the, the difference they're looking for from him, the contribution he makes. There are so many unknowns about any transfer and I think this one in particular, there would be a lot of questions over how that adaptation would go. As impressive as that goal record is, you know, there's plenty of penalties in there. There's plenty of goals, as Jack mentioned, that come from opportunities where he has to run into space to run in behind. We see that so rarely with Arsenal facing the low block as they do week in, week out. I think if he was to come to Arsenal, he might have to adapt his game to become more of a penalty box player. But, you know, I'm curious to see how it will play out. And I also think Arsenal might be looking for a player who they can see playing alongside Havertz in a way. Maybe not as a front two conventionally, but with Havertz going back into that midfield role or into another area of the pitch. Because if we know anything, we know how much Arteta loves Havertz.
- [29:38]
Art de Roche
I wouldn't mind asking you, James, and it's the multi, multi million dollar question, like who does fit best and is most realistic? Because I've seen the same debate that we're having all over social media and podcasts and forums and blogs and television programs. There is certainly going to be reservation internally, I'm sure, about Yokares and every other candidate, for whatever particular reason. Isaac doesn't come without reservation. People have said, what about. About Ekatike and I don't know of him being one sort of high up on Arsenal's Radar so far I don't know if that changes. And his name's being touted everywhere, which suggests there's some pretty heavy lifting going on from an agent. Or maybe I'm trying Frankfurt. We've talked many times IO about there being an imbalance between supply and demand of these number nines. I think there's an underrated striker who Arsenal watched last night score against them in Muniz. Brazilian 23.
- [30:35]
James McNicholas
Not after that open goal, David.
- [30:38]
Art de Roche
No, I'm not saying for Arsenal, but I just mean, I just mean in that market you're looking very closely at who might be the solution. And for all of the sort of dissatisfaction that people articulate about somebody, tell me who meets the criteria of being the right player for you and also at the right price point and availability and, and ticks as many boxes as possible.
- [31:07]
David Ornstein
Well, all as you say David, all these deals come with some element of risk. You know, with Isaac, you've mentioned the injury record. I think that the prohibitive price and what that could do to your other business. Sesko, you know, is he going to develop into the player that many believe he will? You can never be quite sure. Yokerez, can he translate the form? There's always this question mark and the reality is that some point point this summer, presumably Arsenal are going to have to take the plunge. They're not going to be able to keep saying we're not quite sure the right options out there. They need that center forward, especially with the injuries sustained by Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, which is going to keep him out really for some time into next season as well. So they're going to have to take the plunge. And if we take those three as an example, you know, Arsenal have an interest in all those players but you could make the case that they're kind of driven by different aspects of the club. We know about Michael Arteta's admiration for Isaac. You know, that would be his guy. We know that Berta is a long standing fan of Yokerez. That would perhaps be his guy. The pre existing club setup that Edu built, the recruitment department have been following Sesko and working on that player potentially as a long term target. So you've got this situation where this a kind of love triangle I guess around Arsenal center forward position and I can't wait to see what wins out. It will be a healthy debate, I imagine a collaboration as they try to get to that final decision. And the numbers, the numbers will be a big, big part of it and will determine the feasibility.
- [32:48]
Ayo Akimolere
Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month, of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full terms@mintmobile.com Eczema isn't always obvious, but it's real. And so is the relief from EBGLIS. After an initial dosing phase of 16 weeks, about 4 in 10 people taking EVGLIS achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin. And most of those people maintained skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing. EBGLIS Lebricizumab LBKZ, a 250mg per 2ml injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. Ebglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to ebglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Ebglis. Before starting ebglis. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection searching for real relief. Ask your doctor about Eglis and visit eglis or call 1-800-LILYRX or 1-800-545-5979. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Upgrade your business with Shopify, home of the number one checkout on the planet. Shop pay boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning fewer carts going abandoned and more sales going Cha Ching. So if you're into growing your business, get a commerce platform that's ready to sell wherever your customers are. Visit shopify.com to upgrade your selling today.
- [34:42]
David Ornstein
This is the Athletic FC podcast with IO Akamalera.
- [34:50]
James McNicholas
Okay, quickly David, you mentioned Zubamendi. What's the current status and that potential? Because I was looking at a recent Q and A that you did on the Athletic and you debunked the rumors of interest from Real Madrid. For now anyway. Where are Arsenal with that famous last words?
- [35:03]
Art de Roche
I can't wait for that one to come back. Importantly, we can only go on the information that we source from our journalistic work and so far I haven't corroborated the suggestions coming out of Spain that Real Madrid are prioritizing Martin Zubimendi. But all of the interrogation we've done suggests that Arsenal are expecting him to arrive in the summer and that they put a huge amount in over a number of months prepared last summer because they've been across Supermendy for a few years now and then Liverpool came to the fore last summer. It didn't happen and I think Arsenal kind of redoubled their efforts to land him in the summer of 2025. They've been really sort of careful and diligent and attentive to his desire. He's been very settled and happy. They've not managed to lure him away from San Sebastian. I mean, can you can understand him on that front? And internally they seem to be working on the basis that Zubamendi will be coming in and being part of, of the squad and, and they'll, you know, be building the midfield and the, and the team with him in there and you know, the sort of relationship and partnership he has with Marino pre existing from La Royale. And so, you know, we don't know that it's, it's done and signed, sealed, delivered. Maybe it is and we're not aware, maybe it isn't and they still have to go through those final steps. But I think Edu a little bit when he was in position, certainly Jason Ato in his interim role have gone to great lengths around that situation and I haven't had any suggestions yet. Let's see if that changes that. It's not the sort of path that they're going to be following. We do have to go back to the point we made on Yokares and how that situation may have changed a bit and, and relate it to this because we don't know that Andrea Berta is in favor of, of Zubamendi or any other player Arsenal have been linked with and presumably unless it is done and dusted, signed, sealed, delivered, that he may have a voice in the conversation. Of course, of course he would. But at the time of reporting, for all intents and purposes, the expectation is that Zubamendi will be signing for Arsenal and if indeed that's followed through, it will be a Significant financial outlay of sort of 60 million euros if it's the clause, maybe a bit more if they pay outside of the clause to stagger the payments. And that is a major factor not only in the squad building for the midfield, but for the financial balances in maybe what they're able to do in other areas, most notably the striker.
- [37:47]
James McNicholas
Yeah, top stuff, right, James, very quickly we spoke about it a little bit at the top, but we're looking at potential outgoings this summer. I think Jorginho's contract is up, Thomas Partey's contract is up. But also you look ahead. Bukaya Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli as well. Those contracts also need to be tied up. We always think about incomings, but you also have to think about the long term future of the club. I know William Saliba has publicly stated that he's happy at Arsenal, but you know, things can change in the next two years.
- [38:16]
David Ornstein
Yeah, and there are arguably a few more names that should be on that list. Leandro Trossard's got a contract situation coming up and Arsenal need to make a decision on his future. And of course Ethan Renari and miles Lewis Skelly. FA rules state that you know, under 18 year olds can only sign a maximum of a three year contract. So they're relatively short term deals. Those players have obviously broken through since then to the first team and Arsenal will be keen to tie them down in the longer term. So a lot of work to be done. I think Arsenal have started to make headway on some of those deals, particularly with, you know, the younger players like Nuaneri. But Saka, Saliba, Gabriel, big names, big pillars of the team really. And it's interesting, you know, Edu, he received a lot of praise externally for the recruitment work that he did, sometimes criticism for Arsenal's inability to sell players in the early years. I think he certainly improved in that respect. Arsenal got better as a selling club. But one of the parts of his job that he was really proud of, and he would tell you that himself, was the retention element, that he was able by and large to keep the key players from this group together. That's so important. Right. Arsenal are at this point in their progress in their journey where, where they feel they're on the cusp of real success. But if they're to achieve it, it's essential that these players that they've spent years investing in, developing, building up, stay at the club. Look, it's an attractive place to be. Arsenal right now, they've got a really highly rated manager. They are really consistent in terms of their performance. They do feel so close to winning one of the big ones, but there's still a way to go. And if I think about the sort of Saliba and Saka situations, you know they cite signed not too long ago, right? They signed four year contracts and now here we are two years later renegotiating again. Arsenal knew that would happen. They knew that would happen and their philosophy at the time was well, look, if those players perform well we'll be happy to sit down and renegotiate with them. Whether they're still saying that now, I don't know. And they dragged out a little bit those negotiations. It got towards the final 12 months of those players contracts and Arsenal were in vulnerable positions. They will be looking Arsenal at Liverpool right now, potentially losing Trent Alexander Arnold. It seems there's some jeopardy still over Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah and Arsenal will be desperate to avoid a situation like that. So that will be as big a part of Andreas Drea Berta's job as anything else.
- [40:42]
James McNicholas
All right gents, let's end it there. Arsenal face Everton next in the Premier League and also that big one on Tuesday the 8th against Real Madrid. Ah, it's going to be a juicy one. Thanks for your time gentlemen, David and James and also thank you guys for listening. Listening. We'll be back tomorrow.
- [40:58]
David Ornstein
The Athletic FC podcast network.