C (3:07)

What have you got, guys? What's up? Have you.

A (3:09)

I. I've had a cold for a little while and as it always does with me, eventually it goes to my voice.

B (3:15)

Are you sure it's not too much alcohol?

A (3:17)

I wish. I wish it might be something to do with it, but.

B (3:22)

Have you had your flu jab or.

A (3:23)

You have to at my age.

B (3:25)

I was just about to say that. Make sure your heating's on. You get your allowance as well, you know. What your age.

A (3:29)

Oh, bless you. Thanks very much. So considerate.

B (3:34)

Three.

A (3:35)

Hope you're okay. You can't be doing this when I'm on the 18th. Then you'd feel guilty.

B (3:46)

I would.

C (3:46)

Very.

B (3:47)

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

A (3:48)

How are you too?

B (3:49)

Yeah, all good, thank you. All very good, thanks.

C (3:51)

Yeah, yeah, I'm good as well. Feeling great. Feeling energized. New year, new year 2026.

A (3:58)

Come on, big plans. What are your plans? There's a World Cup Netflix.

C (4:04)

Yeah, yeah, I'm looking forward to that.

A (4:06)

Very much looking forward to that. But a big game obviously was played on Tuesday night, Arsenal and Aston Villa. And it felt like a little moment there where. I don't know, it's been harsh on Villa after the run they've had, but it felt like it is going to be Arsenal or Manchester City.

B (4:21)

Yeah, I think so. I think I've never said anything different.

A (4:26)

I've.

B (4:26)

I mean, Aston Villa have been amazing, but I always felt it was going to be between these two and I guess it is City and Arsenal. And yeah, it was a great result. They kept on churning the results out without being brilliant, but they were brilliant, particularly second half last night when they. The way they sort of stepped on the gas a bit and. And got the result, got the goals and all of that. So I think for them going forward, for their belief and for their confidence, especially with Declan Rice being out as well, I think that'll do them the world of good for the next few months.

C (5:02)

I actually thought Villa were the better side in the first half. Oh, Nana. Down the central positions. Concert coming out. Morgan Rodgers, but just couldn't get the goal. I think if Watkins scores that it could have been a different game. And then Arsenal in the second half, a little bit more tactically aware in the middle. Odegaard wins the ball and then they go and get the goal, don't they? So it was just a really good spectacle, although I was disappointed that not everyone was fit. I would like to see camera in. I would have liked to see Declan Rice in midfield as well. But in terms of Arsenal, I think that was just a big one psychologically because Villa have been a team which they've struggled against in. In recent seasons. And Emre, there's all this talk about who's a better coach. Emre is a magnificent coach, isn't he? But Arteta as well showed yesterday, although he's got a better squad, that he can mix it up at the right times. I thought the substitution of Jesus as well, he's just. He looks sharp again. He could be the difference between Arsenal winning a league and not. We've talked about Man City so much, but the squad, the strength in depth for Arsenal is just ridiculous.

B (6:20)

To send our arse back.

A (6:21)

Yeah. Gabriela particularly is a force and he. I was talking to Harry last night while we were watching the game. If you had to pick one center half from world football, I think at the moment, I think I'd go, Gabrielle, you know.

C (6:33)

Yeah. Because he's good in both boxes, isn't he? Yeah, that. That's why I think from set pieces. And I was gonna bring him back into my fantasy last night as well.

A (6:42)

But I could have taken minus four because.

C (6:45)

Just wait, just wait. Just. Villa. Morgan Rogers is in great form. Just give it another week and then he goes and gets the goal. I was devastated.

B (6:53)

That desire to get on the end of. Of balls coming into the box, set pieces in both boxes is amazing. Honestly, it's like for him, there's no fluke that the number of times that ball lands on his head, both defending and when he has to go up and attack his own corners, it's just. It is such a great skill, a great technique to have what. What he's got in both boxes. Amazing.

A (7:20)

Just want to pick you up on the Jesus comment there. Micah said he could be the difference. It's been there a long time. What makes you feel he could be different this time to perhaps what he was before?

C (7:31)

Really good question, because with Jesus, obviously, I watched him a lot when he was at Man City and he never really was the main man, but he does so many things for the team that maybe go unnoticed. So his work rate for one is press. His ability to make his own chances, even though he's not clinical at times. When he first went to Arsenal, he was unbelievable. He was unbelievable. He was unplayable at times. Then he got his injury and when he Come back, he wasn't the same. He got another injury and then he come back. He's just finding his feet, but now with different options and not having to rely on him for the full 90 minutes as the main man. Now you've got Havertz, now you've got Yokerez. So he can manage his minutes and get the best out of him in the time that is required for when he's on the pitch. And that's why I think he could be the, the difference. I think he's got a little bit more quality. Not a little bit. I think he's got more quality than Yokarez. Yokares is still finding his feet and Arsenal in games this season, Yokaris has had big opportunities and not taken them at times where I feel as though you don't have to be a Harland to take some of the chances that Arsenal are creating, but Jesus is good enough to take them chances. And now Havertz is back as well. So I think having the free options could just be the difference.

B (9:02)

Yeah, and Marino got that option as well. Yeah, he's proven more than capable that he can, he can fill that role as well. So, yeah, I think it was a, it was a huge result for them for confidence wise, right throughout the team, the fans, I think that's what they've been waiting for. Arsenal, they've been winning, but it's been edgy winning, nervous winning. And you can. But I think, I think what they did last night will, will ease the pressure a little bit. I mean, obviously they still have to go out and win the games, but I think in terms of belief for them and for their fans, I think that was a huge game for them.

A (9:35)

You mentioned Marina, was he slightly lucky to be stay on the pitch for a second yellow? He could easily have had, couldn't he? It was 2 nil at the time. So it's.

B (9:43)

Yeah, definitely. Yeah, very. I think he's fortunate. Do you, Micah?

C (9:46)

Yeah, I'd have to agree. I think it was a second yellow that was that tuna. It might not change the game, but yeah, I think it was definitely a second yellow. Without doubt.

B (9:54)

Yeah.

A (9:55)

The interesting decisions ahead now isn't there for Arteta because he seems to be getting everyone back fit, which is, which is a nice, nice, nice problem to have. I mean, I think we all know who are going to play at the back. You know, Saliba and Gabrielle's as good a partnership as you'll get. But you know that thing about who's going to play up front, who's going to perhaps play on the left sometimes. So he's got. He's got decisions to make. But I presume the Rice injury is nothing. It said just to knock, didn't it? Nothing.

B (10:25)

I think that's what he said, wasn't. It's not.

A (10:29)

Yeah. So if they get him back as well, I mean, going into the new year, it's looking pretty good for them, I would say.

B (10:36)

Oh, pretty. I mean, SAT top of the Champions League, SAT top of the Premier League. It looks as if they're getting everyone sort of back to. To full fitness and a full squad to choose from, barring one or two. Let's look. And bloody good for them. Never mind pretty good for them. I mean, amazing what they've done this, this half of the season up to now in, in the Premier League and in Europe.

C (10:58)

You know, one of the accusations a lot of people keep throwing at Arsenal is that it's all too nervy. Everyone's really nervous. But Al, you won the Premier League at Blackburn and I won the Premier League at Man City. And everyone is nervy because when you've not done it, you feel as though are you doing the right thing? Are you overthinking it? Are you going to get the rubber, the green? So when you see especially Artetu's animated on the side and all the coaches, it's because they're up against one of the best ever managers in Pep Guardiola. The experience of Man City winging it, Liverpool dropping off all the things. Man City not playing amazingly well at the start of the season. And now Foden's coming to his own, Shirky's coming to his own, Reinders is scoring again. Haaland is Haaland. So there is going to be that tension. And for those people saying Arsenal are overreacting with a win, the wins now are so important and we was exact same when we won the League. And people say you don't look at the table, you look at every facet possible. You look at the table, you look at the. The fixtures coming up where you could get a rest in Champions League. Do you. Do you change the whole team? So this is all normal things that a team goes through. It's just because Arteta's only won the. The FA cup, the pressure seems to be mountain and mountain and mountain. And even if Arteta doesn't win a League this year, it only because he's up against a great manager in Pep and there's nothing wrong with that. Yes, Arsenal fans want him to get him over the line. But the job from when he started to now to have them competing. Yes, they've spent a lot of money. Of course they spent a lot of money. But the goal was for them to compete for the league and that is what they're doing.

A (12:54)

How do we know they're feeling nervy, though? That's what I mean for me. I watch them playing, I don't see any nervous feeling. I think the nervous feeling is the supporters a little bit. When you play and you're just getting on with the game, aren't you? You don't think about that stuff. You might, you know, 1 nil up with 10 minutes to go, you might sit back and they've done a lot of games where they've done that. But they're so good defensively. I don't, I look at them. I don't see nerves in that. I don't see nerves, particularly at this stage. I mean we're halfway through the season.

B (13:23)

I think when you look at their result against Brighton, I mean when they went 2 nil up and then all of a sudden Brighton score and there is. I do. I think it was a bit of an edgy, nervy performance the last 20 minutes against Brighton. Same thing against Wolves when Wolves went to the, to the Emirates and they scored late on Arsenal somehow found a way to win that. I think you're right, Micah, in what you say. But the real, the real nerves don't come until about April time. When, if you lose a game now, okay, you don't want to, but when you lose one in April, then it is an emergency, you know, in terms of the team wise and you haven't got any time to recover. Not that they want to lose one now, but if, if they lost one now, I know the noise would be louder but the real nerves don't come until around April.

C (14:09)

So when did you have a specific game? Was it. Was it around the March, April time? Thinking if we win that game, we can win the league. Was there any moments in your season that you fought that?

B (14:22)

Yeah, about three or four games from the end when we, we had Newcastle, I think it was Blackburn beat Newcastle. We got absolutely bad, but we somehow won. I think that was the night we all thought that's it now. We all, we just. It's. It's nearly ours. But then it still, it still wasn't over, of course. But you're right about then it was Manchester United who were chasing us as in Blackburn and obviously we'd never won it before. We should we perhaps should have won it the year before. But the noise gets louder. The Fergie's putting pressure on as I'm sure if these two are going head to head, Arsenal and City. The noise will get louder from Pep because he'll know, he's been there. He knows exactly what it takes to get over the line. And Arsenal badly need that with Arteta. The time he's been there and what they've spent and, and what it would mean to that football club. So I think the pressure would become a lot bigger if it's still neck and neck as it is now in all time.

A (15:21)

I think the interesting thing is obviously if, if Arsenal don't quite get over the line this season and maybe miss out on the, the League and the, and the Champions League as well, and then, then, then the pressure will absolutely mount. But I, I mean Mike, you've been in this position with a club that's, you know, been close, expecting to win it, getting, you know, building up, building up, getting closer and closer, building up the squad like Arsenal have done, getting themselves into position. You just, you've just got to make it happen somehow, haven't you?

C (15:55)

Yeah. We was quite fortunate that we had a really good squad so we could rotate the team similar to Arsenal have right now. But there's moments and seasons which you need to go your way. I always remember, I don't remember you guys remember it. United were leading. I don't know if it was 4:2 at home against Everton.

A (16:16)

Yes.

C (16:17)

And Everton made it 4:4. And there was a game which we against United and Vincent Co. Scored the header. We still had to go up to Newcastle St James's the day before, the week before QPR. And that's when we won that game. That's when we sort of knew obviously the QPR game the week later didn't end up that, that way. But I remember clearing one off the line at Newcastle.

A (16:48)

I'm thinking, oh, I've won the league.

C (16:55)

In my head. I'm thinking, I didn't get credit for that. Yaya scored two on that goal and he got all the credit, as he should have. But there's just certain moments with the swing and Newcastle at 1 nil that was applying the pressure and they should have probably scored a couple of goals. And then Yaya goes down the other end and scores. And I think Arsenal just need one of those moments. When do Arsenal play Man City again?

A (17:21)

Oh, Saturday 18th of April. Right. That nervous time that you mentioned now.

B (17:27)

Yeah, it is.

A (17:28)

That's.

B (17:28)

That's what it really matters. April, April time. That's when the pressure really is applied.

A (17:33)

Mikey, you mentioned there that you know the games that. When United dropped points against Everton when they were leading 4 2. Now obviously when I played all the games were on television. You never saw other people's games. So you'd be watching that game presum presumably on television and like jumping up.

C (17:50)

And celebrating, watching absolutely everything. Guys jumping up, texting. I remember there was a game I text Danny Simpson. I think he might have been playing for. For New Newcastle. Was it Newcastle Newcastle at the time or qpr? One of those. And he saved one off the line. He saved one off the line. And I text him saying thank you so much. Thank seriously. And we went out one of the weeks after in circle, bought him a bottle of champagne and all them sort of things. Just because he just after them small little wins, you know, because everyone talks about our season and we only won our season on goal difference. Yeah. How, how muddy, how muddy is that? And City's goal difference was better than Arsenal's after yesterday's. I don't know what it is now obviously Arsenal got you plus three after the, after the 41 win. But goal difference could be the difference as well. And man, she always remembers telling us, make sure you finish off the game. Make sure you finish scorers. When a team are vulnerable, go and score four, five and six. And that's what we try to do. I remember we played United, Old trafford, we won 61 and they got Johnny Evans sent off and he said go, go get four and five and six. Don't just win, win. Because that could be a difference. And ultimately that was a difference in the end.

B (19:19)

Arsenal have had an amazing five months. I mean semi final of a competition. Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League. It couldn't, it couldn't have gone any better for them, could it? I mean amazing. So they should attack 2026 with. With great confidence.

A (19:34)

I think Manchester United managed to get a point at home against Wolves. John. Wolves Great point. Three points now going into 2026. You're on the way up up. So producer John would be happy.

C (19:47)

I, I saw Wolves every time I looked over the game. Wolves on the counter attack.

A (19:51)

I think for United that's a really poor result, isn't it? I mean with all due respect to me, a team that's only got two points all season comes to your own place, want to finish the year really well having had a, had a victory. It was probably a really, you know, a backwards step.

B (20:07)

Yeah, I think So I mean, I've never got carried away with man. You know, I don't think they're a good team anyway. And I think they've got a long way to go. I mean, they beat Newcastle. It was back to the wall, wasn't it? Newcastle, they just couldn't score. It was viewed as a. As a. As a big performance in terms of sticking together. He changed his system. But then for him to sort of go back to it against Wolves, who were bottom of the table, have got a dreadful embarrassing record this season. And then to. To draw the game yet. It's a setback, there's no doubt.

A (20:36)

I mean, they were missing a bit of firepower with no Bruno, obviously a Bumo, a Mount Diallo, all missing. So I suppose they're probably a little bit of blunt up top. Cesco had a couple of chances, a couple of headers. I think one hit the woodwork, so one he really should have scored when he headed it straight at the keeper near the end of the game. It's not really happened for him, has it yet?

B (21:00)

No. I'm trying to look at it and think he's gone into a really difficult situation, into an unsettled club. Hasn't been a regular, hasn't impressed at all when he has played. I go back to my point at the beginning of the season. I think both Arsenal and Man United have paid a lot of money for a. For center forwards that I think are good players. I'm not sure they're any better than that.

C (21:24)

I think give him time.

A (21:26)

Yeah, he deserves time. He had an injury.

C (21:28)

Yeah, he had an injury. It will come good. But I have to agree with Al. I expected a little bit more, especially the clubs that you go into. These were supposed to be the finishing pieces to the puzzle, wasn't they? Yokerez and Sesko, it's not quite happened for both of them. And we could mention the players that were out in Buemo, Ahmad and Fernandez, but they still had enough quality to win that game. Man United and Sesko being one of those players, but he looks a little bit lost in confidence. I think the way sometimes Man United play doesn't really help him in terms of he doesn't get that many chances. I think at times he is like a Haaland where when he gets the ball in an attacking position, he's just expected to score, but he's not getting as many touches as he would like. Because Man United at times, especially in the game yesterday, when I was looking at the highlights of it or on multiview they seem to be quite deep. So. Yeah, I think it will come come good. But he's not showed anywhere as good as he's at the moment.

A (22:43)

There's a silver lining here for Wolves. Only one team has ever had two points from 18 games in English Football league history before. And they survived. Now if either of you can get this. Who it was and when it was you. You get this. Get top Brownie points.

C (23:02)

You know what? I should know this because.

A (23:04)

No, you won't know this.

B (23:05)

So.

C (23:05)

No, no I should. I should. I don't know it but I should. Because why should you said it on comms of the day and that she.

A (23:14)

Survived Newport county in 1970. 71. There you go. It's almost a given now that Wolves will stay up. John. And guess who said that stat to me.

C (23:27)

John.

B (23:27)

John.

A (23:31)

I love that optimism. It's. It's. You'll be fine. 55 years on. Whatever it is. God. I remember that season.

B (23:39)

Don't think that's gonna happen. John.

A (23:41)

I think.

B (23:42)

No.

A (23:42)

I think it's a bit unlikely.

B (23:43)

Yeah.

A (23:43)

What was the Newcastle game like then? Alan, Come on.

B (23:46)

You.

A (23:46)

Tony were discussing it all through the match. It was unhappy for most of it. I have to say. You're a bit grumpy.

B (23:52)

I was very happy for the first 10 minutes when Newcastle went 2 nil up. And I thought Aye. Aye. We go. But then give Burnley great credit. They came. They came back into it. Scored a goal. And then all of a sudden it was Newcastle sat back. I mean second half it was. I was thinking Goodness me. Burnley. They're playing really well. Newcastle. It was just attack after attack for Burnley hitting Newcastle. They hit the bar. Had a couple of good saves from Nick Pope. A couple of missed chances. And I'm thinking what the hel hell is going on with Newcastle? Because it was. It was a hard watch at times. And look. The most important thing was Newcastle getting three points away from home. They desperately needed that confidence wise, belief wise and all of that. So that's the big picture. But it wasn't. It wasn't an easy watch at. At times. And Newcastle under huge pressure. So. And it was only. What was the 93rd minute. I think Dubravka came out and made a. Made an error. And Bruno's made it 3 1. Then everyone Newcastle supporter anyway could relax. So no, it wasn't a great watch but three huge points for Newcastle.

C (25:02)

How did it work with Visser, Gordon and Murphy? As opposed to Volta Marder away from home.

B (25:10)

It was Gordon Visser and Harvey Barnes to To begin with on the right hand side Barnes and then Murphy came on second half Wissa. It was his first Premier League goal. It was a scrappy goal. Six yard goal which was great. You know which perhaps we didn't have that six yard threat at Manchester United. So he. He did well in terms of. Of that Gordon for the first 15 or 20 minutes did. Did really well. Helped set up the. The goal. But other than that sort of faded late on in. In the second half. Yeah, plenty plenty to work on. But for Visser and his goal and confidence and all of that then and I guess for the three points for Eddie and the team then with their next three league games I think Crystal palace at home, Leeds at home. And then I think it's Wolves as well after that. So three big games for Newcastle coming up after a hugely huge important a Weirwin.

A (26:12)

Yeah. From what you saw of Bernie. Got any chance six points adrift now?

B (26:16)

I wouldn't think so. I thought they played well. They passed it around really well. Their main. One of their main players Josh Cullen's out I think with a. With a cruciate injury as well. So he's going to be out for a long time. No, I don't. I don't think so. I think Wolves and Burnley are as good as gone.

A (26:34)

Excellent win a game for Everton going pretty well particularly obviously one or two players out through afcon etc. So I thought they did really well. Garner went back to his old club, had scored a goal.

B (26:49)

I thought that would have been a really, really tough game for Everton particularly after Forest and the way they played against City. Because I was. I was quite impressed with Forest against Man City. I thought they did really well and I'd expected a tougher game for. For Everton but fair play to Everton and to David Boyes with what he's got there. He's just getting the most out of every single player there. David Moyes. He's doing a great job. Yeah.

C (27:12)

Forest had a lot of chances though. They probably should have scored a couple. Yeah. The XG in the game. If I could say the xg.

B (27:22)

All right. Does that make below two goals just.

C (27:26)

Well, they should have scored at least one.

A (27:28)

Good.

B (27:30)

Well they would have been beaten two one then wouldn't they if I scored one.

C (27:33)

Yeah. But it's a time you. You all know with goals it's the timing of the goal which makes a difference. Then the momentum starts. You know that. Yeah. I was buzzing for. For Barry.

B (27:44)

Yeah.

C (27:45)

I. That's. That's a story from the game I took obviously he's found it very difficult, him and Beto. So to get his. I think he's only second Premier League goal. But he works ever so hard for the team. And yeah, he could see the celebration, his smile after his interview after the game as well. He was absolutely delighted.

A (28:05)

The fact that West Ham got a point at one point they were leading obviously against Brighton. So West Ham are now four points behind Forest. So Forest kind of sneaking back down there. Can West Ham get out? And if they do, it'll probably be because of Bowen.

C (28:23)

Did you see that? Did you see that game?

A (28:25)

I saw. I saw the highlights.

C (28:27)

It was ridiculous. So. Well, Bowen scored amazing goals.

A (28:31)

Saw the Welbeck Panenka attempt that hit the bar, which obviously I'm gonna say this before you lot do.

C (28:39)

Who.

A (28:40)

What kind of Pratt takes.

B (28:43)

Especially after he just scored a good penalty. Just before that.

C (28:47)

It was madness because Walbr scores. Amazing penalty. And then did you see Pakatar? Did you see Pakatar take down?

A (28:57)

What was he doing? It was unbelievable, wasn't it? I mean, it was a proper rugby tackle.

C (29:02)

Oh my God. And then to miss the penalty. Then P. Pacar goes and scores at the other end. A penalty. It was just chaos. It was madness. But then Welbet gets a yellow card because who was it? Was it Fernandez? Who went to.

A (29:17)

Up to Fernandez?

C (29:19)

Yeah, gives him a little shoved in.

B (29:22)

He.

C (29:22)

But he knew what he was doing. He's going to his goalkeeper but give Welbeck a little shove. Then Welbeck gets a yellow card so he could add another goal. But he ends up missing a penalty minus two points and then gets a yellow card minus three points.

A (29:36)

Can I say these defense here, Not a defense of his technique because obviously it's slightly too high. But I think that the actual Panenka was the perfect time to do it. You've scored one, you've knocked. Yes, scored one. Knocked it in the corner. You know that the goalkeeper going to dive one way or the other. There's no reason for him to suspect that you're going to try and just.

B (29:57)

Hit it down the middle instead of dinking it.

A (30:00)

Well, if you dink it, it's less. There's less chance of it hitting the keeper's legs as he dives out the way. Because he will be out the way with the time that now the fact he just got it technically wrong. That was all. I don't think it was a bad decision, but it is in hindsight, I guess.

C (30:15)

I thought it was a bad decision, him taking the second penalty. James Milner Was on the pitch at the time. Time. He's took so many penalties in his career, he scores them. The keeper's got an advantage because he, he knows, you know, he knows what's going to go on. Is he going to go the same way or not? Like there's more pressure on the taker to score two in a game.

A (30:33)

But, but when have you seen us this. It happens very, very occasionally. The person who's taken the first penalty and scores then doesn't take the second penalty. He's a center forward. Can you imagine that? Tell you what, I'll take this one.

C (30:47)

No, you've got. You got to share it out. You got to share percentages when you'. Good.

B (30:54)

You're a goal scorer, you're not sharing out. Give.

C (30:57)

Give it to Milner. Give it to Milner.

A (30:59)

Wolves West Ham this weekend. Wow. Yeah, Huge. Watch that from behind the sofa, John. Okay, let's take a break. When we come back, we'll discuss the games that were played last night and it would just be Alan and me because what you, what you doing, Mike? Are you working with.

C (31:18)

Yeah, working with Sky. Got the four games. So Leeds, Liverpool. There is spurs in the studio. Yeah.

A (31:31)

Is it that stand up studio?

C (31:35)

And Sunderland, obviously, man city. That's going to be a great game. What did you say about standing up there?

A (31:41)

Is it the studio where you stand in different corners of it and you're awkward?

C (31:46)

Yes.

A (31:46)

It's such a flattering set. I would not be happy with that if I was working on it. It's just so weird. Everyone's over in different spaces so you can see the big screen. I mean, I, you know, I love what sky does, the amazing stuff, but that does not work for me. For me it's a personal thing. It just looks weird. Everyone looks so uncomfortable. Don't know what to do with their hands. The feet don't look real because it's virtual reality studio. It's look like you're floating on some. It just looks so weird.

C (32:17)

So what would you recommend? Where. Where would you put your hands if you was to be up? I don't.

A (32:21)

I don't know. Because you feel really awkward because you stood there for so long and when there's like three, it looks like you. Like everyone's in a wall defending a free kick but you've left two bigger spaces in between the two.

C (32:33)

I actually quite. Look, I like it being a big screen and all the virtual. I think it's cool.

A (32:38)

Oh, that's fine if it's cool. Yeah. I mean it's very cool. It's very cool and it's nice to have the big screen, but I don't know, I just. It's just not for me. But despite all the brilliance that they do. But everyone's always looking to try and do something slightly different from what people did before. But there you go, I've had my say. We'll be back shortly. Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and just me, Gary Lineker. Now my voice has returned a little bit, Alan. Just sound, yeah, sound a bit, bit better than I did in the podcast perhaps two, three minutes ago, which is remarkable. But obviously we're now doing this segment of the show on Thursday night after the four games. There's a match of the day in a bit. Three nil nils and a one one on BBC2. I don't think it'll be too many, please.

B (33:34)

I'm not doing much today, tonight.

A (33:35)

Oh, it's a good one to Ms. Rich. Actually, the main producer just sent me a message, guys, going, oh my God, three nil Nils and a one one. But yeah, and you may have noticed in the first half we didn't talk about Chelsea, who played Bournemouth and it was 2:2 on Tuesday night. Well, we actually did, but obviously that became somewhat dated because of the news of Enzo Maresca terminated his contract. So we thought we'd get rid of the bit that we talked about yesterday. I mean, it's a daft dog game. You do realize, Alan, that he was manager of the month in November.

B (34:13)

I mean, if you ever needed any evidence that football is crazy and stupid, then that is the exact reason why we think that. But I suspect he knew something and when he went off piste, I guess maybe, what was it, two, three weeks?

A (34:29)

Two, three weeks ago in the press conference.

B (34:31)

Yeah, we said then it was strange and I guess he knew what was coming then and he wanted to get his. His side out. I mean, there's two ways of looking at it. The first one is football is a mad game. You get Chelsea winning the Club World cup, winning the Conference League, finishing in the Champions League. That's one way of looking at thinking, well, hang on, what more do you want? Because I don't think they're a great team despite the money that they've spent. We've always said over the past few months that they're missing top class center forward, top, top class center half, maybe a top class goalkeeper. But then the other way of thinking is the position that they're in, you know. But yeah, and you also know that whoever takes over Chelsea knows the rules of football. Yeah, not the rules of Chelsea. You can't complain going into that job knowing what they want and what they require. Because it is very different than it is a bonkers football club to any other club.

A (35:26)

Yeah, they do things totally differently, don't they? And in terms of. I don't think you get any say as the coach on you, just a coach. You get these players, you deal with it, you get on with it and we expect you to be super successful. And they've got a kind of different view of the way they run football clubs than pretty much anyone else. They've done this unique thing with huge long contracts with lots of very young players. They've got a very young team as well. I've read quite a few reports from. From people that you would trust that suggest also there might be something to do with the fact that he's been perhaps sounded out and had meetings with Manchester City on the premise that maybe, maybe Pep Guardiola was going to leave at some point in the summer.

B (36:14)

Whose side's putting out? Whose sides? I mean.

A (36:16)

Well, I know, but it was reasonable, respected journalists. So I don't know whether there's any truth in that. It said, said they he'd met the Manchester City people twice. It might be Chelsea putting a bit of spin on it. Yeah, but I sort of agree with you, Alan. You know what you get into at Chelsea, it's. It's sort of unique and has become more unique. I mean, it was pretty difficult even in the. In the Abramovich days, wasn't it? Yeah, you had to be super successful to. To stay in. But you did have a chance to last in two or three years. Now it seems under the. The. The present incumbents that it's. It's. It's. It's vastly different. But the talk is. I mean, I think Maresco will be fine. Maresca will get another job. He's an excellent coach. What he did at Chelsea was really good. I think it's a strange decision overall. I'm not overly surprised like you, but I think it's a strange decision. I think he'll walk into a very good job somewhere. A lot of taught that Liam Rossigna was. Will be brought in. I think he's heavy favorite with the bookmakers. I don't know there's any truth of that. He coaches at their sister club, doesn't he? Strasbourg, who are currently about seventh in Liga. He was at whole before that was Wayne Rooney's assistant at Derby for a little While I actually worked with him once on. Were you doing that show? We did so at Millwall and he was in the studio a few years ago. Really nice. Really very impressive tactically.

B (37:43)

Yeah, I mean, but doing that to doing Chelsea is a different, totally different animal. But when I look at the big picture of Chelsea and who and what they are at the minute, I'm not sure they're any better than where they are.

A (37:56)

No, I don't think you could do better with what you've got, really, because you've got a very, very young side.

B (38:00)

We know that a model is. Their model is to give, to buy young. Give them long contracts, develop and then maybe sell them on for a big profit. I don't know. I think he's done as well as anyone could possibly do at that football game club. Given where they are and who they've signed.

A (38:18)

I wouldn't disagree with you.

B (38:19)

I think they've signed, they've won the Conference League, they've won the club World cup, they've gone into the Champions League, they're currently fifth. I'm not sure they're any better than where they are. And I. I would think he's done a really, really good job and I suspect his rant two or three weeks ago was exactly what he knew was coming. He knew this was coming, coming and he wanted to get it out first and his side of the story to say this is as well as we can do with what we've got because we've said it ourselves over the past few months. They've spent God knows how much and I don't think they've got a top class center forward, a top class center half and a top class goalkeeper. And for him to have won what they have done and to be where they are, I don't think they could have done any better, do you?

A (39:13)

No, I really don't. I really don't. I think he's done an excellent job.

B (39:16)

Yeah, me too.

A (39:17)

And I. That's why I said I think he'll definitely walk into a very good job at some point. Who knows where that will be. Yeah, elsewhere they've done four, four games. Three Nils.

B (39:26)

I wouldn't like to be doing much of the day this evening with three nil Nils.

A (39:31)

It would be a tough one, wouldn't it? Although I did quite. I mean I watched the two nil Nils that were on the main games. I've watched them Liverpool and. And then I watched the Manchester City game. So you got to give a shout out. I mean it wasn't Quite happening for either City or Liverpool. But I mean well done. Sunderland and Leeds. Really, really gritty performances by both teams that were promoted last season.

B (39:55)

Yeah, I mean I saw more of this Sunderland game. I did expect man City to go then win because with the players they've got away, Sunderland and one or two injuries and etc. I just thought they. That man in the form that they're in, I thought man City would go then win, but no one's gone there and won. So yeah, a really good result for Sunderland. Thoroughly deserved it. Yeah. And I. Same thing again with Leeds going to Anfield. I thought Liverpool would win against Leeds, but two really good performances and good point for, for Sunland and for Leeds. Yeah.

A (40:32)

There's a list of the teams that are unbeaten in home matches in the Premier League this season and there's only two teams on it. Arsenal Arsenal and Sunderland. I mean, I mean you can, you can see why I thought, you know, they even had one or two chances in that game. I mean, I know City dominated it particularly in the second half and they couldn't find a way through, but there was still a threat on occasions.

B (40:54)

As much as it pains me to say it, I thought Sunderland were well worthy of their point.

A (40:59)

And do you know what? They've got, they've got results this season. Not, not all victories, but without no defeats against Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

C (41:10)

Yeah.

B (41:11)

And new guest.

C (41:11)

Incredible.

B (41:13)

Yeah, I just. Yeah, they've been brilliant. I think you've got to, you've got to say well done Sunderland for the way they've set up for the, the fans that they've, they've been in their home games for any team going to, to Sunderland know that they're going to have to play their best game to go away with anything before we go.

A (41:34)

Just, you know, it's obviously a nice little swing towards Arsenal this midweek.

B (41:38)

Yeah. Been a good week for Arsenal, hasn't it?

C (41:40)

Yeah.

A (41:40)

If you'd have said at the start of it, their FAI in Aston Villa and Manchester City, you've got Sunderland. You just thought it might twist the other way. But it didn't.

B (41:47)

No, it's. It's been their week. But you know, you, you know as well as I do it's in a booth time we'll be saying, oh, what a great week for Man City or whatever, it's, you know how it works. But it's the minute, it's. It's been a great few days for Arsenal, but it wouldn't surprise me in three or four weeks time if we. Well, it will. That's what'll happen because that's. That's the way it works, you know, One week will. We'll have Arsenal being great results, result. City being great result. But it's been Arsenal's week this week.

A (42:16)

Yeah. Certainly has a few twists and turns to come. There'll probably be some at the weekend as well. There's another full fixture list and we'll be back with our usual episode on Monday, but for now, goodbye from me.

B (42:27)

Goodbye from me. Cheers.