WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 Welcome to HYBR1D Powered by chinkseyMEDIA.. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:07.280 Following Mikel Arteta's pre -Leeds United press 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:10.759 conference, I'm going to read a transcript of 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:12.720 his press conference and I'm going to give my 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:16.000 opinion of what I deduce from the transcript. 00:00:17.959 --> 00:00:20.660 Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the press ahead 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:23.100 of our first home match of the season against 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:26.140 Leeds United. The boss answered questions on 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:29.179 Kai Havertz, Saturday's opponents and much more 00:00:29.179 --> 00:00:34.740 at the Soba Realty Training Centre. Find out 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:36.960 everything that went down by pressing play on 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:40.539 the video above or read our full transcript below. 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:46.039 On Kai Havertz's injury. He's certainly not fit 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:48.619 for this match. Unfortunately, he has picked 00:00:48.619 --> 00:00:51.700 up an injury. We don't really know yet the extent 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:54.859 of it. I think we need a bit more time and some 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:57.500 more tests. And after that, we will have more 00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:00.399 clarity about the next steps. All right, cool. 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:03.100 Well, let's have it right. Kai Havertz is going 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:06.659 to be out for the foreseeable future. Similarly 00:01:06.659 --> 00:01:10.579 to Gabriel Jesus' long -term injury, which I 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:13.250 still... Don't know how long he's officially 00:01:13.250 --> 00:01:15.549 supposed to be out for, but when he did get injured, 00:01:15.750 --> 00:01:19.250 it was apparent that he would be out over six 00:01:19.250 --> 00:01:24.489 months, probably nine months and possibly longer 00:01:24.489 --> 00:01:26.530 than that. He got injured in around January, 00:01:26.650 --> 00:01:30.069 right? So similarly to that, this Kai Havertz 00:01:30.069 --> 00:01:38.950 injury doesn't seem as... As you know, as what's 00:01:38.950 --> 00:01:40.730 the word I'm looking for? I'm bad with words, 00:01:40.810 --> 00:01:45.109 right? Doesn't seem as long term as Gabriel Jesus, 00:01:45.290 --> 00:01:48.310 but obviously it seems like a semi long term 00:01:48.310 --> 00:01:51.329 one. I'm going to presume probably two, three, 00:01:51.370 --> 00:01:54.510 four months, something around that time frame. 00:01:54.569 --> 00:01:56.769 So we will see. But obviously, Mikel doesn't 00:01:56.769 --> 00:01:59.430 really want to give too much away and I don't 00:01:59.430 --> 00:02:03.060 blame him. On if it's a flare -up of a knee injury, 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.040 I prefer not to talk about the specifics, but 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:10.039 if he's not fit, as I said, we need to explore 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:13.340 that issue a little bit further and decide what 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:16.039 we're going to do. So yeah, once again, as I've 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:19.300 already said, obviously Kai Havertz, it's clear 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:21.979 he's going to miss the next few games, going 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:24.180 to be out for the foreseeable future. Obviously, 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:28.520 he's looking for a doctor's prognosis and yeah, 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.280 there's not really much to add to that. on what 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:34.800 kind of scenario it could be I don't know the 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:36.960 worst scenario is that he cannot play tomorrow 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:40.659 I would love to have him fresh and available 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:43.080 bringing what he brings to the team but unfortunately 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:46.419 that is not going to be possible well I guess 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:49.759 it's clear he won't play tomorrow and I think 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:51.479 it's also clear he won't play against Liverpool 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.560 then we have the international break one thing 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:58.280 it does do though is make his decision to start 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:01.629 up front Pretty, pretty self -explanatory. Pretty 00:03:01.629 --> 00:03:04.250 straightforward. It's going to be Victor Yocarez. 00:03:05.409 --> 00:03:08.349 But yeah, it would have been interesting to see 00:03:08.349 --> 00:03:10.969 if Kai Havertz started tomorrow. I doubt it. 00:03:11.050 --> 00:03:13.370 I think he would have went for Victor Yocarez. 00:03:13.550 --> 00:03:18.949 But yeah, Victor is likely to play longer than 00:03:18.949 --> 00:03:20.909 an hour, I would say, like he did on Sunday. 00:03:21.250 --> 00:03:23.150 And I'm going to stick my neck out and say, I 00:03:23.150 --> 00:03:25.110 reckon he probably played a full 90. Although, 00:03:25.430 --> 00:03:29.009 you could... You could do a few things. You could 00:03:29.009 --> 00:03:31.610 put Mikel Marino up there. You could put Martinelli 00:03:31.610 --> 00:03:36.030 up there. There's a few options there, but it'll 00:03:36.030 --> 00:03:37.729 be nice to see Victor finish the game tomorrow. 00:03:39.469 --> 00:03:43.009 On how Kai is handling it mentally. Mentally, 00:03:43.069 --> 00:03:45.629 he's in a good place because he's a really strong 00:03:45.629 --> 00:03:49.069 boy, very committed. He had an incredible recovery 00:03:49.069 --> 00:03:52.530 from a hamstring injury. I think he'd never had 00:03:52.530 --> 00:03:54.949 an injury before. It was the first experience. 00:03:55.490 --> 00:03:58.949 Now, he's got a setback. Let's see how bad it 00:03:58.949 --> 00:04:01.889 is. But I'm sure he's going to deal with it in 00:04:01.889 --> 00:04:04.770 the best possible way. And as I said, he's a 00:04:04.770 --> 00:04:08.090 joy of a kid. And hopefully, we're going to have 00:04:08.090 --> 00:04:13.800 him soon. Well, that's the thing though. Not 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:17.220 something until you are. So, obviously, Kai Havertz 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:20.060 is around 26 years old, if not 26, I'm pretty 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:23.519 sure he is. But, yeah, it's one thing not being 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:27.860 injured, but it's like waiting for a bus. You 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:32.199 wait so long for one and two come at once. So, 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:34.680 obviously, Kai has now had two injuries in a 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:38.800 few months. And, obviously, they're not, you 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.740 know... they're semi -serious injuries he's obviously 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:45.259 had his hamstring injury and then obviously now 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:49.399 this knee injury so hopefully he can kind of 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:52.420 come back again and hit the ground running um 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:56.180 but yeah man it's it's a shame to have him out 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:59.160 because he he's come back he's got himself stronger 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:01.879 he's been in the gym filled out a little bit 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:04.860 um you know but yeah it's football it's life 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:08.930 isn't it On Ben White and Christian Norgaard's 00:05:08.930 --> 00:05:12.170 fitness. Christian won't be in the squad. With 00:05:12.170 --> 00:05:15.269 Ben, let's see how he reacts and what we decide. 00:05:15.670 --> 00:05:17.930 Christian will be out for another week or so. 00:05:18.509 --> 00:05:23.649 So, that's interesting. Ben White literally looked 00:05:23.649 --> 00:05:26.790 fit, looked sharp over pre -season. He's been 00:05:26.790 --> 00:05:29.170 playing well. He's giving us width on the right 00:05:29.170 --> 00:05:34.949 side. And obviously, Jurian Timber, which we'll 00:05:34.949 --> 00:05:40.000 get to. Seems to have run out of steam a little 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:43.379 bit after having a phenomenal season last season. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:45.839 Playing almost every single game, every minute. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:49.439 But he kind of broke down towards the end. So 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:53.680 that is why signings like Crispy and Mosquera 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:59.420 were made. Because Ben White, Timber... You know, 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:04.120 one or both of them. Fitness issues over the 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:08.000 last year or 18 months. So, obviously, Christian 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.699 Mosquera is a young, budding player with a lot 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:15.720 of energy, strength. He's a powerhouse. So, if 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:19.759 one or both of those right -backs are a doubt 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.899 tomorrow, then, yeah, rest assured, Christian 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:28.060 Mosquera is willing and willing to go. His namesake, 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:32.680 Christian Norgard, it's a shame that he's missed 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:35.680 our first two games of the season. Obviously, 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:38.040 he's missed the Manchester United game last Sunday. 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:40.740 And obviously, the managers just confirmed him 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:45.180 out for tomorrow's game, which is a shame because 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:47.019 in pre -season, he looked pretty good. And there 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.100 was a few people tipping him to start that United 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:53.899 game. But yeah, hopefully Norgard can come back. 00:06:54.670 --> 00:06:56.769 Come back stronger, if not for the Liverpool 00:06:56.769 --> 00:06:59.649 game, then after the international break. And, 00:06:59.730 --> 00:07:03.470 yeah, fight for his place in the side. On links 00:07:03.470 --> 00:07:06.850 to Eberechi Eze, there's nothing to comment on. 00:07:06.930 --> 00:07:09.509 I can never talk about anything that's not part 00:07:09.509 --> 00:07:12.490 of our group or club yet. Well, as we know with 00:07:12.490 --> 00:07:14.589 Mikel, he never gives anything away. But I think 00:07:14.589 --> 00:07:18.709 it's pretty, pretty obvious that he is joining 00:07:18.709 --> 00:07:22.819 the club. Obviously, he, I think... There's so 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:24.959 many telling signs, but the most telling sign 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:28.920 of all was the fact that he missed Palace's 1 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:31.899 -0 victory against Friedrichstadt yesterday at 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:35.100 Selhurst Park. He was in the ground, but he didn't 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:38.519 feature. He was actually supposed to, but obviously 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:41.160 the club pulled him up because of his impending 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:48.899 transfer to Arsenal. Pretty much done. He's allegedly 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:52.620 taking his medical today. Probably taking it 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:55.180 at the time of recording. And it's just a matter 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:57.819 of time before he's unveiled as an Arsenal player. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:02.139 On how important it is to get the sense a player 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:05.639 wants to be at Arsenal. That's number one. That 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:08.040 they want to be with us. That they feel something 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:11.579 special coming to us. then the person, what personality 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:14.220 we're going to bring, and then the rest comes. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:17.100 I think we've done that very, very well in the 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:19.540 last few years to create a group of players and 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:23.019 the spirit in the team. So, yeah, I mean, I think 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:24.819 a lot to do with that is a lot of these players 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:27.939 actually support Arsenal. I can reel off a few 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:31.500 that are just Arsenal fans, a lot of the young 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:35.379 boys especially. So players like Bukayo, Ethan, 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:42.509 Myles are Arsenal fans. Gabriel, Saliba. Well, 00:08:42.549 --> 00:08:44.009 Saliba's supposed to be an Arsenal fan, but players 00:08:44.009 --> 00:08:48.210 like Gabriel and Declan Rice and David Raya, 00:08:48.269 --> 00:08:50.490 you can see that they love the club. They fight 00:08:50.490 --> 00:08:54.090 for the badge. You know, there's a lot. Martinelli, 00:08:54.129 --> 00:08:56.970 the same way, is almost like a kind of adopted 00:08:56.970 --> 00:09:00.909 youth player. So these guys love the club. Arsenal's 00:09:00.909 --> 00:09:04.529 a family club, you know. And yeah, we make players 00:09:04.529 --> 00:09:07.230 feel welcome. A lot of the ex -players that have 00:09:07.230 --> 00:09:10.480 left the club always come back. And mind you, 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.139 players like Bakari Sanya are in and around the 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:15.220 club. Players like Nasri have come back to the 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:19.200 club. So, you know, once a Guna, always a Guna, 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:23.419 as they say. And if it's better if they grew 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.399 up supporting Arsenal, well, I touched on that 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.700 a little bit. The better the feeling, the stronger 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:30.200 the feeling. I think the better always because 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.340 it brings a different edge, a different will 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:35.059 and emotion to what you do. I think that always 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:37.860 brings something extra. So the fact that Abareche 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:43.000 Eze not only supports Arsenal, not only was and 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:47.919 probably still is a huge Arsenal fan. He played 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:50.720 for the club as a youngster, so that feeling 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:54.779 of unfinished business, that feeling of, right, 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:58.379 I've fought so hard, I've showed my grit, determination, 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:04.470 resilience to have setbacks. And just come and 00:10:04.470 --> 00:10:09.129 just give everything. I was there in April, May. 00:10:09.289 --> 00:10:11.629 I think it was April when he scored that belter 00:10:11.629 --> 00:10:15.230 from a corner against us. Unfortunately, at our 00:10:15.230 --> 00:10:20.029 expense. When Palace drew 2 -2, I believe, at 00:10:20.029 --> 00:10:22.570 the Emirates. And that was a phenomenal goal. 00:10:23.649 --> 00:10:26.789 So this player, I just can't wait to see him 00:10:26.789 --> 00:10:31.659 at the carpet, man. Number 10. on if it was always 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:34.639 the plan for Victor Jocarez to play just an hour 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:38.379 on his debut. It depended on how the game developed. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:41.240 Every game brings different challenges, opportunities. 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:44.179 I think the game was very demanding physically, 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:48.259 became really open for different reasons, and 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:51.720 we decided... that at that moment he needed to 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.139 come off and we had Kai on the bench to come 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.919 and change the game. Well, I did say off -air 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:00.340 to a few of the Arsenal fans that Victor Jokeres 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:03.980 looks a bit top -heavy and not in an overweight 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.720 way, in a muscular way. Sometimes you can have 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:09.779 too much muscle where you lose agility, where 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:14.259 you're a bit... You know, you're a bit sluggish 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:17.700 to turn to Premier League football. Centre -backs 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:19.860 are really fit. They're athletes right now. So 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:22.639 obviously for me, I think Victor Jokeres needs 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:25.799 to lose a little bit of muscle. He obviously 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:29.159 needs to get himself more fit, fitter. He's a 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:34.139 fast boy, strong boy, powerful. But yeah, I think 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:39.340 as time goes on, he will... he will trim down 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:42.480 slightly, get himself slightly more lean. The 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.259 more training sessions he has, and I'm sure he'll 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:49.840 dovetail well with his teammates. On if, it was 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.539 always the plan for Victor Yocarez to play Justin 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:55.360 Awa on his debut. It depended on how the game 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.779 developed. Every game brings different challenges, 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:00.700 opportunities. I think the game was very demanding 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:03.279 physically, became really open for different 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:06.669 reasons, and we decided... At that moment, he 00:12:06.669 --> 00:12:09.210 needed to come off. And we had Kai on the bench 00:12:09.210 --> 00:12:16.769 to come and change the game. So, well... It was... 00:12:16.769 --> 00:12:18.990 A lot of people criticised the performance from 00:12:18.990 --> 00:12:22.309 Victor on Sunday. He did put himself about. He 00:12:22.309 --> 00:12:27.230 was mostly up against Dilip. Showed he was more 00:12:27.230 --> 00:12:31.080 powerful. However... down to the fitness. He 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:33.200 looked slightly off the pace, but like I said, 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:36.320 the more training sessions he gets under his 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:40.480 belt, the more matches, minutes he gets under 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.679 his belt. And once he gets that important first 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:45.779 goal, hopefully tomorrow, I'm sure we're going 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:47.600 to see the best of Victor Jokeres, that's for 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:53.519 sure. On if Victor is ready to go again. Yes, 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:57.090 he is. He's very, very enthusiastic. He trained 00:12:57.090 --> 00:12:59.850 really well this week. Again, he's had another 00:12:59.850 --> 00:13:02.549 week under his belt. He looks in a really good 00:13:02.549 --> 00:13:04.629 place. I can attest to that because I was at 00:13:04.629 --> 00:13:08.909 one of his training sessions at the Emirates 00:13:08.909 --> 00:13:10.769 on Wednesday. And obviously there's a video on 00:13:10.769 --> 00:13:14.169 this channel which you see him rifle home a thunderous 00:13:14.169 --> 00:13:18.450 effort. And yeah, the boy means business. I think 00:13:18.450 --> 00:13:20.730 he's got a shoot on site policy and I like that. 00:13:20.830 --> 00:13:23.990 So if he kind of gets half a yard, half a chance, 00:13:24.269 --> 00:13:26.669 he will not hesitate to get a shot off. I'm putting 00:13:26.669 --> 00:13:28.289 it this way. He didn't have a shot on Sunday, 00:13:28.429 --> 00:13:33.149 but he will tomorrow. On Leeds United, very impressed. 00:13:33.429 --> 00:13:35.690 I've been watching them, what they did in pre 00:13:35.690 --> 00:13:38.169 -season, what they did on Monday, what they did 00:13:38.169 --> 00:13:41.269 last year, in the manner they did it. Big compliments 00:13:41.269 --> 00:13:43.610 to the way they play, to the coach. I'm sure 00:13:43.610 --> 00:13:48.460 they are going to put, A really difficult match 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:52.620 against us tomorrow. Mikel, they're low -blocking 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:54.879 it tomorrow. They're low -blocking it. I mean, 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:58.179 it's all well and good bigging up the opponent, 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:01.759 as every manager does in this day and age. You 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:05.799 always, you know, you always big up your opponent, 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:08.080 say how good they are, how well they've done, 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:10.250 but you never... Obviously, because you don't 00:14:10.250 --> 00:14:13.350 want to give the opponents an edge to the game. 00:14:13.450 --> 00:14:16.370 You don't want to say something negative to kind 00:14:16.370 --> 00:14:20.990 of rile up the opponents and essentially do the 00:14:20.990 --> 00:14:23.950 manager's team talk for them. However, tomorrow 00:14:23.950 --> 00:14:26.769 is going to be a really stodgy game, I think. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:30.100 Probably Leeds will be like the kind of Ipswich 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.899 of last season where in the Championship they 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:35.200 romped it, came to the Premier League, found 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:38.940 it a bit difficult. But Leeds got some fast players 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:41.179 in the break. They've got some good players and 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:43.779 a few people are tipping them to beat the drop. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:48.059 As you've seen in my league predictions, I've 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:49.779 got them to go down. I think it's going to be 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:53.240 a tough game, but I think we're going to have 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:56.830 a good result tomorrow. on being creative from 00:14:56.830 --> 00:15:00.009 set pieces. That creativity comes from different 00:15:00.009 --> 00:15:02.950 angles and in every phase of play, we try to 00:15:02.950 --> 00:15:05.570 do that. At Old Trafford, we had many situations 00:15:05.570 --> 00:15:08.789 from open play. As well as that, we should have 00:15:08.789 --> 00:15:11.590 and could have exploited the situations much 00:15:11.590 --> 00:15:15.269 better to be much more efficient in how we finish 00:15:15.269 --> 00:15:19.450 actions, especially because then they went the 00:15:19.450 --> 00:15:22.529 other way very quickly. In that sense, especially 00:15:22.529 --> 00:15:25.450 being the first one, which is really difficult, 00:15:25.610 --> 00:15:28.570 we all pay a lot of attention to that. That's 00:15:28.570 --> 00:15:31.149 a big resource that we can have and it brings 00:15:31.149 --> 00:15:34.370 confidence as well that the team can score goals 00:15:34.370 --> 00:15:38.789 from any situation. Yeah, I mean, you can look 00:15:38.789 --> 00:15:41.470 at it in many ways. For me, there's always two 00:15:41.470 --> 00:15:43.730 sides and two ways looking at every situation. 00:15:44.110 --> 00:15:47.330 You can look at it as, yeah, like Mikel said, 00:15:47.470 --> 00:15:51.480 that... We can score from any situation. Or there's 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:54.980 the other side where you can look at it as supposedly 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:58.220 we're becoming too reliant on set pieces. And 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:01.299 now that when we are struggling to break sides 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:05.059 down and obviously the other teams, the opponents, 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:10.419 become accustomed to our set piece routine, which 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:13.059 we've obviously changed up. And if that doesn't 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:16.080 work, then... You know what I mean? But yeah, 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:18.000 there's different ways to skin a cat. And obviously, 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:20.820 when you're up against low block, it's a good 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:23.700 tool to have in your armoury. No pun intended. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:26.059 By the way, the armoury is a really good shop, 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:28.960 even though I usually buy things online from 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:32.299 the Arsenal. Right, on creating a big atmosphere 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:36.100 at Emirates Stadium. It's always very special. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:39.100 I think everybody is very excited for the first 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.360 game. It brings a different energy around the 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:43.960 stadium. I'm sure they missed it. They missed 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:46.700 the team. We have certainly missed our supporters 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:49.679 and that connection. And tomorrow, I'm sure from 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:52.860 the first whistle, I think everybody is going 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:55.539 to be at it and we're going to have a good game. 00:16:56.129 --> 00:16:58.669 Yeah, I mean, it's been a while since we've had 00:16:58.669 --> 00:17:00.629 a competitive home game at the Emirates. The 00:17:00.629 --> 00:17:04.349 last one was against Newcastle in May. So it's 00:17:04.349 --> 00:17:08.390 been a good three months. So obviously, yeah, 00:17:08.490 --> 00:17:12.390 tickets have been hard to get for this game. 00:17:12.450 --> 00:17:15.230 I'll tell you that for free. But yeah, I think 00:17:15.230 --> 00:17:17.289 it's going to be a sellout stadium. The fans 00:17:17.289 --> 00:17:20.450 will be... You know, the fans will be at it tomorrow. 00:17:20.670 --> 00:17:23.670 So under the lights, 5 .30 at the Emirates. It's 00:17:23.670 --> 00:17:25.509 going to be a full house. Obviously, we've got 00:17:25.509 --> 00:17:28.650 a lot of new players that are in contention for 00:17:28.650 --> 00:17:31.650 their home debuts, namely Victor Jokeres and 00:17:31.650 --> 00:17:34.710 Martin Zubimendi, who are almost certainly going 00:17:34.710 --> 00:17:40.829 to start. I fancy Christian Mosquera to maybe 00:17:40.829 --> 00:17:43.829 sneaking out right back because of his athleticism, 00:17:43.849 --> 00:17:47.789 which could be pivotal against... A team like 00:17:47.789 --> 00:17:49.990 Leeds who have pace on the break with people 00:17:49.990 --> 00:17:54.230 like Wilfred Nonto and Daniel James. So I wouldn't 00:17:54.230 --> 00:17:56.049 be surprised if he does sneak in at right back. 00:17:56.150 --> 00:17:58.309 But I think it's going to be a very good game. 00:17:58.390 --> 00:18:01.609 Leeds United have amazing fans. They're going 00:18:01.609 --> 00:18:03.470 to bring it to us tomorrow. They're going to 00:18:03.470 --> 00:18:06.230 be up for it regardless of the result. And I'm 00:18:06.230 --> 00:18:08.049 sure it's going to be a good atmosphere and may 00:18:08.049 --> 00:18:12.069 the best team win. On Leeds United, speaking 00:18:12.069 --> 00:18:15.210 of them, an incredible club, incredible history 00:18:15.210 --> 00:18:17.750 as well. I've been here long enough to understand 00:18:17.750 --> 00:18:21.029 the history of that club. As I said, very special. 00:18:21.369 --> 00:18:24.549 One big city with just one club, so passionate. 00:18:24.730 --> 00:18:26.890 And you know what happens when you go there and 00:18:26.890 --> 00:18:29.930 play. It's great to have them back. Wish them 00:18:29.930 --> 00:18:33.390 all the best, apart from tomorrow. Yeah, I mean, 00:18:33.410 --> 00:18:36.210 Leeds have got this obvious reputation of being... 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:40.880 A big club, a heritage club, a club with a rich 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.400 history, especially back in the days in the 70s 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:46.519 and 80s, under people like Don Revy, Brian Clough. 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:50.059 And obviously the early 2000s when they had top 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:53.960 players, such as they had a team, they had Rio 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:57.940 Ferdinand, they had Alan Smith, Alan Smudge Smith, 00:18:58.039 --> 00:19:02.140 who went to United, as did Rio. Also Mark Viduka. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:08.339 Harry Kuehl, of course. They had a lot of top 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:11.140 players, man. They was a heritage club and we 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:14.019 had some real good battles with Leeds just before 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:19.339 they obviously hit financial turmoil. But yeah, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:23.220 Leeds are a big club, similar to Nottingham Forest 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:26.160 in the way they're looked at, where they're definitely 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:28.500 a Premier League club for sure. So it's good 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:32.099 to have them back. And once again, They've got 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.859 one of their best fans for sure. Their fans are 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.619 going to bring a really, really good atmosphere 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:39.490 tomorrow. Look forward to that. On Madaweke's 00:19:39.490 --> 00:19:42.589 potential impact, any creative player who can 00:19:42.589 --> 00:19:45.609 unlock situations from closed situations, creating 00:19:45.609 --> 00:19:48.589 that uncertainty, more attention as well in and 00:19:48.589 --> 00:19:51.309 around the ball is going to create space in other 00:19:51.309 --> 00:19:53.990 places, having more creativity, more weapons, 00:19:54.170 --> 00:19:56.390 having the ability to bring different profiles 00:19:56.390 --> 00:19:59.130 onto the pitch at different stages in the game, 00:19:59.269 --> 00:20:01.750 something that for sure we're going to have this 00:20:01.750 --> 00:20:06.450 season. And that's great. So, yeah, Nani Madaweke. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:10.940 He's come on the last few games, didn't look 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:13.119 comfortable on the left wing. Obviously, it's 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:17.359 pretty obvious his best position is on the right 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:23.420 wing. However, our arguably best player, Bukayo 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:26.759 Saka, resides there, plays there. So it's obviously 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:28.680 going to be difficult for him to get in there. 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:31.619 However, I think the more he trains with his 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:35.779 teammates, the more he kind of gets used to... 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.799 running down the touchline and getting crosses 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.980 in because I think that's the main reason he's 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:44.359 out on the left wing. He has a good chance of 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:47.220 staking his claim to start there if he can put 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.559 in a run of good performances, get some assists 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:53.779 for Victor Yocarez and co. Show a good attitude. 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:57.960 I think he needs to improve defensively for sure. 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:04.619 In a sense, he can learn a thing or two. or two 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:07.500 from Gabriel Martinelli in that respect. However, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:12.160 I think his directness and his just willingness 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:15.880 to just attack the fullback could stand him in 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:20.279 good stead against his two rivals for that position. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:28.039 So, yeah. On managing Timba and Jesus. On Jurian, 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:32.000 we have to manage his load. He's been out for 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:35.210 a long time. and he comes from a long -term injury. 00:21:35.349 --> 00:21:41.430 We had one long week. We have to manage the load 00:21:41.430 --> 00:21:43.809 on that, so we have decided to take a little 00:21:43.809 --> 00:21:46.430 bit of training down, especially that day in 00:21:46.430 --> 00:21:49.630 the open session. Gabby is doing super well. 00:21:49.750 --> 00:21:52.809 I think he looks in a really good place. Obviously, 00:21:52.809 --> 00:21:55.569 it's a massive injury, and we need to come from 00:21:55.569 --> 00:21:58.630 that in a really strong way, but certainly he's 00:21:58.630 --> 00:22:02.069 in the right place and making very strong strides. 00:22:03.549 --> 00:22:07.549 It looks like I've made some observations of 00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:11.349 Gabriel Jesus and it looks like he's almost certainly 00:22:11.349 --> 00:22:15.670 looking to kind of come back into the side sooner 00:22:15.670 --> 00:22:18.250 rather than later. I'm sure when he got injured 00:22:18.250 --> 00:22:22.829 in January, like most, we probably thought he 00:22:22.829 --> 00:22:25.410 was going to miss the vast majority of this season. 00:22:25.490 --> 00:22:28.789 We won't see him until 2026. However, from what 00:22:28.789 --> 00:22:31.930 I've seen and from what I'm hearing and heard, 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:37.279 I don't think he's got too long to go before 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:40.640 he can kind of, you know, look to kind of start 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:44.740 trying to get himself back into first -team training, 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:47.819 then maybe get on the bench, some minutes on 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:50.500 the pitch, maybe a couple Carabao Cup games. 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:56.279 We're probably talking October, maybe. September's 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:59.480 probably a bit of a push, but... I think one 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:02.700 thing's for sure, I think Gabriel Jesus will 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:05.299 play this year, this calendar year for sure. 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:11.259 As with Drury and Timba, it's a weird one with 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:14.279 Timba. It just seems that he's kind of broke 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:17.819 down slightly and kind of was overplayed last 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:20.539 season, hence the signing of Christian Mosquera. 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:24.599 But then again, don't be surprised if Drew and 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:26.599 Timber starts tomorrow. So it's a weird one. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:29.359 I think it's just a case of him getting minutes 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.480 because we've got two games before the international 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:36.000 break, two vital games, especially the second 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:38.480 one against Liverpool. So we need all our top 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:41.700 players fit, willing and raring to go after the 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:46.579 break, especially. So, yeah. on making our counter 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:50.400 -attacks more effective. A few things. Understanding 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.980 the behaviour of the opposition, understanding 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.599 what kinds of runs and where we have to start. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:58.740 The timing of that connection as well, which 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:01.160 is something that in every situation is going 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:04.259 to be different. Understanding certain principles, 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:07.240 where we want to arrive and how we want to do 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:10.259 it. then it's about the execution and being fast 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:13.359 as well in those moments to make that decision 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:17.119 because when your heart rate is 180, to make 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:19.880 that pass is not the same as when you've been 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:23.000 resting after a set piece for one minute. Every 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.599 situation is different, but I'm sure we're going 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:28.400 to improve it. The good thing is the intention 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:31.680 of the team has been exceptional. It's now about 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:34.599 making those little margins, those tunes, to 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:39.150 make it more efficient. So, yeah, obviously counterattacks 00:24:39.150 --> 00:24:42.730 or transitions, which is the new modern day phrase 00:24:42.730 --> 00:24:45.710 for counterattack, is something we haven't been 00:24:45.710 --> 00:24:49.569 the greatest at in recent years. I've always 00:24:49.569 --> 00:24:53.150 said that we've lacked pace, especially in attacking 00:24:53.150 --> 00:24:58.190 areas, to rely on people like Gabriel Martinelli. 00:24:58.930 --> 00:25:03.130 Saka is... I wouldn't say he's a speed star. 00:25:03.269 --> 00:25:05.869 He's got a bit of pace about him. But it's good 00:25:05.869 --> 00:25:08.730 that we've added people like Madaweke and Jokeres 00:25:08.730 --> 00:25:12.890 to that front line. So we've obviously got more 00:25:12.890 --> 00:25:16.430 of a threat, especially in transition. But yeah, 00:25:16.470 --> 00:25:19.289 I think we do need to improve our decision -making 00:25:19.289 --> 00:25:23.410 in transition because on Sunday we had some really 00:25:23.410 --> 00:25:26.329 good situations which we didn't make the most 00:25:26.329 --> 00:25:28.630 of, which reminded me of the Chelsea game at 00:25:28.630 --> 00:25:32.720 Stamford Bridge last Friday. November or October, 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:36.259 one of them months. So it's something we do need 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:38.759 to improve the efficiency in our decision making 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:44.539 and our execution. On what it's been like to 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:47.640 work with Andrea Berta this summer. The great 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:50.240 thing is that ownership has always been the same. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:53.460 They've been super supportive. We had a really 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:57.400 strong board as well. Very well connected. Then 00:25:57.400 --> 00:26:00.259 three very different people, very grateful to 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.740 the three of them and enjoy working with all 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:06.579 of them. With Andrea, now, again, as I expected, 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:09.759 is someone who is extremely professional and 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:13.079 very thorough, very determined and brings something 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:15.640 different to the table as well. I enjoy working 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:19.460 with him a lot. I mean, the bit where he describes 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:23.059 Andrea Berta as extremely professional, very 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:26.460 thorough, very determined. Almost like he's talking 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:28.380 about himself. Because, I mean, if he was going 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:31.579 to describe Mikel Arteta, it's someone that's 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:35.160 very calculated, thorough, very, what's the word, 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:40.680 meticulous. And, you know, he's very thoughtful. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:46.579 He's a thinker, you know. But, yeah, the ownership 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:48.940 have really backed him this summer. But then 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.660 again, you can... Because a lot of the press, 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:54.059 a lot of the media want to say, oh, Arsenal have 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:56.119 to win the league because they spent X amount 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:59.339 of money. But then so have Liverpool and Manchester 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:02.700 City. So what? Are they allowed to not win it 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:06.400 then? Because Liverpool supposedly have the best 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:09.220 players, have had the best window, supposedly, 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:14.079 allegedly, and have legacy players such as Mohamed 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:18.769 Salah, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk. So who are 00:27:18.769 --> 00:27:22.769 we to think we can, you know, knock them off 00:27:22.769 --> 00:27:24.970 their perch if these guys are legacy players? 00:27:25.150 --> 00:27:28.349 Obviously, we've got five or six in our starting 00:27:28.349 --> 00:27:33.269 11 who almost certainly will be legacy players 00:27:33.269 --> 00:27:38.029 if they, one, win us big titles and trophies, 00:27:38.029 --> 00:27:40.950 and two, realise their potential because they're 00:27:40.950 --> 00:27:43.569 in their mid -20s. People like Saliba, Declan 00:27:43.569 --> 00:27:48.109 Rice, Bakayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, to name 00:27:48.109 --> 00:27:52.190 but a few so but yeah we've been back this summer 00:27:52.190 --> 00:27:55.490 we've had an amazing window especially if this 00:27:55.490 --> 00:27:59.549 as a transfer does go through and hopefully hopefully 00:27:59.549 --> 00:28:04.750 that won't be the end of it on how the team can 00:28:04.750 --> 00:28:09.430 evolve this season a few things obviously that 00:28:09.430 --> 00:28:12.700 I won't express here with evolution Make sure 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.759 that when we're evolving, we are maintaining 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:17.160 the great things that we do and just tweaking 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:20.180 and making things, making the things that can 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:22.799 give us a big value, not spending too much time 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:25.539 on them. And that's what we have done. And we're 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:28.940 going to continue to do. You will see them, that 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:31.720 evolution as well, comes from the individuals. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:34.579 At the end, it's about the players, putting those 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:36.720 players with their qualities in those positions 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:39.180 as often as possible to express their qualities. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:42.380 So, I mean, we've definitely changed the way 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:44.599 we've played in the last two, three years. So 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:47.779 obviously in 22, 23, that was the best I've seen 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.960 Arsenal in years. And I'm sure a lot of you can 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:53.980 concur. We were just effervescent. We was expressive. 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:57.839 We was attacking. And you might say naive towards 00:28:57.839 --> 00:29:00.500 the end of the season. We kind of ran out of 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:03.440 steam and fell apart. And obviously I think that 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:07.869 4 -1 defeat against Manchester City was... It 00:29:07.869 --> 00:29:11.829 was a turning point in the way we do things, 00:29:11.990 --> 00:29:16.769 the way we play. We changed our style after that 00:29:16.769 --> 00:29:20.210 game. And definitely not a coincidence. That's 00:29:20.210 --> 00:29:23.309 the last time we've lost to a big six side. The 00:29:23.309 --> 00:29:27.289 traditional big six sides, that is. So what do 00:29:27.289 --> 00:29:29.839 you want? Do you want to have this? gung -ho 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.619 football that you can probably say Liverpool 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:34.000 play, or do you want winning football? Well, 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:36.140 I mean, I guess the answer is somewhere in between. 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:39.019 I think we have shown, especially last season, 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.839 there was about three or four games where we 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:44.119 put teams to the sword with excellent, outstanding 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:47.359 attacking football with the door locked. So I 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:49.980 can throw out games like Man City, Real Madrid. 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:53.400 Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace, to name but 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:55.759 a few. And obviously the West Ham away game. 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:58.759 But yeah, it's just about finding that happy 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:02.839 medium. And I think Mikel has alluded to that 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:06.019 by saying just tweaking and making the things 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:10.059 that can give us big value. So yeah, on David 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:13.420 Raya's stature as a goalkeeper, David is very 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:16.259 big and he's very brave. You cannot be the tallest. 00:30:17.150 --> 00:30:19.509 But you have the will and the courage to go for 00:30:19.509 --> 00:30:22.269 these kinds of balls. That's a massive attribute. 00:30:22.710 --> 00:30:25.369 He's a super athlete. He's someone very athletic, 00:30:25.529 --> 00:30:28.289 very powerful, really dynamic, really agile. 00:30:28.490 --> 00:30:31.630 And that's a big advantage because he can time 00:30:31.630 --> 00:30:35.789 things really well. And on that action, especially 00:30:35.789 --> 00:30:38.309 when there are so many bodies in the box to come 00:30:38.309 --> 00:30:40.849 out and do that, it shows his courage and personality 00:30:40.849 --> 00:30:43.789 and his capacity to deal with these kind of situations. 00:30:44.230 --> 00:30:46.750 Yeah, I mean, David's come on leaps and bounds 00:30:46.750 --> 00:30:50.650 in the last 12 months or so. He was exceptional. 00:30:50.809 --> 00:30:54.390 I mean, he's kept, he's won the Golden Glove 00:30:54.390 --> 00:30:58.029 two seasons in a row. He's behind the best, well, 00:30:58.089 --> 00:31:00.970 he's an essential part of the best defence in 00:31:00.970 --> 00:31:04.299 the league. Kept a clean sheet last week at Old 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:06.960 Trafford, made some tremendous saves. I think 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:10.180 that game on Sunday was reminiscent of the Aston 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:13.460 Villa game at Villa Park 12 months ago, where 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:17.980 we kind of was under the cosh. He came out, up 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.859 trumps, made a few wonder saves against Ollie 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:24.769 Watkins. And yeah, since then, he's just gone 00:31:24.769 --> 00:31:28.849 on leaps and bounds. And there's no doubt he's 00:31:28.849 --> 00:31:31.309 amongst the top two or three goalkeepers in the 00:31:31.309 --> 00:31:34.789 league. I mean, you could argue he's probably 00:31:34.789 --> 00:31:38.190 second only bettered by Alisson. But I mean, 00:31:38.269 --> 00:31:42.349 I'm sure people like Emiliano Martinez will have 00:31:42.349 --> 00:31:45.750 something to say about that. On if we're sending 00:31:45.750 --> 00:31:49.109 out a statement with our transfer business, I 00:31:49.109 --> 00:31:51.190 think we are showing the ambition that we want 00:31:51.190 --> 00:31:55.859 to do. That we are here to win major trophies, 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:58.599 to keep evolving and improving every single year. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:01.619 That's going to come with demand and those demands 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:04.599 are clear. It's our competitors, what we're doing, 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:07.119 where the league is going. We're going to be 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:09.599 in front, not just chasing or acting or behind. 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:12.900 We just want to be in front of it and every decision 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:15.700 that we make in every area of the club to try 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:19.119 and achieve that. I mean, the club has really 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:21.960 done everything it can to support the manager 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:24.940 this summer, brought in some top, top signings. 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:28.440 And I don't remember a transfer window as good 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:32.539 and exciting as this. I mean, the one a few seasons 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:35.440 ago when we brought in Declan Rice and Julian 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:39.400 Timber was a really good one. But this one, for 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:41.359 the volume and quality of players that we brought 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:43.720 in, I mean, half of the players we brought in 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:46.690 go straight into the... straight into the starting 00:32:46.690 --> 00:32:48.890 11. And this is a side that got to the Champions 00:32:48.890 --> 00:32:51.730 League semi -finals and have finished second 00:32:51.730 --> 00:32:55.170 three seasons on the trot. So, I mean, yeah, 00:32:55.269 --> 00:32:59.609 we spent 200 odd million due to increase to about 00:32:59.609 --> 00:33:03.509 270 or so. But obviously, it's just about the 00:33:03.509 --> 00:33:07.650 quality. And obviously, I think we need to kind 00:33:07.650 --> 00:33:10.430 of trim the squad a bit. And I'm sure we're going 00:33:10.430 --> 00:33:16.720 to have three or four departures. in the coming 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:21.960 weeks. Players like Albert, Sambi Lokonga, Fabio 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:24.740 Vieira, Rhys Nelson. Yeah, they'll be leaving 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:28.200 the club, I'm sure of that. On if it brings any 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:31.319 pressure, any extra pressure to him. The motivation 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:34.759 for me is how can we be better? How can we continue 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:37.720 to evolve to win more football matches with bigger 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:40.579 margins? How can we bring the people that we 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:43.460 have closer to us more connected? I think the 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:45.319 players that we already have are incredible. 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:49.200 The ones that we have already signed. I think 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:51.299 they are players that are going to connect with 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:54.079 our people and make them proud and excited. Well, 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:56.970 I mean... We have a really strong squad. Some 00:33:56.970 --> 00:33:58.710 people are saying we've got the strongest squad 00:33:58.710 --> 00:34:01.650 in the league. I mean, certainly defensively 00:34:01.650 --> 00:34:03.930 and in goalkeeping, in the goalkeeping positions, 00:34:04.069 --> 00:34:08.230 we've got good strength and depth. The midfield 00:34:08.230 --> 00:34:12.750 is very strong. I think it lacked, notice I say 00:34:12.750 --> 00:34:17.409 lacked, past tense, creativity. That was prior 00:34:17.409 --> 00:34:20.969 to Eberechi Eze being brought in, fingers crossed. 00:34:21.309 --> 00:34:25.699 But they attack. We just need to kind of get 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:29.440 the right kind of dynamic to the attack, the 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:32.219 right kind of blend. I think it might be a horses 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:35.380 for courses situation where there's three or 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:40.099 four players swapping and changing for the three 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:43.760 positions up top, depending on opposition, strengths, 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:47.460 weaknesses, opportunities and threats. But yeah, 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:50.280 like tomorrow, I think people like Trossard might 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:53.820 have a... place in the lineup injury permitting 00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:58.519 that is and speaking of Leandro on Leandro Trossard's 00:34:58.519 --> 00:35:01.940 contract situation I prefer not to because it's 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:05.139 not my duty I'm really really happy with Leo 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:08.019 that situation has been resolved in a really 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:10.500 great way and I think he deserves our recognition 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:16.900 we are really happy to have him I mean I assume 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:21.579 that he's confirming that the The Trossard contract 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:26.539 has been signed. However, I haven't seen anything 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:29.780 official come out from the club. So, I mean, 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:33.960 I think it's one of those 99 % situations, but 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.840 you just need a club to kind of put it on a website 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:40.099 just so there's no doubt remaining. On if there 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:43.079 will be a few players leaving, it might be speculation. 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:46.239 The good players always have options to go. Leo 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:49.019 was very clear from the beginning. that he wanted 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:51.599 to be here. The club was very clear that they 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:54.360 wanted Leo here. I was very clear that I wanted 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:57.300 him here. At the end, a good outcome. So I think 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:59.760 that's essentially him confirming Leo signed 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:02.019 the contract, but I just don't think the club 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:08.860 have put it out really for whatever reason. Maybe 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:12.400 they're focusing on the Leeds game or maybe they're 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:15.519 just... focusing on kind of getting the Eze media 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:19.260 done. But yes, it's as good as done. But in terms 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:21.699 of the players leaving, I mentioned that earlier 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:28.480 with people like Lukonga, Nelson, Vieira, possibly 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:32.219 Kivior. I wouldn't be surprised if we get a late 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:35.280 20, 30 million bid from maybe an Italian side 00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:38.380 or a mid -table side like a Fulham or Palace. 00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:44.289 One thing I would say, If Mark Gurhey goes to 00:36:44.289 --> 00:36:47.869 Liverpool for the 50 million that's been quoted, 00:36:48.090 --> 00:36:51.670 I think they come in for Kivior and offer about 00:36:51.670 --> 00:36:54.150 30 to 35 million. And I think the club's going 00:36:54.150 --> 00:36:56.210 to accept it, I'll be real. Because I think the 00:36:56.210 --> 00:37:00.969 club will think having seven players fight for 00:37:00.969 --> 00:37:03.469 four positions is enough. I think they'll believe 00:37:03.469 --> 00:37:06.630 that Mosquera can kind of cover two or three 00:37:06.630 --> 00:37:10.869 positions there. on if Kai's injury has influenced 00:37:10.869 --> 00:37:14.710 our business. It was accurate. I think it was 00:37:14.710 --> 00:37:18.010 very clear when I said that it wasn't done. We 00:37:18.010 --> 00:37:20.590 were very actively trying to look at the possibilities 00:37:20.590 --> 00:37:23.650 that could come. We are not reacting to anything. 00:37:24.289 --> 00:37:27.170 We've been very prepared and understand what 00:37:27.170 --> 00:37:30.349 we could do. We have decided that this is the 00:37:30.349 --> 00:37:32.929 moment to do it. So I think he's essentially 00:37:32.929 --> 00:37:37.829 saying that no, Kai Havertz's injury hasn't. 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:41.659 been the reason for kind of speeding up the Eze 00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:45.679 deal so the only thing you can take from that 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:49.699 is it's a coincidence that Kai got injured on 00:37:49.699 --> 00:37:53.179 Sunday or whatever and we've accelerated the 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:57.619 deal for Eze on Wednesday so Wednesday evening 00:37:57.619 --> 00:38:02.460 to be precise on if getting one more win And 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:05.420 if getting one more in will complete the squad. 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:09.059 I don't know because to complete the squad, we 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:12.800 have to see the in and the out. It's still a 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:15.539 long time in the window. So I think essentially 00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:18.380 what he's saying is in terms of the balance of 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:22.880 the squad. So we might lose two centre -backs. 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:24.980 Just for instance, we won't lose two centre -backs, 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:28.239 but we might lose two players in a certain position 00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:31.539 and we might look a little bit... weak in that 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:33.559 so we might have to now bring in a certain player 00:38:33.559 --> 00:38:37.880 um but the like in all likelihood yeah we're 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:40.380 gonna lose people like lokonga like i mentioned 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:43.360 i keep mentioning these players um yeah we'll 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:45.980 lose about three four players um i think any 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:48.519 more than that you might be looking at getting 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:50.860 another replacement in like for instance if we 00:38:50.860 --> 00:38:55.440 do lose kivy or we might bring someone in but 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:58.530 i think we're good i think seven Seven defenders 00:38:58.530 --> 00:39:01.190 that can fill in four positions, especially of 00:39:01.190 --> 00:39:04.210 the quality that we have, is enough. But eight 00:39:04.210 --> 00:39:07.670 is fine because it's just two in each position, 00:39:07.730 --> 00:39:11.170 right? On if getting one more in will complete 00:39:11.170 --> 00:39:14.289 the squad, yep. On Zubimendi playing for both 00:39:14.289 --> 00:39:17.409 teams in open training. Oh, I see that. He was 00:39:17.409 --> 00:39:20.389 wearing like a neutral coloured bib. It has an 00:39:20.389 --> 00:39:23.920 element of that. It has an element of the load. 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:26.199 He missed a couple of training sessions before 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:29.199 Man United with illness. Obviously, the game 00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:32.000 took a lot out of him and we wanted to manage 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:35.400 him as well. So yeah, Martin Zubimendi was ill 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:37.940 for the United game, which probably explains 00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:42.420 a more understated performance. And he wasn't 00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:45.960 the only one, to be fair. But I think our midfield 00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:50.420 metronome, Maestro, is going to have a magnificent... 00:39:51.230 --> 00:39:55.409 performance tomorrow. Bow!