Carlos Cuesta leaving, Next season’s fixtures, Mailbag
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Hello, I'm Ian Stone. This is Handbrake Off, the Arsenal podcast brought to you by The Athletic. We're going to be catching up on all things Arsenal from the past week as well as answering some more of your questions. Plenty of them as well. Thank you very much. I'm joined by Art de Rocher and Adrian Clarke. Morning. Hello. Good morning. Morning. It was some unfortunate news, I guess, broke last night. Mikel Arteta's assistant, Carlos Cuesta, will be leaving the club and looks set to become the Parma manager.

at the ripe old age of 29. He'll be the youngest manager in Serie A. Adrian, how are you dealing with authority when the person is younger than you? I mean, I personally, I have to say, I don't mind if they know what they're talking about.

I mean, in the end, if they know what they're talking about, and also, by the way, most people at this point are younger than me. So it's going to happen. Well, this is the thing. This is the thing. Now, all of a sudden, everybody is younger than me. And I don't know how it happens, Tony. One minute I was like Art. I was a young whippersnapper where everyone was old. And suddenly, I wake up one day and now everyone that I work with is a lot younger than me, especially in the media. So

So like, yeah, I kind of have to get used to it, but I don't mind. Genuinely, it's just, do they know what they're talking about? That's all I care about, really. If they know what they're talking about, I'll listen. If they don't, then that's the issue. Sometimes, I mean, sometimes I feel like I'm,

I kind of might know something a little bit more than the person that's asking me to do something. But if they're in charge, you've got to go with them, haven't you? So no, I don't have a problem with it. But yeah, they've just got to have that knowledge, really. To earn respect, I guess. You know, it's just normal, isn't it? As a footballer, it probably would have weirded me out a little bit at first, but the same would have applied if they were a great coach.

Wouldn't have cared less. Yeah. I mean, the list, by the way, Adrian, it goes policeman. You go, oh, hang on a minute. That cop appears to be younger than I am. And then it's like people in authority, bank managers, things like that. And then obviously it gets further along the list. Oh, the prime minister is younger than me. Hang on a minute. Oh, hang on a minute. The archbishop of Canterbury is younger than me. Right. And then it's, you know, the king or the queen. That'll be the next thing.

And you're looking at Chelsea pensioners going, look at that young thing. You know, you're getting on with it. So there is a progression. This isn't something you've had to encounter too much, I imagine. Somebody younger than you telling you what to do, but it will happen. I mean, surely it's about, you know, if they know what they're talking about.

Yeah, yeah. Thankfully, I haven't had that that often yet. I haven't even got a memory that springs to mind. Probably my cousins or something boss me around or whatever. But on the point on football with Football Manager, whenever I put my birthday in and I use my real birthday, it always comes up when you do your first press conference, a question comes up.

do you think your age is going to be a problem? I get respect from the group. Yeah, so they're quite good with that. But I mean, thankfully, I'm a full manager. I tend to do all right. So I reckon Carlos will be fine. I wonder what the cutoff is. They must have had the discussion, when they don't put that question in. Because I'd love to do it. I'd love to try it with my age. No manager in their 20s. I'll see what you mean. Yeah, do you think your age is going to be a problem? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I mean, I might try. I might put my real age in and see if they ask me that question. Do I think my age will be a problem? Sorry, I didn't hear the question. Sorry. Stoney, I'd love to see you setting things up on Football Manager. That would be interesting. Sorry, what does that mean? Are you saying that I'm not computer literate? Is that what you're saying?

Just going to leave it out there. I don't know. It might take a while. I'm glad that it's left out there. Okay, let's just leave it out there and we can contemplate it every so often and it won't be forgotten. Well, it possibly will be by someone my age. Anyway, Carlos Cuesta is leaving. Is this a problem, by the way? I mean, listen, I don't know much. First of all, I have to say when I started watching football, I didn't know. There weren't any backroom staff, right? I mean, it was Bertie Mee and it was someone with a bucket.

right, whose name I can't even remember. Magic Sponge. Magic Sponge. And that was it, right? That was the backroom staff. Now there's hundreds of them. I don't know what they all do. They obviously are important to Mikel. I mean, what do we think, though? He's not irreplaceable, Carlos Cuesta. He obviously knows what he's talking about if he's become manager of Parma. But, you know...

our manager was an assistant as well and he obviously knew what he was talking about and you'd have thought it would have been a loss to Pep Guardiola but they seem to do alright without Mikel so hopefully it'll be the same with us yeah I think when you look at Cuesta one of the main things that he was good at is kind of forming those connections with the players we talk about his age and he's

only a little bit older than most of them. So if you think back to the Amazon doc, there's quite a few scenes, call them scenes, but where he's talking to the players on a level, I think there was a one with Ben White where he's just kind of talking him through, I guess, believing in himself a bit more. So he's quite good at the people side of things, which might be a miss, but I think you're right. You're going to just have to

move on really and Arsenal have been in this position before don't know if you guys remember Steve Round left the backroom staff a couple of years ago and things have kind of

kept on moving so I'd imagine that it wouldn't be too big of a miss but obviously you probably have to get someone else in to fill that void well I guess I mean we've basically this bedroom staff Albert Stuyvenberg Carlos Cuesta and Nico Jovia in Naki Kenya they've been together since 2021 Adrian this is a tight little group you can see when they celebrate when we score but

this is how it works and it can't be a massive surprise surely they've been talking about it a while and I guess you have to make allowances for this sort of stuff definitely yeah I see it as a positive if anything because I would have been

You never want to see anyone lose their job. So in a way, this is good because I always think a refresh with the backroom staff is quite important. And just to have a fresh voice, someone new to challenge others, to challenge Mikel, to challenge Albert, to just come up with maybe a new perspective on things. I think Carlos Cuesta was quite a good individual coach. A lot of clubs now have coaches that are

come up with development plans for players and they work closely with them and they you know just work on little bits here and there i think it's a really good innovation actually i'd love to have had that when i used to play yeah so they just have to get someone with the right personality the right passion for that kind of coaching to come in i see it as a positive and that and i don't mean that disrespectfully to carlos who's clearly really talented

But sometimes it's just healthy to freshen things up with that new voice. The players can, you know, and I've seen it. I saw it when I was coming into the first team back in the mid-90s. I saw it.

You know, the players were a bit tired of George Graham and Stuart Houston at that time. You could sense it. And I just think it could be a positive. And there are rumours, Adrian, about Santi Cazorla. We've all watched him score that goal, that free kick. I mean...

Taking free kicks with two different feet. I mean, it's ridiculous, isn't it, really? Yeah. There was talk that Mikel Arteta wants Santi to join if he retires from football this summer. I mean, he's a sort of appointment. I mean, there's nothing he doesn't know about football, right? Certainly technically. And he's been in dressing rooms, you know, up until now. So, you know, he'll be au fait with the kind of current players and what they're into and the banter and whatnot. Providing he's got a passion for that role.

then great. Do you know what I mean? Because he's got the credibility. He's got a lovely personality. He's a smiley guy, isn't he, that I think will bring good vibes. But you've also got to be good. You don't just walk in to Arsenal as a coach without really wanting to be a top coach. So that's the question mark for me. If that's what he wants, if he's got that drive to learn and to really commit to the role,

perfect appointment but if he hasn't then I'll happily take an unknown that's got that yeah I'd like to see him playing to be honest with you I mean I love watching him play there were moments when he brought the ball down in front of us that you know beat like three or four players with like little drop of the shoulder and the way the way he played I

I mean, he just seems like a good personality to have about. But as Adrian said, he's got to know what he's talking about. Yeah, 100%. I remember, I think it was one of the first North London derbies I went to. I was sat in the kind of family enclosure bit in the clock end, took a picture on my BlackBerry. So it was very grainy. But I tagged him on Twitter and he retweeted it. And that made my month, probably, I'd say. I think you've seen like...

He's still very connected to us and which is great. Loves the club. And I think that what Adrian mentioned, the fact that is the person good enough. I think that's the big thing, but also on the point on refreshing things. I think I can't remember where I had this conversation, but the point of Sir Alex Ferguson always bringing in new assistant was made. Yeah.

few weeks ago and yeah I think it's something that could probably bode well for Arsenal yeah Klopp's old number two's gone there only to come to City which is really interesting development you know trying to bring a bit of Liverpool to Manchester City but you know so yeah interesting move there yeah they're not going anywhere and as far as 115 charges are concerned we haven't heard a sausage have we to be fair so uh

Well, who knows what's happening there. The next season's fixtures are out. What a start we've got. Oh, my God. Right, I just looked at this about 15 minutes ago, and I thought, that is exactly the sort of start I want for this team. I mean, this is all, by the way, assuming that we end up buying people, and so we've got this new super team that's going to try out on the first day. I mean, assuming that that is the case, and I am making that assumption, because if we don't, things could get...

mutinous very, very quickly, but let's just assume it's only June, right? We've got two months, one day less than two months, until we step out at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday the 17th of August, followed by Leeds at home, Liverpool away, Forest at home, City at home, Manchester City at home, and then Newcastle away. These are the first six fixtures in September, in the start of the new season. And

How we're feeling about are, I personally would like to see them have a tough start because one, it gets them out of the way. And two, well, hopefully they'll have a fully fit squad to play these games because we've had to play some of these games without a fully fit squad in the past. And you know what? You've got to hit the ground running. Yeah, I get where you're coming from. I think my first reaction was just, oof.

That's a tough start. It is a tough start, no doubt. But I think what also it reminded me of last season, because when you look at the September games, so that Forest and then City week, you'll have your first Champions League league phase game sandwiched in between there. So I think August is going to be big. You want to take at least six points from those first three games, I'd say, and then

yeah I think it's just so so important to hit the ground running as you said and hopefully get that business done early which I'm sure we'll we'll talk about a bit later in the pod as well how do you feel Adrian I mean it is a tough start isn't it as a player if you were sat there looking at that what would you think I think it get you really up for it I think it maybe will sharpen your mind during preseason and you

you know, you'll maybe take pre-season even more seriously because you know there's no real leeway from the 17th of August. You've got to be at it. Otherwise, we're going to get undone. So I think that actually it will probably be a positive for the players. I think they'll relish hitting the ground running. And do you know what? What it could also do to the hierarchy is say, well,

Let's crack on then. Let's crack on and get this business done because we don't want, you know, to be late in the window. We don't want to be going to Anfield or Old Trafford without our strongest possible squad. Let's not leave it until the end of the window to bring in the key players. Let's get the business done, get them embedded into the team because let's face it, the match against Liverpool is a six-pointer no matter what stage of the season it is. So,

So let's go in with our strongest side. So, yeah, my first reaction was, oh, that's really hard. So don't want us to play catch up. So do think that, you know, early season momentum is really important. You saw that with Liverpool last year and never looked back, did they? Had quite a nice, you know, nice start and they flew and you couldn't catch them. So it's going to be hard for us to do that. The positive, of course, is if you come through the first six games with a healthy tally,

It doesn't half set you up for a lovely sort of, you know, attack towards there and Christmas. So, yeah, you've got to play everyone at some point, haven't you? And do you know what? I'd rather play Liverpool at Anfield early on in the season when maybe they're not fully up to speed as well. You know, we've got a lot of new players, haven't they? So, and remember, they got beat early on last season at home by Nottingham Forest. So, let us be the ones that beat them early doors next year. Yeah, absolutely.

What do you think, Stoney, as a fan? You're alright with it? I mean, absolutely. My first feeling was, here we go. Here we go. This is what we want. I don't want West Ham at home on the opening day or Burnley away. I don't want that. I don't. I want a proper game. A Manchester United away is a proper game. But I also like the fact that we've got Liverpool away and Newcastle away in the first six.

You know, those are two incredibly hard places to go. And let's get some points in those. And then we're in a good position, as you say. So, no, as a fan, listen, I don't care. I'm happy for the football season to start, right? I mean, I like tennis.

And Alcaraz against Sinner, by the way, is one of the best games I've ever seen at the French Open. But I want to watch me football. And I don't want to watch the FIFA Club World Cup, by the way. I mean, my God. I watched about 15 minutes of Dortmund against Fluminense, I think it was, yesterday. I just...

I just don't care. I do not care. And I really don't want us to play in this competition. I really don't. I hope we don't get in it. Well, I hope we do because it would mean we'd have won the Champions League. I understand. I understand that. But hopefully it'll be abolished or something will happen. You know, it'll be cancelled and we won't have to play. First North London derby is the 22nd of November at the Emirates.

I don't know. It's hard for me to think that far ahead. It said it should be interesting as Thomas Frank would have had time to bed the ideas in. He might not be the manager by then, though, Daniel Levy. Yeah, I mean, listen, I always look forward to playing against them because usually we get points off them as well. Other notable fixtures, Liverpool at home early January. I mean...

That would be basically straight after the FA Cup, I guess. And the running. Let's talk about the running, by the way. April's Bournemouth home, Man City away, Newcastle at home. And then May, Fulham at home, West Ham away, Burnley at home, Crystal Palace away. If we're in it, we've got a chance there, aren't we? Yeah, so if you look at those games, the only one that's outside of London is City away. So I think if you're in the Champions League still at that point...

all that fatigue that we were talking about last season probably hopefully sorry isn't as big an issue and then also yeah you're looking at the teams there and you'd fancy Arsenal against most of them so fingers crossed there's still something to play for in the Premier League at that point and you can go full tilt into the end of the season yeah I

I mean, it's a bit mad, Adrian, thinking about the running when we haven't started yet. But we've had harder run-ins than this, haven't we? Yeah, I would rather have a hard start and an easier looking running, if I'm honest. Because just when it comes to those crunch games... Fitness as well, right? Yeah, exactly. Yeah, fitness. You might be going into some of those games...

you know, a few key players down. I don't know. You know, hopefully, like I said, having to juggle it with Champions League. So no, it looks a good running. I would expect us to, you know, you look at it and you think, well, yeah, we can get six wins and a draw out of that. And,

If we're there or thereabouts in April, six wins and a draw would be a terrific way to end the season. City away could be a massive crunch game, April the 18th. What are you going to say, Art? Yeah, I was just chatting to one of my friends who supports Chelsea in the morning. And by comparison, their last seven games are City, United, Brighton, Forest, Liverpool, Tottenham and then Sunderland.

So I think they've probably got an easier start to the season, but then their end, when you consider European football as well, could be quite messy. A lot of people are assuming, by the way, that City and Chelsea, and City are the ones that we're really sort of interested in the most, I guess.

that they're going to struggle at the start of the season because they've been playing all summer. I kind of look at it a different way. I think that they'll be really sharp and fit at the start of the season because they'll be match sort of ready. And they've got quite gentle games. I've got to say their start to the season is quite easy.

but they will hit a wall. They will have to hit a wall at some point. If they hit a wall when they're playing the bigger clubs, it's good news for us. Yeah, I was chatting to some people and they were saying Chelsea in particular were kind of viewing the Club World Cup as their pre-season. So that makes sense.

All right. Crystal Palace away. Last game of the season. That'll be something. A guard of honour from the Eagles would be nice. That's true. They can celebrate the Europa Cup with him and give us a guard of honour. And then Eze will swap shirts at the end of the game. By the way, later this week, the Handbrake crew were getting together in person to record a special episode in the pub. Yes.

Yes, guess who? So, could get messy. Keep your eyes peeled for that. You won't want to miss it. When we get back, we'll talk about the under-21s. Art, you're at the Euros, so we'll have a little chat about that after the break. Ian Stone, Adrian Clarke and Art de Rocher here on Handbrake Off. The Arsenal podcast brought to you by The Athletic. Come see the Arsenal! Come see the Arsenal! Come see the Arsenal!

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If you want to know how to fan the football way, ask the fans with a Modelo. Only they know when to show up for the game and what to bring. And that every win is best celebrated with a Modelo. Modelo. The cerveza for football. Drink responsibly. Beer imported by Crown & Port Chicago, Illinois. Location, The Lab. Quinton only has 24 hours to sell his car. Is that even possible? He goes to Carvana.com. What is this? A movie trailer?

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This is Handbrake Off. Ian Stone here with Art de Rocher and Adrian Clarke. Art, where are you, by the way? Where are the Euros? I haven't been paying a lot of attention, I'll be honest with you. Slovakia, so... You're in Slovakia, right. Yeah, yeah. Would you count them as Eastern Europe or more Central Europe? I'm not sure.

Well, it's east of here, but it's still, I think, quite... Well, it is, isn't it? But it's quite central, isn't it? So, right. Okay. Slovakia, is it nice? You enjoying it? To be fair, it's exceeded expectations, I won't lie. Has it? Yeah, yeah. I just had no reference for what...

So I'm staying in Bratislava. I had no reference for what Slovakia was like, but it's been really, really nice. Lovely city. Those countries, they're lovely, right? Everything works. Because they're only small places, aren't they, really? It's not like, it's like, what, five million or something. I went to Slovenia quite a few times early on when I was doing stand-up. And same thing. Everything just seems to work. Yeah.

so weather's been great as well well that always helps and uh you're obviously on um ethan when ari uh watch as well how's he doing oh he's doing all right i wouldn't say he's lit up the tournament um so came off the bench in the first game actually made quite a decent impression came on the right

and then had a few nice dribbles, nice shots, then started the second game, which was a goalless draw against Slovenia. Started that game as one of the two 10s off the left, which was quite interesting. I think the first time he started there since last pre-season for Arsenal. You wrote a piece about this, didn't you? About where his best position is. Do you think that he knows his best position? We spoke to him before the tournament, obviously, and he kind of,

He didn't say one position. He said wherever he plays, he just wants to be positive and play forward. But naturally, he is a midfielder. I think for him, it's probably about figuring that out next season. So I spoke to Lee Carsley, the England 21s manager, after the game. And I just asked him what he wanted to see from Ethan on that side. And he said basically how he would kind of pull out wide and play in that pocket. But basically,

Basically, the heat, it was 30 degrees, so the pitch was quite dry. Adrian can tell us whether that makes a real difference, but he said for dribblers, that doesn't help. So, yeah, I'm not sure. Definitely. Yeah. Yeah, players. Yeah, I'm not saying I'm the same sort of player. Well, I suppose it was the same sort of style of player as Ethan when he was at Erie, and he'd much prefer the pitch to be wet.

And, you know, the dry pitches makes it much harder. Yeah, but I still saw some things that I was impressed by, like little double movements to get away from players and then also little drops to the shoulder when he actually had the ball to escape pressure. So, yeah, I think for me, it was just more about seeing how he moved, how he performed in that kind of airspace.

because it gives Mikel Arteta a different option going into next season. I know a lot of talk's been about Martin and Bukayo being his competition, but why can't they coexist? I think they're all so talented that they should be able to play together, but I'm sure we'll see whether that's actually the case or not once the season begins. Quite. Adrian, I mean, where would you like to see him playing his football next season? I mean, I think, I feel there was a little bit

Disappointment is too strong a word, right, with this second half of the season. But I think it was partly in comparison with Myles Lewis-Skelly as well, who came through in the same way. And suddenly he's in the first team and there's no shift in him. Whereas Ethan, it sort of felt in and out. He didn't come on when you hoped he would come on. Positionally, we're still not entirely sure. What are your thoughts, Myles?

about what he might do next year yeah the world's still his oyster you know I still see him being a really special player yeah he's not washed up he's 18 right he's 18 I don't think he's washed up exactly no no I'm a big fan I really really like him

But, you know, this often happens with younger players and it could happen with Miles as well. You get that initial burst where everything's new and fresh and exciting and you're brilliant and you're just loving it. And then all of a sudden people sort of get to know you and you also then get settled in the squad and feel a bit more part of it. And, you know, you might feel...

I've made it now. This is brilliant. This is amazing. And then does a little edge go? Does something change? And, you know, there's always that danger with a player. Are they hungry to still improve every single day and to push on and get better and better? And I'm sure that Ethan is. But...

He's fallen flat and out, didn't he? So he's got to go again and rediscover that sort of effervescence that we saw right at the start and play free as he did at the outset rather than sort of overthink it. The future's bright, there's no doubt about it. But I think it is an important...

first few months of the season for him. I think he kind of just needs to remind the manager that, you know, he can come up with some big goals. Yeah, he goes and scored a winner at Old Trafford. Yeah, exactly. He can now kick-start his season quite nicely. What's his best position, by the way? He's got a

I think he's more Erdogan than Saka. That's all I say. But, you know, he can do both. Yeah. I quite like to see him as centre forward for a bit, to be honest with you. Obviously, there's not going to be any room with all the forwards we're bringing in. But let's just, I would like to see him play there because I love his finishing. I mean, the one he scored away in Europe when he just, was it PSV?

when he walloped it. And I thought, that boy is a finisher as well. It was lovely to watch. Sharona, Curler. Was there Curler against Sharona as well? Yeah. No, he knows where the goal is. Transfer news. Here we are again. A bit awkward, yeah. No, you know what? Is the transfer window open again, by the way, Art? Do we know if it's open? Yeah, I think so. It has opened again. It closed for a week.

and then it reopened. What a load of nonsense. I mean, that's the arse to canals. We were going to buy them. We were going to buy some of them, but it was only between June the 11th and 18th. Unfortunately, the window was closed all that time. We've heard that Nico Williams, according to the athletics, David Ornstein...

has reported, right, that Arsenal have called their interest because he wants to go to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich. I've never been convinced about Nico Williams. He's a really good player, obviously, but it didn't feel like he wanted to come to us. And this is what David is saying. We need some cover over there on the left wing, I think. Well, we don't know what's going to happen with Leo Trossard and Gabi Martinelli. What do you think are...

It was never really a goer, was it, this one? No, but I think Arteta obviously really did like him and I could see why because I did a piece a couple of weeks ago just looking at the left wingers Arsenal were interested in it. And with Nico Williams, the thing with him is he just tries to dribble with the ball. I think there are only three, maybe four players who would attempt more dribbles in the top five European leagues last season. And there were Jamal Gittins,

And Doku at City, I believe. So he tries stuff. And more than doubled the amount of times Martinelli would from that left. So he just gives something completely different. So to be fair, I mean, I did quite like him, but...

Obviously, if he's preferring to go elsewhere, then there's not much you can do, really. Quite. Well, there is also more Rodrigo speculation as well. There have been reports elsewhere that Arsenal hold a genuine interest in Rodrigo and have held exploratory talks on the players' side dating back to May. We understand that Real Madrid want around 90 million euros, which is approximately 77 million pounds. Hopefully, the exchange rate will work in our favour.

and we'll get him for a bargain 75 what do you think Adrian I mean he's Rodrigo he plays for Real Madrid he's obviously a really really exceptional talent lot of money though is it I don't know for a player that's you know these days you know that's a lot of money to me yeah I mean it's not my money so it's you know I'm all right with it um

77 million for a really talented player from Real Madrid feels okay. At his age. Yeah, exactly. He's a very good age. I mean, Jude Bellingham loves him. I remember him talking about him last season saying that in many ways he's the most talented player within the squad. You know, he's very, very well respected there. He was sacrificing himself a little bit playing on the right.

With obviously Vinny Jr. getting the left slot, which is definitely his favourite. And that's impacted his stats, his goals, his assists, etc. But, you know, what I like about him, he's got that flair. He's got the ability to beat players. He is a finisher. He is an end product machine. You know, there's a lot of assists on his CV already. But he also works. You know, he'll work for the team. You know, he will track back, unlike some of the other guys at Real Madrid.

So, yeah, of all the names, and there are some really exciting ones, of all the names, he's the sort of game changer that I think would just lift our forward line, elevate it to the next level. Saka on the right and Rodrigo on the left. Exactly. And it would help Saka so much because teams would then be equally worried about whoever we've got on the other flank. You know, there's lots of good names being linked and some have better numbers, you know, in terms of, you know, goals, goals.

But Rodrigo would be my first choice. There's no doubt about that. Oh, if he's... I mean, if in a team that contains Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, he's being talked about as the most talented, well, I mean, I don't think £77 million is enough. Declan Rice got him half price. Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm just... I mean, listen, if he's that good and if what Adrian's saying is correct, and I have no reason to doubt that, then...

You know, and he's sacrificed himself a little bit. I saw him score a couple. He scored the winner against City in that mad Champions League semi-final a few seasons ago when he got two in about two minutes. I mean, would you be excited by the prospect? Yeah, I think when I was looking at... So the piece that I mentioned before, and I was looking at him, obviously, when...

you compare him to the others, he's got a lot more experience at a higher level in the Champions League, having won it multiple times. And the way I kind of viewed it was the way Zinchenko and Jesus kind of transformed things when they signed. I think he could have a similar impact in terms of just lifting that level again, because he's played...

in moments that most of these players at Arsenal haven't before. So I think he would be someone who you look at and say, okay, yeah, that's a level raiser. And I'd be quite excited by that. If we buy Rodrigo and we got Saka on the other side and we still need a forward, right? Yeah. Yeah, I think we still do. Okay. I'm just asking. By the way, by the way, do you know who Ryan Shirky is now?

Yeah, no, no, I've caught up a little bit. I'm a little bit more au fait with Ryan Cherky. He looks like a player, doesn't he, really? If a bit greedy, so I was reading. No, he doesn't. I mean, he got around 20 assists last season, so I wouldn't call that greedy. And he could have had more, and Arsenal players will probably relate to this. Like I said, there's quite a few chances that he could have been a plate for him. So...

Oof. Go and watch the tapes. Go and watch the tapes. Tapes? Tapes? Is that what I'm watching? Okay, I shall get my cine camera out and watch the tapes. The back is Gabrielle.

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They get a humbric off and you can see that they are more free to play. All right, we had Art and Adrian put out the shout on social media. This was sent to Art. I'm obviously asking both of you. Please tell me that we're signing another fullback and not relying on Tommy to provide depth. Adrian, I mean, if we signed a fullback, no one would be excited. But...

A bit of depth is useful, right? We know we had struggles at right back last year. Sorry, we only had Uri and Timber basically fit for most of the season. Yeah, Wyatt and Tommy Asa obviously have had their issues, haven't they? And obviously we played Thomas Partey there more than we'd have liked to. And of course, we don't know whether he's staying or going. So, yeah, I get it. I think, you know, a right sider that can cover Saliba...

And also do a job at right back is maybe something we should look at. But it wouldn't be the priority for me. Nowhere near the priority. It has to be striker, left wing. And if Partey goes central midfield, it has to be. So, but yeah, right-sided, actually a right-sided version of the guy that's been linked with us, Hato from Ajax, who I really like. He's only 19, isn't he? He's a sort of left back.

that can invert like Skelly and also play centre-half. But I look at it and I think, well, we've got Myles that does that. You've got Calafuri, who's a centre-back, left-back. You've got Kivio, who's a centre-back, left-back. You've got Gabriela, who's our left-side centre-back. So I kind of feel that, in a way, finding a right-sided version of that is maybe more important moving forward. Why is that guy? But, you know, is he going to be fit? Yeah.

Well, hopefully. And there is obviously there is talk that Thomas Partey won't renew his contract, although we don't know yet. But the perceived wisdom, Ash Bailor, he said the perceived wisdom had been if we lose both Partey and Jorginho, we should buy two midfield replacements.

I don't think that's going to happen, is it, Adrian? We're not going to buy two for them. Oh, yeah, I would hope so. Do you think? Yeah, I think... Well, Zubimendi's in, isn't he? Hopefully. Hopefully. So, yeah. So that's for Jorginho and that's a big... You know, that's an upgrade and, you know, I'm excited about that. But no, if Thomas goes, he needs replacing. There is a school of thought that Myles Lewis-Skelly will come into central midfield and he could be that guy. That might be the case, but...

I would say that we would need to look at bringing someone else in because, you know, we're going to offload La Conga. I don't think there's anyone else really coming through at the moment. What's happening with Fabio Vieira as well? We also had from North Bank 11. I mean, what's going on there? I might know more. I mean, I'd probably move him on, truth be told, if we could get the money. There's a player that really stands out to me as a Thomas Partey replacement, but he wouldn't be cheap. But we do have a relationship with that club.

Brighton, where we've bought a few from before. Balaba, Carlos Balaba, 21 years of age, good player, very good player. Who's got that physicality, the power.

I think if he were to join us and we sort of bedded him in over a couple of years, I think he could develop into a serious talent. Yeah. Fouad asked, how confident are you that Mikel Arteta will get the backing he needs this window to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts next season without falling short again due to a lack of depth and injuries? I'm confident. I mean, I am. I think everyone knows what is needed. It's not like it's a secret. And I think...

you know as I said earlier if we didn't spend the money proper money then I think the fans would really go off the end yeah yeah you wouldn't want to want to look at social media for a while so I think they will do you yeah and I think when you look at the past couple summers they have I think what the question is more in my head is like do they make the right decisions on the types of players that are brought in with that money so as agents would

would say and I think squad building now has to look more at the forward areas of the pitch rather than building the foundations the foundations are there for the most part now it's about adding that extra attack and flair and talent so that's what I'm more interested in how how heavily do they reinforce those forward areas because yeah I think there's a lot a lot of work to be done there

There is, and there are a couple of questions. Mark, PSN Jelly Belly, wrote to you guys about why is it so slow when you think about Man City already having signed a couple of players and a few of the others. Adrian, why does it take time? Also about renewing contracts from Wanaire and MLS as well. I mean, these things do take time, and it is only June the 18th.

But I just, I wouldn't be totally shocked if we were having this conversation in two or three weeks. Yeah, yeah. Look, it's just frustrating for all of us, isn't it? There's a lot of work to do, isn't there? You know, there's a lot going on. People are on holiday as well. You've got to remember that. Agents and, well, agents probably aren't on holiday at this time of the year. They certainly shouldn't be. But players will be. So that can slow things down. It's complicated. And obviously in our situation going for the two, you know, looking at two strikers,

you know it feels like we're sort of playing them off against each other a little bit which apparently what andrea burta likes to do he likes to keep these things going and then when it's when the deals are in place and they're ready then he goes we'll have that one well yeah exactly joker has made his stance clear sporting want a bidding war with manchester united and i think joker is this week or last week as basically said no no i want to go to arsene don't start doing that hat

do a deal with them and of course you know that's playing into our favor seshko as well you know they're they're going high but if they suddenly think we're going towards joker as you know they they want the money in that they can reinvest as well because they know that seshko is going to going to leave so and maybe they'll be more prepared to sit down and talk to us if they thought we were starting to go towards joker as it makes sense in terms of negotiations this and

We've just got to make sure we get one. Although I did read this week that we might get two. We might get both of them, which would be incredibly exciting. But I sense unlikely. I would say I'm likely. Go on, you were going to say something there. Yeah, I was going to say as well. I know we laughed about the two transfer windows, but obviously that plays a part with the City and Chelsea deals that have been going on because of the Club World Cup. And also,

I think the main thing is just having your priority signings in before pre-season. So before you fly away in July, that's what happened with, I think it was Haberts, Rice and Timber, all three of them in 2023.

It was. So you want those guys in, in July, basically. Yeah, for pre-season. But yeah, obviously we can do that with Zubimendi, we can do that with one of these strikers. Rodrigo's different, isn't it? Because he's out there in America. It's going to be really interesting to see how he's used. And you know, are they unlikely to do a deal with tournament? I'd suggest maybe...

They might be, you know, because they want to win it. So that one, I think, is one that's more likely to run than the others, I'd say. But look, yeah, don't beat up the staff too much is what I'd say.

I'm sure they're working really hard. Didn't Wanairi renew in March anyway? I know that... Oh, they extended it. I'm sure they extended his contract. I'm sure I read that. So he's... Both him and Miles are still 2026. Oh, okay. Yeah. I thought I read that Wanairi had renewed, but maybe if he hadn't, fair enough. But yeah, he...

They're going to make it a priority, aren't they, to get those deals done? One would imagine. We had a question, actually, which sort of is related from at five timing. When was the last time Arsenal started to play? You were really excited about bar Detlef Rice. You can't do that. You can't say bar Detlef Rice. Detlef Rice was the one. I mean, we spent £105 million. Obviously, it should have been £150 million, as we all know now. Or no, £200 million.

actually, to do the masquerading. Good question, that, isn't it? Yeah, I like that. No, but I think that tells you about modern football. When was the last time Arsenal signed a player you were really excited about, apart from the exciting signing a couple of seasons ago? It was an amazing signing to get Detlef Rice. Yeah, but it makes you think. Yeah, I like this question because it made me go through our signings. Yeah, same. And look, when we went,

and got Erdegaard I wasn't that excited because he hadn't been that amazing on loan and you know it was a good signing but I wasn't pumped for it you know you could say that about a lot of the guys and we've signed so many defenders does anyone really get that excited about signing defenders I'm not sure so who is it then for me there's two Jesus

That did excite me because he's coming from City and he was such a fun player to watch. And he hit the ground running, which was amazing. And the one before that was Aubameyang.

You know, we got Aubameyang at his peak, maybe at his peak. And he was a frontline striker and I think that who's scored goals at the very highest level. I think that when you sign that proven talent as a forward, it will always excite you. Always. But for me, the two in modern times that have got my juices flowing are Rice and Ozil.

And they're the two that stand out for me. Alexis for me. Yeah, that was good. That was good. Oh my God. And I love him. I'd love prime Alexis in this team. I mean, I would absolutely love it because there's a question here and I won't do too many more of these. Do you think Arteta and the coaches, this is from Sam Reeve, have done enough to instill a ruthless goal scoring intent into the squad?

A player like Alexis would give us that, right? This is a guy who loved to shoot on sight, right? Jokeres seems to be obsessed by it. Henry said you have to be a killer. I mean...

Oh, is there any way to instill something like that? I mean, this individual coaching, how do you get that into the mind of someone? It seems to me that it's something you have as a kid and you just want to score. I'm looking at the doc and it's just the two words that are springing out are men's and women's. And the player that's sticking out to me is Alessio Russo because I remember at the start of the season,

She was so timid in front of goal. There was a moment where she had a one-on-one and she basically shot straight at the goalkeeper. And everyone was like, what? But then she ends the season with 20 goals, scoring most weeks. And I think the big difference was just confidence and not thinking too much. There was moments where she would just have a snapshot

And maybe sometimes it wouldn't go in, but a lot of the times it would. And you just, I guess, have to be in an environment where you're allowed to take those shots, where I think sometimes Arsenal too, they can be guilty of still trying to find that perfect shot rather than just taking one that could be on. So that's what I think with that, you can just maybe allow the guys to be a bit freer. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, I remember Wrighty talking to Wrighty about this a few years ago, about how he was, like when he was at school and one of his teachers was talking to him about finishing and about how you do it. And the phrase, I just work the goalkeeper, but it's not just about that, is it? I mean, Adrian is there. I mean, I suppose even someone like Thierry Henry, top scorer for our club, missed a hat full of chances the first year he was there. Yeah, players are always going to miss chances. The point I want to make here is,

is go through the list of our squad and you tell me which players have the superpower, their big strength, their big, we call it superpower in football. Which one of our players has their big strength is scoring goals? Their big strength? Their biggest strength. Their biggest strength.

Only Trossard, I'd say. He's the only one. Leo's the only one because even Bukayo, he's got so much talent in so many different ways, beating players and making goals and he can score and he will score when he gets a chance but Trossard's the one, isn't he? None of the other players apart from Trossard would regard themselves, their strongest trait, as scoring goals. You need three of those in your squad at least. Liverpool have Salah.

City have Haaland. You know, most of these successful teams have multiple players that would say,

scoring goals Ian Wright bang he was scoring goals that's my strength Thierry Henry obviously he was brilliant at everything but ultimately it's scoring goals you need players like that and we need two more and that's why we're talking about Rodrigo maybe and we're talking about you know one of these other strikers you know Jacquez or Sesko so even with them Jacquez yes he's

His superpower is scoring goals. Wiseszko, he's another rounded player. But I mean, his shooting is pretty impressive. Well, I tell you what, we'll do one more because we can save some of these and we will do the rest. And we really do appreciate you asking these questions. Harry Guttridge, best Arsenal goal you've ever seen live.

Adrian, best Arsenal goal you've ever seen live? Easy. Wiltshire against Norwich, commentated on it. The commentary's sort of knocking around somewhere. It gets wheeled out every now and again. That team goal was just something that took the breath away really for me. I absolutely loved it and loved that I was sort of given that chance to sort of commentate on it in time. So yeah, that was a no-brainer really in terms of Arsenal goals.

A few that come to mind, most recent one is Rice at West Ham to make it 6-0 after they started the game by booing him then ended it by cheering him off or giving him a standing ovation. Two slightly I guess more low-key ones, one was the Aubameyang overhead kick against Olympiacos. We lost the game, got knocked out but that was just a ridiculous goal and I don't remember many overhead kicks being scored.

by Arsenal players. And then the other one was Aaron Ramsey against CSKA Moscow in the Europa League. If you look at it, it's absolutely ridiculous. Not the Galatasaray. Is it Galatasaray? Which is ridiculous as well. That was ridiculous. But I think this one I was at and I just couldn't believe it because Ozil clipped the ball over and Ramsey's done an outside the boot volley flick behind his back.

over the keeper and in. So yeah, if anyone wants to look the video up,

definitely do because it was a very good goal. I'll do that as soon as we're done. I mean, it's hard for me to go beyond Alshavin against Barcelona just for what it meant and the beautiful bit of football and the way it was swept out to Nasri and then they're backpedaling and then he arrives. And obviously the commentary is part of it as well, I think. But I was watching it live and I've never seen anything like that because it was Barcelona and that was a great team. And the other one also was in Europe, actually. I think...

I think, and I'm never quite sure, I think it was against Bayer Leverkusen. It was a 4-1. We just scored...

And then there was a move with Pires to Bergkamp in the middle. Bergkamp exchanged passes with Patrick Vieira and suddenly he's away. He puts in Wiltord down the right, who just rolls it across. And Henry is, sorry, puts in Henry down the right, who rolls it across to Wiltord, who buries it. And honestly, it was so quick. It was the speed that we played at. And Arsene Wenger always used to talk about how quick we played.

and that goal happened so quickly and also because we'd scored about two minutes before or a minute before so you know everyone's still excited and then the roar when we do that best Arsenal goal I've seen absolutely loved it also Ray Parler in the cup final while we're having one I mean

I mean, there's loads in there, to be honest with you. There are loads. And Henri against Liverpool to go 3-2 up. I mean, when we start. Good question, Harry. We might do more of these. We might maybe do that one again when we meet up in the pub. So we'll do that after a couple of beers and see what people say then.

Oh, by the way, Paul Parry, how many of Art's chosen artists does Stoney secretly listen to after the show? Well, it's a secret. But I will possibly go and see one or two of them at Glastonbury in a week and a half. Let's have a song to finish. Art, what have you got? What my next favourite artist? I honestly think you'll be a big fan.

So this one's actually called art and it's by, uh, NEMS, but it's featuring Lato who is in England at the minute. And if anyone has a way to, um, to, um, I don't even know what to say anyway.

Yeah. What are you trying to say? I don't know. I don't know what I'm allowed to say on here, but that's the pick. And yeah, you'll know why I'm a bit flustered right now when you go and have a look. So it's NEMS featuring Lato. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm talking more about Lato, but the song's called Art.

And the song is called Art. And for anyone of my vintage, he's not talking about the Polish winger. Is Lato a girl? Yes, he has. You fancy Lato, don't you? A lot of people do. You're a little bit obsessed about Lato. A lot of people do. Yeah, yeah.

okay right okay okay well we shall check detective work there yeah yeah we'll check yes she's in england at the minute so i need to get back sharpish okay is she coming round or something what's going okay um right oh no you're in bratislava that's a good point uh adrian what about you oh look it's glorious out there isn't it it is beautiful weather at the moment um

So, yeah, I'm just going to go with... He reminds me at the moment, it's that weather when we were all... We've got those memories of when we were at school, on the school field, it's red hot and you're just loving life, playing on the school field, summer days. So, yeah, summer... I'm taking it back to my sort of youth, summertime, classic, really, Jazzy Jeff, Fresh Prince. There's a song that just reminds me of hot summer days, which we're getting lots of at the moment, which is amazing. MUSIC PLAYS

It's lovely out there, it is. I have just been in Ireland for a couple of days, so I've just picked a U2 tune that I used to love called, well I still love, called Lady With A Spinning Head. Six and a half minutes long, sort of dancey, rocky, but I really, really like it.

That's it for this edition of Hand Break Off. Thanks to Art, thanks to Adrian, thanks to Robbie, our producer. See you in the pub Friday, lads. And, well, see Adrian in the pub Friday. We will raise a toast to you, Art. Okay. And thanks for listening. Thanks for the questions. We'll get to more of them when we meet up again in a couple of days. See ya.

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