Zubimendi latest, Nwaneri interview, Mailbag
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When pro defensive end Cam Jordan isn't running after quarterbacks, he's running his own businesses. He sat down with Microsoft's Jessica Hawk to learn how AI can help. As a football player, we're really focused on the X's and O's. It's fun because it's a strategy game as well. And I think that transitions well into the business world. There's so much data underlying every single thing that you're doing in your business and having a way to unify all that data. This is like electricity. This is a major platform shift. And I think we're all learning together.

Ready to race your AI game? Find your winning edge at Microsoft.com slash challengers.

And now an ode to play, brought to you by Scratchers and the California Lottery Philharmonic. Take a time out from your busy day for a quick moment of play. Get some Scratchers, then get Scratchy. You deserve it, won't you say? Scratch, scratch, scratch, Scratchy, Scratchy, Scratchy, Scratch, Scratch. Feel the play and up your game. Scratchers from the California Lottery, a little play can make.

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The only way to score is, of course, to play with a handbrake off. Hello, I'm Ian Stone. This is Handbrake Off, the Arsenal podcast brought to you by The Athletic. Today we'll be catching up on all things Arsenal from the past week. Not that there's a lot to catch up on, but you know what? We'll catch up on it anyway, as well as answering some more of your questions. I'm joined by Art de Rocher and Adrian Clarke. Morning. Morning.

Good morning. Yeah, bujolo. Yes, Adrian is saying that because I'm currently sat in Italy. It doesn't matter why, but I am. Anyway, after last week's pod, we heard that Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi is expecting a long summer as he prepares to leave a real thothier dad. And I got various messages. We did the whole pod on him. And then I got various messages from people who said, well, you put the buck on the transfer, haven't you? Right? Like, my...

Martin Zubamendi listens to a podcast for a team he doesn't even play for yet and then thinks, I'll show them. Anyway, according to the Oracle, David Ornstein, all is proceeding as it should. I do that every time I say his name. It's only right that you do that. It's only right, David Ornstein.

Oh, you'll start doing it yourself now. Anyway, apparently he says that all is proceeding as it should and he should be with us for pre-season training as expected. But there was a fair bit of your cat and your chickens before they've hatched. Have you ever done that, Adrian? You ever tempted fate like that?

Oh, probably lots of times. Yeah. With certain signings. Yeah. I definitely thought we were signing Gonzalo Higuain. Definitely. That one, that one, I just, I just knew was happening. I also, I also foolishly believed that we would get Luis Suarez when that whole saga was happening. I was, I was bought in hook, line and sinker on that.

£40 million and one would be enough to shift them, right? We might have made a mistake on that. No, I'm often guilty of counting chickens, actually. So, yeah. But we've just got to chill, I think. Look, if Orny says that Saucy Dad won it...

He'll start to annoy you and then it'll get funny again. If he says that they want to wait until July for accounting purposes, then we'll just have to take that on the chin. We will. That's what apparently it was. Oh, you ever counted your chickens before they hatched?

tempted fate in some way with any signings or anything really yeah yeah I was when Adrian mentioned Higway that made me think of Julian Draxler from a similar kind of era Julian Draxler that went on for a while that one yeah I think there was a January window of

when, apologies in advance, I was still at school. That's all right, mate. That's all right. We're happy for you. Yeah. And my teacher, my PE teacher at the time said he had it in at Arsenal and that it was happening. So I think that would have been on the deadline day as well. So we were all

So excited because, I mean, Draxler, what a player he was when he was injury free. But of course that didn't happen. And then we played Palace, I think a couple of days after and Chamberlain scored twice. So it was all forgotten. Quite. I do love the idea that your PE team just said he had an in. I mean, if anyone, you know, obviously we listened to David Ornstein.

But, but I think, have you still got in contact with your PE teacher? Because then we can probably know for certain, couldn't we? I haven't seen him in a while, but he was a really good guy, if I'm being totally honest. He went into ground though, didn't he? He went into ground after he got Draxler on, didn't he? Mr. Stevenson. Hello, Mr. Stevenson. Yeah, everyone's favorite teacher.

Right. Yeah. If he's listening somehow, then get in touch because, yeah, it's been a while. Yeah. Mr. Stevenson. Yeah. Unusual having nice PE teachers, isn't it? Really? I had one. Well, I said I couldn't swim and the teacher I had chucked me in the deep end.

Into the door then, mate. See how you go. Yeah, sadly it didn't work for the two kids you tried that with beforehand, but bless them. Adrian, on that point, we've all got to chill. Are you chilled or are you just saying that to the rest of us to make us feel like we should? Yeah, I think we shouldn't panic. Look, Andrea Berta, he wants to get off to a great start, doesn't he? And I'm pretty sure that he'll be working very, very hard. I don't think we'll be resting our laurels this summer.

But look, it's just sometimes, like I said, it suits clubs to wait a little bit longer for accounting purposes. The other thing is Chelsea and City are the big players at the moment and they're the ones in the Club World Cup. And actually, this window isn't really supposed to be open for us, not for the likes of us. Closes today, Tuesday, but it reopens next week on the 17th, which is actually the window that we're supposed to sort of do our business in.

So if Chelsea City are doing all the business, it's because this window's been open for them to get deals done for the Club World Cup. So, yeah, I wouldn't get too panicky just yet. No, okay. But this thing about they can't use the money till July. If we were living in like the 1970s or 80s, I'd say send them a post-dated cheque, right? That is what you would do, right? Oh, do you even know what I'm saying here, by the way? A cheque. Have you seen cheques?

Yeah, yeah, come on. I don't know. I mean, I don't know how young you are, but, you know, yeah, anyway, you could post-date a chick. Have you ever used a traveller's chick on holiday? No.

Not a traveller's channel. Do you know what that one is? Oh, yeah. I could guess by the name. Yes, yeah, that's true. It is fairly obvious by the name. Anyway, are any concerns from your side? I mean, as Adrian said, this is the Club World Cup mini transfer window. It's not meant to be when business is happening, but obviously they're on the phone all the time, aren't they? And you get the feeling that our man is narrowing it down and then he'll strike. Yeah.

Yeah, no concerns for me on the Zubamendi front. I think, yeah, for me, it's just more interesting to see what the less obvious business is going to be. Everyone knows that Arsenal want to set it forward. Cool. But what are the other things that are cooking up? That's what I want to kind of

figure out over time and i guess we'll get to know that more in the coming weeks so yeah no no real concerns for me at the minute no and and and you know we're going to talk about kepper uh in a moment that is one of those one of those things that you went oh right okay um well last night we'll chat about that in a second before we do we have got a fairly bulging mailbag um

Sad one to start. Good afternoon Stoney and the rest of the Handbrake family. This is from Liam. Hello Liam. As a massive fan of the podcast, I feel compelled to message you as there is a gunner down. Gary Reid, who most knew as Gazza, went home and away to the vast majority of games. Unfortunately, early on Monday morning, he lost his battle with cancer and leaves behind a young family. I would be ever so grateful if you could pay tribute...

to him on the next record as he was exceptionally well known in the Arsenal community and will be so sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Many thanks, Liam. Rest in peace, Gazza. I'm sure at the next away game there'll be something suitable that can be done by his pals. And thanks for letting us know, Liam. There has been a bit of business going on in the close season. As I mentioned, Kepa Onisabalaga, five games

million pound deal Chelsea I think Chelsea paid 80 for him Art or something 72 I think it was 72 Adrian right 30 years old does this signing make more sense than spending money on Juan Garcia looks like he's going to Barcelona now Art

Yeah, I think when you look at the Garcia situation, I think that probably would have been too similar to a Raya Ramsdale or Ramsdale-Leno situation because he'd be a number one coming in to compete with another number one. Whereas I think the lines are a bit clearer with Kepa and Raya. Obviously, Raya is now the official number one starting from next season. But yeah, I just think...

if you're able to have some clarity in that position it's always helpful and also it just helps that he's obviously better than Neto was when Neto played at Girona away so it's a step up in that department so I'm all good with it yeah I'm

I mean, he probably knows the basic, you know, don't try and make saves outside your own penalty area. That's quite useful. Adrian, he played well last year in the main for Bournemouth. He looked like a good keeper. For a second keeper, it's a good deal, isn't it, really? I think it would be an exceptional pick-up, actually. I think he's worth a lot, lot more...

than five million. I would say that he is worth a lot more than that. I always think goalkeepers are massively undervalued in terms of transfer fees because it's a huge position. It's a really real, it's a crux role. And I think that the very best should be worth a lot more than they are. I looked into some of his stats from last season because yeah, for my eye test and when I watched Bournemouth, I thought, yeah, he's had a good season, Kepa. Well, he saved percentage and

actually almost identical to David Rye from last season. He's actually just behind him, but very, very close, was busier for obvious reasons. They both, according to Opta, saved or prevented 2.1 extra goals. So that's another really similar stat. And then can he pass like David Rye? Well, the answer is yeah. I mean, the passing accuracy is pretty much the same and they've actually got...

the same number, the exact same number of successful long passes. Because I think that's really important for Arsenal goalkeepers because it's not just about playing out short. Can he clip it into the striker? And yeah, he did that just as often as David Rye did last season. So yeah, I mean, I think a really good shout. As long as Kepa's okay with only playing the odd cup game, then yeah,

Yeah, great. I guess part of that would be down to Bournemouth's playing style as well under Iriola because obviously we've seen how they've evolved as a team, caused real problems to the league's bigger teams as well. But I think they've just been a lot more dominant as well compared to, say, when they had Gary O'Neill in charge. I know he's still tried to have them play football, but they just seem like a lot more of a threat. And I guess when...

You look at football recently, a lot of that starts with the goalkeeper. So when you read those stats out, it makes sense, I guess, Adrian. Yeah, it would be useful if we had a bit more pace up front, I guess, to use that ability to pass long. But I must admit, I saw this and I thought, you know what? He's a decent backup goalkeeper. I mean...

We'll see what happens. Hopefully, we'll have lots of games in the Cups in which he can play, basically. Hopefully, we'll have, you know, 65-game season or whatever it is. And he gets 15 of them. Also, a new contract for Gabriel Magalhães. New deal. He'll be at the club until 2029. This is huge, isn't it? I mean...

Gabby, Big Gabby's been our best defender, really. Yeah. I think, I mean, listen, I love William Saliba. I love watching him play and I love the rest of them. But Big Gabby, what a leader, scores goals, defends goals. It's just outstanding. And he's got that. I think he's probably closest to an English centre-half that we've got as well. I mean that as a compliment.

Yeah, I get you. Yeah, I think when I remember being at his debut and his second game, actually, so against Fulham and West Ham. Opening day of the 2021 season. Yeah, what really stood out, apart from his goal against Fulham, was how imposing he was physically. And you could just tell straight away the type of centre-back he was, was very well suited to the English game, as you said, Ian. But as he's gotten older, I think everyone's seen he's matured.

And what's been really impressive is just how much of a leader he's become. I remember in that first title run,

doing a piece on him and how basically it was almost a reverse of his first couple of games where in those games, Rob Holden was almost holding his hand through games because he couldn't speak English. Whereas it's kind of come full circle and he was the one that was leading Saliba. They were speaking French because of course he came from Lille and he was a bit more comfortable in that language. And now I think at that time he was the first player

player to kind of commit to the 2027 contracts now he's the first player to commit uh this summer as well so i think he's a real cornerstone of what this arsenal team

have been able to kind of become under Mikel Arteta. And it's really important that he's committed again. Just echo what Art said. Yeah, he's a top player. I really like his personality. I mean, no one loves a block more than Big Gabby, do they? I mean, he loves it. And those sort of little mini celebrations, they're kind of infectious among the back four. So yeah, you can tell he's really determined. He wants to be a winner. And yeah, I'm sure he's going to be a winner.

for Arsenal during the length of this contract. So yeah, I'm really chuffed because I was a bit uncomfortable seeing those rumours linking in with Saudi and whatnot. So I'm really, really relieved and pleased that we've tied them down. You've got to come see Arsenal! Come see Arsenal! You've got to come see Arsenal!

When pro defensive end Cam Jordan isn't running after quarterbacks, he's running his own businesses. He sat down with Microsoft's Jessica Hawke to learn how AI can help. As a football player, we're really focused on the X's and O's. It's fun because it's a strategy game as well. And I think that transitions well into the business world. There's so much data underlying every single thing that you're doing in your business and having a way to unify all that data. This is like electricity. This is a major platform shift. And I think we're all learning together.

Ready to race your AI game? Find your winning edge at Microsoft.com slash challengers.

And now an ode to play, brought to you by Scratchers and the California Lottery Philharmonic. Take a time out from your busy day for a quick moment of play. Get some Scratchers, then get Scratchy. You deserve it, won't you say? Scratch, scratch, scratch, Scratchy, Scratchy, Scratchy, Scratch, Scratch. Feel the play and up your game. Scratchers from the California Lottery, a little play can make.

Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase, play, or claim. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority, skills...

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Let's talk about Ethan Waneri. Oh, you spoke to him. He was head of the under-21 Euros. How's he feeling? What's his mood like going into the season? Because the season obviously started very, very well last year. But I'm not saying it tailed off, but he was used less. But he had a couple of markers, didn't he? A couple of milestones. How's he feeling?

Yeah, he came across quite cool, to be fair. So to set the scene, it was at St. George's Park and we were in one of their futsal halls, which basically is like a sports hall at any school, basically. And he

he had like little stations he had to go to for each media session came to us it was a bunch of journalists so about five of us all of us shooting questions at him and he was all good in terms of what you mentioned in terms of his minutes kind of tailing off you obviously want to include everyone but you can't

But I think it's part of football and it's those times that can really define who you're going to be. And I think I dealt with it well. And yeah, I'm in a good place mentally and physically right now. He said he really wanted to get 10 goals. Obviously, I wanted more like always. I was aiming, I wanted 10 goals, but I was close to it. But I think it was...

It was a good first season. But the standout moment for him was the City game. He said he's looking to win the under-21s Euros and come back to pre-season kind of ready to kick on again. Did he say anything about what it's like working with Arteta? Because obviously, you know, it's good to get those kind of insights. Yeah, yeah, he did. It was interesting. Obviously, one of the first words he used, I don't think he'd be surprised is... If we ever met him, he'd see how intense he is.

I've never heard that word linked with Mikel I'd say. One of the examples he gave wasn't actually about on the pitch stuff, it was about... He's really big on body language and the way that he presents himself and he puts that onto me. Before, maybe just the way that I'd walk or I'd slouch a bit or just the way I'd be sitting but he's onto everything.

And that's helped me just sharpen up in the mind and it's helped me a lot. Good, good. As a big fan of Pilates, I can only approve of this sort of stuff. Sit up straight, young man. I hear Brian Clough talking when I hear this. So yeah, that was the big example he gave. And to be fair, during the interview, he stood up almost to attention. So I think he's been listening. But yeah, he was quite good on Mikel and also Bakayo.

And Aboukir is a great person. He's an even better player. Like, honestly, there's so much I can learn. Our relationship's like...

It's more like more friendship and more joking. We don't really have a lot of deep conversations because I think with Bukayo, he's a player that you just need to watch to learn from and take from his game. So I think he's helped me so much in that respect. I would have thought Bukayo's attitude is something you learn from more than anything, really. It's just, you know, whatever happens, you know, the old Rudyard Kipling treat triumph and disaster just the same. And Bukayo has a bit of that, doesn't he? And I guess...

I guess sometimes with Ethan, you sort of, I think that's really good advice he's given him about keeping his shoulders up and keeping his back straight and just not slumping because it's about attitude, right? Yeah, definitely. And I think it's a lot about watching and learning as well at that age. I think he's only just 18, so he's still going to be a sponge really to whatever's around him. And you can see the example that Bakayo set throughout the years. I think that,

kind of application and attitude the word you mentioned Ian is probably the best things to describe Bukayo and the way he's been able to evolve year on year and of course that's something not just Ethan but Miles would look to emulate as well so yeah I think what you get is the sense that they're

Their eyes are open, their eyes and ears are open to what's going on around them. Great. And Adrian, when you're in a team, when you're a young guy in a team, when you've got someone like Miles Lewis-Skelly coming through next to you as well, I would have thought that stuff helps really. You can sort of confide in each other and look after each other a little bit. Yeah, 100%. It can be daunting, but I think he's sort of been drip-fed into it from a pretty young age, been able to train with the team. That's why...

you'll see a downman training with the first team every now and again so that it's not a shock to the system, so that you're sort of gently introduced to that environment. So not all of a sudden it's like, oh, this is Ethan Waineri. He's playing Saturday. Introduce yourself. Do you know what I mean? So it can be quite daunting for any young player because, you know, he's grown up watching these players.

you know, playing the team on the telly and all of a sudden he's teammates. So yeah, if you've got a pal with you, it just naturally relaxes you, doesn't it? And sort of takes the pressure off. Our relationship with Miles and friendship with Miles is so important because I think we're so similar, but we're like, we're so opposite at the same time. The way that we think so similar, like we think the same way, we think the same things, but like the way that we might portray to other people, that he might seem more like,

open and I might see more clothes off but we're so similar in the same way so I think our friendship was yeah special yeah because you also know that all eyes are on you it's like well how good is he and a lot of old you know older heads will test the young players you know Merce was one that really did it you know he'd fire the fire the passes into you to see what your touch was like so would certain others you know that that

they're testing you all the time to see what you can handle. So yeah, having strength in numbers is definitely a plus. Can't wait to see his development next season. I mean, I really can't. He's such a fabulous player and I'm glad he mentioned that Man City...

A lot to say at the time. Oh, sorry, go on, Art. Sorry, yeah, when he mentioned it, my voice went a few octaves higher because I was so glad that he mentioned that. I think I mentioned it in my review of the season as my moment of the year, just because what it kind of represented. And I wasn't expecting him to say it. So I was so glad that he mentioned it. So yeah, sorry, you go on, Ian. I actually thought Ethan's goal felt like too much cake to say.

to be honest with you. It's like, no, I couldn't possibly, but go on then, I'll have another piece. Anyway, can't wait to see him and Miles and possibly Max Nauman as well in action next season. We've got some communications from you guys and we'll get to them after the break. Come see us, though! Come see us, though! Come see us, though!

When pro defensive end Cam Jordan isn't running after quarterbacks, he's running his own businesses. He sat down with Microsoft's Jessica Hawk to learn how AI can help. As a football player, we're really focused on the X's and O's. It's fun because it's a strategy game as well. And I think that transitions well into the business world. There's so much data underlying every single thing that you're doing in your business and having a way to unify all that data. This is like electricity. This is a major platform shift. And I think we're all learning together.

Ready to race your AI game? Find your winning edge at Microsoft.com slash challengers.

And now an ode to play brought to you by scratchers and the California lottery Philharmonic. Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratchy, scratchy, scratchy, scratch, scratch. Feel the play and up your game. Scratchers from the California lottery. A little play can make a game.

Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase, play, or claim. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority, skills...

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Ian Stone, Art de Rocha and Adrian Clarke here on the Athletics Arsenal podcast Handbrake Off. Hello to Turk, if you're listening, who I met on a plane going to Rome the other day, who I was standing up and he said, how do you think we'll do next season, Stoney? It was very nice, out of nowhere. To which I always say, how do you think we'll do? And push it back on them as well. So anyway...

We're looking to win quite a few trophies this year. And there is actually a question about that, by the way, from Ronnie. We've gone from not competing for the Premier League and not even being in the Champions League for five to ten years whilst winning the odd FA Cup to competing for the biggest prizes but being trophy-less for five years. Are you uncomfortable that we seem to be dismissing the domestic cups as not worth winning? Adrian, I'm not sure I totally accept the premise of the question. I don't think we dismissed either of the trophies last year. I think we just...

got unlucky against Manchester United and got beaten by the best team in the League Cup last year, Newcastle. Yeah, I agree. I don't think we've dismissed them, definitely. I would vehemently disagree with that. Those two games where we got knocked out came at a time where we were really ravaged by injuries and it came at a really busy time of the season as well where we sort of...

we were juggling, you know, and it was difficult. We couldn't put our best team out and our full focus maybe wasn't on those games. But I do think moving forward, kind of,

Of course you want Premier League and Champions League. They are the big two. But I do think Arteta will go a little bit harder maybe at the other two this season because, you know, it is a weight around his neck, everyone's neck that we haven't won a trophy. So just to shut everyone up, we need to compete on all four fronts. How do we do that? Well, you start off by getting a good sub goalie.

Done that, hopefully. Yeah, hopefully. We don't count our chickens. But you also, you beef up your squad, don't you? You have a slightly bigger squad. Maybe a bigger squad than you actually want. But as long as they're full of sort of hungry players, a lot of younger players, I don't think that's an issue. What you don't want is loads of

29, 30, 31 year olds not playing. That's bad because they'll get frustrated. But if you've got 21, 22 year olds not playing, it's less of an issue and then you can unleash them in those cup games and

certainly if they're at the right level. So, yeah, I think it's about beefing up the squad. And I think that's what this summer really is about for Arsenal. Yes, we get that big striker. We probably get that left winger. But the rest of it is about, you know, numbers. Talking of Hungary, Martin asks, what's your favourite cheese?

Art, what is your favorite cheese? We do get a selection of messages and letters. I say letters, emails. That was one. What's your favorite cheese, Art? Probably the most commonly eaten is cheddar, like everyone. Yeah. I've started to buy, actually, the four cheese kind of special from Sainsbury's just to get a bit of variation. But then I guess favorite cheese is...

Don't eat it often, but parmesan. Big fan.

Big fan. Yeah, okay. Well, that's an unlikely answer there, but I will take it. It is indeed cheese. Adrian, what about you? Favourite cheese? Big cheese fan, although my cholesterol was reported as a little bit high earlier in the year. Oh, really? So I've had to sort of limit my intake of cheese. Look, they tested me just after Christmas. It's not right, is it? I've had a lot of cheese at Christmas and probably wine and whatnot.

I've since been given the, you know, all clear that it's back to normal. Get back on the cheese, mate. Yeah, I probably will. I will take on any cheese that you give me. I'm very versatile on that front. I'll tell you what I like. I like mature cheddar, but baked camembert with a baguette, dipping it in that baked camembert, that is a bit of a vice for me around Christmas time. I can't get enough of it, really.

I feel like my cholesterol is rising just listening to you saying that, to be honest with you. But yeah, there's a cheese that I really like called Osso Irratti. Oh, here we go. You get it in nice. Yeah, there we go. Yeah, yeah. Cool song, Waitrose, mate. Okay. I actually have it delivered to me by a footman, honestly.

He brings it on a silver tray. You've got a cheese guy, haven't you? You've got a cheese guy. I've got a cheese man, yeah. He comes around once a week with a selection of cheeses. That's the thing, though. We grew up. Cheddar was all we had. Cheddar. Well, we had red Leicester. That's just red cheddar, isn't it? Adrian, leave it. Anyway.

I know it's not. No, the kids now, they've got a whole array of cheeses. But that's the one for me. It's something called Osso Ratti and it's absolutely lovely. Football. Do you think, Mick, and this is from Richard, do you think Mick and Arteta's intensity has led to squad fatigue?

They can't even have a relaxing dinner together without a pickpocket stealing their things. Yeah. If you don't know the context of that, well, you should have listened earlier. All right. Like Martin Zubermendi obviously has been. Do you think his intensity has led to squad fatigue? I think the games have led to squad fatigue. Haven't they, Adrian? Yeah. Yeah. I wouldn't say that that's an issue. Mental fatigue is a thing. And I do think that if you have an intense manager, someone that sort of does a lot of talking, that

you kind of have to have something tangible at the end of it sooner rather than later. So, yeah, I do think that there is a bit of pressure now on Arteta to deliver the trophies because, you know, if you listen to the same guy giving you team talks year in, year out, but you're not winning stuff, sooner or later...

There is a danger that some might stop listening or stop listening as intently and not have that same level of buy-in. So there is a threat of that, but I don't see it as being a problem in the here and now. I just think that's why it's so important that you refresh the squad each year with new faces. Faces that are really into what the manager is saying and that can then be infectious.

it rubs back off on the players and and together as a group that they they have total buy-in obviously staff members you know certain managers who stay in clubs a long time do refresh their their backroom team and i think that's something maybe to consider if not this year next year so you know just to just to have a fresh voice i do think it's important especially if you haven't got

over the line you haven't climbed that mountain but look we don't know what goes on behind the scenes I'm pretty sure that they get plenty of downtime and that they also have a laugh and that he's not always on them but we don't see all that it's um that they'll have plenty of laughs and and time off

Oh, anything to add to that? I mean, I basically agree with Adrian. We don't know what's going on in there. Sure, he's intense. I mean, when are we talking exactly about that? You know, he's not on them 24 hours a day. He's not like, I mean, I remember May Night at the Young Players when Sir Alex Ferguson was, you know, on the phone. Where are you? Why are you home yet? And all that stuff. So that is what you need. You need full focus.

Do you know, it's not like we haven't played great the last few years, just trying to get over the line. Yeah, I think what Adrian said about...

just refreshing things is quite interesting as well the the manager that actually came to my mind was sir alex ferguson when he mentioned the backroom staff yeah i remember he changes assistant manager every few seasons and it seemed to work quite well but then also if we talk about just general fatigue in terms of fitness i think that's where the squad building comes into it as well because if you look at the last couple of seasons as

I know we've spoken about it before, but the knock-on effect of having one injury means one player might have to play a lot more than expected. And we've seen that right back with Ben White and during Timber where I think

Timbers ACL meant why he had to play a lot more minutes than expected that season and it came back to haunt him. And you think that had an effect on him the year after with the injury maybe? Yeah, potentially because he ended up playing pretty much all the minutes. He did. So yeah, I think all of that factors into it. So yeah, physical fatigue, mental fatigue as well. And hopefully a lot of those players, obviously without the Club World Cup and no refs,

real men's tournament this summer get a rest The North Bank Pod asked would you rather share a room with Tony Adams playing his piano or Gilberto Silva playing his mandolin I had no idea that Gilberto Silva played the mandolin It was one of my like very early days working went into the toilets at Emirates

Gilberto Silva was there. Yeah. Playing the mandolin in the toilet. No, he was just taking a piss. Right. But I was just, I was shocked to see Gilberto Silva in the toilet. I didn't say anything. Ha ha ha ha ha.

I didn't say anything. They all go. You know, they're humans. I mean, they need to go just like everybody else, mate. I was shocked to see Gilberto Silva in the toilet. I had a pee once next to Neil Warnock. So, you know, there you go. Not that this is Top Drums or anything. I noticed you didn't answer the question, Adrian. No, my answer would be Gilberto. Would you? Really? Is he a good mandolin player, Gilberto? I don't know. I just feel like my vibe would probably fit him more than Tony Adams. Your vibe?

Your vibe, Art. Yeah. Okay. Fair enough. Right. I don't know. I think I'd love to hear Tone playing the piano. I mean, thank you for the question, though. Adrian, do you have a preference? I'd go with Tony, I think. Yeah, I have a bit of a reminisce about the old days. He can tell me stuff that I never got to see. To the tune of something. Yeah, yeah. That'd be very nice. 2-1, Art. Sorry about that. Sorry. I'm sorry, Gilbert. We're not having your mandolin.

All right, what have we got here? Hi, Adrian from Abir. All right, this is for Adrian. Do you want to go and have a cup of tea or something? We'll just get back when Adrian's done this one. Just want to ask, how would you think we would approach the team with low blocks when we get our attacking targets? I love the when in that. It's doing a fair bit of heavy lifting. But you know what? Do you still see us attacking from the flanks or might we use the central space? Well...

mix it up a bit surely yeah it is a good question it has been a bit of an issue for us hasn't it what i think the problem was last year a little bit was when we went wide we we just asked the winger to to go 1v1 but often that turns into a 1v2 so then they end up checking back and coming back and and everything gets you know slowed down or we sort of chuck in those hopeful in swingers which

very rarely come off. I think the key against low blocks is to get to the byline. How are you going to get there? So definitely more overlaps from fullbacks. I think that we didn't have enough of that last year. Just look at Hakimi and Mendes. It's a little bit more dynamism down the flanks. That Mendes is an unbelievable player. Brilliant player. Brilliant player. Yeah, like they've got the two best fullbacks probably in the world, haven't they? It's fantastic for PSG. Yeah, it's get...

How are you going to get to the byline? For me, it's running. You know, very simple movement, running. So a bit more combination play. Look for those little one-twos. But if you're going to do a one-two, you've got to run. You've got to run. So if you're going to give it to Saka and, you know...

Sometimes he'll just take someone on and cross it. That's great. But sometimes mix it up. Give it to him. Make a run that gives him an option for a one-two. And I think that's probably what we didn't do enough of last season. And we definitely didn't go into the front man enough down the centre as well. But again, if you're going to go into Havertz or whoever it is,

they want runners. They need supporting runners. And maybe your early guards particularly were guilty of not making those runs beyond defenders, not taking a marker with them. So that's something to improve on. I mean, if Detlef Rice has a bit more of a role where he's playing the left eight and he can run past the attacker with his back to goal and maybe make the running behind, that's the sort of thing Adrian would be talking about, right? Yeah.

Yeah, definitely. Just more off the ball movement. And I think also Zubamendi, knock wood, playing a bit deeper should help as well because you just need to be moving defenders around. That's the main thing. I think a lot of Arsenal's play last year was just too static. So I think the point Adrian's making is

If you move, defenders have to move. And that's when the game opens up. There was just not enough of that last season. No. Iomedes asked, and this is related, I'm assuming it's Iomedes. It might be Iomedes, but I'm sure it's Iomedes. Tactical alterations you would like to see for next season are

I just want them to attack more. I mean, obviously there are loads of tactical alterations and they're way beyond my understanding, but I want them to attack more. That first half against PSG away, when we tore into teams, if they don't have a world-class goalkeeper in that team, we'd tune it up before the game even started.

And I think we could do that against most teams. Yeah, I think that's the main thing. And of course, we've mentioned it before. I think when you look at that static play we're talking about, you're just looking for someone to take a chance, be inventive, and

So yeah, it's not really a tactical thing. It's more, I guess, about self-belief in the moment, having more drive and just invention in what you're doing. If we want to say one tactical thing, maybe, I think it'd be nice to see some variation in how fullbacks play. So not always having to invert, but also having options that go

go around the outside I think that would be quite cool farewell quarantine yeah but yeah I think that could be one thing to look at maybe not being so stuck in one way but just having a few different ways to attack teams I'd like to see more long throws Adrian I loved it or you

You could bring in Anton Semenya for that. Well, we've got a big team, right? We have got a big team. And I thought PSG looked so vulnerable by the second half of the game. Yeah, they got used to it. When we'd had about 10... I mean, the fact that it took a minute and a half for Thomas Partey to trot over and take it, it was starting to get to me.

But I think just to mix it up a little bit, we never take long throws. I mean, did we take a long throw aside from that in a single game? We took about 10 in that game. Not very many. Yeah, not very many. Last season was the season of the long throw. I did a piece for the Premier League on tactical trends and...

20 goals were scored from throw-ins last season. Not all of them long throws, but 20 goals were scored. I think the average across the previous 10 years was six. So it was the year of the long throw. So yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if...

Obviously, you know, maybe we expect Thomas Partey if he stays to have less game time. So maybe, you know, one of our signings might have a long throw. I don't know. Is it a good shout? I agree with Art on the fullbacks. Absolutely. We didn't stretch teams enough PSG style last season. I'd also like to see us try the double pivot midfield a little bit more in certain games with Pogba.

with Rice and Zuby maybe if he's definitely coming. That's going to happen, isn't it? Yeah, I'd just like to see it. 4-2-3-1 is very in vogue. And if he did that, and I'm not trying to get rid of Erdogan because he's been brilliant, but on occasion, if he comes off or he's not fit or available, could we stick Havertz in there? And let's see what that's like as a sort of supplementary striker joining in.

Almost as a front two at times, I guess, with whoever we sign this summer. That would be an interesting tactical move for me because I do think Havertz has the game to play as a number 10 or a support striker. So, yeah, little tweaks here and there. I'm sure that they're going to try things. You know, why wouldn't you? Matt, on a similar note,

I mean, I agree with Adrian Hart that Kai Havertz

could step back he's absolutely got the skill to play in that position do we just mix it up a bit again maybe not be over reliant on just Martin being the central creative hub of the team yeah I think this is maybe the most interesting I guess build up to a season because

Arteta has been married to 4-3-3 for two three four years yeah does he is he ever going to move away from that I don't know but it'd be very interesting if he did and I'm not saying he's going to do this but one way Lee Carsley set up the under 21s when Wanyeri played was to play with two number 10s behind the striker Wanyeri was on the right side and Harvey Elliott was on the left and

And there was just so much freedom for both of them. It was weird. It was a weird formation. It was very fluid. It started as a back three. So yeah, I wouldn't expect like the exact same shape, but...

But I think having a system that just allows for a lot more movement and freedom creatively is probably what you're looking for. And if it's a way to get more creators onto the pitch, then I see it as a plus. I just don't know yet whether you continue with the 4-3-3 as your go-to, but then in some matches experiment with something that's a little bit more creative.

creative. Yeah, and could I also say take the handbrake off a little bit, possibly? We did have the best defence in the Premier League last year, so let's not forget we are very, very good at defending and our goalkeeper won or got a share of the Golden Glove, but

Bit more attacking flair. Yeah. What we could do, it could be our plan B in terms of when you're chasing a goal and you're looking to get back into the game, you could go with that sort of... What would it be? A 3-4-2-1? Is that the right... Yeah. 3-4-2... Was that too many players? No, 3-4-2-1. No, 3-4-2-1 is fine. But then you'd probably go with Saka as a wing-back and then you'd have Erdogan on his inside, Havertz...

you know, as another number 10 and then you've got the winger on the left and a striker. You know, that's a really attack-minded line-up with Rice and Zubamendi or whoever it is in midfield. So, that would be a super attacking line-up that I'd love to see at certain times of the season. All right. Harry asked, what's your worst ever Arsenal shirt? We did best ever Arsenal shirt last

Adrian do you have a worst ever Arsenal shirt I mean if it's an Arsenal player inside of it and it's got Arsenal on it I don't mind it to be honest with you no I care about the kits I do care about the kits like I'm one of those those geeky people that does care and I really love the home kit that we've got for this season I

I didn't really like last season's kit. I didn't like the blue bit on the shorts. That just really irritated me. Yeah, I just didn't really love it. But my worst would be... Well, I hated the 23-24 yellow...

a zigzag thing but we were so good in it that i grew to like it yeah yeah i agree and then we kept getting six away from home every week and you went actually it seems to work but it looked good on people like art it looked good on the kids it just it just wouldn't i couldn't have worn it but no no my my all-time worst would be the puma era i thought they were really bad um but 17 18 was a

bad year. It was quite a horrible tight shirt and I hated the sort of weird hoops on the sleeves. There was like a selection of sort of hoops. You'll remember it. That was bad. And then the third kit that year was a sort of mint green number, which again, it didn't look like a proper kit. So yeah, 17, 18, Puma,

yeah sort of hang your heads really that was bad I mean I have literally no opinion on this stuff at all I just I mean I feel like you did when we talked about it last week I want the awake kit to be yellow and blue yeah that's true I mean I really really do but other than that I know that I was going to have an opinion on this

I'm of course always going to have an opinion. That's fair enough. He is the generation to have an opinion on everything, to be fair. Art, that's not having a go. I'm just saying. No, no. Hey, it's just my opinion. What about you, Art? Worst ever? Puma, again. So I think the kit Adrian mentioned, the mint one, was from 1819.

But then in 17-18, they had a turquoise blue shirt, one of the away kits, that just looked so washed out whenever they wore it. And I think they lost quite a few games in it as well, so it didn't help. So that one springs to mind. And then also the first ever Puma home shirt as well, the really, really tight one, which came after...

after the 2014 FA Cup win is the biggest downgrade you've ever seen from one kit to the next. So unsurprisingly. I'll make a note of these and I will check them out and I'll see if I have any feelings about them. Phil asks, will bringing in a verified striker really make all the difference? Of course.

How can you ask that, Phil? I mean, we are basing our whole summer on whoever it is, whether it's Benjamin Sesko or Victor Guaycares or someone else that will surprise us. Of course, it will make all the difference because it has to, doesn't it, Adrian? It has to. Yeah, definitely. We all see we need it. And, you know, if we had a top-class striker, I think we would have had a much better chance of being...

beating PSG in that second leg of clawing it back. I really do think that. But in general, it's not just about the striker. I think the team, if you look at PSG and you look at them as the blueprint and maybe Liverpool to a degree as well, pace.

I'm not saying we lack it. I'm not saying we lack it. We do lack it though, don't we, Adrian, to be fair. We haven't got as much as some others. So pace for me is the big thing. And just more attacking options. Because I just think the best teams in history have always had lots of attacking options. So yeah, that's what we're looking for. Yeah, I can't really think of anything to add to that.

Art is nodding, so I'll take that as he can't either. Let's have a song to finish. If we've missed any out, we'll answer later in the summer. Let's have a song to finish. Art, this is when Art asked me, have you ever heard of this person? And I go, no. I feel like you have. Yeah, go on then. Drake. Of course I know about Drake.

Of course I know about Drake. Yes. Yes. Jewish people must stick together. Hasn't he got beef? Hasn't he got beef with someone? Hasn't he got beef with someone? Is it Kendrick? I don't know if it's still going on. Is it not? That beef is finished, is it? He kind of got washed. I won't lie. Is that bad? Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nokia. So it's about what? You can guess. Mobile phones. It's about mobile phones. Yeah. And...

To be fair, like, no real reason other than I like it. And that's all right. It's all right. I mean, I have to say, if we're talking about phone tunes, I always think of Lizzo doing Where the Hell Am I Home? How am I supposed to get home, huh? I love that tune. If only people could have seen you

I was actually doing it then, wasn't I? Yeah. I know. I'm going to get the flute out in a minute. Adrian, what about you? I've probably used this one before in the summer, but I'm going there again. Let's go with Take That and We Need a Little Patience. We do need a little patience, but not much, though. Not too much. Not much, though, right? Art is actually feeling sick at this point. I know.

I, as you know, I was in Ibiza last week. I was in Pasha on Tuesday night to see Camel Fat and I was so excited. They played this song, NYP2, which I think I've mentioned. And it's a mash-up with Sweet Disposition, Temper Trap, which they used to play before the games at the Emirates a few seasons ago, which I really like. I get quite emotional when I hear that song. And anyway, they mashed it up and it was absolutely fantastic.

And I'll dedicate that, by the way, to Gaza, who Liam wrote to us about, who passed away. And like I say, rest in peace, Gaz. That's it for this edition of Handbrake Off. Thanks to Jay, our producer. Thanks to Adrian and Art. And we'll speak to you at some point next week. Ta-ra.

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