Inside Arsenal’s Title Celebrations, UCL Final & Set Piece Secrets | The Overlap Champions Special

Just before we get started a quick thanks to our partners and clothing. We hope you enjoy the show. Oh, you okay? Well done. Congratulations. Well done. Thank you Morning I apologize a little bit Don't let him touch you. Well, you're a virgin. What's our card do now? You do it Wow, Kate it Thank you guys See how I remember They are my inspiration and at the same time they are the ones I have my back this fanbase has been through ups and downs over the years The banter years all those different things I know we were always behind you I always find a hooked optimism is in faith in my situation. Just like I get tired emotional just listening to just talking so calmly I'm saying at this club is victory through harmony and you know for whatever reason we finally have achieved that harmony all across the club I get winning goal energy off of you at the moment It's just that I can feel a story now, you know you've been injured you just come back at the end there and then ban winning goal Yeah, hopefully we heard it here first. We're we're winning off the field we're winning on the field we're winning with the supporters We're in that community. We're in a really good time to be there and it feels like it's just a star There you go, you see, Arsenal fans, we knew it all along didn't we? Go on girl, do your stuff Michele what a few days you've had just talked about it in sort of your immediate feelings Well, it's been much better that I could never imagine to have been so emotional so natural and and to see that much joy happiness and I'm proud around the club. It's just amazing Michele when you look at this I always think of it over the last few years the question was you were getting so close Could you get over the line? I know you're never going to get carried away You're still young in your journey, but when you think of it when I look at you now I think of you sort of those great managers who've won the Premier League titles Does that give you a different level of confidence and belief straight away that you're sat up there with some of the real greats who've won Premier League trophies? The truth is a lot of joy and relief Gary because when you are able to take the club and make the right steps and take it really close is great But it's not what we're looking for and I know that at this club does not enough So to actually do it If it's amazing it gives a lot of value to a lot of people that has contributed to achieve that and personally to be a part of delivering something that means so much after 22 years It's just incredible Do you know what I like about it most, Michael is that maybe 78-9 years ago they said "Managers don't get time anymore" There's this thing that managers don't get time But Jürgen Klopp had time, well they all have the time of Managed City You've had time for the three most successful clubs in the last 10-12 years have given their managers time How grateful are you to the owners to the sort of sporting directors for the sort of the way in which they believed in the whole thing all the way through I think it's necessary but you have to earn it When you talk about Jürgen and the end of the time I want to believe that I earn my time as well because when I came here the first day Unfortunately it wasn't the Liverpool set up, it wasn't the Manchester City set up They already won a lot, they already won the previous years These were a completely different animal And we knew that And I'm very lucky because we have an ownership that has so much experience in sports And they understood that the picture is ugly at the moment Is that Lord there we're going to have to do And everybody is on board with that I'm very grateful for that What's been the hardest part in all the time you've been here, Miko It's been the hardest part of the rebuild I don't know how the best part is changing the culture But to that actually. Is that with the fans and everything? That's what the culture is like, the organisation To actually understand what was happening inside the organisation How the people was feeling about working in the organisation And I did a very profound exercise to try to understand that It's actually to understand deeply how people feel about working in the organisation And I wasn't happy and I wasn't impressed at all about the way they describe it So I put my hands on that And I needed a lot of support to change that But I think that was the foundation that we used to build that That's like a lot of extra work what you surely weren't expecting to have Yeah, I was expecting something but not as deep as profound And then you need time because you want to This wasn't about changing the identity of a team To play in a certain way or improve certain tactics He was much deeper than that But I love that challenge as well I mean it was an incredible opportunity When things are not in the place that this club deserves To help and to get certain direction and put them right Is the most fulfilling part And then the reconnect with the fans And even the North London throw the song and everything The noise that's stuck with our owners and now What about the reconnect with the fans and that song how it came about How important was that to you in respect to making sure the fans got back on board with everything Because all the noise stopped Well the first step was to change the culture inside the organisation And we started to make some big steps towards that But then Covid hit for 18 months And we could not be close to our supporters And I knew how important that was Because it was a clear disconnection between the club The team, the identity of the club And while they were thinking that the club or the team should be doing And the moment we started to be closer to them That's when things started to click I believe the music is a great way to connect Beautiful Diversity and different ways of thinking And to create moments And we used that song as a part to that You think we did songs So when you heard the song the first time Was that it? You said that's it For sure Yes, I looked around the world He said because he couldn't be something that I could bring It had to be something that everybody felt proud of And contributed to So that's what we did Just tested I presented to the players, I presented to the staff We brought Louis here to the training And to see how he was feeling to tell the story about the song And what he means to him And it's loaded and gradually But this is the beauty as well Of social media that in 24 hours he can't do it Well then it was everywhere and he got a great reception Amazing song In your job I always think the characters of a manager that wins They're obsessive Which we know you are They've got something inside them But they won't stop until they get what they want And they know they have to be harsh at times And you've had to be harsh at times I mean you along the way This is harsh I mean to be fair in our job is very difficult What is fair? Fair for you means that fair for writing is not fair But at least to stick to your principles I think you explain things And you agree as a team That they have certain behaviors that we expect And we want to promote If somebody doesn't do it I mean he kind of continue to be part of that I think that's clear Obviously Yeah, we can put the best beautiful words here around the walls But they mean nothing Yeah, the moment where I thought That Arsenal would win the league And you never sure Was the moment that you went and spent over 100 million declinaries It just felt to me like in that moment I know you'll never say it's down to one play But you just felt to me at that point Arsenal have got no more to play Looks like someone who's going to Get you over the line Get you over the line Do you feel like Can you Did you feel that was a moment, a big moment It was a big moment And I think we can send We are constantly sending messages Whether we want or not To the people in the organization To the supporters to our opponents And that was a strong message I mean we are here to go And not the level And we want another level financially We are with ambition of the play That we recruited With the profile of the play That we recruited And nothing A big club has to make that kind of a statement And when you went to the honours With that was the That's what you want We give it to you No problem Well they were very supportive I think you have to explain things And the reason we believe that they could Elevate it into a different level And then we talked about the amount of money All of a sudden we'd gone to that next level of spending And they would I didn't know it was going to happen Seven minutes That's what I was going to happen Less If you are David Moist He always tell me can you go and him cheap You know So I need to go and buy more fries I don't get it often that I leave the whole financial bar for the other guys And they still stop this year But then if you're going in like 70 Then it ended up was 105 That's amazing support you got there Yeah And you need that And without that At the end this belongs to the players And the quality of the players That you need to compete in this league We all know well Boss I try to ask you the question on Sunday But obviously it was too much going on But the coaching staff With your guys And how much How much they've done You know Obviously Gabby coming in and me And you're over And all of the guys Just give us a little insight into them guys Because they've been magnificent They are my inspiration And at the same time They are the ones that have my back So I said A coaching staff has to have always For element I think one You need to Be able to To leave you a skin open for the team The second one They have to be the speakers of the football club I mean we have one idea And they have to promote that idea In a recents I think they have to be five fighters So the less issues they come in my office the better. I mean they can stop there. I'm proven that that's great. And then they have to be the capacity to eliminate and inspire me with ideas, with challenging, with other opinions. And that's what we have created. A very diverse coaching and stuff. Very specific in qualities, complete different backgrounds, but all aligned in one purpose. And I cannot be proud of it because they deserve a lot of credit for what we've done. - Miguel, just looking back, when you've been on this journey for five years, you've been questioned all the way. And I've questioned at times. I'm just trying to think of two big moments. - No, I'm trying to think of questioning. The Raya Ramseyale moment. - Yes. - That was a, that six months was a little bit uncomfortable in press conference. I was there, we were part of it. And you're thinking, what's Miguel doing here? He's got two goalkeepers. How can you have two number ones? How do you reflect upon that? And obviously, your goalkeeper is sensational. He's been the best. - Well, it's just a last complete. - It's true, right? - Yeah, how do you reflect upon that moment? - But that's a great example of what Managain needs. So, I was very convinced that we have to make a change. But I know because Aaron didn't have the quality, because I believe to go to the next level, we need a different profile of goalkeeper. And it was very difficult to explain. But it was difficult to explain. Obsessed externally. But he could maybe not make sense. And that's what you need then, as well as supporting the director in this case, he was able to say, "Miquel, are you 100% sure?" And I went through him. And again, again, again. But you know, we're gonna have an issue. He said, "I know, Miquel, you're gonna expose yourself." I know. - You really want to do this? - Yes, please do. - And it really convinced as well the world, because they need to be convinced with the understanding of, "No, Miquel says this, okay, let's do it." It doesn't work like this. And then he has to work. And then he nacky play a pivotal role, because he knew it from Benford and many years. And what I was sure is, I don't know if he's gonna work or not, but I believe he's going to present himself and dedicate to the course. And he's gonna be an incredible ambassador for the club. That was, that was sure. And then do the moment. It's what you make. - One start looks like it's coming in. - How are you? - How are you? - Nice to see you, okay. - Champ? - How are you, sir? - Hey boss. - Boss Champ. - How are you doing? - Figured out it comes to now for a few moments. On behalf of our entire club, we have a little present. - Oh, I believe. - What's, what's, really? - What is it? - I'm gonna like this. - Josh. - I think you'll love it, Gary. - Don't be too open it on camera. - I think it might have to. - So, you're looting across this table with you guys for three years. - There's two in there. - No, that's for right. That's for me. Thank you. - What's this? - He's got enough arstals shares. He wears one every single week. - Oh, and look at this. In the early age and thanks to the best support of the club. (laughing) - There you go, you see. Arstal fans, we knew it all along, didn't we? (laughing) - Oh Gary, Gary was here a few weeks ago. We had a time together, we had a copy and we had a very good full discussion. So I, I gave him that shirt. I said, "When we win it, please, you have to put it on." So. (laughing) - Did you say you wouldn't put it on? You just, you just, you just, you just, you just, you just, that was my suggestion. - Yeah. - That's enough. - Thank you so much. That will get framed. It will go in the, it will go in my house that. Thank you. - Josh, I'm just talking to me. Thank you so much. - We had to. - Josh, oh, we were saying before, as an owner, you get put under pressure all the time to make decisions by the media, by the fans. But this has been a six year project. What, at the very beginning when you met Michele, was it that you saw that you thought, "No, this is right, this is the person that we need to really back and he'll get us back to the very top?" - Yeah, the club was in a, going through an interesting phase when Michele, well, I guess first of all, I met Michele when he was a player here. And so I had a sense kind of who the individual was. My father and I knew a lot about the person behind the player. We knew he had very high goals after his playing career was over and he immediately jumped on that to go to city and join PEPS staff. So I knew there was a bit of a football maniac out there somewhere. But in the summer of 2019, when after we went to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the Europa League final, that was when it kind of settled in me and I remember talking to my father saying, "We had to probably, I don't want to say it." But maybe take a step back to eventually go forward. And so when we arrived that December and it's kind of a transition period, we could really see that the club, it was in a place where we needed to really reinvent the culture. And so when I sat with Michele, he had all of his football tactics. But I really remember the conversation that I really recall was one about culture. And so to see where we are today, I think that what's one to feel is amazing. Emotions and outpouring of support from all of our fans around the world for winning the trophy. But when I come out here to call me and I see and I feel that the people that are here, I think it's a testament to what Michele and his staff have been able to do for the last six years, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch here as well. When Michele comes to you and he says that the culture's not right in the organization, as an owner, you take that person, I would know that, I felt, my say. Absolutely. At that point, what were your feelings when he questioned the culture and the fact that it just wasn't right? The feeling wasn't right in the club. Well, I think that if you're going to make sound decisions, you have to take the emotion out of it at times. And so for me, I had already kind of come to the own conclusion, whether that was one of self-reflection or one of the direction we needed to go. It was whether, no matter whose fault it is, this is the actual situation, this is the reality of where we are, how are we going to correct it going forward? I think we've got to let the boss go, the boss has to go. So go train yourself. You all right? All the best. All the best. Thank you. Sorry, Joe. No, no, no, you're fine. Where was it you had to do? Where was it at? Sorry, sorry. Did you interrupt? No, I think you just, but you're talking about culture, obviously. Culture. Absolutely. You're someone who's won in most of your organizations. Rams, Avalanche, the Nuggets, the Women's Champions League, now the Premier League. But the feeling was here, the suggestion towards your family was, as long as I still get Champions League and they're bringing the money in, they're okay. What did you say to that? Because that's been leveled out to you now for a number of years, obviously it's changed right now, because you've won. Yeah, there's different phases of our involvement in the club, and I would say a lot of the conversation that you're referencing was in a, there was a prolonged transition phase to a hundred percent ownership of our family. And so, you know, I'm not going to dwell too much before that, but in 2018, that was when we really got a chance to get our hands and then start to get to work. And that corresponded with a massive amount of transition at the club, where you were moving on from an absolute legendary person and manager from our send, moving to a different phase of operation, even with a sporting director. We were trying to implement the North, we were referred to as a North American model. What was that? And that's more of a head coach, what we refer to in the United States as a general manager or sporting director, whereas under the need for the structure of our send, everything kind of funneled up to a different way. And the business and the club had just gotten so massive over the years that you had to do a little bit of restructuring around those types of roles, because the role had gotten to be way too big. And other clubs through different transition phases, whether it was a change of manager, ownership, or, you know, other things, and kind of adopted different models along the way. And I think underneath our send that made a lot of sense, but going forward, we had to really kind of think about the structure off the pitch. And so, 2019, we had a disappointment in Baku. And that was, you know, we had been a couple of years out of the Champions League at that point. And, right, you might be able to recall, we were almost kind of straddling a dual strategy where we were bringing in a couple of young players. We had kind of brought in Gabby Martin-Nelly. Yeah. And we were starting to break through, but we were also trying to straddle, bringing in some experience at the time to try to make a push for that Champions League. And after the loss in Baku, that was when I got back home to the United States and I told my dad that we really needed to potentially take a step back to come forward. And so, we started to recruit a little younger that summer. I think that was a summer we signed William Celeba, going to him back to his club in France. We brought in Nicholas Pepe, you know, who was age, he's around age of 24 at the time. And so, we started to focus on a little bit of strategy like that. But once Michele got on board and we started to really reinvent the culture, that was when, you know, we really got into the youth movement and that side of things. You know, I was going to ask you just quickly because of the manager, because you've got a history of backing young managers, the same way that, where's that come from? What, why did you do that? The side is about Fingal. I think that, you know, in different ways we have different strategies with our different sports organizations. I assume you were talking about Sean McBae at the Rams. And that was an easy comparison for us. Sean had been on our group out in LA for a few years. And we had seen what he had done culturally to try to reinvent that group. And so, you know, I think that gave us some confidence in that moment to really go after a guy like Michele. But we also knew that this was going to be a multi-year process. And so, if you bring somebody in, and that's not to say that our goal wasn't to win right away, but, you know, winning at the highest level to me is very much a process. And sometimes you have to experience a little bit of failure to get there. And so, you know, I said it on Sunday, but I'll say it again. I think that the second place finishes and the runner-up finishes the last couple of years, really shaped and framed this group to achieve something special this year. Josh, the moment where I thought, "Pff, this is serious." And I have predicted that Arsenal would win the league in the last few years. It's not come true until this season was when you signed Declan Rice. How does that arrive at your door? So, basically, I don't know if it's the CEO, whether it's the CEO. with the sporting director and say we need to invest over 100 million pounds in a play. And I still have never gone there before to that level. That was a gigantic moment for everyone, for sure. I remember when Declan's name started to come up and I knew one of the player but of probably the values associated with him just from reading in the media. And it's not to say it wasn't part of our plan but it was probably a little. those price tags were a little ahead of where I thought we would be. And what we could afford financially. And so from Mikkel to Adieu at the time, Tim Lewis, Rich Garlich, when those decisions are that big, you have to all come together. Yeah. And so I think for my one one, you know, questions around a player like Deck is, you know, you can see the. if you pay attention to sport, you know, who Declan was. But if you're going to pay that kind of price tag, it can't just be for a talent on the pitch. You need to be getting a plug-in play player and you need to be able to have a leadership ability off it, I think. And I think, you know, the first 10 seconds you talk to Declan, I think you get a pretty good sense of who he is on and off the field. It must feel great, Josh, you know, to that much outlay to see a player come in and actually do something. Absolutely. You know, it must be amazing. Yeah, absolutely. Hey Richie, what's up, my friend? Rick Cardo. How are you, Mark? Rick Cardo. It must be great, yeah? Yeah. Yeah. No, and I think that, you know, and Declan was going through at the time, I think he had several offers from really big clubs. But I think one of the things that I remember from that moment was Declan wanted to go to a place like where we were to have a chance to achieve something that hadn't been done in a while. I mean, that says a lot about Declan, the person. Exactly. Especially these are a lot of people who wanted him as well. Yeah. Other people wanted him and he came to us. Yeah. Just talk to me about your team, obviously, you're in your own owner. But you have a group of people who run the club, Richard's obviously CEO, you've got Sporting Director, you've got a manager. What is your interaction with them like in terms of that spine that runs through the club? It depends on what's happening at the frequency and timing of year. You know, over the years, our structure has evolved from the board on down, but I'm really proud of the group, especially the group this year, because, you know, are saying at this club is victory through Harmony. And, you know, for whatever reason, we finally have achieved that Harmony all across the club. And it's been great because you can see and you can feel it when you come into building. There is a feeling among star-stole fans. I remember two or three years ago, because obviously your family's name was getting dragged into the previous stuff, wasn't it? And that must be really tough. I can't imagine what it would be like. But there's a feeling that since you emerged as being sort of what would be the frontman for the project. That I think the fans are really on board with you and it's definitely done in about turn. I mean, how important was that to you just from a perspective? From a personal perspective, I mean, I was torn on the way that we wound up, you know, understanding that we won the league. I was here for the Burnley match, got up at 8 a.m. to fly back to the United States. And so when I landed, I think that they had born with a Giscord. They went up one note and I'm trying to get home as fast as I can to watch it on TV. And so aside from being here with the group that put their blood and sweat and all their energy behind this, there was a little bit of being by myself with a loved one with my fiance and understanding that, I mean, it was an outpouring of emotion to reference and answer your question. There were moments where it was rough. And you talk about the cultural change, but when I'm in the United States and I'm getting on a plane by myself to come halfway around the world and you know everyone's against you, it's not a great feeling. And so you really have to know who you can trust in those moments. And I'm really proud of the entire group. I'm proud for a lot of different reasons, but for the people involved and what they've seen, the journey that they've been on has been great. Last question to you, I'm going to bring Richden. What did you say to the fans? What's your message to the fans now, obviously, with that Premier League trophy sitting on your shoulder? Thank you and you deserve it. This fanbase has been through ups and downs over the years. The banter years, all those different things. Everything, everything, everything. No, and now we're always behind you. Yeah, come on. We're going to smile at you. Yeah, put it in a smile. But that's part of the fun of sport. Absolutely. You know, we compete and we want to knock each other's heads in while we're out there. But you know, as life goes on and you understand the person behind the competitor that you're facing, it's part of the fun. And that's what makes you really all worthwhile is to have a little fun with each other. Absolutely. Yeah, competing. You do have a lot of fun. I think to be fair, what I would say is that this is a game-changer in terms of how the club gets perceived. Because when she went to title, I was just saying to Michaela before, you're in that sort of group and that family of Sralik's Ferguson, Pep Guadioli, Jürgen Klopp. You're Michaela from Michaela, it's huge, but also for you now, it's known as 'NiShipping' as an executive. You know how big this is. But Richden, I'm going to say this in a nice way. You're surrounded by huge e-golds, let's pick a little bit. You know, football managers, football players, sporting directors, owners that have demands that because they want success. And you've got to try and knit and glue all that together. How difficult or how enjoyable challenging is that? It's challenging in that, as you said, there's different, everybody's competing slightly differently. Everybody's got different, do you want things? But the thing, we've all had the focus on the same thing, the keep the eyes on the prize. We've always gone back to what it is that we're here for, what is it we're doing? We might have had some bumps in the road. We've got a clear strategy of wanting to win major trophies, not just one trophy major trophies. To support that, we need to win with our supporters. And I'm sure the connection that we've now got with the supporters over the last few years has been incredible. We've seen it in the last couple of days. But also, and we financially, we want to make sure that we grow our revenues, that we can invest everything back into the team, into the training ground, into the facilities, into everything we do around the community as well. And I think you're seeing that, you said that winning the title, that's going to want to lock a lot of that supporters, the trust that they've put in us, and also the journey that they've been on. And also, as I say, off the field with everything that we're doing, we're winning off the field, we're winning on the field, we're winning with the supporters, we're winning with that community. We're in a really good time to be there. It feels like it's just the start as well. But it's tough keeping, and I think I work with such a good group of people as well. We all get on, we all meet regularly as Josh said, and we all want the same thing. We've wanted that for a long time. By last game of the season, because I asked Lord already, wouldn't the league Peter Drew in Alan Smith did the commentary on the game, but I was at Tottenham. And on my way home, I get a bike, you know, the taxi bikes on the way home from Tottenham. Is driving through Tottenham? Honestly. Is that driving through Tottenham? This is Mitch about half a mile from Tottenham's ground, and this is for about four miles, and I was like, "Get me out of it." You know what I mean? Honestly, the Arsenal fans get me out of it. I mean, that's what you've created on Sunday evening. I've never seen it. It was unbelievable what you've created. I'm a Gary, that's around the world right now. You've seen Kenya. Oh, man. You've seen these places. This is the thing with what I was in self-judged on Saturday. I'm still sure it's everything. What are you doing there? This is the reason, right? Where people were so against us, because they know what's coming. Our fan base is being brought together now properly, and they're seeing the enormity of the club right now in what our fans are doing, and how we're responding to this because of what we've been through. And that's how I say, when you came on Bullnitch, did you realise the enormity of our club really? And obviously, I've worked in football before at West Bramjabi for eight years, in a different way of winning there, in terms of what it meant, not winning championships. It was about not losing, about standing the league. They're moving to the Premier League and working there for three years. I always knew Arsenal was a classy club. And all my interactions with them were always great, whether that was an executive at another football club. I actually remember West Bramjabi, Arsenal 3, 2, one of my first games, and we got back to the table, and they bought a glass of champagne for everyone. You know, nice touch like that, and you thought, really classy club. And everybody that knew told me what a great club it was going into, speaking to people like Dick Lord or Dick Miles or people like that, that have been a club a long time. You know, they just told you everything about the club, and it's everything they expected. It's just we've managed to unlock that potential. We've worked in the giant pool. We've hoped the beast would ever want to call it, but you saw that guy, you know, in terms of the amount of fans that are now interacting, and it's just unbelievable. I was going to ask as well just quickly, go about the stadium, and what's going on with the stadium, you must have ambition for the stadium, because you see how many fans we've got everywhere. Apart from all from Tottenham, there's still thousands of fans and want to be an outplace. Yeah, we were, he is not the right man. I'll get put in a skull. I'll bring him on the steering wheel. I'll get in a partial view of what we're doing. I'm wishing for the club in the future, guys. There's always ambition about growing the club in every which way we can. Facilities, whether it's at the stadium, training ground, whether it's like supporters around the world, whatever it is. We've got plans. We've been looking at these for a while now, and looking at the options. It's 20 years since we've moved to the Emirates. It feels like a good time to assess what we can do, and now we might go about things. You know, the reason I asked for the stadium, because I can't like Tottenham's stadiums amazing. And we are, we have to have a better stadium. That's amazing. The stadiums amazing. Josh, that's what I've got to show you another billion. We nearly made that in a year. We might be able to do it next year. You know, I know it's a such, it is, and it's a beautiful stadium. We are, we have so-fi stadium and another facility in the United States. And so we're going to be working on best practices. is to try to bring over here and really give the Arsenal support or something special. Josh, it's never easy. There was a moment where Vinay left. And Vinay was seen as being really important at Arsenal. And maybe he was. And then Edu left. Just talked about that sort of change. Obviously, Richard's come in. He's also got a new sporting director. But there have been little things along the way. Yeah, there's been-- and there's lots of people that are part of this victory that aren't here. You mentioned Edu. You mentioned Vinay. There's many other people that have been part of this journey. For me personally, there's one name that I want to mention. And it's Sir Chips Kessik, which is our previous chairman. And he was a mentor of mine. And God rest his soul now. But I wish he was here to see this day. Because during some of those transition phases, I mentioned earlier, Chips was a big part of my knowledge base in thinking about how to run the club. But there's just so many people to name. But I hope that they know that they're part of this as well. Absolutely. It's said that you've got the most incredible week ahead going to the Champions League final in Budapest. And that would be a talk about game change. You're winning the Premier League title for Arsenal to win the Champions League on Saturday. It would be a big breath taking and beyond. I suppose you wildest dreams. But is this a point now where you get to next Monday? And whatever happens. Hey. Hey. Hey, how are you? How are you? How are you? How are you? How are you? How are you, Rich? How are you, Charm? I'm very good to see you. I'm very happy. So are you coming to deal with you? Yes, sure. Yeah, you can enjoy my shirt. Is this a point now to consolidate and just keep-- I found it-- is it a point to go again and sort of invest again and just, you know, what's your feeling right now? Yeah, I think if you're not constantly-- if you're not evolving, then people are going to catch you much quicker than you think. And there's already teams that are strengthening behind us right now. So we need to be evolving and strengthening as well. If we're going to stay at the top because teams-- we have a gigantic target on our back now. We didn't already have one. And I think our staff and our players know it for sure. Yeah, we talked about winning not just one trophy, but major trophies and trophies one after another. And this is a great time for us. We've got a great platform to go forward from. We need to make them the most of it. And as Josh said, if you don't evolve, you don't keep moving forward. You stand still when people catch you up. And we'll do that across the club. Absolutely. Well, I can't thank you enough for both of you coming out today to speak to us honestly. Really appreciate it. And all of us on Saturday, thank you. You did it, yeah. [MUSIC PLAYING] Like that season, that season what we won it, either saying, probably I missed a lot of the season, but I was in the dressing room for every single moment all the way up to it. And then obviously I came back for the end. But how was it being for you that journey down to the end with all the pressure that's on us? And you know, you being such a big part of the team. How has it been for you, Mick? Well, to be honest, it's been hard. I'm very competitive. I always like to be part of the team. I always like to be involved in everything they do. And to be away for four months has been really, really hard. Moments where I know you've probably experienced the same. You don't feel like part of it when you're for a long time out of the squad. But yeah, I've always tried to be involved. Being in every meeting, being in every game, you know, giving tips, being around them. And they have been around me as well. So it's been-- So they've kept you, so it's very easy. You've obviously used playing all of the sudden. But in this situation, you go, the guys kept you in the serve. Yeah, absolutely. Sometimes this is it for you to be only focused on the next game, on the next training session. And don't forget a little bit about the injury players. But for us, it's so important to keep everyone around the team. As an injury player, sometimes you can feel apart from the team. And I mean, this club, this team, it's just a family. And they helped me a lot during this period. Talk to me about last Tuesday night. You're all together. The goal goal, obviously, the final whistle goal, was born with Manchester City. And it just took the magic moments. That how special was it all being together in that moment? No, it wasn't real. It was probably the best moment in the season so far for me. That celebration with all the staff members, with all the players, not even dressed as football players, but being-- It was weird in some aspect, because obviously, celebrating a title with not wearing your kit and being on the pitch is weird. But yeah, that connection, that feeling of relief, of finally getting that trophy, getting over the line is just unreal. And being able to share it with everyone in this club is just great. How tough is it being to get over the line? And what has been the difference this year that maybe last year just didn't quite happen here before? You've been so close. Yeah. I mean, this club hasn't been so close for so many years. And I think the big difference decision is that when tough times came, because always during the Premier League season, you're going to have tough moments. And we had a couple of decisions. But you could see the team being sticked together. And with that, you know, of maturity, you know, OK, this is a bad moment. This is a bump in the road, but we're going to get through it together. And it doesn't matter if we play a beautiful football or a bad football, but we have to stick together and get those points and those games going. And I think everyone's stuck together. And here we have the report. You know, I saw a beautiful picture. I'm so excited to be a bit of you coming after pitching years with Miles, Miles Lewis, killing Ethan. What's it like with those guys of that caliber in and around you, obviously, with your experience? It's great to have those young players around you. And it's a very delicate situation when you're young, when you're that talented, when you have that spotlight on you. And everyone wants you to succeed and, you know, keep improving and show your best level every single time. You have to be very careful with them, because the talent is there. But it's very delicate. And, you know, about season, about moment, trying things around. So, yeah, it's great having them. They're very good kids. Everyone in this club is, you know, trying to help them, in particular, that every single player from the academy to be in the best atmosphere possible. And, yeah, me as a veteran right now, definitely better than this team, I'm 30, but in this team, I'm one of the oldest. Yeah, try to give them all the best advice to be honest. They are very good listeners. And that's the most important thing. What are the dynamics like in that dressing? You said you give advice, but who are the big talkers? Who are the big sort of what would be characters in the dressing room that sort of, you know, take the lead? I mean, obviously, as in every squad, we try to give everyone a voice. Everyone has the power of speaking their mind and being proactive. But yeah, the leadership group, we are, there's a couple of us that, we try and, you know, push everyone, you know, the deckland, they're obviously Martin, David Raya, Timba, like all the guys that have been here for a long time, that they know what the squad means and represents. And yeah, everyone has a role. A different one. All of them are very important. And you need everyone to, you know, fulfill their role to get to the, to the Premier League. You see, in the introspective now, obviously, the league, how's the focus now for arguably, you have to say, probably the biggest game in ourselves, history, especially coming up from winning it. Something that we've never won before. What's it like at the moment? Because winning and trying to suppress the joy, because you've got such a big game. I mean, I mean, I mean, I mean, I would say it's exciting. As you said, I think we have to use that joy. Don't get carried away with the feeling of we've achieved something magical and just, you know, be, be happy with that. But, you know, get that momentum, get that energy, that joy, as you said, to, you know, prepare these, these couple of days before the final. And then give everything. We know it's going to be a very tough game. PSG is a number liable team. But for certain, we know that we are as well. So it's going to be a tough one, a close one. And hopefully it's going to be on our side. I get winning goal energy off of you at the moment. [LAUGHTER] It was just that I could feel the story now, Miguel. You've been, you know, just been injured. You just come back at the end there and then bam, winning goal. Yeah, hopefully. You heard it here first. Yeah. He'll talk to me about set pieces. And how much, you know, you've been criticized for them. You've been praised for them. You've got an incredible record. What, what do you make of them? How much time do you spend on them each week? Because you are sensational from them. I mean, you're such a threat. Yeah. It's a very important part of the game, not only for us, but for every team. You can see big games being decided by that. The momentum of the game changing because of a set piece. That's something that we do train a lot. And we are very happy. And we're proud of being good at that, because that's why you work. Yeah, I don't understand why you can get criticized for being good at something. Exactly. Especially the delivery. People feel like what the delivery is just something that just happens. That's practice. That's practice and repetition and mistake and learning and being humble enough. Nico is probably the best coach in set pieces in the world, definitely. And he's very good at understanding what's going on. And you know, adapt into the players. And I mean, yeah, hard work, repetition and frustration sometimes. When things don't go your way, but yeah, improving every day. What's up, Kaz? Yeah, we've got our meeting right now. Oh, I mean, like a lead. No, no, no, no. Thank you. Especially a big game like that, buddy. Take it easy. Nice, right? Take it easy. Take it easy. Thanks. Thank you, guys. I think I could have played for Arsenal. G-never. G-never on the Arsenal show. [MUSIC PLAYING] Hello. That's Smile. Do you know something? It's the best. I wish I could smile when I played football. I mean, that's the problem. Hey. Are you smiling because I've heard-- I love you. You're smiling because I've heard. Oh, you're smiling because of me. Yeah, I hear. Yeah, what do you mean? What do you want them to do? Do you know something, Miles? I have to say, I just said that about Smile. You play with a smile. You play with the free. and it's completely and utterly alien to me. Because when I played football, I felt like it was a struggle. You know, you wouldn't have watched me play it it was a long time ago. - Oh, so it's easy. - A little bit. But do you know something? How do you just keep, you know, you're so young and you've come in the last few weeks, you've been out of the team, you've come in midfield and you're in there doing your thing? How do you keep that sort of level of belief, that confidence, that happiness, enjoyment, in your sort of personality? - You're very technical, too. - Yeah. - I think it just comes from a preparation, not just in football, but in life is all like I pride myself on enjoying the moments, enjoying adversity, enjoying your childhood tribulations, as much as, you know, when you're when you face adversity. So for me, it's just finding the moments to enjoy, because when we can't take moments like going on a pitch for granted and, you know, life's too short to, I feel just to be so kind of old, just to be disappointed because for me, I don't like to see things negatively. I'm a very positive person and I always find a hook to optimism and faith in my situation. - Just like emotional, just listening to you, just talking so calmly and serenely about how you see life and how you see perspective. At 90, it must be so difficult for you, though, being out of the team. Because you had done anything wrong. I mean, you played brilliantly well since you came in. - Well, that's what I was going to say. Mark, just took us through like the full 'em, the full 'em start and how it came about, because I said something, I want you to clear it up so how did that come about, the full 'em start and what's been happening? - 'Cause I remember you hadn't been playing for a while. - Yeah, so I was originally training in the midfield for a couple of months around December to April. So I think just that period there, just learning my craft, learning that position, because, you know, for me, that was natural for me as a young player, because that's where I grew up playing midfield, but it was just to kind of refine the smaller details in that position and that team, you know, what different players like, when I'm in different areas in the pitch as well. So, yeah, that was definitely. - What was it like? Was it confusing because all of a sudden you've been playing left back and then obviously in cap is doing well and then you're training in the midfield with no expectation, because you've never played in the midfield. So then all of a sudden you're training in midfield and you're thinking, "What do you think of?" - To be honest, I felt natural, you know. - Seriously, so natural. - Yeah. - I was going back in there. I felt like this is where I belong kind of thing. So, it wasn't like that. I was going on here kind of felt, you know, very natural to me. - How do you midfield play now then? - He's always midfield. - I know, but do you see yourself? I mean, obviously, you're going to switch. You're going to go wherever you're told to go. - Yeah. - That's what all players do. - But do you now see yourself as the best opportunity to play in this team with the fact that in cap year and Caliphiora left back? Do you see your opportunity in midfield now? - It's a tough one. - I believe so, I think. - Yeah, I believe so. - You look so good in there, by the way. - Yeah, thank you. - How do you, how would you, you were actually just mentioning that full-on game? How do you just slot back in and it looked like you belong there? How's that happened? - Preparation. - Preparation, that's it. - Talk to your preparation. What do you do every, I want to know what your week looks like. - I just got a girls' room. - I'm just going, this is a story for another day. - I love the deep experience. - Please, come back and talk to us. - No, I'm just going to be able to take all the best of you. - Nice to meet you. - Have a good session. - I love you. - It's a me preparation. - Yeah, I love preparation. (upbeat music)