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Welcome to Sign Up. This month we've come to meet the reigning Premier League champions. Coming up in the show, we sit down and talk to Arsenal's head coach Mikuel Artetta. If you could give yourself a sign name, what would it be? It was something related to my hair, maybe. I don't know. So, maybe like this. Maybe. I'll say. Yeah. Good question. We'll meet World Cup winner Mikuel Marino. What a year he is having. That was one of the things I wanted to ask you. If you have some tips or small phrases I can say in the next time I score a goal. You could start with Arsenal. This is the sign for Arsenal because of the cannon. because of the badge.
You could say love Arsenal. That would be a great celebration. Remember that. I'll do that one. You got to remember it. I will remember it for sure. And we'll round up the latest stories in the Premier League and Champions League. Arsenal and Manchester City do have the best squads in the Premier League at the moment. And I do think take everything aside, if I was looking just at a football scenario, it would be a two- horse race for the title. First, we caught up with Mikuel Letta, who is now the longest serving manager in the Premier League. Mikuel, great to have you back on the show again.
My pleasure. Congratulations on the Premier League as well last season. Thank you so much. Thank you. In terms of your players, do you feel like lifting the Premier League trophy has changed their mentality now? Well, it's it's a unique experience and uh once you go through the whole journey uh to achieve it in the manner that we've done it and ultimately you have that trophy in your hands and you celebrate and you get rid of all those emotions, I think it takes you to a different place, you know, and then what we are trying to do that this place is a better one, you know. they are more secure, more convinced, but as well highly motivated to go again to achieve what we want.
Has it changed your mentality? Are you thinking differently now? Yes, I want more. Uh it was such an amazing feeling. It was such a unique moment that we live together with our people um in the streets of North London that uh we certainly want to repeat that. Last time you on the show, you said that it's important to express your ideas to the players and for the players to absorb it and make sure they feel that it's their ideas. Can you give us any examples of how you do that? I think sometimes through images, sometimes through team meetings, through using things that happen in our daily basics uh that we can translate into football. having a lot of this, a lot of individual conversation, connecting with them,
understanding them, their families, the way they think, the we've been raised because at the end ultimately is the player that has to transmit his emotion and his skills on the football pitch. We just here to facilitate and to give him the right tools and understanding and try to predict what he can face. So when he's there, he can decide and enjoy the game. Players have many skills and many qualities. What would you say is the most important quality that you look for in a player?
Courage. First of all, that they need to love the game daily what they do and playing football is just a small part of it and being on the field is a small part of it. There is a lot of things that a player in his ecosystem has to actually enjoy what actually happened there. It's like I always tell them, you need to end the ride to be on that pitch and is with a lot of things that you have to do throughout your day, not only you, but that your family as well to put you in the best possible position to enjoy uh the match day, which is ultimately the most important moment of the week. And you obviously always want to improve, Mikuel. And this season, if you had to pick one thing for the team to
improve on, what would that be? Availability. I think having all the players available constantly that's the main thing because at the end when you're not available you cannot really contribute to the team and uh the demands the schedule that we have is absolutely crazy as we all know. Uh so just look after them give them everything that we possibly can to have those players physically and mentally in the best possible condition to express themselves on the pitch after the Premier League is currently going through transition. There are lots of new managers, players, new styles, new tactics. You've been here since 2019. How would you say it's changed over the time that you've been here?
Well, a lot. I think every year seems like a different sport almost, you know, the And it's not happen in football, you know, it happens in social media, happen with AI, it happens all around, everything moves so fast and football is no different. uh every day people are better prepared, they work harder, they were smarter, they were more efficiently, the level of managers, uh organization, coaches has improved. So it's a real challenge, but as well is an inspiration because it motivates you to evolve constantly to look and find margins how you can be better and that's why we are in the best league in the world. And can you give us an example of that, Mikuel? So tactically this season how
has it changed compared to previous seasons? Well the adaptability especially the team have you know and teams dominate every phase of play. Before you can say okay you could simplify really a team in two aspects you know but now they have the collective threat in many phases. They have the individual threat. Uh when that's not enough they are able to change it immediately throughout the game after minute 10 or 15 in the second half. They can bring personnel. Uh it's a lot of things. It's a lot of factors that contribute to winning or not winning a football match. And it's becoming harder and harder.
Miketa, it was great to have him back on the show. We'll have more from him later. Deaf Arsenal fans have sent in questions and Mikuel's going to respond. Now, time to talk about the Premier League. Delighted to be joined by the legend Karen Carney. Hello Karen. Hi Karen. Welcome to the show. Thank you. We have had a legend on the show previously. We had Farah Williams and we now have another legend. We gave Farah this sign name and we do have a sign name for you too.
What is it? Okay. So during your play in Korea, what was your name again? Wizard. Okay. So, this is the sign for magic and it's also an informal sign for football and this is a sign for legend. So, it's the same hand shape for all of those signs. So, this is wizard Karen. I love it. Thank you. So good to the football. Let's begin with the biggest story of the month. Manchester City have been found guilty of the majority of the financial rule breaches they're accused of. What was your immediate reaction to the news? It's not a great time for everybody involved in football. I think it's been a long time in the process. So obviously um when it did come out is actually okay, we've got a verdict now. But I do think Manchester
City will appeal the situation. Um and again, what we want now is an outcome of that. But I think it will take a lot of time. And I think even when we're filming today, when this is released, things will come out and things will change that we don't know about. Um, ultimately I'm a footballer. I'm an athlete and sporting integrity is so important. Um, but I really do worry there's so much ramifications that will come off the back of this and this is not going to be um a great thing for football. Not at all. It's going to be quite difficult over the next coming months.
I do feel for the fans and the players. Of course, they didn't really have a part in anything that's going on, so it must be quite frustrating, but obviously from 2009 to 2018, the success that Man City have had. How do you feel about that? Yeah, it's a long time where if it is to be the outcome, I mean, they've been found guilty, but like I said, I think Manchester City will appeal it. Um but it's a long time of eight or nine years which would have changed perhaps the squad, their management success potentially and that's not only affected them but all the other teams within the league, all the other players that may have benefited from winning themselves. So it's much it's so big and so vast and
I also think politically it will be difficult as well. There's there's wider ramifications for that. So, it's a very messy, delicate situation. And like I said, we're not going to come with the outcome quickly, I don't think. Even though for football, we need it very quickly. Anyway, getting back to the show, this is an Arsenal special. Obviously, Man City possibly challenged for the title, could contend with Arsenal, but after all of this, do you think Arsenal will run away with it now? Again, this is why we need to find out what the outcome is because at the moment, Manchester City are top of the table. So, how would we feel at the end of the season if they were in the title race? So, again,
that's why it's important. But in terms of if I take all the kind of stuff that's going on at the moment, Arsenal and Manchester City do have the best squads in the Premier League at the moment. And I do think take everything aside, if I was looking just at a football scenario, it would be a two-horse race for the title. Arsenal start to the season. What have you made of it? I think it's been tough, really tough for them. Um, but I think they managed it well by the last game before the international break, which would have been frustrating. In the last game when they played uh Brighton, I thought there was a little bit of mental fatigue from the team actually. Um and it's a lot when this squad and this team have been pushing
and pushing. However, I do think it is a blip. I think they've got a brilliant squad, a manager that's been in since 2019. They'll bounce back. They've got a very exciting Champions League campaign coming up now. Um they'll be absolutely fine. And uh it was just a little hurdle, but I think they've been pretty impressive. Arsenal manager Mikuel Arteta. Obviously, there are many opinions and views on his management style. What are your views? He wins. He won. So, he delivered a title for the first time in 22 years. And yes, he's defensively minded. Yes, his team are very defensive and organized. And last season, not this season, have been really strong and set pieces. That's
something that's very different this year for Arsenal. But they found a formula and I can't knock them for that. Um, the key for Arteta now is to keep continually doing it because I think with the squad and the capabilities of Arsenal, it shouldn't just be one in 22. It should be the second and the third and the fourth. Thanks Karen. We'll be back after the break for some more Premier League analysis. And we'll also return to Arsenal to meet World Cup winner Mikuel Marino. Welcome back. Time now to go back to the Arsenal training ground for our chat with one of Spain's World Cup heroes, Mikuel Marino.
Wow, what an amazing year winning the Premier League and the World Cup. The experience, the emotions. Tell us about it. I mean, it's been an unreal year for me. Um, not only in a professional level, uh, also in a personal level. I became a dad, uh, during the summer. So, congratulations. It's been, it's been Thank you so much. It's been amazing. Uh not even in my wildest dreams I would have thought of achieving so many things alto together and I'm really proud. Um this is not something that I did myself. So I'm very proud of everyone in the
club. Uh obviously my family as well. So yeah and real summer. Do you feel like you've changed? Obviously you've become a dad winning the Premier League and the World Cup. Has it changed you? Yeah, these experiences change you a little bit. Obviously, winning things in a professional level gives you even a bit more confidence and in a personal level having a kid is something that changes your life uh completely. your main focus uh focus change and now obviously I'm a father first I've got my child whereas before football was the main thing for me and now football is very important but having a family is you know uh the biggest thing in your life now
at the start of this year the first few months must have been difficult you were injured obviously it's a world cup season how did you cope with that mentally it was difficult I'm not going to lie it was a difficult period for me because obviously my MS being uh heavily pregnant and me being injured. I couldn't even walk for two three months. It was a tough time for us as a family. Also, mentally I struggle a bit uh with the idea of missing the World Cup. So, yeah, I had to, you know, get together with my family, with my friends, with my people and look at the bright side of things. um I had more time to help my misses at home to you know um experience a new chapter in my life that I had never experienced having a long-term injury and I think I
learned a lot from that. Muel, you're quite well known for scoring coming on and scoring as a sub twice in the World Cup, haven't you? So, can you tell us about the emotions of coming on and making those sorts of impacts? I mean, even now thinking about it, I get uh chills in my skin. So, it's unreal to be able to help the team, help the country in that way after being in the lowest point in my career. And, you know, scoring those late goals in the 90th minute to help the country get to the next stage is isn't real. The emotions are high. I can tell you that. But I don't think they are at as high because you expect that to happen. When you are getting ready for the game and when you're getting ready to
get on the pitch, you think as okay, I'm going to make an impact. I'm going to be the best version of myself and you know, help the team. And then when it happens, you are very happy, but your mindset was already there. So it's not a big surprise because you are ready for the moment to come. Do you find it hard because you know you're not starting. So having that mentality and that positivity or do you feel confident that you will get subbed on? How do you cope with all of that? It's a challenge. I'm not going to lie because as a professional, as a footballer, you always expect to start. You always expect to make an impact because you value yourself and you know how good you are. And when they tell you're on the bench, you have
to quickly turn around from that feeling of, you know, feeling lonely or feeling not as valued. um and then make an impact on the pitch and show everyone that okay, you've got the quality, you've got the presence to help the team even with a couple minutes and to prove the coach that you are helpful. So yeah, it's a big challenge but mentally that's why it's so important to be ready and when that happens you are very happy because obviously you help the team. It's interesting, Muel, because you said that it's important to have the confidence to come on and know that you can help the team in that sort of way. But I guess you don't want to get to the point where you have too much of an ego.
So, how do you balance the confidence, but it doesn't kind of get to the point where you have an ego? You need to kind of remain grounded. Yeah, I think it's a thin line between, you know, uh being overconfident and having too big of an ego and not being a team player. So I think in my case my father which was a footballer before me helped me a lot when I grew up telling me that football is a team sport. So you're not alone there and the collective is the first and most important thing uh but at the same time having that confidence that uh is going to make you perform at the best level. Um so yeah
it's a thin line and the good thing in team sports is when one player sometimes is away from that line uh the teammates can help him get in the right path and that's a good thing about football. So uh in this club and in the national team we have an amazing squad that helps everyone and that's why we're achieving big things together. What would you say the key message is from the coaching staff this season? Obviously this season is slightly different to last season. So what's the message now? I think the message is to attack the season. Uh I think the manager has made it very clear. Some people think that because we are the actual uh the current winners. We need
to defend our title and we need to defend our position. But the mentality is the cont the opposite. So we are planning on you know attacking every single match day as is as if is the most important one and give the best version of ourselves. And what's your relationship like with Mikuel Artetta? Did you know him before you joined Arsenal? Um obviously I knew about him. I didn't knew him personally and my relationship with him is very well. He's very good. I mean I'm really honored and blessed of you know sharing the pitch with him every single day. um is um probably unarguably one of the best managers in the world and because I personally love football and I don't know if in the future I would like to become a coach uh every single day I
take the chance of you know u absorbing as a sponge everything that he says uh because you know he's an open book and he always wants to make people understand what his um vision is and as a club we are really happy to have Not sure if you're aware, but there's an American footballer in the NFL, DK Metaf. He's well known for doing celebrations in ASL. Have you heard of him? Yeah, I've heard of him. I know him. Uh I'm a big NFL fan. And yeah, obviously he went all over the internet that he was, you know, celebrating doing sign language and Yes. Yeah, that was one of the things I wanted to ask you if you
have some tips or small phrases I can say in the next time I score a goal. You could start with Arsenal. This is the sign for Arsenal because of the cannon. Because of the badge. Okay. Yeah. The cannon. Yeah. Cannon. Exactly. So simple. Yeah. You could say love Arsenal. And also players have their own sign names based on their playing style or their appearance. So you've actually got a sign name. Do you want to know what your sign name is? Can you guess it? I have no clue. I have no idea. What's your goal celebration?
Well, I do like a little roundabout. This is your sign name. This is Marina. This is your sign name. So, this is the flag. Okay. And this is you and you're going round a flag as you do with your celebration. Okay. Last stop. Look at me. So, you can say, "Yep, look at me." And do your sign name when you score. That would be a great celebration. Remember that. Remember that one. You've got to remember it. I will remember it for sure. It was brilliant to meet Mikuel and we're delighted because shortly after the interview he scored in the Carabel Cup and he did a goal celebration in BSL.
His celebration clip went viral. We hope he continues. It's great visibility for BSL. Now time to talk about the Premier League. Brighton and Brenford are doing very well this season. Do you think they can maintain that? Yeah, I do. Um, I really like both of the football clubs just because they're both innovative. They're both creative in how they sign players when they sell to players. Um, and I both like their managers. I'm probably more excited to see what Brenford can do because they narrowly missed out on Europe last year. So, I think they're highly motivated to do that, but they're physical, great,
and set pieces and not taking away the can technically play as well. So I think they're a real package that I think we need to be mindful of moving forward. Brenford have consistently been brilliant in terms of their resources. They don't have massive finances, but their recruitment systems and their analytics seem always advanced and they're exceeding expectations. And with both of those teams, you know, the managers obviously bringing in players, getting rid of players, but still doing really well. Leads. I've been impressed by leads. didn't expect that. Last season they struggled a bit, but this season they seem quite consistent. Everton too,
they're yet to lose. So, we'll wait and see. Any other teams you've got your eye on this season? Um, Hall because of course, yes, because but I agree with both of you on all the teams that you mentioned and I think that's the beauty of the Premier League, how competitive it is, and they all have their nuances of how strong they are. I think for Hall I think we were all had them potentially down for relegation and of course there's a long way to go but in terms of this little block before the international break they all took us by surprise and I covered their first game at home it was high energy it was really great environment and the performance was obviously fantastic. The thing now is can they keep that up after the
international break and teams have maybe worked them out but I have to give a lot of kudos to Hull. So I think fair play to them. In the last episode me and Demarus went to Hull and we had conversation with the players and after that episode we were amazed. We're so impressed in terms of the team spirit, the club atmosphere and how wellrun it is. Really pleased. Obviously nine years out of the Premier League and they're back which is great for them. Lots of new managers in the Premier League this season. Iola at Liverpool. Do you think he's the right person for the job? I mean, they haven't had a loss yet this season. Is he the right person to do the job?
Yeah, I think he's the right person because um I think there's still a little bit of recruitment issue at Liverpool for me. until they get a center midfielder, a holding center midfielder who can protect the back line and stop the balance of too many attacking players. I think we're kind of going to be having a roller coaster maybe up and down season slightly for Liverpool. Not too drum roller coaster, but it might be a little bit frustrating at times in terms of I don't think they'll win the Premier League, but I think is a proven Premier League manager. It might take a little bit of time, but I think he's the right guy.
What about Chelsea with Chabby Alonzo at the helm? Do you think he'll do well? I mean, they've conceded quite a few goals so far. I think they're a great team to watch, though. I think patience is needed, but in football, we don't have that. Um, but you're right, defensively, they look a little bit shaky at times and still some young players in. I think when there's injuries to their senior players, you see a fragility to the rest of the squad. But in terms of the front three, you're right. I think they will always try and outscore teams, but ultimately in my opinion, you know,
clean sheets win your championships. And until Chelsea become a little bit better defensively and mentality wise to keep clean sheets, I think again we'll need a little bit patience for Jab Allonzo. So Manchester United, they've had a difficult start to the season. Do you think it was right for Michael Carrick to be appointed as the permanent head coach and do you think results will improve for them moving forwards? I think last year he did a great job when he came in. I know that there was only the Premier League to focus on and maybe one game a week. Um but he still delivered them Champions League football. So yeah, I do think he deserved a shot. This year was always going to be more difficult with extra
games, the expectation of the football club and they've not started well. I don't know whether they're slightly not fit or they're building towards that like a lot of other teams. they peaked towards the end fitness wise, but they look a little bit undercooked when I've watched them live. Um, and also I think we got a little bit excited by maybe their recruitment in midfield, but when we look at the recruitment of the other teams, Man United think, okay, we've improved, but so has everybody else. And until they improve the back line, which has been similar now for, you know, three or so seasons, I'm not sure we're going to see United where the fans really want them to be. So again, we
don't do patience well in football, but maybe we need a little bit of patience for Carrick. Thank you, Karen. After the break, we'll be back with Karen to talk about the Champions League and Mikuel Letta will answer your questions. Welcome back. Time now for part two of our conversation with Mik Latteta. We asked Arsenal fans to send in questions for the head coach. Here's what he had to say. So, we've got some questions here from some deaf Arsenal fans and they want to know what your answers would be. So, take a look. Thank you. There's no question. Uh the last game against Crystal Palace when we became champions and it wasn't about the game, it was about the moment.
He's a Palace fan. I'm sorry. What about as a player? Probably when we won the first FA Cup against Hull. uh because it was a long time without winning a trophy at the club. It was a years and we really wanted to do for Asen and that was a beautiful moment. Okay, I'll explain a bit more about sign names. So sign names are usually linked to your personality, your appearance, your interests. So this is my sign name because I always have a raised eyebrow. So if you look at photos of me, my eyebrow is always raised. So if you could give yourself a sign name, what would it be? It was something related to my hair.
Maybe. I don't know. Yeah. So maybe like this. Maybe. I say. Yeah. I don't know. Good question. Well, my main dream uh is being a chief, which is to witness a club that is so connected with the people inside organization, with our supporters outside that has a very clear identity and people really enjoy and feel part of being a part of Arsenal. And the next one is to see that joy uh that drive that passion for the game to take this club to be the best in the world. Uh once a month I would say normally. Are you sure? Yeah. Lately, but I don't know if I have to talk about this thing. Lately, it's been a little bit more, but it was more a superstition thing more than anything else because we did something with the staff
and we started to have the haircut. We started to win some games and then we did a bit more than expected, but normally I would say once a month. It always looks perfect. It looks like the grass on the pitch. Thank you. Last one. I would love your help uh and as well I'm sure that you will inspire many of us uh because you bring joy such a beautiful smile as well and energy to the team. So you are welcome to help. Thank you, MueL. It's been lovely talking to you again. My pleasure. So nice to see you again.
Thanks to all the Arsenal fans who sent in their questions. I wasn't expecting to chat so much about Arteta's hair. He's got a new sign name. Maybe. Now, time to talk about the Champions League. PSG won the last two. They're not on best form at the moment in league. Who do you think is going to win it this season? But PSG always kind of peaked towards the back end and there's a you know that's what I was referring to maybe what Man United were trying to do this year with their added competitions but I think for PSG they have a wealth of attacking talent a top quality manager and I think they will just get better and that's
what they have done. Who are you most looking forward to watching in the Champions League? Oh I love the Champions League. I love it. It may be because we see so much the Premier League that you know we're blessed to see that but then you know Carvet Scalia is as a left winger myself he was a player that I love watching Jude Bellingham. Yeah Jude Bellingham cuz I'm from Birmingham. Um Birmingham of course and he's just in great form at the moment. His physicality his power and obviously Real Madrid new manager it's exciting. Um, Elise, I think for Bayern, you know, I'm an attacking person and the mean as well, like I love to see teams go after it and I think in the men's Champions League, we're blessed to
see that type of football, which is great. Very excited. We've got you on the show, Karen, so we have to talk about the women's Super League, the WSL. Who are you impressed with so far? Which teams? Well, I'm a Bow City fan. and I'm a Birmingham City women's investor, so there'll only ever be one team I'm solely focused on, which is obviously them. I was at the game yesterday um and following them all the time, so they're my priority. But of course, um you know, it's a very tough league and we only just got promoted this season, but we're doing pretty well. We just need the results and maybe to improve our game management, but yeah, we need to we're doing okay.
So, Birmingham City, would you get involved as a manager or as a coach or is it exclusively as a fan? No, I think I've never wanted to coach. Um, I did my coaching badges when I was 16 and I just knew it wasn't for me. Um, if I was ever to get involved, it would be more maybe in terms of like maybe leadership or football director or whatever moving forward, but that's very far down the line. I like what I do now and there's far more better pe there's better people in there that know a lot more than me. So leave it to the experts but great questions.
You've been key in terms of the success of women's football over the years. Do you think the game is in a good position now and what does the future look like for women's football? Well, thank you for that. But there's a lot of people that make women's football what it is and it takes an army to get it to where it is and it will need another army to get it even better. Um I think the women's game needs constant stability and slow investment or investment that's consistent rather. Um, if you look at when teams were formed, they're 100 years after men's teams. And I think we have to continually keep me remembering that there's a 100redy year
different and there was also a period where women couldn't play football. So, we have to constantly remember that it's not a startup business, but it's still in its early stages of getting all the fundamentals right. And we have to remember that, but it's in a good spot, but can it be better? Of course. You're also the second Strictly champion we've had on the show. We had Rose ailing Ellis on last season. Now Strictly's back on the TV. Are you enjoying watching it and not being a part of it? I have to say Rose was so inspiring on Strictly that when I was on the show, I always said thank you because I knew that our show is inclusive and uh so many people came and said thank you for thinking of us.
However, I wouldn't have realized that without people like Rose and yourselves for, you know, constantly reminding me that we can do more and we can be better. So, it's a great show and uh I'm really happy I'm sat on the sofa now with a glass of wine and watching it and um I'm sure you are. But yeah, Rose was absolutely amazing and uh yeah, what a woman. And for this series, I'm excited to see who's going to go all the way and uh steal my glitter ball. So, winning Strictly, do you feel like your life has changed or does it feel like it's business as usual? No, it's I don't haven't done anything different.
Um my banter has got worse as you now know. Um but I think um I think my life is just pretty normal. I'm more recognizable when I go out. Um that is different. I think maybe the football world may have known me before, but certainly there's a new audience that might have known me, but they're also nice and um you know, it's a real joy. I took pride and privilege to be on that show and um so it's a nice thing and people are always really kind to me. No way. No. Never. Maybe. Just can't give up my Saturday nights to be honest. True. For you though, I like a challenge. I think I'll be terrible, but I love a challenge.
Thank you so much for coming on the show. It's been a pleasure talking to you. And that's it for today. Thanks to Arsenal and thanks to all the guests we've had on the show. And particular thanks to Mikuel Marino for that goal celebration. And thank you at home for watching. Byebye. Goodbye.
