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Mixed martial arts Talking Football with…. Mikael Silvestre: Arsenal Can Push City all the Way, It Could be Their Year
The Premier League is in its brief hiatus for the World Cup in Qatar. Arsenal sit top of the league, five points clear of Manchester City.
In the latest of our series of interviews with Mikael Silvestre, the former Gunners defender suggested that it could be his former side’s year in the title race.
We also quizzed Mikael on the World Cup ahead of the kickoff in Qatar at the weekend. The former France defender gave his insight on Didier Deschamps’ side and whether England will go all the way.
That late winner against Fulham means Manchester United will stay in 5th for the next few weeks. How happy should they be with this first part of the season?
Some mixed feelings. I think overall it’s positive to be there, but I think there were opportunities to get more points on the table – especially against teams below them.
But I would say it’s a positive position to be in. It’s the first part of the season – not even half the games are played. There are still a lot of games to be played when it resumes at the end of December.
Alejandro Garnacho got the late goal. How impressed have you been with him and how far do you think he can go at Manchester United?
He’s got a lot of attributes for a winger, taking people on with the ball, running at people. I think he’s got that technical ability and speed. Now for me, the question would be if he is able to make those runs in behind the defence without the ball. To offer more variety in his game.
But, what he’s done is very good and similar to Anthony Elanga when he burst into the first team. He’s taking his chance and showing he’s capable of scoring goals, he already scored two. So, it’s exciting for him and for the club to have him in the squad.
The rest of the players seemed really delighted at the moment. What does a moment like that do for the atmosphere in the dressing room? A late winning goal from a young player.
It’s special because you have two more points. It’s late so it’s almost like a moment of desperation. You believe you can do it but you are running out of time. So, it makes the goal and the moment even more electric and exciting for the players and for the fans. For him to experience this, it’s something that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
Is it a bit frustrating to go into the World Cup now? Would you want to keep that momentum going if you were in that dressing room?
No, I think everyone was preparing the agenda on the professional level, on the personal level. So everyone was ready, knowing that the break was coming as soon as you started the league.
It’s not frustrating, I think everybody is going in different directions and everyone is going to be dealing with this break in a different manner. So, after everybody will have to come back and get back on the same track, that’s where the difficulty will be.
Which United players are you expecting to make a strong performance at the World Cup? Who do you think will impress?
I Hope Eriksen won’t be excellent (laughs). We’ve got Casemiro and Fred going into a strong Brazil national team. We’ve got, hopefully, Varane involved and fit with France. I’m not putting Portugal into that bracket, but who knows, they could be the dark horse in the competition.
It’s hard to say, because I think that Brazil are one of the favourites with Argentina and France. I think they have a big part to play in the competition and they will go far. And I hope Raphael will be there.
Looking at Arsenal, five points clear of Man City at the top of the table now after the weekend. Do you think they can go all the way?
They’ve answered a lot of questions, especially the ones about consistency. I think that was a doubt because it’s almost like a new team with a lot of young players in all the lines of the team. But the formula is working, there is a good balance and players have been responding well when there were injuries and changes of system or just rotation to the team.
They’ve been taking points in many, many grounds, on top of the points at the Emirates Stadium. I think they can go all the way as long as they keep everyone fit. Maybe they can bring somebody in the window, but it could be Arsenal’s year.
With the position that Arsenal are in, do you think they could try a little harder in the January window? Will they think that this is the moment to invest and really push for the title?
Arsenal, the way they operate now and the way they work with Edu and Mikel at the helm of recruitment and the project, I think they are building for mid to long term. So, if someone is available on the market, it would make sense, not only for this season but for the coming season, I think they would grasp the opportunity and they should.
But I don’t think they’ll go into the window thinking, “okay let’s buy the finished article just to win the league this year and see what happens”. I think they have a different vision and they are not there for the short term. It’s not a short-term vision.
What are some things that Arsenal need to do to keep off Man City? To try and stave them off at the top.
Keep that rhythm. Keep that belief. I think the confidence is there now. I think in their heads and I know they are not gonna say it, but they all believe they can achieve it so keep that maintained. I don’t see any reason why they should be any obstacle in maintaining that frame of mind. I think they can challenge City all the way.
Heading to the World Cup, which Arsenal players do you think are going to stand out in Qatar?
Maybe Saliba because now Kimpembe is out. I think he’s got a real chance to start with Varane. That would be the continuity to his season. I think he could be a big surprise and continue at the level he’s been showing in the Premier League.
A few others going for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Benjamin White, Xhaka, Tomiyasu, Ramsdale, Turner. Are you expecting of any of those players to struggle or not be involved with their teams?
No, apart from Ramsdale who is number two with England, the rest should be starting most games. It’s good for them.
So, looking at France. What are your expectations after looking at the squad? Do you think it’s a good squad?
Could have been better. Pogba, Kante and Kimpembe are out. That’s three starters from the final in 2018 and in positions that we are not really strong. We don’t have an established backup or a plan B in those positions. Rabiot is just having the best season of his four years at Juventus.
Tchouameni was very good in Ligue 1 but still not many caps. We have some questions in terms of where the team is at. Also, qualification wasn’t great. So, I’m not as confident as a year ago maybe, a year or two ago, due to the lack of form and key players missing.
But we know we have great quality, especially at the front with Benzema, Dembele, Coman, Griezmann, Giroud, Mbappe. The way we approach tournaments like this with Didier Deschamps, we know we are quite defensive. I believe now we might be struggling defensively so we will see. It’s tragic because we don’t have games to prepare and have an idea of what’s coming and how we are going to perform. It’s strange but I guess it’s the same for everyone.
You mentioned the defence. The centre of midfield. Do you think those are the big weaknesses in the squad? Are there any holes?
I wouldn’t say they are weak. I would say they lack experience as a unit, as a line. They lack experience at that level. That is why there is a question mark. You wouldn’t say it is weak. It is just we are going into unknown territory, and that is why it is hard to make a prediction on how we are going to be performing and evolving into the tournament.
You mentioned the attack as well. Do you still think that is France’s biggest strength, the front players?
Yeah. We are not missing any key players. Everybody is fit, ready and performing. Only Benzema had some muscle injuries with Real Madrid this season. But, for the rest, they are on top of their game.
Offensively, it is probably the best we have been since 2002 when we had the best goalscorers of Italy, France and England. Trezeguet, Henry, and Cisse. So, since that period, I think we have the strongest lineup of forwards.
So, looking at the French squad, are there any players on the squad that you are surprised that they made it? Are there any who aren’t in the squad that you would put in?
No, I think there was no major surprise. There was a blow for some players because we are playing with a back four now. No Digne or Clauss at the back. Up front, no Ben Yedder. He was in contention with Giroud. But no major surprises in the French squad this time.
What is your ideal starting eleven for France right now?
Lloris, Pavard at right back, Saliba and Varane in the middle, with Hernandez Left-back. Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann as a number 10. And then Dembele, Benzema, Mbappe up front.
Assuming that France makes it into the round of 16, the opponents would probably be one of Argentina, Poland or Mexico. Which one of those three would you want to face?
For the round of 16? Poland or Mexico. You don’t want to face Argentina early, to give you a chance to reach further. Poland or Mexico definitely.
The England squad is out. They’ve got Iran in their first game. What are you expecting for that one?
Carlos Queiroz is the manager. He has done very well with Iran over the last few tournaments when he was in charge. One thing is for sure, the game plan, the tactical preparation for that game and for all of the games, especially against England, will be spot on.
So, it won’t be an easy game. Because they will defend well, they will give everything physically. They are the underdogs. I think England have to score early. Because, the longer it takes, the more momentum and belief Iran will get. I don’t expect it to be an easy run for England.
The England squad came out. Were there any surprises for you? James Maddison, Ben White, Conor Gallagher?
There were no major surprises in the selection. It makes sense from Southgate, the choices and the balance he put into the squad.
How far do you think England can go in the tournament?
I think England have some issues. Not like France but I am not overconfident in their capacity to defend well. If there is a weak link, it is more in the defence.
They haven’t been playing extremely well in the last few months. They have talent and there is belief. But the reality is they are not going into the tournament, in that tournament as strong as they were in 2018. It is a fact.
So, they will progress if they catch momentum and if they find the right formula. Because right now, I don’t know the starting eleven for England. Obviously, the manager knows but from the outside, it is hard to predict.
Those three games in the group stage might be, or rather, should be an opportunity to settle with a starting eleven, and keep it as stable as possible to progress.
Looking at that opening match on Sunday, Qatar against Ecuador, what are you expecting from it? Any score predictions?
The host nation will have some pressure, but also great support. I think it will be an open game with goals. I believe Qatar could win this game. They are the host nation and they have been preparing for this for 10 years.
Qatar are massive underdogs. How far do you think they can go in the tournament?
I don’t expect them to reach the final stages of the competition. But at home, sometimes you can surprise a lot of teams. It is clearly an advantage playing at home.
They played some European teams, they played in Copa America, but they haven’t been participating in World Cups before. It is a massive test and a massive challenge for them. If they get out of the group it will be a great achievement.
Are there any teams that you think could do well, but are perhaps not getting enough attention? Sort of dark horses?
Maybe Denmark. We know how well they did at the Euros and they still have the same dynamic and the same manager. They could surprise some teams in the tournament. The players are in a good space at the moment, so they could be the ones.
Who do you think will be the contenders for the Golden Boot, or rather the player of the tournament?
I am tempted to say Benzema. It will depend obviously on how France perform. Yeah, I am going for Benzema.
What about the Golden Ball? The Best player?
Maybe Neymar or Mbappe. One of the PSG players, or Messi (laughs). Definitely one of the PSG players. I am going for Neymar as MVP and then the Golden Boot for Karim Benzema.
