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Geoff Shreeves' diary: Interviews with Jamaal Lascelles, Andy Carroll and Arsene Wenger

Alan Smith joins Geoff Shreeves to discuss Arsenal's win over Leicester.

With the Premier League season edging towards its conclusion, it was another busy week for Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves.

Our reporter was up and down the country covering all the action, with this week's interviewees including Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Newcastle centre-back Jamaal Lascelles and West Ham forward Andy Carroll.

Ever wondered what else he gets up to in his working week? Geoff gives us an insight as he shares his daily diary...

Sunday, April 17 - Leicester 2-2 West Ham

Andy Carroll says he did not touch Schlupp when he went down to earn Leicester a last-gasp penalty
Image: Andy Carroll insisted Leicester should not have been awarded a last-minute penalty

I had a chuckle with Carroll ahead of the Leciester game, and he admitted he laughed out loud when he heard the Manchester City fans sung, 'You're just a **** Andy Carroll' to Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their tie against PSG.

But the Hammers striker was much more serious when I interviewed him later, lambasting referee Jon Moss for awarding that last-minute penalty against him.

Monday, April 18 - First-time interviewing

Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United in action during the Capital One Cup Second Round between Newcastle United
Image: Jamaal Lascelles spoke to Geoff Shreeves for the first time

It's always interesting interviewing someone for the first time and I have to say, Newcastle's Jamaal Lascelles didn't disappoint when I spoke to him ahead of their 1-1 draw against Manchester City. 

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Outspoken is not the right word, but he was not afraid to speak his mind regardless of age or lack of experience.

I bumped into Rafa Benitez, too, who greeted me warmly with a hug and said he's relishing the challenge of keeping his side in the Premier League. Newcastle is a huge club, he says, and if they can stay up, they could really progress.

Tuesday, April 19 - Title race

Claudio Ranieri the manager of Leicester City greets Mauricio Pochettino the manager of Spurs
Image: Claudio Ranieri and Mauricio Pochettino are each looking to win the Premier League title for the first time

After Tottenham's scintillating performance at Stoke, I realise one of the things I'm enjoying about this title race is the complete lack of mind games - Claudio Ranieri and Mauricio Pochettino are two absolute gentleman.

Just a little example of that - before the Manchester United game at White Hart Lane, Pochettino pulled me aside and said: "I really enjoyed that feature you did with Ranieri."

Wednesday, April 20 - Liverpool 4-0 Everton

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 20:  The two sides shake hands prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield, April 20, 20
Image: Liverpool got the better of Everton in the Merseyside derby

It was off to Merseyside for the derby on Wednesday and I had the pleasure of bumping into the wonderfully old-school Terry McDermott, who was once sent off for the Reds in this fixture.

And he said: "Look, I've still got the scar where I punched Gary Stanley, but it was all right because we went out together that night because he's me mate!"

Everton were really poor on the day, but an already under-fire Roberto Martinez fronted up and admitted it. Roberto is extremely likeable as a person, but his position is looking precarious.

Friday, April 22 - Interviewing Arsene Wenger

I must have interviewed Wenger hundreds of times, but Friday felt like a throwback to 15 years ago. Gone was the gaunt, strained, tight-lipped persona we have all seen so much in recent times.

He was well aware he has some serious critics, not least among his own fans, but he was open, upbeat and chatty. He was keen to engage on numerous topics, including Leicester's success using quick transition and conversely, if it's fair to say Arsenal pass too much and too slowly.

Saturday, April 23 - In or out?

I found myself listening to a ferocious debate on "in" or "out". There were lots of phrases like "be careful what you wish for" or "time for change" and the ubiquitous "better the devil you know".

But I got out of the car and was none the wiser as to whether they were discussing Brexit or Wenger.

Sunday, April 24 - Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

Jack Wilshere of Arsenal replaces Mesut Ozil as a substitute during the Premier League match against Sunderland in April 2016
Image: Jack Wilshere's return against Sunderland was a positive for Arsenal

It was a good day for Sunderland and Big Sam, who actually told me before the game a point would be a good result. As ever, just getting out of the bottom three is psychologically huge in the dogfight, and they managed to do just that.

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Jack Wilshere said it felt great to be back on the pitch during Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Sunderland

For Arsenal, the only positive was the return of Jack Wilshere, but even he was downcast about the result when I had a quick chat with him after.

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