🎙️ Men in Blazers September 17, 2026 ⏱️ 29 min

Arsenal’s Perfect Start, Liverpool’s Growing Pains & Tottenham’s Search For A Breakthrough | Big Weekend Preview 09/17/26

1. Executive Overview: Core Theses & Key Revelations

The mid-September milestone of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign presents a fascinating study in contrast: immaculate structural dominance at the summit juxtaposed against volatile systemic fragility across the chasing pack. In the September 17, 2026 episode of Men in Blazers: Big Weekend Preview, host Roger Bennett alongside analytical journalists Rory Smith and Humphrey Ker delivered a masterclass audit of a league operating at peak tactical intensity. The broadcast provided far more than standard match previews; it crystallized the structural realities, psychological pressure points, and narrative absurdities defining elite English football.

At the center of this breakdown are three overarching theses that demand rigorous analytical scrutiny:

  • Arsenal's Evolutionary Paradox and the Youth Dilemma: Mikel Arteta's Gunners have launched their title defense with an unblemished 12-point maximum from four fixtures, conceding a solitary goal. Yet, beneath this defensive fortress lies a complex tactical metamorphosis. Arteta's side has entered what Bennett characterizes as their 'Radiohead phase'—a transition from rigid structural efficiency to fluid, unpredictable spatial innovation. Concurrently, Kai Havertz operates within a stark perception gap: despite tracking toward a 15-goal, 15-assist season, public evaluation remains inexplicably skeptical. Adding to this delicate ecosystem is the sudden emergence of 16-year-old phenom Max Dowman, whose historic two-goal display against Ipswich poses a fascinating squad-management puzzle for Arteta.
  • Duncan Alexander’s 'Crisis Club' Theorem: Smith invoked Duncan Alexander’s famous axiom—"There is every day one crisis club in the Premier League, and the aim is never to be it." Heading into Matchweek 5, four traditional heavyweights—Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester United—stand on the precipice of this media furnace. The analysis highlights Manchester United's visit to Fulham as the weekend's highest-risk fixture; failure at Craven Cottage would trigger an agonizing three-week international break submerged in institutional crisis.
  • Tactical Re-engineering and Managerial Contrast: The episode illuminated opposite ends of the managerial spectrum. At Manchester City, Enzo Maresca has restructured his midfield, redeploying Enzo Fernández as an advanced "box-raider" alongside a deep pivot of Elliot Anderson and Badiashile. Conversely, Arne Slot’s Liverpool suffers from a severe high-pressing disconnect between their forward line and rest defense, making Slot’s return to Bournemouth psychologically fraught. Meanwhile, Daniel Farke’s quiet tactical renaissance has propelled Leeds United to third in the table, challenging conventional managerial caricatures.

2. Context & Background: The Landscape Leading to This Conversation

To fully grasp the weight of the commentary delivered by Bennett, Smith, and Ker, one must establish the macro environment governing European football in September 2026. The expanded UEFA club competition calendar has imposed unprecedented physical and cognitive burdens on modern squads. Teams competing across multiple fronts—such as Sunderland, fresh off a grueling Europa League victory against AZ Alkmaar—are forced to navigate severe fixture congestion while maintaining domestic intensity. Early-season sample sizes, while statistically noisy, generate immense narrative momentum that can make or break managerial tenure.

Modern Premier League commentary operates at the intersection of quantitative tactical analysis and high-velocity media narratives. A single defensive lapse or dropped result no longer represents an isolated sporting event; it becomes digitized fuel for round-the-clock media cycles. As Smith noted during the broadcast, the modern footballing landscape consumes crisis at an insatiable rate. The primary operational objective for top-flight managers is no longer simply accumulating points, but strategically steering their institutions clear of the weekly narrative crosshairs.

This dynamic was highlighted during the program's opening political satire. Bennett brought attention to a photograph featuring United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—both lifelong Everton supporters. Humphrey Ker seized upon this image to articulate the profound existential philosophy inherent to supporting Everton. Watching a side struggle through 90 minutes of attrition, Ker argued, serves as the ultimate calibration tool for national leaders facing global volatility. This dark Evertonian humor underlines a fundamental truth of modern football: coping with systemic adversity is the baseline requirement for survival, whether in statecraft or on the touchline at Goodison Park, Villa Park, or Old Trafford.

3. Deep-Dive Thematic Breakdown

3.1 Arsenal’s Tactical Metamorphosis: Arteta’’s 'Radiohead Era' and the Max Dowman Dilemma

Arsenal's start to the 2026/27 campaign represents the pinnacle of defensive organization and positional fluid dynamics. Collecting 12 points out of a possible 12 with just one goal conceded, Arteta's outfit has neutralized diverse tactical setups. Opponents attempting direct physical confrontations, expansive transition battles, or low-block attrition have all succumbed to the Gunners' control mechanisms. Bennett drew a compelling musical parallel, framing Arteta’s developmental arc as a transition from the accessible, soaring anthems of Radiohead's OK Computer to the experimental, complex soundscapes of Kid A. Arteta is no longer satisfied with repeating known patterns; he is actively re-engineering Arsenal's spatial mechanics in real time.

A vital component of this defensive resilience has been the seamless integration of Esri Konsa alongside Gabriel in central defense during William Saliba's rotational absence. Konsa's ability to defend aggressive vertical channels while offering line-breaking distribution from deep build-up phases has prevented any drop in defensive output. This defensive foundation provides the platform for Arsenal's attacking evolution, anchored by Martin Ødegaard's tempo orchestration and Kai Havertz's spatial intelligence.

However, Smith highlighted a glaring disconnect between Kai Havertz’s objective statistical production and subjective public perception. On track for a double-double season of 15 goals and 15 assists, Havertz remains vulnerable to an aesthetic evaluation bias. Because his contributions manifest through subtle spatial clearing, defensive pressing triggers, and selfless link play rather than explosive solo highlights, critics frequently misinterpret his role as underachieving. In truth, Havertz serves as the tactical glue of Arteta’s attacking engine.

Adding another layer of intrigue to Arsenal's campaign is the emergence of 16-year-old phenom Max Dowman. Following his historic two-goal performance against Ipswich in midweek domestic cup action, Dowman became only the second 16-year-old in Premier League era history—joining Wayne Rooney—to record a senior competitive brace. Smith identified the profound managerial challenge this presents for Arteta. Dowman possesses undeniable technical brilliance and spatial awareness, yet integrating a 16-year-old into a fully functioning, championship-caliber starting eleven creates complex squad-harmony friction. Arteta must carefully balance nurturing a generational talent against preserving the delicate hierarchy of an established title contender.

Looking ahead to their Matchweek 5 fixture against Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton, Arsenal face a genuine tactical test. Brighton’s high-octane transition model, anchored by press-resistant midfielder Yasin Ayari, thrives on exploiting opponents who over-commit in rest defense. Having recently dispatched Manchester United 3-2 in a dramatic midweek display, Brighton possess the technical tools to push Arsenal's defensive structure to its absolute limit.

3.2 The Rotational Crisis Club Theorem: Duncan Alexander’s Axiom in Action

The analytical backbone of the episode rested upon Rory Smith’s invocation of Duncan Alexander’s famous media theorem: "There is every day one crisis club in the Premier League, and the aim is never to be it." In the modern content economy, narrative pressure does not distribute evenly; it concentrates with burning intensity upon a single institution each week. Heading into Matchweek 5, Smith identified four candidate clubs vulnerable to inheriting the crisis mantle: Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

To understand how these four institutions occupy the threshold of panic, consider their respective structural and environmental vectors:

Club Primary Risk Vector Managerial Insulation Level Crisis Trigger Condition
Aston Villa European squad physical strain & defensive transition gaps High (Unai Emery's deep structural record & Europa silverware capital) Defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Attacking stagnation & structural identity friction Low-to-Moderate (Roberto De Zerbi's delicate seat & high-voltage persona) Scoreless draw or loss to Villa combined with zero shot creation
Liverpool High-press disconnection & forward line tracking failure Moderate (Arne Slot's transition period & tactical growing pains) Defeat away to Bournemouth (Slot's former environment)
Manchester United Defensive vulnerability & systemic transition meltdowns Critical (Extremely low tolerance following Carabao Cup exit) Failure to secure three points away at Fulham before international break

Smith emphasized that Manchester United face the most severe threat. Following their 3-2 mid-week collapse to Brighton, visiting Craven Cottage to face Fulham represents an absolute must-win scenario. A defeat—or even an unconvincing draw—would condemn Manchester United to three full weeks of hostile media scrutiny during the upcoming international break. In contrast, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur enter their head-to-head clash with contrasting managerial armors. Unai Emery enjoys extensive institutional backing derived from his proven track record, whereas Roberto De Zerbi operates on a far more volatile perch where tactical missteps spark immediate speculation.

3.3 Liverpool’s High-Press Disconnect and Arne Slot’s Psychological Frontier

Liverpool’s visit to Bournemouth presents a critical diagnostic window into Arne Slot’s tactical mechanics. Following a series of disjointed performances—most notably a frustrated display against Fulham—Slot publicly identified his forward line’s pressing failure as the root cause of Liverpool's structural regression. When elite attackers like Johan Bakayoko, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz fail to execute aggressive, synchronized first-phase pressing triggers, the downstream consequences severely compromise Liverpool's defensive stability.

In Slot’s tactical system, the high press is not merely a defensive tool; it is the primary engine for offensive chance creation and rest-defense organization. When the front line press breaks down, opposition central midfielders easily line-break into Liverpool's half. This forces Liverpool's double pivot to drop deep defensively, expanding the space between midfield and defense and leaving isolation matchups for opposition wingers. Without elite first-phase intensity, Liverpool transforms from an overwhelming vertical machine into an open, transition-vulnerable side.

Beyond tactical mechanics, Slot faces an acute psychological test returning to the Vitality Stadium—a ground where Andoni Iraola has built a formidable, aggressive pressing unit. Ker noted that losing to a former club or familiar environment creates a psychologically fraught landscape for a manager attempting to build long-term momentum. For Slot, securing a convincing victory at Bournemouth is essential to halt growing pains before they metastasize into structural doubt.

3.4 Maresca's Manchester City Blueprint: Midfield Overloads and the Box-Raider Protocol

Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season has been driven by Enzo Maresca’s continuous tactical adjustments. Moving away from rigid positional patterns, Maresca has introduced a dynamic midfield structure designed to exploit defensive low-blocks. The centerpiece of this innovation is the redeployment of Enzo Fernández. Rather than operating strictly as a deep-lying playmaker, Fernández has been empowered to function as an advanced "box-raider"—making late, untracked vertical runs directly into the opposition penalty box.

This tactical mechanism relies on a balanced midfield triad:

  • The Deep Foundation (Elliot Anderson & Badiashile): Anderson and Badiashile operate as twin structural anchors. Anderson provides physical dueling, ball-winning tenacity, and press-resistance, while Badiashile controls tempo and secures rest defense against counter-attacks.
  • The Box Raider (Enzo Fernández): With the deep pivot securing spatial coverage behind him, Fernández crashes the box from deep blindspots, creating numerical overloads against opposition central defenders occupied by City's primary striker.
  • The Free Spirit (Ryan Cherki): Operating between opposition lines, Cherki provides unscripted creative friction. His willingness to take high-risk dribbles and execute unexpected line-breaking passes disrupts low-block defensive geometry.

City’s Matchweek 5 opponent, Sunderland, presents a compelling tactical contrast. While Sunderland have earned plaudits for their courageous play, Ker pointed out that their midweek Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar introduces severe physical fatigue. For non-traditional European contenders, managing the relentless Thursday-Sunday cadence demands extreme physical output. Facing Manchester City's relentless spatial rotation while operating on reduced recovery time makes Sunderland highly vulnerable to late defensive breakdowns at the Etihad Stadium.

3.5 The Managerial Spectrum: Farke's Cultural Redemption vs De Zerbi's Volatile Perch

The episode concluded with an insightful examination of managerial perceptions across the Premier League, focusing on Daniel Farke’s quiet revolution at Leeds United. Sitting third in the table heading into their clash with Crystal Palace, Leeds represent one of the season's early success stories. Smith and Ker highlighted Farke’s personal redemption arc: having previously endured the harsh public judgments that accompany Premier League relegation fights, Farke has re-established himself as an elite tactical operator.

Bennett and Ker painted a vivid portrait of Farke as a complex, multi-dimensional figure. Beyond the reductive media caricature of a rugged Championship campaigner, Farke is a deeply cultured manager who values literature, poetry, and structured recovery environments. His tactical approach at Leeds reflects this balance—combining rigid defensive discipline with fluid counter-attacking efficiency. Leeds' high table position demonstrates that managerial success often requires institutional patience and cultural alignment rather than constant reactive turnover.

This stands in sharp contrast to Roberto De Zerbi’s precarious situation at Tottenham Hotspur. De Zerbi’s high-intensity, emotion-driven coaching style yields captivating football when results align, but leaves little margin for error when form falters. Unlike Unai Emery—who commands absolute institutional authority at Aston Villa derived from a vast portfolio of European silverware—De Zerbi operates under constant narrative pressure. The analytical breakdown reinforced that managerial longevity in the modern Premier League depends as much on institutional capital and structural insulation as it does on tactical innovation.

4. Speaker Perspectives & Analytical Contrast

The dynamic between Roger Bennett, Rory Smith, and Humphrey Ker provides a rich case study in complementary analytical methodologies. Each panelist approaches Premier League coverage through a distinct lens, producing a multi-layered commentary that balances empirical tactical evaluation, institutional media critique, and satirical cultural observation.

Speaker Primary Analytical Lens Core Focus Areas Prediction Strategy & Tone
Roger Bennett ("Rodge") Theatrical & Cultural Synthesis Narrative framing, pop-culture parallels (Radiohead, Murakami), macro media dynamics Expressive, highly stylized, competitive tracking (Leading leaderboards with 13 pts)
Rory Smith Empirical & Institutional Journalism Tactical schemas, media crisis dynamics (Duncan Alexander theorem), squad rotation analytics Rigorous, data-informed, highly competitive validation (Surging with 12 pts via exact scorelines)
Humphrey Ker Existential Realism & Player Appreciation Psychological pressure points, Evertonian existentialism, unheralded player mechanics (Yasin Ayari) Humorous, candid, cynical-yet-joyful realism (6 pts, preferring aesthetic manifesto over points)

Rory Smith represents the investigative core of the broadcast. His analysis relies on quantitative frameworks and structural pattern recognition. By framing match previews through Duncan Alexander’s crisis theorem and dissecting Kai Havertz's underlying statistical output (15G/15A pace), Smith strips away superficial fan discourse to expose core sporting realities. His obsession with verifying prediction scorelines reflects an analytical mind driven by empirical validation.

Humphrey Ker provides an essential existential counterweight. As an Everton supporter and club executive, Ker views football through the lens of psychological attrition and human resilience. His tactical observations—such as identifying Yasin Ayari's press-resistant qualities or recognizing the physical tax imposed on Sunderland by European competition—derive from a holistic understanding of player emotion and squad fatigue. Ker’s humor serves not as mere entertainment, but as an analytical tool to unpack the absurd pressure placed on modern managers.

Roger Bennett acts as the master orchestrator, synthesizing Smith’s technical rigors and Ker’s existential satire into a cohesive broadcast narrative. Bennett’s deployment of cultural metaphors—comparing Arteta’s tactical evolution to Radiohead’s album transitions—elevates tactical discourse into broader artistic analysis. Together, the trio creates an analytical framework that captures both the granular mechanics on the pitch and the grand narrative engine driving global football culture.

5. Strategic & Industry Implications

The insights articulated throughout the episode carry profound strategic implications for the future of football analytics, squad architecture, and media operations across the global sports industry.

  • The Compression of Managerial Narrative Lifecycles: The application of Duncan Alexander’s Crisis Club Theorem highlights a accelerating trend in sports media: the elimination of neutral ground. As digital media channels demand continuous high-stakes narrative engagement, the timeline between praise and existential crisis has collapsed from months to days. Football executives must build robust organizational communication strategies to insulate coaching staff and players from this ambient volatility. Institutions that succumb to short-term media panic risk destructive managerial turnover cycles.
  • The Paradox of Elite Youth Integration: The situation surrounding Arsenal's 16-year-old talent Max Dowman illustrates an increasingly complex structural challenge for elite academies. As sports science and tactical periodization accelerate player development, generational prodigies are physically and technically ready for senior football at earlier ages. However, integrating a minor into a high-stakes, multi-million-dollar locker room requires sophisticated human management. Clashing with established squad hierarchies or over-exposing young athletes to physical overload represents a major operational risk for modern sporting directors.
  • Evolution of Midfield Functional Roles: Enzo Maresca’s deployment of Enzo Fernández as an advanced "box-raider" alongside Elliot Anderson's deep anchor role signals the ongoing decline of traditional, static positional templates. Modern tactical systems demand specialized hybrid profiles: players who can transition instantaneously between deep rest-defense anchoring, line-breaking ball progression, and late penalty-box penetration. Recruitment departments must adapt their scouting metrics away from generic position labels toward specialized spatial functionality.
  • The European Physical Tax and Squad Depth Disparities: Sunderland’s post-European fatigue demonstrates the expanding competitive chasm between established European juggernauts and emerging contenders. As European tournament formats expand, clubs lacking deep, high-quality squad rotation will suffer recurring domestic drops following mid-week continental fixtures. Expanding squad depth through intelligent data-driven recruitment is no longer a luxury; it is a baseline prerequisite for domestic survival.

6. Looking Ahead: Unresolved Questions & Next Milestones

As the Premier League advances into Matchweek 5 and approaches the autumn international break, several key tactical questions and quantitative indicators will determine the trajectory of the title race and the managerial survival landscape:

Tactical Domain Key Analytical Metric to Track Critical Benchmark / Threshold Strategic Impact
Arsenal's Tactical Evolution High-turnover recovery rate & squad physical load metrics Sustaining < 0.5 goals conceded per match through October Determines whether Arteta's 'Radiohead phase' can maintain defensive solidity during dense fixture schedules.
Liverpool's Pressing Efficiency Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA) in opposition final third Target PPDA < 9.0 against mid-block transition teams Validates whether Arne Slot can resolve forward line pressing disconnects and restore rest-defense integrity.
Manchester United Stability Expected Goals Against (xGA) from open-play transitions Securing 3 points at Fulham prior to international window Controls whether the club escapes Duncan Alexander's crisis crosshairs or enters a three-week media crisis.
City's Midfield Overload System Enzo Fernández penalty box touches & non-penalty xG Fernández averaging > 3.5 box touches per 90 minutes Measures the success of Maresca's "box-raider" protocol in breaking down low-block defenses.
Youth Integration Management Max Dowman senior minutes allocation & efficiency index Controlled introduction (< 30 mins per match in high-stakes fixtures) Tests Arteta's ability to develop generational talent without disrupting established championship squad dynamics.

The coming matchweeks will serve as a decisive testing ground for these tactical hypotheses. Whether Arsenal can preserve their flawless defensive record against Brighton's electric transition game, whether Manchester United can navigate the pressure furnace at Craven Cottage, and whether Arne Slot can recalibrate Liverpool's pressing machinery will define the narrative landscape of the 2026/27 season. In the hyper-competitive arena of elite English football, mastery over spatial mechanics and resilience against narrative crisis remain the twin currencies of ultimate success.

💬 Key Quotes & Speaker Breakdown

Liverpool manager pressure

"It's a bigger one for Arne Slot. He needs to get another good result, start building some momentum for the team. To lose against your old boys would be so psychologically fraught."

Humphrey Ker

Premier League narrative

"There is every day one crisis club in the Premier League, and the aim is never to be it. This weekend, four teams can be the crisis club: Villa, Spurs, Liverpool, and Manchester United."

Rory Smith

Premier League title race

"The thing that's most likely to trip Arsenal up is getting tired. I do think that Brighton is a good early challenge for them."

Rory Smith

Manager sacking

"De Zerbi's position naturally feels much more delicate and much more fragile than Emery's. Emery's got a longer body of work at Villa; there is this sort of absolute faith."

Rory Smith

Arsenal tactical analysis

"Arsenal's greatest enemy is themselves. That's how we prepare and evolve our club, our team, our squad."

Humphrey Ker

Kai Havertz form

"Havertz is in danger of running into that situation where he can end up with 15 goals and 15 assists this season and somehow it will still be seen as being underachieving."

Rory Smith

Manchester City tactics

"I think the future of City's midfield is those three: Badi, Anderson a little bit deeper, and then Enzo as that kind of raider bursting forward into the box."

Humphrey Ker

Arsenal youth development

"The Dalman situation is fascinating because he's clearly incredible. There will come a point where his age is no longer a reason to hold him back."

Rory Smith

Sunderland form

"Sunderland played in Europe this week, and that is the big thing in the challenge. They've got to deal with that kind of fixture pileup."

Rory Smith

Leeds United form

"I'm excited to watch the continuation of the Daniel Farke redemption story. It's so exciting to see Leeds flying high as they currently are."

Humphrey Ker
📜 View Full Episode Verbatim Transcript 32,814 characters
It's Rodge, here to sing my praise for a very special new balance football boot, the 4-4-2. It's no nonsense. Workhorse midfielders and defenders don't want you to do the dirty work, but it also ping-a-passed the perfection. It's a classic boot design with modern enhancements, with an ultra lightweight sole. Synthetic microfiber material retains a soft premium in-hand feel, allowing for the lighter weight, the superior touch on the ball. Get a pair for yourself, or the footballer in your family and newbalance.com slash soccer. You're listening to the Men in Blazers media network. Subopt and more radio. Massive Premier League Weekend, DeHoye, Can Arsenal, they perfect, all they become the latest team to be picked by the Seagulls of Brighton, and Doniara Ola returned to his happy place, Liverpool faced the war fruit of Bournemouth, Spurs, Pachula, Simple Pleasures, like a first-goal of the season against Villa in a sad off. This is Big Weekend Preview, the show where we tangle ourselves in the gaudy and not-of-football, and I'm joined by the envy of Turkish Transpunters everywhere. Mr. Rory Smith. How you doing, Raj? Oh, and the Valtemar Day Awards, it's Humphrey Car. Hello. Gents off the top, hard politics. Let me show you the photo from last night, Prime Minister Andy Burnham of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. Booth, Die Hard Evertonian's Humph, does this make you more or less optimistic about the future of the democratic free will? Well, I mean, it does it does worry me that as Canada potentially moves closer to relation with the EU, what we've shown them is Everton as an inducement to come and come and join in. I looked at this and I loved it, number one, with all of my heart, but also the world might feel like it's going to crap, yeah. But seeing the squad with TNO barriers, the only striker, I do think it puts everything into perspective for these guys. There is an element of being an Evertonian teaches you that things can always be worse. Yes. And I think that's probably not bad for national leaders of what are at best Europa-lead qualifying countries. Yes, global terrorism feels daunting, but to watch Michelinco for 90 minutes and you'll know, the human world to survive is undaunted. Let's dive right in, we begin today with Arsenal's trip to Brighton Saturday 10 a.m. each in time. On USA, Arsenal 12 points out at 12 for very different styles of victory. Different opponents have tried different tactical approaches, did the fang, the champions, the octet and threat. Chelsea tried to shoot them, no bueno, Sunderland. They tried the occasional judo throw and catching them out on the break rule. Fabian Hurtler is a tactical brain. I mean, his hair system alone is a very complex piece of thinking. Is there an Arsenal weakness, even a tiny one that he'll attempt to exploit? Well, no, which is Michelinco as we have previously discussed, Raj, has been preparing them for everything that could possibly have been any sort of eventuality. I think I want to take a more kind of joyful approach to football from now on in my life. I think the big threat is that Brighton have stored more roles than anybody else. Brighton are a good team, as we saw, what can only be described as hilariously at Old Trafford on wednesday evening. When I looked at the store and saw it was two northern Manchester United decided, well, that's probably over. And then I thought, no, it's Brighton. You never know. And, you know, half an hour later, they've beaten them three, too. So I think this is a real challenge for Arsenal. You asked me the other day, Raj, when I thought Arsenal might first drop points. And I said, the forest game in October, maybe Newtustle away in November. You didn't say which year they did you. I didn't. But I think Brighton's a genuine challenge for Arsenal. They're a good side, and they're in what we must describe as, in football language, a good moment. Yes, they are, they love to have fun, and they love to do goals. And we love to see them have fun and do goals, provide it's not against whatever special team we hold in our own hearts. For me, I think Arsenal's greatest enemy is themselves, which is a sort of thing people say that sounds very wise. Otetta said that to me. I said, who's your greatest opponent? He said this. Our selves. And that's how we prepare. And evolve our club, our team, our squad. Look at you, are you Otetta's scriptwriter hump? This looks like a lovely piece of sort of scripted corporate synergy where I've thrown to another piece of me on the Men in Blazers Network. In reality, yes, you know, I will not watch anything on this network that doesn't feature me. So I didn't, I didn't even know that was on there. But no, but I mean, I think the reality is, I say it because it's sort of thing that wise sage people say is they stroke their beards. But I think that the greatest challenge to Arsenal for me is the amount of their output from last season, and what their output is going to be this season. Eventually, it's going to catch up with them now. I don't know that this stage is going to be the point where it does catch up, but I think the thing that's most likely to trip them up is getting tired. I do think that Brighton is a good early challenge for them. Q Declan Rice dropping to his knees. It's not over. It's not over. I got it, mate. You took out a brain being fun hump. I love watching Arsenal. Ur'd the guard, glide in, have it, dummy in, give my rash, thumping everything, unleashing six magnificent master meme celebrations in the process. Otheta's Arsenal, almost like Radiohead, they're constantly evolving, innovating season to season. You know, you like that album, they're going to go, now we're going to put that completely more tinkeries. Right now, I do think we're somewhere between OK computer and Kidee. If I'm reading Otheta right, every great team has a star of their own. Pete Gwadiola City had the elegant mechanical execution that David Silver pulled back from the byline. Clops Liverpool did it with a maniacal kind of wave of emotion. We know this game is going to be a fascinating, hard for tactical spatial, almost psycho, parapsychological battle. The Seagulls, yeah, just gave Manchester United that good pecking before we give predictions. Can I hear from both of you? Who's one player you want to watch in this game and why? I've been quite taken with Y'all to you, the midfielder that they signed. Oh, is that what you're going to say home? He's done me. He's absolutely stupid. I can say something else. I also love Y'all create. You guys can have a Y'all QA off. I don't think that man deserves enough love. This is like the bachelor. You can just both make your pitch do it. I mean, he'll give one of you a rose. Oh, hang on, and we're not giving him the rose. Is that not the idea? I don't know how it works. I don't know the bachelor. I don't understand the bachelor. This is outrageous. But anyway, just so you know, those who do watch the bachelor, I'll say it. Yeah, this is the worst episode of the bachelor ever, but keep going. Just two men giving a man a flower when he doesn't want one. I think he just looks so kind of fearless. That's what I like about him. I didn't know anything about him when they signed him. He kind of arrived in the Premier League and looks totally unfazed by it. He's inventive. He plays lots of different positions. There's lots of different things depending on what is required. He's been an unalloyed joy for me this season. He has this glorious sort of slightly throwback quality to him. The goal he scored against Chelsea was an absolute beauty. My rather embittered and jaundiced shell cracked and a ray of light blasted in that reminded me of being a little boy again. There's someone really nice about a player who completely takes you by surprise. We don't get that anymore because we know everything. You've seen everyone who's got a YouTube compilation reel of them completing short passes and it's set to kind of European techno and it's meant to showcase how great they are, but all they're doing is deeply simple things that any professional footballer can do. You've just made me miss Beto a player who took himself by surprise on the rigs, which is the greatest. I'll tell you what I'm looking forward to watching this weekend, Big Edge Reconcer. Still betting, I think the word is next to Gabrielle in the backline, but the way you look down Jacka with that CEO outside made him a thinking, instant cult hero, Arsenal fans, you tell me, a rise general, Esri of New Umbara, a reminder, which I think is important, Arsenal are doing all of this, just one goal conceded all season. Well, that would be in Celeba, which we were told would do them in. I'm actually praying for Max Downe in 12 years old when he first started the midweek two goals in the Cannibal against Ipswich for so dirty in the best of ways. Kim only the second 16 year old to score two goals in a game for a Premier League side, any comp after, do you know who, guys? It was Arthur Wayne Rooney. Yes, it was. That's some good company, not bad. Roar, quick one, should we expect to see more and how soon should we expect to see him? The Dalman thing is fascinating because he's clearly incredible. Arsenal know exactly how talented he is, but that is such a strong team. And the tricky thing when you've got a 16 year old, who do you take out to play that 16 year old? Does that mean international? It's a major fiddle you don't have to remove. How Arthur plays the Dalman situation this season will be really interesting, as there will come a point where his age is no longer a reason to hold him back, and they have to judge that quite carefully, I think. To the prediction, starting with you, Roar. For all my fine taught, Roach, I think in Brighton will be a challenge. I think it's a challenge that Arsenal will pass. So I've gone for two one to the reigning and also future champions. Well, we are not only do we both like the Alcuyah, but I have also picked two goals for Arsenal to Brighton and Hove Albion's one. I know what we're all doing. We're just copying each other's results now, so we stay neck and neck in the table, keep it tight. Take another corner flag. We can all qualify for Europe. If we all do this, we can all qualify for Europe next season. I think it's going to be a taught game. I think it's going to be tricky. I believe the result remains the same. Arsenal have its late two on, to the gunners hunt for the repeat, continue speaking of which. Saturday, on network NBC 3.30 pm, Eastern time, and then on peacock after that, our new original documentary called Arsenal Dynasty Loading. Question mark, will it? It's a beautiful piece. Really proud of it with our tether. Bunch of the players, some of Arsenal's biggest celebrity fans, including Sue Dakes and the great Spike Lee. For that to be on, network NBC fills our heart with joy. We go from the quest for perfection to one more of a scavenge hunt type. Affair Bournemouth, Liverpool 2, Draudix Collide, Sunday 9 am Eastern time on USA, versus his own glory day tinged good memories. The bass brain returns to the vitality stadium. We spent three glorious seasons building, tinkering, occasionally quoting Murakami. To everyone who listened at Bournemouth, cut to different, slightly more frustrated figure right now. Admitted his team went backwards last week and the goal was done against Fulham. Little bit like watching a brilliant indie director struggle under the weight of a first Hollywood feature this rule. Very interesting hearing him talk about the core problem lying with the front line, if they don't press the rest of the system, can't work them, it feel, can't create. But all of his big names, they're the ones he's critiquing, he's at Bacola, Gapco, Verts, those of his big money men and he's a manager not used to managing big money players. He can't take any of them out ruthlessly like he has in other parts of the squad or can he? Well, he has kind of shown that he's prepared to do it. Ryan Gravenberg played in the first moment in Newcastle and was removed immediately. He's done the same with Frimpon. I'd agree with you that doing it to ease that is difficult. There's no natural replacement, not really. Verts, it would be to have a damning indictment. But I've got to admit Roger, I went to Anfield on not only on Saturday for the dollar store, I don't know it's Fulham, but on Tuesday night for the 3-1 carabell victory, my favourite energy drink against Tottenham and was really impressed by Lewis Tumas, who's a player who's been on loan for a couple of years, and ran around more than anyone I've ever seen for almost 90 minutes and was crucial. I think he gave kind of a rail to an impression of what he wants to strike it to be. I was there with my son and my nephew and I didn't check my phone the entire day. I didn't check my phone when I was driving home because I was behind the wheel of a motor car. And that's a lead role sensible. And then I woke up in the morning and all of the kind of distrust around Liverpool was sobbersized terrible, the goal doesn't make up for it, Gravenberg is terrible, all these players are terrible, and the joylessness of it, the fact that the Liverpool's sort of reserve team-ish had actually beaten quite an experience per side in a really fun game seemed to have been completely lost. And I think all this sort of what should it all do should this play be dropped, should that play be dropped. This didn't take a little while and people not only need to kind of take the fun when they can, but there might need to be a little bit of patience with everybody concerned. What is football on the floor if it is not to just vent, I mean, hope, Bournemouth? Entering after the beginning of their own Europa League journey competition, it roll the qualified them for last season is well-worn spot in the touch line that occupied by the sporty marker, Rosie. You would, wouldn't you? Speaking as an outsider, with no significant biases, that would be made. This one's got the feeling of a very important game for Liverpool before they head into the international break and then the narrative kind of freezes out in the losing league for a couple of weeks like Amber. You know, there's the grumbles, there's the venting, there's the took out the fitness, the adaptation, the cohesion, the culture. 14 days around the Erole and it, that's a long time. Humph, who needs a good result more? Virtues, who's almost been the symbol of a Liverpool's lack of creativity or endowny? Virtues is in danger of running into that situation where he can end up with, you know, 15 goals and 15 assists this season and somehow it will still be seen as being under achieving in some way, shape or form. But I actually think it's a bigger one for Anderney. He needs to get another good result, start building some momentum for the team. God, to lose a gauge, your old boys would be so psychologically fraught. So let's hear your predictions. Spoiler alert, it's starting with you, Humph. Well, this will be one for the drawhounds. It's one one, as far as I'm concerned. I'd agree that it's meat for the drawhounds, the, um, chuck it to them as they chase. But it's 2-2, it's nettle drawn to him twice this season, Bournemouth, I think, have drawn basically every game to all. These two teams do draw us. The same way as Elizabeth Holmes makes awkward documentaries. I see a draw, we used to call it a Desmond, a 2-2 from two teams struggling to convince to two teams, just struggling to find the will to live. Seventeen plays Tottenham. A game's 19th plays, Aston Villa. Not laughing there, but for the grace of God. Eight games played between them, just 2.1 and one goal scored. This one, honestly, is like a footballing equivalent of Johnny Cash's hurt facing off against Manchester by the say, what an incredible joy it will be to peel ourselves out of bed. First things Saturday morning, 7.30 every since time, on USA, a pity. Spurs, fans, Villa fans on that West Coast. Oh, to have you day blighted by human tragedy. I want to ask both of you, Tottenham's early season form. It's so curiously tragic. Even fun facts accounts, just neutral, just nature lovers, start to take the piss. Look at this. This is from at a whale fact. Many people think whales would be bad at football because they have no contact with the sport nor the ability to move freely on land. But so far this season, whales have stored the exact same amount of dolls as the entire Tottenham Hotspur starting 11. I've always said that whales and whale enthusiasts are bitter and cruel people. And that's just bearing that out. That's not necessary. It's brutal. It's a real drive by slapping for the good people of Tottenham. A mighty fin has come out and slapped them in the face. Did you know that a blue whale's tongue weight is much as an elephant? I feel like I did at one stage because that's the sort of fact that gets broken out, but I've forgotten it. Because I, most of you remember, at school, a lot of the talk about blue whales was about a different appendage of theirs. It's hard, right? You mean that it's the size of a camel? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what I mean. This one I've never understood. Their blood vessels are so wide you can swim through them. How does that even work? You know the scene in the fugitive where he's at the entrance to the big sewer. Yeah. Is that, so did you do that in a whale's blood vessel? Like standard it before, like, is it like a water slug? Shocks off a dam, maybe. But anyway, I also found out orcas have distinct dialects at Differ region to region. Can you imagine the skeletal orca that? Oh, I bet. Surely all orcas are jordies. Was absolutely tripping in seals over here, lads. Ah! So simple question to start us off. We'll top them scurry goal this weekend or then after some kind of force the embarking to get off them off. I don't want to jump ahead to my, ruin my prediction early, but I'm going to say no. Only because it's, it would be the funniest possible outcome. I mean, it's, I don't find this funny. I take no pleasure in this. I do think like, we don't know what to do with ourselves in football world now that I ask that we can't laugh, we can't do the bottle or we can't do the brough. It's like everything feels like it's just completely moved to the Tottenham school and then reveling in it. I think this is going to be a fascinating clash. Two sides. Yeah, they've seen Monday cook. There's so much talent. One of them's going to click. There's injuries and they'll, Villa, they'll power Torres, ain't Pedro, Poro, Sandro, Tanali, questionable right now for spurs. But Royal, you pointed out. Ultimately, we lump everything on those managers. And there is a contrast. Deserby looks like he's just absolutely fraught, maniacal, emery though. Still the trust of that team. Is it possible to say, or spurs, or Villa, who needs this more, you know, to do the goals? I think in terms of, in terms of trying to manage your real fate, Deserby's position naturally feels much more delicate and much more fragile than Emery's. Does Emery's got a longer body of work at Villa? There is this sort of absolute faith. And I think it might be slightly not misplaced but a little bit overblown. There's kind of this sense that the Emery will sort everything out. Doesn't matter what you do, doesn't matter what happens, or who the players are, or how bad things get, Emery will sort it out. I'm a little bit worried that Una Emery has grown his hair out, which I think is a sign of real genuine distress. He's got real volume now, they're humped. Real volume. He's not doing that thing, that bloke, that man United fans doing, is he wearing his clothes out? Oh, he could be, yeah. Until Villa wins five times in a row. I'm not going to cut this hair at all. He's got a really sort of spectacular, he's got a widow's Pete. It's really spectacular sort of swish of hair. It's admirable. I'm not criticising the style. Just think it suggested it's a man with a lot on his mind. Whereas, deserving, obviously, he wins one game, which keeps spurs up, then he spends £400 million, £500 million, and all of a sudden, it's all gone wrong. So I think he desperately needs a goal, a win, a point. They're obviously in an, sort of, like an identical situation. It's said that they know, or at least they believe that they know that Emery will get them out of it, but I would agree with hump. I think when I was driving back at the weekend, listening to the Spurs Everton game on the radio, I just found myself desperately supporting nobody storing, because it is the funniest thing to happen. You guys are too dark, Lord. By the way, I love your theory that ultimately, Emery saying to a squad, I am so busy dealing with this problem. I can't even get my hair cut. Meanwhile, Deserby is just constantly, I mean, so much work goes into the different shape you've been around the bar there. Yeah, he's been like, I'm not even phased. Look at me. I'm in the barbers chair. Tell us your predictions. I kind of feel like you're already having a big, really obvious, the continuation of pay. This isn't a prediction, Rodge. I'm manifesting. I'm Paltrow manifesting. Neil Neildraw. Same. What's going on, Rory? You and I, we're so in sync this way. It's been a mind-melt. Doing a show with two sick, two sickos. Yeah, man. I don't like it. I see a strange, strange thing happening. A goal, a god-to-real goal, for Tottenham Hotspur 2-1-0. Three big points. Let's move on for the world, the pay narrative, shall we? To Manchester City, against Sunderland Sunday 9 a.m. Eastern time on Peacock City, still perfect. Full winds out for in the league. Carrying that doby day went, asterisk, cough, momentum back to the Etihad, to host Sunderland, who will take offence at your well and pressure, which is still making me laugh in the back of my mind. With Phil Ferdin serving as Red Cobb, and this one, Maresque's tinkering is going to continue and fascinated by how this midfield shuffle will balance out of all Manchester City's new recruits last weekend, which are in Zofanandes, a band in the midfield to move into the box where the tactic Maresque was intended to create overloads. Also, I mean, he feels that Elliot Anderson can do everything, and he kind of showed he could in the derby. What I'm curious, Maresque's got so many tools for Nandes, Anderson, Bawadi, Kova Chitcho, Riley, what combination would you like to see more? This drives me the natural balance is Bawadi Anderson and Enzo. But then I'm intrigued by Cherky, as well. I think Cherky is really interested in player under Maresque, because he is a little bit more of a free spirit. He tapes a little bit of integration, whereas Maresque is very system first. I'm intrigued to see how that plays out, but I think the future of cities midfield is those three. It's Bawadi, and Anderson a little bit deeper, and then Enzo, as that kind of raider bursting forward into the box. On some predictions for Manchester City against Sunderland Huntflare on this. Do it in a Jordy accent. I've gone for Manchester City 3, Sunderland 1. Sunderland is not. They're not Jordy's, they're Macoms. They're Macoms, they're clear. They're Macoms, they're clear distinction. But it's very different. No one who's not from Sunderland can do a Maccam accent, it's not, it's not, I think. What I was told by a friend of mine from Newcastle that my Newcastle accent sounds more like a Jordy accent, and then when I tried to do a Sunderland accent to a friend of mine from Sunderland, she was like, no, you sound like a Jordy. So I can't, I think maybe I have to try to, maybe I have just been doing a Sunderland accent. I've gone for 3-0, because, serious football point, Sunderland played in Europe this week, and that is the big thing in the challenge. Born with Brighton, Sunderland Palace, they've ordered a deal with that kind of fixture pileup. So I think Sunderland will be tired from their emotional exertions of beating Azad Almar in the Europa League. So I'm going to, I've done 3-0 city, just to vary it from home, just a little bit. I'm going to take 2-1 to Manchester City, match of nutrition, broken up. Ah, by the beautiful ballistics of Ryan Cherkake. That brings us to O-L-B-T, one last big thing. Final spotlight from each of us. So one of the other games of the weekend, when have we got for us? Let's start with you, Rory Smith. Are you aware of the Duncan Alexander tweet around crisis clubs? I am not. Please enlighten America. Journalist of the Athletic tweeted, a little while ago now saying, there is every day one crisis club in the Premier League, and the aim is never to be it. What we have this weekend is a weekend where four teams can be the crisis club. Villa Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United. And I think for United, particularly after what happened, I don't know, is Brighton in the carabell. They play in the last game of the weekend at full-on. If they lose that, potentially even if they don't win it, they get an entire three-week international break where they are the biggest story in town. That's the last thing they need. So I think for United, don't a full-on, just they really have to not lose. Otherwise, the next three weeks are going to be really rough for them. Can we just step in here? The Brighton fan, singing is pecked by the seagulls. You're getting pecked by the seagulls. Pecked by the seagulls. You're getting pecked by the seagulls. There you go. I feel better by that. Come on, what are we going to do when Everton win a game? You've been stuck by the Toffees. I think this is a really, I like this sort of mimetic approach. Tooth decay from the Toffees. Yeah, that's all, yeah. You've got a load of pocket fluff all over your Toffees that fell out of its wrapper. You've found that you've... Yeah, do you found it an old pocket you wore on a walk of earring? Get in there on another. Eh! Ursa, you can get my ear a girl. Yeah, you can get my ear a girl. Tell us your one more thing thing. I'm excited about my dear friends, Leeds United and versus Crinkle Parrots FC, a Crystal Palace, because I'm excited to watch the continuation of the kind of Daniel Farker redemption story. I think he's someone who has kind of gone through that classic treatment of football managers in the Premier League, which is to do well, then to suffer the slings and arrows about Rageless Fortune that come from operating in the Premier League, only to then prove, yes, that's shim, quite a good manager. I'm really good at this. And it's so exciting to see Leeds flying high as they currently are. And long waiting to see, they're currently third. Will they be third by the end of the weekend? Time. Will. Tell. Have you got an impression of Daniel Farker? I'll work up one for next week. Work on it. When you work it. When you work it. Yeah. Are you good at impressions? Can you light? No, not right. I can do accents, but I can't really do impressions. So, strap in everybody. Welcome to the Daniel Farker Penitentiary. It's one of my favourite football events, I would say. If I lost it's so just unbelievably brilliant. But the honest truth is, he's a really cultured man. Like the exterior says, smashing 12 beers, hitting the DJ decks, just going on a world one with Diego Costa, the night and nights. We tell him he'd won on us. Man loves his books, man loves his culture, man loves his poetry. Loves a warm environment, Daniel Farker. I believe he's a great sauna enthusiast. Yeah, I'm shaved his legs, so they're just whaxy smooth. He's a man of incredible contrast. Who says that? He contains multitudes. Yes, indeed. Then, talking about multitudes evident. Play it so it's Saturday, 10 a.m. each time I'm on pickock. I dread this game. Yes, we're undefeated. But yes, we historically cracked the bed against newly promoted teams. We just don't have the setup to be defensive blocks. We play better when we don't have the ball against them big teams. And when good is in his ruling, and we can attack on the counter, it all's good. The knee-deer down 2019, and again, Sheffield United, who managed to, I crap you not. Beat is 2-0, which is one shot and go. I do see a little bit of a darkness on this one, but bring on the weekend, because I'm going to snap my fingers in all 10 of our predictions of this weekend's football. One magically fill the screen, when I've two weeks into tracking operations screwing them accordingly. One point for a correct outcome. Three points for the accurate, correct score line. Views will recall after we won. I'd built a commanding seven point lead. But the reeling in has begun. Oh, yes, I've been picked by the C goals, AKA collecting six points to stay in first. Yeah, 13 points overall. Humps, six points, bring them into very pat on the head, commendable third place. But after nailing the score lines, I crap you not. For Sunderland, Neil Arsenal, too. And Bournemouth, Brentford, too. Breathing down my neck. I can overly familiar, Barbara. Roar, Smith, surging 12 points. Roar, what diabolical magic are you using to predict the future? You know what's really sad, Rodge? On Monday morning, I checked my predictions. It dates the actual stores, because I wanted to know how I'd done. This is why I don't play fantasy football. It's why I don't do these things. I just, my competitive spirit keeps in. And I take these things far too seriously. So yeah, I spent my Monday making sure that I knew how my predictions. I sort of, I came into it thinking I'd had a good week. So sad. I checked on Saturday and Sunday. Well, of course, you're both sociopaths and perverts. I, I, I instead, I went out with friends. I laughed. I drank, I drank beers in beer gardens with cool people and I went to art galleries and stuff. And then, and then I, of course, also checked mine. I went like, oh, come on, I hate myself. I hate my friends. You don't deserve to go in the beer garden with your friends. Let me tell you now what the winner gets. And this one's going to really make you step up your game. Hump, end of season prize, as you recommended. From our listeners is another taxidermy animal from Wild Bill's Weston store. Like squirrel, what was his name? Squirling Harland. Squirling Harland. Yeah, by the way, I'm pretending I don't know him. He's in my office looking at me right now. It's like a more budget-friendly suggestion for Matt Steve and the Thorn was a luxury chocolate orange. That should be said in Jordy, I think. Oh, the old chocolate orange is a luxury. That's the product. Yeah, there's no such thing as Steve. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Steve Bruce, a luxury chocolate orange, did you say? A luxury chocolate orange. Luxury, that's gone. I've gone a bit, Sarah Millican. Great stand-up for our American friends. She's not funny with her work. You're not a Facebook ball figure who, who talks the most about chocolate. It's Tony Mobrie, the former Middlesbury manager, who has amazingly strong opinions on trying to supermarket chocolates. It's worth, if you've got as much time as we have to check our predictions, it ain't the actual stores, then just put Tony Mobrie chocolate into your search engine. We'll give you a boost. Different times in the deer, breakfast chocolates, lunch chocolates, chocolate before bed. There you go. Life is better. We're Tony Mobrie talking about chocolates. Let's know your predictions in the comments. Join us on Discord during the weekend. We sign up via our website. We head into a long couple of weeks to an opremial league. No bus boys. Hump to get us through the downtime. Share with us a non-footballing word of wisdom that we can all live by. You know, think of our good old friend, Jesus Christ, who said, you know, do unto others as you have done unto yourselves. And ultimately, I think that is going to be reflected by Tottenham and Asden Villa, who will generously not score any goals against each other. What a note to go out on. Rule, thank you. Hump, thank you. Big, big love.