Manchester City vs. Arsenal: THE BIG ONE 🩵❤️

Hail GFOP!

I type with fingers happy to be truly home. I write from my Mum’s kitchen table in Liverpool where I have returned to give her a huge hug, and surround her with love. My family is the only thing I love more in life more than Everton Football Club, and Sean Dyche’s boys won’t love me back. So here I am, lifting Valerie Bennett’s spirits in a world in which my father is not, and Everton have not won since he passed away. She keeps telling me that maybe it is for the best. 

What an epic weekend we have in store for us. Manchester City host Arsenal. Everton travel to Leicester City. Two games. One played in football’s heavens. The other, much closer to the rings of Hell. As you read this, in your heart of hearts, don’t you already know what the results are going to be? I think of Leo Tolstoy’s quote from War and Peace, “Freedom is the content. Inevitability is the form”. More than ever this season’s biggest life lesson seems to be proof that there is no such thing as free will. In reality, the only choice the teams have to make is which of their four kits they will play in. 

ii. Tomorrow I am headed to watch Burnley alongside JJ Watt. From the moment I first met JJ, I have been fascinated by his football journey. He first came on our show back in May, 2021. We talked about how he had become hooked on the history, culture and passion of English football. Every time he came back on, it was clear JJ was falling ever deeper in love with the game. Wrapping his head around the players and tactics, one YouTube wormhole at a time. 

Once JJ began to think about buying into Burnley with his wife, Kealia, it has been amazing to witness all that has come since. While it has not always been a smooth journey for the Clarets, watching this giant American NFL legend fall head over heels in love with global football has been a joy to witness. If this game that we love can capture the imagination of a gent who grew up playing hockey and gridiron football in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, it can win over anyone in this nation. JJ has talked so much about what he loves about Burnley – the history and tradition. Whenever we talked, I often promised to go to a game. Since my Dad died, I have been trying to be a gent who does not just talk about doing things, but actually makes good on his word, so this is it. I can’t wait to drink a Bene and Hot and recruit Luca Koleosho for the USMNT. 

iii. This has been an exquisite week at MiB World Headquarters. Thanks for all your kind words about our afternoon spent with the magical Mauricio Pochettino. So many of you have written in talking about the surging sense of optimism you are feeling. It feels so good to feel so good again.  

b. When I feel down, I often get a lift by watching interviews with Bukayo Saka. This week, we were blessed to have that Nando’s-loving Starboy return for his third appearance. He remains one of the most life-affirming gents in the Premier League. I admire his tenacity so greatly. 

d. Marlon Fossey is one of the most intriguing new faces on the U.S. Team. His journey is inspirational. Listening to Herc and him was the joy of my flight over. 🇺🇸

d. Sammy Mewis and Lynn Williams had Sinead Farrelly on to pay a really moving tribute to her retirement. When you measure the impact of her career and bravery – she should be remembered as one of the most important players in NWSL history.

iv. A new episode of The Men In Blazers Television Show debuts on Peacock this Saturday. It features sit down, in-person interviews with South Korean Spurs hero, Son Heung-min and a manager who burns with the heat of a thousand Aussie suns, Big Ange Postecoglou. Spurs fans, we know it has not been the season you’ve hoped for thus far. But we come in peace. And these interviews are humanly magnificent. It will be AVAILABLE HERE, along with every show from the past three seasons. 

One last thought from Liverpool. When I go and visit my dad’s grave, I walk past so many incredible Scousers who have died and chosen to have the Everton crest on their tombstone. I feel a pang of guilt of the extent to which that symbol was something they were so proud of in their lifetimes, and how its meaning has inexorably changed, and become almost a meme. A comedy symbol of mirth. Learn from their mistakes. Tombstone carefully. 

2. To the Football

i. Manchester City vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 11.30 a.m. ET, USA)

You know me. I don’t like to be hyperbolic, but this epic rumble between the two teams who finished first and second for the past two seasons might just determine the future of civilization. Manchester City feel inevitable. The only club with a perfect record after four games. A Premier League unbeaten run of 27 Premier League games total, and 47 games, all comps, at home. This morning, Pep Guardiola revealed that Belgian midfield maestro Kevin DeBruyne could still play in this clash despite being subbed off at halftime of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan with a groin injury. Rodri is back, and Erling Haaland alone has scored more goals than every other squad. Oh yes – they have managed to start the trial for 115 charges of financial skullduggery in a cone of silence. 

Stout-of-defense Arsenal will draw strength from City’s off-color performance against Inter midweek, and the fact they took four points from their rivals last season. However they will enter the game tormented by a sense of their own mortality. Martin Odegaard will be out for “a significant time” after suffering ankle ligament damage on international duty. In better news, that cunning ball-tapper Declan Rice is back to add precision to the set pieces which Areta will pray will rain. The true battle to witness will be Erling Haaland gripple-grappling Gabriel and Sailba, against whom he has never scored. Let the rutting commence. 

More: Are we in the Post-Guardiola era?

ii. West Ham United v. Chelsea (Saturday, 7.30 a.m. ET, USA)

East London meets West. Two teams in flux under new management. The football field has been a refuge from the chaos for Enzo Maresca who, despite the world of crazy that surrounds him, has only lost once – and that was to Manchester City – in the opening four games of the season. Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers attempt to avoid losing first three home matches of a campaign for first time in league history.

iii. Liverpool v. Bournemouth (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)

Good managers are defined by how they handle adversity. Last week’s shock 1-0 loss against Nottingham Forest caused many Liverpool fans to push the Panic Button. But the big Dutch giant baby-headed manager calmly descended into the San Siro and restored order by slapping AC Milan around. Allison, now beardless, is a worry with hamstring knack. Bournemouth are the 3rd game into a challenging seven-match-22-day gauntlet. Iraola’s Cherries have been game but know they have suffered nine losses in their last 10 Premier League games against the Reds including a 9-0 loss two seasons ago. 

iv. Aston Villa v. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

West Midlands Derby. Two teams are separated by just 12 miles as the crow flies. But by eons from a football perspective. Unai Emery’s soaring Villa swagger in, with Everton’s blood still fresh on their hands, savoring their first Champions League win since 1983. Wolves are stealth in freefall. The last time they had this many points – and I use the plural there loosely – at this stage of the season, they were relegated. 

v. Leicester City v. Everton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

After the callous darkness of back-to-back two-goal collapses, I am trying something new this weekend. I read the book of Jonah and realized that when he boarded the boat and attempted to travel to Tarshish, it was his presence alone which caused the hellacious storm. In the same way, I am starting to believe it is only me watching the teams I love – Everton, White Sox, Caleb Willliams – that is causing them to crap the bed. So I am not going to watch Everton this weekend. An enormous sacrifice. When we win – I will be faced with a true torment. But fellow Blues fans, you can thank me later. Who am I kidding? Vardy gonna do us. As GFOP @Ryan_on_Earth tweeted me after our Carabao defenestration midweek: “Now we can focus our energy on losing in the league.”

More: Dyche defends Everton record but trouble is brewing. 

vi. Tottenham Hotspur v. Brentford (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

Another Derby where the teams are separated by just 12 miles. The Premier League scriptwriters love their symmetry this weekend. Big Ange remains under immense pressure after his team were two minutes away from Carabao calamity against Coventry midweek. Two late goals, including a redemption-tinged winner from Brennan Johnson scraped a win. I pray for Ange, I really do. Brentford’s injury situation is excruciating though: Goal machine Yoane Wissa will be out for a “couple of months” after suffering an ankle injury last weekend. Bryan Mbeumo is now the only available Brentford player who has scored this season. 

Remember: Big Ange and Sonny on Men In Blazers TV Show debuting this Sunday. It will be AVAILABLE HERE.

📺 Full Broadcast Schedule HERE. 

3. ​​Wrexham. Don’t Wrexham it Up 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Despite suffering their first defeat of the season at Birmingham in Monday’s “Hollywood Derby”, Wrexham remain top of League One, now tied on points with Tom Brady’s mob and Charlton. They face fellow promoted side Crawley Town tomorrow at the Racecourse (10 a.m. ET, Paramount +). Saturday’s match will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster, a tragic event in which an explosion and subsequent underground fire at the Gresford Colliery claimed the lives of 261 coal miners. It is impossible to understand the town and the team without understanding Gresford’s significance. We will be shooting a special episode of This Week in Wrexham at the match. 

More: Tomi Cheese vs Tom Brady. Our brilliant correspondent vlogs proudly as Wrexham go down at Birmingham. I loved this so much.

PrizePicks: Best PP Since Parker Posey

Charlie Kipp Writes: Don’t look now, but we’ve quietly creeped into a 5-0 start to the season with these PrizePicks recommendations. And if I can find winners on PrizePicks, you can too. There is no better platform to enhance your football-watching experience than turning your hunches into picks - and those picks into winners. So - how do we keep it going? I say, with one of England’s most promising young talents, Eberechi Eze, who we like to grab MORE than three shots this weekend.

Crystal Palace host Manchester United this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on Network NBC (woah!) - and might I say, it will be a sight to see Selhurst Park under the floodlights. Fans will be cheering on, among others, 26-year-old Eberechi Eze — who despite a summer of rumors and the departure of bash-brother Michael Olise — remains with the Eagles to fly again. We are admittedly bucking a trend here, statistically, as Eze has not hit the three shot mark in recent weeks, but I think — much like a Monday morning homework assignment — we are DUE. Crowd backing him, occasion lifting him — our boy will be active; run, don’t walk, to grab Eberechi Eze MORE than three shots, in your entries this weekend.

If you haven’t joined PrizePicks, CLICK HERE and use code MiB for a first deposit match up to $100.

Share This Newsletter with Your Football-Curious and Football-Mad Friends Alike 📧

If you enjoy this newsletter, please share it with as many of your football-curious friends as possible. Men in Blazers is based on community and word of mouth and we are immensely grateful to you for helping grow it. It is such an honor to do what we do at MiB as the sport’s profile is surging in our nation. We never take it for granted. We also love to hear from you at [email protected]. Send us a Raven and let us know what you’re loving or what you’d love to see.

And if you — or your friends — are interested in keeping up with all our American players (men and women) plying their trade overseas, we have a weekly newsletter for that too 💙🇺🇸

4. Big games to watch in Italy 🇮🇹🤌

A sizzling goal in the third minute from Christian Pulisic was not enough to prevent a 3-1 beatdown against Liverpool Tuesday, in AC Milan’s first outing in this year’s new (improved?) Champions League. It does not get any easier Sunday when they return to domestic action with a sold out Derby della Madonnina, with rivals Inter playing host at the San Siro (2.45 p.m. ET, Paramount +). 

ii. Como’s frustrating draw last Saturday against Bologna, who fought back from 2-0 down, has Cesc Fabregas’s boys in 18th and still in search of the season’s first win as they travel to Lombardy on Monday (2.45 p.m. ET, Paramount +). Opponents Atalanta have had a mixed start to the season after finishing fourth in 23/24 and are only four days out from their Champions League draw with Arsenal. Forza Como!

5. The Women’s Game: NWSL. It’s Business Time 

Following their 0-0 draw with Kansas City last weekend, league leaders Orlando Pride are just six games away from achieving a historic Invincibles season. They feature in tonight’s second match, traveling to a Bay FC side fighting to keep their eighth place spot (10.30 p.m. ET). Meanwhile at CPKC Stadium, the KC Current host a Washington Spirit side (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video) whose victory over Houston on Sunday secured their spot in the playoffs, setting the stage for 12 teams to battle for six remaining places.

In England: WSL kicks off. An enormous season lies ahead. One filled with promise, as Manchester City and Emily Fox's Arsenal both pray they can decrown an Emma Hayes-less Chelsea. Read this. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

6. Not Football, and All the Better For It

i. Maggie Cheung Walked Away From Acting 20 Years Ago, but Her Legend Endures. Tarantino you will pay for cutting her from Inglorious Bastards!!!

ii. Junk Food, High Art. As Victor Hugo once said, "To love beauty is to see a Baja Blast."

iii. "Where there’s romance, it’s always amidst ruins; where there’s home, it’s always irrecoverable except in dreams." Affirmations: If I Should Fall from Grace with God.

iv. Did Frank Sinatra Really Perform at My Grandma's High School? Now to fact-check the one about walking to school uphill both ways...

v. Nobody Was Reading Him. Now He’s the World’s Best Spy Writer. (Paywall I'm sorry!!!) The stated goal of this newsletter is to preview the weekend's football, but our real goal is to do unpaid press for 'Slow Horses'. 

vi. Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo so popular you can visit her for only 5 minutes. You guys on Moo Deng tiktok? Just me?

vii. Sweet Dreams: They Came in Through the Bathroom Mirror.

viii. The rise of Britishcore: 100 experiences that define and unite modern Britons. #101: Not relating to any of the aforementioned experiences. 

ix. Loved this from Split Lip Mag: Contraband Marginalia.

x. I Joined the Turkish Commuters Who Swim Between Europe and Asia Every Day. And I still complain about wearing pants for a Zoom meeting.

xi. I loved this song. It helped me through the week: When Doves Cry by the Be Good Tanyas.

That is it for today. A year ago my Dad was in hospital. I came home to encourage him to fight. He was bedridden, and it was in that state that he first started to read this newsletter from top to bottom. For the first time in his life, he had the time to read every word. And around lunchtime, he would always call me to discuss it in minute detail. I work quite hard on Fridays because of all the preview content we put out, and sometimes, I would hurry him off the phone. All I can say is this: I would give anything to be able to pick up the phone and hear his voice and discuss the crap I have just typed out god early in the morning. My point is – savor every second while you can.

Let’s make great memories watching football together. 

To better days ahead for all

Big Love,

Courage
ROG

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