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United & Spurs Do the Unthinkable

Plus, Arteta's Arsenal slay some demons.

April 18, 2025

Hail GFOP! 

I type with fingers filled with love and joy for all you Arsenal, United and Spurs fans. I hope all of you had a night – Anne Hathaway in particular, obvs. I will talk about United and Spurs below, but Arsenal supporters: have you come back down to Earth yet? I would love to know how you are feeling and where Wednesday night lives for you in Arsenal lore. YOUR TEAM ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS. ✨

But more than that, you proved yourselves to yourselves by outplaying the European Champions, Real Madrid. That by displaying a fearlessness and collective fight, you can shake off profound mistakes that in seasons past have lit the fuse on that big Arsenal doom-bonfire of self-immolation and regret.  

It was a surreal experience going into this game. Somehow Real Madrid had leveraged their myth and legend to make Arsenal, entering with a 3-0 lead, feel like underdogs. But the La Remontada hype proved to be mere misdirection. As, gloriously, did Bukayo Saka’s limp Panenka which led not to collapse, but to the redemptive power of the Starboy’s delicious dink. Arsenal were human, they were fallible, but they were ferociously tenacious. Watching them, I thought back to Arsène Wenger and his words on how that quality is the difference between good and truly great. I believe that is a human truth that transcends football.  Mikel Arteta understands that. In many ways, he embodies it. His side’s steel is forged with it. A semifinal against PSG now beckons. These are the moments Arsenal fans have long dreamed of: slaying giants, fearing no one. 

I guess in short: Arteta’s pickpockets. They worked. 

ii. Also congratulations – gratulerer! – to all you BODØ/GLIMT fans. The tiny team became the first Norwegian club ever to reach a European semi-final when they beat Lazio on penalties. A remarkable achievement for a club with an 8,000-seat stadium, in a town of 42,831 people located within the Arctic Circle. Only eight years ago, they were in Norway's second tier. Next up, Tottenham, with nothing to lose.

More: This is the Bodo/Glimt story. It is beautiful and incredible. 🇳🇴

iii. The highlight of my week was a morning spent with Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, a gent who grew up in Puerto Rico with zero football interest, but who has become a self-described football obsessive and Liverpool fan over the past five years – to the extent that he was able to drop so many gems about his time at Anfield, and conversations with Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, and exactly which MLB star Virgil Van Dijk reminds him of. A version of this conversation will debut on Wednesday, April 23 on the podcast and YouTube. It is life affirming.  

iv. I am taping with the legendary Brené Brown this week. Another Liverpool fan!  Send me your questions for that force of wonder. 

ALSO: We just found out that ARNE SLOT IS COMING ON... Send your questions for that incredible human being to [email protected]!

News from MiB World HQ 📡

The response to our conversation with Tyler Adams on the beach in Bournemouth has been immense. I caught Tyler in a very candid moment – especially about the causes of the USMNT’s moment of challenge. Thanks for your letters in response and feedback to this interview. The consensus seems to be that Tyler should be given the captain’s armband, and I very much agree. Speaking to the other players at Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert lead amongst them – they all marveled at Tyler’s natural leadership of the team. The U.S. could not need that more. 

ii. The thrill of my week: Watching Sam Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn and Lynn Biyendolo dominate the stage during Good Vibes FC’s first-ever live taping in a sold-out Seattle Boxcar ahead of this weekend’s Cascadia Derby. There is nothing like that trio. The joy they put out into the world is in too short a supply. 

iii. Also on the Women’s Game front, Sam had a fantastic conversation earlier this week with Canada and Vancouver Rise FC midfielder Quinn where they discussed the kick-off of Canada’s brand new Northern Super League, and what it means for football in the country. They also discuss how Quinn has been a trailblazer in their fight for equality both on and off the pitch. Give it a watch this weekend.

iv. This week on VAMOS with Herc Gomez, Florida’s Bryant Lazaro, who left home at 19 to pursue his dream of coaching in Europe. Nearly two decades later, he’s working as an assistant manager at Estoril Praia in the Portuguese top flight. A low-key incredible story about an American manager who left the comfort of these shores to do the hard yards in the upper echelons of elite European football (complete with some incredible Marcelo Bielsa stories). LISTEN HERE.

To the Football 🍻

Everton vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA) 

After just two defeats in 13 games under St. David Moyes, this Everton fear no one. I loved what James Garner said after last weekend’s 1-0 94th-minute wonder at Forest: “The manager said afterwards, 'Let's get used to this feeling, this should be the norm'.” I love that. That is what Everton were when I was a kid. That is the standard St. David is trying to set and re-summon. Having said that, the stats are DANK: Everton are winless in our last 16 games against Manchester City, and King David is winless in his last 15 meetings against them. Let’s do this. 

Rogstradamus 🔮: I fear Teemu Salah, Omar Marmoush. City 2-0. Sigh

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, USA)

For Villa, the agony of a 3-2 Champions League victory at Villa Park that was just not enough to see them through against a new PSG, who reach their fourth semi-final in six years. The mission is now to lock up a return to the tournament, wiser, more wizened, and hungrier. Unai Emery is some manager, but how shattered will his Villa be after their Tuesday night exertions? Third-place Newcastle are the ultimate test, surging under assistant manager Jason Tindall, who has delivered nine goals in two blowout games, while the Toon now have SIX WINS IN A ROW overall.

Rogstradamus 🔮: Newcastle add to their record of eight wins in 10 on the road, rolling 3-1. After the end of their Champions League journey, Villa suddenly feel like they have been slapped across the face by a wet piece of cod. 

More: Jason Tindall prepares to lead Toon for the rest of the season.

Fulham vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, USA)

London Derby between two erratic teams. Fulham have alternated between Win and Loss over their last eight league games. Chelsea have not won on the road in the league since December. They might be sixth and in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, but their fans are seething and ready to turn on Enzo Maresca for the quality of the football.

Rogstradamus 🔮: I see Willian redemption glory. Fulham do the double over their flashy neighbor for the first time in their history, 1-0

Ipswich vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, Peacock)

Ipwsich’s season has been a prolonged and futile raging against the dying of the light. That flickering glow may be extinguished as soon as Sunday. Arsenal could also be officially knocked out of league-title contention, but Wednesday night in Madrid heals so many pains.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: 2-2!

Manchester United vs. Wolves (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, Peacock)

A game that reminds me of that old bar mitzvah haiku: “Today I am a man, tomorrow I will return to the seventh grade.” Last night, United roared – their heritage and DNA of Fergie-Time crackling. Two goals down to 10-man Lyon and facing humiliation, Casemiro and Harry Maguire showed you either die as a villain, or live as a hero by lifting Old Trafford into rapture. Now it’s back to league football, and the reality that United are in 14th place with 38 points and scrapping against Wolves for their dignity.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: Wolves do Ruben Amorim 2-1. Cunha relishes the opportunity to show Manchester United why they should overpay for him before he quiet quits on them.

Leicester City vs.  Liverpool (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, USA)

With a six-point swing (a win and an Arsenal loss), Liverpool could win the title this weekend. A remarkable thing to type, considering when Arne Slot took over, and only one new player – Federico Chiesa – arrived over the summer, no one believed this outcome was possible. Even better, yesterday, the news Liverpool fans have dreamed of: Big Virg re-signed until 2027 for up to $530,000 a week. Exhale. Rejoice. Ask yourself if, with Mo, you got the two out of three you wanted. Then celebrate the fact that your team now has its core culture locked in, even as the squad inevitably refreshes and evolves. This weekend: Leicester City, AKA a speed bump on the way to the title coronation.

Rogstradamus 🔮: Liverpool romp 4-0 on a day in which everything goes right and even Endō scores. The inevitable Virgil goal will bring Anfield down.

More: A glimpse into Liverpool’s commercial rise.

Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest (Monday, 3 p.m. ET, USA)

Leaky, leaky Spurs have life! They went through the wringer but survived in Frankfurt. Dominic Solanke’s first goal in 12 matches from the penalty spot was enough to stand up a clean sheet and propel Ange Postecoglou into the Europa League semi-finals against Norwegian Super Minnows Bodø/Glimt. Some achievement after leaking inside six minutes in the first leg. Whisper it: Are Spurs just 270 minutes away from ending a 17-year trophy drought? I loved Big Ange’s line: "You're going to have to put up with me for a little bit longer."

Forest have existential challenges of their own after two straight defeats. The Battle for Champions League Football is a knife fight. Can Chris Wood, fresh back from injury last weekend, remember where he secreted his prison shiv upon his person?

Rogstradamus 🔮: Spurs happiness is one of the most combustible chemical compounds in the periodic table. Forest 2-0.  

📧 Enjoying The Raven? Check out our other Men in Blazers newsletters here.

More Magical Football to Catch Your Eye this Weekend 🌍

AC Milan vs. Atalanta (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹

If the “sometimes maybe s**t” AC Milan show up against an often very good third-place Atalanta on Sunday, there could be trouble. The giants of European football find themselves in ninth place, which means, Christian Pulisic is having a career season on a generationally bad team. CP dropped an assist again last Friday, taking him to 24 goal contributions in all competitions this season. Milan’s best route to Europe could be via the Coppa Italia, the semi-final of which is against neighbors, league leaders, and treble chasers, Inter Milan. 

NWSL - Portland Thorns vs. Seattle Reign FC (Tonight, 10 p.m. ET, Prime) 🇺🇸

The Cascadia Rivalry is NWSL’s classic regional rumble, a game that has traditionally carried more heat than John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes. Another biggie comes this weekend in the shape of Orlando Pride hosting Washington Spirit, two teams who have their own budding rivalry after Orlando beat the Spirit for both the shield and the Championship last year. This is the first time they’ll play each other in the regular season, and although it’s early days, the Pride are yet to be beaten so far, but a Washington win would pull the points tally level.

Women’s Champions League - Arsenal vs. Lyon, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET / Barcelona vs. Chelsea, Sunday, 10 p.m. ET, both on DAZN 🇪🇺

All roads lead to Europe, as North London’s Arsenal and West’s Chelsea take on titanic opposition in Lyon and Barcelona (respectively) for a pairing of semis that could result in an inaugural all-English Women’s Champions League final. The problem is, in the past nine seasons, the only two teams to have won this, the pinnacle of European women’s football, are the aforementioned French and Spanish sides. Arsenal last lifted the trophy in 2007, and Chelsea are Chelsea, AKA perennial league champions, but my lord, how magical would it be to experience a London-only Champions League final. 

News & Notes from Around the Football World ⚽︎

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is: 

“Arsenal’s best chance to beat PSG is if __________________”

Email us your entries for a chance of winning a coveted MiB patch.

Last week’s winner was Jacob Woodbury from Sioux Falls: “Now that the title and relegation races are sewn up, the most riveting reason to watch the Premier League is for Big Ange's choice of gesture to his traveling fans...”

Jacob, Big Ange can do no wrong in my book. Enjoy El Patch.

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

Dear Rog... GFOPs Write ✍️

I loved this letter from Libby McClaren, who wrote: This Virgil (Mini Schnauzer/Pit Bull/German Shepherd mix, rescue dog, equal parts agent of chaos and timid boy) is thrilled that his namesake VVD will stay at Liverpool FC for two more seasons. Up the Reds!

Rog writes: Libby – That is one stunning dog. I love how proud he looks. He knows your team are just a six-point swing from glory. I have spent more time than I care to publicly admit looking at this image, it gives me so much joy. Wishing you and Virgil so many happy hours watching football together. This made my day.

Keep sending your stories and questions and dog photos to [email protected].

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories,

Big Love,

Courage.

ROG