Arsenal vs Spurs: Who Takes the North London Derby? Liverpool at a Crossroads & Can Newcastle Shock Manchester City? Big Weekend Preview 11/21/2025

0:00You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network Suboptimal Radio.

0:13Welcome back, Premier League, to our loving arms. Yes, the international great was unusually stirring. Peak international football, pure and uncut. Just how we like it. The heightened emotion of Ireland, clinching playoff football, Walt. So that Scotland, earning their first World Cup qualification in 27 long years, could fly. I think we were all the better for it. A night that made it incredibly dangerous to be a can of tenants in and around the vicinity of Glasgow. But I sit here on the road in San Jose, California, eager to welcome Premier League football back into our loving heart. And of the gods ever bestow gifts upon us this weekend, almost too much plenty.

0:56The North London Derby, 198th edition of these bad boys. I'm from the north of England. I have no horse in this race, but I look at this game and I have to say hats off. I admire just a local petty bitterness that absolutely is soaked into this regional rumble. Pumpkining Liverpool hoping to prove themselves to themselves once again. Oh, my Lord, if it isn't the sound of the grinding teeth of Sean Dyche and Nottingham Forest City. City look to ratchet up the title race by doing Newcastle and Everton. thankfully make me wait until Monday when they play Manchester United and I get to meet my old friend, Shattered Hope, once again.

1:36So let's preview it all with the spirit of Nigeria manager Eric Chelle explaining why he lost his temper while going down against Congo. During all the penalty session, a guy of Congo did some voodoo. Yes, that is how football works. And I really believe it. Tactics be damned. And before we get into it all, I want to give my thanks to Bank of America, the official bank of U.S. soccer and the FIFA World Cup 2026. Bring that on for supporting the Men in Blazers media network. Discover what's possible in sports and in life. What would you like the power to do? I would like the power to take your questions.

2:16Let's do the forbidden dance and dive in. Hey, Rog. This is Mike from Boston. First time in a long time. Big Spurs fan. Arsenal there. Defence is finally starting to show some cracks. I'm wondering, is this the time we actually finally take back North London? Mike in Boston. I love that town. And we will be there December 6th live at the Roadrunner with Clint Dempsey, Rory Smith, Sam Lewis, and some massive guests for the day after the World Cup draw. We'll break it all down December 6th. Come and be with us. Tickets all over our website. New website. And also across our socials. Cannot wait to raise a pint with you there.

2:57But what a question now. Arsenal, league leading Arsenal, take on perpetual bewildered Spurs. 11.30am Eastern Time on Peacock. Spurs at Arsenal in the modern period. And I say this as an Everton fan. Oh, eternal hope, eternal disappointment for Tottenham Hotspur. This one is fantastically poised though. We do not know what a time to be alive because, number one, Arsenal looked human for the first time held at Sunderland. Brian Bobby, late and true. Humes ball in. Ballard is there to flick arm. And it's flicked in. Brian Broby for Sunderland. Oh, my words. That goal, stunning, snapped Arsenal's proud, really indomitable run of 10 straight wins.

3:48And I loved Mikel Arteta right afterwards describing the medical condition. with great complexity that he suffered post-game. Pain in my tummy because I don't want to concede any goals. And it was a goal, obviously, that he was putting the game in a difficult position. I'm not a doctor, but I can diagnose that, Mikel. You got some soccer tummy. It's the worst. Take it from me. But Spurs, can they now further dent that impregnability of the Arsenal backline? I mean, we've got to kind of cobble together the evidence. There's still such kind of scant Thomas Frank Tottenham body of work, and a lot of it is so inconsistent.

4:25It is perplexing. I will say Thomas Frank's Brentford always relished going to the Emirates. They love that rumble. And it's curious Spurs. They have the best away record in the league. They are a different creature. They truly come alive on the road. They are undefeated, as they showed in sitting deep and living on the counter to beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Etihad earlier in this season. But Spurs themselves are so inconsistent. They've won just twice in their last seven games. I'm old enough to remember their last game where beautiful, beautiful Richarlas had ripped off his shirt against Manchester United in the 91st minute.

5:03And learnt one of the hardest life lessons there is. Never take your shirt off too early. Up, got the head! Oh, it's in! Matthias De Ligt scores! Manchester United have found themselves a way back into the game. His third ever Manchester United goal. And it's an equaliser with 30 seconds of stoppage time to go. Spurs 2, Manchester United 2, Matthias De Ligt. Arsenal though, yes, league leaders, but they can hear the Pep Guardiola hoos pounding behind them. The sabre rattling of Manchester City creeping down just four points behind. This is a massive week for Arsenal. They play Tottenham midweek.

5:46Midweek, it's only Harry Kane's Bayern. And then Chelsea next weekend. They have this incredible squad debt, but it is going to be tested. They have injury blight. Victor Jokeres is amongst many attackers grappling with fitness challenges, but the biggest loss, almost, I mean, it's a cliche, but it's true, irreplaceable. Gabriel suffered an agonising thigh injury on international duty. He's out for, quote, Mikel Arteta had this morning, weeks, which will hurt. Honestly, Arsenal is much in attack as in defence. I think the most fascinating narrative around this game, though, is the one Eberichie Heze.

6:21We know his story now. It is utterly beloved. A kid that lived for the Arsenal, who talked about when he was in the Youth Academy, that was his whole identity. He came on this show and said this. You go on trial, you're looking at different clubs, getting scouted by different places, going training at different places. So to get scouted by Arsenal, supporting them, Theron Rhee was my guy at the time as well. So, of course, you're young and you don't truly understand what it means to be a professional football player, but the passion and the drive that it gave me at that time, that's what football was about for sure.

6:54When they gave you your first kit as an eight-year-old, did you look at the badge and just be like, nothing can go wrong now, nothing can stop me? I remember the kit they gave us was the red O2 kit and it was long sleeve as well. So as a kid, you're wearing this shirt that Henri was wearing. So it was like, this is the perfect shirt. There's all a shirt I've had in this. It just takes you back to that, man. And that's what, it was everything at the time. It was his whole identity. And then that identity was ripped from him. Kid was cut at the age of 13. And then he had to walk, really run, really skip the long, hard road back to the elite, his own way, singularly.

7:30And then transfer window on the cusp of signing for who? Tottenham Hotspur. Only to have Arsenal charging at last and gazump them. So his emotions as he plays in this first North London derby, his form, his ability to impact the game in massive moments. It's both tactically and poetically fascinating. I mean, listen to him when he signed. It's exciting for me. It's where I want to be. It's what I want to be doing. And, yeah, blessed to be in this position for sure. And OK, brace yourself, humans. This is Ebb's almost crying when he saw his first Arsenal jersey with his name on it. Oh, my God.

8:19I mean, if that's how he feels when he sees, you know, a little piece of polyester, how are you going to emote when he sees the Spuds for the first time at the Emirates and North London forever crackles across the stadium? Lights out Ebbs. Back to the way, shot comes in, and it's Ezzer. Ezzer against his former club with a fine finish. Before we take the next question, If you want to be featured on our show next week, send us a video with your biggest question about the weekend ahead. Use the link in the description below. If you don't want your beautiful face on YouTube, feel free to call us 646 450 9472.

8:55Leave us a voicemail. It's Rog. If you haven't noticed, I absolutely adore New Balance and all that they create. And although I'm not a professional footballer, I still love their boots worn by some of the greatest in the game, such as Bikai Osaka, Eberichie Eze, Jeremy Frimpong and the legend James Rodriguez. Whether it's the Fioran or the T 'Kella, both boots are made for performance. Fiorans are crafted for speed, features a new speed control stud, the sign for sudden stop shot, pivots and moves used by the fastest players on the field. And T 'Kella provides superior touch and control to bring your vision to life, reducing the space between the foot and the ball for a close intuitive feel.

9:38Grab yourself a pair today at newbalance.com slash soccer.

10:08Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest Saturday, 10 a.m. Eastern time on Peacock. I cannot wait. Once more, and to the breach, dear friends, and in case you've forgotten, your eighth-placed Liverpool have lost seven times in the last 10 games. They've got more Premier League losses than in the entirety of last season already. Last time out, they were utterly flattened by Manchester City. The good news, though, the fictionalist is kind, offers respite. I think seven of the next 10 games are against teams in the bottom half of the table. There is an opportunity for an incline. And while Nottingham Forest are a shadow of the team who shot the champions at Anfield last season, their only loss at home, the Sean Dyche steady diet of long balls.

10:52Be like a trip to the proctologist for on a slot. Last time we podded, I asked Rory the question of, can you imagine Nottingham Forest being beaten by Liverpool at the weekend? and, well, your fellow Red, he sounded so bedraggled, you could barely imagine victory. The way Liverpool have played over the last, yeah, two months, I don't think there's any reason to believe that they win any of those games, let alone all of them. On a slot that's confirmed, the Premier League defending champions will be without Florian Wurz and Conor Bradley, who will be a real loss for the visit. And the spotlight is going to be inevitably on Alexander Azak.

11:28It is his time to deliver, say the English tabloids, and it has been incredibly strange to see him almost loiter in the shadows and on the bench. Transitions are hard in football and in life, and I do believe, I almost know, there's going to be a moment where Alexander Isak suddenly clicks. The Isak! Welcome to the new world! The new world of Alexander Isak and Liverpool Football Club! Look, I know this season has been frustrating for you, and the millions of Liverpool fans who are in my life, We had a letter in our newsletter this morning. It's really beautiful from a reader who compared the mourning process externally of Liverpool Football Club after Diego Jota's death.

12:13You know, keeping much of the grief private in the locker room, which I understand. He compared it to that, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who lost the great Johnny Gaudreau. It's a GFOP of some renown, Gil Rutledge. And his letter was really beautiful. He wrote, for the Blue Jackets, the group spoke openly and often about the loss publicly, the coaches, the players, the beat writers. They went there often. They could hardly avoid the gaping hole in the locker room. The team simply couldn't avoid the pain, nor did they try to. I thought about that this week when Scotland qualified in their joy, in their ebullience, in their ecstasy.

12:50to see and Andy Robertson was interviewed on the sideline and in his moment of wonder, in his moment of achievement, in his moment of just the dream come true for every school kid, he will play in the World Cup. Where did his mind go? It went right to his friend who's no longer with him. Today I've been in bits. I know that the age I'm at and everything, this could be my last chance in the World Cup. I couldn't get my mate Diogo jaw out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup. When he missed out on guitar because of injury, I missed out. For Scotland never win and we always discussed what it'd be like going to this World Cup.

13:28I know he'll be somewhere smiling, don't we? It was fascinating to hear in his press conference, on a slot, ruminate and reflect on that. I saw the interview as well, live. And I know that it is an issue for us, which is, I think, completely normal. But then at these moments of time, I always think about how much it feels for his wife and his children, because that's so, so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we miss the player and the person, that is completely clear. I think this is really important. This is a glimpse, really, into the grief which grips your reds behind the scenes.

14:11And I just say, may you experience joy again. that we all know Sean Dyke's going to try and be the Dyke who stole Christmas. So, you know, it's certainly not my first rodeo.

14:27OK, next batter up. Hey, Rog, Tyler here from Connecticut. Newcastle fan. City look terrifying again. And we've been anything but consistent. Is there any way we can shock them this weekend? Tyler, I've got to say, the American Newcastle fan. That choice is always fascinating to me. I'd love any Newcastle fan listening in the United States, tell me how you choose the tune. But what a rumble awaits all of you now this weekend. Newcastle, welcome Manchester City, 12.30pm Eastern Time, Saturday on NBC. Really a game filled again with unknowable mystery. This whole show is Spurs, we don't know. Liverpool, we don't understand.

15:06Now Newcastle, who have looked like the Newcastle of our modern reincarnated experience, but only in the Champions League. Where they are currently six, they look so formidable. And in the Premier League, just two points off the relegation zone. What? 14th place. And so you're asking really this question. Can Newcastle manager Eddie Howe beat Manchester City for the first time in his career? 18 times he's faced Manchester City and he's never, ever won. I guess the short answer to that is no. City's resurgence has not really, amongst Liverpool's floundering and Arsenal's pomp, taking the attention that it deserves.

15:45They have won seven of their last eight, and it's been remarkable to watch the fine-tuning game-to-game, to watch Pep, Conjure, Cokes, Tweak, empower Erling Haaland, both as an unstoppable goal scorer, a YouTube influencer, but also when you watch him as a true leader of this team now. He's got Reinders, Foden, and now Doku stepping up alongside him to make this really now a one-man team plus. Such quick feed. Oh, that's outstanding. It's incredible from Jeremy Dukkho. But your question is about Newcastle. Your Newcastle have almost been overwhelmed by the pace, the power, the demands, the rigour, the exhaustion of Champions League football life.

16:28And this is what is so strange because they are now just two points above the relegation zone before this visit of Manchester City to St. James' Park. And this is the surreal double life, really, that you live, Tyler. You're Newcastle. Here's the good news. You've won six of your past nine games, all competitions. And the all competitions is doing the heavy lifting there because the Champions League has been your happy place. Six in that table. You're also defending Carabao Cup lovers. There's that quarterfinal upcoming. So there is joy to be found, but not in the league. That is where your Newcastle have looked bedraggled, floundering, looked flat.

17:04Just three league victories on the season. Fourth lowest goal scorers in the top flight. fourth worst shot conversion rate. I think he's at 8.4%. Big chance conversion rate, 30%. Not so bueno. So you can tell how much Pep thinks his team are going to win. Remember, the Pepometer is, let's just say, it's never good to be an opponent whom he praises this much before the game. Top team. I never see the table when we analyse opponents. Top, top team. I've been one of the toughest players in the last years. and have been in good games. The atmosphere is a Champions League team. They're doing really well.

17:44But we're ready again for a new challenge. Pep saying top, top team is the mark of death. One more question. Hi, Raj. Meredith from Denver, Colorado here. Over Thanksgiving, my boyfriend and I are headed to England for some proper football. My boyfriend supports Follum, but this year he's taken a liking to Grimsby Town after they beat Manchester United and that you've been slapped by a fish meme went around. On Thanksgiving night, he insists we go to Grimsby to watch them host Tramir Rovers, a Leap 2 match between two teams I had previously never even heard of. At the exact same time, my beloved Aston Villa is hosting in the Europa League.

18:19Being the great girlfriend that I am, I already agreed to go to Grimsby so my boyfriend can indulge his latest obsession. Since I've already agreed to go, my question isn't whether I should go to Grimsby, but instead, what compensation am I owed for this deal? Perhaps I can trade this for a future trip to Stanford Bridge or the G-Tech, both of which she absolutely refuses to step foot in. Courage. Meredith and Denver, first of all, Godspeed on that Thanksgiving adventure of adventures. I will say most couples I know spend the holiday arguing with their uncle over politics and trying to work out who's going to do the dishes.

18:54By the way, I would love to do the dishes and not argue with Ness's uncle. But you and your boyfriend are choosing a different pathway. You got a choice between a Europa night at Villa Park and a windswept lower league standing Grimsby. When you got that choice, you got it good. Let's be candid. This is a very specific kind of romance that I admire and we at the Men in Blazers Media Network approve of. But before I get to your question, if only you were here this weekend instead, your boyfriend's beloved Fulham taking on Sunderland, mighty Sunderland, Saturday, 10 a.m. Eastern on Pickock. Fulham hovering above the relegation zone.

19:30Team with so much talent on paper, so little stability, really look flat. I mean, even bloody Everton beat them. And income, Sunderland newly promoted, somehow in the top four, playing with the swagger of a team who expect the Champions League anthem to start playing every single time they walk out of that tunnel. Only team in nine games to breach Arsenal's defence twice. And the manager, Reggie Labris, on the touchline. the quiet focus, really a deep intellectual, an academic. I got to speak to him this week. It was really fascinating. We talked about how he took this team, took the team really from a championship relegation contender and turned them into a smiting collective fist.

20:13How have you transformed 40 new individuals into one singular collective so quickly? I don't know. The journey started with our first video calls. I explained clearly what was the position expected for the player. And I think if they decided it would be Sunderland at the end, it meant that they understood that this game model, this environment was really positive for them. And the connection started probably from that point. Oh, I really do admire that man. And for Sunderland, let's just say this is a real test because it's the kind of game serious teams are expected to just go and find a way to win.

20:50For Fulham, chance to bounce back, try and get a season that feels like it's floundering, actually dangerous back on track. But to your question, what should the compensation be? What do you deserve? I say, very simple. You get to choose the next adventure together. Whatever you want, a long trip, a match, watching a football in Argentina would be my suggestion at a weekend getaway, whatever makes your footballing hot. So let us know, because I am fascinated. And if your partner goes without protest, because once you've stood in Grimsby, on Thanksgiving for love, you've earned the lifelong right to end every disagreement with a single word.

21:30Grimsby. Listen to the noise from the Grimsby fans. A cuevo off the crossbar. Grimsby have beaten Manchester United in the most dramatic circumstances. We want to give a huge thanks to Bank of America, the official bank of US soccer and FIFA Club World Cup 2026. for supporting the Men in Blazers media network. Discover what's possible in sports and life. What would you like the power to do? I'd like the power to try and catch my flight in about 40 minutes time, and I'm still in the hotel. By the way, it warms my heart to say we've just launched a brand new Men in Blazers shop with a ton of merch designed for all your favourites, Men in Blazers, the women's game, and Vamos.

22:13I actually like that the best. The clothing, the hats, the mugs. Your support allows us to do more across every single pool of our platform. There'll be a ton more going up there. A lot of limited edition clubs coming up with the World Cup charging towards us. Check it all out. Links in the notes. Enjoy. Send me a photo with it on you because it'll look even better than it does on me. Believe me, this Sunday, November 23rd, tune into the newest episode on the Men in Blazers TV show on Peacock for my conversation with an incredible human being, Everton goalkeeper, England's number one, Jen, who truly is a singular personality.

22:52His mindset, I learned a lot from. It's Jordan Pickford. We talked about the mental side of being a goalkeeper. It's incredible. Post-save reactions. He says he does them for him, not for the crowd. And how he hopes his Everton legacy will ultimately be told. Candid on the chaos. Clear on the mindset. Full of love for Everton and the rave. Give it a watch. Bring a touch of that keeper focus into your weekend. And finally, to take us out another clip from my interview with the Sunderland guru, really, Reggie Labris. He talks here about a remarkable human being in his locker room, Granit Xhaka, his leadership, how much he means to the entire club.

23:32You can find a full interview in the show notes. It's on YouTube right now. Subscribe there. Have an incredible footballing weekend. Let's not take a second of watching football together for granted. Big, big love. And here's Reggie Labris. He started in the restaurant here to sit with the French players from the beginning. So I asked him, why are you always with these players? And he told me that they will be really important for the squad this season. So I need to connect with them, to understand them, and probably in his mind to manage them as well. He's really clever, really smart, and his background and the way he manages the team is really impressive.