Football Weekly – "Manchester City’s Arctic Meltdown and Thomas Frank Fights On"

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: The Guardian – Nikki Bandini (presenting), with Max Rushden, Philippe Auclair, Archie Rhind-Tutt

Episode Overview

This episode covers a momentous week of European football, focusing on Manchester City’s shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt in freezing Norwegian conditions, Thomas Frank’s Triumph with Spurs in the Champions League, Arsenal’s strength at Inter Milan, PSG and Real Madrid’s exploits, a wild Brighton overhead kick, and public debate about a potential European boycott of the next World Cup.

As always, the Football Weekly panel injects humor, strong opinions, and informed analysis, especially as they navigate themes of footballing upsets, financial disparities, managerial pressure, and socio-political issues impacting the game.

Main Segments & Key Points

1. Bodo/Glimt 3 – 1 Manchester City: A Night for the Ages

[02:11–16:00]

The Upset and its Beauty

• Bodo/Glimt stun Man City in the Champions League; their “biggest win ever,” first group-stage win, and first over an English side.
• Philippe Auclair marvels at Jens Petter Hauge’s top-corner finish:

  “There is a feeling of joy, aesthetic pleasure and disbelief... It’s the painter with a swirl of the brush before applying the absolutely perfect… color at the perfect place. No, it was absolutely glorious.” (02:38)

• The panel lauds Bodo/Glimt’s ethos: low-budget, skillful, and ‘arctic fresh air’.

  “Their whole squad cost 15 million euros less than what Antoine Semenyo cost City... 1.3 billion vs. 57.5 million. That’s absolutely magnificent.” (03:46—Philippe Auclair)

• Surprise at manager Kjetil Knutsen’s lack of suitors despite his success.
• Archie:

  “This is as big as certain FA Cup third-round upsets… not stolen, by far the more dangerous-looking team.” (06:25)

Humbling for Manchester City

• City’s defense and attitude criticized, especially risky tactics with a patched-up back line.
• Young defender Elayne’s woes ("...bad night and he’s a very young defender and I do have an inexperienced defense…", Nikki Bandini, 09:29).
• Pep Guardiola’s possible arrogance and inflexibility questioned (“…playing a high line with a defense missing Gvardiol, Dias, Stones, with a 20-year-old, that’s mad.” —Philippe, 15:43)

Man City: “Crisisometer” and Squad Issues

• Panel resists “crisis” label but concedes City feel “a little bit rudderless” (Archie, 10:25).
• Rodri’s red card (head loss) and lack of control highlighted (14:57).
• Max observes:

  “If you’re looking for anything to superpower the feeling of your victory, seeing one of the most famous players on the opposition get sent off… those are as good as goals.” (14:19)

• Arsenal look likely to hold or increase their 7-point lead in the league given City’s current state.

2. Spurs 2 – 0 Dortmund: Thomas Frank’s Big Relief

[16:46–25:28]

Pressure Eases on Thomas Frank

• Much-needed Champions League win for Frank amid rumors about his job security.
• Max:

  “I know that Thomas Frank is a big gum chewer… his jaw was doing some extra yards last night.” (17:15)

• Spurs dominated, showing intent, directness, and organization—qualities absent in recent Premier League games.

  “For the first 20 minutes, it was front foot, positive, direct… things Tottenham fans haven’t seen for months.” (20:09—Nikki)

• Solanke’s (fortunate) goal crucial:

  “The funniest goal scored in the Champions League… is it three? I’m not too sure.” (23:15—Philippe)

• Spurs' contrasting Champions League and domestic form discussed; “Europe is almost like a holiday” compared to league grind (Archie, 20:33).
• Fans’ emotional swings:

  “…seeing Vicario miscontrol the ball and suddenly all the rage… it’s like the towel being left on the floor.” (25:13—Max)

3. Inter 1 – 3 Arsenal: Gunners Show Their Depth

[26:23–36:40]

Arsenal’s Relentless Form & Depth

• Arsenal breeze past Inter in Milan—look “a cut above” (28:20—Archie).
• Inter’s struggles in big games continue; Arsenal’s squad depth called “outrageous”:

  “They didn’t even start Declan Rice… speaks to the outrageousness of their depth.” (29:48—Archie)

• Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres both scored; panel debate who should start vs Manchester United.

  “Only [Jesus] at Arsenal could score that kind of goals. You need to be extremely strong, physical… and finish.” (29:49—Philippe)

• Max likens Arsenal’s strong squad to vintage Manchester United:

  “It reminds me how [Fergie] would build squads… to blow other teams out the water.” (33:28)

The Secret Ingredient: Relaxation and Focus “Bottled”

• Philippe:

  “Intensity goes with relaxation… Arteta looked phenomenally relaxed. He was smiling… He never smiles… If he can bottle it up and pass it on to the team every time… they’ll go far.” (35:13)

• Panel agrees Arsenal’s mentality and energy make them favorites for silverware.

4. Around Europe & Other Matches Recapped

[37:05–43:44]

• Real Madrid 6 – Monaco 1:
  “Monaco are crap,” says Philippe, but he comments on Mbappé’s “for the cameras” celebrations and supposed show of unity with Vinicius (37:30).
• Sporting 2 – 1 PSG:
  PSG dominate but lose, missing “shooting boots, dribbling boots, crossing boots” (39:58—Philippe). Suarez scores twice; comic moment as he tries to take Kvaratskhelia’s shirt during a counterattack.
• Copenhagen 1 – 1 Napoli:
  “Conte’s European malaise” continues—up a goal and a man, yet can’t win. Panel expects Napoli to fail to advance (42:10—Archie).
• Other results: Ajax late win over Villarreal, Olympiacos surprise Leverkusen, Club Brugge thrash Krat.

5. Premier League Monday Night: Brighton’s Bicycle Kick

[45:17–47:23]

• Brighton and Bournemouth play out an unremarkable draw, but Costoulas’ 90th-minute overhead kick “steals the show.”
• Philippe:

  “If he meant it, it’s unbelievable... Slicing the ball with an overhead after chesting it – a little bit special.” (46:08)

6. Discussion: Europe Boycotting the World Cup?

[49:23–58:08]

Growing Unrest Over US as World Cup Host

• Nikki Bandini introduces a Guardian article on UEFA federations discussing a possible boycott over Trump’s Greenland policies and political instability in the US.
• Dutch petition to boycott gains over 100,000 signatures in 24 hours. Philippe explains:

  “We are now at 110,476 signatories… it is only in the Netherlands, but… you’re wondering if it’s not going to happen in other countries.” (50:35)

• Reference to Claude Le Roy urging African nations to boycott due to US cuts to aid:

  “Let’s not give him the World Cup.” (52:48—Philippe)

• Public and football influencer sentiment is shifting:

  “We know something is wrong… either [the World Cup] is not going to happen or countries are going to boycott it.” (53:30—Philippe)

• Max: Skeptical that football, or most players, will “do the right thing” and predicts only government intervention would make boycott widespread.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Bodo/Glimt v Man City

• Philippe (02:38):

  "There is a feeling of joy, aesthetic pleasure and disbelief... a painter with a swirl of the brush..."

• Archie (06:25):

  "This is as big as certain FA Cup third-round upsets... not stolen, by far the more dangerous-looking team."

• Philippe (15:43):

  "...playing with such a high line [with inexperienced defenders]... you're mad. It's as if I want to show I can play this system... that's also very Pep."

On Arsenal

• Philippe (29:49):

  “Only [Jesus] at Arsenal could score that kind of goals... extremely strong, physical... and finish.”

• Max (33:28):

  “Reminds me how [Fergie] would build squads... not to have enough, but to blow other teams out the water.”

On World Cup Boycott

• Philippe (53:30):

  "We know something is wrong... either it's not going to happen or countries are going to boycott it."

• Max (56:29):

  "Football is not used to doing the right thing... players live in their own bubble... I struggle to see it happening."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:11] – Bodo/Glimt 3 – 1 Manchester City analysis begins
• [16:46] – Discussion shifts to Tottenham/Dortmund and Thomas Frank’s fortunes
• [26:23] – Arsenal’s form at Inter Milan
• [37:05] – Recap of other European games (Real Madrid, PSG, Napoli)
• [45:17] – Brighton overhead kick moment
• [49:23] – In-depth debate about potential World Cup boycott

In Summary

This episode is a blend of euphoric underdog stories (Bodo/Glimt), big-club soul-searching (Manchester City), shifting power and depth in the European elite (Arsenal), and reflections on the real-world intersection of football, politics, and ethics. The panel’s wit, skepticism, and depth of knowledge shine through, whether analyzing a Norwegian fairy tale or the potential for history-making protest at the World Cup. For listeners, it’s a rich tapestry of results, personalities, and big-picture questions—served with Football Weekly’s signature banter and incisiveness.