Benedict Cumberbatch And His Superb Arsenal Supporters at UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ( 5 May 2026)

Anyway, Dr. Strange. Sir. The education is getting really brilliant. Benedict Cumberbatch! Benny! Benny! Benny! Benny! Super Benedict! Super Benedict Cumberbatch! Super Benedict! Super Benedict Cumberbatch! Benedict, thank you so much for joining us. That's amazing. I've got to teach my kids that chant. That was... Have you ever had a reaction How can we possibly lose with that kind of love and energy? That's amazing. Thanks, I'm stoked. Can you tell us your Arsenal supporting story? What first made you become a goalie? I didn't grow up with a team. I'll be completely honest with you. I didn't start this as something in my blood. My dad didn't support a team. He's a very asthmatic child. He couldn't play much himself. He started following football. I won't tell you who he supports. But he started following football when I started playing. And even then I wasn't attached to a team. But it's really when I moved to North London I live not far from here. And I first went to a friend's house even before I lived here that was just behind Highbury. And I heard the sound and I went, what is that? And they went, that's Highbury you idiot. And I was like, oh my God. And from that moment in I was invested in my heart. That was about 20 years ago. 23 years ago. Older than most of you. So you must have some brilliant moments and memories as an Arsenal supporter. This is the confession of this which is very embarrassing. This is the first time I've seen a game live. I don't think that was worthy of a round of applause. I feel ashamed about that. Why didn't I say that? This is a safe space, it's alright. How has that happened? Is it because you're obviously very busy? I've got some friends. Rupert Gray, Mark Strong and Patrick Marber. They're sort of an acting set and a theatre director set that I know come to this game a lot. And every time I've gone, I've just always missed the post. I've always got there too late to get in on their season ticket when one of them isn't available and they usually are taking it up anyway. And even JJ Fields, who's also a friend of mine and another actor, he's had an opportunity to vote. Family, work, things just not allowing me to do it. And this time I was like, no, everything has to stop. I have to be here tonight. And I brought my two boys here as well. Two of three, the third is at home. And he said this morning, it's okay, they're older than me and I'll get to go another time. So this is your first time watching Arsenal in person? Yes. But obviously you travel so much with work, so I'm guessing you've watched Arsenal games all over the place in different bars all over the world? America, Spain. What's the atmosphere been like? I've had to be quiet in some places. I've watched games obviously, though it's pretty hard. Brilliant, brilliant. My best moments are at home. When we've scored, I'm just opening the windows and hearing the sound coming from the Emirates. It's just like, oh, it's my team down the road. It's amazing. So how does it feel for you? This has been the most extraordinary season. And just to be able to follow it with an open heart and have this kind of a ride. I know football is a massive rollercoaster and no seasons are the same. But my God, it's hard to describe to people that aren't into it that you don't need it. And whoever's watching probably doesn't need this. But it is just the amount of emotional investment, the drama, the theatre of it, and just how much you care. How much you end up caring. It feels like a drive. It feels like this is my people. This is my team. Motivational speech, right? Well, what would you say to them tonight? Hold in your head the dominance you had this Saturday. Hold what you did on that right-hand side. Because you played the beautiful game beautifully. And if you go at them with the same attack they had in the second half where they suddenly woke up in the previous, and leave it all on the pitch, you will go home proud and you will go home winning. What would it mean to you to see the boys win in North London tonight and to book their spot in the Champions League final? It's been a long time, hasn't it? One step closer to the inevitable. It would be blissful. One step closer to the inevitable. I'd like to do that for the sake of my heart rate right now, but I can't, unfortunately. And you've got faith and confidence that we're going to win something this season? Of course I do. Can we just get a quick score prediction from you? 2-1. I'm hoping the 2-1 will go 2-up in the first half. Slightly knighted by the King. We're having a stunning celebration. Benedict Cumberbatch! Thank you so much for joining us.