Award-winning actor Tom Hiddleston has gone viral after he sent an inspiring message to Arsenal ahead of their crunch Premier League match with Manchester City on Sunday.
The Etihad encounter is likely to go a long way to deciding the whereabouts of the title. Arsenal enter the match six points clear but could see that advantage cancelled out if they were to lose and then City were to win their game in hand against Burnley in midweek.
Hiddleston, 45, who won international fame portraying Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has said that it is an occasion that the players of both teams should embrace.
“In the theatre we talk about nerves all the time and on film sets and actually the chemical that you produce when you’re nervous is the same chemical you produce when you’re excited. And so I choose to say I’m excited,” the Golden Globe winner said on Sky Sports.
“Like I really think this moment for these two teams I would say is a moment they’ll look back on for the next three decades as the most alive they ever felt.
“You said in the break, guys, pressure is a privilege. And if you’re feeling any pressure or the weight of expectation, you are breathing rare air that very few of us get to live inside. And I think that’s something to really, for the Arsenal squad, I think that’s something that I hope they can take in.”
“Pressure is a privilege”
Golden Globe winning actor Tom Hiddleston gives his thoughts on the huge clash between Manchester City and Arsenal 🎬 pic.twitter.com/rl5XUZUjgx
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 17, 2026
Given Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s reputation for weird and wonderful motivation techniques, it was joked that he might find himself in the dressing room prior to the match on Sunday.
Hiddleston responded: “Well, I’ll await the call from Mikel.”
What football team does Tom Hiddleston support?
Hiddleston is a well-known Arsenal fan and has openly backed the Gunners for years, appearing on TV and podcasts to discuss the fortunes of the North London side.
However, he previously supported Liverpool.
He explained: “I jumped on the Liverpool bandwagon in the 80s, because they were doing so well” said Tom “but when I moved to London I started supporting Arsenal.
“It’s because Arsenal was round the corner and all my friends and now my in-laws are all Arsenal fans, so I just found myself talking about Arsenal more than Liverpool.”
Related stories:
Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle future revealed tomorrow, Eddie Howe says
Transfer Rumours: Man Utd in shock Leeds raid as midfielder pursuit takes twist
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
