Could this strange pattern be a divine sign for the Gunners? Some Arsenal fans certainly believe so…
A bizarre football coincidence has emerged following Pope Francis’ passing – each of the last three papal deaths was followed by an English club winning the Champions League that same season. Now with Arsenal as England’s sole remaining contender, superstitious fans wonder if history could repeat itself.
The pattern holds:
- 1978/79: Pope John Paul I dies → Nottingham Forest win European Cup
- 2004/05: Pope John Paul II dies → Liverpool win UCL
- 2022/23: Pope Benedict XVI dies → Man City win UCL
With Arsenal facing PSG in the semifinals, some supporters see divine signs. “It’s written in the stars,” one fan tweeted, while statisticians caution it’s likely just coincidence.