As if someone invented time machine: Why 2025 feels like 2002 and how it could help Arsenal

Back in 2002, Brazil won their fifth FIFA World Cup (the first-ever organized by two countries, South Korea and Japan), Real Madrid won their ninth UEFA Champions League, Feyenoord won the UEFA Cup, Oserian Fastac won their second straight Kenyan Premier League title, Rio Ferdinand joined Man United from Leeds, Ronaldo Nazario left Inter Milan and moved to Real Madrid, Los Angeles Lakers won their third straight NBA title, Yugoslavia won FIBA Basketball World Cup after eliminating the USA in the quarter-finals, Pete Sampras won his last Grand Slam, the US Open, Sammy Kipketer, Wilberforce Talel, Stephen Cherono, and Salina Kosgei all won gold medals in their respective events at the Commonwealth Games...

And David Moyes, Steve Cotterill, and Martin O'Neill coached Everton, Cheltenham, and Celtic, respectively.

Now we know for sure - they're meant for each other

Twenty-three years later, Brazil have yet to win their sixth World Cup, Real Madrid have 15 UCL trophies, Oserian Fastac play in the second flight of Kenyan football, both Rio Ferdinand and Ronaldo Nazario are long retired, Yugoslavia no longer exists...

And David Moyes, Steve Cotterill, and Martin O'Neill coach Everton, Cheltenham, and Celtic, respectively.

No, this is not a mistake.

Moyes left Everton in 2013 to join Man United, but his spell at Old Trafford was nowhere near successful, especially since he was supposed to fill in Sir Alex Ferguson's shoes. Afterwards, he coached Real Sociedad, Sunderland, and West Ham (in two separate stints), before returning to the Liverpool side last January.

David Moyes and Martin O'Neill during the FA Cup clash between Everton and Sunderland in March 2012 (©Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

On the other hand, the Toffees changed eight managers between Moyes' two spells on their bench, but none of them matched the results Scotsman made at Goodison Park in the first decade of the century.

Steve Cotterill's story is similar to Moyes', though he led as many as ten clubs between his two stints with Cheltenham. After leaving the Robins' bench to take over Stoke City in mid-2002, he led as many as ten clubs before returning last month to try saving his beloved club from relegation to English non-professional leagues.

When he left, Cheltenham were in the third flight, but they mostly balanced between the third and fourth tiers - once even reached the fifth, but instantly returned - over the years without Cotterill.

They are currently 20th in League Two - on the verge of the relegation zone - and the 61-year-old will be in for a massive challenge at Whaddon Road.

Finally, Martin O'Neill's case is the strangest of the three, as he was long retired when he rejoined Celtic to help the club following Brendan Rodgers' departure.

The Northern Irishman led the Celts between 2000 and 2005, and later was Aston Villa, Sunderland, the Republic of Ireland national team, and Nottingham Forest boss. His five-month stint at City Ground, which ended in June 2019, was his last job until Celtic called.

The club needed his experience - and the 73-year-old has plenty of it - in the turbulent times that hit the Glasgow side, so he accepted the interim manager position.

However, we forgot to mention one thing that happened in 2002... Arsenal were Premier League champions. It was their penultimate title, before the EPL drought started in 2004.

Now, the Gunners top the league table after ten rounds, with a six-point edge over the second-placed Man City. Will the 2002 repeat for them as well?

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 11

Saturday

15.30: (2.75) Tottenham (3.75) Man.Utd. (2.50)

18.00: (2.25) Everton (3.35) Fulham (3.50)

18.00: (2.00) West Ham (3.60) Burnley (4.00)

20.30: (8.50) Sunderland (4.80) Arsenal (1.42)

23.00: (1.38) Chelsea (5.20) Wolverhampton (8.00)

Sunday

17.00: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.55) Bournemouth (3.40)

17.00: (2.95) Brentford (3.45) Newcastle (2.50)

17.00: (2.35) Crystal Palace (3.50) Brighton (3.15)

17.00: (2.25) Nott.Forest (3.35) Leeds (3.50)

19.30: (1.95) Man.City (4.00) Liverpool (3.80)

*** odds are subject to change***