Arsenal’s unbeaten season, Liverpool’s continental triumph and an unorthodox mascot feature in the latest in our series chronicling the extraordinary power of belief

Roll up, roll up, for Mystic Arsene and his predictive powers

In September 2002, following a 4-1 mauling of Leeds United and amidst much guffawing from rival managers and the media, Arsene Wenger told journalists: “I am hopeful that we can go through the season unbeaten – a frightening thought.” A Wayne Rooney winner for Everton at Goodison Park in October ended any chance of the Gunners achieving such a feat and Manchester United ground them down in the title race, but the Arsenal boss insisted his team could avoid losing even once during the following campaign. Astonishingly, they did just that, emulating Preston’s Invincibles of the 19th century.

The curse of Grobbelaar’s wobbly legs

Nils Liedholm, Swedish coach of Roma in the early 1980s, was hugely superstitious. So much so, he would frequently consult a mysterious magician/astrologer-type figure known as il Mago Maggi. In 1984, with the Italian champions preparing for their European Cup final against Liverpool, Liedholm asked Maggi for a bit of tactical advice. “Don’t let Francesco Graziani take a penalty,” the wise Maggi warned him. When Graziani found out, he laughed it off. The game, of course, went to penalties and it was Graziani who had to face Bruce Grobbelaar’s wobbly legs routine. He promptly blasted his shot over the bar, and Liverpool went on to win 4-2.

Grobbelaar celebrates after the European Cup triumph – following Graziani’s missed penalty

It was simple. If Uganda were playing at the Nakivubo Stadium in the early 1990s, invite Prime Minister George Cosmas Adyebo along to watch, and the national team was sure to win. He was the ultimate lucky charm, witnessing the team defeat deadly rivals Tanzania in an African Cup of Nations qualifier and Mozambique in an Olympic qualifier. Loud and animated in the stands, Adyebo doubted his apparent magic powers, claiming: “I’m not a magician, and it’s just a matter of coincidence.” Nonsense. When he stopped attending games due to illness in the late 1990s, the Cranes’ fortunes plummeted without their talisman. “We miss our saviour,” wailed Uganda’s skipper.

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The Uruguayan believes the Reds’ lack of involvement in European football could work in their favour and insists he has put his controversial past behind him

Liverpool’s lack of Champions League involvement gives them an edge in the Premier League title race, according to star striker Luis Suarez.

The Reds topped the table as recently as Christmas Day and remain just six points back from current leaders Arsenal, lying fourth behind Manchester City and Chelsea.

Before their clash with the Blues on December 29, Jose Mourinho suggested Liverpool’s lack of involvement in European competition made them dangerous title rivals, and Suarez agrees.

“All of the clubs ahead of us are in the Champions League so they will be more tired after playing more matches,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Obviously the intensity in the Champions League is difficult to handle … so we have to take advantage.

“I don’t know if we have what it takes to be champions but we didn’t deserve to lose either of the matches played recently against the top clubs.

“We lost at [Manchester City] and Chelsea but it’s alright; we are playing well and are on the right track.

“We have shown we have the level to play in the Champions League. That is really important because, in the last two years, we haven’t demonstrated that Liverpool can play there.

“Now we are playing very well, we have really good players and, if we continue at this level, we can do it.”

Suarez has established himself as the outstanding player in England since his return from suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic, scoring 22 goals in 18 matches for Liverpool in all competitions.

Equally impressive has been the improvement in temperament, and Suarez insists he has worked hard to bury his darker inclinations.

“I am trying hard and I have changed,” he insisted. “I don’t want to create any controversy or anything – today all I am thinking about is Liverpool.

“I am more than happy with my life here and my wife and children are very happy as well. We are very content with our life. I’m happy to be in the Premier League which is the best league in the world. This is what matters to me.

“I am with a spectacular club that I’ve always wanted to play for. The team is playing well, I feel comfortable on the pitch despite what happens in other stadia. I love playing here in England and that is the only thing I think about.”

The Premier League giants, as well as Crystal Palace and QPR, dispatched representatives to run the rule over the Coupe de la Ligue clash, the home team confirm

Scouts from several Premier League clubs arrived in France to watch Bordeaux’s Coupe de la Ligue clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The Ligue 1 club confirmed on their official website that representatives from Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace – as well as the Championship’s QPR – were due to attend the game, which kicks off at 20.00GMT.

The quarter-final match is the two sides’ third meeting of the season in all competitions and, though they have won both previous matches, PSG announced a strong team to face Francis Gillot’s men.

Laurent Blanc deployed the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jeremy Menez, Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura, while Bordeaux defender Ludovic Sane is among those in the hosts’ starting XI who have previously been linked with a move to the Premier League.

PSG are currently top of the Ligue 1 table this season, five points clear of fellow heavy spenders Monaco after 20 games.