For any football supporter apart from Arsenal, this will be on repeat forever.
Louis Theroux once again sparked amusement and debate after an old clip resurfaced of him asking a man with a brain injury whether he had supported Arsenal before his accident.
The moment, taken from Theroux’s 2003 documentary Louis Theroux: By Reason of Insanity, has gained traction online as fans revisit the journalist’s signature awkward-yet-thoughtful interview style.
In the clip, Theroux sits opposite the man, who has suffered a severe brain injury affecting his memory and cognitive abilities. Seemingly attempting to understand how his personality may have changed since the accident, Theroux asks, “Did you support Arsenal before the brain injury?”.
The question, delivered in Theroux’s typical deadpan manner, has amused social media users, with many highlighting its unintentionally humorous tone. Some have joked that supporting Arsenal itself could be considered a form of suffering, while others have debated whether the question was a sincere attempt to gauge continuity in the man’s identity.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Louis Theroux is the only person who could get away with asking this question with a straight face,” while another wrote, “The real tragedy is if he supported Arsenal after the injury.”
Theroux, known for his unconventional approach to interviewing, has built a career on getting to the heart of people’s experiences—sometimes through seemingly bizarre or blunt questions. His documentaries, covering everything from religious extremists to the porn industry, have often walked the fine line between earnest curiosity and dry humour.
While the resurfaced clip may appear comical, it also touches on a deeper question about personal identity and how much of who we are is tied to our past loyalties and passions—even something as simple as a football team.
Theroux has yet to comment on the clip’s resurgence, but if his past social media interactions are anything to go by, he might just find the humour in it himself.
Don’t forget to ask those Arsenal fans when you next see them.
