Written by Squid Boy on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 08:32

Here’s a piece I wrote for the “Fans’ Thoughts” section in the matchday programme. I wrote it just before the Carling Cup final and it was published on Sunday for the Liverpool game – so while it’s a bit more rose-tinted than I’m feeling at the moment, the overall message still rings true. As frustrated as we are with what’s unfolding on the pitch, I believe that those of us who frequent the Emirates sometimes need to take stock and be more appreciative of what we have. Read on...

“Wow Sam, you’re so lucky, you get to come here every week!” – wise words from my friend Jimmy, a colleague from university and ardent Gooner. The only difference between me and him? I’ve had the great fortune of being born, growing up, and permanently residing in London and in close proximity to the club we both love so dearly.

Having had a spare ticket for the Wolves home game, I asked him to come with me. Hailing from Malaysia, he naturally jumped at the chance. And it was only when I saw the awe in his eyes as we walked across the North Bank Bridge did I realise how blessed us season ticket holders and Emirates regulars truly are.

I joined Twitter (@TheSquidBoyLike) prior to the start of the season and soon became acquainted with hundreds of passionate Gooners across the globe. Just like those of us fortunate enough to attend games, they share equally in the heady highs and painful lows. And furthermore, they do it at ungodly hours. No longer do I have the temerity to complain about early kick-offs! My respect for them has no bounds, and I almost feel like I represent them every time I attend a game now.

Arsenal supporters worldwide are often accused of being spoilt in terms of the quality on the pitch. Those who sit in the stands are perennially (and unfairly, in my opinion) criticised for being a tad on the quiet side. However irrespective of whether or not these notions are true, I do believe that some of us – myself included – take certain things for granted.

How lucky are we to have successfully moved from the romantic but not-so-roomy Highbury to a world-class arena such as the Emirates? On time and on budget, lest we forget. And given the recent shenanigans involving West Ham, Spurs and the Olympic Stadium, we’re even luckier that the only real change us fans have had to face is turning right out of Arsenal station instead of left!

Admittedly while it has been a seamless transition off-the-pitch, many would argue this has not been the case on it. The bare facts vindicate this: you only need to look at the circle of trophies above Club Level to see that. Some even believe that an input of funding (otherwise known as a ‘sugar daddy’) would have remedied this. Me personally, I’m happy that my club is a self-sufficient and eminently sustainable one. The word ‘debt’ is taboo to many of our rivals’ fans. For us, it isn’t. And while trophies are the be-all and end-all to some, isn’t the journey sometimes more important than the destination? Won’t our next trophy be all the more sweeter knowing we’ve done things our way, the Arsenal way, the Wenger way?

Back to my friend Jimmy. How did his love story with The Arsenal continue to unfold? He soon attended his second game with his young son via their shiny new Red Memberships.

• Add New
• RSS

Comments (9)

• 19-Apr-2011 09:32 | | MeanLean
  

  Good stuff SB,
  
  I agree with you totally. I think many Arsenal fans have taken us for granted somewhat over the years.
  
  It has been frustrating that we have not won a shiny trophy, a trophy that all Arsenal fans want but look at what we have achieved in the process on our resources. There are average midtable sides who have invested more into their squads than we have and haven't even built for long term success.
  
  I really believe that it will be when Arsene leaves the club that doubters will truly understand the work that has been put into our club.

• 19-Apr-2011 09:42 | | Danny  - well said
  

  I wish there were more like you , not only have we got the new stadium but we have been in the top 4 for 15 years ,and we have not been THAT far away from silverware. I was born in 53 dec we didn't win anything for 17 years . GG was great for us, made us think and fight like winners but Wenger has put us up, with the top teams in the world, with one of THE stadiums of the world . Now it's all in place do we want to spend the next 6-8 years changing managers until we find one we like ? remember " you don't know what you have got until it's GONE

• 19-Apr-2011 09:53 | | Mohoops  - Sweet piece SB
  

  Congrats on making the program, Personally It hurts just as much as everyother fan when days like Saturday come about, ESP since I want this team to do it, their way..if we spent 100M & won the league it won't be as special..
  But as you said overall, life is very, very good for arsenal fans, beautiful stadium, no debt, beautiful football & a young team that'll only get better..plus even if I was a gloomy moaner it's not gonna change anything so why not just look on the brightside..I'm a cynic in many aspects of today's society but regarding Arsenal I'm a pure fan & supporter..end of.

• 19-Apr-2011 14:33 | | Man United Killa
  

  Cesc is leaving because he wants to play in a team surrounded by top class players. that is the team he joined when first came to arsenal and steadily it has been dismantled. i dont blame him ..the guy has given everything but the club didnt put the right players around him and he knows he will never win the CL or the EPL with us as we are today

• 19-Apr-2011 15:48 | | Daygeedr  - bliss
  

  Ayam a gooner from Nigerian, and ayam just blessed supporting this club. Can anybody Cc Myles Palmer and let him read this.. Sameer nice one . Luvli article, can't even say more than u guys there are one lucki bunch. Looking forward to ma first trip to Emirates. Follow me @DaygeeDr, always up for arsenal discussion

• 20-Apr-2011 01:25 | | richie
  

  Well said Danny like you I remember the swinging sixty's not because of the great football we were playing but because of what I had ringing in my ears. The taunts of the Spuds supporters after they'd won the double. The inter city fairs cup was the first trophe of yours and my life.
  Our first double followed quickly, but we waited another 7 stretch after that to claim anything else. Bare me out with this one if you wll. We were the Kings of Winning ugly under GG. We all loved it when we rubbed other teams noses in the shit. Especially better footballing sides, we'd nick a goal from a set piece and then we'd hold out for a win. It wasn't pretty but it worked. GG made us tough to beat on a budget. Arsene took us in the oppostite direction. We are now capable of playing fantastic football, in a beautiful stadium. Arsene has taken us to the next level.

• 20-Apr-2011 10:36 | | Eagleye
  

  We are amazingly fortunate to be where we are. Remember we have gone from being labelled boring to being known as one of the most entertaining teams in England. We now have opposition fans chanting that we are always cheating as the only comeback on our footballing abilities.
  
  Strange too that every other club in (Not only in England but in Europe too) would love to have Wenger as their manager but a big part of the very forgetful section of our own dear club want him out. I heard a fan on the radio saying that the "In Arsene we trust" banner should be stuffed up his you know where!! How disrespectful of a man that has given so much to this club with only his recent lack of silverware something that hurts his record. Those loyal to him know how much that hurts him.

• 20-Apr-2011 11:12 | | richie
  

  Way too much negativity from our own! Manu'er ain't been playing great most of the season, but they are really hard to beat. But their fans are 100% behind them even when they aren't good. Can the same be said of our own?

• 12-May-2011 14:54 | | Cale Pissarra  - Come on
  

  Just dont have what it takes in the business end of the season, we need some quality signings this summer

Write comment

Your Details:

Name:

Comment:

Title:

Message:

Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable