Arsenal

I sit to write this post after experiencing two terrible seasons and two back to back defeats in the opening fixtures of the new Premier League season as an Arsenal supporter. Just yesterday Arsenal were 2-0 down within twenty minutes of the first half. They managed to pull back two goals before halftime only to lose the match 3-2 to Chelsea. The range of emotions I felt during that game sums up what I have been going through supporting Arsenal since 2005. I sit and wonder, like many people who aren’t into sports, as to why I do this to myself every year from August to May. Why do I care so much about a sporting institution that does not affect my personal or professional life in any way?

Let’s start from the top. Arsenal football club under their longest serving manager Arsene Wenger were a force to be reckoned with. Going head to head with a brilliantly set up Manchester United side under the helm of Sir Alex Ferguson was no easy task. Arsene’s men managed to match and beat this side. The greatest achievement though was when Arsenal managed to go unbeaten during the 03/04 season. They completed the 38 match season without losing even once earning the title of ‘The Incvincibles’. This feat has not been repeated by any other club till date. I started watching football around the same time as Arsenal was playing ‘beautiful football’ under Wenger. I was attracted to the playing style and the philosophy that the club was known for. Out of all the great clubs Arsenal appealed to me the most and I became an Arsenal supporter.

Ask any Arsenal supporter and they will tell you it’s not an easy task. Times have been tough with bad performances and other clubs easily brushing the team away easily. There was a huge revolt by the fans against the clubs management which has forced Wenger to step down and let Unai Eemery take charge.

Now to answer the question “Why do I care so much?” Arsenal in my opinion gives me a sense of belonging. I have met many other people who support Arsenal and that has become a subject that we bond over. 

Sports in general are a way for people to take a break from their day to day life. Arsenal and football serve the same purpose for me. I look forward to the weekend just to watch Arsenal play. Some people say I am way too invested in this club. I would like it no other way. I jump and shout during matches and I possibly cannot sit in one place during a match. This club and sport has taught me certain life lessons. It has taught me to care about an institution. It has taught me passion, patience and unconditional love. I will stand alongside this club through all its problems and that has taught me not to give up on people no matter how bad a phase they are going through. Arsenal has also taught me to be disciplined and to work hard. I look up to some of the players who have played for this club like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires to name a few. These players put immense amounts of effort to deliver for the supporters of the club. Looking at them I have learnt that to achieve greatness you have to be passionate about what you are doing and give more than 100%. To sum it up Arsenal for me is a source of life lessons.

An Arsenal poster hangs on the wall behind me as I write this post. Looking at it I eagerly wait for the next weekend to see Arsenal play again. I will be ready to jump and scream. This excitement will not change for life as this club, the players and the ideology it follows are a part of me. I will be an Arsenal supporter till my last breath. Come On You Gunners!