Premier League Nonsense

The last few months haven’t been much fun for Arsenal fans. Last season’s implosion following the Carling Cup Final defeat against Birmingham City, their later relegation just rubbed salt into the aching wound, remains fresh in the memory.

Fans were promised a busy pre season in the transfer market but I don’t think many envisaged how busy it would be. And in which direction. Skipper Cesc fabregas and Samir Nasri decided they would have better chance of trophies, and a healthy retirement fund, elsewhere while others like Denilson and Emmanuel Eboue, frequent bit part players in Arsene Wenger’s vision of the club’s future, have moved on and players like Sebastian Squillaci, Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia have proved tricky to dispose of.

Amid the off field turmoil the club really needed a good start to the new season and indeed they are actually top of the table. In red cards.

Failing to score in the opening English Premier League and Wenger’s perceived reluctance to buy anyone over the age of 21 further soured the support which is increasingly being split into two disparate camps. The Arsene Knows Brigade against the Arsene Out bunch. About the only thing that unites the two warring sides is a loathing of a silent but increasingly wealthy board who contribute little meaningful to any debate leaving Wenger to be the fall guy.

Against this background victory in Udinese in the Champions League qualifier then is to be savoured, especially as it came against the odds. A1-0 llead from the first leg was thought to be too slender and there was a widespread belief the Gunners could not keep the Italians from scoring in front of their own fans.

As it happened Udinese took the lead and when they were awarded a penalty Arsenal fans, and their manager, must have thought here we go again. But it saw saved. Not just saved. It was a superb stop from the young Polish keeper Sceczney who has grown in stature and confidence over the last six months.

It is too early to describe the save as a season defining moment just as Liiverpool’s win at Emirates is not the precursor for a title challenge. But you could almost sense the confidence surge through the players veins and taking inspiration from their keeper Arsenal went for it. And got the result they wanted.

It was therefore a bit deflating to read various social networks from the so called wise heads cautioning caution. Obviously one win against a depleted Udinese is not the guarantee of later success, no one is suggesting that. But after all the bad news round the club it is good to savour a good win against the odds, something we haven’t managed for many years.

For many football fans, supporting your team is a labour of love. Yes, you moan, complain, which you were elsewhere but you wouldn’t miss a game for the world. Most teams tend to hover in mid table, flirt with relegation or promotion and hang on for the odd good cup run. Glory is hard to find for fans of Coventry City, Colchester United or Chesterfield, they grab it with both hands when it comes along no matter how temporary it is.

There is still life left in the Arsenal and I for one will savour the buzz for as long as possible. Because on Sunday we play Manchester United at Old Trafford and we will soon return to reality.

But till then I’m buzzing!

(First appeared in Jakarta Globe after Udinese game and before Man United in August 2011)

# posted by Me @ 4:45 AM