I am en route to Villa on the rattler with Skin. We departed frosty Bognor this morning at 6am. “It’s at times like this that I question my sanity – as does my wife,” he said as we waited in the cold for the train. Me too.
I can’t remember being more deflated following the Arsenal given our recent catastrophic capitulations but I know I must have been. Wembley 78. Brussells and Wembley 1980. Luton also at the Twin Towers. I won’t go on, the memories are distant and I want to keep it that way. Besides we have a new ‘crisis’ with which to contend.
The pain eased then and I know it will again. Today at Villa Park would be a start. If we win all of a sudden our season is back on track. Close to the Premier League summit. One win away from CL qualification. Carling Cup in our sights. The treble is on. Wait, the quadruple with the FA Cup. If we lose, however, the voice of the anti-AW movement will grow louder. Could we hear the echoes of ‘Wenger out’ for the first time if we succumb to this mediocre Midlands mob?
The media won’t just have a field day they will wallow in acres of boggy farmland for at least a week. I won’t be one of those calling for the head of our leader. Not now. Not next week. Surely we measure success in May? Yes I share the frustration. But a sense of perspective is needed. AW is the reason the club is now genuinely one of the biggest in the world. On and off the pitch. Past glories only serve to highlight our honours hiatus but in the previous five seasons we have been mighty close. We nick a third against that lot last week and we’re laughing.
Idiot ref gives the pen in Braga and again, we’re chuckling again. Fine lines. For the record I happen to think AW does get it wrong on occasion. Stepanovs, Jeffers etc etc. But for every dud there have been 10 gems. Henry, Vieira et al. What manager is perfect? We have enough detractors out there – let’s not turn on our club.
I realise our current malaise is made worse because that lot have won a couple of games. Big bleedin’ deal. They’ll soon pipe down when normal service is resumed. BCMA. Being a fan means just that. Yes we can be critical but overall we must back the club.
Back the players who pull on the majestic red and white (or plum and yellow!). I can’t see the point of supporting them if not. That is our role. It’s a contract for life. In our hearts. Shapes our lives and is mostly joyous. Stop bleating. And if you want Wenger out, who do you want in? Harry Redknapp? In his parlance, ‘leave orf’. Be careful what you wish for chaps, you just might get it.
Up the Gunners, eh?
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