After a big win, I usually say things like “Let the sunbathing continue” or something like that. When we beat Chelsea, Liverpool, City etc, you feel like you can bask in the radiant glow of victory. Even though they have been a tragic team this season, beating the scum in the North London derby shines a little brighter, so the sunbathing may last for up to a week or until our next game.
But did you see Arsenal win the Premier League and lift the trophy? I’m still going.
Management asked me yesterday: “How long will the Arsenal flag stay up there in the lounge window?”, to which I replied: “Just a while, love. We still have the Champions League.” I think she thinks it’s all downhill after that, but if we win the damn thing… well, let’s just put it this way, there probably won’t be any movement for some time after that.
Regardless of the result, the fact that we have this result and a parade to look forward to means that this week can simply be a continuation of the party. So in a way I’m glad the club didn’t do anything too early yesterday. This meant I could spend more time consuming ALL THE CONTENT, messaging more friends who are Gooners, watching more videos, listening to more podcasts, all while soaking up the glorious sunshine.
It really made me think about how much this title means. I knew it would mean a lot, I think we all did, but I didn’t know it would have as big an impact as it has. Little did I know that a full week after we learned our fate and victory was confirmed, I would still be reveling in it. I spoke to my brother (West Ham fan) after they won the Europa Conference League and he was happy, but I remember him saying: “After the exhilaration of seeing and experiencing it, it’s a bit crushing to realize it was just a moment of joy and tomorrow is just another day.” He tried to echo those sentiments after I spoke to him after the Bournemouth v City game last Tuesday. I couldn’t see it that way. I still don’t. This victory is amazing. It’s phenomenal. It shows how big the club is on a global scale. There were parties everywhere. I have seen clips of a preacher spelling out an acronym during a sermon in which the acronym means ARSENAL while preaching the Word of God while nodding to his team. I have seen the parties in Africa, America and Asia. Arsenal is a truly global entity and a cultural beacon that so many people around the world can identify with.
And as for these Arsenal players, they have etched themselves into history. They will see each other again in 20 years and immediately form a bond that they can share and talk about. Connected for a lifetime through the unifying power of the football club. There is something beautiful in that. Regardless of players who maybe haven’t played as much, like Norgaard or Gabby Jesus, there’s still that bond between them and there’s something magical and wonderful about that.
However, it must be so strange for her to go to work today. In many ways they have done the hard work, but after the parties on Sunday afternoon/evening and probably a day off in the sun yesterday, it’s back to London Colney today with the game on the horizon. And I have to say, I’m really excited to see what Arteta will do this week. I doubt we’ll get much information, but he needs to bring these players back down to earth and get them ready for a big game in just four days. A game that could see them surpass any of their title-winning Arsenal predecessors. Arteta will focus on how PSG are positioned, what Arsenal need to do to counter their obvious strengths and how we strengthen our own strengths against them. Will he subscribe to a “revenge” narrative from last season’s semi-final loss? Perhaps. Maybe he uses that as fuel?
I think there will be an element of that, but I also think it will be important for him to have two or three days to prepare for this big opponent. Players and coaches often talk about how they don’t really have time for much training. Well, they will this week. I expect they will leave London for Budapest on Friday morning, which means Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday can be spent going through scenarios, working out team strategies and getting the players into a fitness situation where they are ready to go. Players like Merino returning to the pitch for minutes on Sunday would be welcome, but Timber in training would also be welcome. I suspect his ability to play a major role will be limited, but having her there will be great for the players and coaching staff.
And I think we as fans also have to show our game face. This is the largest single club competition game in world football. I viewed it as a “nice-to-have”; a “free hit,” if you will. But come Friday and Saturday I wonder if the usual nervousness has begun? They’re not here now, it’s strange to think they couldn’t be there at all because of the Premier League win. But I have to cross that bridge when I get to it. At the moment there is even more time for sunbathing.
I hope you all have a few more thoughts tomorrow.
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