Woh. Just woh. 22 year of waiting. 22 years of nearly moments, of what could have been, of considerable pain, of gut wrenching moments. Those moments, that pain has been worth it for what’s happened. We are the premier league champions and it feels so very good to be able to say that. I was 7 years old when Arsenal last won the league and hadn’t fully invested myself in football or Arsenal by that stage so this is really my first experience of my team winning the premier league. In truth it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I find new wave of elation hitting me at random moments throughout the day and which then leads to me either smiling broadly or getting a bit misty eyed. That’s what it means.
I often tell ourselves that football is ‘just a game’ after a particularly devastating result and that there are more important things in the world. Of course, that is perfectly true in some ways. However, watching fans around the world celebrating last night and today I realise that this is such much more than just a game. It’s part of who we are and deeply entrenched in our experience. The famous Bill Shankly quote ‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that’ is particaurly apt here.
At the core this is really about people. As I scrolled through countless videos of people reacting to Arsenal the winning the league and I just thought about all the people. Bukayo Saka, who has been through so much could be seen in the middle of the celebrations with a look of pure undiluted joy and I found that so moving. Declan Roce, who has so often been a hero on the pitch deserved the chance to bathe in glory off it. Each and every one of our players should be so proud of what they’ve achieved. They’ve been through the mill and have certainly put us through it too but they’ve made it. They’ve done something special. Of course we cannot forget Mikel Arteta who started this journey with us back in November 2019. His contribution to this football club cannot be overstated and I’m just so happy he’s got his award. This isn’t just about the the players and coaches either, Its about everyone involved with this club. From the catering staff who work at the Emirates to the stadium stewards this victory is for everyone. It’s all about all of us-the fans around the world who dedicate ourselves to supporting this football club. So to you, the 60,000 fans that fill the stadium week after week to the millions of year around the world-from Accra to Atlanta, from Sydney to Stokholm and every in between this is for you. Enjoy it. Bathe in it. We love you.
TheGoonerStation 