There’s always a smell of nostalgia commencing at midnight of the 31st of December. Every year we look back at your troubles, our achievements, our happiness and the world around us. And best of all, we look forward to a new, fresh year.
Premier league football of 09 and indeed the decade ended at Fratton Park, the most archaic of stadiums you may ever see. Yet, with all the fear of trudging in the cold without skipper Cesc, Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 win over bottom of the table Portsmouth. The three goals after Eduardo’s free-kick all summed up a poignant reminder of what Arsenal have really achieved this decade; the trailblazers of youthful, beautiful football, and earning the footballing world’s respect. I don’t say this out of arrogance, but when you listen to fans of Bolton groaning about their lack of style, fans of Liverpool wanting some punch, and even fans of Chelsea wanting some flair, Arsenal FC and Arsene Wenger have earned a large portion of the ‘noughty’ respect.
Of course, all this wouldn’t have happened without the continuam of trophies in the early phase of the decade. Between years 2000 and 2007, we managed to reach a final every year and/or win a trophy. Thats a magnificent feat for a continous shift in the first team. The years 2000-2005 was also a stable team, and one looks at the team sheet now ( a first 11 non-injury team sheet) must say that Arsene is trying to replicate a much needed stability.
I remember back in 2001 having a computerised version of Ashburton Grove as my desktop wallpaper. It looks stunning, and the final version serves the similarity well. There was always going to be a lull in team fortunes; losing the ‘invincbles’ at that crucial moment was not inevitable, but it was always inevitable that the team would slump in form.
Yet, something magical has risen. The club has rebranded itself, renamed itself in the world of football. Everywhere you go AFC signifies different meaning to the AFC of the 90′s or even early 00′s. By playing football as it should be, or near perfection, AFC symbolises a gentleman’s version of football, away from that misty cloud of the many red cards in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
As we approach the cusp of this new year, this new decade, always remember, if you beleive in something special, it will happen. The little miracles will grow into large ones. Keep the faith.
Victory through Harmony
