Apparently, the legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé called it the beautiful game. He would know, of course, as he was masterful at his craft. However, for someone who just watches football, probably with the same passion, I might add, as Pelé played with, it can be exhilarating, yet filled with so much unhealthy frustration, anguish and tension.
I don’t remember why I picked English football giants Arsenal to support several decades ago. Football wasn’t a sport I played or particularly liked when I was still in school. I competed in gymnastics at the elementary school level and briefly played high school cricket. I even loved watching rugby more than football through school and college, so how English football became one of my favourite sports to watch, alongside cricket and rugby, is mysterious, especially given the team I picked to devote so much time to.
While Arsenal came onto my radar in 1979 when they won an FA Cup match against Manchester United, I didn’t really take much notice of them until I joined the workforce and they truly infiltrated my life. Now, I’m helpless against both their charms and their attempts to give me a heart attack on a fairly frequent basis. Arsenal is unquestionably one of the biggest teams in England, with a remarkable history of success in the top flight. There’s something about steadfast English football fans in a stadium, cheering and singing in unison that other sports don’t quite emulate.
Since their Invincibles season in 2003-04, when they went unbeaten for 38 consecutive games, they have been somewhat underwhelming. At the time, I remember the many accolades they received and heard their style of play described as poetry in motion. I have had to endure around 20 years of disappointment since then. The last three seasons, in which they finished second in the Premier League has been bitterly disappointing. Needless to say, it has not been kind to my blood pressure levels.
This season, though, seems especially promising, with Arsenal at the top of the English Premier League, in the League Cup semi-finals, and unbeaten after the first round of the UEFA Champions League. However, it has not been without its fair share of frustration and outright anger for me to watch. While Arsenal have been playing exceptional football, they have at times lapsed into some of the shoddiest displays, losing to teams they should not have. I have been driven to call some of the football they have been playing arrogant and lacking in enthusiasm. Some of the finishing has been atrocious. I sincerely believe no other team playing such beautiful football puts as much effort into not scoring as Arsenal.
Yet, I continue to follow with pride and as much joy as they will allow me.
lenny unencumbered 