You can change your wife you can even divorce your family but you'll never leave your club.
I am Arsenal through and through. So much so that if you cut me I'd bleed red and white, well red for sure.
Every day I read several Arsenal blogs, I check the official website throughout the day. I'm addicted, I need my fix. I love going to the ground to see the games but I need something to keep me going in-between. And when I'm not watching or reading about Arsenal, I daydream about them. They say men think about sex every 7 seconds - that's probably true, but I think its Arsenal for the other 6 in my case.
Why ninety-eight?
Well it's the block I sit in for starters - until they eventually get round to giving areas of the ground more human and historic names as part of the inspired Arsenalisation programme. It's also the year Arsenal won their second cup and league double, the first under this inspirational leadership of Arsene Wenger. I'm also 98% sure we are going to win the league but you do know 98% of statistics are made up.
If figured if I am going to spend so much time reading and thinking about Arsenal, then why not write a blog. It doesn't matter if no-one reads it, it's therapeutic in the same way that many people write a diary - and lets face it everyone writes a diary in the hope that someone else will read it and then publish it. So here I am, cutting out the middle man and publishing it myself.
Beliefs
I believe Arsene Wenger is a visionary leader. An inspiration and a footballing genius. He's revolutionised the club (and English football) and has built the foundations for Arsenal to be successful, to dominate consistently for years - and make a profit - oh and play the most attractive, skillful, pacey football on the planet.
I believe Dennis Bergkamp is the best player we've ever had but we've had (and have) some awesome players - who are obvious so I'm not starting that debate!
I also believe that we have an outstanding squad. I went to the Carling Cup game vs Liverpool last night and saw a glimpse of the not to distant future. Eastmond looked Gilbertoesque in his 'don't notice him but what a good job he's done' way. Ramsey is going to be one of the best British players of his generation. Gibbs will be England's and Arsenal's left back before long. I also think Senderos and Bentner have both had a bit of a raw deal from many fans and think both will deliver the goods. Wishere by all accounts will be a real world-beater and what I've seen of him so far suggests nothing else - but he wasn't there last night and where would you play him?
There are a few players I'm not sure about - Diaby still reminds me of a baby giraffe when he plays - but hey, look at how Song has come on!
Arsene is absolutely right about buying "big players" and how it can "kill" his up and coming youngsters. If you properly study the whole squad it is hard to disagree. But let's also not forget that he has bought a large proportion of that team - and the players he has bought recently who do have experience are looking unbelievable - Arshavin and Vermaelen are cases in point. Robbie Keane was in the papers today boasting of how Sp*rs have the better squad compared to us. Robbie you really need to look again, we've got one of the strongest squads we've had for years. Better than the 07-08 season where we came so close but capitulated at/after the infamous Birmingham game. Remember how close we came.
The future....
....of this blog is unknown. I'll keep writing it and see how it goes - I quite enjoyed it so far. I'll do it when I feel there is something interesting to say - Top marks to Arseblog who says something everday - so I know I'll get my regular fix.
....of the club. Well none of us know but I believe in Wenger's long term vision. I'm well and truly prepared for the frustrations and disappointments that we have in store - its the price we'll have to pay for investing in youth - and I will gripe and moan a little like we all do but if you want a bit of optimism too, you'll most likely find it here.
It's been a pleasure
'98
