FYI: This article was written some months before the Super Eagles prove their critics (I was proudly one) wrong. We are proudly and deservedly AFRICAN CHAMPIONS now! :).
With all protocols duly observed, lets get reading 😀
“Gunners for life”!!! … Are you freaking kidding me??? Chant not that phrase at me anymore if you don’t want both hands of mine shoved down your throat. Ok, I’m kidding. But on a serious note, please don’t.
Sometimes, I ponder which is worse; being a supporter of Arsenal FC or of the Super Eagles (or Nigerian football in general). Both teams are high-end distributors of hypertension.
You know, growing up, I had no choice but to love football. I was born into a family where my father had so much passion for football; all I had to do was follow suit.
Once I became a lover of football, supporting Nigeria was no more a choice, it became an obligation.
I remember Atlanta 96 (Olympic Games), I and my Dad (funny enough, I’m the only one of 5 kids, who has love for football) stayed up all nights to see our games including the 4-3 defeat of Brazil in the semi-finals and later on Argentina in the Finals.
Those were however, some of the rare highlights of being a fan of Nigerian football as far as my age is concerned (not too old neither too young :D).
Further down memory lane, being a fan has had some exciting moments but it only gets worse as the years go by. Nigerian football (Under17, 20, 23; Super Eagles, Super Falcons, Falconets, Flamingos) has become a hyper-giving sport for passionate lovers of the game.
Well, the reason for decadence in Nigerian football is not farfetched as I wouldn’t expect much from a country with bad governance.
Arsenal Football Club are not far different from the Super Eagles. Both teams get your hopes so high and then dash them when you thought “this is it”. But the only major difference would be management.
You see, I became a fan of the North London Club by choice and it’s still by choice although I find it difficult bowing out (I perceive the use of voodoo a.k.a illuminatti syndrome).
How I got myself involved with this “next season” English club, is something I wouldn’t thank Nwankwo Kanu (the hero of Atlanta 96) for.
Nigerian football Legend, Kanu, made me like the Gunners. His miracle at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea FC in 1999 was the “liking point”.
The Gunners have had their own good spell of glorious moments. But just like Nigeria and every other team, they have also had their “blackouts”; with the blackouts steadily leading the contest.
Only just recently the North London side were treated to their regular eviction party as THEY (no more referring to them as WE) were bundled out of the Capital One Cup. Guess who knocked THEM out………..BRADFORD CITY!!! No disrespect to the Division II side though, but you would’ve expected a club like ARSENAL to make me proud. THEY never did.
Now the question on my mind is “being a fan of Arsenal, is it good or bad”?
The answer is………………….it is BAD!!!
I will start by pointing out the key features of this club or should I say what everyone has now known the club to be in the past 8 years, no thanks to the Frenchman, Arsene Wanker, sorry… I meant, Arsene Wenger.
Inconsistency: Ever pondered why a team would win a game by as much as 5, 6 goals and lose their next game with a dismal performance and not even to a better team? Ponder no more, it’s Arsenal. It’s become a trademark for the North London team. The Gunners are more confused than the wind or should I say MTN.
Please don’t let your life be that way. Be consistent in success. Yeah, they won 7-3 against Newcastle, good! Let’s pray they win their next match.
Trophy-less in 8 seasons: As an adult, living for eight years without achieving a single thing? Deliverance will be advised.
“Next season” chants: Arsenal fans are fond of the “next season” phrase. “Next season we will win a trophy”. That is something I call ”hopeful hopelessness”.
You expect things to change but you don’t change the way you do things…Are you a learner? What are you expecting… divine intervention right? Keep on waiting, it is coming.
Being contented with finishing second, third or fourth to the champion:
Wenger was quoted to have said that finishing fourth in the league and securing a Champions league spot is better than winning the league or FA cup. What the heck???
My brothers and sisters please reject that for your life. It is a loser’s spirit straight from the pit of hell. Why would you always want to walk in the shadows of a champion, don’t you ever want to be in that Hall of fame? Once again, bind and rebuke such spirit.
Buy inferior players and expect Messiless delivery from them:
For goodness sakes, Arsenal is the fifth richest football club in the world. THEY have the money to spend on Cristiano Ronaldo (including his manicure, pedicure and hair salon expenses) if they want to. But nooooo!!! They would rather buy a “Chinko blackberry and expect it to ping”.
In life, you are expected to always go for the best when the money is there. Imagine Dangote driving around in Gulf 2 (no offence to owners of that cool ride…Just an illustration) O_O.
Sell Gold and buy dozens of Copper:
Who does this better than Arsene Wanker?…sorry once again, I meant Arsene Wenger.
Everyman is expected to have a good taste for awesome things, but the North Londoners do exactly the opposite. They sell craftsmen and replace them with “make believe” craftsmen (Van Persie à Giroud; Nasri à Gervinho; Fabregas à Ramsey; Song àArteta; and many more).
There are other salient features of the Emirates Stadium club side but I’m done for now.
If you still deem it fit to be a true and passionate supporter, good luck! As for me I think I’ve had enough of their loser’s instincts.
And if you think the Club’s way of life is not affecting the way you reason, think again, because you need to start reasoning like a champion and not 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best to nobody.
I’m club-less (a lil bit attached to the ‘next season’ club though) for now…waiting for good offers.
However, I’ve been thinking Manchester City and Real Madrid. 😀
Empexy's thoughts 