As the Arsenal enter the middle part of the season, it?s still all to play for despite a rocky patch there in October. I don?t think anyone is quite sure how a side that looked as if it would sweep all before it could turn around and lose to Everton, Blackburn and Southampton. Not to take anything away from those clubs, but surely most Arsenal fans did not expect losses to be the result of those matches. But as we head towards the New Year, Arsenal are still a good bet to be there in the end.
If nothing else, those matches prove how competitive the Premiership is now. There are now free passes in England and prior success is no guarantee, ask Leeds United; nor is prior failure, ask Everton. While there are probably just three or four teams who truly have a chance at winning the title, it appears that the second half of the top ten could be just about anybody. With so many teams fighting for those last European spots the competition should prove fierce for us as well as our rivals all the way to the end.
A recent highlight for those of us here in America of course was our comprehensive victory over Spurs. Thierry Henry proved once again to be the definition of class as he went on his magnificent run to open the scoring. But just as amazing was the passion I saw amongst the fans here. From New York to Los Angeles fans flooded the message boards in anticipation of the match. For many of us, especially the newer recruits to Arsene?s Army, it can be hard to understand the level of passion for this derby. But you can really feel it in the words written by those who?ve been part of the rivalry for a generation or two.
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Perhaps the biggest news here is the upcoming Arsenal America trip to Highbury. Thanks to the hard work of some people behind the scenes, 18 members of Arsenal America will be in attendance as The Gunners take on Chelsea and Liverpool. For some it will be a return home, for others it will be a first-time experience. Either way I?m sure it will be unforgettable.
In addition to the games, the group has been invited to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Royals and will be the opening act for Robbie Williams? New Year?s Eve concert! Ok, well maybe not, but they will be looking to take in the sights around London, as well as touring Highbury and maybe taking in another match or two. One thing is for certain, I?m sure you?ll find some boisterous Arsenal fans with funny accents at the pubs around Highbury before and after the matches. If you do, rest assured you won?t need to explain why the players aren?t wearing helmets or why they just don?t pick up the ball and run with it. I?ve found that fans here are quite knowledgeable and I?m often surprised by how often they point out the subtleties of the game, and my ignorance of it! That?s the price I pay I suppose for posting my opinions on our website, www.arsenalamerica.com.
Well, here?s wishing all Arsenal fans, and the club, good luck in the New Year. I just have a few requests from Santa:
1. All Arsenal players remain healthy
2. Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord share the Golden Boot Award
3. Arsenal win all their remaining matches
There, that?s not asking too much, now is it?
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