Ed. Note - Lots of submissions that I will be posting over the next couple of days, please keep them coming as we justly celebrate a title well won…
So what did we learn? Most Importantly, that we are Premier Champions! Champions! Champions!
In addition we learned that we are even further ahead of Tottscum than I thought. We also learned that Mark Halsey is an AWFUL referee-wait we ALREADY knew that, sorry. And we learned the North London Derby matters as much as ever to the people who really matter to a Derby-the Players.
Watching events unfold (yesterday) even as the Championship was safely won even with a draw as it turned out, I couldn’t help but think to myself-would our players have felt such anger and injustice at that same decision in that same circumstance at Fratton Park or Loftus Road or even at Old Trafford two years back were a similar draw still would have clinched the Championship as it did today? I think the answer is right in the question really. The players, these cavalier, mercenary, fancy dan players from the continent actually CARE about beating Tottscum. The Championship was OURS already-the result an afterthought. A nice gift to the Gooners we all reckon for our support through a tricky and trying but brilliantly and historically successful season, but little more, right? Think again. It may not have affected our winning the Championship but it affected our players. When was the last time you saw a reaction close to that? At Old Trafford-when it still mattered.
We were reminded today that our players care about the Derby as we do, which is good to know, if we didn’t know it already. The rest of the Premiership are who should worry now. They cannot doubt our commitment and desire. I would say that while we are Champions and should savor it every bit as much as we can and long as we can-to look at our team today we are probably more eager for next season to come even as we bask in our team’s glory, than the supporters of ManU, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, or any other team in England, and by some margin. Today reminds us why…
8 Responses to “The Derby STILL Matters”
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April 26th, 2004 at 10:16 am
Terrific post, USMartin, in as much as you’ve managed to single out this achievment as not just another League Championship. Personally, I’ve learned from this one that, while it is always great to win the trophy, it can be even more?more in the WAY it is achieved.
Patrick Vieira’s interview on Arsenal.com singled this championship out as the greatest, never ONCE mentioning the unbeaten streak. He said they had fun, on the pitch, off the pitch and on the training ground. They were a family. If you’re a member, you should check it out. He looks like he just ascended into heaven?and I’m sure the elation had much to do with celebrating in the halls of WHL.
As for “the call”. Well…I think I’ll hold out for a few days before chiming in on that one. Right now its time to be happy. We all know Lehmann. He’s been criticized for some goalkeeping errors that have hurt us badly this year, but this was a personality issue. Had he suffered the disappointing slide last year, maybe he would have been able to find it in him to keep his hands to himself. He supposedly was angry at his behavior, as was Wenger. His interview was creampuff, as if Dan Roebuck were afraid he might get a box on the ear if he brought up the gaff. Jens came off gentle and polite, but I’d say he’s got some atonement coming.
But we’re Champions, at WHL, and unbeaten.
All anyone will remember for years to come.
April 26th, 2004 at 3:11 pm
It’s nice to know that Sol has won the league more times in three years than the sc*m have in their entire history.
Some sc*m muppets down the pub actually thought when they equalised they had stopped us winning the league.
April 26th, 2004 at 3:41 pm
Yesterday the team proves to the highbury faithful derbies are more important to them as well as the fans than some people think. Does not matter where you come from but killing off Spurs is the Arsenal. Who cares about United or Chelsea. Spurs are the real deal and the players commitment and desire to win the league @ spurs tells a lot. This was better than Old Trafford and hey to all the fans that end up at the shit hole big up. You were brave men/women and makes us proud. Good to see the fans around 7 sisters and highbury .
Cant asked for anything better. Beating the Totts to win the league with the help of Newcastle make me a happy man.
April 26th, 2004 at 3:46 pm
Kelvin,
I will be around Highbury on friday night so if you are going to be around email me at poku_j@hotmail.com. I will chat to you from there. Yesterday was not a good day to see another.
April 27th, 2004 at 9:09 am
Wasn’t Halsey also the referee who gave Sol the red card on Solskjaer’s dive last season? The guy is a real piece of work.
April 27th, 2004 at 9:37 am
Halsey is not a bad referee “HE IS A COMPLETE WANKER” he also gave Liverpool a corner last season that led to a goal, it should have been a goal kick.
April 27th, 2004 at 9:40 am
It is really bad when the highlight of the season is gaining a point at home to Arsenal, it just goes to show that we mean more to them than they do to us, and the FA cup and the League oh yes and European footbal
April 27th, 2004 at 12:58 pm
What do you think.
He is a Tott. P of Shit