Arsenal America

Ed. Note - These are really my favorite kind of Arsenal America stories. Personal remembrances of special memories and new friends…

In April 2004, amidst planning a two-week vacation in Europe, I fired off an e-mail to a complete stranger asking for help with the most important part of my trip. That stranger, David Przybylinski, quickly responded and explained that he might be able to help me out. He introduced me to another complete stranger, a gentleman by the name of Rick Breese, and between the two of them I finally made it to Highbury ? twice.

I?ve followed Arsenal for several years now. Growing up in the States, my connection to the club is somewhat accidental. I played soccer growing up, but given the lack of television coverage in America, watching the game was generally limited to major events like the World Cup. In the 1990s, I took a liking to Dennis Bergkamp and the Dutch national side. I just loved watching Dennis play. Following the 1998 World Cup (and Dennis? incredible last-gasp goal against Argentina), I found myself in a bookstore in San Diego. I happened upon Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby, and, having read and loved High Fidelity (and seeing that it was about soccer), I bought it.

While I knew a bit about Bergkamp?s club career with Ajax and Inter, discovering that he played for North London?s Arsenal sealed the deal for me. Coinciding with better television coverage of the EPL here in the states, I started following the Gunners.

Fast forward to 2004. Given the impending move to Ashburton Grove and the likely retirement of DB10, I knew that I needed to get to Highbury as soon as possible. Enter David and Rick. I had a few friends in London, but everyone told me that getting to tickets would be either next to impossible or amazingly expensive. Once the fixture list was out in June, David introduced me to Rick. Soon enough, I had two tickets for the home match against Bolton on September 18th. At face value. Very soon after, the CL draw was made, and (though I know it was tough for him) Rick was able to get me two more tickets to the match against PSV on September 14th.

The day of the first match, against PSV, I exited Finsbury Park station and set foot for the first time in North London. Amazing to finally be there after so many years. I spent a while at the Arsenal Shop (Arsenal World of Sport), then grabbed tea at a small caf? ? the Arsenal Caf?, of course. When I walked out of the caf?, I couldn?t believe my eyes. It was about 4:00pm, still several hours before the match, and damn it if nearly everyone on the street wasn?t decked out in Arsenal gear of some kind. Jerseys, jackets, scarves, t-shirts. Everywhere. I spent an hour walking around, just trying to wrap my head around the sight of the Arsenal masses.

Without knocking non-English fans in any way, it certainly impressed upon me that there is a difference between foreign fans and the people who grew up supporting the club. No better or worse ? I?m not arguing that North Londoners love the club more or anything like that ? but there is certainly something about supporting the club where you grew up. Particularly when you consider how many truly local teams there are (unlike the U.S., where there might be only one American football or basketball team in a whole state). For someone accustomed to watching matches alone on TV or surrounded by Manchester United fans in my local pub, the sheer scale of it all was incredible.

About two hours before the game, I met up with Rick and his friend Simon for their ritual walk to the Arsenal Tavern near Highbury. Rick and Simon were busy grabbing food from local vendors (Rick: bacon sandwich, Simon: burger). The whole walk was overwhelming ? everyone in the red and white, vendors selling match programmes, shirts, scarves, posters, photos. When we hit the Arsenal Tavern, the energy was intense. Folks buzzing around, discussing the line-up, throwing back pints. Rick introduced us to Andy and Judy (two great fans who commute from Manchester to watch the Gunners), as well as Bernard, another friend and longtime Arsenal supporter. After a few beers, Rick showed me the entrance to the West Stand, and I was off. While the match was stilted (1-0 to the Arsenal), it was a good opening of our European campaign. I told folks later that I almost couldn?t focus on the match because the atmosphere was just overwhelming. Hearing the crowd sing for Dennis, for Vieira, for Jose ? almost too much.

The Bolton game was a few days later, Saturday the 18th. Early kick-off at 12:45, so this time it was breakfast at the Arsenal Caf? (surrounded by supporters, of course). Met Rick and company again at the Tavern, then down the street to Highbury. Picked up an obscenity-laced shirt stating my dislike for Spurs, then into the stadium. Seats this time were only 11 rows back, near the corner with the Bolton away fans. Having the away support so close made for an even better atmosphere. I sent Rick a text when I heard our corner sing ?Are you Tottenham in Disguise? to the Bolton fans. Brilliant, as they say. The match was excellent, and I really thought we would pull it out after Super Bob put us ahead in the second half with a tricky goal. But it wasn?t to be. Bolton snagged the draw. Even so, the unbeaten streak marched on. I left the stadium in a mass of Arsenal supporters, some still singing to drown out the few Bolton fans cheering the late draw.

I?ve probably gone on far too long, but all I can say is that I can?t wait to go back. Next time, to support the boys when they?re away from home. Maybe in the spring.

Many thanks to David, Rick, Simon, Andy, Judy and Bernard ? for all the help, and for being so welcoming. I hope to see everyone again soon.