In this age of hyberbole and hype, it’s easy to get carried away. Everything now is either ‘the greatest ever’ or ‘the worst disaster known to man.’ And yet, there is no denying that this is indeed a positively massive game for the Arsenal. Yes, there is much at stake, but a careful examination shows that this game shouldn’t (and doesn’t need to be) blown out of proportion.
Let’s start with the club:
For Arsenal FC this is simply the most important European match ever. Getting to this match goes some way to validating the club as an elite European operation, but winning it puts Arsenal in a different class. I’ve always felt a little odd about Arsenal’s inclusion in the G14 (putting aside what you may think about that group). But a victory in Paris and Arsenal have every right to belong.
Since Arsenal pipped Spurs for fourth, this isn’t quite the life or death match it looked to be two weeks ago, and Arsenal have already made so much money with this run, that missing out next year wouldn’t have been a crushing financial blow.
I have seen/heard conflicting reports, but if Arsenal win I believe they may go straight to the Champions League Group Stage for next season and that would be huge as players will be tired coming off the FIFA World Cup.
For Arsene Wenger winning this match will be reported as a validation, but I believe that is nonsense. Arsene Wenger has already etched his name, not only in Arsenal history, but in English football history. An undefeated season and two Doubles - enough said. This will be the second European Competition final he has guided Arsenal to, and for that he deserves credit. Ultimately the manager cannot win a single match, but he can certainly guide a team on a 6+ match run. No, in my mind Wenger loses nothing in prestige with a loss, but certainly gains with a victory.
**U.S. Sport Comparison Alert**
Wenger is a bit like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. Considered a terrific coach, but until he won the Super Bowl this year there was always a ‘yeah, but..’ So he wins the Super Bowl and now everyone agrees he is one of the great coaches in the sport. One game, albeit the Super Bowl, made the difference.
What does this game mean for Thierry Henry? Good question. Does a win mean he has done all he can and it’s time for a move? Does a loss mean he needs to go elsewhere to fulfill his ambition? No one really knows and you can make an argument for him staying or going, regardless of the outcome.
**U.S. Sport Comparison Alert**
Right now Henry is like Albert Pujols. People are starting to speak about him in the same company as the all-time greats. On that level you need a signature match that people remember, a match of huge importance. Will today be that match for Henry?
And what of us, the fans? What does this game really mean to us? Many of us live thousands of miles away, have no real connection to the club and may have only been fans for 10 years. But this match has so much meaning, for we will be able to look fans from other teams straight in the eye and say:
Chelsea: You can’t buy class, and apparently you can’t buy a European trophy either.
ManU: Your time has come and gone.
Spurs: In your wildest dreams you are still not in our league.
I have tremendous respect for FC Barcelona and don’t mean this as a knock on them, but a victory by Arsenal is a victory for class, for tradition, for style, for heart, for loyalty, for honor, for the past, present and future. A victory for football.
This I know - No matter the outcome Arsenal will play with class and make me, and all Arsenal fans proud.
Believe!
22 Responses to “Champions League Final - What this game means to Arsenal”
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May 17th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Live from gay Paris. The atmosphere is amazing and unbelievable. There are more arsenal fans here than you see at highbury; this is wicked.
I hope the best team wins and that is arsenal. Alway believe.
mr tea bqg - please can you in touch cause that new york gooners flqg is still with us.
C,mom Arsenal
May 17th, 2006 at 8:11 am
Wow, l_G, that is great. Posting from Paris. Who would have thought such a dispatch would reach our shores!?
Great post, Rick. It means so much, yet we’ve done enough in some ways. That adds up to a great blend of desire and relaxation that could see us be at our best. We can do this.
Come on you REDS!
May 17th, 2006 at 8:50 am
Love G is running around in Paris…
we are hours away from our biggest match ever…
who the hell can do any work today?
Getting very nervous / excited… as we all are.
I am hoping we can settle into the match early, and I am expecting a good match, between 2 teams that like to PLAY football.
Yes, we can definitely “do this”. We can win today. I think Barcelona represents the sport pretty well… so there won’t be a “BAD” winner today… but there can be only one. We’ll all be proud of the players, club, and manager regardless, but it would be traumatic to lose this one.
I “believed” in the Red Sox in 2004…
Why NOT the Arsenal in 2006.
BELIEVE indeed.
May 17th, 2006 at 10:28 am
This is the biggest game I will watch in my life.
I cant recall a more important game in my life than this. I never saw my favourate team playing in the WC or CL final. ..
This is it ! ….Cant focus … bring them on
May 17th, 2006 at 10:58 am
yous thaz parus wee goyng twoo….
That just about sums it up: I’m a fifty year old babbling fool just at this moment with 3 1/2 hrs to KO - I’m surprised I was able to typo this!
go you gooners
May 17th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Stag,
we’ll be at the Phoenix. I’m wearing a yellow long sleeve 02 shirt. Also glasses. Drop by say hello.
Ragav
May 17th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Fantastic.
I will be in the Maroon Top #14.
Maroon Cap… glasses.
Lets ROLL!
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