Why less can be more: Arsenal’s need for competitive austerity

By Eric Beard, writing from Barcelona

When the age-less (or rather age-filled) Obafemi Martins went to express his delight with somersaults and flips, the number four started flashing! Did you see it? No? Well then you clearly had a fully functioning television watching the Carling Cup final as opposed to my spotty experience at an Irish pub near La Rambla in Barcelona. Having a ’Lost’ moment, the number four’s appearance stunned me to a point of being somewhere in the depths of vicious irony and pure meaning. Four is not just the number on Captain Fabregas’ shirt, which could have made a difference had he been on the field. No, in that moment the man with a Star Wars-esque name brought football to a stand still. In a nearly transcendental process, four became three. Three trophies Arsenal have left for the taking. However, even amongst my perennial positivity with four minutes of added time, the “same-old Arsenal” vibe started buzzing around the Irish, English, and Spanish patrons in the pub. This “same-old Arsenal” perspective flushed throughout Europe the next day. And just like that the men became boys once again.

But wait… who cares what El Mundo Deportivo are saying about Arsenal’s lack of a backbone? What right do the Spanish or the French have to knock a group of players that are playing some of the best football this year, not just in the continent but in the world. The territory comes with the eurocentric competition with that lovely theme tune you can only dream walking out on a pitch to. The force Arsenal fans have deemed “Theo van Nasregas” has been weakened to an only fully fit Samir Nasri. It’s possible that Cesc Fabregas could make his long awaited return to the Camp Nou, but putting pride aside for a moment, why does this one night in Catalunya hold so much importance?

[we have now arrived at the appropriate time in the post when you, especially Arsenal fans, should cue The Rolling Stones (below). Take a deep breath. Now count to three. Now exhale. Repeat this once more without checking Twitter or Facebook. Feeling alright? Go on then!]

(Source: philosofooty)