Tiny Manyonga
My first soccer team was Manchester United. After a trip to England, I returned to Africa with a David Beckham No.7 shirt and, strangely enough, a pair of Liverpool socks! But like some fans I know, sometime in 2000 or so, I discovered Arsenal football. I was just 12 years old at the time and, as I got into my teen years, Arsenal football was roaring and my beloved No.14 became an icon and a hero in my life. We all know what happens in the middle, which brings us to the beginning of last season.
I discovered this forum about 12-14 months ago. I was just tired of suffering alone as United had won a record 20th title. My friends and family did not "defect" (as they call it) to Arsenal and it seemed as if their loyalty to Man Utd was worth it. As I became increasingly nervous about El Capitan leaving, I sought out opinions from fellow goners, which brought me here.
A terribly cagey start to last season drove me to the edge, and reading articles by people who were livid kept me sane. I wanted to break away from the AKB camp and start my own AKBBHIBHRWADBTB camp (Arsène knows best but he is being held ransom with a dildo by the board). Yes, this is a board that keeps profits in their pockets and shows a middle finger to the fans.
Then the tussle of the elephants seemed to have been settling and I had be brainwashed to believe that Silent Stan was the best option and would not pull off a needless, excessive spending-spree similar to what happens in the blue corners of London and Manchester, which I do not approve of simply because I want to see good football and a great team earn (not buy) trophies.
The season kicked off and after the first two months the Emirates looked like a city without a hero and the fans suffered like a nation without a voice. How could the board go to sleep at night when they were subjecting us to this emotional trauma? I would go to my local bars here in Cape Town during Arsenal matches. They were emptier than during Man C or United or Chelski games; even the network was beginning to move Arsenal matches to random alternate channels when other teams were playing. And each match-day became like an addicts’ meeting - same Arsenal fans, same expectations and hopes before the match, same disappointment at the end. At the end of the match there were the same disgruntled ramblings. It was like writing to Santa Claus to request a change in weather patterns - pointless.
What could I do? This is the only team I love and the only manager I know. Then an old legend appeared on our shores as if to answer the cries. Cometh the hour, Thierry Henry brought tears to my eyes and once again I was proud to be a gooner, so very proud. (At this point in time, I was writing a letter that if we couldn't get Hazard, at least name a stand after Henry again.) RvP carried the team so well and once again we were united behind our boys with a common goal to finish third (is this who we have become?). Come the final day of the season, it felt like a hollow victory, but a victory nevertheless.
This brings me to an open letter, THE open letter. Fourth of July, what a day to forget! After much speculation and anxiety, Captain Vantastic is leaving. This is like "El Capitan" all over again. But why would RvP do this to me? Have I not loved and supported this man through the years and now he has had his first 20+ goal season and he wants to leave? Does he not remember what happened a year ago? Yes, I and a million other people felt abandoned. Regardless of his issues with the board, why leave? Why not stand and fight with us, the gooners, instead of leaving the battlefield? (Who can blame him? He is looking for his best interests. But who can blame me for how I feel?)
This brings me to another open letter. As I read something that resonated with my thoughts and feelings, some questions came up. Was Usmanov ever a bad guy here? This guy seems to be one of us, a Gooner at heart and core. And he is making a lot of noise for the board on our behalf. I say f**k it and let's all join in and make noise for this board. We've had enough f***ing profits, I want results! I think it is time for our voices to get louder. Don't let these punks sell our captain; we still have time before the transfer window closes. Maybe our Captain is pulling a "Rooney"; let's make them spend!
