Howard Lamb
The parking restriction signs are already up in Drayton Park. It’s reassuring, isn’t it, to know that the Arsenal Victory Parade has been so professionally organised well in advance. Or is it? When I first saw the picture of the parking restriction sign I was, in turn, surprised, then quite angry and finally saddened. After all, could this be seen as arrogance on the part of the club and isn’t there the small matter of winning the FA Cup first? Arsenal are firm favourites with the bookies to lift the trophy, but we all remember only too well what happened so recently against no-hopers Birmingham City.
I do acknowledge that many people have no problem with the arrangement; after all, it makes sense to plan to minimise disruption, ensure the roads are clear and also for safety reasons; Hull apparently have organised something similar. However, I do believe this sort of move is tempting providence - wasn’t something similar arranged – and subsequently cancelled – to follow the Champions League Final in 2006? Egg? Faces? Need I say more?
Surely it could have been done with much more style. The word ‘provisional’ somewhere on that sign would make quite a difference, or maybe “…in the event of Arsenal winning the FA Cup this Saturday”. The club could even, quite legitimately, organise a 4th place Trophy parade, no cup required, which I’m sure would have made the Manager and Board extremely proud. A win on Saturday would then provide the required piece of silverware for the party.
Finally, there is the possibility that this sort of thing could be used to fire up the opposition. If that sounds a bit far-fetched, many will recall the second leg of the Littlewoods Cup semi-final at SHL in 1987. At half-time Arsenal were virtually down and out, trailing 2-0 on aggregate, but as the players trudged down the tunnel the distribution arrangements for Spurs Cup Final tickets were announced on the club tannoy. Given the players’ response - Arsenal memorably rescued a lost cause and went on to win the cup – it was suggested afterwards that George Graham’s half-time team talk had been done for him!
I don’t recall this sort of “in your face” approach for our Wembley appearances last century, so isn’t this really a bit OTT? Has Islington Council inadvertently provided Steve Bruce with a useful piece of extra ammunition for his pre-match Team Talk? Or am I just showing my nervousness, given the importance of our club ending the silverware drought? Now where’s that piece of yellow ribbon?
(Ed’s note – Just a quick one if you are in the Wembley area early tomorrow (Friday) morning – ‘Good Morning Britain’ are asking for any Arsenal supporters in the Wembley area on Friday morning to pop down to Wembley Way at the Stadium end from 6.15am for a live broadcast. There will be Hull fans there as well so they are looking to try and get a bit of pre-cup final spirit going. Andi Peters will be presenting his ‘wheel of cash’ so a chance to win some money as well as getting on the TV. So if you want to be one of those faces waving manically at the camera behind a TV presenter, now’s your big chance!)
