Pradeep Kachhala
In a land long ago, before Pep and Klopp were known,
It was ‘96, and football didn’t come home.
Gaddafi Graham had been sacked in disgrace,
And Brucie boy was dismissed from our place.
“Time to find a big name! We said, “Someone new!”
Instead they went and appointed…Arsene who?
Inspector Clousseau turned heads straight away,
“Trust me” he said, “I’ll change how we play”.
The fry ups, the booze, at once tout-fini,
Replaced by water, steamed fish and broccoli.
“Take creatine, do yoga! I’ll prologue your career!”
Said the bespectacled teacher to much little cheer.
Club Tuesday felt fitter and stronger at once,
And thought, let’s give this professor a chance.
He scoured the market, for hidden gems and a deal,
Buying Petit, Vieira and Anelka, for a steal.
Free flowing football, winning the league and the cup,
Bould passes to Adams, “That sums it all up!”
King Henry arrived, scoring goals on a tear,
Assisted by Pires and Freddie’s red hair.
Fergie got flustered, they clashed in discord,
The Theatre of Dreams and that goal from Wiiilltttoooorrrdddd!
Two doubles in four years, oh what a gala!
Chelsea in Cardiff….it’s only Ray Parlour…
Wenger once said, “My team won’t lose a game”,
“Hah!” cried the pundits, “He’s gone fully insane!”
But once again Arsene had got it spot on,
Played 38, won 26, drawn 12…lost none.
Invincibles! Moments etched on our brain,
And winning the title at scum White Hart Lane.
One evening in Paris, so close yet so far,
10 men fought like lions against Barcelona.
Farewell to Highbury, time to expand,
The Emirates Stadium, our own promised land.
But resources were stretched; it became a false dawn,
As Abramovich parked his tanks on the lawn.
Old friends were removed, David Dein was gone,
It was now Project Youth and Wenger battled on.
The trophies dried up, we all wanted more,
But now silverware was getting top four.
“Patience, give it time”, Le Boss did proclaim,
“Very soon we will be competing again”
Brutal defeats; 8-2, 6-0, a horror show!
The murmurings started, does Arsene still now?
Star players departed, RVP, Fabregas,
And embarrassing tantrums from Billy Gallas.
The landscape had changed, expensive footballers
Were now fuelled by the lure of Citeh’s petrodollars.
At last, after 9 years we had won the FA Cup,
Perhaps our great club was back on the up?
Ozil, Sanchez, the shackles were lifted,
The tides of anticipation now had been shifted,
The league, we had chances, but destined to fail,
As Leicester City completed a true fairy tale.
The Cup wins continued, records were broken,
But the fans were becoming more and more outspoken.
“Time for a change!” They started to bay,
As we missed out on St Totteringham’s day,
The banners unfolded, they started to shout,
“Enough is enough, we want Wenger out!”
After 22 years it’s time to move on,
Try something different, the magic has gone.
10 trophies, great memories, immortal legacy,
A tenure the likes of which we’ll never again see.
For the fantastic football, the stadium, the splendour
We can all agree, there’s only one Arsene Wenger.
Remember Bergkamps quick turn on a dime,
Remember Ramsey’s winner in extra time.
Remember Henry’s Highbury hatrick farewell,
Remember dodgy Lasagne’s at Tottenham Hotspur’s hotel.
Remember Barca and Andre Arshavin’s grin,
Remember Keown getting under Van Nistelroy’s skin.
Remember Vieira, striding on with intent.
Remember when Arsene “didn’t see the incident”.
Remember Santi performing a trick.
Remember Giroud’s scorpion kick.
Remember pizza flung in Fergie’s face,
Remember Theo’s terrifying pace.
Remember all of the championships,
Remember Arsene fiddling with his coat zips.
Thank you for everything we’ll always love you
Au revoir Arsene and Merci Beaucoup!
Our special ‘Au Revoir Arsène’ edition of The Gooner will be on sale on your approach to the stadium at the Burnley game this afternoon. It’s 84 pages thick and will cost £5 from Gooner sellers in the normal spots, as well as the Matchday shop in Hornsey Road.
