The Fault In Our Footballing Stars | #KaranganBolaSepak
The Fault In Our Footballing Stars | #KaranganBolaSepak by Fahrinnor
I had forgotten how i became an Arsenal fan in the very first place.What i remember was watching Robin Van Persie striking a sensational volley after a defence-splitting through ball by the one and only Alex Song to notch a hard-fought 1-0 win against Everton at The Emirates.I was so mesmerized by prime Wengerball that I decided to become an Arsenal fan.
National Stadium Bukit Jalil, 24th Of July 2012
Arsenal Vs Malaysia.It was merely a preseason friendly for the Gunners.Some critics called it a ‘circus’ game while others called it a total waste of time and money for our beloved Harimau Malaya.I couldn’t care less about those sentiments.I just wanted to watch an Arsenal game.
At the time,I was only 8 years old.My father who was also an Arsenal fan bought tickets as soon as they were on sale.To say that I was excited would be a massive understatement.As the sun was setting at the heart of Kuala Lumpur,We started our journey to the stadium.
Even though our national side was playing,I was an Arsenal fan throughout the whole game.I was distraught as Malaysia struck first blood right before half-time.As the final whistle was looming closer and closer,I lost hope.Is this the real Arsenal that I’ve been huge fans of for the past season?Where did the scintillating attacking football go?I did not care that it was a friendly,I wanted Arsenal to win at any cost.
Arsenal won.2-1 at the final whistle as Malaysians all over the nation were left disappointed over what could have been a historic upset.Two late goals as Arsenal redeemed themselves through Malaysia’s defensive frailties.We were very lucky.I left the stadium with all smiles hoping to one day get the chance to watch Arsenal play once again.
That was when I was 8 years old.Never have I thought becoming an Arsenal fan would require so much sacrifice and hardship.Staying up till 3 a.m. in the morning just to see Arsenal get crushed 5-1 at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.Getting ridiculed by your friends at school for supporting a club that is going through a trophy drought.I had to admit.It was hard.Sometimes,It was painful,frustrating and at certain times humiliating to be an Arsenal Fan.
Nonetheless,I stood loyal as I did not want to be a plastic fan.A glory-hunter.The ones who change clubs every season or two.For any of you reading this,I can assure you loyal Arsenal fans make the best boyfriends as they have been through all sorts of agony and despair.Through the years,it was a weekly routine for me to watch Arsenal on Saturday nights as we try to clinch our first title since 2004 which was the year I was born.I have literally never seen Arsenal lift the glorious Premier League trophy in my lifetime but so do Liverpool fans so I don’t feel quite lonely.
Emirates Stadium,London 22nd Of December 2018
Arsene Wenger’s 20 year reign had ended.Arsenal was going through a revolution under new head coach,Unai Emery.He had a massive task of bringing Arsenal back in contention while still retaining the fluid and entertaining attacking football that was made tradition by his predecessor.It was an early afternoon kick off against a tough Burnley side.
I was 14 years old.A family holiday to London meant I was able to watch Arsenal at the Emirates for the very first time in my life.As we rode the tube on our way to the station conveniently named Arsenal.I was in awe as I saw the colossal stadium right in front of my eyes.But still,I just wanted to watch an Arsenal game.
As we sat at the Clock end waiting for the game to start,I immersed myself in the matchday programme by reading all the articles consisting of interviews with the head coach and club captain among others.when the clock struck 12 in the afternoon,the players got out of the tunnel accompanied by loud applauses by both fans.Then,the game started as I went to a different world.
Mesut Ozil played a wonderful pass to set Sead Kolasinac free as he made a delicious cut back for our main man,Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to tap in for an early lead.The boisterous crowd chanted ‘1-nil to the Arsenal’ as we got to half-time.45 minutes left to play as the sun stood straight in a chilly December afternoon.
3 minutes into the second half and we had doubled our lead once again through Aubameyang as he performs his signature backflip.I felt that the game had been done and dusted.There was no way for the opposition to claw their way back into the game in front of a loud Arsenal home crowd.
It was the same old Arsenal.Right after we had a 2 goal cushion,we put ourselves in a very vulnerable situation as Burnley was controlling the run of play.To no one’s surprise,they finally scored as a communication error by our defenders was punished.I was disappointed but not surprised.Game on.
As the clock was dwindling down,Arsenal finally put the icing on top through a lethal counter-attack in added time.As the home supporters sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ while going back to their normal lives,It finally dawned upon to me.I had just watched Arsenal play at The Emirates.Even though it was a routine win,it did not matter.What mattered most was the memory and experience of being in a community where you found a place where you belong.
I am now 16 years old.Mikel Arteta had replaced Unai Emery as a means to save our dreadful season.It was going well until the point the Premier League was suspended indefinitely due to COVID-19.As i’m staying at home,I’ve been wondering how the stars aligned for me to be an Arsenal fan.Was it fate or even destiny that I had chosen Arsenal?
That’s the thing of falling in love with football.You could never find the exact origin of when you went head over heels over this sport.And that is what makes it beautiful.You did not choose which club to support.There is an inner force and instinct that had matched you to a certain club for you to support.As an Arsenal fan,I hope the pandemic could be defeated as quickly as Alexander-Arnold’s corner against Barcelona.Thinking of it,hoping for something is absolutely useless.As an Arsenal fan,its the hope that kills you.
Note from padangbolasepak.com: During the Restriction Movement Order 2020 Malaysia to combat Covid19 - Padangbolasepak.com encourages you from home to write essays about our beloved game of football. Can be anything. Why you fell in love with it? Your first game watching or playing? Friendships forged? Etc. Stars the limit.
500-1,000 / more words.
The objective is simple. Sharing the joy of football. Challenge you to write about the joy you may want to share. As well as keep you occupied and encourage to write. Provided that you have nothing else to do. Email us your essay with a photo attached at contact@padangbolasepak.com & we’ll post on the website as well on social media.
Thank you and take care brothers and sisters.