I’m A Gooner
Despite my newness to the world of Arsenal, I felt proud to be a Gooner when Thierry Henry scored against Leeds United on Monday in the FA Cup. The rush I felt as the Henry’s ball evaded the goalkeeper doesn’t come around that often. I felt like that when i first arrived in England in the summer of 2010, recieved my first kiss, and when the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in last year’s NBA Finals. I call this feeling a “sports high”. This feeling is amazing. Yes, it lasts only a couple minutes but it feels like euphoria. I could die at that moment and I would have absolutely no regrets with my life.
This was the first time I had ever seen Henry play. His legend aside, I felt fortunate to be able to see him in Arsenal colors again because it was like taking a glimpse into his and head coach Arsene Wenger’s glory days at the club in the early years of last decade. I sometimes regret not becoming an Arsenal fan 10 years earlier. All I hear is how great that 2004 team was and the more I hear about “The Invincibles” I become envious of people who have been Gooners much longer than I have.
I could have become a fan of any of the top clubs in England. I would have been guaranteed the feeling of rapture after a trophy win with clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Those teams will always be winning something during the season. But I chose Arsenal, the club that hasn’t won anything since 2005. That’s because I didn’t just tour the stadiums of three of the strongest English clubs in the case of Arsenal. I went to Emirates Stadium and I watched the Gunners play a game. That being the case, I have a very strong reason to be a supporter, not just because I’m a bandwagon fan. I feel like I have a connection with the team.
Now, if I get into an argument over whether or not I’m an actual fan of Arsenal, I’ll win because I know much more about the club than I did back on July 30th, 2011 when I saw both Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey score fantastic goals.
Here’s to hoping Henry can give Arsenal a much-needed boost during his loan from the Red Bulls. His presence alone will give the team the confidence it needs against Manchester United, AC Milan and, hopefully, the worst team in the world in Tottenham.
