We have hobbies or activities that we indulge in which we are always excited about. These activities always make us happy, excited, thrilled and are always fun when we indulge. Imagine such hobbies or activities we did enjoy becoming a constant disappointment. The excitement, the fun and the joy we derive from them, all gone.
This has been my story as an Arsenal fan for several weeks since the start of the 2020/21 Premier League Season. Football is my favourite sport and Arsenal FC my favourite club team.
Watching football isn't about going to sit for 90 minutes, watching 22 guys kicking and running after a ball. It's about the thrill, the argument from fans, the bragging rights, the celebration when hour team scores and the excitement of seen your team put in a wonderful performance. But when we don't get any of these weeks in week out, you feel left out and disappointed.
I love to watch my team play. But their recent disastrous performance in the Premier League has made me a disappointed fan. I can't leave the club for another, guess that's what love is - in strength and weakness, in good days and worst days. But the fact is, I have always left the viewing hall disappointed and a bit sad.
The excitement we have missed
We had a different tale today, a surprise Christmas package for Arsenal fan. The team won today's match 3 - 1 and it gave us a reason to leave the match hall and walk home happy. The excitement and jubilation when the goals were going in, the jumping and raising of dust from the floor, the hugs and handshakes, and also the bragging right restored. All left me excited, and we smiled.
This turn of fortune couldn't come on a better day. The match was against Chelsea (our Nigeria fan base rivals). They came into the match bragging and mocking us. But we left the match happy and excited as they all wore long faces and we're speechless. Couldn't enjoy the look on their faces any better. They were surprised by Arsenal's overwhelming performance.
Arteta will surely sleep well tonight
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, came into the stadium wearing the face of a worried man. And truly he has enough reason to be. I could only imagine the mental and psychological stress he was going through. And the pressure on him to put in a match-winning performance would have been unbearable. I could see his cheekbone.
Though there was a post
"No one is better than Mikel Arteta, he is the best looking Spaniard we know"
This is probably from the Arsenal board to show their support for the manager.
The result of today's match will be a great relief (he couldn't hide the joy) and can take off some of the pressure. He will surely sleep sound tonight.
What next
Arsenal will travel to American Express Community Stadium to face Brighton and Albion FC on Tuesday, 29 December. Can they take today's form and performance there and grab a consecutive premier league win for a change? Well, we have a few days to find out.
We hope that the win against Chelsea will be a turning point for Arsenal, and they will turn in an end better performance when they battle with Brighton on Tuesday. We are hopeful of good and exciting performance from the boys for the rest of the season.
Today, we smile 😊