Blog: Enjoy the Ride

Following Arsenal’s 6-0 demolishing of Sheffield United, I couldn’t help but immediately look at the table to see the aftereffects of keeping pace following City and Liverpool’s wins at the weekend. I looked at the ever-increasing goal difference we’ve padded this calendar year and began to do the math of what the various outcomes of the upcoming City-Liverpool match will mean for Arsenal. I’m positive I wasn’t alone in this exercise.

After sleeping on it and enjoying the morning reading and podcasts reflecting on one of the most one-sided matches any football fan has ever seen, I find myself taking a step back. While the saying goes “no pressure, no diamonds” and I’m elated that with 11 matches to go we’re still firmly in the mix, I think it’s important that we also can enjoy the ride.

This is one of the most enjoyable Arsenal teams I’ve ever seen. It’s such a likeable group of guys who play breathtaking football more often than not. There’s no doubt there are more twists and turns to come during the run in, but I find myself trying to live in the moment and enjoy this team.

The process that Mikel Arteta went through to get us to this point is a testament not only to him, but to the club for giving him, a young and unproven manager, the time and resources to make it happen. We paid a lot of money to make clubhouse cancers go away. The same can be said of guys who simply didn’t fit the system. We’ve spent a significant amount on transfers. This is a collective effort of the highest order, that has been so impressive from the top down.

Will we win the league? I hope so. Is the 2023-24 version of Arsenal Football Club one that will long live in my memory? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Pressure is a privilege. To be in the race this late in the season is amazing. The away date at the Etihad will be a special one. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be completely gutted and destroyed. But that won’t take away how much I thoroughly enjoy this group of guys, the way they play football and the way they represent the Arsenal.

Take a step back, take a deep breath and let’s all enjoy the ride – however it may end.

Christian and I will be recording a podcast later tonight. COYG.