Bury Me A Gunner



Ian Wright kisses Arsenal crest

“Arsenal till I die. I am Arsenal till I die. I know I am; I’m sure I am. I’m Arsenal till I die” – Gooner

I’ve been an Arsenal fan for almost 13 years. My rationale for supporting the Arsenal is both personal and somewhat inexplicable. Many have asked me why, of all the teams, have I chosen the Arsenal? And I’ve always given the same answer: its inexplicable.

My journey to loving the Arsenal and that love becoming stronger to the point where I love Arsenal the way I do now, came about when I went through a tough time back in 2015. That year I felt the most hurt, useless and broken in my entire life. I hated my existence, everything that was and wasn’t happening to me and every day, every breath that I took, became heavier as the days went by. And I distinctly remember that the only thing that could put a smile on my face, the only thing that made my heart smile and gave me a sense of purpose and a glimmer of hope and happiness was Arsenal.

Watching the matches, seeing the players and seeing the result, no matter what it was made me happy. I clung onto that happiness, that slight piece of hope that I had in my heart and it carried me through the hardest time of my life. I bought the shirt (and still do) and continue to wear it with pride. And as the years rolled on, I have kept the Arsenal closer to my heart.

In 2016, I celebrated my 23^rd birthday with an Arsenal cake. But the greatest thing that has ever happened is when the very same cake got featured in Arsenal magazine, and the club actually mailed me a copy of the magazine with my cake on it. To top of an amazing year, I decided to get a tattoo and I tattooed the motto “Victoria Concordia Crescit” on my wrist, my very first and most special tattoo, meaning I always have the Arsenal with me forever.

What’s next for me is to go watch the team I would die for, live at the Emirates and possibly meet my favourite players. But the ultimate thing, would be to work for the Arsenal…that there is the reason for my existence and the one thing that would make me happy for ever. But up until then, I will continue to support the Arsenal through thick and thin; after all, “Arsenal till I die. I am Arsenal till I die. I know I am; I’m sure I am. I’m Arsenal till I die”

Signed: Goonerette93

My birthday cake in Arsenal Magazine



My Arsenal tattoo

Iconic football images

“A picture is worth a thousand words”. Every time I look at a picture of a football moment; this particular quote comes to mind. Over the years there have been thousands of football images taken; footballing moments suspended in film, that have the potential to bring back a flood of memories to fans; shock, joy, pain. Moments that, as a fan, you can pin-point exactly where you were, and what you were doing when that particular footballing moment happened, how you felt and how that moment was forever embedded in your memory.

Football photojournalism has always fascinated me; it has made me appreciate the small and huge moments in football. Some of the picture taken, have stirred emotions, they have taken me back in time to how I felt and made me appreciate the true beauty of football. We, as the fans, would be nothing with football images, they tell a story of the unforgettable amazing moments that we will cherish forever as the footballing fan base; after all a picture really is worth a thousand words.

My favourite football images:

Zidane head-butt – World Cup Final 2006

Zidane headbutts Italy's Matterazzi during the 2006 World Cup Final

 

Materazzi and Zanetti argue over who is getting Thierry Henry's shirt

Zanetti and Materazzi argue over Henry's shirt

Eric Cantona kicks a fan

Eric Cantona fly-kicks a fan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Champions League 2005 Quarter-final 2005: Milan Derby



Materazzi +  Acosta look on as the Milan Derby is suspended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keown vs Ruud

Martin Keown vs Ruud v Nistelrooy

 

 

 

 

22 Years of Wenger: Saying Goodbye to a Legend

Arsene taking charge of his final home game at the Emirates

For as long as I can remember and for as long as I have been an Arsenal fan, Arsene Wenger had always been at the helm. I even distinctly remember thinking to myself that Arsenal was named after him; after all, Arsene-Arsenal. So it was with utter disbelief and sheer horror when, on the 20^th of April 2018, I heard word of his departure. I was devastated and, quite honestly, couldn’t breathe for a solid minute. The day all Arsenal fans had prayed and dared to wish for had come true: Arsene was leaving.

His departure reminded of the time when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, leaving Man u after an illustrious footballing career; a very disillusioning day that will be forever etched in my memory. I couldn’t help but wonder if the same fate that had befallen the Red Devils would fall on my beloved Arsenal and questions arose of who would take the reins after Arsene’s glittering 22-year career.

 Nonetheless, as disheartening as it was, seeing the end of an era, I couldn’t help but be grateful for the immense service that Arsene had given to the Arsenal. And so I take this time to offer my sincerest appreciation for the enigma that is Arsene Wenger. A perfect gentleman, ever so kind and wonderful. He persisted through so much, took the most venomous abuse from the fans but still remained classy with his head held high till the very end. We’ve had so many highs and lows throughout the years but the rollercoaster ride was fun. Having him at the helm, made me fall in love with Arsenal Football Club every single day. I felt every emotion; joy, pain, anger and as I sift through the memories I have of the Arsenal, I can say “I’m proud to be a Gooner”, because of him.

Thank you Arsene for the amazing service you’ve poured into Arsenal, for the 22 years of footballing brilliance, unforgettable moments, sweet memories and the legacy you’ve left for us Arsenal fans.

Now I will share my top favourite Wenger moments; moments that I will never forget as a Gooner under the Wenger years:

Wenger vs Mou [London Derby]:

Deadline Day 2013 [Ozil becomes a Gunner]:

8 year Wait [FA Cup final 2014]:

The Invincibles [49 Undefeated]: