More than just a game

I remember the day, distinctly. I can even remember where I was and what I was doing so well because it’s the one day I’ll never forget: the day we broke our 8-year trophy drought.

It was the 2014 FA Cup Final; Arsenal were playing against Hull City. Our road to Wembley was long and tough, having played to extra time in the semi-final against Wigan and eventually beating them on penalties, everything seemed like it would be a breeze…until we were 2-nil down in the space of ten minutes! My heart sank and in the back of my mind, I knew it was over.

But then a glimmer of hope, Santi Carzola found a way through and by half-time it was 2-1. Then in the 71^st minute Kos made it 2-2 and by the 90^th minute, things were still even… extra time to follow. I remember, seeing Wenger deliver his extra time team huddle, the boys were tired, the teams hopes and spirits were buoyed by noise from both fans and you I had that ever so present thought every football fan dreads: Penalties. I whispered a silent prayer: “Please don’t let this game go to penalties” with my mind and heart racing with the knowledge that whoever scores next wins; and I prayed it was the Arsenal.

But lo and behold, in the 109^th minute, Aaron “Rambo” Ramsey scored! The amount of jubilation, joy and utter relief I felt after the final whistle will forever be in my memory. Seeing Wenger happy was priceless… that victory meant more to him than anything on God’s green Earth. And when the players hoisted the FA Cup trophy in the air, that’s when it finally sunk in: we, the Arsenal, having been starved of silverware for 8 long years, had finally had it in our possession, we were the FA Cup Champions!

Aaron Ramsey scores the winner for Arsenal at the 2014 FA Cup Final

It’s memories like these that make football more than just a game to me. It’s the roller-coaster of feelings and emotions one can feel over a simple 90 minutes. It’s the stinging disappointment when your team loses but the sheer joy and excitement when you win. It’s the ever lying sense that you, and million others all around the world, are feeling the very same emotions; hurt, shock, pain, joy and happiness... we’re all banded together by a simple game capable of bringing the fiercest of emotions in us. It's why football is more than just a game.

Wenger with the FA Cup trophy

Arsenal: 2014 FA Cup winners

Signed

Goonerette93