Good morning.
I’m in my lodge room, and I’m exhausted. It’s not that I stayed out manner too late ingesting heaps. I had a number of beers after the present final night time, however nothing loopy. It was simply that once I acquired again to my room (after a scrumptious kebab about which I now have some regrets), my thoughts was buzzing a lot I discovered it arduous to sleep.
To say we had an incredible night time at Union Chapel was an understatement. It’s all the time a pleasure to do these reveals, with James clearly, but additionally Elliot, Clive, Tim and Paul from the ArsenalVision podcast. You by no means take without any consideration how fortunate you’re which you could sit there and discuss Arsenal in entrance of a crowd like that with your folks. What a factor it’s. The individuals who hearken to the podcast each week, each episode, assist us on Patreon and way more. It’s so great.
However then yesterday we had a really particular visitor. I’d been engaged on it for some time, however didn’t say something to the opposite lads about it as a result of I didn’t need it to be disappointing if it didn’t work out. Fortunately, it did, and I don’t assume I’ll ever neglect the roar of the gang once I had the honour of introducing Arsenal legend Ian Wright. The roof practically got here off the chapel. It was truthfully unimaginable.
Made my night time @IanWright0 – fucking love this man @arseblog @ArsenalVPodcast #Arsenal #COYG pic.twitter.com/exhvjbX6Zj
— A random Gooner 💙 (@SmeglessWonder) May 27, 2023
Ian generously stayed with us for the entire of half one, we did half two, then went upstairs to the bar the place I met so many individuals. As ever, the geographical unfold was superb. People from Australia, Canada, everywhere in the US, Iceland and past. It reminds you that whereas Arsenal is a membership rooted in North London, it’s within the hearts of individuals in every single place who basically make pilgrimages to assist and watch this workforce.
Anyway, I acquired again to my lodge. I slept fitfully, I believe due to all of the adrenaline and the joy, and right here we’re this morning. It’s the ultimate recreation of a season which can for some be seen as disappointing due to the way it performed out, however for me has been a lot enjoyable alongside the best way. Clearly I need us to enhance, to do higher, to win issues, but it surely’s not the be-all and end-all. The expertise of pleasure you’ve got in August is simply as significant in Might. It’s good to have been reminded of that in so some ways.
Immediately, I’m going to go and watch Arsenal, and whereas this recreation isn’t actually significant when it comes to factors or league place, I do assume it’s one which we have to win simply to place a cap on this marketing campaign. The previous couple of weeks have been tough, however to exit on the again of a victory can be a stunning option to finish the season. The connection that the supervisor has spoken about so usually this season has simply develop into a bit of strained. And look, that’s the actuality of soccer: outcomes matter a lot.
The connection has been good as a result of the workforce has been good, and whereas it’s a two-way avenue, human nature is what it’s as nicely. So, in the present day it could be good to play nicely, rating a number of objectives in the summertime sunshine, and provides the workforce the popularity for that – and what they’ve given us for a lot of the season. After that we are able to take inventory, prepare for what’s going to be a busy summer time, and cope with no matter comes our manner.
Once more, I simply wish to say due to everybody who got here final night time – to my podcast buddies who made my life a bit simpler as I paced nervously backstage beforehand, and to Ian Wright. What an evening.
Hope to meet up with a few of you earlier than/after the sport in the present day.
Come on Arsenal!
