Respect And Gratitude Shown On An Emotional Day
May 7th, 2018 by 'holic
Is yours gold?
Despite Network Rail’s various attempts to frustrate us a full-house turned up for what was always going to be an emotional day. Friends old and new came together in the various drinking establishments around the stadium and created a warm atmosphere in the glare of a glorious sun over N5 and N7, many of whom had taken the opportunity to sign the books which will be presented to the departing manager as a personal memento of his time in charge of our club.
Into the stadium for a last expensive glass of white wine (for which thanks, neighbour) and taking up our seats complete with Arsene Wenger teeshirts. This was going to be the celebration to beat all celebrations. The two teams formed a guard of honour and, for the last time as The Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger strode out onto centre stage. Not for the last time “one Arsene Wenger” grew to a crescendo in the North London sky.
His team, much changed from Thursday night in Madrid, set about recreating the first decade of Wengerball against the one team who could deny them sixth place in the Premiership and automatic qualification for next season’s Europa League. That sixth place may be the final reason for Arsene’s departure, but that first decade and some way beyond is why everyone, it seemed, had come to praise him.
It took the Gunners less than a quarter of an hour to grab the lead when a flowing move ended with Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang applying the finishing touch to Alexandre Lacazette’s drive across the goal. The team rolled back the years as the half progressed and one became two when Lacazette calmly side-footed Hector Bellerin’s pinpoint cross beyond Pope in the Burnley goal.
The home crowd, clearly enjoying the return of a convivial atmosphere around the place, sang the praises of the legends of the Wenger years as well as the departing manager himself. In the second-half there was no let-up from the hosts. If anything we ramped up the pressure on a Burnley side who were already on the beach, it seemed. Nine minutes in Jack Wilshere made a wonderful burst through the centre of midfield and teed up Sead Kolasinac for the strike of the day into the far corner.
The fourth arrived when Aubamayang cut the ball back for Alex Iwobi to strike a fine finish high into the net. This was vintage Arsenal and I scrambled to see what the cash-out on the ‘holic pound might now be. The lack of a signal in the stadium prevented that. The punt was sunk when Bellerin crossed for Aubamayang to sweep home for the sweetest of finishes. Five nil to the Arsenal.
It seemed as though the post match celebrations had started early, and no more so than when three thousand Burnley supporters roared “one Arsene Wenger” to a standing ovation from the home crowd. Aaron Ramsey had already come on for Wilshere, but in the aftermath of the fifth goal Per Mertesacker made an emotional final home appearance replacing Calum Chambers, who along with Konstantinos Mavropanos had formed a wonderful defensive barrier throughout. “We’ve got a big f***ing German” boomed out around the Grove.
So to the final whistle and the start of the proceedings saw the only show of discontent from sections of the crowd who jeered Sir Chips Keswick when the chairman was introduced to make awards to the retiring Vic Akers, Alex Scott, and Per Mertesacker. Then the star of the show. Once more le boss was given a guard of honour by his team and the assembled legends before being presented with the gold Premier League trophy, awarded in recognition of the Invincibles season in 2003/4, by the club.
His speech brought a lump to many throats and started with a tribute to his greatest rival and friend, Sir Alex Ferguson. By the time he admitted “I will miss you” there were few dry eyes in the house. Wonderfully, but for me surprisingly, few had left the stadium until the lap of appreciation. Even a smattering of Burnley fans stayed behind to experience the emotional farewell before departing for home chanting “We’re all going on a European tour”. That they are is a measure of their achievement this season, but this day belonged to one man.
Merci Arsene.
59 Responses to “Respect And Gratitude Shown On An Emotional Day”
Rude not to take the first. Thanks Holic – excellent stuff as always.
Cheers h, merci Arsene.
Merci Arsène, and thanks for all the trophies.
In case you missed my comment to you in the last, Cynic, the answer is Who needs ****?. 😉
Still struggling with it all this morning, and I’ve not even been to bed yet.
The things we put ourselves through.
Great stuff H.
Interesting fact that I heard today.
Arsene has brought 83 players into the first team via The Academy.
Some record.
He also used more than 220 different players, Steve, that’s an average of ten new players every year of his reign. I guess that includes the Academy players, but not sure what to think of it!
@4
Who needs ****?
Chris, Is the answer “Theo”
sorry, it was hard to resist
🙂
That’s how I saw it, H. We were once again lovely to watch and overall it was a very moving experience.
Like Steve T, I’m still struggling with it all. How must the man himself be feeling?
Thanks Guvnor.
Wish I could’ve been there.
Well supplied with hankies.
Cheers H! Splendid day out it was.
Thanks ‘Holic. A beautifully evocative description of a unique day.
I feel even more emotional today. Bereft!
Very good, Matt, bastard!
We scored 5 good goals all of which came from rapid ball movement, such as the third as described by ‘holic above “Jack Wilshere made a wonderful burst through the centre of midfield and teed up Sead Kolasinac for the strike of the day“. It was that moment that summed up the difference between the way we attacked yesterday and the laborious build-ups that have bored me rigid for much of the season. Jack almost always looks for a gap to run into as a first option and that immediately draws defenders out of position, opening up gaps for through balls. Most of the season it seems to me that we have hung the ball up in midfield crossing sideways and back waiting for defenders to make a mistake, which they haven’t done often enough. Yesterday we were far more positive with Jack and Miki as dangerous a combo as we’ve seen in years.
I also thought Jack was far more self-controlled than he’s been of late. A couple of drinks ago I suggested someone should tell him to stop the theatrics and start playing football. It’s like someone actually did!
ARSENE WENGER I really really missed you on this game and i don’t know where will i see you again , for time you spent here has the coach every one of us feel your absence since the very you announced i will step down from Arsenal as coach and at moment i cannot to watch yesterday and i also wish you successful anywhere you go God bless you for the wonderful job..
What a fantastic, sun kissed, emotional, packed raucous goal blast of a day. Countryman junior was determined not to miss the occasion, despite being in the midst of University year 1 exams, so he hopped on a train from Leicester and we met up just before 3.30 outside the North Bank. Into the stadium, to our seats and there were the much trailed t-shirts. Yes, an extra large! On it went, nestling comfortably but not too snugly over the all bought and paid for countryman stomach. All around me folk were doing the same, just joining in, not taking the usual Arsenal “too cool for school” approach of ultra sophisticates as normal. My “family” of North Bank season ticket buddies were all there for the occasion and, although a few had one last pint and slipped in a little late, by ten past kick off every seat that I could see was taken. It’s not often I have been able to write that.
The Guard of honour was magnificent – I’m a quarter of the ground away but I think I even saw the press box rise as one. Certainly the Burnley fans, respectful throughout the game, did and bless them for it.
A feast of Wengerball followed. The new manager has many problems to solve but up front with Mikhi, Auba and Laca is not one of them. Natural goal scorers all. Add sicknote Ozil (wtf?) and Rambo and you have a front five to envy. Our young Greek centre half Mavroponos had a fine game as well, did little Jack Wilshere. The sight of us bursting the back of the net in the sunshine did this old heart good.
So to the speeches. Now the North Bank lower are the cheapest season ticket seats in the ground at just under a grand apiece. So naturally we are not allowed to hear or understand anything said on the PA. But we did clock the two growls of anger, firstly for Sir Chips and secondly for silent Stan. But the lap of appreciation was lovely, with three main foci. Firstly and of course, the boss, with an ear splitting version of One Arsène Wenger. Secondly Santi. There are few players who are truly loved by all. He is one such. Finally, Per. He came to the North Bank, laid down his BFG banner and drank in his song, applauding all the way. He was awarded with the ultimate epithet of Gooner, Gooner! He clearly loves this club and he’ll make a great youth team coach.
So farewell to the son and back to the car. The M11 was blocked so I had to go via the A1. As I twisted and turned the back alleys, avoiding the main drag snarl ups through Hornsey and Haringey to finally pop out halfway up Highgate Hill and on into Highgate village, 80% of pedestrians and car users were dressed in red t shirts with Merci Arsène written on them. Who knew Highgate Village was such a hotbed of Gooners?
I had somehow got a seat in club level & found myself shedding many a tear with TV chef Ainsley Harriot
The food at the ground can’t be THAT bad…
And Chris – I have thought since we signed him that Mkhi and Ozil in the same side cannot work and yesterday just proved it. Although there may be times when it does work, obviously.
This is why I thought Ozil would be allowed to walk and why I was so surprised we gave him that nauseating new deal.
Anyway, said enough on the subject.
I had a small wager on 5-0 🙂
Thanks for a splendid recollection of a great occasion yesterday. I was a bit harsh about Burnley since they have some of the nicest fans I’ve met in a long time and were marvellously disposed towards Wenger. I had a very pleasant chat shuffling towards the tube and the fact that they had stayed to wish him well on a Sunday evening speaks volumes for them.Good job we didn’t play Stoke or the Totts!
There were the longest queues for programmes I’ve seen since the last game at Highbury. I’ve not read the programme yet, digging into the very interesting Gooner special issue, but I did glance at the book that accompanied the programme and just like the stat Steve quoted there is some marvellous data in there.
We didn’t miss …. who will not play again this season as Keown predicted because of a ‘back complaint’ ( he doesn’t think Bellerin is very good??) . If we’d had him yesterday given the space Burnley gave us we might have got ten. Iwobi did some excellent things but he traps a ball further than I can kick it nowadays. Not only do Mkhi and Ozil play well together I think it will be one of the strengths of the team next season . Mkhitaryan is a very flexible player who can play almost anywhere . We definitely got the best of the Sanchez deal. Mkhi hardly ever gives the ball away and helps the defence more than Sanchez.
Finally sell Mustafi, loan out Holding , patch up Kos , keep Mavropanos and Chambers and buy a top CB . One certainty is that he will have a long name !
lovely stuff ‘holis/’holics
and cynic me too
the ainsley harriot line is my favourite ever
?
ooops misspellaging ?
Lovely write up ‘holic. Couldn’t get a ticket myself but you painted a vivid picture and put me right there in the stadium. Cheers.
It was a relief to see the Emirates in full house for the farewell for our greatest manager and too see him saying goodbye in the stadium that he built was very emotional. I wish him nothing but the best in the future, take a break for a while Arsene.
We will miss you. Well, I know I will.
Superb day. A marvellous 22 year-long ride. Merci, Arsene.
Chris,
😉
Jack did play better yesterday.
The 2nd goal set it up I thought
as Burnley had to come out a
more 2nd half which doesn’t suit them
and does us, we duly punished them.
With a bit more space all the midfield
players looked better, but the key was
not giving away a silly goal to put
ourselves under pressure. Vokes
helped by missing a presentable
chance at 2-0 and after that it was
plain sailing to a glorious sunset.
Though it’d be nice if AW could get
the away defeat monkey off our
backs to finish off.
Beautifully done, Holic ??
And 22 years after someone asked, “Arsene who ?”, everyone knows.
Literally everyone knows.
Merci, indeed.
Henry was in Manchester
during…
‘Holic, thanks for another wonderful narrative.
My son is completely wrapped up with his plans for his wedding down in the South Downs, which we’ll be flying over for in a couple of weeks. But you could not have kept him away from the Emirates yesterday under any circumstance, where he claimed what will become my own (very appropriately sized) XL shirt.
Merci bien, Arsene.
The strangest thing about all of this is we’ve actually still got two matches left???
It feels bizarre.
I wasn’t there but I watched the game in the rear garden as I made preparation for a family BBQ, my brother in law also a massive Gooner who was here watched all the goals whilst I was cooking the food…
When I sprinted across to see how me made and took those goals we had a brief conversation like many of us here, why can’t we play like this game to game? Like Chris mentioned above it was all about pace and movement pass, pass, move pass, move…..bang! It’s certainly they way Arsene wanted and wants us to play! Technical football at it’s best, I think we struggle against the physical and well organised teams who breathe down your neck and this is the flaw that Arsene couldn’t remedy perhaps.
I felt sad for him and the way it all has to come to a close, all sorts of emotions run through my head, as I watched the speech my eyes were filled with tears goose bumps all over, I will miss this stubborn old mule with with all my heart! 🙁
Arsene I can’t thank you enough for what you have given me over all these years it’s priceless, I will miss your press conferences and your sense of humor at the same time wishing you all the best you can get!
After recapturing the moment today in peace it doesn’t get more emotional than that!
One Arsene Wenger – Merci!
Steve T
It does feel weird indeed…..
Chris@7. I think there needs to be some perspective with that. Especially when you take into account League Cup sides etc and their make up.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnd to top it all, an on the spot from Countryman …
me an’ the galloping gourmet is in bits ‘ere …
https://youtu.be/anwy2MPT5RE
UTArsene!
Thank you Arsene Wenger. We will miss you.
Leastways, I will.
an emotional day indeed. thanks, h for the heartfelt writeup. i was in a puddle on the couch watching.
i’m going to enjoy the last two games, every time the camera cuts to the manager i’m going to etch that in my memory best i can. we’ve been so blessed for 22 years!
speaking of puddles, and for a bit of emotions along a different axis, have a gander at this. given our relationship with them i’d say this is pretty appropriate (except for the part about the bog): https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/993513458531520514
you’re not alone bt.
Thank you all, for sharing your tales of a day I’ll never forget, like the Farewell to Highbury.
Now for the next phase…
A milestone, H. In our lives and in the history of Arsenal.
Aubameyang was man of the match for me. He injects the pace and uncertainty to terrorize defenders that has been the lacking element in our attack. Runner-up: Mavropanos. The future looks bright, and it is red and white.
@countryman100 – my son is at St. Michael’s primary school in Highgate Village and it’s 90% Arsenal (as opposed to much closer to 50/50 with Spurs when I was his age around here 40 years ago). It is a definitely a gooner hotbed. I went in to the village curry house (Kiplings) last night – at the next table was a bloke I had seen in Madrid three days earlier….
@19, but I thought Tony Adams, Steve Bould, and Kolo Toure all had shorter names. And Sol?
Steve T (#33) … I have no perspective whatever on what it means. Is it as many, more or less than anyone else? No idea. It just seemed a big number worth looking at. I’m sure the monks at Castle Ned will have the answers. But for the sake of his sanity I hope Ned doesn’t spot this post and feel obliged…. 😀
Yep, it does feel like the season-ending moment of all season ends, yet still two games to go. But we live in hope of one final uplifting moment … yes, it’s still possible for the LWCs to miss out on the 4th place trophy which they so derided for 20 years, but which must look to them now like their very own Cockaigne.
Cockaigne, get it? I have to go…
Forget his pace, bt8, O’Bangerbomb is the legendary fox-in-the-box we’ve been searching for since Francis Jeffers failed to be one. I believe something like 95% of his goals are scored from inside the box and many of them from closer than the penalty spot. His positioning inside the box is uncanny and he’s a gidt that will keep on giving for years yet. Acquiring him was a masterstroke, and then signing his provider Miki just plain genius.
Can’t wait to see our new GK, CB, DMF and whoever else will be brought in to shore up the rear, but I am already more than happy with the offensive end of the cannon.
*a gift…
I guess Mav, Rob and Calum will all
get chances in the final 2 games as
we finish 6th whatever happens.
Leicester are stumbling to the end
with nothing to play for so we might
see a couple of debuts added to
that total. I suppose we would feel
obliged to play a stronger side at
Huddersfield if they might still go
down.
And of course some of the younger
players have a big game against
Porto coming up – best of luck to
them.
Just to fill in time (and because it’s wonderful) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmduDP-JNLQ
Chris,
I watched a showreel of Auba before he joined and what struck me was how many goals he gets from inside the box and especially the six yard box. Lacazette also has this to his game but Auba is perhaps at last that fox in the box we have so craved.
If you think Ban Persie or Henry a lot of their goals were very spectacular. Auba’s tend to be very much like his two on Sunday.
Mislintat has started very well. A structure of Mislintat, Sanllehi and say Allegri is a pretty powerful one and would show everyone that we mean business.
The final figures are not out yet but I understand we earned more from the Europa League than United did from the Champions League. Ned , can you confirm that? If so it might not be such a huge financial hit to miss out again. We need to win it next year but may be up against Tottenham or Chelsea!
Ban Persie I say . It should be Van Persie of course!
I just hope Allegri thinks that he can work with the other two, or we may well miss out.
TTG,
Ban Persie works too 🙂
It’s a pity I missed yesterday’s match with my back injury. It’ll need some time but I’m sure I’ll fully recover in time for the World Cup.
No shit.
Mesut Ozil has not started 25 of Arsenal’s 58 games this season.
and yet has the 5th most minutes
of any player this season, after being
2nd and 3rd in the previous 2 seasons
– according to 7AM’s By the Numbers
anyway.
Not to mention AW’s own comments
in the presser today.
Ozil’s assist and goals stats aren’t bad given the number of games he has played then ?
Depends who he scored and assisted against.
A unique and classy day; done “The Arsenal Way”. Merci AFC! Merci Gooners! ?
Merci pour les bons souvenirs, Arsène. ? ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>