Friday, May 20, 2011

Open Letter to the Arsenal Fans

Dear Arsenal Fans,

Congratulations.  You are all so fortunate.  Winding down another season without the stress of any must-win games or the pressure that comes with continued success.  Unlike so many managers around the league, your professorial leader enjoys the benefits of a secure job, no matter what the results.  If your team wins or loses, you don't have to worry about what it means or if the next game matters.  You always have a team full of players who are about to reach their full potential and dominate the game.  It must be a joy to always have something so rewarding to look forward to year after year.  I envy the raw honest emotions of a Jack Wilshere, who repeatedly talked about your squad needing to be tougher mentally, and then wept openly like a child after losing the Carling Cup.  It was a touching moment, unlike the jaded cheers and chanting of "Campeones" I so often hear from the team I support.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we Manchester United fans can never rest or stop worrying.  Here we are, trying to celebrate the 19th League title last Saturday, and then all of the sudden we are bombarded with news articles about the Champions League Final we have to play in.  I almost feel sorry for myself and my fellow Red Devil supporters.  Will it never end?  Unlike Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson is relentless in his obsession with winning and one trophy, two trophies, three trophies......its just never good enough for this greedy man.  This unhealthy focus on winning even forced us to sell Ben Foster, our 2nd string goalkeeper, last summer.  Foster later complained that after we lost a game, it seemed like the end of the world at Manchester United.  Who in their right mind wants to play under such pressure?

Anyway, congratulations on your good fortune and a relaxing end to the season.  May your impressive domination of the pre-season Emirates Cup always continue!

Sincerely,

The Grateful Red