Why Arsenal?

My infatuation with the Arsenal Gunners began with the magnificent goal of Holland's Dennis Bergkamp, in the 89' of the 1998 quarterfinal match against Argentina. As a soccer-loving American, when it comes to World Cup soccer, there must be a second or even third team to follow, considering that it is a near guarantee that the Americans will be ousted in the group stage, or if they are incredibly lucky, in the 1st or 2nd round of the elimination bracket. This was easy during the 1994 World Cup, where I could follow my "old country", Sweden; led by a 20 year old Henrik Larsson, also of Celtic fame, and Swedish great Tomas Brolin; all the way to the semifinals, where they were, of course, beaten by Brazil. Although I could follow Sweden all the way to the end of that World Cup, another country, Holland, had also caught my fancy with their fast-paced tempo and aggressive attacking style of football, sorry, soccer. As I later found out, for the Dutch, an attacking style was not just a way to fit their players, but it was tradition. Since the days of Dutch great Johan Cruyff, in the 1970's, the Dutch have practiced what they call "total football". By the way, if you have any interest, look up Cruyff highlights, he is widely considered the third best footballer of all-time, behind only Brazil's Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona. I guess one can make an argument that Northern Ireland's George Best could also be involved in that discussion, but the fact was that Best's greatness as a player was lessened by his greatness as a drinker and playboy. I digress; as an American the Dutch remind me of the "greatest show on turf", the Kurt Warner led St. Louis Rams circa 1998-2002. Of course, around these parts, that team will always be known as the team that lost to the New England Patriots in the 2001 Super Bowl Championship. However, that team was known for having an all out attacking style of football, where defense was barely part of the equation to winning. Just like the Rams, in 2001 and beyond, the Dutch, while incredibly entertaining to watch, have been hurt at times by their focus on offense rather than defense. For anyone, who watched last years World Cup, it is not far off to say, that the Dutch advanced all the way to the finals against Spain, in part, because they abandoned some of their traditional style of play, reverting to a more rough and tumble defensive style.

So how does any of these relate to Arsenal? Well, in 1994, I first noticed Holland, but in 1998, the Swedes were kicked out early, but the Dutch were making a push towards the finals. So they became my team at that point and one that I would follow since. Enter Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutch drive in the 1998 World Cup was spearheaded by the blond Dutch striker. Much like the Frenchman Zidane, the Brazilian Ronaldo, or the English Wayne Rooney, it was impossible to watch Holland without noticing Bergkap. He was one amazing player. This was no more noticeable then in the World Cup semifinal match against Argentina. That game was an incredible back and forth match and entering the 89th and final minute both teams were tied 1-1. Then the play. The defensive midfielder De Boer, kicked a 60 yard pass to a streaking Bergkamp, who caught the ball with his foot. Yes, caught a 60 yard ball with his foot. With his second touch he flicked the ball underneath the defender who was running alongside his left, got inside position, then nailed the ball over the goaltender's right shoulder, right in the top right corner pocket of the net. Please watch the link, with the audio, which is the most hilarious announcing of any soccer game, ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsZkCFoqSBs&feature=related

That goal, and how Bergkamp played for much of the World Cup, led me to believe that I had to see this player again. So I did. At that point, Bergkamp was playing for the English Premier League team, the Arsenal Gunners, having just come from Ajax. So that is how are started to watch Arsenal. There were also other reasons for how they became my team. For one, just like the Dutch, and the Red Sox of many years, the Gunners are always in the mix at the top, but often they are caught playing second fiddle to the New York Yankees of the EPL, Manchester United. Another reason for liking them, was their team. When I started watching they were not only an amazing team, but they played a quick, high scoring brand of soccer. Having players like Theirry Henry, Fredrik Ljundberg, and Sol Campbell, to name a few; Arsenal had a players who were just as exciting as personalities as players. They also had the team of "Invincibles", in 2003-2004. That year, Arsenal set a record by completing the entire season of 46 games, unbeaten. That team also made some great runs in the Champions League, losing to Barcelona in the 2006 final, and in their domestic cups. At this point, I'm hooked. It didn't matter that Bergkamp retired in 2005. It didn't matter that Henry left for Barcelona in 2008, I am now, and will be a Gunner for life.