This week, American businessman, billionaire, and possible future owner of the Los Angeles
Dodgers Stan Kroenke flew into London in order to publicly express his full support of Arsene
Wenger. Arsenal's board of directors has had some interesting topics to discuss, which include, but
are certainly not limited to: Robin van Persie's future with the club, Arsene Wenger's future with
the club, and the monies to be spent this coming summer all of which impact public perception of
Wenger in one way or another.
Real Madrid wants Robin Van Persie. Look at my face: I am not happy right now.
Rather than just writing one opinion piece, I typically try to gather as much information from
around the World Wide Web and condense it with my own commentary added. This week we've got Real
Madrid pursuing Van Persie, Mourinho gunning for Arsene's job, Kieran Gibbs returns from a long
layoff to strengthen the defense, and a hobbled Jack Wilshere all torn up about England's national
team losing its coach just months before the Euro 2012.
I've got to admit, feeling like a loser has become a part of my identity, low self-confidence
hard-wired into my DNA by virtue of too many years of hardship. On Saturday morning, as Arsenal
destroyed Blackburn 7-1, I got to feel like a winner again. And it felt good. Really good.
In terms of pure bliss, I don't know that I've sincerely enjoyed any weekend of sports more than
the past one.
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Naturally, I'm describing Arsenal's
2011-2012 season. I'm a nice guy, and I don't want to hold Arsene wholly accountable for the team's
woes, particularly due to the simple fact that, well, that's what everybody else already does.
Okay, you can all relax now. Turns out that our hero, Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, will
NOT be sanctioned for allegedly throwing an elbow in the face of defender Carlos Cuéllar, after
all. Had the Football Association chosen to sanction him, and there certainly seemed to be
justification for doing so, the punishment to both Robin as an individual and Arsenal as a cohesive
whole would have been severe enough, considering the awful timing, to virtually end the team's
season on quite a sour note.
Okay, you can all relax now. Turns out that our hero, Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, will
NOT be sanctioned for allegedly throwing an elbow in the face of defender Carlos Cuéllar, after
all. Had the Football Association chosen to sanction him, and there certainly seemed to be
justification for doing so, the punishment to both Robin as an individual and Arsenal as a cohesive
whole would have been severe enough, considering the awful timing, to virtually end the team's
season on quite a sour note.
On Sunday, January 22, 2012, Manchester United will take the pitch against Arsenal at the
Emirates. Cognizant of the simple fact that Manchester United handed Arsenal an 8-2 loss that is
counted amongst the very worst in a period of 100 years, no one is giving much reason to believe
that the Gunners have a chance against the Red Devils.
"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not
die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?" William Shakespeare.
Forget what you think you know about revenge. Sometimes, it's all you've got left. And considering
the sorry state in which Arsenal currently finds itself, I would maintain that revenge may just
prove to be the last, best option.