Yes I admit it - I AM A SOCCERHOLIC. I take in everything there is about soccer, especially about the teams and people that intrigue me to the point I think I will DIE because of soccer.
Earlier in the week, rather on Wednesday morning after my team was humiliatingly defeated at home by our arch nemesis (hereinafter They Who Shall Not Be Named), I had sworn off football. I threatened to start watching basketball, and even more, not to pledge allegiance to a team, but to a player - specifically LeBron James. I also had alternative sports in mind, as per what the sports channels have decided are important to show: Golf (???), Tennis (maybe), Boxing (maybe) - so many to select. I promised myself that if Barcelona were to be beaten by Chelsea, I was definately going to switch off. But, let me be a bit pragmatic here and offer some truths - some very hard to admit, but truth's anyway.
1) Can I SWITCH OFF SOCCER? Never ever. Its in my blood. They would have to drain my system and infuse new blood. Soccer has always been a part of me right from them days of Football Made in Germany on VoK. My Dad used to take us to watch AFC at the stadium, and it was always thrilling to be in that ambience: the singing, dancing, shouting, highs, lows - the sweetest being of course the feverish highs. So people, soccer for life - in whatever format it comes in: pedestrian Kenyan football, World Cups, UEFA, FIFA, etc, i'm still there.
2) Can I SWITCH TEAMS? No, thought I could, but I seem to have created a bond with the Gunners for life. Lakini, Mr. Arsene Wenger and co - the drought has been too much. Surely there has to be some rain/reign? We need some silverware. Stop with the experimenting and give us the results. We invest quite a bit to be arsenal supporters - buying merchandise (even if it's not genuine, at least we advertise on your behalf somewhat), WAKING UP AT 1AM to watch matches, celebrating the wins (and rueing the losses as well). But, we love Arsenal (for arsenal supporters so don't start sending me unnecessary comments), we love the flair of the team, the youth of the team, BUT WE ARE LONG OVERDUE FOR SOME SILVERWARE! Anyone with Arsene's wife's number - maybe she can join the sex boycott.
3) Drogba, Seriously? Seriously? I promised that I wouldn't dig into them, but Seriously? Did he think that shouting at and almost assaulting that poor ref would help in any way at that point? I hear hollywood calling - maybe Spike Lee or Guy Ritchie have something in mind for him?
4) THOSE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED: are they the best team? Painfully, and very painfully YES. Physically, mentally and tactically, they truly are the best team at the moment (in my opinion), made possible by a GREAT Manager. He is the team and the team is him - I wonder though, is that sustainable? When he retires to his Wilmslow house or to Scotland, is there anyone who can step up to the challenge? Can there be an equal or better manager for you? Despite my admition, for the final, i'm going with Barca - I believe they can still pull a rabbit out of the hat on the day.
So, that's my day - a pragmatic one where I have painfully admitted that: 1) I'm a soccerholic; 2) Im sticking with the Gunners; and 3) Those Who Shall Not Be Named are truly dominant this season.
Cheers and see you in Rome next week and I will be soo glad when its all over and I can enjoy my full night's sleep.
