India is known in the western world as a cricket-crazy country. In India, the sport is a religion and players are given demigod-like status. Even the narrowest streets are transformed into cricket arenas as kids desperately try to showcase their talent. In such a cultural milieu, I was among the minority who followed football with equal fervor. This is how I became an ardent Arsenal fan in India.
love at first sight
Although I was originally a cricket fan – and I still am – my love for football, and Arsenal in particular, began when I watched Premier League powerhouses Arsenal play Manchester United. These two clubs are used to playing out some nail-biting, thrilling matches, and their 2-2 draw in November 2007 was one such classic.
United visited in-form Arsenal in the hope of inflicting a blow on their rivals' title challenge, and as the match progressed I realised everything about the Premier League that is so fascinating: the aura, the energy the fans generate, the ball going up and down the pitch, the fierce tackles, the pinhole passes, the players facing each other, even the commentary. It was truly spectacular.
Arsenal Style Football
Arsenal equalized with a late goal from William Gallas, bringing great relief to the Emirates crowd, but it was their style of play that caught my attention. Under the watchful eye of manager Arsene Wenger, his players played with aplomb, with an emphasis on one-touch passing and intelligent movement. The manager gave his players the freedom to express themselves freely on the pitch, and was known for creating unique and innovative patterns of play.
Gradually, I moved away from cricket and started rooting for Arsenal. On weekends, while my friends were busy talking about how Sachin Tendulkar dominated the opposing bowlers on the cricket pitch, I was watching Arsenal matches. As a 16-year-old, I couldn't help but be in awe of the way Wenger's team took the ball to the final third of the pitch and smashed it into the nets time and time again. The more I watched, the more I fell in love with Arsenal. With each passing game, the bond between us grew stronger.
Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla. There are countless players who have dazzled the fans at the Emirates Stadium with their talent. But it was Cazorla who surprised me the most. The Spaniard's boundless passion and nimble footwork were a treat to behold. Pulling the strings from midfield, this little magician was the heartbeat of Arsenal's teams of the 2010s.
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Heartbreak and hope for Arsenal fanatics in India
Every season players joined and left, some controversially, but my passion for the club remained constant – it was this passion that kept me up until 4am local time to watch them play in European competitions.
But like any relationship, this one had its low points. Nine years without a trophy was excruciating, but 20 years without a league title was perhaps the lowest point. In that time there were many false dawns, some seasons marred by a string of injury bad luck, while others just weren't good enough to come close to a trophy.
The league title should be coming soon to the Emirates. The fans have been waiting for a long time, like a parched earth waiting for the sky to shower rain on them. With Mikel Arteta in charge, the hope is that this season will see the club claim the title and bring joy to all involved.
Photo: IMAGO / Visionhaus
