The last two days was spectacular in the UEFA Champions League. When the Semi-Final draw was made, many were quick to bet on a Clasico final but with the way both Barcelona and Real Madrid were schooled and battered during the last 48 hours suggested it could be an all German final. What's amusing to me though was that Arsenal turned up decent display against the two Bundesliga teams last season and current season in the Champions League, winning 2 matches, a draw and a loss. That's commendable yet, nothing to show for it.
As the big game against new Premier League Champions Manchester United approaches, the build up to the game is currently overshadowed and filled with talks of 'Guard of Honour' and if we should accord such applaud to United and the greedy badger or not. Personally, I feel this should not even be debatable, its a tradition of the English game and its what must be done. Arsenal had the experience of winning the league at Anfield, Old Trafford and White Hart Lane. It's what we do, win the league on enemy soil.
We must also understand if Arsenal were crowned the League Champions, Ferguson and his men or any other team per say, would accord us respectively, and in addition same United gave us such honour in the past, therefore what's all the fuse about 'the guard of honour' then? Its very understandable the level of frustration the larger majority of the Arsenal fans may feel as its obvious we sold Manchester United the Premier league, the moment Robin Van Persie was traded for £24 Million. I feel as Arsenal fans we should be more pleased about the fact that United wrapped it all up before turning up at the Grove on Sunday.
We all would've hated United and despise more, the greedy badger, winning it at our place. I personally have no problems about us giving them a guard of honour when they step out onto the pitch because, we are classy and we'll remain so. The Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA) are of the motive and believe that the gesture should take place. In a recent interview the AISA Chairman Lois Langton said:
"I think we have to give the guard of honour, as I don't want us to look as though we are being petty by not giving the guard of honour. "For it not to happen and for supporters not to acknowledge the Manchester United team as they come out would actually boost Robin van Persie's ego. "I would rather us just acknowledge them and then get on with the game - otherwise the focus will be on Robin van Persie, rather than the Arsenal team, which is what we are supposed to be going there to support." Lois Langton has said it all, its the way I think our great club should thread come Sunday.
All said, as Arsenal supporters, once the referee's whistle goes, its not going to be out of place for us if the greedy badger get a rough reception on Sunday at the Emirates, and that for the entire duration of the game. It happens at every club when a player leaves under a cloud, point is that we know that the badger has shown his complete contempt for us as a club with the way he forced his way out unceremoniously. What's more important though is that we should not forget that we've got a target of our own to achieve and getting all 3 points as stake will also give us some pride on our turf and get us closer to achieving our remaining priority for the season. Arsenal are just four points behind Manchester City, although they have a game in hand. But who knows how they're going to react to being dispossessed of their title, defeating United may be another turning point for us.
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