For the first time in Arsenal’s 133 year history the club is having their preseason tour in the US. So that’s where I am! My wife and I are meeting up with the rest of my family in Charlotte, NC to watch the Gunners take on Fiorintina before flying up to DC to watch Arsenal play Real Madrid.
I love sports. And I love Arsenal most of all.
Two months ago I was absolutely miserable as the team’s, at one point promising, campaign sputtered it’s way to a disappointing close. Think less train wreck and more getting one of those sad purple participation ribbons in summer swim league.
And yet here we are. The pre-season is upon us and I could not be more excited. I have gotten myself the brand new home kit (GORGEOUS) and am brimming with potentially misplaced optimism.
That’s what I love about sports. No matter what happened last year, hope springs anew this season. Sport is the one place where we can put aside rationality. It’s a relatively harmless outlet for tribalism and bias (FOYS). There is something escapist about that.
But I also think there is something poetic in it. Sport is something that brings us together. It’s something where we get up again no matter how hard we got knocked down last year. For me sports is the ultimate memory generation machine. The reason I love Arsenal so much is because whenever I watch I’m connected to the times my dad and I would wake up at 5 in the morning to watch Fabregas and van Persie play.
What actually happens is far less important than who you share it with. And I think there is a lot to be learned from that.
Journey before destination. Come On You Gunners.
Until next week.