Oh To Be A Gooner!

I’ve been in an Arsenal-induced depression for a couple days now. Earlier today, I was told that if you’re upset over sports for more than an hour, you need a therapist because something is wrong with you. I’ve never denied that something is wrong with me. I’m a fanatic and I have never felt more devastated or emotionally drained (when it comes to watching sports) than I did on Wednesday night. The truth is, if you gathered up all the heartbreaks suffered by people that are Buffalo Bills/Atlanta Braves/Buffalo Sabres fans like Matt, fashioned them into a Louisville Slugger, and then busted me bloody for three days, the pain would not begin to equal that which was felt after Arsenal’s loss to Barca. The only thing that brings me solace is that my boys played their arses off and with 9 men and Manuel Aluminum Almunia [Arsenal's *Pat Dillingham], hung with the best team in the world until they had nothing left. And even though that loss brought me to tears, I’m nothing but proud of the Gunners.

In other news, no need exists for further sorrow — Thierry Henry has signed on to be a Gooner for life (er, the next 4 years anyway)! From Arsenal.com — Thierry Henry’s decision to stay at Arsenal was made in the wake of the Champions League defeat. This afternoon the French striker finally ended a season of speculation by putting pen to paper on a four-year deal. And, amid a myriad of factors, the brave yet agonising defeat at the Stade de France had a major influence.

"The game reassured me of one thing I wanted to know – how far I can go with that team,” said Henry. “I know we lost but they showed me they are a team with heart and lots of quality. We can be so proud of what we did.

"I always refer to Arsenal as my home. I have been welcomed with open arms, the love I receive here – sometimes from non-Arsenal fans – is something I can’t forget about." 

 *Pat Dillingham: minimally skilled walk-on and backup quarterback at the University of Notre Dame. In 2002, Dillingham entered the Boston College and in a panic, all but handed the ball to a BC defender who scored a touchdown. Notre Dame lost 14-7. This loss marked the beginning of the looooong end of the Tyrone Willingham Error.