Growing up in India my early teens coincided with proliferation of cable TV and exposure to overseas football including the premier league. David Beckham was well known and like some other friends I thought of myself as a Man United (eugh) “fan” although I barely watched their games . Shortly after, one evening in November 2001, I found myself watching Man United playing a team with an interesting name - “Arsenal” who was managed by one “Arsene Wenger”. Match made in heaven I thought.
The Man United goalkeeper then gifted the ball way to a player called Thierry Henry who duly scored. Twice! The Highbury crowd started to chant “Give it to Barthez! Barthez is a Gooner!” I found that so funny! What an interesting team, I thought to myself. So I started watching them more often.
By a quirk of fate I moved to England and started living in North London from end 2006 and watched them play for the first time in person when I managed to get tickets to Emirates cup 2007, when I realised I was in love with the team and have been so ever since!
I joined 98/99 season precisely during FA cup semi final against Manutd that Bergkamp missed a penalty
I just fell in love with the team that day and started following Arsenal
Coincidentally it was when Kanu joined too,then my favourite player TH14, watched the league wins,FA cup wins,The Invincible,Paris 2006,when Henry just kept missing chances after we took the lead via Campbell's header and Lehman getting an early shower,with Pires been sub for Almunia,one of the most painful night but I hope it's different this Saturday
Growing up in India my early teens coincided with proliferation of cable TV and exposure to overseas football including the premier league. David Beckham was well known and like some other friends I thought of myself as a Man United (eugh) “fan” although I barely watched their games . Shortly after, one evening in November 2001, I found myself watching Man United playing a team with an interesting name - “Arsenal” who was managed by one “Arsene Wenger”. Match made in heaven I thought.
The Man United goalkeeper then gifted the ball way to a player called Thierry Henry who duly scored. Twice! The Highbury crowd started to chant “Give it to Barthez! Barthez is a Gooner!” I found that so funny! What an interesting team, I thought to myself. So I started watching them more often.
By a quirk of fate I moved to England and started living in North London from end 2006 and watched them play for the first time in person when I managed to get tickets to Emirates cup 2007, when I realised I was in love with the team and have been so ever since!
That transition from a “common choice” to developing the affection for the personally selected team is a fascinating one
I joined 98/99 season precisely during FA cup semi final against Manutd that Bergkamp missed a penalty
I just fell in love with the team that day and started following Arsenal
Coincidentally it was when Kanu joined too,then my favourite player TH14, watched the league wins,FA cup wins,The Invincible,Paris 2006,when Henry just kept missing chances after we took the lead via Campbell's header and Lehman getting an early shower,with Pires been sub for Almunia,one of the most painful night but I hope it's different this Saturday
I see us winning on Saturday though
Great story, thank you! I wish I observed that team of late 90s, early 00s through the adult eyes