Cry Havoc, And Let Slip The Ox Of War

Oxlade-Chamberlain sets up the equalizer against United

In typical fashion, when the Arsenal were begging for experience during the 2011 summer transfer window, and about to ship off  the likes of Fabregas and Nasri, Wenger went out and splashed cash on a teenager. However much potential he had, the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was greeted with mixed feelings from the supporters.

His introduction to the Premier League came at the rather sharp end of the humbling 8-2 defeat to the reigning champions at Old Trafford, a substitute appearance questioned at the time for the potential impact to his confidence. It proved a needless worry. He made impressive subsequent debuts as a starter in the Carling Cup and the Champions League group stage, opening his scoring account with a well-taken goal in each match. He would continue in the first XI in the cups, with some inconsistent showings that still had enough quality to get the attention of the English media. Good showings at England U21 level boosted the reputation of the burgeoning talent now known as The Ox.

The Triumph of the Saga

Here's the thing. Following football, particularly in the tribal, obsessive, fanatical way that many of us do, is at least on some small level about escapism. It is about leaving behind the 9 to 5 for a couple of hours on the weekend for the hope of distraction by way of a bunch of grown men running around in shorts kicking a ball. To this event, we wear synthetic replica shirts, despair at minor injustices, abuse pantomime villains, and deify these grown men for getting paid to do what we all did for free for hours on end in our own back yards as kids. We are separate from time, living in a moment that does not really exist. It is the ultimate suspension of disbelief. Pretend for a moment that your bills don't exist, that your boss isn't a fucktard, that the government isn't pissing down your back and calling it rain. 

We go to the football or to the pub to watch the football and get lost in the moment. We have the ability to completely block out all other considerations and allow ourselves to become absorbed in the game as well as the pageantry and buffoonery surrounding it. With laser focus we observe all things transpiring on the pitch. How did he manage that piece of skill? Wasn't he a step offside? Was that a shirt pull? Hand to ball or ball to hand? His foot was definitely high and his studs were showing. Did you see that drag-back? Oh he's blocked off his run. Referee! I am not the best at compartmentalizing my feelings in general but when watching the Arsenal I can block everything else out so, so easily.

Identity Crisis?

In a single statement Robin van Persie has launched large sections, if not all, of the Arsenal support into an identity crisis. Where has our football gone? Ironically, a player famed for learning his trade on the streets, has called into question the very concept behind the so-called "joy of the game." It is not uncommon to read posts from Gooners around the world decrying van Persie's statement and announcing the end of the game as we know it. It is a personal blow, because unlike many recent Arsenal exports, van Persie was believed to be "one of us." He is the last player from the era of the Invincibles. No, he wasn't one of them, he was brought in directly after that achievement, and remained one of the few at the club since with the technical quality and innate footballing bravura to play alongside some of those greats.

Initially I was gutted by the announcement on van Persie's official site. I have been an admirer of this player more than any other since the Invincibles, and given my worship of Bergkamp, Robin is a natural choice as his successor. He has scored some amazing goals, is capable of jaw-dropping close control [a certain pre-season goal against Inter Milan comes to mind], and this past season has demonstrated an uncanny ability to find space in crowded penalty areas and appear unmarked despite the whole world knowing how much we relied upon him as our primary [and at times singular] goal threat. On top of all this he regularly speaks with intelligence and enthusiasm about the game and particularly the attacking, technical, pass and move style espoused by Wenger throughout his Arsenal reign.