Columns, bulletins, reports, previews, analysis, questions, answers. News rooms and television studios are haunted by the presence of their absence. Upstairs in the stadium ex-players and ‘experts’ survey the arena, discussing what they cannot and will not see. The two who are not there. But down below, way beneath their feet, eleven far more important individuals lay waiting. Eleven chosen men who know in their hearts that after all the explaining, talking, fighting and negotiating the dreams and ambitions of the thousands upon thousands now rest in their hands. Who they are not and where they have been makes

The date is Saturday 13th August 2011. It is the launch of the 2010/11 Premiership season. It has been many days since the last league game was played. A lot has happened during this time.

For over two months clubs around the world have spent their time explaining, talking, fighting and negotiating. They have sent representatives to the far corners of the globe in an effort to discover what others have found less than a mile from their doorstep. And they have done all this so that when the time comes they have the best chance of realising their dreams. 

Their dreams and those of thousands upon thousands of fans.

But as the first game approaches this explaining, talking, fighting and negotiating can no longer help. What has happened before and what will happen after must be forgotten or ignored. For ninety minutes all that matters is what happens on the pitch. This is the reality.

It is now twenty minutes to kick off at St. James’ Park. The Arsenal squad have made their way to the away dressing room and are preparing themselves mentally. 

The morning has been dominated by talk of just two people – Francesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Columns, bulletins, reports, previews, analysis, questions, answers. News rooms and television studios are haunted by the presence of their absence. Upstairs in the stadium ex-players and ‘experts’ survey the arena, discussing what they cannot and will not see. The two who are not there.

But down below, way beneath their feet, eleven far more important individuals lay waiting. Eleven chosen men who know in their hearts that after all the explaining, talking, fighting and negotiating the dreams and ambitions of the thousands upon thousands now rest in their hands. Who they are not and where they have been makes little difference now. 

It is who they are where they are going that matters.

As the last of the selected pulls the red and white over their heads they look to the heavens and beat the crest with their hand. Underneath their heart pumps pure courage and adrenaline. They are ready.

Around the world, the thousands upon thousands wait with baited breath. They too feel the absence of the two. It is understandable. They have thought of little else for far too long. 

But those thoughts cannot continue. They mustn’t. Those who are not there no longer matter. Those who are not there have not pulled on the red and white, they have not looked to the heavens and they no longer beat the crest the thousands cherish.

Thoughts instead must turn to those that do. If the eleven chosen men are to succeed they need to know the thousands think only of them. When the whistle sounds and the battle commences it is their actions that will make a difference. It is their actions which can bring the dream a little closer. It is they that need support.

When kings depart new kings emerge and we are Royal Arsenal. The eleven chosen men are not just men but princes; princes with the power to rise up and claim the crown.

But the long journey to the throne begins with a single step. And that step takes place today – Saturday 13th August 2011.

So let us not think of the past, but of the present and the future, as we sing our hearts out for the princes who fight for us. 

We are Arsenal till we die. But Arsenal will always live on. 

WB

@WengerBoy1