How lucky are we to have successfully moved from the romantic but not-so-roomy Highbury to a world-class arena such as the Emirates? On time and on budget, lest we forget. And given the recent shenanigans involving West Ham, Spurs and the Olympic Stadium, we’re even luckier that the only real

Here’s a piece I wrote for the “Fans’ Thoughts” section in the matchday programme. I wrote it just before the Carling Cup final and it was published on Sunday for the Liverpool game – so while it’s a bit more rose-tinted than I’m feeling at the moment, the overall message still rings true. As frustrated as we are with what’s unfolding on the pitch, I believe that those of us who frequent the Emirates sometimes need to take stock and be more appreciative of what we have. Read on…

“Wow Sam, you’re so lucky, you get to come here every week!” – wise words from my friend Jimmy, a colleague from university and ardent Gooner. The only difference between me and him? I’ve had the great fortune of being born, growing up, and permanently residing in London and in close proximity to the club we both love so dearly.

Having had a spare ticket for the Wolves home game, I asked him to come with me. Hailing from Malaysia, he naturally jumped at the chance. And it was only when I saw the awe in his eyes as we walked across the North Bank Bridge did I realise how blessed us season ticket holders and Emirates regulars truly are.

I joined Twitter (@TheSquidBoyLike) prior to the start of the season and soon became acquainted with hundreds of passionate Gooners across the globe. Just like those of us fortunate enough to attend games, they share equally in the heady highs and painful lows. And furthermore, they do it at ungodly hours. No longer do I have the temerity to complain about early kick-offs! My respect for them has no bounds, and I almost feel like I represent them every time I attend a game now.

Arsenal supporters worldwide are often accused of being spoilt in terms of the quality on the pitch. Those who sit in the stands are perennially (and unfairly, in my opinion) criticised for being a tad on the quiet side. However irrespective of whether or not these notions are true, I do believe that some of us – myself included – take certain things for granted.

How lucky are we to have successfully moved from the romantic but not-so-roomy Highbury to a world-class arena such as the Emirates? On time and on budget, lest we forget. And given the recent shenanigans involving West Ham, Spurs and the Olympic Stadium, we’re even luckier that the only real change us fans have had to face is turning right out of Arsenal station instead of left!

Admittedly while it has been a seamless transition off-the-pitch, many would argue this has not been the case on it. The bare facts vindicate this: you only need to look at the circle of trophies above Club Level to see that. Some even believe that an input of funding (otherwise known as a ‘sugar daddy’) would have remedied this. Me personally, I’m happy that my club is a self-sufficient and eminently sustainable one. The word ‘debt’ is taboo to many of our rivals’ fans. For us, it isn’t. And while trophies are the be-all and end-all to some, isn’t the journey sometimes more important than the destination? Won’t our next trophy be all the more sweeter knowing we’ve done things our way, the Arsenal way, the Wenger way?

Back to my friend Jimmy. How did his love story with The Arsenal continue to unfold? He soon attended his second game with his young son via their shiny new Red Memberships.