Victory Through Harmony

My Top 10 Hattricks Under Wenger
Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 and since then over 20 players have scored hattricks in the first 20 years of his reign; Danny Welbeck was the 20th in 2014 but other players have also scored hattricks after him including Lucas Perez who netted Arsenal's Fastest UCL Hattrick away to help the Gunners qualify to the 2017 Champions League 2nd Round top of their group on Super Tuesday 6th December 2016. We have witnessed four goals in a game for instance Henry against Leeds United, Arshavin and Baptista against Liverpool but will not include them because nothing beats a good old neat hattrick as an achievement in a game; no wonder the scorer gets to keep the ball! So here are my Top 10 picks in order of priority; they do not necessarily show the selection of other Gooners but still my ultimate opinion. I wish I could fit in Sylvain Wiltord's Carling Cup hattrick against Manchester United or Carlos Vela's funday, but maybe in the Top 20.

10. Theo WALCOTT: I had just returned from my paternal ancestral village in Tara, less than one hour by car from Arua Town (Uganda) and before reaching home, I stopped by Adraiga's Video Hall in Ociba Coast [Kost] at dusk to watch the Arsenal Match of the Day. Already fatigued by the journey, I was further unsettled by Newcastle United's resilience. Everytime we scored, the visitors equalised until 3-3. I wondered if it was going to be a bad day though rarely did we lose nor draw everytime I visited my ancestral home. Supersub Olivier Giroud came on to bang in a brace late, guess one was for his wife because he put the ball under his shirt like a pregnant woman. He literally brought back my belief that we would win but the icing on the cake that night was Walcott's hattrick. His third goal was a mazy run that included a fall after being tripped in the box but was not given as a penalty. That moment of uncertainty froze the opponents as they waited for the referee's decision but Theo got up immediately and blasted into the top left corner at 90 minutes: Arsenal 7, Newcastle 3.

9. Dennis BERGKAMP: I never watched this game (which took place a year before I became a Gooner) but it is the one that apparently got Dennis his statue outside the Emirates. I have nevertheless marvelled at highlights of his third goal: fantastic technique controlling the ball in mid air, then rounding a Leicester City defender before slotting home for the First Hattrick by a Gunner under Wenger. The Foxes later equalised for 3-3 but it doesn't matter, it was a good third goal. That skilful strike was like a precursor to the 1998 World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina, voted Best Goal by pundits. The Menace just seemed to have a knack for classic goals. In Uganda, people called him "muzeyi wa kazi" which is Swahili for old workman because of his longevity under Wenger till the curtains closed on Highbury in 2006.

8. Alexis SANCHEZ: His first Arsenal hattrick came earlier but on 3rd December 2016 in his third season at the club, three days after Southampton knocked the Wenger Boys out of the EFL (English Football League) Cup, he scored another against the same tormentors. Guess he was done accumulating many braces and wanted to stay graduated in the elite class of hattrick legends. London Stadium must have felt proud witnessing greatness. I love Arsenal for late goals [roger that Cesc Fabregas in 2007 every last ten minutes] but I guess West Ham was not ready for this hammering from Alexis in the last 19 minutes. The Chilean's third was just funny, even had the luxury to dummy the keeper with a right foot dance over the ball before chipping him: 5-1 to the Gunners

7. Ray PARLOUR: European nights do not get better than this, how about a hattrick in a cold venue away from home during March 2000?! The left Werder Bremen goal post came in handy twice but a goal is a goal and Parlour was happy to help his side progress to the next stage of the UEFA Cup. They eventually lost to Galatasary from Turkey on penalties after a goalless draw in the 2000 Final but it was an unforgettable way to start a great decade under Wenger.

6. Mesut ÖZIL: Ludogorets defended and played what they could at the Emirates but six pack Arsenal was just too good for them. German Gunner Mesut Özil in particular seemed to switch on a new gear as the game neared its end; it was his first hattrick and an undeniable statement that his season is going to sizzle. Özil has already scored so many goals this 2017 season that you forget how he used to be Europe's Assist Master. Now everyone else is assisting him, guess karma comes back around!

5. Olivier GIROUD: After a 2-3 home loss where goals flowed like a broken drainage line, Arsenal had to win the return leg in Olympiacos by three goals without reply in order to qualify in second place from Group F to the next round of the 2016 Champions League. It was a big mountain to climb but out of the blue, Oli scored a hattrick, his first competitive hattrick for Arsenal. The Frenchman's actual first Arsenal hattrick came during a pre-season tour but it is not counted and neither was it his last because he bagged another in the Premiership at the end of the season. Sometimes I wonder why fans complain about him, you just have to understand this guy. He knows the game and he plays it to his strengths; am glad one of his goals was a power header. Who else does it better than Giroud? Not even Messi nor Cristiano can head like him. Giroud is a good man, comeback Gunner, supersub!

4. Robert PIRES: The epic Invincible 49 Saga started with the last two Games of the 2003 Season. In the third last Game of the Season, the Gunners lost their Premiership Title to Manchester United when Leeds United's Mark Viduka scored a 2-3 late Winner that broke Arsenal Hearts at Highbury, Deja vu from the 1999 Premiership when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored for Leeds to sink Arsenal's Title Hopes in a 1-0 Loss. I saw the painful Viduka Goal through a Gap in the Wall outside a Video House in Ociba Coast [Arua] not knowing that the Technique used by the Australian to ruin the Arsenal Dream of three consecutive Premierships would be the reverse Technique Spaniard Jose Antonio Reyes would use ecstatically 42 Games later to maintain Arsenal's Unbeaten Run that equaled Nottingham Forest's English Football League Achievement. Anyway in the Game against Southampton, Jermaine Pennant in the first Half [on his Premiership Debut] and Robert Pires were like Twins because they both scored Hattricks in a 6-1 win, a sombre Way to heal the Gooner Family; I guess Pires was reborn that Day. The Performance reminds me of Ted Drake, a prolific Goal-getter who scored seven [a double Hattrick at the end of an hour] past Aston Villa at Villa Park on 14th December 1935, that is 68 Years behind. It is still the All-time Record for the First Division. Robert's third was my Goal of the Match, the Icing on the Consolation Cake because he curled it exquisitely from Distance over the Keeper and shook his Head up and down in Celebration, just perfect! It happened on my Big Brother's 29th Birthday, a Man U Fan 10 Years older than me but I was alright; they had the Title whereas Arsenal was kickstarting the Invincible Run. Then 10 Days later in the FA Cup Final against Southampton again, the French Musketeer scored the only Goal to retain the Trophy for Wenger, his third FA Cup Victory.

3. Robin VAN PERSIE: Who said Wenger cannot beat Chelsea? When nemesis Mourinho was first fired from Arsenal's blue London neighbours, time was ripe to finally steal a win away. It's like that day in the 2012 season, Stamford Bridge hattrick hero Robin - the non flying Dutchman (he hated planes) put on his Batman shoes for the 33rd hattrick under Wenger though only the 17th Gunner. Everything just clicked for him; meanwhile Petr Cech couldn't stop his future club from a 3-5 away win. What made this game a novelty for me was the fact that Arsenal came from behind twice and went on weeks later to set the record as the first Premiership team to win four consecutive matches after conceding first. Van Persie's roof-aimed swerving goal was truly ferocious! That season, he became the Player with the record of scoring in the Most Consecutive Away Games (9).

2. Thierry HENRY: In the Unbeaten Season, the game that really defined the history making campaign for me was hosting Liverpool at Highbury. After being knocked out by Manchester United away in the FA Cup during the weekend then Chelsea at home in the Champions League during midweek, it was not rocket science nor nanobiology to see that the Kop had the pedigree to inflict Arsenal's first Premiership loss at the end of a very dark week. It was late in the season but the signs still seemed ominous, invincibility was the only thing left to lose. Good Friday could have easily turned into Black Friday: Liverpool scored first early on but Henry equalised. Then before halftime, Michael Owen netted for 1-2 bringing back memories of the FA Cup demons from three years behind. According to Robert Pires in his book "Le Proffeseur", Arsene Wenger spoke nothing in the dressing room at halftime. Instead, Captain Patrick Vieira rallied his teammates not to choke after coming all that way, "Lads, it's time to snap out of it..." Whatever happened next is fitting for a movie script! See you at the cinemas one day! Thierry Henry is the Gunner with the Most Hattricks under Wenger (8) though Ian Wright who retired in 1998 had 11 in total since 1991. There are only three other Gunners better than them: Jack Lambert and Jimmy Brain with 12 plus Ted Drake with 11. Thierry Henry, the Invincible King of Highbury was the Last Gunner to score a hattrick at the grounds that closed in 2006. The first Highbury hattrick was scored by Henry (Harry) King in 1914; it's almost like destiny called the names.

1. Nwankwo KANU: Stamford Bridge hattricks seem to be my favourite. Anyway, I watched this 23rd October 1999 game courtesy of MBI (a Nigerian TV) till halftime because power went off in our Kampala suburb. Honestly, the hosts outplayed us and went two goals ahead. Chelsea's Andre Flo was my Man of the Half before the blackout - loadshedding. I did not search to find out the final score until the following night while watching Sports News. My mother was crotcheting in the opposite sofa and I screamed with hands raised up after seeing 2-3 as the final score from the previous night; she must have wondered what was wrong with her 15 year old son. It was the beanpole Nigerian who had turned the game on its head as a substitute in the last 15 minutes. I had only been a Gooner since Saturday 16th May 1998 after returning from Boarding School a day before the 100th FA Cup Final so my passion for Arsenal was still young and fresh in the last year before the new millenium. Let the rain fall down and wake my dreams!

The 2017 Goal Of The Season: GIROUD v Crystal Palace [2-0 Premiership Home Win, Sunday 1st January 2017]
"Arsenal got five breaking here. Sanchez, behind Giroud, oh! [Oh!] He's come up with it! What a Chance early on, what about this?! [You've just taken my Commentary from the other Month, you'd never thought you'd see something like this again. It actually looked, it's higher, it's more difficult probably than Mkhitaryan's; Mkhitaryan's was incredible, this is frightening! Oh my gosh, what is that? Instinctive, you'd have to say it's brilliant; Giroud is fantastic again across the near Post! He doesn't normally finish them like that but that's absolutely incredible. What a Goal!] Palace stung by the Scorpion, applied by Olivier Giroud. [Let's have another Look! Wow!] You'll never get tired of seeing it whatever the Angle, he won't; it's on his personal DVD for the Rest of his Life..."

What Do Gooners Want?
I guess all Gooners [including me] want Trophies, but I feel for Arsenal Followers who rant Negatives on Social Media everytime the Gunners lose a Game. Within the 40 Years before Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC had won 3 English League Titles and 3 FA Cups. However, 20 Years into the Frenchman's Management of the Club, Arsenal won 3 Premierships [including the golden 2004 Invincible Trophy] plus 6 FA Cups making him the Most Successful FA Cup Manager in Football History's Oldest Knockout Tournament. I've been a Gooner since the 1998 FA Cup Final and know how it feels when Arsenal loses because it has happened so many unwanted Times but am very glad I grew out of Frustration Mode in 2002 after swearing with a Bible in my Hand never to support Arsenal again when they drew 3-3 at Home on a Premiership Saturday. Endless Love is irresistable; by the following Midweek, I was celebrating a 3-1 Champions League Win. Eventually, I accepted that losing was Part of the Game: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, othertimes you draw; but you can enjoy the Goals like a Diehard! A Trophy is just an empty Cup. There is a very very very thin Line between being a Fan and a Critic; you have to live through the Pain, it will always come whether you want it or not. What matters is how you respond to Losses; complaining all the Time is a wack Mentality! I don't really care about Premiership Losses anymore even if they used to hurt because I learnt that within Days, there is always Vindication; the Cycle is so monotonously predictable that you wish all the other Gooners who cannot shut up could see that. In fact, two Hours after a Loss, am usually back to normal unlike in the Past when I would think for one week about how Arsenal could have avoided Defeat. Be good to yourself and just move on; wait for the Next Match, there will be Double Happiness! I love Arsenal with all my Heart and it's only Losses in Cup Finals that matter to me because it takes more than two Months to try again and these include: 2000 UEFA Cup Final, 2001 FA Cup Final [I actually looked up to the Sky while returning Home from a Friend's Place in Bukoto and cussed GOD out but apologised immediately when I looked back down at the Community Wellspring on my left and realised that HE had the Power to kill me in it and let Worms consume me like Ananias and Sapphirah], 2006 UEFA Champions League, 2007 League Cup Final, 2010 League Cup Final, etc...

1997 NBA Finals Game 1: Utah Jazz at CHICAGO BULLS:
"It's gonna be whoever has the Ball last. Chicago's gotta be concerned, Folks! Stockton, off the Dribble; Stockton, top of the key; Stockton, chucks one and missed it, one Rebound Malone. Malone's gat it, 9 Seconds. There's a loose-Ball Foul, it's on Rodman. That puts Karl Malone on the Line with the Game tied at 82. Malone, now with the first Freethrow, takes his Time, the Crowd fretting behind the Glass. No, he missed it; it rimmed out. Now the Bulls have an Opportunity! One more for Karl Malone, 9 Seconds left in this Game. Just make sure you follow through and don't short-arm it. He misses, you gat to get this Rebound, Malone! Oh, he missed the Board, rebounded by Jordan and the Bulls have the Time Out. Bulls get a last Chance, 7 and 5 tenths left! What do you think Phil Jackson is thinking about, will it automatically be Michael Jordan? I think it will go to Michael Jordan and then let him create. Bulls Basketball with a Chance to win it right here! Kukoc has got the Ball, in-bounce from Pippen and here is Michael. 4 on the Shot Clock now, keeps it on the Dribble, Russell's there. MJ, top of the Circle against Russell, Michael hangs, fires, scores! Yeah! He knocked it in, the Bulls win, he knocked it in at the Buzzer, Bulls win. How many Times has he done that? It is all over, the Chicago Bulls have won at the Buzzer! 84:82..."

My 2014 Poem: HOWEDES One Win The World Cup in Brazil?
If you pass the Ball LOEW, then you SCHUERRLE find MUELLER and when he connects with OEZIL, you get KLOSE to the Goal which you GOETZE to score and win the World Cup. A-LAHM Bells MUSTAFI be ringing back Home in Germany as PER now: Deutschland are the brand NEUER Champions! Maybe they will celebrate with a BOATENG Cruise on the Atlantic Ocean or PODOLSKI-ing when they GOMEZ back to Europe. Some die Mannschaft Fans all over the World will eat Pork like a SCHWEINSTEIGER...

The Ultimate Soccer Matchup of All-Time

Satan 1, JESUS 2
Satan opened the scoring three Minutes after Kickoff with the Fall of Man (Genesis 3), but JESUS equalised in the 33rd Minute through The Crucifixion. We are now in Stoppage Time after 90 Minutes; noone knows when the Final Whistle (Trumpet) will blow, but then suddenly, JESUS nets the prophesied Winner (dubbed "Armageddon") and Evil loses. JESUSisLord...

Memoirs of a Gunner

KIM KALLSTROM
"I got a Call from my Agent, Roger Ljung (World Cup Bronze Medalist in '94): (Do you want to be loaned out to a Club in the Premier League?) No! (Do you want to be loaned out to Arsenal?) YES!

"I look like a Boy as I walk across the Grass, with the Ball under my Arm. Well-groomed side Parting, a clean red Shirt, white Sleeves and a golden Cannon on my Breast. I'm a Man past 30 Years of Age, in a Boy's Dream. It's the Semifinal of the English FA Cup, against Wigan, with 82,000 People on the Stands of Wembley Stadium, among which 50,000 root for us. They are loud and starving Fans that hunger for a Title. They haven't won anything for nine Years, which is an Eternity for a Club that is considered one of the Greatest in the World. They have the Most Loyal Fans: Gooners. By strange and unexpected Detours, I've ended up at the top Club, Arsenal in North London.

"With straight Legs, I bend down and put the Ball on the Spot, I throw a quick Glance at the Keeper. I've already decided where to place it. I try not to smile. The Moment is here. I'm here - in the middle of the Latin Motto of the Club: Victoria Concordia Crescit, Victory grows through Harmony. I can't help myself but smile slightly. I haven't even played half an Hour for Arsenal. I debuted against Swansea, for 11 Minutes, and now I was substituted on in Extra Time when it was to be decided. 15 Minutes of a Footballer's Life, which changed my Story."

The Arsenal Wish (2017)

The 2017 Season promises to be a great Time for Gooners. Ambidextrous Playmaker Santi Cazorla is back to shine freely at full Strength like he did on 11th December 2012 against League Two outfit Bradford City in the Capital One Cup though Arsenal was knocked out 2-3 on Penalties after a 1-1 Draw. Giroud is hungry for his first Premiership, forget whatever has been said about him! Oli, the Headmaster knows what he is doing. It's a new Season, new Oezil Assists (The Steve Nash of Football), new Campbell Tricks, new Ox Runs, new everyone. We just hope Wilshere, Walcott and Welbeck (The three Ws) are fit to play for a long time. Xhaka will be king, Takuma Asano will keep Asian Flavour in Arsenal when he joins his new Teammates after the Rio Olympics, Coquelin and Elneny have their Ammunition ready - Guns blazing, Iwobi is a rising Star and all the other oldtimers like Ramsey and Chambers are tuned for Battle like a Harp: Victory through Harmony. See Wenger smiling and rubbing his Hands on the touchline, that's a lot of Experience being sparked. Why do you want him out? Just stomach the Lows and enjoy the Highs coz they will definitely come. Win or lose, Arsene Wenger I will choose; he's the Invisible One, a Specialist in Victory! Like Cech said, Arsenal does not have to buy new Players just for the sake of buying but someone who can improve the team. I have never watched Rob Holding play and when he moved to the Emirates, I was like: Since he was bought from League One's Bolton Wanderers as their Best Player, I can give him the benefit of the doubt that he is good enough basing on the way Bolton used to torment Arsenal during Thierry Henry's Days. Even the great Gunner found hard times against their Defence. And when I saw how tall Rob was in a photo, I instinctively knew he was an Upgrade for Captain BFG (Mertesacker), less experienced but definitely sleeker and faster. Kos, Gabriel, Bellerin, Gibbs, Monreal, Ospina and the entire Backline should continue with the great Work from last Season and maybe this time, Arsenal will score many GOALS and concede less; just one Goal more than each Opponent might be enough but anything bigger than that is welcome. Every Season brings its own fresh Goodies. I'm glad the Goal-poaching and intelligently solid German Defender Mustafi was bought before August ended. Also, basing on forward forages, his fellow new Gunner from Spain Lucas Perez is like Lionel Messi in an Arsenal Jersey. So, enjoy the Season though it started with a Home Defeat against Liverpool! [Matchday Dreamvision showed a Geometry Lesson: the Teacher (probably Liverpool) drew four big Shapes on the Blackboard (Square, Triangle, Circle and Rectangle) but the Student (Arsenal) could only replicate three small ones in his Classwork Book.] No Black November nor Dark February should come their way!

ARSENAL IS BIGGER THAN JUST INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS
Arsenal is an Institution; it is bigger than any one Individual. That is why I support whoever has his Name on a red and white Jersey, no matter his Skill Set or what other Fans yap against him! But when a Gunner threatens to leave just because of a Draw, Loss, Wenger's Transfer Inactivity or Arsenal's Failure to win a Trophy, it always sounds like a Chance to get a better Player than them. As much as every Gunner is valuable, no Player should suggest that they are irreplaceable with Threats to depart just because of a few Setbacks! Thierry Henry never threatened to quit Highbury for a richer Club whenever Arsenal lost. While going back Home after a Defeat, he thought of Ways he can avoid Failure in the next Game; that's why his Passion at Arsenal was fiery and he was helped by Pires, Wiltord and Bergkamp plus all the other Lads to break and set new Premiership Records [including 14 Consecutive Wins] plus become invincible...

2017 FA Cup Final
From the Days of Flo, Gudjohnsen and Crespo, I could tell how dangerous Chelsea might be straight from Kickoff. So I watched the first few Seconds of the Game and feeling comfortable despite Pedro's Runs, went to grind Groundnuts and Simsim plus ease myself for a few Minutes. When I returned with Water in a metallic Tumbler, I found that Arsenal was one Goal ahead from the 3rd Minute after a controversial Decision that involved a possible Handball by the scorer Alexis and Offside by Ramsey who moved but did not touch the Ball. So I sat down without Pressure. Chelsea's Body Language showed that they were probably playing to lose. However Arsenal were not going to lower their winning Chances despite missing so many Opportunities to kill off the Game early. Every Gunner played their Part: Per was sharp despite not playing the entire Season replacing three regular Defenders - the concussed Mustafi, suspended Koscielny and injured Gabriel; Holding was calm and put up a Fight; the Reserve Goalkeeper Ospina made valuable Saves; Welbeck drew a yellow Card against Moses before Ox tricked the Nigerian into simulating a Dive in the Penalty Box. It was 11 Men against 10 in the final Quarter of the Game. When Costa equalised in the 76th Minute, I could feel some Fever in me as though I was sick but Rambo cured it two Minutes later with a Classic Header after a first Touch Assist from Welbeck's Substitute Olivier Giroud. I clapped, raised both Hands in the Air, yelled "Yes", stood up and walked away about seven Metres before returning immediately to my Seat. Game over! Ramsey seems to have a Knack for replicating great Arsenal FA Cup Classic Moments like the 1971 Charlie George Celebration in 2014 (same Minute on the Clock) and the 1979 quick Response to an Equaliser repeated in 2017 when the Ball flew from the same Direction. If he had celebrated like Sunderland after scoring, you would get my Drift! History repeats itself and by beating Chelsea, Wenger equaled the Number of FA Cup Trophies his Opponents have ever won in their History (though Arsenal's Lucky 13th), also becoming the Most Successful Manager in the FA Challenge Cup...

Giroud is a Good Man

Arsenal Critics (Jeer Leaders or Football Einsteins) who endlessly despise certain Players would rather form their own Club and buy the perfect Stars they prefer. Many Complainers do not even own Club Shares, so why not allow the signed-up Gunners display their Prowess till Contract expires? Every Gunner has his own Strengths! Winning, drawing and losing are a natural, unavoidable, invincible Cycle every Fan must accept. You grow out of the Blame Mindset and just stomach the Lows while you also enjoy the Highs. Be good to yourself and tame your Anger or frustrated Reactions! Even EPL Champions Leicester lost twice to Arsenal (only Team to beat them Home and Away; Leicester's third Loss was away at Liverpool on Boxing Day). So, what is wrong with Arsenal celebrating 2nd or 3rd Place for the rest your Life? They still get automatic Qualification to the UEFA Champions League like the Champs. There is no Football Team that wins a Trophy every Season, it doesn't exist! I wonder why "plastic Fans" cuss like if they were given a Jersey and included in the Lineup, Arsenal would win every Match! Top 4 aint too bad!

Oli takes the Brunt of the Abuse for Arsenal Failures. But to be realistic, Criticism can become unnecessarily toxic even for hardworking Professionals. A few bad Games ruin a Player's Confidence when the People supposed to support him instead chastise him. I cannot blame Mesut Oezil for his Dips in Form, it's temporary while his Class is permanent; I would rather discourage impatient Rants from Fans who are too hard to please making the German appear like he doesn't put in Effort and is always very lazy. Some of these Players give their all but it doesn't add up because of Fate or Fatigue. When Millionaire Businessman Mathieu Flamini scores a wonderful Brace to dump eternal Rivals Tottenham out of a Cup Competition, do you still talk ish about him? Are you a fair weather Gooner? Although not too flamboyant, Flamini brought needed Steel to the Midfield when he made his Second Coming to Arsenal before Francis Coquelin returned from a Loan Spell to take Defensive Midfield to the Next Level. If only Gooners show the same kind of Solidarity they showed against Manchester United in the 2016 Premiership at the Emirates (3-0 in the first 20 Minutes), there will be no Problems! Every Gunner got fairly good Reviews from Fans on Social Media that Day. Since Giroud joined Arsenal four Years ago, the North Londoners have won two FA Cups plus two Community Shields and never missed a Champions League Season (Record since 1998), but for some, it still isn't good enough. Arsenal even finished 2nd in the Premiership for the first Time since moving to the Emirates in 2006. The last Time they finished 2nd was at Highbury in the 2004-2005 Season. The Trends are looking good: in 2014, they were 4th, 2015: 3rd, 2016: 2nd. The Next Best Thing is 1st.

The Away Game against Manchester City on Sunday 8th May 2016 proved that Giroud is a good Man and Critics ought to cut him some Slack! He hadn't scored for 16 Premiership Matches (since the wonderful Brace at Anfield in January 2016) before the quick-Response Equaliser from Elneny's Corner (two Minutes after Aguero's Opener) but it highlighted his Bouncebackability and aerial Sharpness. Oli is not as fast and sleek as Messi nor fiery like Henry but heads better than both. Arsene Wenger considers him the "Best Header" he has ever had, much stronger than Moroccan Marouane Chamakh who was unbelievably lethal with his Head in his first six Arsenal Games.


In the final EPL Game on Sunday 15th May 2016 against relegated Aston Villa (Arsenal's 2015 FA Cup Final Opponents whom they had beaten 4-0 and Oli got the fourth), Giroud scored a Hattrick as if to silence his Critics. Interim Captain Mikel Arteta, back from Injury, got the fourth: his last Arsenal Goal before leaving the Squad.

Oli's Hold-up Play is also commendable: he sets up several Goals for Teammates, Things Critics overlook. It wasn't Europe's Assist Master (Oezil) who set up the winning Goal in the 2014 FA Cup Final, it was Giroud! Also in the 2-2 Draw at the Etihad that ensured that Arsenal qualifies for the Champions League, Giroud deftly assisted for Alexis Sanchez's Equaliser, World Cup Things.

He deserves Credit where it is due because he is the Best Airborne Targetman in the Premiership since 2012 (19 headed Goals). I hope one Day, Arsenal will win the Premiership with Giroud. Of course some will appreciate him like Die-hards while others will hate, hate, hate, hate, hate him but they can never ruin him: Giroud is a good Man!

Premiership Journey

Arsenal Crest before 2003 Season

With Arsene Wenger at the Helm, Arsenal clinched three Premierships including two in two Season Doubles (1998 and 2002) plus a Golden Trophy for going an entire Season unbeaten in 2004...

DEUS Per Omnia = GOD Pervades All Things [In GOD We Trust ]...
Victoria Concordia Crescit = Victory Through Harmony...

My Best UEFA Euro XI of All-Time

The first Euro tournament I watched was in 1992 while at Gaddafi Police Barracks in Jinja (Uganda) at 8 years of age. As for the 1988 final won by Netherlands, I have only seen highlights: Marco van Basten's goal (challenged by David Trezeguet's Golden Goal for France in 2000) must be the Greatest Ever Euro Goal. His captain - Frank Rijkaard, who scored the first goal in the 2-0 triumph, even confessed that Marco cannot repeat it because it was just one-of-a-kind. I was born a few months before Michel Platini inspired France to the Euro Championship (1984), so I do not remember watching it. But here are my Best 11 European Players who have featured in the continental showpiece. Just like most of my Best FIFA World XI won the World Cup, almost all the players on this list have won the Euro.



1. Peter SCHMEICHEL, Goalkeeper (Denmark): Like I said in the intro, he was the first outstanding Euro Goalkeeper I noticed. Great reflexes and an unflinching attitude made him great. Iker Casillas, Fabian Barthez and Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) are all suitable but there is only one spot...

2. Bixente LIZARAZU, Rightback (France): He was a free-roaming player and since he is rightfooted, I would prefer him on the right instead of as leftback...



3. Cristian CHIVU, Leftback (Romania): The left side of defence is reserved for the energetic and very talented Romanian (from Gheorghe Hagi's era) who could dribble better than most outfield players and had a speculative fastshot. Other than him, maybe I can include Jordi Alba...

4. Patrick VIEIRA, Midfielder (France): Well, he was born in Africa but because of the French Assimilation Policy, he makes it to the team as one of only two Blacks on my European List. With a menacing demeanour, the Senegalese Frenchman was a stalwart in defensive midfield and also had an eye for goal plus a good assist. He is the only Gunner among my First XI, Best Deputy would probably be Cesc Fabregas...

5. Lilian THURAM, Centreback (France): The second Black-skin on my List, actually the Blackest European on my List was rock-solid at centre back. Say No to Racism! I wouldn't even bother to find out where exactly his ancestors originated from...

6. Carlos PUYOL, Centreback (Spain): Another reliable centre-back who was the defensive Cornerstone of Spain's double Euro-winning Generation and 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions...



7. Zinedine ZIDANE, Midfielder (France): Though from Algeria, which some Africans consider already part of Europe, Zizou is the Playmaker of my team in place of Xavi Hernandez (a great passer). The Frenchman seemed to outplay great teams when he wanted. The Euro 2000 Semifinal game against Portugal was just one of the indicators of his ball-controlling prowess.

8. Andres INIESTA, Midfielder (Spain): A sleek, creative dynamo who made FC Barcelona sparkle in the new millenium playing alongside great non-Europeans like Ronaldinho, then Eto'o, Messi, Suarez and Neymar. What better way to pay tribute to Johan Cruyff (inventor of Total Football) plus Pep Guardiola (enforcer of Tikitaka - onetouch Football) than to include one of the Best Symbols of those styles in my Euro XI! It was not a surprise that Spain won the Euro in 2008 and 2012. If he got injured, then I would replace him with the sharp-shooting Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff to have fun with his friend Zidane...

9. Jurgen KLINSMANN, Midfielder (Germany): Germans are normally great footballers, but since they won the Euro only in 1996 during my lifetime (I never witnessed the previous two), I reserve this spot to name a few Germans. Klinsmann was a lively star of the 1996 Champions. Oliver Bierhoff was also a hero. In 2008 when Germany almost won it again, losing only 1-0 to Spain, I think Bastian Schweinsteiger - donning blonde hair played his heart out like a man on fire during the entire tournament.



10. Michael LAUDRUP, Striker (Denmark): 1992 was a great year because I realised that I wanted Football to be my future though Germany lost the Euros and Laudrup didn't play for Denmark who failed to qualify originally but were given war-torn Yugoslavia's place in the Euros which they won. Nevertheless, 'Michelino' had amazingly quick footwork and elegant vision like an angel. Just enjoy! I must confess, Laudrup was a star player I can never forget from Euro '96 and the 1998 World Cup. He actually had a younger brother Brian who won the Euro in 1992. The things he did with his boots, I would be alright if cameras only focussed on closeups of his boots and legs. He never even received a red card in his career. He is Arsenal Midfielder Santi Cazorla's Favourite Player while growing up as a Kid; I guess that corroborates the Spaniard's amazing ambidextrous Footwork. As Laudrup's substitute, I might include Thierry Henry, Andriy Shevchenko, Davor Suker or Sylvain Wiltord but that is just a maybe...



11. David VILLA, Striker (Spain): Why Villa of all Euro strikers? Compared to his taller teammate Fernando Torres, Villa is more excitingly lethal. He reads the game very well and usually scores at the Best Time especially like while playing for FC Barcelona, at least according to me. He was among the Golden Crop that broke the 44 year old Spain Curse in 2008 when he netted 4 Goals as the Tournament's Top Scorer...



My Best Euro Manager would be the ever-cool, humble, patient, quietly modest but very prudent Spanish Legend Vicente DEL BOSQUE (Gonzalez), born on 23rd December 1950. Out of a possible 186 games in four seasons, Real Madrid (the club at which he spent most of his career) won 104 times but he was still fired during the evening of the day after the Meringues (White Angels) won their 29th La Liga title and second with him. He was dispensed because he didn't fit with Real's 'modern' marketing-driven business plan for the future. Having joined Real as a teenager, he was a Madridista to death and served the club for over 30 years (later coaching it between November 1999 to 2003 - the Most Successful Period in the Club's modern era that included the Los Galacticos) but after being fired by someone he described as a "smart-alec dressed in a pair of braces", del Bosque vowed never to work for the club again. He took on the reigns of the national team in 2008 and they won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa plus successfully defended their Euro crown in 2012 (Spain's third like Germany). He is the only Football Manager to have won the Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, Euro and World Cup. Talk of Karma...

Alex Iwobi is a Rising Star

They don't come easy: YOUNG GUNS with a mature head on their shoulders. Back then in the mid 2000s, there was Cesc Fabregas. [Man Utd's Martial has it and Rashford showed glimpses of what he can do including two goals on his debut against Arsenal.] But 19 year old Nigerian forward Alex IWOBI is Arsenal's newly released ammunition for the future. He has been at the club since he was 9 years old and scored his first Premiership goal at Everton in March 2016. He followed it up with his first at the Emirates Stadium in the next match on Saturday 2nd April 2016, a fine low shot after a cutback assist from Alexis on a Day when 9 year old Arsenal Youngsters were paraded at the Emirates (Half Time). You cannot deny the fact that Augustine Jay Jay Okocha's nephew is a rising star. He could as well emulate his uncle and become the Most Entertaining African Player in the Premiership. His rifleman goal celebration is also fitting for a true Gunner! Victory through Harmony...

Three Players Who Could Have Won The Champions League for Arsenal



Arsenal has never won the UEFA Champions League, but the closest they came was in 2006. If Jens Lehmann hadn't been sent off nor Robert Pires substituted in the final against Barcelona, it might have turned out different. The milk spilled already, but there are three players who could have won the UCL for Arsenal if only they were purchased before they actually won it: Rooney (2008), Suarez (2015) and Vidal (?).

9 Red-hot Seasons at Highbury

When I became a Gooner in 1998, I did not envision in my Wildest Dreams that Arsenal would move to a new home (Ashburton Grove) despite the fact that Highbury Ground was almost half the capacity of the Biggest Stadiums. But despite the size, the last nine seasons at Highbury were enjoyably red-hot.


1998: F.A. Cup final, Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to complete a domestic Double. David Seaman had the EPL's Most Clean Sheets in goal; striker Dennis Bergkamp - the Flying Dutchman was the Player of the Year while Nicholas Anelka became the Young Player of the Year. Arsenal's All-Time Leading Scorer at that time (with 185 goals) Ian Wright retired. He was missed in the 1999 Premier League Season which saw the club surrender their crown in the final run after a 1-0 defeat by Leeds United. So, Wenger brought in Thierry Daniel Henry during the 1999-2000 pre-season and the rest is as they say: well, read on!


2002: Patrick Vieira saw his dreams come true as Arsenal became a force to behold. This was a very memorable time for me as my loyalty to the club was tested in a crucible and rewarded at the same time. Arsenal clinched their second Double under Wenger and third overall, remaining Unbeaten away from home. They became the First English Team to score in every match extending the record to 55 consecutive games. Awards went to Henry (Top Scorer), Bergkamp (Goal of the Season), Pires (Football Writers Association Player of the Year) and Ljungberg (F.A. and Barclaycard). I actually made an exclusive Arsenal Season Chart with pictures and statistics filling up a manila scroll after May 2002, probably now lost or burnt. A cousin much older than me plus a diehard Man Utd fan asked me how I knew all this information. I did not reply him, but the reason is simply: my Heart adores Arsenal!


2003: Ljungberg was on the verge of becoming the First Player to score in three consecutive F.A. Cup Finals but he blew his chances. Remember when he felt so dejected after his first half strike was cancelled out by two late goals for the opponents in 2001 and then he returned to net the second for Arsenal the following year after some serious soul-searching? Pires saved Freddie and the team's blushes in a 1-0 Final win over Southampton though the Swede scored some in the preliminary stages. The Premiership on the other hand was like the remake of the 1999 Slip Up before Thierry joined. We surrendered the title 2-3 at home because of the same team (Leeds) and to the same Champions (Man Utd) yet scored more goals than them and ended the season only five points behind which means if we hadn't lost two extra games, we would have remained Champions for three consecutive Seasons considering the fact that we never lost again for a very very very very long time...


2004: This was arguably the Best Premiership Season at Highbury, a feat never achieved in English Football since its inception. Only Preston North End went through an entire season without a loss but they played only 19 games. Arsenal meanwhile played two times more and even extended their record to 49 games. Thierry netted 30 goals including four in just one game (like retribution against Leeds United, them again). There was no surrender because of Leeds this time: Henry won the Goal of the Year Award, European Golden Boot plus both the FWA (Football Writers Association) and PFA (Professional Fooballers Association) Footballer of the Year Awards for the second year in a row. Spanish sensation Jose Antonio Reyes joined midway the season to enjoy the party up to the next season which he started with five goals in the first five games. The Most Exciting Goal in those consecutive five games was the winner against Middlesbrough (5-3 Comeback) to equal Nottingham Forest's 42 Game Unbeaten Record...


2005: Remember the name and get used to it! Although FIFA's Coaches and Captains didn't vote him as World Footballer of the Year nor win the Ballon d'Or European Player of the Year Award, Thierry Henry's performances continued to sizzle. It's like Thierry got fiery every new season. He became the First Premiership Star to win three straight Player of the Year accolades. Arsenal beat Man Utd in a penalty shootout to win their 10th F.A. Cup, the very last trophy won while still at the old home. Chelsea took the Premiership, the fourth team since 1992 after Man Utd, Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal...


2006: Saying Farewell to Highbury (1913 to 2006) - 93 Years of Glorious Memories, Thierry became the Arsenal captain after Vieira's departure and critics said it was affecting his goal-scoring. He answered them back by becoming the Premiership's Top Scorer for the 4th time in 7 years and leading his teammates to the UEFA Champions League Final. That plus the semifinals was the furthest Arsenal had never gone and they came out Runners-up after scoring first in a commendable 10-man fight only giving in during the last 15 minutes. It was the first time a player had been sent off in a European final. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann (who never conceeded a single goal in the whole tournament) was very unlucky but Wenger made a bad tactical change in taking off Robert Pires as the sacrifice for Almunia to go in goal, something he is certain made the Frenchman leave Arsenal. I found it hard to forgive AW for the substitution but when Pires did, I did too. Despite giving reasons like family issues in London, am convinced that Henry left Arsenal in January 2007 for Barcelona because Pires had left. Their styles complemented each other very well. I wasn't amazed when some fans cried because it was almost inevitable...


Emirates: A new era begins at the 60,000 seater stadium in Ashburton Grove, only 1 mile away from Highbury. Henry was the first captain at the Emirates Stadium. Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie naturally became the names to look up to. But along also came world-class players like Brazilian star Julio "The Beast" Baptista who scored four goals in one game at Anfield just like Russian ace Andrei Arshavin (great night); Israeli Yossi Benayoun who got Liverpool's equaliser during Arshavin's foursome later moved to Chelsea then the Emirates; Czech sharpshooter Tomasz Rosicky; Spaniard Mikel Arteta from Everton; Frenchman Samir Nasri who scored his first Arsenal goal in the 4th minute of his debut (and it was the only goal in the game); Assist-master Mesut Oezil; Petr Cech (Record-holder for EPL Most Clean Sheets); etc...

My Top 4 Arsenal Goals

There is an ancient football adage that says: "It takes only one second to score a goal in normal play, but 0.4 seconds to score a penalty!" If you can net four goals within 90 minutes (that is over 5,400 seconds), it's as good as winning every match. So, here are my 4 Most Valuable Arsenal Goals during the Wenger Journey: Click, click, BANG!

1. Ray PARLOUR v Valencia (2001)

Definitely my Favourite Arsenal Goal of All-Time, a screamer on target. The Power-shot was a typical Ray Parlour goal. Though an unsung hero, the Englishman took the ball in his stride from Nwankwo Kanu at the edge of the centre circle, ran past an opponent with two forward nudges and blasted from outside the box without warning for a 2-1 comeback win in the 2001 UEFA Champions League. Arsenal had never gone beyond the Quarterfinals but I kept on dreaming expressed by my uncontrollable scream that night. He replicated it in the 2002 FA Cup Final but Arsenal's second by Freddie Ljungberg was my "Double Happiness", because the worry of a deja vu equaliser like the preceding year's final evaporated...

2. Dennis BERGKAMP v Newcastle United (2002)

It is the Most Brilliant in the List and probably the Greatest Arsenal Stunner ever, though Nwankwo Kanu (v Tottenham) and Robert Pires (v Aston Villa) pulled off a similar trick. Bergkamp's turn was unrehearsed and sublime - just a perfect way to describe the whole of that season for the Gunners. They played some great football without losing away from home on the way to Wenger's second double. Pires was the Most Talismanic while Tony Adams plus his Old Guard backline were about to retire. It was Thierry Henry's first Premiership plus FA Cup Double, but the Dutchman's second and Arsenal's third...

3. Thierry HENRY v Liverpool (2004)

"Lads, it's time to snap out of it..." Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and Champions League by Chelsea (moreover at Highbury) within a week, I bet the Frenchmen Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires (Author of "Le Footballeur") and Henry just took matters into their own hands after first half. Michael Owen brought back deja vu from the 2001 FA Cup Final loss, but it wasn't going to happen again with Henry still hungry for his second Premiership title. This goal proved to me Thierry's "invincibility", his second strike in a hattrick on the 4-2 Good Friday victory against a team that would clinch five trophies the following season including a comeback UEFA Champions League win over the mighty AC Milan in the finals. Henry left Kop players falling to the grass with his merciless dribble run...

4. Aaron RAMSEY v Hull City (2014)

Nine years was a painful trophy-drought for disappointed Arsenal fans, but am glad Ramsey's extra time 3-2 FA Cup winner resparked their happiness. Without this Wembley goal, Arsene Wenger might have been forced out or resigned. However, it simply solidified the manager's legacy at the Emirates because it won his first trophy after moving to the new stadium (in 2006) plus erased all the Bad Memories since 2005...

MY BEST ARSENAL COMEBACK
In 2010, Arsenal became the Premiership's Comeback Kings by setting a Record of four consecutive Wins after conceding first. But the Most Extraordinary Comeback Game in Arsene Wenger's Career was a 4th Round Capital One (League) Cup Triumph at Reading's Madejski Stadium in 2012. At 4-0 down, I decided to sleep because I knew the Game was over; there was no Way Arsenal could come back. However, residing in a Neighbourhood where most People support the Top Six or Eight English Teams (and non-Gunners might have been sympathetic), I couldn't resist finding out the Truth after hearing People screaming over and over again. It couldn't be Reading Fans screaming; I didn't know any. When I switched on the Radio, it was 4-4. On turning on Sky Sports after Midnight, the Gunners were leading 5-7, extraordinary. I regretted why I did not watch the Game through and through, but was still happy about the Performance: Giroud ignited a Fightback, Walcott scored a Hattrick and Chamakh put the Nail in Reading's Coffin during Extratime. Reading Defender Chris Gunter called it a "stupid Game"...

Red-hot Gunner Returns

Gunners usually go AWOL (Absent Without Leave) or MIA (Missing in Action) because of injury, suspension, transfer or family issues. Some make really great returns and here are some of my best:

1. Aaron RAMSEY definitely tops my List of Red-hot Returns. Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross was very apologetic for tackling him in a leg-breaking crash. At first sight of the injury, you wouldn’t forgive the Stoke defender. However, Ryan wept after seeing the damage plus got red carded and Ramsey said he didn’t feel pain before returning several months later to score the only goal in an Emirates Stadium win over Manchester United on 1^st May 2011. The fearless shot outmaneouvred an opponent’s attempted block. Then in 2014, as if redemptive, Ramsey scored a 3-2 FA Cup extra time winner against Hull City to end Arsenal’s nine year trophyless run, washing away the pain of losing two League Cup finals (2007 to Chelsea and 2011 to Birmingham City). Ramsey was the second Gunner I saw break his leg on live TV. February just felt cursed like Black November 2002, but I bet Ramsey broke the jinx. Even if it took him three more seasons to finally win a trophy, 2014 was surely the Welshman's year…

2. EDUARDO da Silva was the first Gunner I saw breaking his leg on live TV. It happened at St. Andrews (home of Birmingham City) on a February 2008 weekend that saw Arsenal drop a two goal lead and falter in the rest of the season after playing quite well in the first half of the season. I watched the game in Namuwongo (a Kampala suburb) and while trying to take my footwear for mending near the neighbourhood Kyebando Kisalosalo Market during the following week, 5,000 UgX mysteriously disappeared from my pocket. Born in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Eduardo played for Croatia but had the skills and sharpness to fit in any Brazilian squad. After recovering from his left ankle break, Dudu returned for Arsenal in a 2-0 FA Cup victory over Burnley scoring the second goal with a deft ankle volley from an Alexander Song pass. The rest of his Arsenal career was not as great as before the injury, but his return goal was very promising…

3. Thierry HENRY became Arsenal’s All-Time Leading Goalscorer by scoring twice as a 15^th minute substitute (for injured Jose Antonio REYES) against UEFA Champions League hosts Sparta Prague on Super Tuesday 18^th October 2005 after seven games on the sidelines with a groin injury. His 185th Ian Wright record-tying goal was a sick extravagant curler struck with the outside of his right boot while turning 180 degrees maintaining Arsenal’s 100 percent record in Europe. That season: the last at Highbury (2006), Arsenal became the first club to reach the Champions League Final without conceding a single goal. It was also Arsenal’s first time beyond the quarterfinals. “Gunners, what is your profession?/ I’ll be back!” TH14 is the King at Arsenal and when he returned in 2012 (on loan from New York Redbulls) after leaving for Barcelona in 2007, the script was already written for a majestic arrival at the place where he is most adored, no matter how brief the stay. He capped off the long awaited Dream Day with a trademark goal against Leeds United propelling the Gunners to the 4th round of the FA Cup. Wearing shirt number 12 at the Emirates Stadium, Henry scored his 12^th goal in his 12^th appearance against Leeds United 12 minutes from the final whistle in the 12^th season since his debut at Highbury Stadium (1999). Maybe he’s the 12^th Gunner in every game…

4. Patrick VIEIRA (one of the Players in Europe with the Most Red Cards) got two red cards in the first three days (first two games) of the 2000-2001 season and was suspended for five painful games. Arsenal coped quite well without him but he returned to win the 2001 French Player of the Year plus Premier League Player of the Season Awards after some unbelievably disciplined performances the rest of the season. Arsenal finished second in the league behind Manchester United and lost the FA Cup Final 1-2 to Liverpool…

5. Olivier GIROUD who had been out for months due to injury, headbutted a QPR player in the 2015 season, but returned again as a substitute after a three game suspension to score a consolation goal for Arsenal in a 1-2 home loss to Manchester United. It was a very progressive goal despite the loss showing one way Arsenal needed to attempt in order to score without overelaborate buildup plays. The season ended with a second FA Cup triumph in a row and Giroud scored his Supersub goal to crown a 4-0 win…

6. Abou DIABY was probably the Gunner with the Most Returns because he also had the Most Injuries, so I guess some moments of his return games are memorable. He could dribble confidently and scored a number of good goals. Unfortunately, the chronic setbacks never allowed him to explore his full potential. I pray the same thing never happens to Jack WILSHERE who scored the BBC’s Match of the Day Goal of the Season in 2014 and 2015…

7. Danny WELBECK’s return from injury on 14^th February 2016 (Valentine’s Day) in a title decider actually inspired this article about returnees. It was his very first game this season. Table leaders Leicester City FC were ahead of Arsenal by five points before the game and Premier League Top Scorer Jamie Vardy’s first half penalty gave Leicester hope for an eight point advantage until Theo Walcott equalized in the 70^th minute. Welbz came on as a substitute and had some time to work something lovely. With the four added minutes already played and score tied at 1-1, the King of Assists Mesut Oezil stood over a freekick that would probably be the last kick in the Sunday Clash of the Titans. As they say, the rest is History, Man of the Match type of way…

Dat Guy, Welbeck!

Arsenal's Best Dribblers

Technically, every Gunner including goalkeepers can dribble, but there are some whose skill or effort is exceptional and noteworthy. I became an Arsenal fan during the 1998 FA Cup Final and have witnessed quite a number of good dribblers come and go. It's not easy to choose who is the ultimate Best Dribbler at The Arsenal, but here are my Favourites since my Enlightenment Game.

In Wenger's first and second group of Double Champions, I must say Dennis Bergkamp can be singled out as one very talented individual. Nicknamed the "Dutch Master", his sublime skill was world-class and confirmed when he scored the Best Goal according to many pundits during the 1998 World Cup in France for Netherlands (Holland) against Argentina. He also scored the Best Premiership Goal during the 2002 Season at Newcastle United from a Robert Pires assist, hailed as arguably the Hottest Arsenal Goal of All-time thanks to his dribbling acumen. He did not plan it, but his touch and turn past the defender still seemed untaught: It just happened. The Invincible 49ers also did a lot of dribbling like Sylvain Wiltord and Lauren Etame Meyer running the right flank hustle.

Kaba Diawara as a Substitute on his Highbury debut in a 1-0 win over Chelsea (Sunday 31st January 1999)

Arsenal failed to retain their Premiership crown in 1999, but (French-born Guinean) Kaba Diawara showed probably the Most Potent Dribbling Skills I have ever seen in any Gunner with an eye for a self-made chance. He didn't score the hard-to-come-by winners and stuff needed to win the championship, but he surely entertained with much hope and unfathomed intelligence like Brazil's very gifted non-Gunner Wonderman Denilson (de Oliveira Araujo) dribbling five players or precariously on the touchline.

Nwankwo Kanu, the beanpole Nigerian was also a class act. Despite a sluggish disposition, he used it to his advantage to deceive opponents with wonderful unanticipated footwork at the right moment. It was said that the ball seemed to be tied to his shoelaces, guess that summarises everything.

Croatian Davor Suker, the Top Scorer during France 98 was also amazing when he moved to Highbury, but it took time for me to see another naturally gifted dribbler.

Aleksander Hleb had all the attributes of a natural born dribbler. I bet the Belarusian could do it in his sleep or without training. Slim but very agile and not too showy.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, meanwhile is a Gunner who can dribble at speed past opponents. It's like he is not afraid of a tackle, just runs into it like Jack Wilshere. Serge Gnabry would be his best understudy in midfield.

Rightback Hector Bellerin is the ultimate Speed Merchant and Most Coolheaded Gunner when it comes to getting past opponents, always seems focussed on the play. Ivorians Johan Djourou (though Swiss National) and Emmanuel Eboue before him dribbled quite well despite criticism about their focus. Brazilians Silvinho and Santos used to be energetic going forward on the left flank too.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide also has that "it" dribbling factor. He should be allowed to express himself like Abou Diaby minus the multiple injuries.

All the other Gunners, both past and present, have their own efficient maneouvres for instance Robert Pires running forward to a stop with the ball, back then forward again immediately down the left flank or a fiery Thierry Henry creating space with pace for his many goals, just to mention a few. However, the ones listed above seem to have something extra I cannot forget.

The Gunner who takes the crown among the current lot would be the hair-raising Spaniard Santi Cazorla. Doesn't he remind you of Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola in the late 1990s and 2000s? Okay, maybe because the names rhyme but Santi is also the Most Ambidextrous Gunner (though mainly rightfooted), down to earth, enjoyable to watch and relatively classy with an eye for goal. He can turn left or right with ease, knows what to do with the ball, little or small in stature like Messi but very dynamic and completes his dribbles. Remember what he did to Man Utd's Schweinsteiger with his head?! Nevertheless, before I forget, Alexis Sanchez is an enthusiastic dribbler and deserves this nod according to statistics, however I prefer Santi. Mesut Oezil cannot also be ignored, but as good as he is as an Assistman, Santi edges him a bit on this one. Happy #FriendsDay!

Now Watch Him (El)neny

The Emirates Pharaoh

Silence, please! Representing not only Egypt but also Africa as a country [just like Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Lauren Etame Mayer and Alex Song (Cameroon), the Toure Brothers (Ivory Coast), etc. did] I feel Mohamed ELNENY can start from where Frenchman Samir Nasri stopped when he left for Manchester City. With a progressive approach to attack and superb box to box play, he might turn out to be quite a big investment for Arsene Wenger. Players are always hyped when they join, but some live up to the hype. Now watch him whip, watch him Nenny (nae nae). Arsene Wenger hailed him as "exceptional" after his Arsenal debut in a 2-1 win over Burnley in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 30th January 2016. He scored his First Arsenal Goal against the UEFA Champions League defending Champions (Barcelona) in a 3-1 away Loss during the Last 16 Second Leg on Wednesday 16th March 2016 (Knocked out 5-1 on Aggregate). By 2019, the Egyptian was the First and Only Player among England's Big 6 (Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United) to score past Barcelona Goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen at the Camp Nou... #ELHAMDULILLAH (Thank YOU, GOD!)

FOR THE LOVE OF ARSENAL

There are crazy things people do just to catch an Arsenal game in real time whether at the Emirates or on TV wherever they might be on the Planet. I once heard a West African narrate a story on BBC radio how he would ride his bicycle for miles to the next town just to watch a TV showing Gunners play. One night while returning through a bush, he met a lion. However he rode faster than he has ever ridden his entire life just to survive the man-eater, hahaha!

Students sneak out of school to go clubbing or for some other functions and events; I would sneak out during Advanced Level (2001-2) at Makerere College School only to surf internet, buy something I really needed that wasn't at school and to watch Arsenal games at Klub 5 (within Makerere University Kampala) or Nakulabye, down north. On Saturdays (Movie Nights) despite abrupt afternoon roll calls, I would watch selected Arsenal games and return through the back door of the movie hall that was only opened when students wanted to ease themselves. Stealthily, I would wait until some students came out, then pretend that I had also gone to ease myself and get marked present during roll call after the movies like a smooth criminal. I lost my brown "owl" spectacles during one outing but also risked expulsion from my hostel. Luckily, I was never caught nor whipped unlike some of my boarding schoolmates. I always returned with a different gait and the mentality that I was "unrecognisable by teachers on duty" while wearing camouflage (a University of Sheffield pullover my mum gave me plus spectacles I rarely wore after praying for the healing of my eye defects) and took them off just before entering my classroom for Sunday night prep; school uniform was compulsory at all times outside the hostel.

During the 2003 to 4 unbeaten run while on campus at UCU Mukono, Manchester United got an unfair last minute penalty at Old Trafford that I strongly believed would gift them a 1-0 win. However when Ruud van Nistelrooy hit the crossbar, I screamed so loud and even ran out of the Hostel Common Room that had so many people in it. I celebrated outside for more than two minutes and didn't even watch the final moments. Then after outsiders walked out, that is when I realised that my phone was missing. On trying to call using an MTN PubliCom on the outside wall, my line had been switched off. I just knew my phone was gone, so I returned to my hostel a mile away unhappy. Nevertheless, a hostelmate tried my number later in the night and the lady on the receiving end said I could pick my phone in the morning. She cooked food at the hostel where I had watched the game. Although she used all the airtime I had left to call people in the UK, I was happy that I got back my Ericsson brick.

Sometimes while watching an Arsenal game that would end beyond midnight, I would ask myself what would happen while returning home. Of course GOD protects but why should I risk my life for a late night midweek Carling Cup game that Arsenal would probably lose? How about Danny Rose's first goal for Tottenham in a 2-1 Spurs win that ended Arsenal's title challenge? Game ended after midnight and I had to walk home alone on the dark street from Heritage Park asking myself why I came to watch! The Premiership games played just after dusk because of the timezone in East Africa are fairer plus some Champions League fixtures were unmissable, but close to midnight, I would meet drunkards in Kampala spilling uncoordinated thoughts. You cannot tell whether they are harmlessly threatening or potentially menacing. Passing near the deadly Barifa Forest via Mvara Road in Arua would also frighten me a bit when there was no moonlight. Thugs always destroyed streetlights. Once while I returned in the dark night, I noticed that the signpost of a wonderful joint called Greenwood on Weatherhead Park Lane was still intact. The following day when I went to buy some sodas from there around lunchtime, I asked the lady in charge what had happened to their signpost. She informed me that thugs had stolen it. That had to be after midnight coz I had seen it hours behind but I didn't tell her so as not to raise suspicion that I was the thief and just pretending to feel concerned.

Having grown up together in Kampala, my cousin Edwin (a Manchester United fan who stayed in Ociba) took me to the first place I ever watched an Arsenal match in my ancestral city: a Garage in Osu, an Arua suburb. When returning home after 9 PM, he escorted me to the edge of the golf course and I followed a boda-bicycle carrying a passenger. It was the early 2000s and nightlights were scarce (WENRECo - West Nile Electrification Company, started around 2003). I didn't know the geography of the area and passed a different route. Worried that a witchdoctor or nightdancer might kidnap me in an area with so many unfinished houses, I just continued walking placing my hope in angelic protection. Luckily, the road connected with the one I already knew and was very happy to reach home safe. So I decided to explore Arua during daytime until I knew many corners thanks to Arsenal. I was also inspired to invent a parabolic dish receiver in the 2000s plus wave loop antenna for clear Short Wave Listening of Arsenal matches in the 2010s. I'm still amazed at the clear radio stations I would pick up at night from as far as Bunyoro and Kenya with my dish antenna though it was dismantled.

I used to wish that I could listen or pray to GOD plus read the Word more enthusiastically than I anticipate an Arsenal kickoff. LORD, have mercy...

Arsenal Quotes

Happy New Year (2016), ArsenalFamily! They say that Dreams come true and Patience pays: Well then, I wish by 2018 Arsenal will have won the UEFA Champions League. If they don't, then I will keep dreaming.

"Whenever Arsenal loses or draws after leading, SportsNews becomes less exciting. Happiness is when Arsenal scores a Goal or Equaliser or wins a Game!" - AIKO

You can copy that as a Quote from a Gooner, but below are inspiring sayings by Gunners plus extra proverbs:

“To be successful, you have to have that Winning Mentality…” - CHARLIE GEORGE (Scorer of the dramatic late Winner in the 1971 FA Cup Final against Liverpool)

"Once an Arsenal man, always an Arsenal man..." - BOB WILSON 

 “As a Goalkeeper, you are the last Line of Defence. When a Goal goes in, everyone looks at you, you’ve got to be able to deal with that…” – DAVID SEAMAN

“We’ll just keep on scoring now…” – IAN WRIGHT (Lyrics in “Hot Stuff”, the 1998 Arsenal Song)

“Play for the Name on the Front of the Shirt, and they will remember the Name on the Back…” - TONY ADAMS

“Nobody will finish above us in the League. It wouldn’t surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the Season…” - ARSENE WENGER, the Invincible One (after 2002 Double but before 2003 season)

 “When I think of Arsenal, my Favourite Personal Memory is scoring my first Goal for the Club – away to Lazio in the Champions League. It was important because when you join a new Club, you really want to score your first Goal. It is where everything started for me at this Club…” - ROBERT PIRES

“I really like Arsenal. But you, do you really like Arsenal? Or just with Trophies?” - DENNIS BERGKAMP

“Lads, it’s Time to snap out of it…” - PATRICK VIEIRA (Captain of the Invincibles giving Arsenal’s Half-time Team Talk while trailing 1-2 against Liverpool at Highbury on Good Friday 9^th April 2004. The preceeding Weekend, Manchester United had knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup. Midweek, Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League at Highbury and it was about to be three Defeats in a row. But the Gunners refused to lose and beat the Kop 4-2 before finishing the season unbeaten)

“Arsenal is my Paradise…” - THIERRY HENRY

"I am Gooner..." - ANDREI ARSHAVIN

"Once a Gunner, always a Gunner…" - CESC FABREGAS

"A Team can attack for too long. The Most Opportune Time for scoring is immediately after repelling an Attack, because Opponents are then strung out in the wrong Half of the Field. All the Men are expected to play to plan, but not so as to stifle Individuality...
"It is laid down by Law that the Team who score the most Goals win..." - HERBERT CHAPMAN

"I’m a Gunner…
"Ya Gunners Ya...” - MESUT OEZIL

"Oh ya…" - KIERAN GIBBS

"Once you’re in the Game, you forget about the Outside World. You play better when you don’t think about anything…" - HECTOR BELLERIN

“I have dreamt of this Day for many Years as a young Kid coming through and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet…” - AARON RAMSEY, about scoring the Winner when Arsenal came from 0-2 down to beat Hull City 3-2 after extra time in the 2014 FA Cup Final

“I had a look at the Keeper and I was thinking that he was a bit too much forward from his Line. I tried instinctively to shoot and to hit the Target. I was a bit lucky but that’s what I wanted to do…” - OLIVIER GIROUD (about his spectacular Goal in the 2014 Community Shield to make it 3-0 from the Bench for Arsenal against Manchester City)

"The Worst about, uh, in London is Tottenham..." - TOMAS ROSICKY

"Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent..." - DAVID ROCASTLE

“The positive Person is the one who falls, gets up, smiles at Life and says: ‘Here I go again’.” – ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Cech made his 170th Record-passing Clean Sheet in a 2-0 Win against Bournemouth

“When I was a Kid, I looked up to every Goalkeeper… I tried to take the Best of everyone for myself and try to work on what to improve…” - PETR CECH (on The Final Whistle – Facebook Show following the 2-1 Win over Manchester City , the Match after Cech equaled the 169 Clean Sheet Record held by David James)

"My Legs were shaking..." - ROBIN VAN PERSIE, after scoring his Penalty for Arsenal in the 2005 FA Cup Final Shootout against Manchester United [(0(5), 0(4) a.e.t.], his first Season/ He later became the Premiership Player with the Record of Most Consecutive Away Games with a Goal Scored (9) in 2010 before moving to Old Trafford as probably the Hottest Gunner to cross there during the Premier League Era

“Arsenal is one of these Teams that everyone enjoys watching and of course I would love to play for such a great Team…” – MOHAMED ELNENY

"The deeper the Foundations, the stronger the Fortress..." - EMIRATES STADIUM


QUOTES ABOUT ARSENAL
"Arsenal would be a good Team to play for..." - PELE

"Arsenal is just an interesting Club, the only Club in the World which made Messi admit he'd leave Barca for..." - PEP GUARDIOLA

"If even a little Part of you doesn't enjoy a Goal like that, you shouldn't be in Football..." - KEVIN KEEGAN, after watching his Manchester City Side undone by a 30 yard Thierry Henry Thunderbolt with an Assist from Robert Pires in the Rain

“He will save them 12 or 15 Points a Season…” - JOHN TERRY, about Petr Cech’s Move from Chelsea to Arsenal

"I like to watch Arsenal…" - ANDREA PIRLO, 2006 World Cup Winner with Italy

"We are Top of the League…" - MR. BULLY (Arsenal Fan)


"Arsenal is one of the Best Clubs in the World, in terms of Transition…" - LUIS ENRIQUE, Barcelona Manager at a Press Conference after Messi’s Brace downed the Gunners in the 2016 UEFA Champions League Last 16 First Leg at the Emirates

He (Arsene Wenger) is a Specialist in Failure... - JOSE MOURINHO (The Special One)

ARSENAL ACADEMY (PROVERBIAL LESSONS)
Football (or Soccer) is not just a Game, but  a Teacher of Life. Below are a few Lessons deduced...

"A Trophy is just an empty Cup, enjoy the Goals..."

"Impossible does not exist, but Invincible does..."

"Be very careful what you wish for, you might receive it twice..."

"Better check (Petr Cech) yourself before you wreck yourself..."

"When you take a Risk and succeed, you will be happy. If you fail, then consider it a Lesson..."

"Masterclass is permanent..."


"Victoria Concordia Crescit... (Latin 4: Victory Through Harmony...)" - ARSENAL MOTTO

"It's not yet over until its really over..."

"Send a Red Devil to beat Red Devils..."

"Fear no Man..."

"There's a Time for everything good..."

"Never curse GOD! Sometimes you lose, but it only prepares you for Double Happiness..."

"It happens..."

"Solidarity and secret Codes in a Group can get past any Obstacle..."