London Dairies 6 | The Premier League Fiesta.

 Couple of weekends back, I got a pleasant invite from my Uncle to join him for the super Sunday Arsenal vs Manchester United Premier League match at the celebrated Emirates Arsenal stadium. Now this was one such invite that even a half sporting enthusiast won’t think twice before immediately accepting it. I did nothing different. Moreover, it wasn’t an ordinary invite, him being at senior leadership level in his organization, makes him privy to the elitist of clubs, Emirates Business Club box in this case. No wonder, I was surely in for a treat of a lifetime for more than one reasons.

I would be lying and bragging if I say that I am a die-hard football fan and I know it all about the Premier League dynamics and updates. My only involvement in this ‘beautiful game’ is mostly during the World Cups and the Euro Cups tourneys and some odd betting stints on the weekend fixtures in the nearby betting shop. So it isn’t as intense as it is with say Cricket or Tennis but nonetheless being a sports fanatic who wouldn’t relish experiencing the on field euphoria of English Soccer. So with less than 24 hours left for the fiesta to begin I started my preparations for the big match, preparations that would ensure that I make most of this golden opportunity by rightfully indulging in the English Football extravaganza. I did some research on the teams, key players and their recent records, and found out that there is more to Man U then just Rooney and more to Arsenal then Wenger and  Ozil alone J. I did some research on the Emirates Arsenal stadium as well and enlightened myself with history and importance of this stadium in the English Football setup. I also spoke to few of mine die hard Premier League fanatic friends, to get more perspective about the match and also to get a hang of what to expect and who all to look forward to in the match. They were all very excited and upbeat about the whole concept of their friend being a party to this match and there fervour just added on to my excitement J.

As I reached the stadium on the match day, I was prepped up with all the players, teams, stadium and match related facts and figures. There was an imminent buzz around the stadium prominently dominated by the Arsenal fans who were in high spirits cheering and singing for their home team. As I entered the stadia with my uncle through the emirates club entrance it almost felt like we have stepped into a 5 star hotel. There was some time to the start of play and so we were escorted to the club lounge where we were treated with finest of champagnes and wines, followed by a sumptuous meal and a high class hospitality, reason enough to already feel special. We were joined by Uncle’s friends and colleagues in our box, mostly ardent Arsenal fans, who after the customary greetings asked us about our loyalties. When I said I am rooting for Man U, they were a tad disappointed, but were hopeful about my change in loyalties by the half time, when I replied back saying, in India the only Premier League team people mostly know about is Man U and no wonder that becomes our default favorite team J.

As we took our seats, which were easily among the best seats in the house, the stadium was packed to the capacity and the atmosphere was mind-blowingly electric. I have always heard about the crazy English soccer fans and the madness that they bring with them in any high octane match but experiencing it live in the stadium was reminiscent only to a jam packed Wankhede rooting for their boys in the blue jersey. The first half of the game was an absolute treat with Sanchez (double) and Ozil making a mockery of the united defense leaving them three down inside 20 minutes, much to the joy of the 60 odd thousand home supporters. Expectedly so, I was asked about my loyalties during the half time and I had no hesitation in declaring that I am an Arsenal supporter hereafter J.

The second half of the match wasn’t as electric as the first where we kept on waiting for a Rooney goal which was not to be, as gunners kept the pressure on and sailed through to a crushing 3-0 win over the overwhelming pre-match favorites from Old Trafford. The cheering, jeering and singing continued throughout the match and much later as well but more than the game what made the overall experience an unforgettable one was the euphoria and mania among-st the fans for the game and their beloved stars. I am a big Cricket fan and have always felt proud about the passion that we hold for the game in our country, but experiencing the Premier League fiesta from such close quarters made me realize how equally passionate fans out here are for their favorite sport. And even if you aren’t a big football aficionado (like me), given an opportunity one should definitely experience this extravaganza at least once in the lifetime, as the real magic and euphoria can be experienced only by being there in the stands.

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kin…

Post Script – They say for any sports fanatic in London, your stay in the city stays incomplete till the time you complete the holy triumvirate of watching a test match at Lords, a Premier League match in the stadium and live on court grand slam action in Wimbledon. The first two spectacles for me are already savored, its target Wimbledon now for the next summer J.