I am tempted to say it has been a characteristic fortnight and a half for Arsenal-out of three competitions within days after failing to perform at the penultimate rounds (i.e) failing to deliver when it matters.
Though that might be an apt way to summarize this heart wrenching period, in it lies a paradox as to some (notably manager Arsene Wenger), even though the Arsenal's report card is devoid of A, the student has shown continual all round improvement.
If football was a kinder sport, maybe this Wenger tale of impending success to be manifested by winning the 2010/11 premier league (as a show of the progress made over the lean Arsenal years) would have many more takers.
Unfortunately so, as it is the case with other ball games, football is an all or nothing contest.
Reaching any final means zilch if you don't lift the trophy as at best you are labeled the LOSING finalists.
Worse still if the CHAMPIONS are Birmingham City.
Football is no beauty contest that allows the leisure of fancy terms like '1st runners up' to highlight pedigree.
Ending within earshot of the champions in the league only matters in terms of television revenues- which for the case of Arsenal, seem to be earmarked for the esteemed shareholders (like any corporation, the principle role of the management is to continually deliver value to the shareholders) .
Playing in the Champions league only earns you pedigree that equals a 'participation certificate' in a marathon. Even if you stack the certificates up, they may only be of significance to family and friends when eulogizing you upon your demise as marathons only prides in those who claim podium finishes .
Simply put, you have to win.
To the fans, winning trophies are what dividends are to shareholders. Enjoying the football on display is the equivalent to increases in the value of their equity to shareholders, while bragging rights over the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United equate bonus share issues to the owners.
The situation becomes trickier when fans have to dig deeper into their coffers in a world that keeps tightening it's belt as jitters push oil prices along with food and other commodities up yet the return on investment is slow.
Though there is never a good time to deliver bad news, and in full cognizance that business is all about timing, in the aftermath of such a torrid fortnight and a half for the Gunner nation, the announcement of a raise in ticket prices rubs salt on the fresh wounds.
Such a move may serve only to destabilize the fourth and most crucial arm of any football club: The fans. Arsenal fans have already invested their hearts, time and money to associate themselves with this brand. They wear the logo on close to their hears, plaster their jalopies with stickers, sleep under red bed covers in red rooms and bake birthday cakes for their children with icing that spells out ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit', which translates as ‘Victory Through Harmony',
The only thing the want for all this investment, are dividends.
Even in the current air of despair, disappointment and anger for some, come Saturday several thousand will travel and lend their voices to this cause. Millions will be following the events as part of the global audience that the EPL commands. At the Emirates, 50,000 plus shall be in wait for the likes of Manchester United and co. when they come calling.
In all, something gotta give!
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