Arsenal: Pre-mature celebrations might not be a bad thing

Time to celebrate for Arsenal

So it’s been six games since the new season started, and the Premier League has been as unpredictable as possible. With a change at the helm in three of the title contenders and a wonder purchase on deadline day by the perennial under-purchasers, the race to the title promises to be open and competitive. Stability rules at the top of the table – the North Londoners and Liverpool have retained their managers from last season and sit comfortably at the top, while the Manchester clubs and Chelsea are currently positioned outside the top four.

So what does the general Manchester United fan or Chelsea fan say? “It’s too early in the season”, “Just six games have been played”, “There is a long way to go” – Yeah, when the club is not performing as per expectations, one can always draw contentment from such pragmatic reasoning. Moreover, it does not do good to the pride of the club for a fan to declare that Arsenal have played better than them this season. One can always cite Arsenal’s inconsistent performances in the past few years, where they failed to add a trophy to their cabinet in spite of producing some amazing football. But what is the reasoning behind the subdued reactions from a significant number of Arsenal fans?

It is really surprising that Gooners are restraining themselves from enjoying the team’s glorious run over the past few weeks. There seems to be increasing scepticism with every match about the team’s abrupt show of consistency.

Celebrations among fans are extremely guarded – almost as if celebrations will jinx the team’s form. Despite having a midfield dripping class, there is constant fear of a Giroud injury to expose the team’s weakness. Then there is this phrase “We haven’t been tested yet!” Why?

It’s probably the past experiences of hope – ending up with a heart breaking calamity. Is it too early in the season to say Arsenal are serious contenders for the title? Yes. Is it stupid to say they are on the way to Premier League and Champions League glory? Yes. Even Arsene Wenger would agree.

But that does not give any reason for an Arsenal fan to not celebrate now. Celebrate, rejoice and hope – what happens later, will be seen later, felt later. After all, isn’t the whole point of being a football fan is to rejoice when your team wins? Why do Arsenal versus Tottenham matches mean so much?

Why do Atletico versus Real Madrid matches mean so much? It’s all about bragging rights – the proud look and the crooked smile on your face as your opposite number tries to avoid your eyes – it’s time Arsenal fans stopped thinking about what could possibly go wrong. It’s Arsenal’s time now, arguably the best run since 2007-08 and Gooners deserve to go all out and celebrate. And in the end, if the result is a heartbreak – isn’t that a part of being a fan too?