The international breaks seem to come at a strange time, and
on this occasion, an annoying one. With Arsenal starting to go through the
gears after four straight victories, including a derby day win over Tottenham
Hotspur, it’s highly frustrating that we have to now watch our players
represent their country and sit in an uneasy manner at home in fear of our only
striker picking up an injury.
Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Tomas Rosicky are all
examples that sometimes the international break isn’t always such a wonderful
spectacle. With such a paper-thin squad currently, now is not the ideal time to
risk our players coming back to the Emirates on crutches either.
What makes this particular international break even worse,
is that all we want to do is watch our brand new record signing race out at the
Emirates in his new Gunners strip, and prove why Arsene Wenger was right to
spend £42m on him.
It has taken just three games into the new Premier League
season for us to once again put country in front of club. Not everyone is a
great fan of watching their country, myself included, especially when you live
in England.
While I don’t mind supporting the Three Lions, I would much
rather be watching Arsenal and if not can certainly think of many other
alternative things to do.
So for all you football fans out there (and let’s face it,
if you’re reading this than that is you) here is a guide of the top five
activities you can partake in for the next time an international break comes
around.
Gunners Town Top 5: Positive points from the North London derby
5. Relive the past
There is nothing quite like turning back the clock on the
glory days is there.
Pick out that title-winning season DVD (or VHS) and put a
smile on your face as you watch your boys rip it up in style.
The Invincible campaign is a personal favourite, and obvious
choice, of mine. There is nothing quite like watching Thierry Henry rip apart
Liverpool, Dennis Bergkamp pick out Patrick Vieira for the goal that ensured we
finished the season unbeaten, or the moment where Mark Keown screamed in the
face of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Another top watch is the ‘Boring, Boring Arsenal’ viewing pleasure,
that captures our 1997/97 double-winning campaign in style. I used to watch
that over and over as a kid to the stage where I (sadly) knew Martin Tyler’s
commentary word for word. In the modern day though, I have no idea where that
video has gone, so if anyone knows anywhere that are selling it on DVD, then
let me know!
Grab a seat and some decent grub and take a trip down memory
lane.
4. Play FIFA
Most of you probably do this anyway, but if you can’t turn
out to the Emirates and watch the Gunners entertain, then you can at least keep
yourself occupied in the world of video games.
The players rant and rave about how much they love playing
FIFA all the time, so turn your Xbox on and lose yourself in the digital world.
You can start a manager mode and spend all that money on all the players that
you’ve always wanted to pull on the red and white, as well as finally getting
rid of Nicklas Bendtner.
Sign outrageous players, line-up in a ridiculous formation,
do whatever you want. You have the club wrapped around your little finger, so
you can preview how your ideas for the team might turn out.
3. Support your
local/lower league team
While the Premier League and Championship may take a few
weeks off, the vast majority of teams in England are still in action.
Take yourself down to your local team. It doesn’t matter if
they’re in League One or a Pub League, so long as you get yourself to a game. And
just because it is a lower standard of football doesn’t mean that these teams
can’t play a fair bit.
The boys don’t do weeks off, and you can finally enjoy
(hopefully) cheaper tickets, less expensive food, and a stress-free afternoon.
Go ahead and do it, you’ll enjoy it.
2. Take a holiday
The players have an international break, so why can’t you?
Completely erase football from your mind for a fortnight and
take a holiday somewhere. Whether it is in your own country or not it doesn’t
matter, but try to completely avoid the topic all together and focus on the
more important things in life; family and friends.
As much as we love the game with every fibre of our being,
we can also absolutely despise it at times when things don’t go our way.
Get out and get fully recovered for when the Premier League
returns.
1. Actually watch the
international games
If you love football that much, then you could actually
watch the internationals.
Whether you support your own country, or choose to analyse
your club’s players by watching other nations in action, the best cure for no
football is essentially football. I know for a fact that a huge amount of
Gooners would have hit the streams on Friday night to watch Mesut Ozil in
action against Austria. I for one engaged in the personal highlights of our new
£42m man.
Some of the football really isn’t that bad either, and you
could always treat yourself to watch Spain or Germany play rather than put yourself
through watching England make a European minnow look a decent outfit.
What do you do during the international break? Let me know,
I appreciate the feedback.
Matt Cotton
Matt has been the editor of the site since June 2012 and was born into a Gooner family 21 years ago. He recently graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sports Journalism and strives to work in the Sports Media industry. As well as currently working as a reporter for Sports Mole and TIBS News, Matt has been providing football commentary for the visually impaired since 2008 at Arsenal, Exeter City and Wembley.
 
His earliest Gunners memory is watching the ‘Boring, boring Arsenal’ VHS as a six-year-old on repeat, to the extent where he could recite most of the commentary from that season. Matt was lucky enough to witness Arsenal lift the Premier League in 2002 as well as being present during the last match at Highbury in 2006, and at Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial a few months later at the Emirates Stadium. Matt’s favourite players include Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Tony Adams, with the 5-3 comeback victory against Middlesbrough in 2004 the best match he has ever spectated.
 
Matt is an optimistic ’In Wenger we trust’, kind of guy and believes that the glory days are not too far away…
 
Apart from his editorial duties, Matt will also be bringing his Arsenal knowledge to a column called “Where Are They Now?” – which focuses on former Gunners.
From time to time all of the above except no. 4 (I never got into computer games). In this current interlull I’m currently on no. 2 albeit failing to cut off from football (thanks Twitter); doing a bit of no. 3 again thanks to Twitter and will be doing a bit of no. 1 on the telly tonight. Good blog by the way!