These days I can’t imagine my life without The Arsenal.
I have to thank my brother for getting me into football. When I was around 10 or 11 I would always see him watching the EPL highlights show on TV which got me interested.
At the start of 2004 I felt like I needed to choose a team and since I didn’t know much about football, I chose the team at the top of the ladder (and what a season to pick from).
The first time I got to watch a full Arsenal game was the 2005 FA Cup final versus Manchester United. I was so excited I even recorded the game on VHS. My understanding of football wasn’t great back then but I was just happy Arsenal won that day.
The next few years involved checking the scores, reading the match reports and watching the occasional Champions League or FA Cup game (which was the only games you could watch on free to air TV in Australia).
In 2009 I finally got pay TV and I was able to watch my first EPL game. I was so excited. I’m pretty sure it was when Arsenal beat Blackburn 4-0. And ever since then my love for Arsenal grew stronger.
The first jersey I bought was from the Sunday market. It was a cheap imitation of the 2007/08 one with Fabregas on the back which didn’t even fit me. I didn’t even care that it didn’t fit me I was just excited that I was able to buy my first jersey. However when I was old enough to finally buy Arsenal merchandise online it has been a constant purchases ever since including mugs, stationary, key rings and of course jerseys.
Being an Arsenal fan in Australia has been difficult with the ridiculous time differences. Staying up late to watch EPL games at 2am or getting up early to watch the Champions League at 6:45am sometimes does suck when you have work or uni but you eventually get used to it.
The question that I have gotten the most from friends who don’t like football is:
“I don’t know how you can wake up at 3 or 4am in the morning just to watch a football game”.
I always reply, “Because I love Arsenal”.
Jenny
Follow @jennaayyyyyy
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Happy Birthday Jenny. From one non-English Arsenal fan to another, great story. It is so hard to explain your passion for a English Football club to someone born in America. But I am also a Gunner through and through. Great season we are getting. Best.
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Haha thank you but my birthday was in January =P Although I may consider getting another one for my next birthday! And yes our passion is hard to explain to those who don’t get it 🙂
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Similar story jenny!! I picked arsenal because pat jennings goal keeping strip was similar to mine, I didn’t really know all keepers wore green long sleeves most if the time. It wasn’t until pay tv I’ve really come to appreciate the club completely. My biggest dissapointment was waking up at 3am, only to fnd the game called off for snow. Oh, that and the birmingham game that shall not be named!
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Yes those time differences are a pain when youre struggling to stay up!
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Great history, Jenny! Here in Brazil, the time difference make difficult to me to watch Arsenal games
But, this season is ours! COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
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Thank you! I have a good feeling about this season too 😀
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Props from a North London Gooner. We’re all Arsenal no matter where we are in the world.
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Thank you 😀
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my life is my room my room is my Arsenal
when Arsenal losing a game itz not pain its iam lost smthg love arsenal i dnt know hw much
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