So over the weekend something amazing happened, the “Drought” clock has been reset.

ARSENAL WON THE F.A. CUP!!!

It was a long time since Arsenal won silverware, something in the region of 3283 days.

8 years of getting close but faltering,

8 years of players leaving for the sake of “ambition”

8 years of hopes being raised and crushed as Arsenal fans witnessed 3 years ago in the Carling Cup.

We all knew that we just needed them to win their first cup, to add that first piece of silverware to the cabinet of our glorious new stadium to get the ball rolling again, to get these players to feel that which winners feel as they lift the trophy and dance through the city in a parade of joy with the fans. Now that they’ve got a taste of it, I’m sure they’ll be hungry for much much more.

The celebrations were something very new to me, i’ve been a proper supporter since 2006, there first final i watched was the heart wrenching champion league one in 2006, and so i’ve never watched my team lift a trophy and bask in the glory of victory, and it felt wonderful, a little alien, but wonderful.

My reaction right after.

“My first time watching my team lift a major trophy. This is an amazing feeling. Quite poetic that the last trophy we won was the FA cup and only to end the drought with the FA Cup. 
Words cannot fully express this moment. The match was insane, 2-0 down in 8 minutes to win it 3-2. The FA Cupis truly a mad affair. 
So glad to have watched this man end his trophy drought and vindicate himself. 
So happy to watch this team gel and proof themselves. 
Just so happy. 
So. Very. Happy.”

So many reason why this season had to be the one;

the snide remark from Jose,

the fact that Wenger became the longest serving manager at a club after our dear Fergie departed the scene;

the only season we didn’t lose a key squad member and in fact added to it,

a season that finally saw the return on investment on the Emirates Stadium with a substantial increase in sponsorship revenue, hence a stronger and self-sustainable financial position.

The fact that it was Sagna’s last year on contract, Arsenal’s most loyal player in a while and he off all people deserved it.

So many reasons, and it did in fact happen.

And most of all, Gone are the “new empty dusty trophy cabinet jokes”.

Now that pressure will lie elsewhere, i think it’s now on Liverpool if i’m not mistaken, think their last major trophy was also the FA Cup but in 2006, actually i think i’m mistaken. I think they won the League Cup in 2012. Hmm, so now that Arsenal’s 8 year drought is over, what will not constitute a trophy drought?

Will it now be anything more than 2-3 years?

That however is an issue for another time, I’m just relishing the fact that Chelsea’s “Special One” won absolutely nothing this season, a season in which many, many Blues fans were claiming was going to be his glorious return. Oh how great it would be if Eto’o come over to Arsenal, just to stick to Jose even more, but in any case I’m a happy camper.

Arsenal won the FA Cup.

Wenger has been vindicated, (though not a reason to relax now)

The Gunners now know what it’s like to be winners,

And,

London is Red.

Keep Moving Forward

-Arkay-

Dad sent me this an hour ago.

It’s been a tough few days mentally. Fighting demons that never quit.

Doubts,
Worries,
Fear of Failure.
Whenever I start feeling better I become my own worst enemy. I start expecting way more of myself, putting pressure when I should be focusing on majoring the formula that got me feeling better. Instead I pile on mental stress that leads to the doubts, worries & fear; the essential ingredients to the #DarkSide.
All because I start getting anxious at how far “behind” I am to other people my age; How far my health has detracted me from me peers.
It’s times like these that I just need to trigger the circuit breaker and reboot the system, focus on what’s at hand and not expect too much of myself in the short run, but to look to the long term, see what Iwant in 2-3 years and reflect that in my days leading to that.

I’ve really got to learn to stop rushing my progress, nothing good has ever come from me rushing.
#arkay2014 #arkaysthoughts #fibromyalgia #fibrolife

here’s hoping I Keep Moving Forward.

-Arkay-