What Would Defeat Mean For Arsenal?

When the fixtures come out in June, Arsenal fans immediately look to one of two fixtures, Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur (Don’t kid yourself Chelsea, you’re nowhere near). I personally look to the North London derby with dread.

Despite Arsenal only having lost once to Sp*rs in the Wenger era, the tension of this match, for me, becomes unbearable. The Tottenham fans would have you believe the reason for my nerves is due to the team from over the Seven Sisters closing the gap on our good selves and a defeat would only serve to prove this, I say ‘Balls’.

After recently reading an article on the Online Gooner, I found myself nodding in agreement with the comments of Arsenal legend Charlie George when he made the claim that he prays Arsenal don’t lose on Saturday, not because of points but because if Spurs somehow manage a victory they will go on about it like they have won the European cup.

In my honest, frank & well respected opinion, the Spurs squad doesn’t hold a candle anywhere near the current Arsenal side, and with the exception of the forward line (only due to Eduardo’s lack of PL experience) the Gunners boss every single position.

But does that mean we can’t lose?

Of course not.

Arsenal’s current crop of players is fantastic, the financial status gets better every week, we have the best manager in the world, and we will only improve from here on in. But on derby days, all that goes out of the window.

I like to think of myself as a realist, and it’s more than possible tomorrow that we don’t turn up and actually lose to Tottenham for the first time in eight thousand matches, of course it is, but what would a defeat mean?

Would it prove that the Spurs fans theories that they are catching up, and soon to over take us?

Not on your nelly.

If the Tiny Totts do somehow squeeze out a win at the Lane at lunch time tomorrow, all it will indicate is that Spurs were the better team on the day.

Arsenal have suffered some horrendous defeats over the past few seasons at the hands of such teams as Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion etc etc, and did this prove their superiority? Their current non Premiership status can easily answer that question.

So will I be worried if we lose at WHL tomorrow? No. Will I be gutted? Like a big fat fish ready to go on an Australian barbeque.

Roll on Sunday.