The champions get the love they deserve

Morning.

A very quick one today from Budapest, from where I’m heading back to Dublin and straight into the Betty Ford Clinic for a few weeks. It’s been a time and a half, let me tell you.

I have to look at it all properly still, but I thought the scenes from the parade were incredible. The day after a painful loss in a final, and the streets of North London were filled with Arsenal fans who were there to celebrate a team that won the Premier League. Amazing stuff. Anyone being snide or condescending because of the result against PSG can stick it right up their holes. They don’t understand. Or they choose not to understand. Or they’re too stupid to understand. Either way they can stick it.

Ben White ‘singing’ to Piero Hincapie to get his bum out. Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka. Josh Kroenke wearing the Saliba/Gabriel meme t-shirt. The people who came from far and wide to be there, despite the fact the buses kinda went by and that was kinda that, because the numbers meant a static trophy lift wasn’t feasible. Much like last Tuesday this was a coming together of the Arsenal community. An event of togetherness and inclusivity rooted in the streets of London. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like the Tuesday thing before, or even yesterday in terms of sheer volume of numbers – probably because there really hasn’t been anything quite like it. What a club.

I saw pictures and videos from my Instagram, and while I’m not great with big crowds myself, you couldn’t help but have some fomo. Arsenal fans wanted to show their love and appreciation for the team and the manager and the club, and no amount of pain from Saturday’s game was going to stop them. As I said, I’ve gotta go through the videos and pics again today, which I can do when I get to the airport here, but it just looked wonderful and truly representative of the best of Arsenal fandom.

Which, by the way, I also think is something worth mentioning about Budapest. I would estimate we out-numbered the PSG fans 5-1 at a minimum. If North London is red, so too was the Hungarian capital for a few days, and I didn’t see any hassle. Even with the disappointment, the Arsenal fans represented themselves and the club with distinction. Many, like me, will travel home today sad that we couldn’t do what would have been an historic double, but proud of what we’ve done this season, and how we’ve done it.

I think the players deserved that reception. For one or two it might be the last time they have that connection with the fans, for others this season was a step towards further success and more trophies. It’s been long and gruelling but a first taste of silverware will just surely whet the appetite for more. It’s not done, as a Premier League winning midfielder said.

I feel a bit done though. Well done. So I’m gonna head back to Ireland now. A big hug to everyone I met out here, fans from all over the world, it’s been great and you made a special weekend even more so. To be able to come here, support this team, and spend time with my friends who I love is something I will always cherish. Even if one of them makes us go and drink cherry wine for a nightcap. I’m confident that’s the last time I’ll ever drink one of those.

Right, airport bound. With James’ transatlantic travel it’s gonna be tomorrow before we can do an Arsecast Extra so please bear with us. Let the dust settle a bit more, let the smoke from the flares blow away even more. Let the Empire State Building stay red and white just a touch longer.

Up the Arsenal!