Felipe’s Corner: An Emotional Night at The Britannia

By Felipe Hassin Pinto a.k.a The Man from the Grove

I have to confess I do not know where to begin my column today. I am extremely emotional tonight.

I have mixed feelings about the game. At the same time that I am delighted with such inspiring victory, I am still devastated by what happened to our very own Rambo. The images are still fresh in my head. Though I was not in a privileged position to see his visibly broken leg, I did see the shocked, desperate expression from our lads. From the stands it looked clear to me and to my fellow traveler Gooners that Aaron was seriously injured. It was painful watching him being carried away from the pitch, while Vermaelen and Cesc had both of their hands on their heads, as if they were not believing what their eyes had just seen.

 After that I was so gutted that I was no longer focused on the game. I, too, had both my hands on my head. I had tears in my eyes as the game was still 1-1. I had no stomach for the game anymore. My mind flashed back to Eduardo crying at Birmingham a couple of years ago. My head also reminded me of Arsenal suffering, during that season, after what happened. That was a turning point and I feared for our season; I feared for the future of our boys.

These things happen only with us. It is incredible. It is unacceptable. When we say they kick us, is because they DO kick us. Yes, you can say we are kids, but we do not moan. What is more, we have a gentleman as our manager, someone who is not like those ones who come up with cheap excuses. Can you imagine what the other managers would have said if that had happened to them for the third time?

Shawcross left the pitch in tears and as far as I know, some people around Britain were touched by his reaction, but despite it not being intentional, his tackle must not be forgiven. Instead of picturing Ryan crying, understand that he will be back as soon as he is done with his suspension. Ramsey, on the other hand, could return only next year; even then, who knows? There is no earthly way of forgiving tackles like that and crying after doing something nasty and horrendous does not lift your blame. And that is why jails are full of people all around the world.

Aaron Ramsey is a 19-year-old lad, for God’s sake. Careers can be ruined for much less.

We had already conceded a cheap, cheap goal that came, once again, from a throw in taken by Delap. Once again. Arsѐne Wenger spent the week saying how hard we were training in order to avoid those rockets, and still, we once again ended up giving them away a goal. An early goal. Delap threw the ball inside our box. Shawcross took the ball goal wards with his head before Pugh netted the opener. We also had found the equaliser thanks to a marvelous well-timed cross from Fabregas that met Bendtner’s head.

After that, it was all about Arsenal. We were dominating the game and we never deserved victory as we deserved it today. Not just because of what happened to Aaron, but given the hungry way we were playing. When the injury happened, however, it was inevitable to notice that the pace of the game fell; because even in the stands there were people crying and completely devastated. And watching the boys fighting back the way they did was very, very emotional. When I was unable to think properly, I saw a very mature and motivated Arsenal, which fired me up, completely.

As the images began to leave my head, I stood up and re-started singing along with the other guys. The chant was very emotional and yet very inspiring; from the stands echoed ‘There’s only one Aaron Ramsey’. And despite being almost blind at the moment thanks to the tears in my eyes, I saw a handball inside Stoke’s box. My heart started to beat faster and faster as Captain Cesc prepared to take the kick. And when the ball was netted, I went crazy. The whole team approached us and Fabregas clearly dedicated the goal to Ramsey, which was very, very inspirational, especially coming from our captain. And when things could not get any better, Rosicky’s shot was punched by Sorensen. Cesc’s quick feet tapped it to a completely unmarked Vermaelen, almost inside the goal, who rolled it to the back of the nets once again, making it 1-3.

One of the best overall Arsenal performances I have seen this season. Despite our slow start, the commitment of the lads even after the disturbing tackle on Ramsey was something from another world. But despite being pleased with our performance as a team, I must highlight the performance of Francesc Fabregas; A complete and proper captain performance. No crying, no huffing. Instead, he motivated the other players, brought them into the game yet again, had two assists, one goal, celebrated in front of the fans, dedicated his goal to Ramsey, got the Gunners in a huddle and silenced Tony Pulis after an in-the-heat-of-the-game tackle just before the final whistle. What else could have he done? He was complete. Brilliant. Legendary.

And as the train rapidly dashes toward London, I am starting to put everything behind me. If we play with the same motivation from now on we are unstoppable. All the big four teams are gone, Man United and Chelsea have been dropping points recently and that is why we should, yes, dream of the title. The difference between us and Chelsea was 9 points. Now it is 3, which means we are only one victory away from the top of the Barclays Premier League, even without Gallas, Diaby, Arshavin and van Persie.

We have a momentum. We have a hungry, hungry squad. We have the best Captain in England and now we have an even stronger reason for doing it.

Let’s win the title for Ramsey.

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