Arsenal 'overcelebrating' debate misses vital point after win over Liverpool
Emerging from Arsenal tube station there was briefly a faint drop of rain, a chill and a crispness. It felt like a good day for football, and more a good day for three points. "Got to win today," a middle-aged man tells his companion, who nods.
Arsenal knew that a win is what they'd have to get if they were to make this season's giddy tilt at the Premier League title last for longer than six months. Last season's lasted for nine, and while it didn't end in the manner that they wanted it to, they were nine of the finest months these fans had experienced in a generation. It had been a joyful journey.
And journeys are ultimately what all of us are in this for. You don't need to tell the Liverpool fans or the man stood in the Liverpool technical area, for now, all about those. Theirs is a journey which will end soon, but what incredible memories they've made along the way, although one of those wasn't here. This wasn't to be their day, it was all Arsenal's.
After a game strangely lacking in the quality that both of these sides usually possess in abundance - a fact summed up by the frankly bizarre nature of two of the goals - Arsenal's players and Mikel Arteta lapped up the applause. The Emirates turned into Popworld on a Saturday night, and Martin Odegaard was the ringleader with a photographer's camera around his neck.
"Just get down the tunnel!" said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. "You’ve won a big game, you’ve got the three points, you’re back in the title race, just get down the tunnel. I’m being serious, honestly." Over on beIN Sports Richard Keys was taking aim at the manager, saying: "I just wish he would have a little more class about him when Liverpool handed him their second goal. The third one, off he goes again, you've had two presents given to you."
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Everyone likes presents though, right? And Arsenal could be allowed to celebrate the receiving of those presents however they want.
Martin Odegaard celebrated with a photographers' camera (Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)The key point about the jubilation isn't that "they think they've won the league" though, or even that they've beaten the side who are currently top of that league.
Despite the victory it is still exceedingly unlikely that Arsenal will end their 20-year wait for a title this season. Liverpool still have the edge over them when everyone is available and there is a certain other team called Manchester City who will now go to Brentford grinning from ear to ear after this result.
No Arsenal won't finish above one or even both of those two sides, but that's not why they were all so giddy on the Emirates Stadium pitch and even giddier in the stands on Sunday. It's about the journey.
That gets to go on for a little longer, into West Ham away next Sunday, Burnley away the following weekend, a trip to Bramall Lane on a Monday night in early March and maybe even up to City away at the end of the month. Maybe longer.
The journey continues for an excitable manager, his excitable players and their excitable fanbase. It may possibly all just get a little bit too on top of them in the end, just as it did last season, but that bit hasn't arrived yet. Enjoy the journey while you can, because you'll miss it when it ends.
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