Archive for May 7th, 2006

Goodbye Highbury

711 comments May 7th, 2006

Yesterday morning I woke up, and suddenly thought “Tomorrow is the last game at Highbury”. Now, tomorrow is today. Today is the last game at Highbury.

It’s hard to believe. Because of the haphazard way in which I recieve Arsenal tickets, after every game this season I’ve repeated the mantra: “This could be my last game here”. But there’s no “could” about this one. This is most definitely it.

And it’s fitting that the game is one of real importance. Beating Wigan, and Tottenham failing to win at West Ham, would mean we pinch fourth spot by the skin of our proverbial teeth. A real incentive to make this most special of days that bit more significant.

But there are so many stories, and sub-plots. It’s Wigan’s first ever league game here, for one. What an honour for their travelling fans. Today is also the day we bid the fondest of farewells to the now legendary Dennis Bergkamp. To think that the number 10 shirt will be free next season is almost as disconcerting as the upcoming demolition of Highbury.

And will we see Theo Walcott tread the Higbury turf for the one-and-only time? The £12m teenager missed both the Sunderland and City games with a minor injury but is potentially fit today. Wenger insisted he would see action before the end of the season: will there by a symbolic substitution for Thierry today?

Not if we’re trailing and need to win, I suppose. But it is a funny old day. It’s a massive game, but the occasion seems bigger than that. Things like Bergkamp’s last game might just overshadow the neccessity of victory. Let’s hope that the players’ don’t take their eyes off the ball – if this is going to be a sad day, let it just be for the end of Highbury, not any sort of results-related disaster.

Below is my favourite picture taken at Highbury. It was from Arsenal-Fulham, this season. I don’t know if I can pick out favourite moments, though. It’s all been great, every game, and every goal. I hope Thierry scores tomorrow – he’s created so many special memories there for us fans. And I desperately hope it isn’t the last time he plays in the Premiership. He’s been named Premiership Player of the Year, to add to his Football Writer’s award, and he deserves to pick up these awards year in year out. We really need him to stay.

But tomorrow isn’t about indidividuals. It’s about saying goodbye to a beautiful old stadium. All of us who can get there, savour every moment. And those who can’t, try and watch it on TV. You don’t have to have visited Highbury to love Highbury.

Come on Arsenal.


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