All We Need Is A Bit Of Luck

As the season draws to a close, each Arsenal fan, in his own way, is doing his bit to ensure that this amazing run by Arsenal does not get jinxed. Methods vary - to some, it means watching every Arsenal game wearing a particular T shirt (no matter how dirty it is), and to some like me, it means not talking up our title chances, even if it involves tipping Chelsea for the title. This irrational behaviour actually confirms one thing - every Arsenal fan realises that we are going to have to enjoy some luck to win it this year. Every team needs some luck, but for us, it's going to be doubly important.

One, because we are 3 points behind Chelsea (assuming they win the game in hand), and 2 behind United. It's not in our hands anymore, and we will depend upon those two to drop more points than us.

And two, because the pressure on the Gunners is much higher than anybody else. With no trophy won to show for all the efforts on and off the pitch in the last 5 years, the players and the manager are going to be increasingly nervous with every game. The media of course will do its bit in adding to the nerves. Also, this group of players does not have the experience of winning a major trophy, so the boys will have to handle severe stress with great maturity.

There may be times when things don't go well in a match (which, like every match now, would be a 'must win'). And our players might not find any answers under pressure. In such situations, besides our grit and ability, we might need some fortuitous moments to go ahead and win the game. Like the one at Hull where Myhill completely messed up with a perfectly innocuous shot from Denilson. Like when the ball fell to the feet of Sheringham and Solskjaer in the Champions League final in 1999. Like the 5 miraculous minutes in Istanbul when Liverpool won their first major trophy in 15 years. These moments were not down to luck alone, and that is not what I am suggesting. All I am saying is that there was luck involved, and without it we would not have seen Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool win those games.

Titles are not won only through good fortune. The truth is far from that. In fact, our quality will ensure that we do not require to be lucky in too many games. I just hope fortune favours us when we need it the most.

So guys, go ahead and be irrational. Do everything that your heart tells you to make sure we don't jinx it. And come the 9th of May, may we...