The first Premier League game I watched was between Arsenal and Manchester United. At that time, I didn’t know much about football. Actually, I saw this match by chance. One of my friends, who knew a lot about football at the time, invited me to his parents’ house and found him watching the game. That day, he was wearing a Manchester United shirt. Since he wasn’t a football fan at the time, he didn’t support any of the teams and didn’t even wear a jersey in order to pretend. Actually, he had no idea where he could buy a soccer jersey.

Once the game started I really enjoyed it because it was on a big screen unlike the norm at home where we watched TV on a small TV. Also, the TV at my friend’s house was a flat screen. It was a new world for me.

As the game progressed, I began to dislike Manchester United’s style of play. The players seemed very tough and I was a very reserved high school student. Among the Arsenal players I noticed being mistreated were Vieira, Reyes and Henry. I remember that Manchester United won the match, which made my friend very happy. For me, the win only aggravated my hatred of Manchester and planted a seed of love for Arsenal.
A couple of years later, I joined the university. This is where I learned everything I know about soccer. The seed that was planted during the game I watched at my friend’s house grew to maturity during this time.

I also learned that the first game I watched was the one that ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten streak. Also, this story was made in the 2004/05 season when Arsenal won the first division. Unfortunately, the last one they won until today. Since then they have won two FA Cups in 2005 and 2014, and a Community Shield in 2014. Despite inconsistent performance or consistent underperformance, I still love this team.

My love can be attributed to the team’s style of play. The passing of the ball just impresses me. However, scores don’t always impress me. For example, the 8-2 thrashing of Manchester United, the 6-3 humiliation of Manchester City, the 5-0 victory of Liverpool and the 6-0 destruction of Chelsea.

Despite these low moments, the Arsenal football club has its high moments. For example, defeating Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan with relatively young players compared to their opponents.

As Arsene Wenger nears the end of his managerial career at Arsenal, we expect the incoming manager to bring something new unlike Moyes at Manchester United.