https://arseblog.com/2025/01/you-ll-fall-in-love/ This week's column, on why and how we come to have favourite players and why Gabriel both embodies all that is good about this Arsenal team while also being unique 👇🔴⚪
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Great read Tim! Love big gabby. Has the power to transform a game either through a thumping header but can also do the same to invigorate the team and the crowd with how he celebrates a defensive clearance.
My current pick has to be Ø, but as a Norwegian I’m of course biased in that regard.
That's great Tim. I went from Peter Simpson to David O'Leary. Stylish centre backs I hoped to emulate. Saliba fits that mould, but the King of Brazil is right up there.
This reader in Birmingham, Alabama, USA can relate. Saka is on the back of my shirt… as was Ramsey before him. Gabriel has finally replaced Laurent Koscielny in my heart. He loves playing, therefore, I love him.
Great article Tim.
Vieira my fav player of that era, Pires close 2nd, totally dimmed Overmars' light.
Charlie Nicholas my 1st ever fav. Gritty, solid, moments of magic and a bit naughty!
And Rocky. Everyone loved Rocky.
Now? No idea!
I love this. It captures much of what I love about football. I was lucky enough to see Brady, but then we moved, and football wasn't on the telly; it was the back 5, but then Bergkamp, who brought me back. Silk and steel. Today, MØ10: silk and steel, & the fulcrum point of change to Arteta's team.
Well done Tim you made me feel fuzzy and warm inside 🥰 As a man of a similar age, my favourites were Groves (versatile and he tried!) and Limpar (that goal from the half way line!) - but you can’t believe what Rocky and Wrighty mean to me either. Great read as always buddy 👏
Good stuff. I, too, am 41 this year. Growing up seeing some fairly stodgy early-mid 90s Arsenal means you inevitably quite like gritty bastards. Difference is, Steve Bould didn't have the option of veneers and hair plugs.
We have a whole generation growing up with Saka as their favourite player; i can't remember that last time a half-time junior gunner prior to putting their goal past Gunnersaurus didn't say "SAKA!"
For me, Gilberto
But whoosh, Big G, he is up there. How can he not be
It’s funny, I use an Arctic Monkeys/Oasis analogy about football too. But mine is that Oasis were Ian Wright. At the time, I just thought they couldn’t be bettered. But then came along Arctic Monkeys/Thierry Henry and I was a bit “ah, ok, this is two levels of class above”. (Still love Wrighty)
Love this Tim! I find it hard to have a definitive favourite from the last 33 years but if I had to choose it would be Mr I Wright, closely followed by Mr T Henry with Tony and Dennis in equal third. Right now it’s our Starboy; he’s such a brilliant young man all round.
Comments
My current pick has to be Ø, but as a Norwegian I’m of course biased in that regard.
Vieira my fav player of that era, Pires close 2nd, totally dimmed Overmars' light.
Charlie Nicholas my 1st ever fav. Gritty, solid, moments of magic and a bit naughty!
And Rocky. Everyone loved Rocky.
Now? No idea!
but had no idea Turner signed for Palace until I saw him on the bench when we played them in the cup
We have a whole generation growing up with Saka as their favourite player; i can't remember that last time a half-time junior gunner prior to putting their goal past Gunnersaurus didn't say "SAKA!"
For me, Gilberto
But whoosh, Big G, he is up there. How can he not be