AFC: Disposables of a memorable season

Words: Hugo Greenhalgh

Images: Hugo Greenhalgh

When you try your best but you don’t succeed…

A near-perfect run to the finish line, and it still wasn’t quite good enough. Arsenal took it the final game of the season, but there was to be no last minute miracle, no ‘Aguero’ moment.

Watching the players put on a brave face for one last lap of the pitch, the only resolution was to channel frustration into pride.

The season before last, I’d bought a disposable camera for the final 10 games, hoping to capture something historic. It wasn’t to be, and the late capitulation from giddy heights left a feeling of unfinished business.

I wanted to shoot the new campaign from the start. Mikel Arteta has rejuvenated the whole club, and the players and supporters have made the Emirates a fun place to be again.

There was something that changed in the water over the summer. A new-found composure that had been lacking last year. Each player who had gone through heartbreak had stepped their game up, and with the addition of England’s most complete midfielder in Declan Rice, Arsenal exuded resilience.

©Hugo Greenhalgh/ Terrace Edition. Arsenal FC.

Early season home wins against United and City set a tone. This side were also digging out impressive away wins on the road, imbued with the birth of cult hero status for Kai Havertz, quickly serenaded to Shakira’s “Waka Waka” by the travelling Gooners.

Over the season, the club social media began posting photos with inspirational messages on them. One stood out. A photo of Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba - the heart of the best defence in the League - standing resolutely in the tunnel. The caption read, “Be Brave”.

This was boys to men stuff. Charging into a three-horse race, with City and Liverpool, Arsenal just had to keep winning - and by and large, we did. As Jurgen Klopp’s swan song petered out, three became two and all roads lead to a final day showdown.

A miracle would be needed - the sky blue juggernaut of Pep Guardiola’s Man City dropping points. But if there’s a chance, there’s always a chance.

The pre-match excitement was real. The giddiness and the goosebumps turned to nervous tension as kick-off neared. The Emirates has never felt so electric. Score apps are the transistor radios of old. With it all resting on City’s result against West Ham, there were as many eyes on screens as there were on the pitch.

The optimism lasted all of two minutes. Phil Foden’s goal in Manchester signalled the inevitable dread that it wasn’t going to happen. Rumours of a ghost equaliser were swiftly quelled, and we were even fluffing our lines by going behind to Everton. Mercifully, a late Havertz winner meant we had at least done all we could.

The stadium remained full to applaud the squad as they took to the pitch with friends and family after the final whistle. Arsenal had fallen short once again but this didn’t feel like a failure.

Speaking on the mic after the game, captain Martin Odegaard said, “We’ve changed the club and I think you all believe in us now.”

We still believe too, Martin. Now, let’s make it third time lucky.