For the past 11days it’s been hard to process the enormity of what we’ve achieved.
I’ll never forget the celebrations that first night – the streets where I took the bus to school or walked the dog, painted with unbidden Arsenal joy. But I often found myself feeling a little detached as well. Is this really happening? Is this what winning is?
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When that red banner with white text appeared across the Sky Sports broadcast of the Bournemouth v Manchester City game announcing Arsenal as champions, many remarked that it felt like Fifa.
Add to that the strangeness of Martin Odegaard actually lifting the trophy over his head at Selhurst Park on Sunday – though perhaps that was just because David Raya was dressed head to toe in the Arsenal home kit.
There are subtle differences, though. The past week, which happened to be the week before a Champions League final, has been completely nerveless.
What would I have felt if they’d played on a little longer at Vitality Stadium and Manchester City had found something late, like they did against Everton? Would the final day have played out in the same way? Almost certainly not.
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For Arsenal, so much of this season has been spent battening down the hatches, both in a football sense and as fans. We’ve had so much to weather. Perhaps that’s why people are enjoying singing The Angel so much at the moment (not me, but I support everyone in doing so). I heard a surprisingly tuneful rendition by Lee Dixon on the radio where he chirped out “whatever the weathaaaa”.
I feel like I’ve sleepwalked to Budapest and a glamorous date with the most prestigious European prize.
Should I feel more nervous? Probably. But, suddenly, trophies – in particular this most elusive accolade – have been transformed into something to gain rather than something we might lose.
We should let the enormity of this occasion breathe, too. History isn’t usually kind to newbies in the competition, but we have a 50/50 shot at our best season ever. Process that.
Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast
