Highbury - The Final Salute!!

Alas! The day has finally arrived for Arsenal to finally bid goodbye to this amazing, beloved and historic stadium – Highbury!

What remains that Highbury has not seen? All. Everything. Premiership Titles, The Invincibles, FA Cups, Carling Cups, Community Shields and what not. Extraordinary players, magnificent managers, wall-like defenders, one-of-their-kind strikers, thrilling encounters, sensational matches, phenomenal victories, breath taking goals, legends, unforgettable moments, ecstasy, joy, pride and glory. I know Champions league remains but that dream is not far away too from being a reality. It’s never been so near for us in the case of European conquest and in reality, in this fabulous journey of ours to the final in Paris, the major steps we took forward came at Highbury! The destruction of Real was completed here, Juventus were demolished 2-0 at Highbury and lastly, though, the yellow submarine sank in Spain but The Gunners torpedoed them at Highbury. Let’s mark the end of this spectacular and glorious era with a 9-0 victory against Wigan. Let’s depart from Highbury with style, elegance, goals, victory and perhaps with a fitting end; by qualifying for Europe.

It doesn’t matters whom we play today! Because whoever they maybe we HAVE To win this last game at Highbury. It will be interesting to see who all of the gunners will be able to play their part in today’s last game at the Highbury. Obviously everyone will want to but obviously not everyone will be able to. Cole is likely to be continued alongside Toure, Sol and Eboue while Reyes, Cesc, Pires and Gilberto should all start in this all important match. Sadly Flamini, Clichy & Senderos will miss it so shall the permanent absentees Lauren & Abou Diaby.

A lot is riding on this match apart from a must-win performance required to leave Highbury in style and on a winning note. With our champions’ league qualification hinged to the hopes that elsewhere in London, at Upton Park, West ham defeat or at least take 2 points from our fourth place rivals Spurs, equally important for us is a favorable result for us there as much as it is for us to win today. While West Hams’ victory will just kill spurs European aspirations even a draw there will see us win this race to fourth by virtue of our goal difference. We as fans can only hope!!

The players are bound to give their very best and give the fans a treat to watch. Henry is the man to watch out in this match. I have a feeling that he might even get a hat-trick. He is the captain. It’s the last match. We NEED a must win performance. We HAVE to qualify for Europe. All this sets the mood for Henry to just explode to his phenomenal best and sign off in a spectacular manner by leading the team to victory by his heroics in this momentous match for Arsenal football club.

Lots and lots could be written about the memories, joy and passion of everyone associated with this great stadium and Club and the sadness that the departure may ensue. But the bottom line is that we the fans, the players the Club will just miss it. Needless to say it will be an emotional game. Emotional for Wenger, the players, the fans and every Highbury faithful. A sensational victory coupled with qualification for Europe should just be the fitting and perfect achievements with which we can bid farewell to The Home Of Football!