Club Vs Country

A simple question forms the base of today's blog: Club or Country?

I remember years ago that England games formed just as big a part of my life as Arsenal games. I would look forward to them and get involved in game build up etc but now I see international games as a game that interrupts proper football and would be pretty happy if they didn't happen at all.

I was asking myself when did this happen? When did I stop caring about the 3 lions? When did Arsenal become my nationality? Is it the same for all Gooners?

I've mentally broken it down and I think I stopped caring about internationals a couple of years after Wenger took over and I think the only reason I got involved before then was because England consisted of players such as Seaman, Adams, Dixon, Winterburn, Bould, Parlour and Ian Wright. So then I asked myself have I ever really supported England or just the Arsenal players playing for England? It is certain that my only interest in Tuesday's game is Jack Wilshere and  my interest in the World Cup dropped massively as soon as Walcott got dropped.

Is it my detest for players like John Terry and Wayne Rooney as people that drive me away from my national team? I spend every other week cheering when players from Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool or City fluff their lines, make a mistake and drop points that I find it difficult to change my attitude for just a few games a year. I will punch the air in delight when John Terry gets sent off, Lampard or Gerrard miss a penalty or Rooney misses the open goal from 4 yards and I have to admit I will enjoy those moments whether the player wears their club shirt or the 3 lions of England.

If you're not sure whether you are more loyal to club or country then ask yourself this question, would you have preferred Arsenal win the Premiership last year or England win the world Cup? You said Premiership didn't you?! Me too. Now ask if you would prefer the FA Cup or the World Cup? FA Cup? yep, me too. Now the real test World Cup or Carling Cup?

Considering that most fans would now choose club over country the question has to be raised, where do the players loyalties lie? But that's a whole new blog.

For now I'll wait for the international break to end, hope that no Arsenal players get themselves injured, and look forward to proper football starting again next weekend. Maybe one day I'll start to care about the England team again but probably not until Arsenal's young stars come through in a few years time and we again fill half of the England team.

Where do you stand? Simple question, club or country?

Till next time,
Goonerfish.

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