We are the Arsenal

Yesterday, as Theo Walcott scored a goal with his left foot (which will never be better than his right one), he made a choice to simply turn and walk away from the scene. No celebration. It was his first goal of the season and he's been a bit on the outs so far. I thought that a bit odd but then again I can never quite tell what the young man is thinking so that's all well enough.

But then after the match, I saw it--Theo and the Ox made a point to go salute the visiting support, the supporters who had saluted them in their younger days.

Two young players who had grown up at the Southampton Academy took the time to go thank their old fans, to say "We remember you."

That is the Arsenal way, my friends. That is why we are the greatest club on earth and always will be.

People hate us because of the way we conduct ourselves. They make sport of "the marble halls" and all that. I understand. But that is who we are, and that is why we are who we are. We are the Arsenal. Victoria Concordia Crescit.

It is why we do not tap up players. It is why we conduct our business privately until it is done. It is why we are respectful. There is a word that people use to describe the Spuds that I've never used and will never use, and I know that all my friends do not use. I know some people do use that word, but I do not know any person among my circle of friends who use it.

It is why, when Birmingham City defeated us in the Carling Cup, at my pub in New Orleans, our supporters, every one of them, took note of an old geezer in a City shirt who broke down in tears and said, "I've never seen my club win a trophy, ever!" and congratulated him and bought him pints and patted him on the back. It's because we are the Arsenal, and that is the Arsenal way.

It is why, in the "Up for grabs now" match, the Arsenal players all brought out flowers and presented them to the Liverpool fans before the match. I was reminded of this because of the Hillsborough report--thinking about that match, why it happened when it did, and how our players, our club, conducted themselves. It is because we are the Arsenal, and that is the Arsenal way.

I love this club more than anything in the world and much of the reason is because Arsenal are a different club. Compare the way we, and our players, and our management conduct ourselves to cretins like John Terry or Luis Suarez or the nonsense from Kenny Dalglish last season, or the behaviour of Mark Hughes or Alan Pardew.

We are the Arsenal, and this is the Arsenal way. And those of you who don't like it--well, I pity you. Perhaps someday you'll learn the meaning of the word "class."