NICK FEINBERG: IT IS AN ARSENAL WORLD OUT THERE​

HELLO my good people, I trust all is well in sunny South Africa!

Bloody hell... I called a mate a couple of days before I left for the UK and asked him what the weather was like. He said: “Mild, but a bit chilly”.

For f**k’s sake, I’m freezing my b******s off, it’s ice cold. Anyway, it’s always interesting getting back to hear the “word on the street”.

What are Londoners chatting about, who are they backing and where is the banter at?

Firstly, I have to say it, because I’ve been out and about chatting to a lot of people, it just seems like every other person supports Arsenal. What’s happened? There was always a good split. Even in my neck of the woods (North West), there was Spurs and Chelsea, but no, now it’s “Gooner” world. There can only be two reasons.

One, the club has done an amazing marketing job over the past few years and built a really strong (young) fanbase, OR it’s just a bunch of the same old plastic fans who have joined in and are vocal because the club is doing so well. Could be a bit of both.

Either way, I don’t know about you, but when someone responds “Arsenal” when asked who they support, in my mind I’m just thinking “for f**k’s sake”.  Yes, I’m a biased supporter (we all are right?). I just can’t begin to imagine that they’re going to win the Premier League title.

The most entitled, self-righteous, moany, fickle fans in England… Oh yes, they’ve truly earned that and everyone here agrees.

I think it’s generally got to do with Mikel Arteta (who I think has done a great job). His antics and attitude, coupled with the irritating legions of middle-class kids who, during a conversation that they think is banter, are actually little know-it-all twits who want Arteta out unless they win their “deserved” title.

Okay, away from my s**t and of course another talking point is the Manchester United turnaround! Well, a bit of a dampener on Saturday as Nottingham Forest traded punches and earned a point, but there is a new-found enjoyment for United fans, actually watching games and believing in Ruben Amorim. It’s incredible how a few weeks can change everything!

I must say, though, I did laugh last week when (I won’t mention names) a couple of prominent United fans called me repeatedly.  

They were like: “Hi Nick, how you doing?”

“Alright mate, how are you?” “I’m in the top four, yeah good”. Haha, how the mighty have fallen.

Imagine getting excited before Christmas about a momentary fourth-place position… Shame man, these United m***s have really been through it!

Conversely, Liverpool fans are just silent, stunned and cannot believe that it’s gone from a league title win plus £400 million (R9.1 billion) spent, to “hold on a minute, I think I really support Arsenal”.

Amazingly, I’m not going to any football while I’m here in the UK, but there are some interesting games this weekend.

After losing at home to Chelsea, Spurs will be up for United, while Amorim will be pushing for an immediate reaction after dropping points against Forest. And of course there is Manchester City against Liverpool on Sunday!

Chat next week.

Bye, bye.