Highbury - home of football

Arsenal.com told me today that it is 17 years since Arsenal won the league after that dramatic game against Liverpool in 1989. I remember i was sitting together with some friends, watching the game on television. I didn`t expect anything of the game. Arsenal was out of form, and Liverpool was totally different. All odds against us. We had to score two goals at Anfield that night, in the last game of the season. And we had to deny Liverpool scoring. It was too much to dream of, i thought. And everything looked to go the way i expected. We had the lead until 90 minutes was played. That was not enough. Liverpools Ian Rush and John Barnes shake-hands and was celebrating, even before the referee had whistled off the game. And then, a long ball from the defense ended up in Michael Thomas feet. He scored! Celebrated wildley. And we won the league, that night on Anfield. It was remarkable!

I visited Highbury for my first time (picture above, me in the middle with that smile) that year, - and watching players like Adams and Rocastle was a big moment for me. After just three minutes into the game against Everton, Lee Dixon scored and the roof was lifted of celebration. It was special to be there. An incredible atmosphere. Each tackle was followed of shouting, and i really fall in love with english football. This happened 9 years after i decided to follow Arsenal as my team (1980/81).

This season (2005/06) was the last season at Highbury. The capasity was too small. We are moving some hundreds meters down the road to a new stadium, which is called Emirates stadium. The supporters do not like the name. Of course. There is nothing special with that name. But it gives money to the club for som years... I just hope that some part of the soul at Highbury has moved together with the club to this new stadium. You see - Highbury was the home of football...