As I obsess about Sunday’s match against Man City, the lyrics to the song, Don’t Bang the Drum by The Waterboys, popped into my head:
Well here we are in a special place
What are you gonna do here?
Now we stand in a special place
What will you do here?
What show of soul are we gonna get from you?
It could be deliverance, or history
Under these skies so blue
The narrator then expresses concern their subject will simply jump around, make a lot of noise, and bang the drum, like monkeys do. But he finishes by pleading, imploring, challenging them repeatedly, don’t bang the drum.
Sunday’s match against City is as big as they come. Despite numerous matches to follow, this one feels like it is for all the marble. The surrounding hype and hyperbole actually feels appropriate.
We need Arsenal to make a show of soul, give us deliverance, make history. Don’t bang the drum.
Regulars at Maggie’s know this match is particularly important to us, as we have to contend infrequently with a small contingent of Man City fans at the pub. They don’t often show up in large numbers, but rest assured they will be out in force for this one. The Patrick Dunphy memorial framed dollar bill hangs in the balance.
See you all at the pub!
Best,
Mark
Bay Area Gooners 