Emirates Is Where Arsenal Play!

The gud’ol friendlies are here again and how we hate them! Swords are out, like before, as to what after all is the best way to go about them. Purists don’t like want a Season being stopped mid-way to play some arbit game which bears no repercussion on the general being of things. Money-mongers argue otherwise and want them to continue for the financial gains they levy. Top managers want them rescheduled just before the Season begins or just after a Season bids adieu to ensure they don’t result in player injuries and fatigue. And some just don’t give a damn and prefer waiting for the next league game to kick-off! To each his own, we at 11Gunners try and demystify the same for you..

Yes : Some people don’t see a point behind them after all. We have World Cup’s, Euro’s, Conferdration’s Cup, Copa Libertadores, and so many other qualifying games as it is. International Friendlies serve no purpose but help players get injured and hamper any momentum a Club team begins to mount in their domestic league’s, by breaking the mould.

No : A school of thought wants them to stay. More than the ‘football’ played for reasons off the field. They economically very viable, specially if scheduled overseas. People throng to watch Big teams compete against minnowes or otherwise. Some argue, it helps smaller teams make their mark et al. Also helps promote the game in some arbit way!

Reschedule Them : Now this is most fruitful of thoughts. Not only putting them off to the end of every season or at the very start, help avoid injuries to major players during a domestic campaign, but will also allow players to concentrate fully on them and not just ghost turn-up’ to make some quick bucks. Having them at start of every season will serve the dual purpose of helping players find some stride for the ‘main serving’ ahead. And the constant ‘Club vs Country’ row will also be subdued by some notches as a result of the same!

Who Cares : Again, most would agree. A week of International Friendlies, helps people take some time off and get normal for a bit! You can’t watch football every three days, can you? Well you can actually! Jokes apart, the bottomline here is that for many they serve as a break of sorts and helps them re-configure and recharge their batteries to root for their respective clubs once they are through.

To each his own, indeed! We feel option 3 i.e. ‘Reschedule Them’ is the way to go. Fifa/ Uefa, are you listening?

Ahh they never listen!!