Puff of Magic !

A football purist that i am, Arsenal were an instant charm. Football played at its magnificent best, open attacking style, which can soar us to unknown levels of ecstasy or abyss. No grit or sweat, purely delight. Many would argue based on numbers that the Red Devils are superior, rather it does not matter cause i fail to acknowledge their collection. A stupendous year was 2004, when the Gunners went undefeated, a feat accomplished in football more than a century earlier. It earned them the title "Invincibles". It roused in me a rare pride cause beauty had defeated the beast. In football where brutality needs no beckoning, this team slays foes with elegance and grace.

Today afternoon as i followed a FA cup between Arsenal and a dangerous underdog Burnley, i was treated to moments of magnificence that has given me treasured moments to relish in peace during hard times. A young Vela, all but 17, whizzes past a few grown up men with the footwork of a ballet dancer and exquistely chips the ball over a rushing goalkeeper. So, momentous seemed the event that a joyous exhaustion settled into my mind. But, soon, i did not know that i was to be overwhelmed. Eduardo, a croatian striker, who almost lost his career due to a ankle injury that resulted from a careless tackle last year had started the game and seemed listless. A marvelous cross from the left flank, for a moment it seemed he had overrun the ball, but then from the back of his left ankle, a volley was unleashed to the back of the net that left all but him befuddled. The stadium was brightly lit by the brilliance of these men while the rest of London was shrouded by a heavy blanket of mist.