Saturday 17th May: Arsenal win the FA Cup.
Saturday was a big day for PreLoved Paradise as the Arsenal- Hull City Match landed on the same day as our market stall in Portobello. We HASTILY packed up our stock and pretty much ran, (then anxiously waited on the tube with lots of other Arsenal supporters eager to get up to date with the action too) from West London to North to catch the second half. Alighting at Holloway Road I could feel the atmoshphere was tense as pub after pub packed to its brim, chanted and sang, with a faint element of despair which could only be a sign Arsenal weren't doing so well...
Parting the Red Sea within The Horatio pub, and gradually adjusting to the Sauna esqu sweaty atmosphere produced from the deadly combination of fear, anxiety, alcohol and desperation, I fixed my eyes on the screen and began to hope we would turn the game around.
It was incredibly tense, but we pulled through and left with the cup, finishing on 3-2. The fans were overjoyed and their release had clearly been storing up, patiently waiting for an outlet for 9 years. As soon as the Cup was lifted we all took to the streets for not only that much needed fresh air, but also to rejoice in our victory with other fans, strangers, passers by and anyone who we encountered on Holloway Road. Everyone involved in the celebrations becoame a family for one day. Arsenal had won, their supporters were on a high.
SIT DOWN if you hate Tottenham. SIT DOWN if you hate Tottenham
STAND UP if you hate Tottenham. STAND UP if you hate Tottenham.
'North London is ours today'
Even those who didn't support Arsenal were joining in the celebrations. Free High Fives to everyone who passes.