One of our readers, Segun Ajulo, wrote from Lagos to correct my mistake when I said Messi scored the goal against Nigeria. In fact, Angel Di Maria scored it.
So I emailed back to thank Segun. And I asked him how big Arsenal were over there.
This is his reply :
The support is massive. Any local match that clashes with the time Arsenal plays will flop, the stadium will almost be empty. Arsenal plays and Lagos is at standstill. Our football authorities are working out ways to keep local games from taking place the same time Arsenal plays.
Today I’d like to take a moment to thank all the people who have written in.
I’d like to thank those who correct my mistakes. And I’d like to thank those who say I plug my book too much. I’d also like to thank those who say they’ve read my book, and enjoyed it. And I’d even like to thank readers who write to tell me I’m being slagged off on blogs that I never read. Hey, I’m not Thierry Henry. I don’t read every line written about me. In fact, I don’t read anything written about me.But friends tell me certain things from time to time.
Also, and I’m being seriously sincere here, I’d like to thank all the people who read ANR and DON’T write to me.
You are the people who read this stuff and say : I didn’t know that / I agree with that / I don’t agree with that.
And then you go on to read something else. You don’t get offended, you don’t get uptight, you react casually to something that is often written casually. I’m grateful to the silent majority,
For me, football isn’t life. It’s a game and it’s fun, or can be, and it’s a business that operates globally and entertains billions of people on five continents. But it’s not the only sport and it’s not the only thing people are obsessive about.
I know who I’m writing for. However, the last 10 years has taught me that many random people read my stuff, do not realise my background, and will never understand where I’m coming from. I accept that. There’s nothing I can do about it. My days go by very quickly, whether Arsenal are playing or not. I’ll never catch up with all the things I’m trying to do. Blackburn v Arsenal will arrive in the blink of an eye, as far as I’m concerned. I’m zipping through the days with lightning speed (Rocks Off, Rolling Stones).
I’m trying to say : 10 days without an Arsenal game is not hell for Myles Palmer. And I don’t think it’s hell for fans in Lagos either.