So I was listening to an Arsenal podcast and one of the things they discussed was the No 9 jersey with Arsenal. Now I love a good urban legend and Arsenal have quite a few. There was one going on at the time that the Emirates was built on native Indian land…or some cursed land like that and that was why Arsenal weren’t winning trophies.
Now looking at it of course it’s ridiculous but tell me a small part of you wasn’t scared, especially after seasons like the 2008/2009 season and the 2010/2011 when we were so close but lost out on everything at the end. I’m from a very religious country and while I don’t believe in frivolous curses, I found that one intriguing.
There have always been weird incidences like how Benfica have been unable to win anything in Europe even after reaching final after final.
Ah well, we’re talking Arsenal today and one of the more interesting ones is the curse of the no 9 jersey. The number 9 jersey is usually a symbol, a symbol that signifies a powerful striker.
There have been many great ones, like Ronaldo (the real one), Batistuta and Inzaghi. These were names that struck fear in the hearts of opposition defenders and inspired confidence in team mates. But at Arsenal, the no 9 jersey is…well…dodgy.
Think of our modern greats, they weren’t no 9s. Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, ***(you know who), Ian Wright etc. So the no 9 seems to have a different significance for Arsenal.
We have had Francis Jeffers, Reyes, Eduardo (
), Baptista, Park and most recently Lukas Podolski wear the number and none of them have performed. I think the last number 9 we had that was good was Anelka and he left rather quickly.
Now situations like this give me pause cos here’s the thing:
The No 9 jersey is free again.
Yes readers, with the exit of Podolski the cursed number is once again available and waiting for its next victim. Shut your window, hide under your beds, lock all the doors, jersey number 9 is coming to town.
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Kidding aside though, you wonder who takes it this time. I don’t think most of our current players will go for it but what if we get that ‘absolute beast’ of a striker we’re all asking for and he’s plopped with the number 9 jersey, what happens then?
Japan sees the number 9 as unlucky anyway, so maybe that has something to do with this (admittedly this would have been more intriguing if Inamoto had worn the number 9 jersey and left just as the curse began or something, just imagine how that would have been like).
Anyhoo. Whoever inherits the shirt has my condolences and I wish them all the best. On the other hand, curses are made to be broken no? So who knows, if Arsene got an absolute beast striker maybe their awesomeness will be too much for the curse to handle and it would have to break or something (psst Aguero).
Other than that, I don’t think there’s much happening. I wonder if the curse holds sway when/if the jersey is worn by a defender, so maybe we could make Gabriel our next no 9.
If Arsene could do it with Gallas (oh Lord!) then it’s hardly without precedent. So…you know.
Or maybe it should just be retired.
Till later
