[su_dropcap style=”flat” size=”4″]F[/su_dropcap]rom sending our best wishes to Tony Adams and Charlie George to Hector speaking out about removing the stigma behind mental health issues, Arsenal news has been pretty scarce and it’s pretty cold waiting out the interlull: cue Calgary’s weather pole dancing on -4C to -7C. Brrrr.
[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#e10115″ link_color=”#d00607″ size=”2″]
Gunners from around the world have sent Mr Arsenal a.k.a Tony Adams the best of wishes on his birthday, today.
Tony Adams defined much of the Arsenal defence during the Invincibles era. The tough-tackling English man wasn’t afraid to give defensive orders to the team, neither did he baulk at the ferocious monsters doing Sir Alex Ferguson’s bidding at Old Trafford. Check part 1.25 of this video. I kid you not, watch the entire video.
Mr Arsenal played through three decades at the club and won trophies during this time. He was also captain twice over – before and after fighting his addiction – and is known to be ever grateful to Arsene Wenger for playing an important role in his success as an Arsenal player.
In his recent interview with Arsenal’s Max Jones, he said:
“Then I got to know myself a little bit and my six years under Arsène helped me do that more than ever. I learned that some people needed to be treated differently. Not everybody wants to be hit over the head with a stick, some need a carrot…”
“…At that point, I had so much respect from everybody, and my own colonels and police to look after the squad and the environment on a daily basis. It was about passing those values of the club to the next generation.”
Twenty-two years, 669 appearances and 10 major trophies. Tony Adams is an undisputed Arsenal legend.
Another Arsenal legend – Charlie George – turned 68 today. 
It’s a bit of a wonder that the Arsenal news section of the club’s website forgot to put it up. Anyway, for Charlie, playing for the mighty Arsenal was the stuff of dreams as he was a local Islington boy himself and was Arsenal through and through.
George Male – one of Arsenal’s best players in the 1930’s – scouted him and made him the last signing of the then manager, Billy Wright. Scoring one of the most memorable goals in Arsenal’s history at the FA Cup Final in 1971 against the Scousers (Liverpool), Charlie represents the saying – “Time and chance happeneth to them all.” Happy Birthday, Charlie boy! 
Now, leaving the old school to the new.
[Tweet “Today’s #WorldMentalHealth Day, and Hector Bellerin speaks truth to the masses.”]
I guess it’s a man-thing not to talk about the internal issues you’re having or let me phrase it this way: The society sees you as less of a man when you ask for help, especially when it’s mental help.
Society demands that you follow these rules as a man:
Society should loosen up and stop demanding unrealistic/harmful expectations from men and women. It’s okay for women to have leg hair and it’s okay for men to speak about their mental fragility. And peace to the world.
Watch Bellerin speaking on mental issues for #WorldMentalHealthDay on Arsenal.com