After yet another troubled start to the Season, where the Gunners lost to newly-promoted Brentford, many fans are publicly questioning their support for the club including their mental health
A Nigerian woman, Faithfulness Itohan Albert, has published a handwritten 391-word break-up letter to Arsenal following their disastrous start to the Season in order to protect her mental health.
On Friday, the Gunners lost 2-0 at Brentford as the 2021-22 English Premier League season kicked off.
When mental health has hit the headlines, continuing to support a football club that is not doing well could be detrimental to the mind, according to her.
Ms. Albert,23, who runs a lifestyle podcast Sip Wine & Spill Tea chronicled her journey with the team, from a casual to a fan.
“Most Arsenal fans would tell you they started supporting “this once great club” because of Thierry Henry. My case was different, I started supporting Arenal because they legit had fine men as players. The likes of Theo Walcott, Eduardo, Carlos Vela. I mean who wouldn’t drool watching them play?, “she wrote in her letter on Twitter.
“As time went on, I understood the sport, the club and I fell in love…hard. I was deep in love. It was no longer about how fine the players were but how good the football was.
“We had our good days, bad days, unlucky days. But in all these we showed character. Years later and I don’t feel the same way anymore, gosh. “
She described the club’s waning ambitions as a cause for concern. Arsenal finished in 8th spot last season and missed out on qualifying for continental football.
“As time went on, we continued to depreciate and accept mediocrity. We have gone from title contenders to top 4 contenders, to top 6 contenders and now top 8 contenders.
“We have lost so many of our amazing players only to replace them with — (don’t let me complete that statement).
“Season after Season we keep ranting about the same thing over and over again, “Albert wrote.
She described watching Arsenal lose the 2019 Europa League final 4-1 to Chelsea in Baku as a moment of self-doubt, as she felt responsible for the team’s woes.
“I actually asked God that night if my own personal sins were hindering the growth of this club,” she wrote.
“I WAS WRONG.
“This club doesn’t even know that I exist.
The end of an era. Goodbye @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/RDiNzSITWK
— Faithfulness Itohan Albert (@iamfaithfulness) August 14, 2021
“What this cub has done to the emotions of their beloved fans is unacceptable. We deserve better. I am at a stage where I can’t even remember the good times. I don’t even want to go into specific details of how I feel.”
Albert said she would no longer support the club because she does not believe that the management is doing enough to make a positive change in the club after Friday’s embarrassing defeat at Brentford.
“So before this relationship gets any more toxic than it is, I QUIT,” wrote Ms. Albert.
Arsenal will face Chelsea at the Emirates next weekend with captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and French striker Alexandre Lacazette in doubt.
Both veterans missed the game against Brentford due to illness but may also be on the way out as the club is reportedly looking to receive offers for their services.
We all feel the same way sister. But this strong emotion called “hope” keeps my love for my beloved club going. I keep praying and wishing and hoping that somehow, someone will do something to bring our team back to glory days
I won’t give up
very disheartening,my sister, it’s difficult with everyone, the club is in wrong hands, making hope elusive.
I don’t trust no process. #ArtetaOut