The hockey fan in me is devastated by the NHL owners’ lockout of the players and the looming cancellation of some if not all of the 2012-13 season. Rumor has it that the owners are in no hurry to negotiate until the national television contract is due to start in January.
But, at least for now, the football (i.e. soccer) fan in me is happy. Because Arsenal has found its scoring touch. They’re unbeaten in four games, having tied their first two without scoring (or yielding a goal), then winning the third 2-0 over Liverpool (with goals by newcomers Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla) and finally dismantling poor Southampton 6-1 yesterday. Goal of that game? This free kick by Podolski:
And, even better, this goal back in the States by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, now playing for the New York Red Bulls:
Henry’s still got a little of the old magic in his boot! [Click here for an account of the Red Bulls 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew.]
On Tuesday, Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign in Montpellier, which just happens to be the former club of the Arsenal newcomer who hasn’t yet scored, striker Olivier Giroud. Is it too much to hope for a storybook happy ending? Probably, but I’m hoping anyway.
