Feature

Unrewarded

Stateside Gooner

By Chris Toronyi

Do you consider Gary Oldman to be a good actor? A great actor? Do you know he's never won an Oscar? Like never, never. For all that he has accomplished, never has the Academy awarded him a trophy  for his amazing work. It's really confusing – and sad – if you ask me.

Sometimes life isn't fair, or maybe even ill-timed to reap the rewards of your craft. I think the same can be said for our team over the last eight or nine years. We've been good enough at times to win the league, but unforeseen variables have crept into the equation. It could be injuries, investment into our competitors' bank accounts, or whatever. I really don't care specifically what the cause has been, it has just happened.

I guess the best way I can put this is that every year for eight-plus years is as if we've been nominated for an Oscar. We have a chance every year to win the league, the FA Cup and a smallish chance at winning the Champions League trophy. How many can say they have a chance year in and year out at winning a trophy – or an Oscar for that matter?

Not many. Not many at all.

We've had great seasons that didn't materialize into a trophy - similar to Gary whose performances in "Immortal Beloved", "The Professional" and "True Romance" were so disparate in skill, but didn't bring him an Oscar. But for me, these performances captured everything that I love about his craft - from the lost creative as Ludwig van Beethoven, to the hyper-raged cop in "The Professional" to the crazed drug lord in "True Romance." You really could not ask for better work. I don't think anyone could have delivered what he did.

I'm not making excuses, but I'm not saying we have failed. What I am saying is that Gary really didn't fail either. It's just the way things go in life. You think you have it all lined-up, you've nailed a scene, a movie and there are other forces behind the bushes that have a plan for you.

Some of those forces you think you have control over, but the reality is you don't. Planning and preparation only get you so far especially when you are competing. So is the other guy or girl. They want to win and show their craft just as much as you do. It happens and that's what the spirit of competition breeds.

There are losers and there are winners, but that doesn't make you a failure in your profession.

The season has been frustrating and depressing with hints of anger, but in the end what can we do? We can be positive. We can be grateful for what we have. We can be proud of the work we have given to the masses and supporters.

Gary no doubt wants an Oscar for all the time and effort he has put into his craft. Wenger no doubt wants a trophy for the Club, the supporters and himself.

You won't see me booing Gary at his next movie, but - and say this with hesitation - I can provide some commentary on his work after the movie has finished whether it is positive or negative.

And the same goes for the Club. There's no point in wasting negative energies when the team needs a push to get them over a mental hump.

So, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride. The game. The performance.

ArseAmerica Podcast returns this week to recap Everton and look ahead to the FA Cup clash with former Gunner Adrian Clarke, Tim from 7amKickoff and Tim of Arse2Mouse. Please know you can find the ArseAmerica Podcast at the website, via on iTunes and you can also grab the RSS Feed.  Thanks for listening. 

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'Stateside Gooner' Chris Toronyi is a longtime Arsenal supporter and the host of the ArseAmerica podcast. You can read more of Chris' thoughts on Twitter

The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect those of Arsenal Football Club or Arsenal Broadband Ltd.

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