Arsene’s Double Double: A Cool Cat In His Magic Hat – published by Legends
A poetic tribute by Dave Seager, illustrated by Poorly Drawn Arsenal
“The long-standing record equalled and surpassed, A modern Arsenal legend replaced one from the past”
An intriguing new addition to the Arsenal canon is the Dr Seuss style paean to the recent Doubles of 1998 and 2002. Written in rhyming couplets it is dichotomous: the first being the 1998 and second being the 2002 double.
It essentially, and very faithfully, recounts each season in which Arsene Wenger managed the teams to League and Cup success. Chronologically accurate it covers events that happened via poetry; including the arrival of Wenger, Wrighty’s all time goal-scoring record, Overmars’ goal at Old Trafford, Tony Adams’ icing on the League cake, Sol’s capture from under their noses, Wiltord’s goal at Old Trafford, and Raymondo’s cracker at the Millennium.
Entertaining, educational and erudite – this short piece succinctly describes Wenger’s immediate impact at Highbury in Dave’s poetic style:
It took him some time to win the players around
They wanted Mars Bars but he would not back down
He knew for the players to match his ambition
Before skills and tactics came diet and nutrition
Both Andy and myself are big fans of the illustrations by Poorly Drawn who, for a while, has been plying this trade on Twitter with interesting but stripped down images of Gunners. These colour drawings feature all through the book and add immensely to the overall feel of the publication.
Our north London rivals done up like a kipper, For free and gratis, we had taken their skipper.
Similarly, the highly amusing capture of Sol and his subsequent medal haul at Highbury gets due attention:
Then Seaman called his mentor to the rostrum – it was a lovely touch
Bob Wilson was retiring as his coach and for Big Dave had done so much
We fans sang long and loud and for us it was no trouble
To remind our chums from White Hart Lane that Sol had won the Double
And the note to Bob Wilson was reciprocated as Bob assisted Dave at the Willow-inspired launch of the book.
Dave Seager and Bob Wilson at the Tollington Arms launch in November
This well presented unique book is well worth buying, especially if you were a fan, as a child, of Dr Seuss and, even if you were not a fan of Seuss, would be a great addition for your Arsenal youngster’s Christmas present pile.
Purchase it from Legends and this limited edition also includes two high quality prints from the book (which you can frame at home) and a Tony Adams badge!
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Copies of our books Royal Arsenal – Champions of the South and Arsenal: The Complete Record 1886-2018 are still available from the publishers.
