INTERNATIONAL week ahead of a major summer tournament is always an intriguing prospect — but who do you put first, club or country?

Even with the disruption Covid-19 has wrought over the last 12 months, fans will already be looking forward to this summer’s European Championship tournament spread across Europe. 

A quick look at the group fixtures will surely set the pulses racing, not least when England and Scotland clash on Friday June 18 at Wembley. 

Although restrictions are easing, even though there won’t be a mass exodus of Scottish fans heading to London, the fixture will be watched eagerly by millions across this country and further afield. 

Only this week, British teams kicked off their qualifying groups for Qatar 2022, with England beating San Marino 5-0 at a canter at an empty Wembley.

Scotland drew 2-2 with Austria at a deserted Hampden Park, Wales went down 3-1 to a star-studded Belgium side, while Northern Ireland lost 2-0 to Italy.

But did you really care?

It wasn’t so much the football — even if the results went mostly to form, after all San Marino are ranked as the worst team in the world, while Belgium are ranked No 1 and Italy have never lost a World Cup qualifying match at home. 

You may have watched the games and been mildly enthused. But, for those of us who actively support a club and are passionate about domestic football, were you actually that bothered?

Or do you see international breaks — or “interlulls” as some fans call them — as a mildly diverting interruption between the main event, namely supporting your club side week in, week out?

This isn’t a diatribe against international football. Far from it. Not when you consider I used to follow England all over the world as a fan and have reported on many Three Lions games from the Wembley press box. 

As a punter, I went to every England game during the World Cup in Japan in 2002, as well as attending Euro 2000, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

I can say I went to my fair share of England qualifying matches abroad, from Poland, to Israel, to Greece, to Russia and so many other places in between. 

I was even at the never-to-be-forgotten 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in September 2001, which was a trip and a half, on and off the pitch, shall we say. 

I had some great times and met so many good people (along with more than a few utterly disgusting human beings, but I’ll save those stories for another day). And even occasionally — such as during that aforementioned 5-1, or at times during Euro 2004 in Portugal — the football was brilliant too. 

But my point is this: for me, and many others, despite having amazing times, despite the shared moments we’ll remember forever, despite the camaraderie, despite exploring incredible new places you might not necessarily have considered visiting — Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, Niigata, Shizuoka, Moscow, Tel Aviv, anyone?

Despite all the excitement, despite everything, every single one of us would still have chosen our club side over our international team, every time. 

I have yet to meet anyone, who, when asked if they would rather their club side win the league, or England win a trophy, would choose the latter. 

Dubious? OK, if you have a domestic football team you support passionately, ask yourself the same question. Not, in a sense of watching a side occasionally on TV, but actively supporting them. Someone who lives and breathes their club side. 

And, as an active fan, ask yourself who would you choose to win a trophy, if you could choose only one side? England or Arsenal? Scotland or Rangers? Wales or Cardiff City? 

Who would you prefer if you could only choose one? You club side to win, or your country to win? 

If you asked me, or any of the lads I used to go to England games with, many of who I still keep in touch with regularly, the emphatic answer would be our club side.

It wouldn’t even come close. In fact, no-one I have ever asked that question to has opted for country over club — from non-league fans to supporters of Manchester United and Liverpool. 

It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy international football. And it doesn’t mean we won’t be eagerly watching the Euros this summer either. 

It just means, for me, and plenty of others who passionately support a club side, international football is simply not as important as domestic football.

Club or country? For me it’s club every time. What about you?

Save the Gooner Fanzine

Taking over as editor of the Gooner Fanzine the same month a pandemic struck last year probably wasn’t one of my wisest moves.

But as someone who passionately believes in the printed word, whether it be books, magazines, newspapers, such as the one you’re reading, or fans magazines — fanzines — there is something special about the written word on paper.

A satisfyingly tangible reminder that not everything has to be digital. 

Yet, with no matchday fans to sell to for the last 12 months, lockdown has hit the Gooner Fanzine hard.

In fact it’s crippled us. We’re well aware that in this time of Covid, there are a million more important things to worry about than saving the Gooner Fanzine. 

But for those of us who love fanzines, who love the printed written word, it would be a great shame to lose such an institution after 34 years publishing.

Not just for Arsenal supporters, but for genuine football fans who like reading excellent writing.

In an age when independent thinking and writing are fighting a courageous battle against corporate blandness, why not take out a subscription for only £30? You won’t regret it.