FANS have got to understand that Arsenal have been battling on and off the pitch after Jen Beattie’s shattering breast cancer diagnosis.
The Gunners are third in the table and have been struggling to reclaim the crown they’ve worn for so many years at the top of the division’s elite.
Arsenal stalwart Jen Beattie is fighting cancerCredit: Rex Features
They have suffered bitter Cup defeats by rivals Manchester City and Chelsea and a first league loss to the leaders, Manchester United, last month.
They lost to the Citizens 2-1 last time out after a sucker punch Caroline Weir goal in the dying moments. Supporters have piled the pressure on Gunners boss Joe Montemurro — with some even calling for him to be axed.
But there’s a lot more going on at the club away from the 90 minutes at the weekend. Fans have got to take a moment and think of everything the girls have been going through so far this season while supporting Jen — who found a lump in a breast in October.
She was brave enough to open up about her shock diagnosis to raise awareness of the debilitating disease — and to save lives.
Every year around 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer in the UK — that’s nearly 1,000 deaths each month, 31 each day or one every 45 minutes.
Having received the news on the evening of Thursday October 8, she played and scored against Brighton the following Sunday, and the team emotionally embraced her.
Last weekend, City and Arsenal players united before the match to wear warm-up shirts with Jen’s name and number on the back which was so touching.
She arrived at the club in 2009 and was my team-mate in my time in North London.
Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro has been under pressure of lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
She is such a great character and so caring in terms of what she does for the team — and I think that’s exactly why the players rallied around her in such a supportive way.
It’s just so brave for her to speak out about an incredibly personal experience which is something a lot of people may feel too scared to talk about.
Sadly, the coronavirus crisis has put a lot of people off getting checked. But Jen’s story may encourage that one person to do it.
Footballers may be in the spotlight but they are human beings as well and fans have got to realise that sometimes our personal lives are more important than what is happening on the pitch.
It would be extra special and so emotional if Arsenal won the title this year with Jen’s cancer battle.
And I would urge the club to stick with Joe as head coach.
I think sacking him would be a bad move.
Sometimes people just look at results and they don’t look at the environment but I would urge fans to remember the bigger picture and be kind.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
