This was the title I was initially going to use when writing about Joachim Loew’s strangely sentimental picks to his 23 man squad for Germany. I was to look back to 2014, when, in a sweet nod to Germany fans, Loew brought Lukas Podolski and Miroslave Klose to Brazil.

Both were driving forces to my becoming a Germany fan in 2006.

But in subsequent years, Podolski battled injury and spent lengthy spells on the bench for Arsenal. Klose at 36 never rose above journeyman status at his various clubs, but always seemed to rise to the occasion in a Germany jersey. Neither men were regular starters in 2014. However, Klose scored enough goals in 2014 to surpass Brazil’s Ronaldo as the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer. Podolski, meanwhile, seemed content to be Germany’s good-humored, unofficial social media manager.

In comparison to Klose and Podolski, both Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira were leaden on the pitch in Germany’s opening match against Mexico. Their inclusion in the squad at the expense of Leroy Sane and … well, there I got stuck.

Which German defensive midfielder had Khedira prevented from going to Russia?

Emre Can comes to mind, but Can’s recurrent back problems were the real blame. The fact that I cannot name another German world class defensive midfielder to anchor the team alongside Toni Kroos is key to Die Mannschaft’s issues.

Now that Germany’s match against South Korea has ended, the sentimental education of Jogi Loew is even more damningly appropriate. As expected, Khedira couldn’t physically keep up with South Korea’s pace, and he was the first to be substituted. The fact that he was replaced by striker Mario Gomez proves that Loew really couldn’t name a world class defensive midfielder to anchor the team alongside Kroos. As for Ozil, he created several near-perfect chances for Timo Werner and Mats Hummels. They would both miss the goal, high and wide.

But Germany’s problems go much further than these two individuals. For all three of Germany’s 2018 World Cup matches, the entire team’s passing has been languid and carefree to the point of sloppiness. The finishing of the forwards has been profligate. The center backs persisted in their wayward belief that they’re actually wingers. And most damning of all, the delightful team spirit that made a fan of me in 2006 seemed to have evaporated. I don’t know if one can put much faith in rumors of two opposing camps at odds in the locker room. However, many of Die Mannschaft came to Russia with the aura of individual stardom.

For all their talents, on the pitch they carried themselves as islands unable to communicate with their teammate.

So Auf Wiedersehn to Die Mannschaft. In fairness, it would have been rough justice if Germany had advanced at the expense of Mexico. This American is a fan of teams who demonstrate rock-solid team spirit, and together are stronger than the sum of their parts. I may have found that team on June 19: Japan.

Their shock win over 10-man Colombia gave me goosebumps and when they fought back for a draw against the best team in Group H, Senegal, they made a real fan out of me. I expect this Japanese fandom to be the start of lasting soccer relationship…unless Robert Lewandowski finally turns up in their match against Poland on Thursday.

And finally, “Let’s remember he was a true footballing revolutionary.”

I too have profound respect for what Wenger achieved in his 22 years at Highbury and Emirates. I had hoped that Wenger would have left the club on a high note. Specifically after the FA Cup victory over Chelsea last May.

The unfortunate reality is that Wenger’s 2 year contract extension was announced immediately after the Gunners hoisted the FA trophy.

My suspicion is that he had put pen to paper months earlier. Kroenke and Company were waiting for a success, any success, to break the news that Wenger would remain.

So the sad reality is that Wenger announced his end-of-season departure following the Gunners’ loss to Newcastle. A defeat that capped off a record of no away points earned during the first four months of 2018.

And instead of a sense of appreciative regret that accompanies a departure on a high, the reality of Wenger’s departure feels more like one of those infuriating Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions.

You know, the ones when a legendary artist gets the nod after years and years of snubs.

Like when Lou Reed was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015…18 months after his death.

Lou would likely have said, “Thanks for nothing,” and he likely would have dumped the trophy into a storage unit in Hell’s Kitchen.

Yes, that’s exactly how Wenger’s departure feels

He’s a legend who deserves a nobler send-off than, “Thanks for nothing,” but he entirely stage-managed this process, such was his power at the club.

Not surprisingly, the news just broke that Wenger resigned before he would have been sacked. Hopefully a year or 18 months from now we can celebrate the success of Wenger’s 2018 signings, once Aubameyang, Lacazette and Mkhitaryan settle into the squad.

There’s hope Ozil will find consistent form and finally play to his full potential. Even more hope Wenger’s successor will finally address Arsenal’s defensive failings. So let the new Manager-Conjecture game begin.

And let’s be thankful for this: Wenger Out memes, RIP.

1. Are we there yet?

Manchester City may win the League against Manchester United on April 7. The outcome has been clear since November; however, the matter of when and to whom has remained a lingering mystery.

For the Arsenal fan, the prospect of Pep Guardiola and the Cityzens pulling off their victory against United will provoke maximum Mourinho fury. As well as a post-match press conference for the ages. For neutrals, one can admire how Guardiola has succeeded in improving the performance of every player on his roster.

Leroy Sane, for example, proves a risky and unproductive presence in the left offensive attack. He is most frequently deployed as a low-impact substitute when in a German jersey. But in a City jersey, his incisive runs and pinpoint passing have made him one of the most exciting young players in the League.

2. Can City win the title against Spurs?

Manchester City may win the League against Tottenham on April 14. While Sir Totteringham’s Day has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, Pep & Co. clinching the League at the Spurs’ temporary home is sure to inspire devilish glee in every Gunner’s blackened heart.

3. Mourinho and Carvalhal

The prospect of Jose Mourinho and Carlos Carvalhal going on the road as a standup act during the Summer. Still love football but can’t bring yourself to watch the USMNT-less World Cup in Russia?

Then opt to delight in the awkward-warm-awkward-teasing-awkward interplay by the Swans’ manager and his “dear” friend from the “good old days.”

4. The West Ham Team/Supporters RomCom

Will they or won’t they? This new release kicked-off with the West Ham skipper -appropriately named Noble- chucking invading Supporters off the pitch during play. Act II began with a Mario goal, an injury to Antonio and an Arnatovic brace against Southampton. They were blowing bubbles through the wazoo to close out March. With fixtures against Chelsea, Stoke City and Arsenal in the coming weeks, can this rekindled romance survive?

Spoiler alert: both Stoke and West Brom have beaten Arsenal this season, so love could reign supreme on April 22…for the Hammers.

5. There’s still Europa League

Our intrepid not-so-young youngsters venture to the heart of Russia to face CSKA Moscow to bat the pierogies around…or something. Europa League is now the Gunners’ only avenue back to Champions League, and our prediction is that they will prevail 1-0 in Moscow. Only to lose 0-1 at the Emirates, and yet prevail in a penalty shoot-out clinched by late substitute and true youngster, Eddie Nketiah.

Whether in the semi or in the final, however, Arsenal will ultimately have to face Atletico Madrid. The question remains: how many Gunners will Diego Costa make see red? Our prediction: two. Granit Xhaka (obviously) in the 28th minute and Mesut Ozil for fisticuffs in the 84th minute while the scoreline is 1-1. Atletico win 2-1.

6. We love Arsenal

We really, truly do. Our squad of wayward charges have made being a fan about so much more than merely wins and losses. It’s about the journey. It’s about flinging so many curse words before 10am on a Sunday that you’re relieved to find there’s still enough time to go to church to pray for forgiveness.

It’s about learning to laugh when Swansea puts a third goal past us, knowing in your heart that the Gunners are generously gifting a win to their old teammate, Lukas Fabianski. It’s about the character building that comes from the knowledge that virtually every team in the relegation zone has beaten us this season.

There’s something invigorating to not knowing what new ways Arsenal will find to delight/infuriate/inspire/demoralize. And that’s an achievement Pep Guardiola will never accomplish.