‘Happy either way’: Arsenal fans find zen attitude to Champions League final

T he streets of Holloway, usually bustling with families and trolly-dragging shoppers, were uncharacteristically quiet on Saturday afternoon. But shortly after the clock struck 5pm, loud roars echoed through the north London high street, located a short walk away from the Emirates stadium, as Arsenal walked on to the pitch for the Champions League final. While the team, still basking in the glory of their Premier League win last week, were in Budapest for their final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain, Gunners – or Gooners, as they are colloquially known – came out to support the team on their home turf. A tweak to the Argos shop sign on the Holloway Road. Photograph: Sammy Gecsoyler/The Guardian The Argos sign on Holloway Road was fitted with a banner after the letter r to form the word Ar-senal and pubs in the area were heaving with fans clad in red and white. The tense silence was broken mere minutes later when Kai Havertz scored a goal barely five minutes into the game. Arsenal fans Lucy and Gregory. Photograph: Sammy Gecsoyler/The Guardian Lucy, 37, and Gregory, 48, travelled from Paris to Holloway for the final, though sadly they couldn’t make it inside the Victoria Tavern pub to view the game, which was heaving with fans. “The mood is amazing,” said Lucy, who has been a Gooner for 30 years. …