Coming soon, to a cinema near you, the EPL

NOV 17 — It is not often that one can refer to a football match as a “blockbuster” but that is how it will feel when Arsenal supporters gather at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur tonight at 8.45 to catch the “live” telecast of the North London derby (NLD).

The NLD is when the Gunners face their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It usually happens twice every English football season, unless the League Cup or FA Cup competitions pit both teams against each other by the luck of the draw. (Trivia: Both teams have never met in the final of a cup competition.)

Spurs and Arsenal have been experiencing rather mixed fortunes this season. Both were fairly active in the summer transfer market, with the exits making more impact news-wise, as arguably the most gifted player in the respective teams — Luca Modric (Spurs) and Robin Van Persie — departed.

While Arsenal began the season with a solid run of matches thanks to some good defensive work, the fine form came to a halt after suffering their first defeat to another London rival, Chelsea, at home. Since then, another two matches have been lost — away to Norwich City and Manchester United — and crucial points have been lost at home too, most notably last Saturday, to Fulham, which ended in a 3-3 draw, after taking an early 2-0 lead.

The defence and the form of some players, who were outstanding last season, have been of the biggest concern for supporters. Uncertainty over Theo Walcott’s future at the club is also another burden hanging over the club at a time when stability and assurance is needed to show that the Gunners will continue to be title contenders for years to come.

Meanwhile, Spurs have been having an even more topsy-turvy season, beating Manchester United away, but losing to Wigan Athletic at home, among other unconventional results so far.

Both North London sides would be looking to get their season back on track but it would all depend on which side is on form on the night. Only one point separates Spurs (17) and Arsenal (16) now, and both managers would also look to use this tie to boost the flagging hopes of supporters in terms of being title hopefuls, or at the least, getting into the coveted Champions League qualification positions.

Of course, some may say that the English Premier League (EPL) is now left to the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea to contest. I disagree. Arsenal and Spurs can make a shot at it, as both Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas are proven winners. Be it in the recent or not-so-recent past, or in another country, their league- and cup-winning achievements cannot be taken lightly.

Great managers like Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho are proof that no matter what setbacks that come their way, a good manager can and will get their teams back on the title-winning track.

For tonight, the key players to watch will be Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud for Arsenal; and Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe (if he recovers in time) and Clint Dempsey for Spurs.

Notwithstanding my personal bias, the form book and home ground advantage should give Arsenal the edge but it will not be without some setbacks to Gooner hopes in the course of the match, I am sure.

Over the past five years, the NLD has been experiencing an abundance of goals and that is likely to continue tonight, what with both defences switching off at times, while the forward line works double-shift. So, one can safely back an “over” on a total goals punt, if one is so inclined.

Such a goal fest would also be good news for the neutral fan, or for those who are watching at the stadium and on screens around the world.

Speaking of which, there will not be a bigger screen than that which about 230 Arsenal supporters in KL are going to enjoy while watching the “live” telecast at the Cathay Cineplex at e@Curve in Mutiara Damansara.

It is the first time ever that an EPL match will be screened live at a local cinema hall. Not surprisingly, all tickets for the event, organised by the Official Arsenal Supporters Club in Malaysia and co-sponsored by Astro and Cathay Cineplex, were sold out within a week.

Incidentally, the first time ever that a football viewing party was organised in a cinema in Malaysia was last May, as the Champions League’s main sponsor decided to have a fans fest at a cineplex located in the Gardens mall (Mid Valley) for the final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Previously, I had only heard of cinemas in the Philippines screening live telecasts of boxing matches featuring their favourite son, Manny Pacquiao. And that was nationwide, by one of the largest cinema chains in the country.

So, hopefully, with the ardent EPL following in Malaysia, more cinematic blockbuster opportunities will be made possible in future, across different cities and towns.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.