The Racing Club vs. Arsenal matches, 1930–1962: A Franco-British ritual, European games or football lessons?
2015; Routledge; Volume: 35; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/17460263.2015.1073019
ISSN1746-0271
Autores Tópico(s)French Historical and Cultural Studies
ResumoThe annual Racing Club vs. Arsenal matches were played over the period 1930 to 1962, even though they excited an unequal interest on different sides of the Channel. This Franco-British encounter was generally played in the autumn, in Colombes or Parc des Princes stadiums. It became very quickly a sporting tradition that attracted numerous representatives of the French political and military spheres, given the all-pervasive memory of the Great War and the fame of Arsenal. Indeed, if the annual match could be seen as a symbol of English football's opening up to Europe, it was first of all a match between two clubs that counted in the hierarchy of their respective countries. However, Racing vs. Arsenal did not have the same importance on the northern side of the Channel, whether for the Arsenal club or for local sports journalists. On one hand, the English media, in particular, gave the match fluctuating coverage. On the other hand, Britain was an object of genuine fascination for French football and the match could be interpreted as an ‘annual lesson’ in tactics and technique that was given by the Gunners. Thus, the Parisian players learnt the right use of WM tactic and had to face a more physical way of playing. For French football, Racing vs. Arsenal became a barometer of the Parisians’ progress. In the 1950s, finally autonomous in style of play, football in France felt less need to compare itself with football in a country that seemed to be in decline. As the international friendly games were replaced by European Cups, the last Racing Club vs. Arsenal game was played in 1962.
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