Poll: Club vs. Internationals

By: Martin | October 13th, 2009

This is something I’ve often kind of wondered about, so I figured it would make a decent poll. And, since there isn’t much going on in the way of actual Arsenal news and probably won’t be until the players report back at the end of the week, it at least gives us something to discuss.

The basic question is, which do you care about more, your club or your country? I figured the most direct way to ask this would be–which would you rather have happen: (1) the club you support (I included Arsenal in the poll, since I assume most people viewing this are, in fact, Arsenal supporters, but feel free to substitute your own club if you’d prefer) wins the Champions League (or if you’re a Liverpool fan, you can substitute the Premiership); or (2) your home nation’s international side wins the World Cup?

If you’re a regular reader of the site, or just put 2 and 2 together and recognize that I spend an inordinate amount of my time writing about Arsenal, you know that for me, it’s no contest. While I support the USMNT and try to watch all their matches, Arsenal is first in my heart. If the USMNT were to somehow someday win the World Cup, I would be very happy and would celebrate with my countrymen; if Arsenal win the Champions League, I’d probably just blackout from pure joy, do something completely crazy, and wake up 5 days later in a Tijuana prison with a large portrait of Arsene Wenger’s face tattooed across my chest.

But it’s purely a matter of personal preference, and I certainly am not passing judgment or scorn upon anyone who feels the opposite. If anything, the view that “you’re an American, and you should support your national team over some English club you’ve never even seen in person” makes a lot of sense. How about it? Which is more important to you? Feel free to explain your vote or discuss the issue generally in the comments section.

Which Would you Rather Have Happen?(answers)

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Category: Internationals, Poll

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Alexinho

This question is kind of unfair.

You put it any other way...ANY other way...I have to go with club. It's far more interesting. International week is just another week where I can't watch my team and only worry about injuries (Barca has to go to Valencia Saturday without Henry AND Ibrahimovic, so in one day they've become striker-less). But I think Arsenal will win at least three CL titles before USA wins the World Cup....if the USA goes to South Africa and wins I'll shit my pants.
Peevish

I have to go with Arsenal all the way, if only because if someone came up to me and said they could guarantee Wales would win the World Cup, I'd laugh in their face and walk away.
Zito

Country always come before club, you play for your club so you can get selected for your country so you can win the world cup.
amunt valencia

world cup or friendly against Vatican city
country all the way
Bayern Munich Shirts

International football has limited interest for me, I much prefer to watch my team
vespo

Martin, my thoughts exactly - this is an Arsenal blog, and yet more would prefer their national team? I was surprised. When I clicked the Arsenal button I expected the bar to fill up 90% of the way.

I wonder how much of it is the relative likelihood of each one happening. We, as Gooners, fervently hope (and usually believe) that Arsenal are on the verge of greatness and winning piles of silverware. But I think I can safely say that, myself included, would be STUNNED if the USMNT won the World Cup.

For me though, as shocked and impressed as I'd be, I'd still rather see Fabregas holding the big-eared cup in May than Donovan holding the Jules Rimet.
Martin

Have to admit, I'm a bit surprised by the results so far. I figured that through sampling bias if nothing else, the people who visit this site would be more club-oriented. I guess it just shows I really am in the minority on this.

Chris: In response to your question, I think I'd definitely rather win the Champions League than the Premiership, for two reasons. First, because Arsenal has never won it before, and we've won the league 13 times. But more importantly, I think the Champions League is probably the most prestigious title a club can win--the club which wins the Champions League can honestly claim to be the best club in the world. I would imagine most fans would feel the same way (except for maybe Liverpool, who have won the Champions League multiple time but haven't won the domestic league in decades).
Adek Fàbregas

I fell in love with football first before Arsenal so for me, I'd watch all - World Cup, Euro and Arsenal matches. Arsenal for Premier League, CL, Carling Cup, FA Cup and other countries for World Cup/Euro (depending on my preference at the time - my country will never go to the World Cup)!
Chris

The World Cup is just that, THE. WORLD. CUP. That is so inconceivable(USMNT winning it) I have to vote for it. I agree with Homey. It would be the closest thing to USA vs USSR circa 1980 IMO. Gunners in everything else. BTW Martin, why the CL and not the Prem? Do you think it's more valuable? Would you take a CL trophy over a Prem title? Good question though, made me think
Homey

I'm hope I'm not sitting on the fence with my answer, but here goes anyway...
I'd definitely prefer to see the U.S. win the World Cup. I mean, the World Cup is the biggest event in the world, only comes every 4 years, etc. Plus it's the first soccer event I ever cared about or knew about. The other thing is that it would be a huge upset for the U.S. to win - more a longshot than Arsenal winning the CL. I'm so big on the WC that I might even enjoy seeing Holland win the WC more than Arsenal winning the Champions League.
Ok, but having said that, I typically would rather watch Arsenal. One reason is I enjoy the quality of play more. And I care more about most of their games. With Arsenal, pretty much every game means something. With the U.S., it seems to be a given that we'll qualify for the WC. So those qualification matches don't get me going too much, unless it's against Mexico. And then the Gold Cup and other events aren't too big, and I'm not as into those. And then even beneath those are the friendlies. Basically, I'll stick with the U.S. as to your actual question, but Arsenal for all the other competitions.
Gooner

Man... arsenal all the way!!!!