The Barclays Premier League enjoys a growing reputation within Pakistan. The last five years have seen an amazing increase in the popularity of football and the consequent rise in the number of amateur football clubs. This infatuation can be attributed to the easy availability of both cable and the glamorous insight into the world of football.

 I, for example, have supported Arsenal for almost seven years now. This is a result of nothing more than the fact that the first team I ever won a FIFA 2002 match with was Arsenal. Henry, Bergkamp, Viera and Adams were nothing more than fictional players for me until I saw them in a promotional video on ESPN-Star Sports in Dec 2001. I celebrated the League win of 2002 alone. I boasted about the The Invincible’s to disinterested friends. When Arsenal beat ManshitterUtd in the FA Cup of 2005, I had a couple of friends to taunt.

 Overnight, it seemed in August 2006, many became addicted to EPL. Almost every morning would start off with discussions about the EPL, the regular taunts and the showing off of newly acquired knowledge about the EPL history through Google.

 Like they say nothing would ever be the same again.

 Manshitter enjoys the most support with almost every second football addict fantasizing about Diveriano Ronaldo and Disdain Rooney. They enjoy having a go at Arsenal fans at almost every opportunity present.

 Arsenal fans number significantly less, as was witnessed by the 1:14 ratio at the recent public airing of the match at Old Trafford. Oh, and Arseblogger makes my morning every single day.

 Chelsea fans have risen significantly. Who says money can’t buy loyalty? Chelsea fans are often seen taking on both Arsenal and Manshitter fans.

 Liverpool fans abound. They can be shut up with two words though – Big Three.

 Till the next post, folks, enjoy.

Nabeel Jafri.