A New Family, Arsenal v. Wolves, 15.8.72; A Matter of Life and Death, Crystal Palace v. Liverpool, October 1972; Graduation Day, Arsenal v. Ipswich, 14.10.72; and The Whole Package, Arsenal v. Coventry, 4.11.72 Summary and Analysis

Arsenal begins playing a new, more continental style of football. Nick Hornby finds this disconcerting, but it seems to work since Arsenal begins winning. Nick recently met his stepmother and two half-siblings, and is unsure of his family situation. His stepmother comes to a football game in England, and Nick feels as if his realities are joining. Arsenal wins that game by a large margin, and Nick feels as if the world has gone mad. However, Arsenal soon loses and returns to their old ways...