THERE is always a bit of a vacuum after the departure of somebody who has ruled successfully for so long and become very familiar with the public, having almost been there as a comforting part of the furniture for us all while the rest of this uncertain world rattles on around them.

Steep challenges inevitably await for whoever ascends to the top job after them – but it’s probably time we stopped talking about the post-Arsene Wenger period at Arsenal.

Etc, etc, etc…

Of course, it’s important to say thank you and rest in peace to Her Majesty after her unprecedented service. I learned in the obituaries this week that she had seen 15 prime ministers and met 13 US presidents during her seven decades on the throne, which presumably works out in English money as 159 Chelsea managers.

Deep down, a lot of us always felt Elizabeth II was an Arsenal fan, even if when her beloved husband Prince Philip once visited Highbury he reportedly asked one of the players whether “Dreamcast” was the name of the team.

Her grandson William – or the new Prince of Wales – picked Aston Villa to follow. This is the inoffensive auto-choice for anybody who isn’t allowed to be too controversial in public life. Nobody really hates Villa, do they? Not since Jack Grealish left at least.

Meanwhile, his bro, Harry, has more than once hinted that as much as they all like rugger and polo, there is support for Arsenal too – the clue is the club used to be called Royal Arsenal – hidden away behind their castle walls.

The Queen even invited the Arsenal team to Buckingham Palace in 2007 and Cesc Fabregas later broke the code about not sharing private conversations with her and told a Spanish radio station: “She told us she was an Arsenal fan. She appeared to definitely know who I was and we exchanged a few special words.”

Perhaps, she had “special” words for him later in his career but I’m already at risk of breaking my say nothing negative about Chelsea rule [See column No. 33,087 – Sept 8, 2022].

Given all of this, perhaps the Queen, the nation’s guiding grandma and secret Gooner, herself would have been disappointed that all other sports were allowed to go ahead but not the latest round of football matches.

A better send-off would have been a salute and special celebration in loud football stadiums with anthems and songs – and three points against Everton.

She deserves that after a mighty shift and a lifetime of going to more away events than even the most devoted football supporter does in a season.