Arsenal America

The following text has also been posted to the Arsenal boards at Big Soccer, but what the hell.

Thanks to Kelvin for the invitation, I wasn’t able to fit it in this time. I will make a point to meet you next time.

So I finally made it back stateside.

Let’s first start by thanking the man of the match, Jeff Lancaster, for arranging a ticket for me.

I went and met Jeff at the Moray Arms, a little pub up past Finsbury Park tube station. We had a couple pints and a chat and then walked down toward Highbury. I was amazed with how the fans just take over the streets. Jeff was pointing out the touts and greeting various friends and fans, while I went and grabbed a dried and burnt out burger from one of the stands. Hardly a fantastic burger, but I needed something to soak up those pints of John Smith Smooth.

Jeff had one of his own season tickets available, lower tier, East Bank, toward the North Bank, about 20 rows up. We sat a few rows behind a guy named “Sonya” who lead our section in cheers.

The game itself was overall a good performance. The Arsenal came out beautifully for the first 20 minutes or so, with several good chances. From then on through the end of the first half it just got ugly. Arsenal were getting bogged down in midfield by Villa who were playing a very defensive 4-5-1.

Second half. The Arsenal is attacking toward the North Bank (where I have a perfect view). At 57′ one of their defenders misclears a cross toward his own keeper, who clears it right to Sol Campbell, who heads it back past him. Pandemonium ensues. It wasn’t pretty but we’ll take it.

My hero DB10 comes on for Wiltord, and Parlour comes on for Freddie. These two totally changed the dynamic of the game. They both opened up the right wing and right slot to more activity, giving more options to the team. Wiltord and Freddie had been sitting in the middle for too long, not taking advantage of the width of the field.

Seeing Parlour in person, I’d say he is seriously a great player. He works so hard, and he does bring a different dynamic to the team.

90′ + 2 Bergkamp slots a pass to Henry on the left flank, Henry dribbles the onrushing keeper and puts it past 2 defenders for the 2nd goal. Pure class all the way, from the set up to the goal. Fantastic.

After that I walked to the tube stop and went back to the hotel. It had been a long day for me and I was spent. Next time I’ll take in the Arsenal Fish Bar and the Gunners and Bank of Friendship.

All in all, a great experience. The atmosphere was pretty good, though it went up and down. I figured out some of the lyrics to the songs and chants. And I left with a hoarse voice from yelling at the wanker ref, who managed to dole out a total of 7 yellows (3 to us, Toure, Vieira, Bergkamp) and made a lot of bad calls otherwise. I can’t wait to get back over the pond for another match.