Arsenal America

Greetings all. Dave Connick reporting from London on day 2 of the roadtrip. As has become the custom, we all gathered for pre-match drinks and grub at T-birds Bar on Blackstock Road. Wall to wall people, acquaintances renewed, much hand shaking, backslapping and special words of thanks to Rick Breese, Geoff Lancaster, Kelvin Meadows and the rest of our mates in the UK for the warm welcome and hospitality they always show us. Special thanks to the guys at T-birds who kindly laid on the grub for the weary travellers.

After a great time at T-birds we make our own way in our own time to the ground amidst an ominous drizzle. I say to the fellow gooner on my left that I reckon 2-0 will be the score - he agrees. As we approach the ground the atmosphere begins to permeate and really take over. I’ve been coming here since 1958 and I confess to being a bit reflective and a lot emotional about the fact that this is the last season at Highbury. This is it folks, and it’s really sinking in with me.

We take our seats in the lower North Bank - in approximately the spot where I stood as a nipper watching the likes of Joe Baker, George Eastham, Ray Kennedy, Johnnie Radford, George Graham, Charlie George….you get the picture. We’re under cover but the wind keeps swirling the intermittent showers in to us for most of the first half. A spectacular goal from you-know-who puts us in front at half time. Not a great game so far, but we are fully in control and are easily worth our lead. Just hoping we don’t do anything silly at the back to put the points in jeopardy.

Where we were sitting was the place to be in the second half. One superb and one nice goal from RvP put the points in the bag. Also some exhiliarating wing-play from Reyes and a solid take-charge performance from Kolo, and good performances from just about everyone, make this one worth the price of admission. I reflect on how glad I am that those Americans and Canadians who came over (especially Jerrod a US Marine on leave from Iraq to take his place among his fellow Gooners) have added to this occasion.

The day was an absolute joy - from the reception at T-birds to the highlights of the game, to the result, to the glorious Highbury Stadium looking outstanding despite the weather. The entire occasion, more than the actual game itself, was one that will stay with me for a while. Hope all readers can make the next roadtrip.

Cheers for now.

Dave.