S.F. Branch Meet-Up: Arsenal-Liverpool Match Viewing

October 24, 2007 | 3 Comments

Update: I will have a couple (3 to be exact) of the brand new Arsenal America t-shirts with me for sale! First come, first serve!

OK, Bay Area Gooners . . .

The San Francisco Branch of Arsenal America invites you to turn out and cheer the Gunners on in their first real test of the season as they travel to Anfield for this Sunday’s match against Liverpool!

We’re aware that some local supporters favor Mad Dog in the Fog, but we’re going to be trying out a relatively new location for this occasion.

Maggie McGarrys, a pub in North Beach regularly shows Premiership action on their 5 flat-screen televisions, and anyone who’s heard the bartender, Patrick’s tales of the football he saw growing up in England, knows it’s a great place to catch a match!

Sunday, October 28, 2007
Match time is 9:00AM PT and I’m assured doors will be open by 7:30am.

Maggie McGarrys
maggiemcgarrys.com
1353 Grant Street
Between Vallejo & Green
San Francisco, CA
Tel: 415-399-9020

For more information, contact: Mark Barbeau sanfran@arsenalamerica.com

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Posted by Mark Barbeau | Filed Under ArsenalAmerica News, US Viewing Locations 

Theo Walcott

October 24, 2007 | 19 Comments

I said long ago that Theo Walcott has the potential to be better than Wayne Rooney. I know, some will say I’m getting carried away by one good game. Nevertheless, I stand by my statement.

Rooney’s an unique player, mainly from his physical strength. At 16, he was as strong as many 26 year olds, if not stronger. That allowed him to make a impact straight away.

Difference is, Theo’s got the touch. His touch, balance and close control is not something you see often in a typical English player. Shawn Wright Phillips, Ashley Young, Jermaine Pennant, Aaron Lennon et al have all got pace, but they are more direct type of players – hugging the line, charging down the byline and crossing into the box.

Walcott, on the other hand, has more dimensions in his game, and surely a far bigger upside.

Though he broke into the Southampton first team at 16, from what I have heard, he’s relatively a late comer to football. He didn’t play football as a kid, which explains some of his poor decision making when he first began playing for us.

Luckily, Theo is surely a quick learner. The important thing is, fundamentally he looks very solid. When you’ve got a good touch like he does, the combination of the two will allow him to go very far.

How far a footballer (particularly an attacking player) can expect to go is very much down to his touch. No matter how hard you work, if you don’t have a good first touch, you aren’t going to go very far. When you’ve got a good first touch, to develop the rest of your technical attributes will become far more easier.

Perhaps some will think I am talking nonsense, but time will tell.

Posted by Andez | Filed Under Mailbag