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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Michael Sheehy




A new interview for you all today and I’m honoured and privileged to bring you a bona fide blogging legend as my guest.  I’ve been reading Michaels ‘EverArsenal’ blog now for a couple of years and found him to be one of the most intelligent and prolific writers out there, and he’s a fellow Irishman to boot.  His feature rich blog has pre and post game analysis, special features, polls and the excellent Premier League Predictions, which is invaluable if you're into Fantasy Football or if you fancy a punt on the weekend games.  Anyway ‘tis the hot seat for you now Mick, so take it away….

Why Arsenal?

My father is a Blackpool fan and he always wanted me to support them. Luckily for me I listened to his best friend who told me Arsenal were a far better team, and I decided to go with him. That was way back in 1970 and things picked up very quickly for Arsenal after that.

Earliest Arsenal memory?

I can remember getting an Arsenal jersey for my fifth birthday, and my mother sewed an Arsenal crest on to it. My dad and uncle went to London a lot in those days and got programmes for me, but the first real match memory is probably the 1973 FA Cup semi final defeat to Sunderland. It’s not exactly a great game to have as my first memory, but there’s not a lot I can do about it.

First game?

The first time I saw Arsenal play live was in a pre season tour to Ireland in the early George Graham days when they played Shamrock Rovers. If I remember correctly Rovers won, but Arsenal came back a year or so later and beat them to get their revenge. 

Favourite player (all time)?

That’s a really tough question because there are so many contenders, but I think it has to be Denis Bergkamp. Too many of the others left Arsenal for what they considered to be better opportunities, but the Iceman stayed with us until he retired. It was also an absolute dream to watch him play at times, and I wish he could spend some time with some of our current squad to teach them a thing or two.

Favourite player (current)?

I suppose it has to be Robin van Persie, but that will change quickly if he doesn’t sign a new contract or he leaves. I loved Cesc and it hurt when he left which probably means I won’t attach myself quite so closely to any player in the future.

Highest point?

Nothing can ever compare to the night of May 26th 1989 at Anfield. The sheer drama of the game, the prize on offer to both teams, and how it ended is something I don’t think I will ever see again.

Lowest point?

There have been a few, but I suppose the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona was a real low. When we went down to 10 men I thought it was all over, but I really thought we could do it as we kept our lead coming in to the last 15 minutes. I still believe we would have won if Henry had taken the great chance to put Arsenal 2-0 up.

Sign any 3 players?

It’s not easy to pick realistic targets, but if money were no object I would of course choose Messi. I’d love to see Cesc come back but I know that’s not realistic either, and despite all his diving who would say no Cristiano Ronaldo plying his trade on the wing for Arsenal.

Sack any 3 players?

I don’t like to say sack players, but I would certainly be happy to see the back of Almunia, Squillaci and Denilson too.

Highbury or the Emirates?

I loved Highbury, but as an Irish fan it’s a lot easier to get tickets for the Emirates. The pitch is a lot bigger too, and I would love to see how the Invincibles would have fared on it. The memories of Highbury will be with me forever, but I can only choose the only place I can watch Arsenal play.

You can follow Michael on Twitter @JamrockRover.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Dave Fitzpatrick




A new Your Arsenal and once again we’re off to Ireland, land of saints and scholars, banks bailouts and buffoons, where it rains 360 days of the year and they plan to charge us for water..."oh let the grass grow green over the brewery tonight, it’ll never come between the darkness and the light"....I digress.  I’m delighted to be joined today by one of the most knowledgeable and erudite Gooners out there, the inimitable Dave Fitzpatrick.  Dave can be heard eulogising all things Arsenal on the weekly podcast,Stand Up For The Arsenal.  We met for a chat in the backroom of a pub where we’d been sent to watch the Arsenal on the small telly...metaphorically of course...!!

Why Arsenal?

I didn’t grow up in a football house and I was not raised with an affiliation to any team  but Derek Wilcox – my football coach throughout my childhood and my best friend’s father was an avid Arsenal fan, I guess I just picked it up from him. I admired and respected him so much, Arsenal were his team …how could he be wrong!!!! All my friends were Liverpool and Man U fans but I knew I didn’t want that…I always fancied the underdog, and when Arsenal won the title in 89 (Anfield 2-0 win, obviously a standout memory) and then followed it up with winning the league again two years later, despite having two points deducted, then that was it for me….and it just went from there…..so thanks Derek!

Earliest Arsenal memory?

Anfield…need I say more…what impressed me the most was before the game when our players came out with wreaths to lay…even at that age I recognised a club with values, taste and ideals on how a club should behave…that always stuck with me…result wasn’t bad either…oh and that kit…now that was a proper Arsenal away kit….!

First game?

Everton at Highbury (We won 2-0)….my two outstand memories were of Grimandi who dominated the midfield and was absolutely superb!!! And a very young Richard Dunne being booked after about 5 minutes and having to mark Marc Overmars for the rest of the game in what looked like slippers – he never got within 5 foot of the Flying Dutchman!!!

Favourite player (all time)?

Vieira….World Cup Winning Invincible….he was just majestic on the pitch…both silk and steel…things just always felt right when he was on the pitch…we knew we would be solid…we knew we would score…he had great defenders behind him, great attackers in front of him yet managed to become the leader and pivot of one of the greatest club sides in history…I was distraught the day he left us and would love to see him return to the club some day…he needs out of City and to come home…
Honourable mentions to all 10 other invincible’s…I could really pick any of them in fairness…

Favourite player (current)?

Sagna…humble, fast, strong, marauding, robust, heart of a lion and loves Arsenal truly…he is everything you could ever want in a footballer and I truly believe his header against Spurs was THE turning point in our season…he wasn’t hoping to score that header…he was SCORING THAT HEADER!!!

Highest point?

Sounds bizarre…..but watching the team warm up for the Champions League Final….I was floating on air…this was it…Arsenal were about to win the Champions League….it was just an amazing feeling….I was convinced Arsene was going to win the Cup he cherishes on home soil…how could anything go wrong!!!!

Lowest point?

Same game…..Champions League Final…..we were so close….What a header from Sol!!!!…..and then an offside goal and a random attacking right back and the dream was over…….and so many regrets…..the early sending off….the substitution of Pires…..the fact it was in Paris….I was never so gutted in my life as I was that sad evening in Tenerife where I watched the match.

Sign any 3 players?

Llorente, Schweinsteiger and for shits and giggles Neymar….now there’s a boy who can dribble!!!

Sack any 3 players?

Almunia, Chamakh (for obvious reasons) & Eastmond (his twitter account put me right off him)…………

Highbury or the Emirates?

Tough one for me….Highbury was one of a kind and such a special place to play football….however the Emirates is a fabulous arena that most clubs in world football would be very jealous of….my view is that however much we loved Highbury it hamstrung us from moving to the next level (I know, I know) and we now need to concentrate on making the Emirates our new ‘home’ and that’s crucial…and what makes a house a home? Victories, Trophies, togetherness, witnessing great moments, remembering the day you felt like you carried your team over the line for a win……and for this to happen the club needs to work with the fans to make it happen…..and it will happen…!!

You can follow Dave on Twitter @evadztif.


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ray Verschoyle




Being an Arsenal fan in Ireland is not easy.  We’re an ethnic minority, surrounded on all sides by Liverpool fans full of their sense of entitlement, Man Utd fans with their arrogance and Celtic fans who link support and republicanism, and somehow if you don’t support their team you are pro-British and a traitor!  I am delighted to welcome the first Irish contributor to “Your Arsenal”, Ray Verschoyle.  Ray runs the excellent IrishGooner site, which gives a valuable insight into life as an Arsenal fan on this side of the Irish Sea.  From critical articles, opinion and player analysis, Ray tackles each with intelligence and wit, they also have a rather good forum to allow you vent if that is your thing.  Enjoy..

Why Arsenal?

When I was six I first started playing football with my Dad’s club, Home Farm FC, based in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland. They had a rather unique way of stimulating interest in the game of football. They were a very big club and would have had many teams at each age level, so they used to run “mini-leagues” within the club, and each team within each league was given the name of an English Division 1 club. Why not a League of Ireland club I hear you ask. Well it was positive encouragement Home Farm wanted, and let’s just say League of Ireland, then like now, was not that great. So on my first day training in Whitehall I was informed that I was to play for Arsenal. Now in honesty I cared not a jot at the time, my father on the other hand was disgusted. He was a lifelong Leeds United fan with heroes like John Giles & Billy Bremner, my Dad was a tough man and was described as a “terrier” in defence. I went home that day and rooted out all my copies of Shoot and studied my new team, on reading about them I grew to love them, after all it was the season of ‘70/’71. We won the league in White Hart Lane and we won the Cup, an auspicious start, don’t you think. Oh and I played my first competitive game of football in full Arsenal Strip!!

Earliest Arsenal memory?

It was to be my first season as an Arsenal Fan. All my friends at school followed the usual teams most kids in Ireland do, Manchester United, Liverpool and of course Celtic. I got quite a bit of stick as the lone Arsenal fan in my school. But I had the last laugh that year as Arsenal won the double, not to be a glory boy, but I did enjoy boasting about my team that year. Soon enough however, I learnt it was not always going to be that way.

First game?

Sad to say, as much as I love Ireland, living here did not give me any chance to see my club play until much later in my life. When I say much later I mean much, much, later. The first match I saw live was in The Emirates last season when Arsenal beat Birmingham 2-1. Jack Wilshere got a red card for a rather rash tackle, but we won. I had travelled to the game with my eldest son and it was his birthday. We have been to many games since thankfully, oh yeah and I have never seen Arsenal lose at a game that I have attended. Any offers for people to club together and finance me a season ticket and travel are more than welcome as I must be a lucky mascot.

Favourite player (all time)?

I’ll keep this short. It has to be Dennis Bergkamp. If you need to ask why, you probably would not understand the answer, enough said?

Favourite player (current)?

That’s a tough one. I think it has to go to yet another Dutch player. Down through the years I have always liked Dutch players. My first real hero in football terms was Johan Cryuff and there have been many since, Ruud Gulitt, the aforementioned Dennis Bergkamp and now our very own Dutch legend in the making, Robin van Persie. And yes full marks to the more observant amongst you, my surname is Dutch, maybe that’s the draw, but I think it’s more to do with “Total Football”

Highest point?

“It’s up for grabs now!” That’s it in a sentence I guess Anfield 1989. A moment in time no Arsenal fan can ever forget.

Lowest point?

17th May 2006 Barcelona score twice in 14 mins against a 10 man Arsenal to beat us in The Champions League Final. I really thought we had it, but it was not to be. This was only surpassed by 8th March 2011 when we were cheated out of a Final qualification by UEFA and their referee cohorts. But as you can’t account for cheating I’ll stick with my first choice.

Sign any 3 players?

I’m quite happy with our starting squad and some of our fringe player to be honest, but we need depth no doubt, although there is some great talent coming through. I would be wary of who we should sign as it may throttle our up and coming boys. But if pushed, Lionel Messi, Bastian Schweinsteiger & Vincent Kompany

Sack any 3 players?

Easy one, and no disrespect here. Almunia ,Chamakh and Squillaci. There are many others too.

Highbury or the Emirates?

Sad to say I’ve never been to Highbury. I’m sure it was excellent but each time I approach The Emirates I get a lump in my throat. It gives an immense feeling of pride in what the club has achieved. I regret having never got to Highbury, but that’s life I guess.

You can follow Ray on twitter @rayverschoyle.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Dave Seager



A new Your Arsenal for you all today and I’m delighted to be joined by Arsenal blogger, Dave Seager.  Dave has been writing about Arsenal for other sites since last year and recently decided to strike out on his own with the excellent 1 Nil Down 2 One Up.  The blog has quickly garnered a reputation for its intelligent and thought provoking articles, excellent player analysis and superb guest posts.  So let’s crack on with the questions:

Why Arsenal?

I moved from the Midlands to SE London when I was nearly 5.  I could be cool and say we had just done the double, but in reality it was my sister’s new boyfriend, who was a Gunner, that got me into them.

Earliest Arsenal memory?

Unusually, I would probably say it was the summer of 1976.  Two things really spring to mind, the sacking of Bertie Mee and the appointment of Terry Neill, but the really stand out memory was the announcement of Arsenal signing Malcolm Macdonald for £333,000.  Sounds pathetic now but he was the top striker at the time and England centre forward.  It was a real show of intent for the new Arsenal and this 10 year old was very excited.

First game?

I was taken by my brother and my sister’s boyfriend to Arsenal v Birmingham, Sat Nov 4th 1976.  We sat in one of the side stands but I knew then, that when I could go on my own I wanted to stand in the North Bank.  We won 4 nil but I honestly can’t remember who scored.  I was sat near 2 Blues players who were injured and got their autographs on the programme, Gary Sprake and Howard Kendall.

Favourite player (all time)?

Still Liam Brady probably and my son is named after him.  The late 70s side was the team that made me truly love Arsenal, and Brady was the oil in that machine.  The only player with his instinctiveness and touch since has been Bergkamp.

Favourite player (current)?

Easy to say RVP and I guess he is, but Sagna would run him a very close second.

Highest point?

As a fan it would have to be the Michael Thomas glory moment from 89.  I was not there but had been at most of the home games as we threw our lead away in the run up.  Everything about it was set up for the miracle, but not sure any of us truly believed we could do it.  Younger fans will not necessarily appreciate just how dominant Liverpool had been for so long, and just how rare it was to have a televised game in those days.  For a live high point it would be my first Wembley final and when we came from 1 nil down to beat Liverpool in the Littlewoods Cup in 87.  I named my website after that game, Liverpool had won every game for 6 years in which Ian Rush has scored until that day.

Lowest point?

This would easily be my second Wembley trip, the following year for the 88 Littlewoods Cup Final. 2 1 up against lesser opposition in Luton, we miss a penalty and contrive to lose by 3 goals to 2.  Sat on the terraces and cried.

Sign any 3 players?

To keep this within the realms of the possible I would settle for Podolski, Dempsey and an experienced back up keeper.  If I was going to throw in a surprise, I might suggest a sneaky bid for David Villa.  The greatest goal scorer of all time in Spain and I am convinced he will not get a look in at Barca when he returns from his broken leg.  He is 30, I think, so a cheeky low bid and a 2 year contract would be perfect.  Go on Arsene he is better than Poldo.

Sack any 3 players?

The same as everyone else I guess, but if I was to go for the less obvious, I would never have given Djourou a new contract.  I would like to see him out and he can be joined by Almunia and Squillaci.  Then if you want Verthongen, there is space or promote Miquel or Bartley.

Highbury or the Emirates?

I never get tired of walking over the concourse from the tube and seeing the Emirates.  I cried at the end of the Wigan match in 2006, but Highbury is now part of our great history and we need to start forging a new history at the new citadel.  First job is to somehow improve the atmosphere so every match is like the second half v Barca last season.

You can follow Dave on Twitter @goonerdave66, and don’t forget to give his blog a visit.


Monday, April 9, 2012

Déborah Rosinelle Ferreira





If there’s one term that annoys me intensely, it’s “Goonerette”.  You are either an Arsenal fan or you aren’t, simple as, gender has sod all to do with it.  Equally offensive is to think that all Brazilians are born with an innate knowledge of the beautiful game, I wouldn’t dream of walking into a bar in Rio and attempting to engage a complete stranger in a conversation about the false 9 or the pragmatism of Cattenaccio!  Deborah however, is the exception that proves the rule.  Yes she is from Brazil, and boy does she know her football.  Whether it be Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga or Erevidisie she’s forgotten more about football than most of us, tunnel vision fans, would claim to know.  And best of all, she’s a Gooner!!


Why Arsenal?


I suppose everyone has a starting point.  Some people are lucky enough to have been an Arsenal fan for as long as they can remember, while my bond started not so long ago.  I had been an Arshavin fan since I was impressed by him playing for Zenit during their 2008 Europa League campaign.  When Arsenal signed him, I decided I should follow the Premier League closer, and what was the best way than supporting the team he played for? After that initial contact, when I started learning more about Arsenal, the history and what the club meant, I could only fall in love with it all.  Like I said, everyone has a starting point...


Earliest Arsenal memory?


Ah... does it count being upset when Arsenal signed Gilberto Silva from my childhood club? (I’m over it now, no worries).  First Arsenal match I watched knowing it would be the club I’d support was a 0-0 draw against Tottenham on February 2009.  I remember being impressed with how 10-men Arsenal defended in the 2nd half.


First game?


Well being from Brazil, it’s not that simple to cross the ocean to attend a match.  My first game was this season, when we played away against Swansea.  Not the best debut in terms of result, but I really had a great time enjoying the atmosphere and meeting so many passionate Gooners I had only known via Twitter.


Favourite player (all time)?


I’ll go with Thierry Henry, because of everything he represents and because, having missed him in his prime at Arsenal, I got to see him playing again for us during his loan spell.  It was incredible and it meant a lot to me.


Favourite player (current)?


Laurent Koscielny, the Boss!  Unbelievable how much he’s improved and owned his position.  Another one of Wenger’s master signings.



Highest point?


Being a supporter for a little over 3 years, it’s rather sad I missed so many of the high points in our history, so of the ones I’ve witnessed, I’m going to go with beating Barcelona at home because there’s nothing about that match that I didn’t love.


Lowest point?


I remember lying down in bed and crying my eyes out after we lost to Man United in the 2nd leg of the Champions league semi finals.  The Carling Cup final last season was also very depressing, especially the fact that in the same week we went out of the Champions League and the FA Cup.


Sign any 3 players?


I’d be quite happy with Podolski, if it’s a real deal.  I’ll let Wenger surprise me with the others.


Sack any 3 players?


I can’t see Almunia, Chamakh and Squillaci staying.


Highbury or the Emirates?


I’ve never had the honour of attending a match at Highbury.  Though I did trespass, inside the new modern flat complex just to take a look and try to imagine how it all was before.  So, I’m going with the Emirates because it really made me emotional when I turned a corner and saw it for the first time earlier this year.  All we need is for the trophies to come, so more and more Gooners can warm to our new stadium.

You can follow Deborah on Twitter @binhaf.


Friday, April 6, 2012

Paul Williams



Another day, another Your Arsenal and today I’m delighted to be joined by Paul Williams.  One of my favourite Gooners on Twitter, Paul is a regular contributor to the excellent LadyArse, and also writes the brilliant music blog antstothenational,( indeed it was Paul who got me in to the band the National) and whether he’s reviewing a dodgy away trip to Stoke or a Blur gig, it’s his passion for the subject which invariably shines through.  On with the questions:


Why Arsenal?


Basically, because my granddad and uncle were bullies! Something I’m not always grateful for, but in this case... I used to spend Saturday afternoons at my Nan’s and, I’ll ‘fess up here, had an affinity for a certain west London team. Not Chelsea, by the way. Anyway, I got fed up of having the piss taken out of me every Saturday and decided if you can’t beat them- join them. Glad I did!


Earliest Arsenal memory?


My dad, who was not a football fan by the way, telling me that Arsenal didn’t have a chance of winning 2-0 at Anfield on a May day in 1989.  I forget the exact date...


First game?


It was a glorious, sunny, day in September 1991. I went with my best mate Chris and his elder brother, Joe and we beat Sheffield United 5-2. David Rocastle scored and I was dead chuffed.  


Favourite player (all time)?


To be honest, this changes quite often. My first hero was  Rocky, then Wrighty (the only reason to watch Arsenal for a while there). To choose one today, though, it has to be Patrick Vieira. Just a colossus- particularly in the first three years of the last decade. The number of trophies we won in his time here, and none since his departure, can’t be a coincidence. It took me about a fortnight to get over him leaving. Obviously, I was delighted to see Thierry back (and scoring) a couple of months ago but, for me, Patrick. 


Favourite player (current)?


Clearly, Robin’s a legend. But I love Bacary Sagna. It might be the dreadlocks, I suppose. Or the fact that he’s not Eboue. Seriously, I think the moment that clinched it for me was when Tom Huddlestone clattered the Spaniard who used to play in goal for us at WHL about 4 years ago. Thirty seconds later, Sagna battered him on the touchline, took the yellow card, got up and got on with the game; it seemed to sum up his no nonsense attitude to the game.


Highest point?


Which one do you pick? I’ve been a lucky Gooner, even in terms of individual matches in the last year or so- being at the Barcelona game last year was amazing, as was the recent Spurs game- probably my favourite match in the new stadium.  But, thinking of trophies, two doubles, Anfield 89... I don’t think there’s much that can top Patrick Vieira lifting the 2004 Premier League trophy as an unbeaten captain. Perhaps the fact that the title was secured at Spurs. I also think that achievement, as ludicrous as it sounds, probably wasn’t given enough respect at the time- it’s only as the years go by and teams try, and fail, to even get close to matching it that it has become ever more apparent just how impressive that feat was.


Lowest point?


Perhaps because I was there, but I think last year’s Carling Cup Final, the match that was supposed to end our 6 year trophy drought against the relegation fodder of Birmingham, felt like a real hammer blow. I think everything bad that came after that last year probably stemmed directly from that match. I remember us all joking in the pub how many we’d win by beforehand, but the train journey up to Wembley felt a bit like when Edward Woodward is on his way- although he doesn’t realise it yet- to meet the Wicker Man. I just sensed impending doom; we were so quiet by the time we got up there. Walking back to Wembley Park afterwards, under- as I recall it- a grey drizzle, just felt unreal. Horrible.


Sign any 3 players?


To be honest, I don’t watch a lot of football that isn’t Arsenal, so I can’t really say. Obviously Messi would be great. We’re light on quality strikers and Sergio Aguero, who scored a breathtaking goal on the counter attack at our place last year, is clearly quality. So him. Yaya Toure always feels like one who got away. I think we’re well stocked with potentially excellent midfielders, but Toure seems to be someone who would make a huge impact at Arsenal- and fill the Vieira shaped hole in my heart. Is that too much Man City love? Sorry.  


Sack any 3 players?


At half time of the Spurs match, I voiced the opinion that I hated Theo Walcott more than any other player I’d ever seen play for Arsenal, even Eboue. Of course, he turned that around, quite dramatically, in the second half, but he remains a frustrating enigma. Sacking him might be harsh though and I’m generally happy with the players in the squad now. Squillaci is an obvious candidate for a P45; I guess I’d regretfully add Vela, and his lovely little chips, to the list. And Chamakh. What has happened to him?


Highbury or the Emirates?


I actually think this is a tough one. Obviously, Highbury has a very special place in my heart- I’ll never forget my first sight of it- and it was a lovely old ground. You can still feel the weight of its history there now even in its current guise. That said, I think we’d outgrown it. The sightlines in the lower tiers of the East and West Stands were limited, to say the least and I get to go to games far more often now we have a bigger ground. However, it still feels as though Arsenal are yet to create their own history at the new stadium- it is happening, gradually, but I think Highbury, even now, is a truly special, magical, place, going there was always special. And I do miss it.


Don’t forget to follow Paul on Twitter @rockthecasbah77.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Feverpitch.


Pleased to be joined today by the esteemed blogger Feverpitch, who writes one of the most entertaining blogs out there, the fact that he writes about the Arsenal makes it a double bonus.  On with the questions.


Why Arsenal?


 Grew up in Cambridge (still follow Cambridge City in the southern league.
Not United. We don't like them!) and everyone there had a London team as it was so easy
to get to. Alan Sunderland's last minute winner in 1979 won me. Rest of family supported
unmentionables so thank Bergkamp for Alan!


Earliest Arsenal memory?


That 1979 cup final but first real pain was the 1980 cup final
against bloody West Ham, then the penalty loss to Valencia a few days later. Surprised I
stuck with them!


First game?


 October 16 1982 vs West Brom. My dad borrowed season tickets in the East
Upper. We missed the train from Cambridge and I persuaded him to drive like the clappers
to meet the train at Royston. We made it and won 2-0! Second game was 27 Dec against
Spuds. Another 2-0 win. All I remember is a massive punch up throughout the game on the
North bank and Clock End.


Favourite player (all time)?


The impossible question. Adams, Bergkamp, Henry?... Can't pick
one.


Favourite player (current)?


RVP of course and Jack. Really miss Jack.


Highest point?


Anfield 1989. Watched it on the box with my future wife. It really was a fever
pitch moment. Totally lost it at the end. We both came to London the next day for the parade.
It was amazing. Living in London during the other trophy wins was great. Always went
straight to the ground and celebrated outside the marble halls & Highbury Barn. The first half
against Barcelona in Paris was nice too. Drove there with Eastlower and two other good
mates days after my daughter was born. Best trip ever.


Lowest point?


Getting caught up in some nasty stuff in Paris after the Zaragoza defeat.
Police attacked us. Madness. The atmosphere amongst Gooners at Wembley against
Birmingham was pretty awful too. Worst, I guess, was being carted off to hospital before we
lost to the Chavs at Wembley in the FA cup semi. That was no fun (and we lost all 3 of those
games!)


Sign any 3 players?


Messi, Andy Carroll and Zac Barrett, Cambridge City's goalkeeper. Best
in the Southern League! Only one of those is serious but which one?


Sack any 3 players?


 Squillaci, Park and Chamakh (sorry lads, just not good enough).


Highbury or the Emirates?


Highbury without question. It was the most beautiful and special
ground. So many memories. It was like losing a beloved childhood home. The Grove (I'll
never call it by a sponsor's name) is obviously an amazing ground but it will never have a
place in my heart like Highbury.

Many thanks once again to Feverpitch for taking the time to answer my questions and don’t forget you can follow him on Twitter @feverpitch.