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.
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