Tom Acres

A busy week on here and we start with the inimitable Tom Acres.  I’ve been following Tom on Twitter for ages and he is one of the most intelligent and erudite Gooners out there.  Some of you may know him as part of the team that brought us the Optimistic Gooner podcasts but our great club, being what it is, has sucked all the optimism out of them and they’re now reincarnated as the Arsing Around podcast!  Nevertheless they continue to bring us all the latest news, gossip and opinion with the same intelligence and humour that is their forte.  Anyway enough out of me and on with the serious bit...

Why Arsenal?

My dad grew up pretty much down the road from Highbury and went to every home game, with his dad and his brother, so Arsenal has been rather rooted in the family. I just picked up from there really, even though my dad hadn’t been able to go to games as regularly since he got married I would probably have still been disowned if I had chosen another team! But even without the family ties I was quite easily attracted to Arsenal; the shirt, the stadium, Dennis Bergkamp, loved it all.

Earliest Arsenal memory?

Well I first remember getting into football properly for the 1998 World Cup, when I was 5, and my first Arsenal memory was Tony Adams lifting silverware at Wembley, I’m just not sure if it was the FA Cup or the Community Shield!

First game?

I know I was taken to a game when I was 5 or 6 but I can’t remember it off the top of my head, but the earliest game I have memory of going to was against Ipswich at Highbury in I think 2000, perhaps 2001. I distinctly recall Richard Wright playing against us and having a bit of a stormer, and I’m fairly sure Dennis Bergkamp scored. I think the final score was 2-0 Arsenal.

Favourite player (all time)?

It’s got to be Bergkamp; he was the name on the back of my first shirt and I loved the number 10, but even at a young age I could recognise what an awesome player he was. It’s difficult to single out one player considering I grew up during an era in which Arsenal were winning trophy after trophy and had so many quality players, but Bergkamp always stood out. Even though I often think I didn’t appreciate the great players as much as I should have when I look back now, I always remember stressing out about Bergkamp’s contract situation and quizzing my dad as to why we would only ever offer him a 1 year deal! Fantastic player, wish we could’ve seen him at the Emirates a bit more!

Favourite player (current)?

I try and avoid the obvious choices even though until last season it had been Fabregas. This season I would have to go with Laurent Koscielny and Mikel Arteta. I love Koscielny as a player, and part of the appeal I think comes from the fact that most neutrals, pundits and journalists still associate him with the Carling Cup gaffe and think he’s rubbish. He just goes about his defending so efficiently and effectively, and I think he’s probably the best defender at the club. Arteta has just held the midfield together this year, and again I think he’s unappreciated and undervalued by many. Keeps us ticking, seems like a real top bloke as well and has scored some cracking goals. Love the hair, too!

Highest point?

Although I don’t think I appreciated it or understood the significance of it as much as I should have at the time, I would have to go with the Invincibles. If I was picking an individual moment then things like Arshavin vs Barcelona, Sol in the Champions League Final, Lehmann’s penalty save in the semi-final and Henry’s solo goal against Spurs would be clear choices for me, but it’s difficult to imagine a higher point that Arsenal have been at since I’ve been following, them than an unbeaten title winning season!

Lowest point?

Champions League Final, by far. It is to this day the only time I’ve cried watching football, and also the only time I’ve seen my dad shed a tear full stop! There have been family bereavements and the Champions League Final remains the only time I’ve seen my dad cry. Once again I don’t think I appreciated the journey we went on to reach the final, but when we lost it I was gutted. Just thinking about it now, especially seeing as we’ve got nowhere near close to winning it since, makes me want to have a little cry to myself!

Sign any 3 players?

Tough one, if we’re talking fantasy football then you’d have to go with people like Messi and Ronaldo! Realistically speaking I think M’Vila seems like someone who would fit in really well, especially considering Song’s development into a more attacking player has contributed to our poor defensive record this season. I’m really happy with Podolski but wouldn’t begrudge another striker coming in, difficult to put a name on it, though. I love Shinji Kagawa and Mario Goetze at Dortmund, and do think we could’ve done with a better creative midfielder this season, but then I think that man is probably going to be Jack Wilshere!

Sack any 3 players?

It seems a bit pointless to list players that we all know will probably be going like Almunia, Denilson and Squillaci, but I suppose they’re obvious choices for a reason! We certainly have a lot of deadwood to clear out.

Highbury or the Emirates?

All the fantastic memories and trophies from when I was about 5 up until the age of 14 come from Highbury, but most of the games I’ve been to have been Emirates and Arsenal’s record when I’ve been there is pretty great! I think it’s a fantastic stadium, and it’s filling up every season with some great memories, we just need a trophy presentation or two for it to really feel like home. Emirates Cup doesn’t count!

Good stuff Tom and don’t forget you can follow him on Twitter @dartfordgooner or Arsing Around @ArsingAround.

She Wore!

When I first started this experiment I had a short list of ideal participants (most of whom I got) that I ideally wanted to take part.  She Wore were one of the first names on that list.  While they can be occasionally controversial and you may not always agree with their forthright views, there’s no denying their in-depth knowledge of the history and ethos of our great club.  The She Wore website has news, opinion, a message board and great features like the A to Z of players linked to the club this summer.  Anyway enough of the hyperbole, let’s get down to it...

Why Arsenal?

No choice really, I come from a long line of Arsenal supporters, some of my Great-Grandparents were Arsenal fans and I have a few distant relatives that have played for the 1st team.

Earliest Arsenal memory?

Sadly it was watching the 1980 FA cup final at my Granddads house, I was 7 years old and the tears started when Trevor Brooking scored. My Granddad gave me a swift slap round the head called me a big girl. I've only ever cried twice since over The Arsenal.

First game?

It was 1985 and the 2nd leg of a League cup game, was no more than 20,000 in the ground as we were a few goals up from the away leg. Was pretty much one of the most boring games I have ever been to, but the sight and smell of Highbury as I walked up the stairs to the Northbank just had me hooked. It felt like I was instantly at home.

Favourite player (all time)?

Paul Merson was a shining light in a lot of George Graham’s sides, he could pull out a piece of magic and knew where the goal was. To me he was like one of us, he clearly had his demons with drink, drugs and gambling, but he was a working class lad with a lot of talent and enjoyed it, he always seemed to have a smile on his face. I can still tell you the pub I was in and who I was with the day the News of the World ran the article Wenger had sold him.

Favourite player (current)?

Chesney. Last year the Islington boys club hosted a boxing night at the Emirates, Vs an Irish select boxing team, Chesney was there signing autographs and standing for pictures all night and enjoying the boxing. At one point between rounds he jumps into the ring gets the round card and walked around. About 20mins later he climbs up again grabs the comperes microphone and starts up "Stand up if you hate Tottenh*m". He's one current player I look at and think to myself, yeah that lad really cares.

Highest point?

Anfield 89, still gutted out of the 2 games we played at Anfield that season I was at the other!  (although that was one mad night as well). We were originally due to play Liverpool over Easter and due to the mate I went away games with being away that Easter with his family we didn't get tickets and then when the game was rearranged we couldn't get any. I ended up watching the game indoors with my mother, who supplied me with a few cans of lager and that was the 2nd time I have ever cried over The Arsenal.

Lowest point?

Has to be that semi final in 1991, I was sat with my brother, we rarely sat/stood together, him and his mates liked it by the dugouts in the east lower and by then I was in the Clockend, that side deserved to win the double, they lost one league game all season (out of 42) and that was away to a very poor Chelsea side and let in just 18 league goals. Still don't know what happened to us that game and it still hurts!

Sign any 3 players?

Any? Messi, Ronaldo and Yaya Toure.

In real life, Baines, Cisse and M'villa.

Sack any 3 players?

Diaby, Almunia and Chamakh.

Highbury or the Emirates?

The Emirates is a great ground, comfy seats, nicer toilets, it’s the perfect football ground really, but it hasn’t and never will have that feeling I had every time I entered Highbury, it broke my heart when we left, that place was magical, I can still smell it and the last game was the third time The Arsenal has ever made me cry.

Told you it would be a bit special.  You can follow them on Twitter @SheWore or like them on Facebook here.

Jim Condon

Today we’re off to the Peoples Republic of Cork to chat with my old Twitter buddy Jim Condon.  Those of you that follow Jim will know him for his eclectic taste in music and his acerbic humour, particularly when he’s MBM’ing Match of the Day or Jools Holland.  Equally at home discussing the 4-4-2 or obscure American prog rock I knew he’d make a great interviewee for Your Arsenal and sure enough he didn’t disappoint.  Enjoy!

Why Arsenal?

Having arrived in Ireland in 1978 at the tender age of 13 from the USA I wanted to fit in with everyone else at school and so I had to pick a team. Instinctively, I knew Man United and Liverpool weren’t for me. A brief flirtation with Aston Villa followed before I (thankfully) opted for Arsenal. I am sure it was the large core of Irish players who were there at the time and the fact that they had reached the FA Cup Final that year as well.

Earliest Arsenal memory?

Possibly the lost cup final of 1978 but what really sticks in the mind is the “5 minute final” of 1979. I had an awful time at the dentist that day. My mouth was in bits, my gums stitched up and black, ichor-like blood was drooling from my mouth. This meant I had to watch the game lying on the opposite side to my wound but when Sunderland scored the winner I jumped up like a loon, sprayed the whole place with said horrible blood and promptly collapsed back onto the couch in shock! This was to establish pattern of me falling over at pivotal Arsenal moments through the years exactly none of which were ever again dentistry related!

First game?

As Ray said earlier, living in Ireland it is a bit tough to get to games regularly with the expense and travelling etc but my first game was a Champion’s League group game against Ajax at Highbury in Dec 2005. A 0-0 draw with both teams qualified so no high jinks but a very young Cesc Fabregas warmed up in front of us and waved up at us and the rare sight of Mart Poom as the sub keeper!

Favourite player (all time)?

A seriously tough question as, being the great club The Arsenal are, there have been so many but I will always go for Dennis Bergkamp. He was the catalyst for the success of the Wenger era I believe even though it was Bruce Rioch who bought him. A wonderful combination of a devilish edge touched with genius.

Favourite player (current)?

Obviously Robin Van Persie is attracting all the plaudits and rightly so but I really admire Bacary Sagna. A beast of a player. Very talented of course but when the need arises he can defend and put a boot through the ball…and the oppo too!

Highest point?

The win at Anfield in 1989. Watching those Scouse dicks have the soul knocked out of them and us winning the title on their patch. I watched it at home on TV and when Michael Thomas scored I jumped up, fell to my knees in the front room and tore the arse and both knees out of my jeans!

Lowest point?

Where else? The Champion’s League final. I watched the first half at work, left and we were 1-0 up. Got to the bar, ordered a drink and they equalised….poured the drink and they scored again. It was heartbreaking, I felt it was my fault!!

Sign any 3 players?

Vincent Kompany for defensive solidity alongside Vermaelen. Mesut Özil in midfield alongside Jack and Radamel Falcao from Atlético Madrid alongside RVP and Podolski. Goals there I’d say.

Sack any 3 players?

Almunia ,Chamakh and Squillaci. There’s three, and that didn’t take long to think of.

Highbury or the Emirates?

Highbury was a great spot and a fantastic ground for its time. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the club outgrew it and The Grove is a wonderful football stadium. I was there for the first proper game in July 2006 for Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial against Ajax and it was a super day.

Told you it’d be good!  You can follow Jim on Twitter @calexico65 .

Akhil Vyas

The last interview of the season and it’s a cracker.  Akhil was one of the first Gooners I started to follow on Twitter and he has a top to bottom knowledge of the club that is unparalleled.  Regular viewers of the Fans Forum on Arsenal Player, will know him for his insightful contributions and he writes with the same intelligence and passion in his terrific blog Akhil from Hounslow.  So without further ado on with the questions.

Why Arsenal?

My mum grew up in North London so all her family supported Arsenal and had been going to Highbury for years and that influenced me.  My dad’s side also supported Arsenal so it was an easy decision.  My dad himself wasn’t much of a football fan but I made him sign me up as a junior gunner and he provided the finance for me to go to games until I was able to finance myself!

Earliest Arsenal memory?

It was based around Ian Wright.  I remember his wild celebrations and just his liveliness (if that is even a word!)  He was always buzzing and he was the type of player any child would love.  He really made me fall in love with Arsenal.

First game?

It must have been 1994 and it was against Coventry and it was a goalless draw! That didn’t put me off though!

Favourite player (all time)?

Patrick Vieira. Even though Ian Wright was a major influence on why I fell in love with Arsenal, it was Patrick Vieira that I loved the most! I loved his leadership and the way he wore his heart on his sleeve and defended the club on the pitch. His battles with Roy Keane etc and the way he defended Reyes against the whole of the Man Utd team in that tunnel at Highbury was just epic.  He drove games at times and took games and changed them. He was well supported by others but I think he was immense in the middle of midfield and a proper leader.

Favourite player (current)?

Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna.  Of course Robin Van Persie this season has been great and I am a big admirer of Theo Walcott but LK6 (as I like to call him) and Bac have just grown and grown over the last year or two, especially LK6.  I saw his first game at the Emirates against Milan in the Emirates Cup and he was superb, I believed he would become a quality player and I think he is nearly there. Sagna is just solid and always reliable. One of the best right backs in the country and maybe even the world and there is never any transfer gossip because he remains loyal to us. If these two and Vermaelen can stay together then I think the three can contribute to a title winning team.

Highest point?

Has to be 2004, unbeaten, immortal, and played with flair and style. We had power and pace throughout our team and we were so strong. Even if we went behind, we believed we would win. It really was a special time and one we probably should have enjoyed more!

Lowest point?

Champions League final last 15 minutes! Broke my heart. Can’t even think about it now, it still hurts.

Sign any 3 players?

Ah, what a tough question. I really struggle with these sort of questions because a few years ago, id have said a DM but then Song (who is more than a DM) came in and has been fantastic this season so I like to leave it to the manager! I’d like a creative midfielder in though, a Gotze type player but he will cost a fair bit! I think we sometimes struggle for creativity against teams that play very deep. A player who can play DM and CB may be useful too because there is no real cover for Song at the moment. If Fabianksi goes then an experienced number two is also needed. I hope Yossi stays too.

Sack any 3 players?

I like to leave this to others too but it’s hard to see a big future for Chamakh or Park (if he was any good, surely he would have played by now!), of course Almunia is out of contract so will leave too.

Highbury or the Emirates?

Highbury for the special loving place it was but in the modern day (and when debts are paid off) the Emirates is the future. I wouldn’t like to pick one because they are both unique, so I have to sit on the fence here….AGAIN! Sorry!

Follow Akhil on Twitter here, @10Akhil.

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 26^th 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.

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.

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?

17^th 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 8^th 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.