London Calling

Another three-gamer this week, so make a cuppa, sit back, and relax…

Man Utd (a).

Another game in the Northwest can only mean another visit to see Gina in Manchester. It was also the first proper trip out for the Mazda so I was quite looking forward giving it a bit of a thrash to see what it could do. Gina works as a barmaid in a club on Saturday nights so when I arrived there at 1 she was just getting up. Oh well, I guess one persons breakfast is another’s lunch…

It’s only a half hour walk through the crowds from her place to Old Trafford so we didn’t have to leave too early to get there. You know, with all the travelling I do it’s nice the odd occasions I can relax and stroll to a game so I made the most of it!

We set out a good hour before kick off to give us plenty of time and about half way there the heavens opened. It had been raining on and off since I’d got to Manchester but this was a torrent that quickly turned to heavy hail. It lasted (as far as I can tell) until the moment we went through the turnstiles into the ground! Oh well I guess it’s obviously not true it always rains in Manchester – sometimes it’s hail.

There was quite a good atmosphere amongst the Arsenal fans before the game, although whether this was anything to do with getting into the dry I can’t say. A combination of plod and stewards managed to create the longest queue I’ve seen at an away ground in years and we were out in the rain (and hail) waiting to get in for over 20 minutes. When we got in the queue was twice the length it had been when we joined it.

We started well and for 15 minutes looked like we would roll all over them but after that we were never going to win. After about half an hour it was obvious which team had been playing in Turin a few days earlier and although there wasn’t a lot in it we couldn’t really complain about the result. Gina did though – and pointed out that although it wasn’t that dirty a game (certainly in comparison with previous encounters) it was the Mancs that were committing the worst fouls and even picking up bookings (at Old Trafford – what was the ref thinking of!). And she also pointed out that Rooney had all the charm of a rutting hog. Well, not exactly what she said but…

George was at the game and we caught up with him at half time but as his lift was going back straight after it was just myself and Gina walking back to her place after the game. Everyone jokes about all their fans being from Essex and stuff but there is another side to that. It’s one of the few away grounds where I don’t feel slightly wary about talking too loudly in case people hear my accent.

We got back and had a proper meal and some wine. Not too much wine though (well not for me) because by being in Manchester I’d put myself inline for Daddy duties on Monday morning. Gina and a group of her mates were going to Amsterdam for the week and they all had to be at Liverpool Airport (nothing simple like going from Manchester Airport!) by 7 in the morning That meant us getting up at 5 to join a procession of 3 cars full of sleepy teenagers leaving Manchester at 6. Those are all a.m. by the way. Mind you it did mean I was home well before lunchtime.

Pompey (a).

Can’t really say a lot about this one as circumstances conspired to mean I only saw bits and pieces of the game. What does worry me though is that the team appear to have their minds elsewhere. Understandable, but undoubtedly dangerous. You can’t just turn it on as and when – it has to be game after game. Ok, maybe I’m being unfair because Pompey are on a great run at the moment and appear well up for their battle against relegation but we should still win these games.

A few words about Sol Campbell. I saw enough of him to know that whatever problems he may or may not have had he can still do a job for us. After a while out it’s not surprising his timing was slightly out (and for me both times he was injured it was because of that) but he appeared to be the Sol of old, and the more bodies we have around at the moment the better. People have very short memories and it was only back in the autumn that any Arsenal fan would laugh at the mere suggestion Sol shouldn’t have been first choice for Arsenal and England. With Flamini playing so well people are saying that we should dump Cole and go with him next season. Now whilst Cole (and even Sol) may be an emotive subject what about the superb Gael Clichy? Last summer he was the next great thing and now he’s forgotten. A few months ago many people would have been happy to see Kerrea Gilbert as our first choice right back for years to come now it’s Eboue. If nothing else with Lauren being fit again and (I hope) Justin Hoyte coming back into the squad it’s going to be interesting to see who starts next season in the full back slots.

W.B.A. (h).

Start of some serious travelling for me. Three home games in a week (all of which I have to get back to Newcastle in between) and then a flight out to Spain the day after we play the Spuds at some daft time of the morning for the Villarreal away game. Not that I’ve got tickets! George and I are both heading out more in hope than expectation of getting a ticket for their stadium. We’ll sit anywhere to get in!

Anyway, I’m sure you’ll find out how I get on soon enough…

Drove down the night before but as I was getting the train back I dumped the car at George’s. Now I won’t bore you with the details (and you know I could…) but basically my right knee has been knackered since I was 17. Generally it does nothing more than get a bit sore when I climb stairs but from time to time it flares up and anything more than a gentle stroll on the flat is agony. And as for twisting – don’t take me there. Anyway, you might not be shocked to hear that it was knackered. All I wanted to do was get to the ground and into my seat.

Officially the theme of the day was ‘Fans Day’ but that had been co-opted into Dennis Bergkamp day, and it was fitting to pay tribute to a man who is not just one of the best players of his generation, but also an almost perfect role model for kids to look up to. It was more than that though. It was also the 17th anniversary of Hillsborough, and players up and down the country wore armbands to commemorate that. 17 years and still no justice. Make up your own mind http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/

There was one other thing that occurred to me though. It was the last ever time Highbury would host a game at 3pm on a Saturday. I know the 3pm Saturday kick off is a rarity these days but there are still many of us for whom it’s the natural time for football to be played. Am I starting to sound like my Granddad?

For every last the natural order of things demands a first and the first on the occasion was Tony coming all the way over from Oz to pay homage at Highbury. Jinxy couldn’t make it and Tony was using his ticket so we arranged to meet at the 12 Pins around 2. Knowing my knee needed extra time George got himself sorted in good time (which was appreciated as compared to George a 3 month pregnant woman could barely be described as ‘late’) and we got to New Southgate a train earlier than normal. Struggled down onto the platform when they made an announcement that there was only a limited service and we would have to get a bus to Ally Pally. Couldn’t do something sensible like put a sign up at the entrance could they!

By the time we had driven (wait for a bus – do me a favour) to Ally Pally we just missed a train and were actually on the train after the one we normally get. Rather than being at the 12 Pins nice and early it was getting on by the time we arrived there and my knee was sore.

I just wanted to get to the ground and when we got to the pub Tony was ‘splashing his boots’ so we met his mate Peter. I should apologise for my rudeness because I rather dumped the ticket on him and split but on meeting them after I think they understood. Hobble hobble ouch and I was in my seat with a couple of packets of mini eggs from the o2 Angels. The one thing that really bugged me was that I had intended to get the lift in the North Bank for the first time but only remembered when I was half way up the flaming stairs!

The game and the atmosphere were pretty flat for a lot of the match. WBA are an honest team who tend to play within the rules and disastrous as it could have proved for us their equaliser wasn’t entirely undeserved. I don’t think either Bergkamp or Pires had touched the ball when they equalised but two of our oldest players got the boss out of some rough headlines, and made his substitution pay. Their equaliser seemed to bring the crowd to life, which gave the players a lift, which brings more from the crowd. The little dink by Pires for the second was absolutely perfect, but on Dennis Bergkamp day he treated us to one of his specials. We were directly behind and as soon as he drew his leg back it was going in. And I don’t think anyone in the ground could begrudge him yet another moment.

One thing I’ve got to say that although there were three ex-Arsenal players out there, for me there was only one Arsenal man out there. Kevin Campbell, whose career was (at best) ‘blunted’ by the signing of Ian Wright, is Arsenal through and through and still holds a record at Highbury. Whilst everyone knows who’s scored the most goals for the first team how many of you knew that he held the record for the most goals for Arsenal at all levels? If memory serves he broke a record held by John Radford.

So, we left the ground with only 3 games left at Highbury. Last summer the season ticket that arrived was my 29th and it still doesn’t seem real that it will be my last ever at Highbury. The last time I was in the Triangle (it was the Plimsoll then) was probably 20 season tickets ago but as Tony was meeting his mate Peter there and I was feeling pangs of nostalgia…

It’s always a bit of a worry when you sort out a ticket for someone that you’ve not met but Tony and Peter were not only fine company, but also insisted on buying the drinks. George and I hung around for a few and apparently we are now ‘Richmond’ fans, although we’re both totally oblivious to any implications this may have! Glad the game picked up for you gents and hope you’re both well.

Kings Cross was closed for the weekend and for once something worked to my advantage because all the trains to the North East were going from Finsbury Park. Personally I think they should continue with this arrangement as it’s much easier for me, and I don’t get a lot of easy really. Anyway, there was a train waiting for me to jump onto and I enjoyed a fairly relaxing and quiet journey home. Boring, but delightful if you know what I mean.

Anyway, better stop typing and start travelling because I’ve got to get back to Highbury…

Come On You Red(currant)s!