Bay Area Gooners

Glorious if not victorious

Gooners coming up for air after Arsenal won the Premiership, lost the Champions League Final, and had a North London victory parade that drew an estimated 1,000,000+ supporters.

The turnout in North Beach for the PSG match was unreal. Maggie’s was packed to the rafters, and so many Gooners showed up, it literally shut down Grant Avenue. We packed them in at Gino & Carlo, the Northstar Cafe and hosted a sold out all-ages viewing at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.

Other Arsenal supporters found themselves in adjacent North Beach restaurants and bars, because designated locations reached capacity. North Beach was truly red. Ultimately disappointed by the result but still walking on air as title winners.

Now that Arsenal are champions, people have been asking me a lot, how does it feel? Honestly, it feels quite surreal. As I told the crowd at Maggie’s, I never imagined when starting the group 20 years ago, it would take this long to win the title again.

I’ve honestly been a little numb, but what I have soaked up is the elation and unbridled joy from Gooners at the pub. Some have not waited as long as 22 years, but it hasn’t meant any less to them.

I started this group for one reason, to watch Arsenal with other people. The Bay Area Gooners became part of an incredible community, for whom Arsenal is so much more than just a football team. As evidenced by the stories here in this issue of the excellent Heart of a Fan Stubstack.

The off-season

Now we’ll take some time to bask in the title win. Maybe we’ll organize some off-season meet-ups, World Cup watches, who knows. I’ll be sending out a survey to anyone who was at our all-ages viewing, to gauge if it’s something we can do again. Before you know it, it will be August and it starts all over again.

Thank you to everyone who turned up for a match this season. You helped make the Bay Area Gooners, one of the most vibrant supporters groups anywhere.

COYG!

Best, Mark

A second chance

What a glorious day it was! Maggie’s was packed inside and out. Some of us waited a long time to see Arsenal crowned Champions! All in all, a wonderful, raucous beer soaked celebration.

NBC gave the Gunners the short shrift on the trophy lift, preferring to focus on Spurs “miraculous” (🤢) escape. We were scrambling at Maggie’s to find the celebration, so if you missed anything, you can watch it here.

Now all eyes turn to Budapest on Saturday. A very formidable PSG awaits and no one is really given Arsenal much of a chance. I still bear the scars of the last Arsenal Champions League Final in 2006.

But this is a different time, so I’m preferring to remain optimistic. Arsenal are not the same side, PSG saw out last year in the semi-finals. Undefeated throughout all phases of the tournament, it’s our suffocating defense against their fast paced attack. The lads will be brimming with confidence, having just hoisted the Premier League trophy.

IMPORTANT CL FINAL VIEWING INFO:.

Our all-ages viewing at the San Francisco Athletic Club is SOLD OUT. There is a waiting list but no additional tickets are expected unless someone cancels. There is no outside viewing for this event or walk ups on the day will be allowed. There is an all-ages viewing at Splash Sports Bar next to the Chase Center.

As always, Maggie’s is 21+ only. No tickets or admission charge, and it is first come, first served. Doors will be at 7:00 am. Match will be on inside and out. If you are unable to get in, Northstar Cafe and Gino & Carlo will be showing the match. Both are within blocks of Maggie’s and both are 21+.

For this match, the bar will be CASH ONLY. We realized this may seem inconvenient to some, but there is an ATM in the bar and several in the surrounding neighborhood.

Hope to see you at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Campeones!

What a difference a day makes! Following another arduous, nerve-wracking result over Burnley, Arsenal awaited the result of Bournemouth v Man City to determine if the battle for the title would extend to this weekend.

When Tuesday’s match’s ended in a draw, Arsenal were declared Premier League Champions. And the Goonerverse exploded!

The Bay Area Gooners were founded in 2026 and we’ve spent the past 20 years, waiting for this moment. A crowd descended on Maggie McGarry’s and we celebrated like never before.

Small matter of a match on Sunday against Crystal Palace, where our celebrations at Maggie’s will continue.

This has been a very surreal experience for me personally. I became an Arsenal supporter around the time of The Invincibles, without truly understanding the magnitude of what they accomplished. I quickly acclimated to the game and have waited in earnest ever since.

Following the end of the Premier League season, all eyes are on the UEFA Champions League Final, Saturday, May 30th.

We’ll be at Maggie’s for the match as we have for every match this season. Mick is working on adding additional screens and capacity outside.

But in response to inquiries from members with children, we’ve added an all-ages viewing at the nearby San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.

PSG v Arsenal Champions League Final Viewing at Maggie McGarry’s

PSG v Arsenal All-Ages Champions League Final Viewing at SFIAC

As always, Maggie’s is 21+ only. No tickets or admission charge, and it is first come, first served. However, our all-ages event is ticketed. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-17, and free for kids under 5. Door times for both events is 8:00 am.

Your ticket to the SFIAC, includes complementary breakfast and access to a paid bar. Tickets are available here and I’m predicting it will sell out. Longtime BAG member, Charles Belle and his family will be your hosts and I will try to put in an appearance at halftime.

Despite our title drought, I’ve really enjoyed running this group for the past 20 years. I love the community we’ve built and I’m looking forward to celebrating with everyone on Sunday.

Hope to see you at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Sunday, May 24 • 8:00 am Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

Match on inside and outside.
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.
Dogs in parklet only, please.
Keep the banter civil and friendly.
Outside food is OK.
Outside drinks are NOT.

Facebook Event

COYG!

Arsenal vs the world

Heady times for Gooners. VAR finally made a correct call in our favor against West Ham on Sunday, preserving our lead on Man City. As Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian correctly opines, David Raya was being fouled by not one, but two different Hammers, and Callum Wilson’s late equalizer was rightly chalked off.

The level of media consternation around the decision was staggering, but expected as the UK press’ anti-Arsenal bias is a long-standing tradition. However, the level of vitriol from supporters of pretty much every other club has been confounding.

You’d expect it from West Ham, City, and Spurs fans, but we’re getting it from supporters of all 19 other clubs. For a Man U supporter to favor City winning the title over us, beggars belief, because (checks notes) supposedly there’s an age-old rivalry there.

I’ve heard it chalked up to Arsenal playing “negative football” and our “insufferable fan base”. We’d all love results built on the back of beautiful, free-flowing footy, but that’s not this team and ultimately, winning is all that matters.

As to our fan base, toxic fan outlets like AFTV put us in a negative light. I don’t give them any air or want them anywhere near the club I love, but what can you do. But with racist Chelsea fans or Man City supporters who wear their financial irregularities as a badge of honor, somehow we’re the worst?

The really sad news this week was the loss of Ben White for the rest of the season. “Benny Blanco” has been a mercurial but beloved figure for Arsenal and Arseblog offers this lovely tribute here.

Arsenal’s last home match of the season against Burnley was moved to next Monday, May 18th, which sucks for UK and US fans alike. Weekday matches are a big ask for most of us working stiffs here. Meanwhile, the evening match in London, means the traditional players’ “thank you” lap, won’t occur until after 10:00 pm local time, impacting the trip home.

Still all to do for the Gunners as City won their game in hand and we just need two strong performances to get us over the line.

Arsenal are on the precipice of the title with just two matches to go. For many at Maggie McGarry’s, it would be the first major trophy in their tenure as Arsenal supporters.

UPCOMING MATCHES AT MAGGIE’S – IMPORTANT!

Many US Arsenal supporters groups have made the last match of the season and the Champions League Final ticketed events, to manage capacity at their venues.

Currently, both matches at Maggie McGarry’s will be first come, first serve for anyone, 21 and over. However, we are trying to arrange a nearby all-ages viewing location as well as prepare for overflow.

I will alert Gooners through the usual channels (here and social media) when/if new details are finalized.

Hope to see you next Monday at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Arsenal v Burnley

Monday, 5/18 • 12:00 pm Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

Match on inside and outside.
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.
Dogs in parklet only, please.
Keep the banter civil and friendly.
Outside food is OK.
Outside drinks are NOT.

Facebook Event Link

COYG!

Hungary for more

Another great week to be a Gooner. First, Arsenal dispatch Fulham somewhat effortlessly, 3-0 over the weekend. On Monday, Citeh dropped points against Everton, putting Arsenal back in the driver’s seat. Then Tuesday, the Gunners shut down Atlético Madrid, winning 1-0 on the strength of a Bukayo Saka goal, landing themselves in the Champions League final.

Saka’s return has reinvigorated Arsenal, giving them back a confidence that seemingly had gone missing. Havertz and Odegaard returned to the bench against Atlético, but only the Norwegian featured. Now if we could just get Timber or Merino back.

We now know Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in Hungary at the end of the month, presenting them with their biggest challenge of the season. But no time to think about that, with only 3 Premiership matches left.

They head to East London to face West Ham, knowing if they win the remaining matches, the title is theirs.

Contemplating an all-ages Champions League match viewing in San Francisco for those not 21 or can’t bring their kids to Maggie’s. Drop me an email if that is something you would attend.

We had a phenomenal midweek turnout. Hope to see everyone on Sunday.

COYG!

Best, Mark

West Ham v Arsenal

Sunday, May 10 • 8:30 am Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

Match on inside and outside.
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.
Dogs in parklet only, please.
Keep the banter civil and friendly.
Outside food is OK.
Outside drinks are NOT.

Facebook Event

COYG!

Arsenal v Atlético

Tuesday, 5/5 • 12:00 pm Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

Match on inside and outside.
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.
Dogs in parklet only, please.
Keep the banter civil and friendly.
Outside food is OK.
Outside drinks are NOT.

Facebook Event Link

COYG!

Eze on down the road

Hard fought Champions League draw on Wednesday, in which we were denied a clear penalty. Now our focus shifts back to the first of the final four Premier League matches in Arsenal’s quest to become champions.

If the Gunners are able to get this done, it will be in no small part due to Eberechi Eze joining the squad. His creativity and versatility have had a transformative effect on Arsenal’s play. He was dominant at Newcastle and scored a screamer of a winning goal.

Overall Arsenal’s efforts have been far from convincing recently. While Fulham have also struggled, the Cottagers still present a challenge as they fight for a spot in European football.

This is crunch time. When the season is done, will you be able to say you were there? At Maggie McGarry’s, backing the lads to the very end?

Hope to see everyone tomorrow!

COYG!

Best, Mark