Arsenal’s March towards?

March is here and looking unlikely that Arsenal will hoist the Premier League trophy this season. Particularly following the loss to West Ham and subsequent toothless draw at Nottingham Forest. Our injuries and lack of an out and out striker seemingly doomed us to be also-rans again.

But we’re still in the thick of the Champions League, with the first of our two leg match up against PSV Einhoven tomorrow. If we can get past the Dutch side, perhaps we’ll get Martinelli and Saka back to help fill the offensive void.

Whatever happens, Maggie’s will show matches for us, and I hope to see you there! Starting tomorrow!

COYG!

Best, Mark.

Strange but true

Did anyone have midfielder Mikel Merino coming off the bench to score not one but two winners, on their bingo card? The elation for Gooners at Maggie’s for the 4:30 am match, was equal parts relief and surprise.

What a strange season for Arsenal. Some might say a trainwreck, given our preponderance of injuries. But there is much to celebrate, beyond sitting in second place right now. Young guns, Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis Skelly have been reason enough for hope. This Arseblog column, on finding the joy in Arsenal, is brilliant and worth a read.

We face West Ham Saturday knowing that Liverpool dropped points in a draw at Aston Villa Wednesday and Arsenal can narrow the gap to 5 points. The Scousers no longer have a game in hand and face Man City on Sunday. I think for once, we’ll be hoping (Maggie’s owner) Mick’s team gets a result.

Late breaking news: Arsenal draw PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Round of 16.

We will have the new design Bay Area Gooner t-shirts available Saturday. Get yours while supplies last.

Buying a t-shirt means you can proclaim your allegiance and support our efforts to produce more cool BAG swag. See you all at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark.

Ecstasy and agony

Since Arsenal’s thrashing of Man City, it’s been tough sledding for Gooners. Just days later, the Gunners were soundly beaten by Newcastle, exiting the League Cup, with an aggregate score of 4-0 over two legs. Even worse, Gabriel Martinelli picked up an injury that will keep him out for at least a month.

Mikel Arteta then shepherded the lads off to Dubai to refocus and rejuvenate their efforts in the home stretch of the season. During which, Kai Havertz suffers a hamstring injury, which looks to end his season.

We head to Leicester with our attacking options reduced to Trossard, Sterling, and Nwaneri, making our inactivity in the transfer window, looking like malpractice more every day.

A late Everton equalizer in yesterday’s Merseyside Derby means Liverpool are only 7 points ahead. Despite our lack of a proper striker, this sort of campaign is the stuff of legend. Here’s hoping our paper-thin Arsenal squad can rise to the challenge.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 4:30 am and Maggie’s will open for us. Rise to that challenge and you can be a Gooner legend too. We’ll even have name badges cementing your status.

I am excited for the match! Hoping I’m not the only one and that I’ll see you at Maggie’s. Come be a legend.

COYG!

Best, Mark.

Glorious!

What a weekend! Arsenal demolished City 5-1 and a packed Maggie McGarry’s was absolutely rocking. The Gunners’ dominant performance included goals from both our Hale End teenagers and if you’re like me, you’ve watched the highlights more than a few times. But if you haven’t, you owe it to yourself, to revel in that feeling again. Highlights here.

By virtue of this incredible win, the Patrick Dunphy memorial dollar bill remains in our possession. I will say, Gino, one of SF Man City Blues’ leaders, was gracious in defeat.

Tomorrow, Arsenal head to Newcastle for the second leg of their League Cup tie and they do so with a 2-goal deficit. A big ask, but perhaps the boost from Sunday’s victory will carry them through.

Thank you to everyone who turned up last weekend. I won’t be able to get to Maggie’s tomorrow and will see you next for Leicester on February 15th.

COYG!

Best, Mark.

It’s the time of the season

How you feeling Gooners? Arsenal overcame an absurd red card for wunderkind Myles Lewis Skelly and beat Wolves, 0-1 last weekend. Wednesday, they beat Girona, finalizing a place in the Champions League round of 16. Our other boy wonder, Ethan Nwaneri had a stunning goal to put us ahead for good. Highlights from the midweek match here.

The icing on the week’s cake was the FA upholding Arsenal’s appeal on Lewis Skelly’s red card. Which means he’s available Sunday if we need him.

Which brings us to Sunday and Manchester City. Since the infamous “stay humble” draw in September, Citeh have struggled, but regained their footing more recently.

Sadly, last weekend’s gutsy win had a pretty tepid turnout. You just know Mick and a smattering of Man City fans will be up for this weekend, so heed this call! If you only leave the house once this week, come to Maggie’s Sunday for the match!

Keep Maggie’s red! COYG!

Best, Mark.