Do you believe in magic?

Or at least the dark arts?

Having City equalize in the dying moments of extra extra time felt a little deflating, but after reflecting on it, one must acknowledge the yeoman’s effort it took for a 10-man side to hold off the reigning champions for a full half.

And the way their players and fans exploded in elation, you could just tell they knew it had been a narrow escape, that 11 on 11, the story has a very different ending. But best not to dwell on “what-ifs”.

Then the post-match whining from City players combined with the thinly-veiled slander about Arsenal’s supposed dependence on the “dark arts”. Any other club would have been widely lauded for their resolute defending. Here’s hoping we can exact some revenge when they come to the Emirates.

Next up Leicester. Historically, we’ve done well against the Foxes, but they are not to be overlooked. Particularly since we have no idea which of our walking wounded will be available or who even will be in goal.

Great crowd last weekend! We retain the Patrick Dunphy Memorial framed dollar bill because of the draw.

Hope to see you all back at the pub tomorrow! COYG!

Best,

Mark

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Maggie’s Derby Sunday

I always hesitate calling these matches against Manchester City a “Maggie McGarry’s Derby” because it gives it gives equal standing to their shoddy little supporters group at the pub.

But as anyone who’s been to Maggie’s knows, it’s an Arsenal pub, and City fans are largely tolerated because one of the owners is a long-time supporter. Seems they only manage to turn up in numbers when they are playing Arsenal, but that’s all the more reason for us to assert our dominance.

The framed dollar bill named for our late, legendary Gooner bartender, Patrick Dunphy, is at stake, so get yourself to Maggie’s

Hope you all can make it! COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Atalanta, then City

Grand time at Maggie’s Sunday. Another North London Derby in the books as the Gunners ground out a gritty 1-nil result. Without Ødegaard or Rice in the midfield, this was largely on the backs of our defense. Timber, Gabriel, and Saliba and (the dark arts of) Ben White applying the clampdown on Spurs, with Gabriel’s majestic, towering header ending up the difference.

The fixture list is a little busy the next two weeks. The Champions League’s new format has them in Italy Thursday to face Atalanta, last season’s Europa League champs and then onto Manchester for Sunday’s showdown against the reigning Premier League champs. Then Bolton in League Cup action before Leicester come to the Emirates.

Sunday, we will be faced with that tepid group of City supporters. You would think given FC 115’s success, their numbers would swell beyond belief, but in fact, they’ve lost a step. Complacency? Bandwagonesque? Whatever the case, they manage to rally for matches against us, so we’ll need each and every Gooner to turn up and remind them it’s an Arsenal pub.

The Patrick Dunphy memorial dollar bill hangs in the balance, so get yourself to the pub, so we can do Patrick proud.

Won’t make it Thursday, but will see you all Sunday!. COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Gird up your loins, Gooners

If you didn’t hate these international breaks already, you really should now. I know our manager is putting on a brave face, but following an injury playing for Norway, Martin Ødegaard is likely to be out for the next 3-4 matches.

This leaves us severely wanting in our midfield, with Rice’s suspension and new boy Merino’s shoulder injury. Hail the conquering hero, Jorginho? Gird up your loins, Gooners.

Now there’s the small matter of a North London Derby, a Champions League qualifier and Man City on the immediate horizon. Guess we’ll all find out what the Gunners are made of, and a little about our own intestinal fortitude.

See you all Sunday!. COYG!

Best,

Mark

PS: Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Tottenham v Arsenal

Sun, Sept. 15 • 6:00 am Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

This match on inside the pub.

Parklet does not open until 8am

Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.

Dogs in the parklet only, please.

Outside food is OK. Outside drink IS NOT.

Please be quiet entering/exiting the pub for early matches. If you do go outside at halftime, please keep your voices down.

Come on you Gunners!.