Penultimate warriors

With only two matches left, there is already a tendency to gaze backwards and make some assessment of Arsenal’s season. FC *115 (the club formerly known as Man City) seems unlikely to drop points, so it appears the Gunners are headed to a 2nd place finish in the Premiership.

Personally, I’m not looking back just yet. We’ve got Man Utd on Sunday and then Everton to close out the season the following week. Even after 18 years of hosting matches at Maggie’s, I still relish being at the pub with our community.

Last week was brilliant. A solid 25-30 Gooners turned up for a 4:30 am kickoff to see us beat Bournemouth. This included a half dozen or so Silicon Valley Gooners who made the trek from San Jose. Talk about dedication. We made sure everyone who attended got an “I’m a f**cking legend” name tag.

This Sunday, our start time is more civilized. Arsenal’s next to last match against United kicks off at 8:30am. Expecting a good turnout on what should be a beautiful day for a gathering. I know it’s Mother’s Day, so plan on bringing mom to the pub.

Let us know on our Facebook page if you’re coming!

We’re having a raffle Sunday and will have some fantastic prizes, including jerseys, t-shirts, scarves, and other AFC memorabilia. Proceeds will help cover BAG expenses, such as our website, donuts at matches, swag orders, etc. While this is a labor of love for me, there are costs involved.

Hope to see you Sunday at the match!

Best,

Mark

Be a f**king legend

We celebrated another St. Totteringham’s Day last week. Things got a little squeaky towards the end, but Arsenal got the win and we had a great group at Maggie McGarry’s for the match.

Being an Arsenal supporter in the States presents its own challenges. American Gooners are often maligned as less genuine because they weren’t born into it. Which is counter-intuitive to me. Having it foisted upon you by location or familial connections is one thing, but shouldn’t conscious choice (however irrational) count for something.

Not to mention the level of dedication required to actively follow one’s club. We’ve been blessed with some reasonable start times this season, but endured plenty of early kickoffs as well.

Which brings us to Saturday’s match. 4:30 am. Yes, 4:30 am. Anyone who gets up to watch a team clear across the pond at this ungodly hour cements their bona fides. And if you join us tomorrow at Maggie McGarry’s, you’re a f**king legend in my book.

This has been one of the most exciting seasons in recent history, and we’ve still go three matches left. Any title-winning equation still requires a Man City slip-up, in addition to the Gunners winning the rest of theirs. We’ve had tremendous support at Maggie’s throughout the season and it’s been a lot of fun (and stress) watching with everyone.

I’ll be at the pub for Saturday’s 4:30am kickoff. Hopefully joined by some other f**king legends.

Best,

Mark

One team in London

Perfect way to spend a weekday, watching Arsenal batter a hapless Chelsea.

But we must abbreviate our celebration as the North London Derby looms large on Sunday. The Gunners take a short trip across town to face a well-rested Tottenham side. The Spuds could play spoiler in the title race, as they face all 3 sides at the top end of the table, in the coming weeks.

We all know what’s at stake. City walloped Brighton Thursday and Arsenal must triumph again to keep title hopes alive. With a win, we could be celebrating St. Totteringham’s Day, where Arsenal have sufficient points to mathematically finish ahead of the Tiny Totts in the table.

A 6am kickoff may elicit groans from some, but it wasn’t that long ago, we had a 4:30am NLD and still pulled in 100+ true Gooners. And if you happen to know someone who supports Spuds, don’t bring them.

I’ll be bringing donuts and if you’ve been to an early morning match, you’ve likely had Bob’s Donuts. Jesus Zamudio, a member of Bob’s staff is in critical condition following a hit and run, and funds are being raised for him here.

See you Sunday at the pub!

Mark

Righting the ship Arsenal

Arsenal seemed to be on the ropes prior this weekend’s match. Losses to Villa and Bayern within the last week ended the Gunners’ Champions League run and dented their Premiership title hopes. But they left Wolverhampton on Saturday with a much-needed win.

While only one match, it’s the first step in righting the ship Arsenal. The course that lies before them, is daunting with Chelsea Tuesday and a North London Derby on Sunday against a well-rested Spurs side.

We’ll need Arsenal to dig deep if they are going to hold onto the top spot. Sure, we’ll need City to drop points, but the focus has to be on navigating the rocky seas ahead.

Weekday matches are always a tough ask for working folks but we’ve been getting great crowds. Hope to see you there.

Cheers!

Mark

The show must go on

Well, that week sucked. A loss at Villa severely dents Arsenal’s title hopes and then the Gunners are unceremoniously knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

Reaction ran the gamut, with a few short-sighted calls for the manager’s head, while most Gooners tried to keep perspective in the face of these dire defeats.

I’m not here to tell anyone how to feel, but I’m the latter. Under Arteta, we are in the ascendancy and perhaps victims of our own success. The team is still developing and clearly lacks a few final pieces of the puzzle.

There’s still a lot of football to be had and the show must go on. A glimmer of hope remains, Arsenal can lift the Premiership trophy. They must keep winning and hope City drop points. I’m keeping faith with the club until the end.

We’ve been getting some tremendous crowds at Maggie’s. Last Wednesday was no exception, the placed was packed with Gooners. Tomorrow’s match is an absurdly congenial 11:30am. Practically unheard of for U.S. start times.

So no excuses. No wavering. Just unconditional love for the Arsenal. See you all at the pub!

Best,

Mark

Jetzt geht’s um die Wurst

Jetzt geht’s um die Wurst translates to Now it goes around the sausage, a German expression which has come to mean there are higher stakes now, or all or nothing. All or Nothing is coincidentally, the name of the Arsenal TV series on Prime.

Sunday’s match against Villa was to put it mildly, a debacle. The Gunners squandered a gilt-edge chance to retain the top spot, following an earlier Liverpool defeat. The Premiership is not completely out of reach, but there are definitely higher stakes now in our Champions League journey.

Arsenal head to Munich for the quarter-final second leg, hoping to do the business after a first leg draw at the Emirates. Thankfully the away goals rule no longer exists. If the teams are level at the end, we’ll see extra time and penalties (if necessary).

Here’s hoping the lads rebound from Sunday’s stumble and fall. See you all at the pub!

Best,

Mark

Bring on the Villains

In point of fact, Arsenal’s opponent, Aston Villa are called The Villans. But no doubt, Unai Emery’s side would love to play the villains in Arsenal’s bid to win the title. The Birmingham side is currently battling the tiny Totts for a top four spot, in hopes of securing Champions League football next season.

Then there’s the small matter of Emery’s brief, unsuccessful tenure as Arsenal’s manager, prior to the glorious second coming of Mikel Arteta. What better way to stick it to your former employer than notching a win, which Villa did when the sides met in December.

This will be the Gunners’ fourth of eight matches this month as their jam-packed April continues. So far, Arteta and company have managed the load ably, but Sunday will offer another stern test of their steel.

The camaraderie and general vibes at Maggie’s has been great for the recent matches. We even got a mention during another Premier League match on NBC Sports.

Hope to see you all at the pub Sunday!

Best,

Mark

Mama said knock you out

These are heady times to be an Arsenal supporter. We beat Brighton this weekend to go top of the table, and remain there by virtue of Liverpool’s draw.

We don’t get much time to savor the moment, because of an impending quarter-final Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The German side has knocked us out of this competition on four separate occasions in the past two decades.

This time feels different, and I’m liking our chances. Bayern are still a formidable side but there’s more steel to Arsenal and this knockout stage does not feel insurmountable.

We’ve been getting some good crowds at Maggie’s, even during the week. I’ll be there and hope you will too!

See you all at the pub!

Best,

Mark

Taking care of business

Following a stressful, goalless draw at Man City, who knew what Arsenal would turn up, just two days later, against a far less formidable Luton Town.

Arteta fielded an adjusted line-up and it felt like this squad had some real depth for the first time in awhile. Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson all started, while Saka was given the night off, and Rice and Martinelli, both subbed in later. The duo of Smith Rowe and Martin Ødegaard eventually overpowered the beleaguered Luton.

Next up on on the Gunners absurdly crowded April dance card is Brighton. Arsenal beat them back in December at the Emirates, but the Seagulls are always tougher at home. Liverpool are back in first with a win over Sheffield yesterday, so if Arsenal are to keep pace, they must take care of business.

Last weekend, Maggie’s was insanely packed. Possibly the largest crowd we’ve ever had. Here’s hoping we see some of you again tomorrow!

See you all at the pub!

Best,

Mark

Here comes the flood

Sunday at Maggie’s was intense. Possibly more Gooners inside and outside the pub than ever before. The match was a gritty, grind it out draw, which under normal circumstances Gooners would be elated to come away with. But in a title race, where every point counts, it felt like a missed opportunity.

Now’s it’s April and here comes the flood. 8 matches this month, 9 if Arsenal manage to get past FC Bayern München in their Champions League quarter-final match-up. Everything to play for in the home stretch!

Beginning with today’s match against Luton Town. Kickoff is 11:30am.

Hope to see you all at the pub! Repeatedly in April!

Best,

Mark