Bay Area Gooners

11 guys and 1 cup

The final international break of the season is over and Arsenal can get back to the tasks at hand. Most Gooners have put the League Cup loss behind them and are raring to back the lads in three remaining competitions.

The break was not without a manufactured controversy around Arsenal players withdrawing from international duty. Zubemendi, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber, Eze: Rice, Saka, Madueke, Hincapié, and Trossard were all deemed unfit to play. Conveniently overlooked in most cases, the national teams’ medical staff made these decisions. Not only that, but both Zubimendi and Hincapié played until they were withdrawn.

Not all Arsenal players sat out the break. Viktor Gyökeres had himself quite a time, with a hat trick against Ukraine and a winner against Poland. Christian Nørgaard, Ben White, Calafiori, Havertz, Mosquera all featured for their countries and Myles Lewis-Skelly played for England’s Under-21 team with Max Dowman in for the U19 side.

Who will suit up for this weekend’s FA Cup Quarter Final against Southampton is anyone’s guess. I know a lot of Gooners don’t rate this competition, but in my book, silverware is silverware, and Arsenal should grab as many as possible.

Should be a beautiful day at the pub and the late kickoff at noon means no excuses for not showing up. If you need an all-ages venue, we recommend the East Bay Gooners.

See you all at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

PS: Hope to see some familiar faces Friday night for Loryn’s show (poster below) in North Beach.

Southampton v Arsenal

Saturday, 4/4 • 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

Come on you Gunners!

One cup at a time

What a week we’ve had. A wild finish against Everton, topped off with an incredible goal by wunderkind, Max Dowman. Then a very tidy win over Bayer Leverkusen to earn Arsenal a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals against Sporting CP.

But now all eyes on Sunday as the Gunners head to Wembley to face Manchester City in the League Cup Final. City were unceremoniously bounced out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and dropped points in their last Premier League match, but no one should be looking past them.

The last time the two sides met in a League Cup Final, City bested Arsenal, 3-0. But that was 2018, and this season’s Arsenal is a very different animal indeed. A lot of fans don’t rate this competition, but any chance at silverware cannot be overlooked and here’s hoping this is just the first of several trophies for Arsenal this season.

Matches vs City take on heightened significance, because Maggie’s owner, Mick is a die-hard City fan and other Man City supporters often turn up. Expect Mick to turn the banter up to 11, going as far as to display his City kit collection. We will counter this display by our overwhelming presence, banner and some Arsenal kits of our own.

Finally, a framed dollar bill hangs in the balance, which will be awarded to the winning side’s supporters. We’d rather you don’t bring that “friend” who supports City, or at least, keep them out of the Arsenal side of the pub.

Expect Maggie’s to be very crowded Sunday and get there early to ensure entry. You must be 21+ and they will be checking IDs. If you need an all-ages venue, we recommend the East Bay Gooners.

See you all at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Arsenal v Man City

Sunday, 9/21 • 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 Link

Come on you Gunners!

Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen

Tuesday, 3/17 • 1:00 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!

Eye of the beholder

Arsenal squeaked away with a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League knockout round v Bayer Leverkusen. Kai Havertz (waka, waka) slotted home a penalty against his boyhood club to even things up. But it was tough sledding against a resolute defense and frankly, I’m happy with the draw. None of the other Premier League sides in the competition fared as well.

Now it’s home against Everton. Since January, over 60% of Arsenal matches have been away and most have not been pretty. Then there’s the constant blather in the press or from other clubs’ managers and fans about the way the Gunners are winning. All of whom, can f–k right off, as far as I’m concerned. Style points be damned, just win baby (apologies to Al Davis).

Because of the recent time change, our match is at an absurdly civilized 10:30 am, so we will accept no excuses for not rolling in before kickoff. See you all at the pub!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Arsenal v Everton

Saturday, 3/14 • 10:30 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 Link

COYG!

Take two and call me…

Arsenal’s Champions League knockout phase begins with 2 matches against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow and next Tuesday. The German club was founded way back when, by the workers of Bayer company, which explains why their crest resembles an aspirin.

Leverkusen finished 16th in the tournament league phase, but that run included beating Man City 2-0, so Arsenal cannot take this tie for granted.

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a BAG Anniversary Kit from Olive & York. I cannot wait to see you sporting yours at the pub. Anyone that missed out, I will let you in on a little secret, O&Y have left the order window open.

Also big ups to the legends (in the featured photo) who turned up for last Saturday’s 4:15 am FA Cup match, which saw the Gunners best Mansfield Town. I expect to be at the pub for both Champions League matches, so I look forward to watching with you.

COYG!

Best, Mark

PS: In a bit of shameless self-promotion, my wife’s band, Gutter Swan has a show coming up in about 3 weeks. Last time, we got a pretty good Gooner turnout. See the ad below for more details.

Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal

Wednesday, 3/11 • 10:45 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 Link

COYG!

Be a legend. Twice.

Some nervy results recently, at Chelsea and Brighton away. At this point in the season, all remaining matches will be a test of Arsenal supporters’ nerves. But the Gunners came away with the points and sit 7 points clear at the top of the table.

This Saturday, we’ll be at Maggie’s to watch Arsenal’s FA Cup 5th Round match against EFL League One club, Mansfield Town FC. Kickoff is 4:15 am PT. Yes, you read that correctly, 4:15 am. Maggie’s bartender Andy is graciously opening for us, so come cement your legend status.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER!

Another way to secure your legendary Bay Area Gooners status, is to pre-order our 20th Anniversary Kit!

These are only available via pre-order from Olive & York. They will not be available at the pub and pre-orders end tomorrow, March 6th! Don’t miss out!

Hope to see some of you at the pub in the wee hours of the morning. Consider bringing Andy a fiver for losing sleep on our behalf.

COYG!

Best, Mark