Don’t bang the drum

As I obsess about Sunday’s match against Man City, the lyrics to the song, Don’t Bang the Drum by The Waterboys, popped into my head:

Well here we are in a special place
What are you gonna do here?
Now we stand in a special place
What will you do here?
What show of soul are we gonna get from you?
It could be deliverance, or history
Under these skies so blue

The narrator then expresses concern their subject will simply jump around, make a lot of noise, and bang the drum, like monkeys do. But he finishes by pleading, imploring, challenging them repeatedly, don’t bang the drum.

Sunday’s match against City is as big as they come. Despite numerous matches to follow, this one feels like it is for all the marble. The surrounding hype and hyperbole actually feels appropriate.

We need Arsenal to make a show of soul, give us deliverance, make history. Don’t bang the drum.

Regulars at Maggie’s know this match is particularly important to us, as we have to contend infrequently with a small contingent of Man City fans at the pub. They don’t often show up in large numbers, but rest assured they will be out in force for this one. The Patrick Dunphy memorial framed dollar bill hangs in the balance.

See you all at the pub!

Best,

Mark

The long and short of it

Arsenal sit top of the table as we endure another intolerable break in play due to FA Cup matches and needless international play giving Gooners plenty of time to cogitate about the road ahead.

The Gunners have just 10 league matches to play in the two or so months left of Premier League competition. Then there’s the small matter of a Champions League trophy which is just 5 positive results away.

Fitness-wise, Arsenal have some questions. Gabriel Martinelli remains our biggest worry as we’ve definitely missed his pace recently. Thomas Partey made a couple of brief substitution appearances against Sheffield and Brentford, so we should expect to see more of him soon. Anyone’s guess as to whether we’ll see Jurrien Timber this season.

By far our newest, most troubling concerns are that one of the other Gabriels (he of the sturdy defensive type) and Bukayo Saka, both withdrew from international duty with only vague news on the exact nature of the injuries.

Yet, I’m cautiously optimistic about our chances in the long run. Our next match is 3/31 against Man City, which it’s safe to say, is one of the most important matches of Arsenal’s season. We’ll look forward to seeing everyone there.

Best,

Mark

The revenge of Arsenal?

Arsenal sit top of the table by virtue of goal differential which is a great way to start the week. But there’s a small matter of payback to be meted out to FC Porto in the Champions League tomorrow.

The first leg was a lackluster, foul rampant affair with the home side throwing themselves earthward with the slightest breeze. Arsenal were far from sharp and got punished in stoppage time for carelessly giving away the ball, as Porto snatched a winner.

Now it’s up to the Gunners to exact their revenge. Arsenal weren’t their sharpest over the weekend but still managed to get the result. But the rabid crowd at the Emirates will be clamoring for Arsenal to batter the Portuguese side.

I know weekday games are a tough ask, but I look forward to seeing some of you at Maggie’s tomorrow. Note: because of the time change, the match is at 1pm, an hour later that previously posted.

Best,

Mark

Can haz title hopes?

Two very big matches for us this weekend, though only one involves the club we love. Arsenal must beat Brentford to continue an upward trajectory but we need Liverpool-Man City to end a draw, for the Gunners to leapfrog them into the top spot.

Last season around this time, Arsenal were top of the table but faltered in their attempts to win league. This seems a different Arsenal, hardened and motivated by past failure. Guess we’ll find out this weekend.

Another luxurious 9:30am kickoff, so get yourselves down to Maggie’s tomorrow! I look forward to seeing you.

Best,

Mark

The Gunners march on

Arsenal dispatched Newcastle 4-1 in sublime fashion, putting to rest the ire, Gooners (like yours truly) were holding on to, since their last meeting. The Gunners 6th Premier League win in a row means they’ve not lost a domestic match in 2024 so far.

Arsenal keep pressure on City and Liverpool as the title race tightens up. With our Chelsea match postponed (due to their FA Cup involvement) there are three Premiership matches in March along with the Porto Champions League revenge match. And all we have to do, is just win, baby!

In other news, we’re planning some different BAG events, including a Gooners karaoke night at Maggie’s, so stay tuned. Unfortunately, no match this weekend, but Arsenal play Monday. I will be at the pub for this one and look forward to seeing you!

Best,

Mark

Arsenal in Los Angeles

The Arsenal are coming back to LA to take on Man United on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Here’s important information about ticketing, travel and transportation.

Ticketing Options
The presale for the match starts tomorrow, Monday February 26 at 9am PST. There are two ways you can grab tickets:

Arsenal America (AA) Presale
Current Arsenal America members for this season, will receive a presale access code to purchase tickets in the Arsenal America section. There is a ticket limit (usually 2-6) to give as many AA members a chance at getting tickets.

Arsenal America is not responsible for the ticketing process. That is being handled exclusively by Ticketmaster.

NOTE: AA memberships for this season closed December 31, 2023, so you are not able to receive an access code by purchasing a membership for this season.


SoFi Insider Presale

Sign up for SoFi Insider status to receive a presale access code for all of the non-AA sections of the stadium here: https://www.sofistadium.com/connect/sofi-stadium-insiders

This is your only option to purchase presale tickets if you are not an Arsenal America member.

Last year, Arsenal America’s sections were 102-103, so if it’s the same as last year and you’d prefer to sit close to AA, we’d suggest anything in the 100-105 sections. Because of the ticket limits, we are not able to purchase an Bay Area Gooners block of tickets together, so be sure and secure your own tickets.

Travel/Hotel
To book hotel blocks and or charter bus service for Bay Area Gooners would require a minimum of 10+ hotel rooms and 50+ people for charter buses. We will consider this if there is enough interest. If you are interested, you must email us by March 8, 2024.

Pre-Game
Arsenal supporters groups in Los Angeles will likely organize a pre-match meet-up to include other Arsenal America branches, as well as other events organized by the club itself.

Once we have information on any of this, we will let you know. You can always contact me at bayareagooners@gmail.com or message me through our Facebook page or this website.

Cheers, Mark

No coal, just goals

Ah the joys of European football. One team continually throwing themselves earthward while the referee handed out fouls like Halloween candy. But in the face of this, Arsenal were lackluster and failed to be clinical. Then in the dying moments of the match, the Gunners gave the ball away cheaply (repeatedly) and were stung by what was arguably a stunner of a goal. Now nothing to do but do the business at the home leg.

Arsenal must try and regain the killer form of our recent league matches when Newcastle visits the Emirates tomorrow. We’ve a bit of revenge to exact as last November’s screw job at St. James’ Park still sticks in the craw.

The Gunners must have the points if we’re to stay in sight of Liverpool, now 5 points ahead, having played one more match. The above post title was an allusion to the British idiom about the pointlessness of “coals to Newcastle”, but I do want Arsenal goals, lots of them. Happy to come away with a win, but think how much happier if we batter them too.

Tomorrow’s match is an unheard of 12pm weekend kickoff, eliminating any possible excuses for not turning up at Maggie’s. Should be a cracker of a match!

Best,

Mark

PS: Some last minute big news: Arsenal is returning to America! I recommend joining Arsenal America if you haven’t already. My understanding is that a tickets pre-sale for AA members will be announced Monday.

Any Porto in a storm

After summarily dispatching West Ham 6-0, the Gunners trounced Burnley 5-0, giving them a full head of steam, heading into today’s knockout stage of the Champions League.

Now, I don’t know too much about their opponent’s current form, but feeling pretty good about our chances. Just don’t want our lads to be gassed for Newcastle on Saturday.

Sadly, I won’t get away from work for the match today, but will see you on the weekend!

Best,

Mark

Train kept a-rollin’

Bay Area Gooners had every right to feel conflicted this past weekend. Our local team fell short in their biggest game of the season, while Arsenal rolled over West Ham 6-nil.

The match strayed into Harlem Globetrotters-Washington Generals territory and it seemed like any Arsenal player who touched the ball might get a goal. Watching it, you knew Declan Rice would get one at his old stomping grounds, and when he did, it was a screamer.

Next up, a trip northwest to Burnley. The Clarets sit one spot above the bottom and haven’t notched a win lately, but are exactly the sort of team, Arsenal should not overlook. Hopefully, the Gunners stay focused and the train keeps a-rollin.

I won’t make it to Maggie’s, but hope to see you all soon!

Best,

Mark

Big game tomorrow

To be honest, at this point in the season, they’re all big games. But with only 2 points separating Arsenal from top of the table Liverpool and Man City firing on all cylinders, the Gunners can ill afford to drop any points.

But let’s take one last moment to revel in last weekend’s glorious win. Maggie’s was packed and the place was rocking. Okay, the cock-up goal just before the end of the first half put us a little on edge, but Arsenal’s domination on the pitch ultimately won out.

Now back to business with a trip to East London to take on the Hammers. There’s no overlooking any teams at this point, so let’s hope for another brilliant display from Martinelli, Saka, Ødegaard, and the rest.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the pub for another big match.

Best,

Mark