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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Arsenal host Liverpool this Sunday for the third time in the past six weeks. The first time was a hard fought draw at Anfield, while more recently the Reds bounce the Gunners out of the FA Cup.
Liverpool sit atop the table and have not lost a Premier League match since last September. Arsenal rebounded from back to back losses with two wins in a row, giving supporters a modicum of relief, but Sunday’s match is still a big ask. Still, hard not to feel like any chance of winning the league, depends on Arsenal taking points from this one.
Seems the transfer window has ended with a resounding thud for Arsenal. No signings to speak of, but then no one else seem to do any significant business. Not that that is any consolation.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the pub for the big match.
Quick note to let you know that Arsenal have a match tomorrow and that Maggie McGarry’s will have it on. The Gunners travel to Nottingham, kickoff is 11:30am PT, and Maggie’s is 21+. The match will be on inside and out.
I won’t make it tomorrow, but look forward to seeing you for the next weekend match.
We’re back at it tomorrow, early in the morning. Almost two weeks since Arsenal’s last match and the boys have apparently been resting and practicing in Dubai. Hopefully the Gunners can re-find their form and get back in the title hunt.
Our first pre-dawn kickoff of 2024 and of course, Maggie’s will be open for us. Coffee, tea and non-alcoholic drinks until the Guinness bell rings at 6am.
Once someone brought their own alcohol to an early match. Don’t be that Gooner, who gets themself banned permanently.
In case you missed it, we posted another in our Ooh to be a Gooner series, profiling one of the regulars at the pub.
I may not make it Saturday, but look forward to seeing you all soon.
Another in our profiles of Gooners you’ll rub shoulders with, when you join us for an Arsenal match at Maggie McGarry’s.
Miles Thomson grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and moved to San Francisco in the summer of 2017.
He was first drawn to football by the 1998 World Cup, finding the star power of Roberto Carlos and (Brazilian) Ronaldo undeniable. But being French Canadian, he developed a soft spot for France and noticed the play of one Thierry Henry, who would fast become his favorite player.
While Miles didn’t commit to being an Arsenal supporter right away, he remembers, it was the arc of Henry’s career that made Arsenal the team I wanted to support for the rest of my life. Thierry Henry remains his all-time favorite Gunner, but it’s defender, William Saliba who’s become his current favorite player.
Of Arsenal’s manager, Miles says, Mikel is the man for the job and has my full support…my teams in other sports (Toronto Raptors, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Steelers) all had stability in the front office and at head coach/manager, in common.
Arsene was iconic for two decades at Arsenal and we’ve finally found his successor…it’s imperative that we continue to support him for the next 5-10 years. He also recommends Revolution, The Rise of Arteta’s Arsenalby Charles Watt, which he’s currently reading.
Being a tall, blonde Arsenal supporter, friends back home labeled him Mertesacker. Miles says that’s where the similarities end, as he was far from the most composed man on the field. Despite frigid Canadian temperatures, he has fond memories of playing 7-a-side footy.
He definitely finds the weather in San Francisco preferable, but that’s not the only thing. Last summer, he finally made it to Maggie’s to watch with the Bay Area Gooners and is happy he did, I appreciate being around other knowledgeable football fans, interested in how we are playing as well as how we are doing in the table.
Miles (center)
While some of Miles’ strongest friendships have been with other football supporters, they’ve mostly been Liverpool, Chelsea or Spurs fans, so he’s looking forward to remaining a regular at Maggie’s, cheering on the Gunners and making new friendships along the way. With Gooners.
Miles (right)
We’ll continue to share stories of our Gooner family. If you’re a regular at Maggie’s and , want to be featured, talk to me at the pub.
Bay Area Gooners 