During the waning minutes of our match at Aston Villa, Gooners had every right to feel demoralized. It very much looked like the Gunners were headed for a draw and probably deservedly so. Villa came charging out of the gate and for two thirds of the match, Arsenal looked uneven, squandering one opportunity after another.
But they never stopped battling and two and a half minutes into stoppage time, Jorginho fired a rocket, which fittingly ricocheted off the noggin of former Arsenal goalkeeper, pantomime villain, and chronic time-waster, Emi Martínez, and into the back of the net. Minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli would seal the victory with an empty net goal.
And this is what we love about this club. The spirit amongst the lads seems different from seasons past. The belief in each other is palpable through the TV screen. A genuine sense they’ll keep fighting until the bitter end.
Meanwhile, this is what dedication to Arsenal looks like in San Francisco. This motley crew turned up at Maggie’s for the 4:30 am Villa kickoff and were justly rewarded. #Legends.
Saturday, everyone is back at it again as Arsenal face Leicester with a slightly more agreeable West Coast kickoff time of 7 am. I’m hoping to be back at the pub this weekend, but regardless, you can expect to see these Gooners and more.
Losing 3-1 to the reigning champions is hard. But if we take a breath and reflect on Arsenal’s journey so far, hopefully that perspective will give Gooners some solace.
For much of the match, we were the better squad and gifted them a couple of goals through errant passes and an untimely deflection. But they are champions for a reason, and are able to field two whole sides of immeasurable quality.
In the beginning, I think many a Gooner would be thrilled with a top 4 finish. But then we started winning. Sitting firmly in the top spot and beating the likes of Spurs (twice), Chelsea (twice), United, and Liverpool, heightens our expectations, perhaps unfairly.
If we’re being honest, the Gunners have been over achieving, especially in light of losing our best player. But the season is far from over and we have a string of very winnable matches ahead. Starting with Villa this weekend, which unfortunately for West Coast Gooners, kicks off at 4:30am.
Let’s continue to be unwavering in our support. The bile I’ve seen on social media with reprehensible attacks on our manager and players should not be representative of who we are as supporters.
Sadly, I will be unable to make it to the pub Saturday, but Maggie’s will be open and we’re expecting many of you dedicated Gooners will turn up.
Had a day to reconcile Saturday’s result. On one hand, Arsenal got a hard earned point from a team that hadn’t lost in 10 matches, with wins over United and City under their belts. On the other, the same VAR official who (inserted impolite verb here) the Gunners during a loss at Old Trafford, got a critical offside call wrong, potentially costing them points.
Destiny is still in the hands of the Premiership’s youngest squad. But Man City has found its footing again, seemingly bolstered by a siege mentality, in light of recent financial impropriety charges. They are the reigning power in the league and Arsenal will need a yeoman’s effort by everyone to get a result.
Those of us headed to Maggie’s Wednesday, will have to contend with our noisy neighbors, a small group of City supporters which sprung up in recent years. Maggie McGarry’s Derby bragging rights are on the line, as is the framed dollar bill, honoring the late, great Gooner bartender, Patrick Dunphy (read more on our About page).
BAY AREA GOONERS T-SHIRTS
There is still time to ensure you get one of the new BAG t-shirts, we’re cooking up. The new design is going into production soon! We’ll get a variety of sizes but advance ordering is suggested, so as not to miss out. Deadline for preorders is Wednesday.
You will need to pick it up at Maggie’s during weekend matches and I expect them to be delivered in time for the Bournemouth match in early March.
The Everton result was in some ways, all too predictable. Lunchtime kickoff, new manager bounce, eerie parallel to last season’s match. And yet, I genuinely believed we’d get a result.
Now we must have a proper rebound from defeat. This team must show our winning ways have not been a fluke. That we’re not slipping into old bad habits. More than any season in a very long time, the prize is in sight. All we have to do is keep winning.
Our new t-shirt design is finalized and going into production soon! We’re ordering a variety of sizes (men and women’s cut), which will be for sale on match days.
T-shirts will be sold first come, first serve, so to ensure you get one, I suggest placing an pre-order. You will need to pick it up at Maggie’s during weekend matches and I expect them to be delivered in time for the Bournemouth match in early March.
Our FA Cup run is over. Many Gooners seem okay with it, because it “allows us to focus on the league”. Personally, I’d have liked a shot at the domestic double, but shouldn’t get greedy.
Meanwhile, there is much consternation over the transfer window. Depending on which Gooners you talk to, we’ve either strengthened our depth with Trossard, Kiwioras and Jorginho or been bested by money bags Chelsea, and settled for their castoffs.
I’ve managed to get off the transfer window roller coaster, preferring to get excited about a player when officially announced and wearing an Arsenal kit. I’ve put my complete trust in our manager, and so far this season, it’s working out.
Besides, there’s a match Saturday to consider. Floundering Everton lie ahead, but woe to anyone who expects them to be pushovers. Look back to last season’s first meeting of the two sides. Winless in 8 matches, the Toffees were assumed to be an easy mark, only to best the Gunners, 2-1. But we’re a different Arsenal now, so here’s hoping we can do the business.
Unfortunately for West Coast Gooners, it’s a 4:30am kickoff. Big ask I know, but we’ve managed some pretty big crowds for other pre-dawn matches, so forego a bit of sleep and cement your Bay Area Gooners legend status.
QUIET PLEASE! If you are coming, please enter/exit the pub quietly so as to not put Maggie’s in trouble with the neighbors. No congregating outside either!
Finally, we still have BAG scarves for sale, but the current batch is going fast.
I will be at the pub and look forward to seeing you.
What is there to say? A magnificent win over United in thrilling fashion. And how good is it to see Eddie Nketiah come good! Starting to feel like he may be worthy of that number 14 shirt. The musical tributes, here and here, are piling up.
To quote Chic, good times, these are the good times. Still too early for title talk (IMO), instead preferring to enjoy these players and this manager, as they continue their winning ways. Certainly has made for lively times at Maggie McGarry’s this season.
Our post-match charity raffle was a lot of fun and we raised a bit of cash for Youth Speaks, and it felt good to get back to our charitable ways. Hope to be doing more of this later in the season. Pictures on both our Instagram and Facebook, so give us a follow if you’re still on either of these.
No weekend match, as Arsenal head to Manchester tomorrow to face Citeh in the 4th Round of the FA Cup. Maggie’s will have the match on, for those of you who can take a long lunch, “work from home”, or “take a meeting”.
Delightful win over Spurs this past Sunday! Unfortunately, our charity raffle was postponed as yours truly was ill and unable to attend. By all accounts, Maggie’s was a raucous good time! For everyone, except a solitary Tottenham supporter.
Sunday, another stern test as Manchester United visits the Emirates. The Reds were responsible for Arsenal’s last loss, a match that still sticks in the craw, due to questionable refereeing in a match the Gunners largely dominated. But now Arsenal can exact their revenge and add to the gap between us and City.
Our charity raffle to raise money for Youth Speaks, originally scheduled for the North London Derby, will now be held this Sunday! Tickets will be available from myself or Kaylé Barnes throughout the match and we’ll draw the winners immediately following the final whistle.
We’ve got a number of great prizes including those pictured here, but you must be present to win! However, if you’re unable to attend but would still like to make a contribution, you can use this QR code:
BAGScarves Are Back!
We sold out two previous batches of Bay Area Gooners scarves, and still did not quench the demand! We’ve received a new order and these will be available from me Sunday as well. While supplies last!
During our last match against Utd, we had to contend with a small but vocal (and really annoying) group of their supporters, so get to Maggie McGarry’s early to stake out and defend our territory.
When last we saw our most loathed opponent in October, Arsenal dispatched them fairly handily 3-1. Since then, the Gunners have continued their mostly winning ways and held their top of the table spot, while Spurs have been a model of inconsistency which sees them currently in 5th.
This is always one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar. Arsenal’s season is judged not just by silverware and our table position at the end, but by how we fare against the scum. It is the stuff banter and bragging rights are made of.
But Bay Area Gooners have another good reason to head to Maggie’s on Sunday. Over the years, our group has prided itself on our good works. We’ve done numerous fundraisers over the years for everything from Northern California fire victims to Southern tornado relief.
These efforts were temporarily derailed by the pandemic, but we’re back at it this Sunday. We’re hosting a charity raffle to raise money for Youth Speaks! Tickets will be available from myself or Kaylé Barnes throughout the match and we’ll draw the winners immediately following the final whistle.
We’ve got a number of great prizes including those pictured here, but you must be present to win! However, if you’re unable to attend but would still like to make a contribution, you can use this QR code:
Another in our series profiling the Gooners joining us at Maggie McGarry’s on match days.
Kaylé Barnes was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, grew up in Houston, Texas, and lived for a time in Washington, D.C., In DC, she watched Arsenal regularly at Lucky Bar (RIP to that bar) with the DC Armory, and found the East Coast start times so much gentler.
She moved to San Francisco about 8 years ago and in an effort to acclimate to new surroundings, found us, by searching Bay Area and Arsenal. Upon learning of our existence, she began braving the West Coast’s less hospitable kickoff times.
But her journey to becoming an Arsenal supporter, started with one of the many international friends Kaylé made as an undergrad in college. One particularly special friend, spoke passionately of Arsenal and Thierry Henry.
Watching Titi, she was captivated by how beautiful he was, how beautifully he played and the rest was history. Kaylé’ also loved everything about Arsène Wenger, the style of footy he wanted his team to play, his passion for the game, even his coats. And she appreciated how many French players there were when she first encounted the team.
When asked abou all-time favorite Arsenal players, she says, Titi is an easy answer, but a more interesting answer is Giroud. He was an underappreciated player, who gave us a lot of memorable goals and a real commitment to the team.I’m glad through his work on the French national team, he’s starting to get his props, since he’ll probably surpass Henry’s goal record with Les Bleus during this World Cup (Editor’s note: he did).
Kaylé (2nd from Right)Kaylé (far left)
She finds it impossible to choose a current favorite, saying, It changes every match, which is a wonderful position to be in. A true embarrassment of riches! I can’t and won’t choose. If I had to celebrate one player in one critical match, I’d say Tomiyasu versus Liverpool. I was really stressed, but also hopeful about the Liverpool match and the work he did to make Salah a non-factor was really impressive and helped us win.
Kaylé is a huge Arteta fan, I’ve wanted Arteta since Wenger left in 2019 and have never wavered. I’m pretty sure the only person who loves Arsenal more than Wenger is Arteta. Seeing him lead the boys in All or Nothing: Arsenal was surprisingly moving, reigniting my love for the team and the Arsenal way, which made me fall in love with the club initially. Watching how much the players respect and love him made me recommit to our absurdly early West Coast times.
She loves watching with the Bay Area Gooners, citing the sense of camaraderie and community. Sharing something in common. It’s a really special feeling to walk into a bar for a 4:00 am match, knowing other people, just as passionate, are going to be there. We’re seeing the fruit of the Arteta way and it’s delicious!Thanks for all the love and intentionality you bring to creating a community for Gooners. You make sure everyone feels welcomed and that it is a positive space.
Kaylé (far right)
Kaylé visited the Emirates in 2019 and found it a really moving experience. I haven’t seen Arsenal play in person yet, but one day inshallah. I can’t wait until I get to see them play in London! I’m sure I’ll cry. I hope by the time I make it to a match, Wenger’s statue is up to greet me.
When not obsessing about Arsenal, Kaylé is Director of Advancement for local non-profit, Youth Speaks. She says, Youth Speaks is a Bay Area-based youth arts and culture organization that amplifies the stories and perspectives of young people through arts education and youth development programming.
Youth Speaks produces local and national youth poetry slams, festivals, and reading series, alongside a comprehensive slate of arts-in-education programs during the school day and during out-of-school time. In short, Youth Speaks exists to create spaces that challenge youth to develop and amplify their voices as creators of societal change.
On Sunday, January 15th, we’ll host a charity raffle during the North London Derby at Maggie’s. We’ll have a number of great Arsenal prizes and all proceeds will go to Youth Speaks. More on that, very soon!
Frustrating result on Monday. We all generally understood Newcastle would be a stern test, but was rather hoping they’d come to play. Arsenal weren’t their sharpest when faced with the Magpie’s nihilistic style and a woefully inadequate referee, so I suppose we should be happy with a hard fought point, but the vexing outcome still gnaws at me days later.
Monday, Arsenal begin their FA Cup campaign against Oxford United, a League One side. Personally, I’m hoping Arteta will rest some folks, play some youths, and conserve our strength for the North London Derby the following weekend.
Unsatisfying to have another Arsenal-free weekend, but we’ll make up with it with a trip to the Tottenham toilet bowl on Sunday, January 15th. We’re expecting a good crowd at Maggie’s and we’ve having a charity raffle that day to raise money for a great local non-profit.
Unfortunately, work obligations will keep me from being at the pub Monday, so you’ll have to do enough shouting for both of us.
Bay Area Gooners 