Bay Area Gooners

The forest for the trees

Arsenal supporters seem a little blasé this season about the FA and League Cups. Recent turnout at Maggie’s for the League Cup Semi-Final first leg and FA Cup 3rd round were pretty meager.

We all in on Arsenal winning the Premier League or the Champions League this season. Or both. Though we shouldn’t turn our noses up at any silverware, but instead be dreaming of the quadruple, no?

Back to league business with a visit to Nottingham tomorrow. Forest is languishing in 17th place, just above the relegation zone and were unceremoniously knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side, Wrexham last weekend.

Arsenal walloped them earlier in the season and hopefully will do the double this Saturday. But the Gunners can’t take any team for granted and it wasn’t that long ago that Forest knocked us out of two FA Cup competitions.

I look forward to see everyone at the pub tomorrow.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Familiarity breeds…

The media stinkfest over Martinelli’s ill-advised push of an injured Conor Bradley, didn’t phase the lad Sunday at Portsmouth. After giving up a cheap goal in the early minutes, Arsenal roared back to win 1-4 on the strength of a Martinelli hat-trick.

Tomorrow the Gunners face Chelsea in the League Cup Semi-Final. This is the first of 3 matches against the chavs in the next two months. We’ll wait and see if they’ll get that new manager “bounce”.

I’ll be at the pub tomorrow and again on Saturday for Nottingham. Look forward to see you.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Chelsea v Arsenal

Wednesday, 1/14 • 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

COYG!

What the FA, Arsenal!

Yesterday’s revenge match against Liverpool ended 0-0. Arsenal dominated the first half without ever putting the ball in the net. Liverpool found their footing in the second half but neither side emerged victorious. For many Gooners (myself included), it was an unsatisfying missed opportunity.

This Sunday, Arsenal continue pursuit of different silverware in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. This is the only trophy Arsenal have won under Mikel Arteta and not really top of Gooners’ wish list. But as well as things things are going this season so far, we’re not in a position to be choosy. Besides, I always want Arsenal to win everything.

I’ve missed the last few matches due to illness, but I’m hoping to be back at the pub on Sunday.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Portsmouth v Arsenal

Sunday, Dec. 11 • 6:00 am Kickoff • Maggie McGarry’s (21+)

Match on inside.
Parklet opens at 8:00 am.
Maggie’s is 21+, even in the parklet.
Non-alcoholic beverages only until 6:00 am.
Dogs in parklet only, please.
Keep the banter civil and friendly.
Outside food is OK.
Outside drinks are NOT.

Facebook Event Page

COYG!

The next big one

Arsenal started 2026 with a win at Bournemouth. Big Gabi notched an equalizing header, redeeming himself after his error led to their first score. Possible player of the season, Declan Rice got a brace in the second half to make it 1-3. Bournemouth would get a second but ultimately Arsenal saw the game out.

Tomorrow, it’s Liverpool at home, one of only two teams to beat the Gunners this season. To say this is the biggest match of the season is not hyperbole. When your club sits atop the table with a slim points lead, and a match every 3 days, pretty much every game is the “biggest”. Until the next one.

Rare Thursday lunchtime match at Maggie’s. Unfortunately illness will keep me away from the pub as I try to recover in time for our FA Cup match on Sunday.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Arsenal v Liverpool

Thursday, 1/8 • 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

COYG!

New year, new Arsenal

The Gunners exacted their revenge against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa for Arsenal’s last match of the year. Shifting gears in the second half, they put 4 past pantomime villain, Emi Martinez, before conceding a sloppy goal in stoppage time. Lovely to watch the lads dominating a really good Villa side in a decisive 4-1 win.

We head into 2026 with 9 matches in January alone, starting with tomorrow away at Bournemouth. Big matches against Liverpool and Chelsea fall on weekdays, so get your work excuses ready.

2026 marks our 20th year as an Arsenal supporters group. We’ll commemorate this anniversary a few times before the end of the season. Stay tuned for details.

Tomorrow’s a perfectly luxurious 9:30 am kickoff, so we look forward to having you at the pub. Regrettably, I’ve started the new year with a bad cold, so I’ll be watching from home.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Bournemouth v Arsenal

Saturday, 1/3 • 9:30 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!

An end to Villainy

Arsenal’s current bogey team, Aston Villa, return to the Emirates tomorrow. The Gunners suffered one of only two losses this season away at Villa earlier this month.

Since Unai Emery’s dismissal at Arsenal and subsequent rebirth in Birmingham, the Spaniard has been a constant thorn in fellow countrymen, Mikel Arteta’s side. But it’s no fluke as he’s molded Villa into a formidable side, that Gooners everywhere are desperate to overcome.

For some of us, Aston Villa has risen through the ranks of “most loathed opposition”. City are always a threat but Spurs are 17 points behind the Gunners and remain an afterthought at best. I really need this win.

While a match every three days may not be optimum for the players, it’s a bounty of sorts for football fans. Look forward to seeing everyone at Maggie’s tomorrow.

COYG!

Best, Mark