Arsenal, take 2

We don’t even get a week to enjoy the gritty win against United. Far from pretty, the Gunners got a 1-nil victory at Old Trafford. But any joy from the result was quickly tempered by news that Kai Havertz is now injured. No word yet on how long he’ll be out, but Arsenal secured the services of Ebereche Eze, snatching him from the jaws of Tottenham.

Maggie McGarry’s was a packed, raucous affair Sunday. One of the best turnouts in recent history. Great to see new faces along with all the returning Gooners.

Next up is newly promoted Leeds United. Leeds have a Bay Area connection, as they’re owned by the San Francisco 49ers and have a supporters group that watches at Mad Dog in the Fog. They opened the season by beating Everton Monday on a gifted penalty for a specious handball decision.

RSVP on Facebook!

Hope to see everyone Saturday! COYG!

Best, Mark

Season Opener Sunday

Here we go again. Sunday marks the start of the 2025/2026 Premier League season for Arsenal, who head to Old Crapford to take on Man United. Is it our time?

The club made multiple signings in the off season, adding Kepa, Zubimendi, Norgaard, Madueke, Mosquera, and Gyokeres to the roster. Attempts to buy Crystal Palace’s Eze have stalled, but rest assured fair-weather fans will make it out to be a momentous transfer window failure.

Still, we have reached a critical juncture in the Arteta project. He’s been given significant reinforcements and will be judged harshly if the Gunners fail to nab some silverware.

I start every season with an unbridled optimism we will win it all, and the excitement of being back at Maggie McGarry’s with our Gooner community.

RSVP on Facebook!

We’ve added new swag this season, a limited edition Bay Area Gooners hoodie! The only way to guarantee you get yours, is to pre-order via this form. You’ll need to pick them up from me at Maggie’s during weekend matches, unless you make shipping arrangements. Anticipating orders being ready for pick up beginning with the Liverpool match, Sunday August 31st.

If you have any interest in Premier League Fantasy Football, we do have a Bay Area Gooners league you can join! Click here to join! You must select your players to gain access.

During the off season, we profiled a couple of our Gooner family. If you missed it, read about Jose and Michelle, just two of the Arsenal supporters you’ll rub shoulders with this season.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday! We’ll have a free raffle at half-time and one lucky Gooner will win a free BAG hoodie.

COYG!

Best, Mark

Arsenal America Road Trip

Arsenal America is launching another Road Trip to London this October and all Arsenal America members are invited.

Arsenal America Road Trip: London 2025
October 23 – 26, 2025

Join fellow Gooners for an unforgettable Arsenal experience, including:

  • Charity event with the Kevin Campbell Foundation with special guests
  • Player arrival before the Crystal Palace match
  • Legends Tour of Emirates Stadium
  • Arsenal Museum visit
  • Tour and reception at Highbury Stadium
  • And so much more…

You must be an paid Arsenal America member to participate.
Match tickets are limited and can be requested through the Arsenal America ballot*.

*Note: ticket lottery closes Tuesday Aug 12th

Questions? Reach out to: memberservices@arsenalamerica.com

Ooh to be a Gooner: Michelle

The latest in a series of posts, profiling members of our Bay Area Gooners family.

Originally from Fair Oaks, Michelle Wright has been in San Francisco a little over 2 years, and came to Arsenal through a rather circuitous route.

She fell in love with a British comedian, Alan Davies, through QI (Quite Interesting), a British comedy panel game quiz show. Upon discovering he had an Arsenal podcast, The Tuesday Club, she began listening to it religiously in 2011. Davies and his co-hosts are all Arsenal season ticket holders and while Michell was a soccer fan, she didn’t have a Premier League team, so she figured Why not?.

Michelle (middle)

Michelle was a longtime Sacramento Gooner, It’s much more fun watching games with fellow supporters. A high school friend, also an Arsenal supporter, arranged to meet for a match at Maggie McGarrys, and it would be the first of many.

Of watching with Bay Area Gooners, she speaks appreciatively, You cannot beat celebrating the big goals at Maggie’s. The energy, and sharing in the emotions with fellow supporters. I brought an ex to watch a game at Maggie’s and he instantly became a fan through his experience, which I think is telling
. 
Michelle counts Jack Wilshere as her first love, Couldn’t help loving that chavvy little English terrier, and Saka as her current favorite Arsenal player, “What a sweet, amazingly skilled player. Hard not to love the kid. Hardworking, exceptional ability, and just seems like a wonderful person. Definitely what I want in a player”

Michelle (bottom row, middle)

She feels good about Arteta as a manager, I watched him as an Arsenal player, and now to see him manage feels like a continuation of his love for the club. I appreciate that Arsenal has really loyal players and managers. I think that says a lot about the club. I also appreciate the passion and drive he has. Would love to see him be a little more flexible and creative with lineups, but I think he still has a lot of potential and he’s still learning to manage. Once we have more depth, that will be the true test of his ability. 

The Declan Rice free kicks in the Champions League quarter-finals and beating Man City were here favorite moments of the past season. Michelle has yet to see the Gunners in person, I’m so due.
 
I was genuinely touched by Michelle’s kind comments about me and our group, I just want to say that I have so appreciated you, Mark. You’ve really welcomed me into the BAG family with open arms, and I’m so grateful of that. You do so much for the group, and I can’t thank you enough. I’m thankful for all the wonderful games I’ve seen and friends I’ve met at Maggie’s. Here’s to many more, and COYG!

Michelle (left)

We’ll continue to share stories of our Gooner family. If you’re a Maggie’s regular and want to be featured, talk to me at the pub.

Cheers, Mark  

Happy Hour This Thursday!

Viktor Gyökeres has arrived and may appear Thursday during the friendly against Sp*rs.

Our preseason happy hour at Maggie McGarry’s is this Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5-7 pm. We’ll replay the friendly from earlier in the day.

RSVP on Facebook

Estrella draft is $1 off for anyone wearing Arsenal garb and we’ll have some food as well. Hope to see you there!

COYG!

Best, Mark

Ooh to be a Gooner: Jose

The latest in a series of posts, profiling members of our Bay Area Gooners family.

For most Arsenal matches at Maggie McGarry’s, a group of regulars consistently holds court at a big table in the back near the stage. Amongst them is Jose Santos.

Jose was born and raised in San Francisco’s Visitation Valley. He became fascinated by a young Spanish player named Cesc Fàbregas, leading him to become an Arsenal fan. While he began following the Gunners around the time of their historic Invincibles run, it was the 16 year old, impressing amongst legends, that would endear him to the club.

Jose (left)

Jose joined our Gooner family in 2019. “I heard about Maggie’s through a friend, and the first time I went, was the Europa League Final against Chelsea. I discovered the Bay Area Gooners, met Mark, and was pretty surprised by the number of people”

Jose enjoys hanging with Arsenal fans turning up for the matches, but especially the regulars who show up for matches as early as 4:30 or 6:00 am. He loves meeting new Gooners “Seeing folks from all over, tourists trying to catch a game, or people who’ve just moved to the Bay Area. He also relishes “rubbing a win in Mick’s (Maggie’s owner and Man City fan) face when we beat City”

He counts Fàbregas, Henry, Bergkamp, Santi Cazorla, and Alexis Sanchez.amongst his all-time favorite players, with Saka, Saliba, Big Gabi, Rice, Martinelli, and Ødegaard as current favorites.

Jose is solidly behind Arteta, “I think he’s done a fabulous job since taking over. Really rebuilt the foundation of the club. You can see that year to year. The team is getting more players for the depth we were lacking the past three years. He just needs to get a STRIKER, to hopefully get us over that hump”

Jose (left)

He’s yet to see Arsenal in person though he did see them against the MLS All-Stars in San Jose some years back. His favorite moments last season include beating Man City 5-2 with Mick serving congratulatory shots. And beating Real Madrid over both legs. 

If you find yourself in the back of the big room at Maggie’s for a match, say hello to the regulars. That’s where you’ll find Jose Santos.

Jose (3rd from the 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.

Cheers, Mark  

Arsenal America Road Trip

Arsenal America is launching another Road Trip to London this October and all Arsenal America members are invited.

Arsenal America Road Trip: London 2025
October 23 – 26, 2025

Join fellow Gooners for an unforgettable Arsenal experience, including:

  • Charity event with the Kevin Campbell Foundation with special guests
  • Player arrival before the Crystal Palace match
  • Legends Tour of Emirates Stadium
  • Arsenal Museum visit
  • Tour and reception at Highbury Stadium
  • And so much more…

You must be an paid Arsenal America member to participate.
Match tickets are limited and can be requested through the Arsenal America ballot*.

*Note: ticket lottery closes Tuesday Aug 12th

Questions? Reach out to: memberservices@arsenalamerica.com