Arsenal 1886-2006

Arsenal FC is one of the most prominent football clubs in England, and indeed Europe. The club is based in North London, although that has not always been the case.

Arsenal were formed in 1886 as Dial Square FC by workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich in South East London, being renamed Royal Arsenal FC shortly afterwards. When they became professional in 1891, they were renamed Woolwich Arsenal.

In those days, the clubs wore redcurrant shirts with the team playing at the Manor Ground in Plumstead, apart from three years when the nearby Invicta Ground was used. Arsenal were elected to Division Two of the Football League in 1893.

The club's first manager was Thomas Mitchell in 1897, before the team won promotion as Division Two runners-up in 1903-04 under the stewardship of Harry Bradshaw. The side reached the semi-finals in 1905-06 and 1906-07.

The club's location led to poor crowds and near bankruptcy before they were taken over by Henry Norris in 1910. Woolwich Arsenal were relegated in 1912-13 as Norris sought to move the club elsewhere.

The club moved to the new Arsenal Stadium in Highbury, North London, dropping Woolwich from their name the following year. Controversy would follow after World War One as the club returned to Division One.

Arsenal only finished in fifth place in the Division Two 1914-15 season, but nevertheless were elected the enlarged top flight instead of Barnsley by reportedly dubious means, while new local rivals Tottenham Hotspur were relegated.

Former Leeds City and Huddersfield Town manager Herbert Chapman was appointed to take charge of the team in June 1925, with Arsenal ending as league runners-up in the 1925-26 campaign.

‘The Gunners’ won the FA Cup in 1928-29, twelve months after reaching the semi-finals when Huddersfield Town were defeated 2-0 at Wembley through goals from Alex James and Jack Lambert, before the team went on to dominate the league for a few years.

Tom Parker would skipper the side to league titles in 1930-31, 1932-33 and 1933-34 aided by stalwarts such as Lambert, Cliff Bastin and Eddie Hapgood as Chapman revolutionised the club on and off the pitch.

In the 1931-32 season Arsenal came close to further honours, ending as league runners-up and reaching the final of the FA Cup, where they were defeated 2-1 with Bob John scoring the consolation goal.

In 1932, he persuaded the London Underground to change Gillespie Road station to Arsenal, and the following year, he introduced the famous shirts, red with white sleeves. However, tragedy was to strike in January of the third title win.

Chapman caught pneumonia while out at various matches, quickly succumbing to the illness before passing away in the early hours of January 6th 1934, at his home in Hendon. He was buried four days later in St Mary's Churchyard, Hendon.

Joe Shaw took charge until the end of the bittersweet season when George Allison was appointed as manager with Ted Drake being signed to score the goals, which he did with great regularity until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Allison’s side made it three league titles in a row in 1934-35 before a second FA Cup triumph in 1935-36 when a solitary Drake goal was enough to defeat Sheffield United. Arsenal were crowned as champions of England for a fifth time in 1937-38.

Tom Whittaker took over as team boss, leading his side to the league title in his debut 1947-48 season. Among the star players were Jimmy Logan, George Swindin, Joe Mercer, brothers Leslie and Dennis Compton, Reg Lewis, Ronnie Rooke and Don Roper.

Two Lewis goals helped Arsenal to a 2-0 FA Cup final win against Liverpool in 1949-50 before the side fell at the final hurdle in 1951-52 when they went down 1-0 to Newcastle United before the club won their seventh league title in 1952-53.

Arsenal hit a relative slump thereafter. Whittaker was replaced by Jack Crayston who was succeeded by former goalkeeper Swindin. Billy Wright took over for a couple of years before the appointment of former club physiotherapist Bertie Mee in June 1966.

Mee built a new side who ended up as runners-up in the League Cup to Leeds United in 1967-68 and then Swindon Town in 1968-69. In the 1969-70 season the Gunners won their first European honours.

After seeing off Ajax, Arsenal faced Anderlecht in the final of the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner to the UEFA Cup and Europa League. After losing the away leg 3-1, the Belgians were defeated 3-0 at Highbury with goals from Eddie Kelly, John Radford and Jon Sammels.

However, the 1970-71 campaign would establish Arsenal at the top of the tree once more. An eighth league title was won as well as a 2-1 extra time victory in the FA Cup final against Liverpool with goals from Kelly and local youngster Charlie George.

As well as the mentioned players, the other stars of the period were skipper Frank McLintock, George Graham, Ray Kennedy, George Armstrong, Bob Wilson, Pat Rice and Sammy Nelson prior to the signing of Alan Ball.

Arsenal returned to the FA Cup final in 1971-72, losing 1-0 to Leeds United. The following 1972-73 season saw the Gunners go out in the last four of the Cup as well as ending as league runners-up prior to former team defender Terry Neill taking over as manager in July 1976.

His side reached the FA Cup final of 1977-78 with the help of goals from Malcolm Macdonald before going down 1-0 to Ipswich Town. Arsenal returned to lift the Cup in 1978-79 in one of Wembley’s classic finals.

My drawing of Highbury, with team kits and club crests.
Please click on the images to enlarge.

A dramatic 3-2 win against Manchester United was achieved with goals from Frank Stapleton, Brian Talbot and Alan Sunderland, orchestrated by star man Liam Brady alongside the likes of Pat Jennings, Rice, Nelson, David O’Leary and Graham Rix.

Arsenal ended as FA Cup runners-up twelve months later when they lost 1-0 to West Ham United. Further agony came when the team lost on penalties in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup after a 0-0 draw to Valencia CF at the Stade du Heysel in Brussels.

The East Stand during Highbury demolition

The 1982-83 campaign saw the north Londoners lose in the semi-finals of both the FA and League Cups before another period of decline, which led to the appointment of former midfielder George Graham as manager in May 1986.

Graham’s style was to build the side upon a solid defence. His side lifted the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Liverpool in 1986-87, with two Charlie Nicholas goals and Kenny Sansom captaining the team. Arsenal returned to the final twelve months later but went down 3-2 to Luton Town.

In 1988-89 the club won their ninth league title after scoring more goals than Liverpool after points and goal difference were level in a dramatic last gasp win in the final deciding game at Anfield, which can be viewed here.

Stars of the show were John Lukic, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Brian Marwood, David Rocastle, Kevin Richardson, Alan Smith and Paul Merson.

The 1990-91 campaign saw Arsenal lose the semi-final of the FA Cup but regain the league title after David Seaman had taken over in goal, while Paul Davis and Anders Limpar added to the success.

1992-93 saw the beginning of the Premier League. The Gunners lifted both the domestic cups, with both victories coming against Sheffield Wednesday. Future record scorer Ian Wright and Andy Linighan scored in the FA Cup final replay after a 1-1 draw in which Wright netted. Merson and Steve Morrow scored the goals in the 2-1 League Cup win.

The success was backed up in 1993-94 with triumph in the Cup Winners Cup when a Smith goal was enough to defeat Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen’s Parken Stadion. The following 1994-95 would end in disappointment after a losing FA Cup semi-final appearance.

Graham was sacked in February after it was discovered he’d received illegal agent fees, with former player Stewart Houston taking over. Arsenal reached Paris’ Parc de Prince Cup Winners' Cup final, where they went down 2-1 to Real Zaragoza following extra time after John Hartson had equalised.

Bruce Rioch was appointed as manager in June 1995, acquiring David Platt and Dennis Bergkamp before he was replaced by Arsène Wenger in October 1996, who rebuilt the squad and the mentality of the club off the pitch.

Inside Highbury after restoration

The Frenchman added Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit to the midfield alongside previous stalwarts alongside Ray Parlour and Martin Keown as Arsenal went on to win the league as well as the FA Cup following a 2-0 win against Newcastle United to complete the double with Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka scoring.

The Gunners ended as league runners-up and lost in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1998-99 before the signing of future legend Thierry Henry. Another league second place ensued in 1999-00 while the side reached the UEFA Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Galatasaray after a 0-0 draw back at the Parken Stadion.

The 2000-01 campaign was another of disappointment, with a runners-up place in the Premier League and defeat in the FA Cup final against Liverpool, despite Freddie Ljungberg putting Arsenal ahead with eighteen minutes remaining.

Midfield action at Highbury in 2020

There would be no mistake in 2001-02 as Arsenal, with the additions of Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, became champions of England for a twelfth time. Their third double was completed when goals from Parlour and Ljungberg defeated Chelsea 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

The FA Cup was retained in 2002-03 as a goal from Robert Pires defeated Southampton 1-0, while the side ended as Premier League runners-up. The side would reach the semi-finals of both domestic cups the following season.

The 2003-04 season surpassed anything previously achieved in an English title-winning season as the “Invincibles” became undefeated champions with new signings Jens Lehmann in goal, along with Robin van Persie, while future star Cesc Fàbregas was also captured.

2004-05 saw Arsenal end as league runners-up but lift the FA Cup for the tenth time as Manchester United were defeated on penalties after a dull 0-0 draw. Wenger’s side would suffer disappointment in 2005-06, going for the biggest honour of all.

The team had earlier lost in the League Cup semi-finals, but their Champions League campaign had seen off Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal to reach the Stade de France against FC Barcelona. Arsenal took the lead through Campbell despite Lehmann being sent off earlier, but the man advantage told as the Catalans won 2-1.

The season saw Arsenal say farewell to Highbury when the club opened their new Emirates Stadium a few hundred yards away at Ashburton Grove. The old stadium was turned into flats using the old stands while the pitch was turned into a garden for residents. 

For Arsenal's history from their move to their new stadium, pictures and my visits to the Emirates Stadium, click here.

My visits

From moving to London in April 1999 I was keen to visit a stadium I'd seen many times before while passing on the train to and from Yorkshire. Dad had been many times as his brother in law was a teacher nearby. 

He'd regaled me many times with tales of the great atmosphere in The Gunners Arms before standing on The Clock End. I went by one day to take photos from outside, but I would have to wait a little while for my first game.

Arsenal u18s 2 Coventry City u18s 0 (Friday 12th May 2000) FA Youth Cup Final second leg (att: 14,706)

I got my first opportunity for the Youth Cup final as tickets for first team games were hard to come by since Highbury became all seated with demand always very high. I went on this Friday evening with Joe, an inconsistent Kiwi barman who I worked with at Lord's. 

We had some beers at the Lord’s Tavern and then Highbury Barn before walking down Highbury Hill to the imposing old place. Both stands down the side, the East and West Stand, were beautiful pieces of art deco architecture designed by Archibald Leitch and dating back to the 30's. 

They were listed buildings and would eventually lead to the need for a new stadium as it was impossible to increase the size of them. We went in The North Bank Stand which was a huge two tiered construction which replaced the old North Bank which was a huge area of covered terracing with open corner sections. 

I was most impressed as all the seats were padded. The stands on either side mirrored each other, apart from the director’s box and players' tunnel and benches in the East Stand. Both had three tiers of red seats, the bottom of which had previously been for standing. The far Clock End had also been converted. 

Once a large open terrace with a huge clock at the back, it was now a bank of red seats with corporate boxes and a roof hanging over them. The game wasn't bad with the Gunners building on their first leg 3-1 lead. 

Looking at the teams on display years later it's amazing how many don't go on to a career at the top, despite them being the cream of the crop at youth level. Lee Fowler ended up having a spell at Scarborough. The Arsenal goals were scored by Jay Bothroyd seven minutes before the break and Steve Sidwell on seventy two minutes.

Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1 (Sunday 6th October 2002) FA Premier League (att: 37,902)

My second match visit to Highbury for a match was with a Sunderland mate, Martin and two Australian groundsmen from Lord's, Jarvo and Brad. Martin managed to get tickets for the away end, so it seemed like a good day out.

Martin had been with me to Gravesend & Northfleet against Scarborough the previous day as a bit of a warm-up in the football and drinking stakes. I was hoping Sunderland performed better than my mob had.

We met some ‘Gooners’ we knew from work at Lord’s in The Seven Pins in Finsbury Park for pre-match beers before heading to our position in the Clock End for the 2pm kick off. We were right in the front row among relatively silent away fans after a terrible first ten minutes for their team.

Arsenal went two up through Kanu and Patrick Vierra as well as having keeper Thomas Sorrensen substituted with an injury. Kanu added a third before half time which more or less killed the game for the live TV audience and the fans inside the ground.

The Mackems did pull one back through Jody Craddock late on, but it was too little, too late. We retired back to the pub for a rather long drink while watching the Liverpool v Chelsea game, and well beyond.

October 2006

A few months after Arsenal left Highbury I returned one Sunday afternoon to take some photos of the ground in a semi demolished state.

December 2011

Dad was staying over with me for a quick pre-Christmas catch-up up and I suggested a stadium tour around the Emirates, which he was chuffed with. More so when I took him along an old familiar route to him so he could recount some happy memories.

We even managed to sneak inside past the gates to where the old pitch once stood but was now surrounded by flats. At least they hadn’t bulldozed the lot.

November 2020

A long walk taking in lots of North London with my pal Jeff, our route took us on either side of Highbury’s old stands on the way to Alexander Palace and back. Again, I got access to the communal area and this time didn’t forget to take a couple of snaps.

Some of the pictures on this page of Highbury, when it was still in use, have been taken from the internet.

Arsenal from 2006

To read about the earlier club history and see pictures and read about my visits to Highbury, click here.

Arsenal's history took another immense turn when the club opened a brand new stadium a few hundred yards from their old Highbury home at Ashburton Grove in 2006, while the old stadium was turned into flats using the old stands, and the pitch was turned into a garden for residents. A deal was struck for naming rights at their new home, which became known as the Emirates Stadium.

Unfortunately the move also led to a long spell of trophy less seasons, which led to some annoyance amongst the loyal support. Wenger's strategy of not signing senior players or breaking the wage structure was criticised by fans paying top ticket prices. 

Meanwhile a battle carried on in the boardroom over ownership until Stan Kroenke eventually gained control ahead of Alisher Usmanov's Red White Securities. Robin Van Persie flew the flag on the pitch as successor to recent heroes Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who all moved on, causing some of the fans' disgruntlement. 

German star player Lucas Podolski was signed for the 2012-13 season in an attempt to assist the fine conveyor belt of young talent to bring honours as well as the consistent Champions League qualification. The signing of Mesut Ozil placated frustrated fans before the 2013-14 season.

Silverware at last arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2013-14 as Arsenal lifted the FA Cup following a classic FA Cup Final against Hull City as the came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 through goals from Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey. 

A top four league position and qualification into the Champions League was also achieved for yet another season. Despite the successes and the lifting of the Community Shield, Wenger was still criticised in some quarters. Alexis Sánchez, the Chilean striker along with Danny Welbeck, were brought in to try and fire the goals to bring home a league title.

The new firepower took The Gunners to third place as well as retaining the FA Cup with a 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa at Wembley, with Sánchez, Theo Walcott, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud netting. Fans were dismayed when Wenger made just one signing in the August 2015 transfer window, that of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech.

The club continued to qualify for the Champions League until the end of the 2016-17 season. It was the first time that the side had finished outside the top four since Wenger's arrival. Consolation came as Arsenal won the FA Cup for a thirteenth occasion; this time with a 2-1 win against Chelsea.

Wenger ended his spell at the club after the final game of the 2017-18 season, as tributes flowed with the team finishing in sixth place. The Spaniard, Unai Emery was announced as the new manager of Arsenal.

Emery's side finished fifth in the league as well as reaching the final of the 2018-19 Europa League, where they lost 4-1 to Chelsea in Baku. Emery was replaced by Mikel Arteta in December 2019. 

He led the side to lift the FA Cup in 2019-20 as Chelsea were defeated 2-1 with two goals from skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gunners went on to a disappointing eighth-place league finish in 2020-21. This was improved upon with fifth place twelve months later as Arteta introduced many impressive youngsters to the side.

Excellent performances from the likes of skipper Martin Ødegaard, along with Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Gabriel Jesus, saw Arsenal lead the table for much of the 2022-23 season before eventually finishing second. 

The squad was then strengthened through the signing of Declan Rice, who again ended as runners-up in 2023-24, which was replicated the following season.

Arsenal FC will play in the Premier League in the 2025-26 season.

My visits

Arsenal 0 CSKA Moscow 0 (Wednesday 1st November 2006) Champions League (att: 60,003)

By now I had now joined London Underground and a colleague of mine John Wilson, an Avid Gooner and season ticket holder couldn't get to the Champions League game against CSKA Moscow (who I'd coincidentally seen at Stamford Bridge a couple of years previously). I made my way to the Emirates Stadium. 

I used Arsenal tube station and followed the crowds around the corner to the stadium. I was very early as I wanted to get inside and take some photos, but also needed to find a cash machine. 

Naively I thought I'd find one inside but there wasn't one so I had to remain beer less. Emirates Stadium was a truly stunning place. It felt like approaching to watch a game abroad or to see an international game.

The four-tiered bowl had roofing over the stands but not over the pitch, with every padded seat having a good view and ample leg room. The main middle tier, known as the "Club Level", is premium priced. 

It includes the director's box which had 7,139 seats at this level, which are sold on licences lasting from one to four years. The bottom tier has 24,425 seats with the upper holding 26,646. 

The other mid tier is home to corporate boxes. One thing that does slightly detract it in my opinion is that there is quite a bit of space between the playing pitch and the spectators compared with the special intimacy created at Highbury.

The game was totally dominated by Arsenal although the Russians counter attacked well occasionally. The home side blew chance after chance. The game ended 0-0 in front of a crowd of 60,003 and I departed two minutes from the end. The crowd control outside was first class and I was soon shepherded into the station and on my way home.

Arsenal 2 Hull City 1 (Tuesday 17th March 2009) FA Cup Sixth Round (att: 55,641)

My brother Nick managed to get us tickets for the City section for a game which saw The Tigers appear in the FA Cup Quarter Final for the first time in thirty eight years. He headed down to meet me from work. 

We had an enjoyable afternoon catching up and having beers at Hampstead CC and a place in Camden Road before heading up to the pubs near the ground in Holloway Road.

We were refused entry at the Coronet Wetherspoons pub as we weren't home fans. We continued to the next one the Herbert Chapman. We were asked by the doorman, "Har you Ass in Hell" or at least that's what our Eastern European friend sounded like. 

We smiled and nodded, and we were in while trying not to wet ourselves laughing. We must have stood out a mile inside, but what the hell? We made our way for a beer inside the stadium after I'd got us a little lost looking for another place I knew of. 

Our seats were excellent in the corner of the stadium, but quite near the segregation with the home fans. City, who had already won at The Emirates in their debut season in the top flight, went one up through Nicky Barmby in thirteen minutes.

Arsenal huffed and puffed but could not break down The Tigers rearguard despite the best efforts of referee Mike Riley who did everything possible to help the home side short of donning a red shirt. 

The City fans were going spare while the home fans in the crowd, incredibly, whined! Eventually, the pressure paid off for Arsenal with an equaliser from Robin van Persie before referee Riley allowed a headed winning goal from William Gallas to stand, which replays proved was about two yards offside.

The City players were livid at the end as were manager Phil Brown and assistant Brian Horton who claimed that Gunners non playing skipper, Cesc Fabregas had spat at him. We left the ground not in the best of moods to walk back to the station before alighting at Finchley Road for refreshments. I simmered down about two days later.

Monday 12th December 2011

Dad had come to stay with me on the Sunday evening before heading back to Yorkshire the following afternoon. We had a lovely long walk with my brother Paul, before heading home for the evening to relax and watch the sport on the TV. 

While we had a beer, we went through some ideas for the following day to fill in a few hours.

While Match of the Day 2 was on, Dad mentioned, not for the first time, that he'd love to go to a game at The Emirates. Tickets are hard to come by, but I happened to mention that there is a museum up there. It seemed to hit an instant chord, so we pencilled it in for the next day.

We caught the tube down to West Hampstead and then took an Overground train to Highbury & Islington. It was a cold but bright day, which showed the lovely old Victorian terraces on the roads up the hill through Highbury Fields to their greatest effect. 

Although the plan was to definitely look inside the museum, I also mentioned that there were tours around the stadium. I was really hoping that there would be one to fit into our time frame, and the weather and views were putting the pair of us in a good mood.

I had taken him this way so that we could also see what they had done to the old stadium at Highbury. Dad's eyes lit up as we looked down Conewood Street with the majesty of the old East Stand down at the end of the road. The old East and West Stands had been kept the same at the rear through a preservation order and smartened up. 

The fronts had been converted into flats, along with new blocks where the North and Clock Stands once stood. The pitch was now a communal garden, with each flat having its own space. One of the gates was open, so we went inside to take a photo.

We walked around past Arsenal tube station, along Drayton Park and up the steps to the rear of the north end. The gent on the door of the museum gave us directions to the tours office around at the other end. 

Just walking around the perimeter was worth the effort with the murals and banners depicting both well known and unseen heroes of the club. The murals on the stadiums walls were simply stunning.

Dad was concerned as he thought the tour was 10.15, but fortunately, that was the time that they commenced from. The welcoming staff explained that our tour was self-conducted and we could set off immediately. 

We paid £9 for Dad and £17.50 for me, which included the tour and the museum. We were given a console with controls and a small screen as well as earphones. They were set for us, and after a quick bag search, we were on our way.

Bob Wilson narrated the self explanatory tour, with contributions from Robin Van Persie, Wojciech Szczesny and Theo Walcott. There were interjections along the way, with videos of great moments and comments from Arsene Wenger. The console offered the option of doing a direct tour or watching and listening to extras at a particular point.

We started in the reception area and then went into the director's box, both inside and out. We went upstairs to the incredible VIP area as Wilson explained about the 'Arsenal Way' and how attention to detail and class were so imperative when the stadium was built. 

We went back downstairs and visited the home and away changing rooms, the press conference room and went down the tunnel and to the Arsenal dugout. There were guides along the route to answer any questions. 

Wilson encouraged us to test the guides, who were certainly knowledgeable and proud of their jobs. The bloke by the dugouts was a former Enfield FC player, so when he saw my Scarborough Athletic jacket, we had a good chat.

The tour naturally enough ended in the souvenir shop! It took us around an hour, but could have easily been spread out to double that time. There was no pressure whatsoever to go at any speed. The accompanying video and guide were interesting and classy. 

There was none of the gloating that some other stadiums have been guilty of on my previous tours on travels. Put simply, it was the best tour I had ever been on at any sports arena. It had been just short of four years since I took Dad round Wembley, and he agreed with me.

The club had celebrated their 125th Anniversary the previous Saturday at the match against Everton, and the previous day they had unveiled three statues on the outer concourse to honour three of their greatest heroes. We walked round and saw the tributes to Thierry Henry, Herbert Chapman and Tony Adams.

We entered the museum, where the same gent from earlier gave us an introduction. He was genuinely pleased that we rated the tour better than Wembley. 

He was most modest as he commented that at The Emirates they only had to look after one club and one sport, unlike Wembley. He said there was very little likelihood of rugby being played here. He did laugh when my Dad added, "Only when Stoke are here!"

The museum offered entertainment for all ages, with many interactive displays. We only spent thirty minutes in there as time was short, but you could stay as long as you wished. We went back to the Armouries Arsenal shop so Dad could buy a gift for his Gunners supporting mate back at the Railway Club in Scarborough. He said he couldn't wait to tell him all about it.

We had time for a quick cuppa in the brilliant Coronet on Holloway Road before heading to St Pancras so Dad could catch his train back up north. It had been a superb morning and a complete contrast in emotions from the last time I left there. 

I will never be an Arsenal fan, but in terms of class and doing the right thing, nobody does it better. Many thanks to everyone at The Emirates for making a couple of football fans so happy.

Arsenal 2 Hull City 0 (Wednesday 4th December 2013) FA Premier League (att: 60,017)

I’d been contacted by my old pal Frazer Armitage a few weeks before the match to tell me he was coming down to the game with John Groombridge and Paul Sharp. As I was off work, I asked if there was any chance of sorting me out a ticket.

It hadn’t been easy as City were offering free coach travel and Arsenal were only charging £25 a ticket. However, Frazer managed to exchange his sons ticket for an adult one and I was going. My brother Nick also arranged to pick one up before the game, so he was to stay with me.

We had a most convivial afternoon out at the excellent King Charles pub in Kings Cross, before heading to Islington. Nick was getting concerned as the coaches had been severely delayed following a crash on the M1 near Leicester, and his ticket was with one of the fans on board. 

We managed to get last drinks in the Drayton Park Arms after a trendy bar near Highbury & Islington station, catching up with some old faces before heading over the road into the Emirates.

Our seats were in the front row. By the time the rest of the lads got in, City were one down thanks to a rare Nicklas Bendtner goal. The Gunners were controlling the game on a freezing cold evening. 

I went to try and warm up with some food and drink, but remarkably there was nothing on offer until half time, which was most un Arsenal like.

City were under the threat of a name change to Hull Tigers in a crazy move from owner Assem Allam. The majority of fans, particularly those who’d been going long before the glamour of the Premier League, were most upset. 

Most fans of other clubs were most sympathetic. It was, therefore, most disappointing when the Arsenal fans behind the goal taunted us with “You’re not City anymore.” They mainly shut up with the brilliant retort of “You’re not English anymore”.

To be fair, The Tigers held their shape without really threatening. Unfortunately they shipped the second goal two minutes after the interval from Mesut Ozil, which killed off the game.

The atmosphere had been poor in the away section because the offers had attracted a lot of fans who generally wouldn’t travel. We got away just before the final whistle and said goodbye to the lads, while Nick and I caught the Overground from Highbury & Islington. We walked into the pub in Kingsbury just as Match of the Day was starting.

To round off a great day, aside from the result at our game, we ordered pizzas and went home for the opening exchanges in the second Ashes Test.

Arsenal 2 Hull City 2 (Saturday 18th October 2014) FA Premier League (att: 60,004)

I finished work for two weeks at 2pm and managed to get to The Emirates in plenty of time, having got hold of a ticket in the City end for £26.

The afternoon was an eye opener and cultural experience as the locals dined in restaurants and sipped wine in the many overpriced establishments in the area. Greggs pasties were my pre match snack of choice.!  I had no time for pre match ales, not that I suppose I’d have been allowed in anywhere as an away fan.

My seat was on the back row of the away end under the overhang. Big-time football had definitely changed, and I was rapidly falling out of love with the experience. The City section had foreign visitors aplenty. I was surrounded by women and families and was all but waiting for the picnic hampers to come out.

This was a game that Arsenal had the vast majority of possession, but hilariously didn't win. In the end they were lucky to grab a draw. For all their possession, the third choice error prone keeper Eldin Jakopovic only had one real effort to save after coming on as a sub to replace the injured Steve Harper after around forty minutes.

Alexis Sánchez was a class act for Arsenal, so it was no shock when he gave the hosts the lead in thirteen minutes. It was somewhat of a surprise when Mohamed Diamé equalised four minutes later, especially as everyone not connected with City screamed for a foul on Mathieu Flamini before the midfielder lofted the ball over keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

A fine move soon after the break involving Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore saw a cross headed in by Abel Hernandez. It looked like City would hang on with a mixture of bravery and game management when Danny Welbeck scored in stoppage time.

The old school City fans actually got a decent atmosphere going to the bemusement of some who obviously hadn't experienced passion like it before. The home fans squealed like fire engine sirens continually whining. 

Presumably, away teams were meant to go there and play with five up front and then applaud those jolly good chaps in red and while having their tummies tickled? The Gooners fans were even worse than at the Cup Final. Michael Dawson was immense in defence and at cranking the home fans up. Apparently, he used to play with their neighbours?

I wasn’t sure if I should have been flattered or not but three spotty herberts tried provoking me outside the Upper Street 'Spoons after the game. “2-0 and you f***d it up”. What classy fans. I was forty nine a few weeks later for goodness sake. 

My mood was not helped when I required a soothing cold one at the first place that let away fans in and was charged £4.75 for a Peroni, unless they bought me a meal out after I left, which in some way might have justified the price. The evening rapidly improved when I enjoyed a couple of fine ales in the Craft Pub on White Lion Street.

I headed back for further refreshment in Kingsbury, looking forward to my cricket holiday in Thailand. It was a strange day of annoyance and utter joy at times in equal measure. I was definitely getting older!

Friday 4th December 2020

Click here to read about a further visit as part of my 100-mile Sawasdee Cup Charity Walk late in 2020, as I called in on all the clubs in the top five tiers within Greater London to raise money for Junior Cricket Development in Thailand.

The Emirates Stadium was my final port of call. I had never been more pleased to see the place before heading off in good company for food and libations.