Gunner's Diary

Hey Junior Gunners,

What a month it's been! I hope you have enjoyed the end of the season as much as I have. Here's what I've been up to during the last month.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Tonight our under-21 team which included Carl Jenkinson and Abou Diaby, who played his first game since suffering a long-term injury, played Chelsea in a game at Emirates Stadium. Around 2,000 fans saw us take an early lead through Hector Bellerin, but two late Chelsea goals saw us go down 2-1, I was kept busy looking after the supporters who came to cheer us on.

Friday, April 24, 2014
Today was a special day for box holders of the club. Around 50 were invited for a day at the training ground, with no other than Arsenal legend Ian Wright. The day started at 10am where a picture was taken of everyone with Mr Wright and me of course. After a Q&A session we all went to see the players train who were joined by Gunners legend Robert Pires. After lunch there was the opportunity to meet several of the first team squad. Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertersacker all posed for pictures and signed autographs for the guests.

Monday, April 28, 2014
Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
Tonight was a must-win game in order to keep our Champions League hopes alive. The teams were greeted on arrival by our special visitors and fans from our various supporters clubs. I walked around the pitch and had a kick-about with our Junior Gunners mascot before we went on to win 3-0 with goals coming from Laurent, Mesut and Olivier, keeping us in fourth spot.

I spent the next few days popping out on the stadium tours route keeping all of our visitors happy with pictures.

Sunday, May 4, 2014
Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
One nil to the Arsenal! We bought our home season to a close with a goal from Olivier. I only got as far as the family enclosure today as I was soon back at the players tunnel for a special presentation. Theo Walcott came pitch side to surprise one very lucky JG who had been picked to be our mascot at the FA Cup final against Hull City. The whole thing was filmed and put up on the big screens in the stadium. After our 1-0 victory the players and their kids all did a lap of honour around the pitch so I joined them as they showed their appreciation to the fans.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Ray Parlour was at the stadium today for a corporate event for members of the WM Club who were playing football on the pitch. I went along for those pictures that everyone wants for their Facebook or screensavers.

Wednesday May 7, 2014
The Arsenal staff had their chance to play on the Emirates pitch today so both Male and Female matches took part with myself looking on. We also had an event for our Diamond Club members as well as another corporate event which included former Arsenal players Tony Woodcock and Jimmy Carter.

Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Arsenal Foundation had their annual Ball at the stadium tonight, which was attended by all the players and Mr Wenger. I had my own event to go to looking after friends and families from a company called BNP Paribas. Former player Lee Dixon was the host with a little help from me during the evening.

Friday, May 9, 2014
Went to a football presentation tonight for a local Essex team called the Romford Colts. Boys and girls of all ages were there to receive their awards so I was invited along to hand out the medals.

Saturday, May 10, 2014
Today was the Annual Supporters Club football tournament with 32 teams taking part from all over the world. Teams from Nepal, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, etc all took part in a day of intense rivalry. With so many teams bringing so many supporters to watch them I had a really busy time getting around to everyone. West done to Costa Blanca who won the event and to Hungary who won the Fair Play award.

Sunday, May 11, 2014
Norwich City 0-2 Arsenal
Our final league game of the season ended on a high with a superb volley from Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson’s first ever goal for Arsenal. Boy was he pleased I thought he was going to end up in the crowd with the supporters when he came running over.

Monday, May 12, 2014
Box Holders had their chance to play on the Emirates pitch today. Saw some faces that I usually see on a match day.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Another partnership event today they are certainly keeping me busy these past few weeks.

Thursday, May 15, 2014
The events keep coming and tonight it’s a company called Lazard, with former player Martin Keown looking after the players and their guests.

Friday, May 16, 2014
It’s the day before the FA Cup final and I had to be up early to make my way to Wembley for 6am to appear on Good Morning Britain breakfast TV. I was part of a programme hosted by Andi Peters which went out live at 6.30am. They spun a wheel which had sums of money on and contestants could win cash prizes. I hope you all got up nice and early to see me! I then had to rush back to Emirates Stadium to catch up with Charlie George and Nigel Winterburn who were hosting yet another event on the pitch.

Saturday, May 17, 2014
Arsenal 3-2 Hull City
The day had finally arrived. Cup final day. Arsenal v Hull City. My day started at Emirates Stadium feeling very nervous but excited about the day ahead. It took me an hour to get to Wembley but I arrived two hours before kick-off. Thousands of our fans had arrived early to soak up the atmosphere so I went pitch side to check it all out, where I ran into Ian Wright and Robert Pires who were doing their bit for TV. Martin Tyler the SKY TV commentator walked passed so I said a quick hello before heading off to the tunnel to meet the Arsenal players as they came out for their warm up. I also met up with our mascot Lucas in his Arsenal kits. Paul Burrell our match day announcer took me onto the pitch where he read out the Arsenal team while I took in the atmosphere. Before I knew it , it was time for kick-off, so I took up my position to watch the game.

Who could have believed the start? Two nil down with only seven minutes played. But the boys stuck to their game and got a goal back before half-time with a great free kick from Santi. A lot of pressure paid off in the second half and an equaliser from Laurent made it 2-2. The boss took off Lukas for Yaya and then Jack and Tomas came on for Santi and Mesut, and it all paid off in extra-time when a great piece of skill from Olivier with a back heel set up Rambo for the winner. Let the celebrations begin. I managed to get pitch side to see the players lift the trophy and then join them on their lap of honour. Poldi was so pleased to see me that he bundled me to the floor then lots of the other players jumped on top of me. Mr Wenger got soaked with champagne before the players threw him up in the air with a little bit of help from me. I managed to get hold of the Cup for a picture before the players went back to the dressing room. I will never forget today and can’t wait for the parade tomorrow.

Sunday, May 18, 2014
After nine years of waiting since our last trophy win, today was going to be the fans' chance to celebrate and congratulate the team as they were driven through the streets of Islington on an open top bus. The parade started at Emirates Stadium at around 11am and I had the honour of leading the parade in an open top Citroen car in front of the players on their bus. It took us over an hour to drive to the Town Hall and it was amazing to see so many thousands of fans lining the streets of Islington to see their heroes bring the FA Cup back to Arsenal for the 11th time in our history. And there was still more to come. As the players had a reception at the Town Hall I went into the crowd to say a few hellos. We then drove back to the Emirates where thousands of fans were gathered at the Armoury shop to see the players appear on a special platform above. The whole thing was televised on Arsenal Player! After the players left to go back inside the fans stayed for hours making the most of what was a truly fantastic two days in the history of this great club we all love. Come on you Reds – oh to oh to be oh to be a goner – La la la la la la la la la la Giroud – we got Mesut, we got Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil – do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Aaron Ramsey – oh Santi Cazorla oh Santi Cazorla - I’ve lost my voice!.

Have a good summer see you all at the Community Shield!

Big hugs from Gunner