Gunnersaurus Blog

Hey Junior Gunners!

Here’s my latest blog

Saturday, October 18
Arsenal v Hull City
It’s the first time we have played Hull since our FA Cup triumph in May, so they will be looking to get one over on us today. I had my usual matchday routine meeting the supporters clubs as we waited for the players to arrive. There were lots of Hull fans wanting pictures today so I was kept busy when walking around the pitch before kick-off. The game finished in a 2-2 draw and at the final whistle I popped up to the Highbury Suite on Club Level before finishing the day in the players’ lounge.

Sunday, October 19
I travelled down to Grays in Essex today to meet Ava for her birthday bash. It was her sixth birthday and she had all of her school friends with her to celebrate. Happy Birthday Ava!

Wednesday, October 22
The team took the Eurostar to Belgium for our Champions League qualifier against RSC Anderlecht. We had played them twice before home and away in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup way back in the 1970s. We lost the away leg 3-1 then, so it was nice to come away with a 2-1 victory this time, although we did leave it rather late with goals from Kieran and Lukas.

Saturday, October 25
Sunderland v Arsenal
The games are coming very quickly now and today we were away at Sunderland in the Premier League. It was being screened live back at the Emirates Stadium so I was on hand to check out over 700 supporters who had come along to watch. As usual there were lots of activities for the younger fans and of course the bar was open for the adults. We won 2-0 with both goals coming from Alexis.

Tuesday, October 28
A trip to our training ground at London Colney is always a great day out. It was a Junior Gunners event with boys and girls of different ages having a tour then playing football on the indoor pitch. We all posed for a team picture before heading off home.

Wednesday, October 29
Straight back to the training ground today for a corporate event for our Box Holders at Emirates Stadium. Ray Parlour was the host and he had a chat with everyone before taking us out to watch the players train. After dinner a few of the first team squad popped by so everyone was able to get some pictures and autographs.

Friday, October 31
A lot of hard work by our community boys this half-term meant that some holiday club groups were able to come to the stadium for a tour, and I was there to hand out medals and certificates to everyone who attended.

Saturday, November 1
Arsenal v Burnley
Another two goals from Alexis and one from the Ox was enough to see off a resilient Burnley today. There were 3,000 Burnley fans at the game, so after the players had arrived I went off to pitch side for lots of pictures. At the final whistle I called in to the Highbury Suite for a birthday celebration and stayed for a while as the fans were in good spirits.

Monday, November 3
I called into a local primary school today with our community team to promote Arsenal’s Double Club initiative. The school was Northwold Primary in Hackney. Did you know that Alan Sugar (yes he is a Spurs fan) went to that school and was brought up on the Northwold Estate? The boys and girls will be signing up for language, literacy and football lessons and eventually be invited to the stadium and training ground for a tour.

Tuesday, November 4
Arsenal v Anderlecht
Today we visited four schools in Hackney and Islington and brought a very special guest with us, the FA Cup! This amazing opportunity allowed lots of children, supporters of Arsenal and indeed other clubs, to have their pictures taken with the trophy. We went to Skinners secondary school then on to Carlton, Fleet and Netley primary schools. Everyone was so excited to see The FA Cup and me of course. Then it was straight back to Emirates Stadium for our Champions League match against Anderlecht. There were 3,000 Belgium fans paying their first ever visit to our stadium. After going 3-0 we fell away a bit in the second half and had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Wednesday, November 5
Another day at the training ground today for a Double Club literacy and football tournament. Five lucky schools from Hertfordshire all came along and I was there to meet them. I jumped in goal for some penalties then showed everyone my skills with the ball. Did you know I can do 42 kick ups? Not really, I can just about manage two! Have you seen the size of my new Puma King boots?! We rounded off the day with a presentation of medals and certificates, and team photos as well.

Saturday, November 8
It was Alfie and James’s birthday party in Romford today. Over 30 of their school mates were invited along for a couple of hours of football fun with me making a guest appearance at the end. I went in goal so all of their mates could take a penalty against me. I did not save very many, they were all very good players.

Sunday, November 9
Swansea City v Arsenal
After going 1-0 up with another Alexis goal it was very disappointing to lose 2-1 and drop a couple of places in the Premier League. It was nice to see Theo come on as a late substitute. He should be back to full fitness very soon.

Tuesday, November 11
We had a school event at Emirates Stadium today so I went along during lunch to say hello.

Friday, November 14
It was nice to meet the parents and foster children who were at the Emirates tonight for an evening of fun and music. It was another event run by our community team so I got an invite to make sure the proceedings went off ok.

Saturday, November 15
No matches this weekend due to international fixtures, so most of the players, including six in the England squad, are away. I hope they come back injury-free and ready for our next matches against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.

That’s all from me for now
Big hugs from Gunner