Gunner's Diary

Hey Junior Gunners! 

As usual, I've been a busy dinosaur over the last month. Here's my latest blog for you: 

Monday, January 13
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
Two goals in quick time from Jack and Olivier gave us a 2-0 lead before Villa pulled a goal back in the second half. But the boys held out to make sure we went back to the top of the Premier League. I spent the next couple of days meeting visitors coming to the Emirates for Stadium Tours, and popping into the Armoury shop as well.

Friday, January 17
Today, I went along to Ambler Primary School in Blackstock Road, Islington, to meet all the children who had been working on a special school project, it was good to pop in to say well done for all the hard work they had put in. When I arrived they were having play time, so all the children were there at the same time. It was great fun.

Saturday, January 18
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
My day started by meeting the players and Thierry Henry as they arrived for the London derby against the Cottagers. I then went onto the pitch and quite a lot of the Fulham fans wanted a picture with me which was nice. I had a little kick about with our match day mascot on the pitch before taking my seat for the match. We won 2-0 with both goals coming from Santi. After the game I went up to Box Level and The Diamond Club, where I ran into former Gunner Ray Parlour. It was great to see him again.

Monday, January 20
I made a special visit to the Bethnal Green Academy in east London where a group of students were being filmed by Deutsche Welle TV for a documentary on the Arsenal Double Club Languages Programme. They have all been studying German so Serge Gnabry recorded a special message of congratulations for them. I was there to keep an eye on things and to hand out a signed picture of Serge to all of the students.

Tuesday, January 21
I was back at Emirates Stadium to greet pre- school children from The New North Academy in Essex Road, Islington. I made a surprise entrance while they were on their stadium tour. They were all so excited to meet a Dinosaur - the only one now in living existence.

Wednesday, January 22
We had a group of French students visiting the stadium today, so there were a lot of pictures taken as we all went on the tour.

Friday, January 24
Arsenal 4-0 Coventry City
It was an early start for me today as I went to Hanover Primary school in Islington to open their new school library. The Arsenal Foundation have supported the school to set up reading corners and their new facility. I was invited along for the cutting of the ribbon. Later that evening we played Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. We invited the Coventry mascot Sam the Elephant along and I took him around to see all of the 5,000 City fans who had travelled down for the match. The weather was wet and windy and the lights dimmed just before half-time, but we ran out comfortable 4-0 winners with two goals from Lukas and one each from Santi and Olivier.

Tuesday 28th January 
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal
Tonight’s game was screened back at the Emirates Stadium and just under 1,000 fans packed into the Royal Oak to watch the action. After going 1-0 down we came back in the second half with two goals from Olivier and Santi to take the lead, but a quick equaliser from Southampton meant we had to settle for a point. It was great to say hello to fans who I don’t always get a chance to meet.

Sunday, February 2
Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
Today we were at home to Crystal Palace, who we beat earlier in the season 2-0 at Selhurst Park. A few ex-players were at today’s game, so while I was walking around the stadium I met Lauren, Robert Pires, Brian Talbot, Niall Quinn, Charlie George, as well as Jack Wilshire who was out injured.  Two goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain playing in a more central midfield role was enough to send us back to the top of the Premier League. After the match I walked around box level where I met some very happy Arsenal fans.

Thursday, February 6
Tonight I attended a question and answer evening for Diamond Club members which was held in the Diamond Club at the stadium. The boss was present along with TV presenter Dara O’Brien and former player Nigel Winterburn. I was on hand to greet everyone as they arrived, which also included another former Arsenal player Brian Talbot.

Saturday, February 8
Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal 
Not much I can say about the result, and we lose our top spot to Chelsea. Mikel scored our goal from the penalty spot. A disappointing day.

Sunday, February 9
Some of our Chinese supporters who were at Anfield yesterday had a stadium tour today so I went along to say hello. The Club were filming the tour so I got in on the act and of course stopped for many pictures along the route. They had all been to the Club shop and had many gifts to take back home including toy Gunnersaurus’s . There were lots of other visitors as well so it was a very busy afternoon for me.

Wednesday, February 12
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United 
The players entrance was very busy before kick-off as we had invited our Chinese and Hong Kong supporters Club’s to come and see the teams arrive.
I saw two of our injured players Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott going into the player’s lounge, Theo was on crutches and I wished him a speedy recovery.
It was good to see Tony Adams at half-time, former Arsenal players Ian Wright and Freddie Ljunberg were also at the game, along with a host of other stars including Sir Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton.