Yes, it’s official, I am the world’s best mascot based on cuddliness, adorability and influence of the team’s success. If you go to the Soccer.fusion.net website you can see it for yourself.
Anyway, back to other matters. Here’s what I have been up to over the past four weeks.
Saturday, August 23
The second league game of the season and a good point to get at Goodison Park with a 2-2 draw. It did not seem likely at one point, being 2-0 down with only a few minutes remaining, but goals from Aaron and Olivier maintained our unbeaten start to the season.
Tuesday, August 26
After receiving lots of nominations from Junior Gunners and Arsenal fans alike, I undertook the much publicised Ice Bucket Challenge. The Arsenal Foundation donated to the worthy MND and ALS charities in the process and the video is available online should you wish to see me get wet and cold!
Before I got drenched I nominated Theo (my mascot friend from Leyton Orient), Chirpy (the Tottenham mascot), and Stamford the Lion (the Chelsea mascot). Three huge Arsenal Soccer School buckets were used to completely soak me. The water had ice in it and was really cold, leaving me shivering and out of breath, but it was still great fun and raised money and awareness for good causes.
Wednesday, August 27
Today I attended a regular Arsenal Community event that I have been doing for a while now, a visit to Pentonville Prison for a Family Day. The inmates have a chance to meet with their families and we take along some games for the children to play with, such as tennis, football and colouring books for the little ones. Although some of the people we met were not Arsenal fans, we still had a great day.
At Emirates Stadium we had our Champions League qualifier against Besiktas and we won 1-0. Alexis scored his first Arsenal goal to send us through to the group stages. I met the teams as they arrived!
Thursday, August 28
Our U21s played at Emirates Stadium tonight against West Bromwich Albion and we won 4-2. Over 2,000 fans turned up to watch so I was around to shake a few hands, give some high fives and, of course, pose for those all-important pictures.
The draw took place today for the group stages of the Champions League and it saw us put in the same group as Galatasaray, Anderlecht and, once again, Borussia Dortmund. Exciting games ahead!
Sunday, August 31
Back to Premier League action and a slightly disappointing result at Leicester City with a 1-1 draw. Alexis seems to have found his scoring touch with another goal. I saw my friend Filbert the Fox at the match doing his stuff.
Thursday, September 4
The Arsenal Ladies played league leaders Chelsea at Boreham Wood and the game was being shown live on BT Sports. A big crowd turned up to watch, so there was lots to do before kick-off. I got the chance to meet some of the fans who can’t always get to the Emirates to see the first team play.
After going 1-0 up then missing a penalty, Chelsea came back to lead 2-1 before we equalised just before half time. There was nothing between the teams in the second half but a late goal from Chelsea saw them win 3-2.
Saturday, September 6
I had a birthday party to go to that took place at a local pizza parlour in Islington. It was for a young Arsenal fan and his mates from school. We all had a fun time, with lots of pizza to eat!
Sunday, September 7
The FA held a fun day before the Arsenal Ladies’ Continental Cup semi-final against Notts County at Boreham Wood. I got down to Meadow Lane early to help out along with the Lion mascot from the FA.
There was lots for the fans to take part in including skills, coaching, face painting and the usual dance off, which I won. Today’s game was again being shown live on BT Sports, so you may have spotted me walking around the pitch before kick-off. The game went into extra-time before two late goals put us into the final where we will play Manchester City at Wycombe Wanderers’ ground in October.
Thursday, September 11
The annual squad photo shoot day took place at the training ground today and this remains one of my favourite days of every each. It gave me a chance to relax with the players and of course meet our new signing Danny Welbeck.
It’s a great honour to have my picture taken with the whole of the first-team squad. Theo was there - he should be back soon - and Olivier was still on crutches after his operation. The Arsenal Ladies were also having their picture taken with the men. We had two lucky competition winners also having their pictures with the team. All of the club’s silverware from 2013/14 was on show too!
Saturday, September 13
Manchester City at home today. Yet another game being shown live on BT Sport and an early kick-off. The players arrived around at 11.15am and the Manchester City team included three of our former players Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna. Today I was wearing special rainbow laces on my boots like the players to show support to end Homophobia in football.
I did a quick interview before kick-off which showed the laces on the big screens. I met my old pal and one of my all-time favourite Arsenal players Ian Wright pitch side before kick-off. He was providing analysis on the game for TV. At half time we picked three young, lucky Arsenal fans from the crowd to take penalties against me. All three were dispatched with style. Hopefully it’s the next generation of Arsenal players coming through!
The game finished 2-2 with Alexis finding the net again with a classic volley after Jack had equalised. I went upstairs to Box Level after the game and into the Puma Box where I signed one of their football boots and met Lewis Hamilton and Alesha Dixon.
Tuesday, September 16
A disappointing performance in Germany and a 2-0 defeat in our first group game against Borussia Dortmund. We never really got going and missed a couple of good chances before they scored. But there is still a long way to go in the group.
See you all soon,
Big hugs from Gunner
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