This is how it feels to draw away at West Brom

OF course we should have known what to expect. The last 7 away games Emerson and I had been to had yielded just 4 Arsenal goals, although the great day up at Newcastle in May more than made up for that.

But we both believed this would be different. The good form of the team and the chance to see Mesut Ozil in the flesh for the first time meant we made the 170-mile journey down the A1, M18, M1, A42, M42, M6 and M5, full of optimism.

Emerson was going for an exciting 3-2 victory, I was thinking more 2-1. Either way we were both confident that we would see Arsenal score more once in an away game for the first time since a 3-0 victory up the road at Wolves back in March 2012.

The journey down was smooth and took around 2 and a half hours, which included a brief stop off at Tamworth. Parking near the ground was more of a problem. I refuse to pay £5 to park in a car park on land that does not even belong to the people asking for the money, so we searched for a side street instead.

West Bromwich, it appears, does has a large Asian population. In fact every house in every street we drove down was occupied by Asians and whatever you feel about multiculturalism, and I personally think it enriches our lives if managed in the correct way, this does make you feel a little uncomfortable.

Emerson tried to re-assured me by pointing out that Muslims (although there was nothing to say these were Muslims, I should point out) are against all crime so it would be safe to leave the car there as no one would break into it. Good thinking, son...So we found a place on one of the Asian estates and took our chances.

Say what you like about West Brom but the birds are quality

On the walk to the ground a lad on a bike rode past and said, 'Hope you thrash them Baggies today.' Clearly a Wolves fan! A sign, I thought.

Emerson likes to get in the ground and to his seat early, but I bumped into an old friend Rob in the concourse and stopped for a chat. Emerson was not having any of it and literally dragged me up to our seats, which were just to the right of the goal about halfway up. A good view.

The view from our seats

The atmosphere was building nicely now with Emerson particularly enjoying the new Ozil song, sung to the tune of This Is How It Feels by the Inspiral Carpets; 'How does it feel to be Tottenham, how does it feel to be small, you sold Bale and we signed Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil...'

Say what you like about WBA but the atmosphere in the stadium is great. The teams came out to some techno dance number which Emerson was jigging about to like he was at his school disco, and then the real action could began.

Arsenal was attacking the home end in the first half, always the best way I feel, and the majority of the play was in their half of the pitch. Although we had all the possession we rarely looked like opening them up and the only real chances we created was a shot from Gibbo which flew over the top, after an unreal pass from Ozil, and an effort from Rambo which was well saved by Boaz Myhill.

With half time approaching, Albion, who had looked sharp and well organised throughout, started to threaten and they took the lead three minutes before the break. Jenko's clearance from a corner only fell to Mulumbu who played it out wide to Amalifitardo and his cross was headed in at the near post by Yacob - his first goal for the club as the stadium announcer took great pleasure in informing us.



Emerson always enjoys his away days

Having not conceded first in any game this season, and not at all away from home since our last defeat on the road at Spurs in March, we were unsure how we would respond. The answer looked to be not very well judging by the opening period of the second half. Twice Anelka, who always scores against us, should have made it 2-0, and had he done so it would have been game over.

But we began to show the character that Wenger has often spoken about, although it was only after the introduction of Rosicky that we really began to look like getting back on level terms. Most around us were screaming for Jack to be taken off as he was not having his best game, but instead it was Rambo who made way, much to the indignation of the chap behind me who proceeded to call Wenger every name under the sun for leaving Jack on the pitch. He was not alone either.

But Wenger is paid £7m a year to make such decisions while the chap behind me is not. And within 4 minutes we could see why. Ozil started the move by tracking back and winning the ball on the edge of our penalty area (something of the Bergkamp's about him - not afraid to do the dirty work) before setting off on a run down the left.

He played the ball up to Giroud who cut inside and fed Rosicky on the edge of the area. His lay-off was perfect for the fast-arriving Jack who hit an instant left-footed shot into the corner of the net via a slight deflection off Olsson - only his second ever Premier League goal which the stadium announcer did not feel the need to inform us of. Cue delirium in the away end.

There are few better feelings in the world than seeing your team score at your end away from home, especially if that goal puts you in front or brings you level. Emerson is now getting tall enough to see most of the action and he really enjoyed this goal, jumping about and, oddly, slapping me on the head. Not that I minded of course.

When the celebrations had died down, I turned to the guy behind me and said, 'Perhaps that is why he kept him on...' He just nodded and grunted.

Now for the winner. But it did not arrive. Giroud came closest when Jack, now moved centrally and thus having more influence, picked him out with an Ozil-like ball and the big striker tried to round Myhill. However, the 'keeper managed to get his hand to the shot and kept it out.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams try and win it. Well when I say both teams, I actually mean Arsenal. WBA seemed content to waste time and hang on for the point, although in the end I think that was probably the most we deserved anyway. Credit to Albion though who look a good side and will take points off most of the top sides. And Man. United.

The highlight of the second half, apart from Jack's goal of course, was the news that Spurs were losing 3-0 at home to West Ham. 3-0 to West Ham. At home! Very funny of course, especially as it meant the draw was enough to take us back to the top, but hardly reason for some moron behind us to sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' for ten minutes. Some people really do take Spurs far too seriously.

So not the goal-fest Emerson and I were hoping for but the second half in particular was very enjoyable. Not many teams will come here and win so a draw was a decent result. And they always feel so much better when you have come from behind too. (ooh, Matron!)

There were a few muted chants of  'We are top of the league' as we made our way out of the stadium, but the overriding feeling seemed to be one of disappointment. I tried to cheer up the guy next to me who was looking like his cat had died. 'Cheer up mate, we can't win every game,' I said. 'We looked tired but got a point. I'd say that was a decent effort.'

He smiled but I am not sure he agreed. That is the trouble with a winning run, it raises expectations.

Emerson now just wanted his customary post-match McDonalds, and after an hour-long queue in the traffic to get back on the M5, we stopped off at Tamworth again before demolishing a box of 20 nuggets between us.

Overall it was a good day out and a decent match. Of course we were disappointed not to see us win or score more than once, but we are still top of the league and nothing can beat the rock songs Emerson insists on playing on the journey home.

We're half way there, screamed Jon Bon Jovi from the speakers as we headed off up the M42. Not quite half way perhaps, but it is an encouraging start nonetheless. Next up for us is a trip to Old Trafford in November where revenge for the 8-2 may well be on the cards. So it is bound to finish 0-0 then. But we wouldn't change it for anything.

Now where is my Inspiral Carpets CD.