Is it time for a summer Christmas?

IN LIGHT OF the current Co-Op advertising campaign in which they play the Andy Williams Christmas song 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' to promote their summer products, I started thinking; wouldn't it b great if we moved Christmas to the summer.

Don't laugh. Think about it. I have never quite understood the sense of having it in the middle of winter. The weather is dreadful, it gets dark at half-past three in the afternoon and most people are suffering from one nasty bug or another.

On top of that, winter is a depressing time of the year for many people. Plus it is also the most expensive with extra gas and electricity bills. Add Christmas into the mix, and all the extra stress that brings with it, and it is a recipe for disaster. It is no wonder that the suicide rate goes through the roof at this time of the year.

No. Surely it would make much more sense to move Christmas to a time of the year when most people are feeling happier and more at peace. Like August for example.

Lets look at the pluses. Firstly it would help to break up the 6 weeks summer holiday. Secondly the weather is likely to be good which would make travel plans to visit relatives that much easier. No road chaos due to ice and snow, less train and flight delays or cancellations. It would also lead to a far more pleasant Christmas Day experience.

Presents could be opened on the patio and Christmas dinner could be a bar-be-cue. The kids would be able to play in the garden, maybe get the paddling pool out, while the parents could be sipping Pimms and relaxing in the sun. Sounds good eh?

The only arguments I have heard in favour of leaving things as they are is all the clap-trap about Jesus' birthday and it being the only thing that currently makes winter bearable. Well lets look at that shall we.

Jesus was actually born in September, the seventh month of the old Jewish calendar. The Christmas celebration we know today was originally a pagan winter festival introduced to give the peasants something to look forward to in the bleak mid-winter. Quite how it became linked in to Jesus is unclear, although I suspect the Christians simply hijacked it.

I can certainly see the sense in having some sort of winter celebration. But with more and more people working right up until Christmas now, it's not like most of us get much of a break anyway. So leave the two Bank Holidays as they are and we could even have turkey for dinner if we felt so inclined. Plus of course, we would still have New Year's Day. That would break up winter nicely.

On the plus side it may even make January more bearable. There is always a post-Christmas hangover and that month seems to drag on forever. And to make matters worse you never have any money due to over-spending at Christmas. So the more you think about it, the more appealing it sounds to move Christmas to August, right.

I would actually move it to the time we currently have the late-summer Bank Holiday. The kids are off school, the weather is usually nice and it is closer to the actual birth of Jesus, if he did indeed really exist.

So there you have it. My case for having a summer Christmas. So are you with me?

Away grounds part 3 - Sunshine and The Dell

THE Dell may not have been the most glamorous of stadiums but it was always one of my favourite away trips. Plus, unlike my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, it was also a ground where Arsenal enjoyed many good victories over the years.

The old facade to the Main Stand at The Dell

My abiding memory of The Dell is probably the weather. It always seemed to be sunny down there. It helped that more often than not we would play them in either the autumn or spring so it always seemed to be warm, which was just as well too as the away end was uncovered for many years.

The ground itself always struck me as being unfinished. The main home end behind the goal, the Milton Road Stand, was a lop-sided affair and the rest of the ground looked like it had seen better days. The away end in particular was basic to say the least, but despite all that it was always a good day out.

However, my trips down to the south coast did not get off to the most auspicious of starts as my first visit, in September 1983, ended in a 1-0 defeat. That summer had seen the arrival of Charlie Nicholas and expectations at Highbury were as high as they had been for many years. It reached fever pitch when we won our opening two matches, Nicholas scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Wolves on the August Bank Holiday Monday, so I travelled down on the train to Southampton that bright September day looking forward to another good victory. But this was the early 1980s Arsenal so we slipped to a tame defeat and Nicholas, as he would do on a regular basis, failed to deliver.

I did not return to The Dell for over two years, for a League Cup 4th round replay in November 1985. The original tie had finished goalless in a dreadful match at Highbury but we produced a superb performance to win 3-1. Charlie did find the target this time, much to my delight as he was very much my hero at the time, along with Martin Hayes and Stewart Robson, as we set up the quarter-final meeting with Aston Villa I mentioned in the last article.

Looking towards the old away end. You always prayed it was not going to rain

The following season, our first under George Graham, had started well and we travelled down south in November 1986 with the chance of going top of the League, a rarity for us at the time. Arsenal took a large away following that day but it was a tough match for long periods against a Southampton side who were always tricky opponents. However, Saints goalkeeper Tim Flowers was sent off early in the second half for a foul on Perry Groves and it was plain sailing after that. Hayes scored from the resulting penalty while Niall Quinn, Groves and Viv Anderson sealed the 4-0 victory that took us to the top.

I missed the trip in April 1988, a now famous match where Alan Shearer scored a hat-trick on his league debut for Southampton in a 4-2 Arsenal defeat, so my next visit came in late-March 1989 - a time when our title challenge was beginning to falter. Again we took a massive following to the south coast and again we came good in the second half. Groves had earlier given us the lead but Glen Cockerill equalised (a sense of justice for him after he'd had his jaw broken by Paul Davis in the reverse fixture at Highbury the previous September) and we were wobbling again. However, Rocky, as he so often did, scored a great goal to put us ahead again before Paul Merson sealed a 3-1 win late on. That success provided the catalyst we needed to go on and lift our first title for 18 years.

I missed our visit on Boxing Day 1989, another 1-0 defeat, but I was back as we chased the double in the spring of 1991. This was the first time I driven to Southampton and unusually it was an all-ticket match. And I did not have a ticket. After parking up at the ground nice and early, I finally managed to get a ticket from a tout, paying well over double face value, but it was not money well spent. With an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Spurs looming just four days later, Arsenal were far from their best and after Groves' shot had been deflected in by Francis Benali (I think) down at our end midway through the second half, Matt Le Tissier equalised and it finished 1-1.

The following season's visit was far more memorable. Our defence of the title had got off to a slow start so Graham broke the club's transfer record to sign striker Ian Wright from Crystal Palace. He scored on his debut in the League Cup at Leicester in midweek but this trip to The Dell marked his league debut. And what a debut it turned out to be. The conditions were far from ideal in an away end with no roof as it rained from start to finish, but it did not matter in the end as, after Rocky had given us a first half lead, it became the Wrighty show. Attacking our end in the second half, we forgot all about the rain as he hit a superb hat-trick to seal a 4-0 victory. A new hero was born.

We did not enjoy such good fortune the following season as our December 1992 trip ended in a 2-0 defeat. I cannot recall too much about this match other than it being the last time I would stand behind the goal. I have to say that was one of the worst away stands I had ever been to and I was not too disappointed when I heard it was to be knocked down and rebuilt with seats and a roof. What luxury!


The old Dell in the sunshine

But I did not sit in that new stand for my next visit, in March 1994. I was instead in the upper tier of the wooden stand to its left. Like much of the ground it was fairly basic and of course you were not allowed to smoke, much to the frustration of many of the fans around me. There was also very little leg room. However, the game was another good one for Arsenal as Wright hit another hat-trick in another 4-0 success. Wrighty's battles with Saints' defender Ken Monkou were often the highlight of our meetings with Southampton at this time and Wrighty would usually come out on top. Kevin Campbell scored our other goal that day as we again enjoyed a sunshine trip to the south coast.

I missed the 1-0 defeat in November 1994 - the first match since Saints goalkeeper Bruce Grobelaar had been named in a match fixing scandal, and apparently he was given both barrels by the away support - so my next visit was a year later, in December 1995, and ended in a drab 0-0 draw. Again I was in the upper tier of the wooden stand but the match itself has been completely erased from my memory.

By the time of our next visit, in March 1997, the Wenger revolution was in full swing but it was two of the lesser known names who gave us the 2-0 victory that day. Stephen Hughes and Paul Shaw (remember him?) scored the goals while young goalkeeper Lee Harper impressed on his league debut. We were in the lower tier of that wooden stand this time in the new plastic seats, but with a low roof and pillars blocking the view it was not ideal and I wished we had sat behind the goal instead.

Our next visit was on another warm day in August 1997 and was special for two reasons. Firstly, Marc Overmars scored his first goal for us - cutting in from the left to finish at the near post - while it also included two Dennis Bergkamp specials in the second half. Bergkamp had started the season in incredible form and these two goals pretty summed him up at the time. The first was a magnificent solo effort while the second was a display of strength and power as he out-muscled Benali before drilling home from 20 yards to seal a 3-1 win. We would go on to win the double that season and Bergkamp would finish top scorer with 22 goals, most of which were out of the top drawer.

The following season saw another visit in the sunshine, this time in April 1999. Our title defence was going well but we needed a win at The Dell to keep the pressure on Manchester United. But the match was a frustrating affair which finished goalless and for once I was happy the pillars were blocking the view.




The lop-sided Milton Road Stand after redevelopment

That summer saw the arrival of a certain Theirry Henry but he did not make the instant impact we had been hoping for. In fact when we made the trip to The Dell in September 1999, he was yet to score for us. However, like Overmars before him, he would break his duck at Southampton. I was in the lower tier again this time and had the perfect view as the ball flew into the net at our end in the second half to give us a 1-0 win. Little did we know at the time but he would repeat that feat quite a few times over the next few years. 227 times in fact.

Our final visit to The Dell was in May 2001 and was an historic day as it was the final ever match at the old stadium before Southampton moved into their new St. Mary's home that summer. We had been beaten in the FA Cup final by Liverpool the previous week but had already secured 2nd place in the league so it was a match played very much in a party atmosphere. We scored twice through Ashley Cole and Freddie Ljungberg but none of us could begrudge Saints victory on their special day, and it was fitting that Le Tissier scored the final goal at the old place to seal a 3-2 Southampton win. Even the away end cheered that one. There were emotional scenes at the end as the fans ran onto the pitch to say a final farewell to what had been their home since 1898.

That also proved to be my last trip to Southampton. By the time of our first visit to their new stadium in September 2001, I had moved up north and I have not made the 700-mile round trip since. It is, however, on my to-do list as I look to complete the full set of League gounds before I finally hang up my scarf.

So that was The Dell. I saw Arsenal win 8 times in my 14 visits, scoring 27 goals and conceding just 10, making it one of my most successful away grounds. Coming up next time I look back on my trips to White Hart Lane, and as you can imagine there are some real crackers there.

Away grounds part 2 - Villa Park and my encounters with Paul Merson

IN the last episode I looked back on my visits to Hillsborough, and it is another famous old British stadium I revisit this time. Villa Park has always been one of the best and most historic grounds in England and it is one I have always enjoyed visiting, even if it hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for me. In fact since my first visit in 1983, I have been to the famous old ground a total of 23 times and seen Arsenal win on just six occasions.

The famous facade to the Holte End

My first visit was for an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Manchester United back in April 1983. I was 14 at the time and it was my first season travelling to away games. This was easily the biggest game I had been to and I remember having to queue for tickets after our home match with Coventry the week before. I was thrilled to be on the Holte End too and what an impressive stand it was. The biggest terrace in the country. Unfortunately the day did not go to plan. Things started well enough as we led at half time thanks to a goal from Tony Woodcock - touching home a shot from Stewart Robson - and I was dreaming of Wembley while listening to Nick Heyward on the PA during the interval. But United spoilt the party with two goals in the second half - from Norman Whiteside and Bryan Robson - and to top off a great day, the lunatic United fans chased us all the way back to New Street Station.

I did not let that put me off however, and returned to Villa Park a month later for our league meeting with Aston Villa. It was the last match of the season and I stood on the Witton Lane Terrace for the first time with what must have only been about 500 away fans.  Paul Davis scored for us but it could not prevent another 2-1 defeat as we finished 10th in the old First Division.

My next visit was in November 1983, and what a day that turned out to be. In an incredible game, Tony Woodcock scored 5 times as we won 6-2, the first player to do so in the top flight for over 20 years. Incredibly, on the same day, Ian Rush did likewise for Liverpool against Luton.  Brian McDermott, who would later take Reading to the Premier League as a manger and who is currently trying to do the same with Leeds United, scored our other goal. It remains the biggest away win I have ever seen, matched by a 6-2 win at Derby County in 2008.

Fortunately I missed the 0-0 draw at Villa Park the following 1984-85 season so my next trip was for a League Cup quarter-final tie in January 1986. Arsenal took over 6,000 fans to Villa Park that night and in a cracking atmosphere it was a match we should have won. However, despite dominating throughout and hitting the woodwork on several occasions, we had to settle for a 1-1 draw - Charlie Nicholas scoring for us - and we lost the replay 2-1. With only Oxford and Norwich lying in wait, it was a missed opportunity to win some long-awaited silverware.

Like many of the 6,000, I did not return for the league meeting a few weeks later which finished in a 4-1 victory, and I missed our 4-0 success the following 1986-87 season as well, a campaign which ended with Villa being relegated to Division Two and Arsenal winning the League Cup. But that would be the last Arsenal match at Villa Park I would miss for the best part of 14 years.



As I remember it; Villa Park in the 1980s

My next visit was in October 1988 for the final of a one-off competition, the Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy, again against Manchester United. This was the first time I had sat in the lower tier of the old Trinity Road Stand and in the pouring rain we won 2-1 to lift the trophy created to celebrate the League's centenary year - Michael Thomas and Paul Davis scoring the all-important goals. This trophy has been all but forgotten about now but it meant a lot to me at the time as, having missed our 1987 League Cup final success, this was the first trophy I had ever seen Arsenal win.

I was back at Villa Park the following month for a League Cup 3rd round replay against Liverpool. Having drawn 1-1 at Anfield and 0-0 at Highbury, the third replay was staged at Aston Villa on a cold Wednesday night in November 1988. I was in the seats behind the dug-outs in the Trinity Road Stand and when Paul Merson scored to give us a half time lead, I, along with a few others, jumped over the barrier and onto the pitch to celebrate with him. That was not the last time I would get up close and personal with Merse on the Villa Park pitch either, but more of that later. The fun did not last however, as Liverpool scored twice in the second half to go through.

I made my third trip to Villa Park in a little over two months for our league visit in the December. Back on the Witton Lane Terrace, I saw us win 3-0 on the way to our first title for 18 years. The highlight was a magnificent 30 yard chip at the Holte End from my hero Rocky.

My next visit was exactly a year later and was our last match of the 1980's. It ended in a 2-1 defeat. Villa scored a dodgy offside goal meaning Tony Adams' last minute effort came too late to even raise a cheer from the away end.

We returned to Villa Park for the third December in a row in 1990 and drew 0-0 on our way to another title. The match was screened live on ITV but was memorable only for a great save from David Seaman to deny David Platt in the second half and for the fact it was our first match after Adams had been sent to prison for drink-driving. On a day of firsts it was also the first time we sat in the new seats at the Witton Lane End, and it was the first away match outside London I had driven to. I parked in the housing estate just off the motorway and it was first time I had heard the words 'a quid to look after your car, mister' from one of the local chavs. It was a phrase I would become familiar with over the years.

We were back in those seats at the Witton Lane End at the start of the following season as defending champions, but it was another disappointing game that resulted in a 3-1 defeat. Alan Smith equalised at our end just before half time, but Villa were awarded a dodgy penalty when Nigel Winterburn's foul on Mark Walters was committed outside the box. That proved to be the turning point as we lost for the second time in three days, having been beaten just once in the whole of the previous campaign.

The first year of the Premier League saw Villa challenge for the title (I know, I had to double check) and we lost at Villa Park again, this time 1-0 in December. Again shown live on TV, it was a terrible game in the freezing cold but it was the first time we had visited The Yew Tree pub which became our 'regular' pre-match watering hole for the next few years.

Our next visit was not until April 1994 and in bright spring sunshine a brace from Ian Wright saw us win 2-1. In those days you could buy tickets on the day so we decided to sit in the new Doug Ellis Stand lower tier instead of behind the goal, and the match stands out for two reasons. Firstly, Wrighty was given stick from the Holte End all day for the booking he had picked up the previous midweek meaning he would be suspended for our upcoming Cup Winners Cup final appearance, and secondly, for his celebration in front of the Holte End after his last minute winner. That will teach them! For the record, Andy Townsend scored for Villa that day. It may seem hard to believe now after listening to his nonsense on ITV, but he did used to be a professional footballer.

Villa Park in the 1990's

The following 1994-95 season was a difficult one for Arsenal. Paul Merson was in rehab, George Graham was sacked for 'taking a bung' and we were in a relegation dogfight. However, a 4-0 win at Villa Park on Easter Monday all but ensured our safety. Wrighty scored another two, including a superb solo effort, running half the length of the pitch, while John Hartson scored the other two. In a stressful season, this was a rare good day out.

The trip in November 1995 was significant only for David Platt's emotional return to Villa Park in Arsenal colours. Inevitably he scored for us with a diving header but it was only enough to give us a 1-1 draw. The match was so bad I can actually remember nothing about it apart from Platt's goal. That was the first of two visits to Villa Park that season however, as we returned in February 1996 for a League Cup semi final.

Having drawn 2-2 at Highbury in the first leg - Dennis Bergkamp and Dwight Yorke scoring twice each - we needed to win the second leg to reach the final. The match was fairly uneventful and finished 0-0 after extra time to send us out on away goals, but that was only half the story. As the final whistle blew, hundreds of Villa fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate and came towards the Arsenal section. We were in the Doug Ellis Stand lower tier again and Paul Merson was right in front of us. The Arsenal fans behind the goal, and some in our section, ran onto the pitch as well and all manner of mayhem ensured. With Merson unable to get to the tunnel, which was at the other side of the pitch, I found myself chatting to him on the touchline as it was all kicking off around us. As surreal a moment as I have ever experienced at football. After the match it all kicked off again at The Yew Tree and my mate Paul (not Merson I may add) was glassed so we ended the night in A&E getting him stitched up.

The trip in early 1996-97 was far more serene off the pitch, while on it we came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 thanks to a last minute goal from Andy Linighan. It was particularly memorable for me as I appeared on the DVD celebrating the goal in the Witton Lane End with other happy Gooners. I am easy to spot as I was wearing a bright yellow Adidas tracksuit top!

1997-98 saw us travel to Villa Park for another FA Cup semi final. Wolves, then in Division One (equivalent to the Championship now), were the opponents and we were high up in the Holte End. An early goal from Christopher Wreh (remember him?) gave us a 1-0 win on our way to the double, although I recall Wolves missing a great chance to equalise late on.

The league visit that season was on the final day and we had already wrapped up the title. In a party atmosphere from the away fans, the match was significant only for being Ian Wright's final appearance for the club, as we lost 1-0 to a chipped penalty from Yorke.



The new Trinity Road Stand

1998-99 saw us visit Villa Park three times. The first, in the league in December, was an incredible game. We were cruising at half time as two goals from Bergkamp gave us a 2-0 lead, but the second half was delayed for half an hour when a parachutist crashed into the roof of the Trinity Road Stand and an ambulance was driven onto the pitch to assist him. The delay seemed to affect us as Villa came back to win 3-2. That remains the last time they have beaten us at Villa Park.

But 1998-99 will always be remembered for the epic FA Cup semi-final clashes with Manchester United. The first meeting may have ended goalless but it was thrilling stuff. We were reduced to ten men when Nelson Vivas (remember him??) was sent off but we could have nicked it at the end through Freddie Ljungberg. We were sat in the Trinity Road lower tier at the Holte End corner and the atmosphere was incredible.

The replay three days later was probably the best game of football I have ever seen. Quite literally, it had everything. We were in the Holte End this time, not far from the barrier dividing us from the United fans, and to say the atmosphere was tense would be an understatement. David Beckham put United ahead in the first half but Bergkamp brought us level midway through the second period with the help of a deflection. Cue delirium in our section. We should then have won it as Roy Keane was sent off for a foul on Marc Overmars and Nickolas Anelka had a goal harshly ruled out for offside. In fact it took us a good five minutes to realise it had been disallowed as we had been too busy celebrating and berating the United fans to our right. Then in stoppage time, Phil Neville brought down Ray Parlour in the penalty area and we had the chance to deny them the treble. However, Peter Schmichael saved Bergkamp's weak effort and it went to extra time. Of course that will now always be remembered for THAT goal from Ryan Giggs, although I maintain to this day it was more down to a lack of any real challenge from our defence as any great skill from Giggs. And David Seaman should have saved it. At the end it all kicked again but it could not overshadow what had been a magnificent game of football despite the result. A great way to bring the curtain down on FA Cup semi-final replays.

As the 1990's gave way to the new Millennium, I moved 'oop narth' so my visits to Villa Park became less frequent. In fact since that semi-final replay, I have been back just three times.

The first, in April 2003, saw a late Kolo Toure own goal deny us the win we needed to keep the pressure on leaders United. Our title defence was already beginning to unravel and after working hard to go in front through Ljungberg, Toure's late intervention handed the title initiative back to United. That trip was also significant for being the last time we would sit in the Witton Lane End as away fans had been moved to the Doug Ellis Stand by the time of my next visit, in January 2010.

With Arsenal top of the league (yes, I had to double check), that proved to be another frustrating evening. We hit the woodwork twice, through Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky, but that was as near to a goal as we came in a disappointing 0-0 draw, played in arctic conditions.

That proved to be score again on my last visit in November 2012. It was another frustrating game in which nothing of note happened, although it was Emerson's first visit and the first time I had been in the upper tier of the Doug Ellis Stand. The view, I have to say, was magnificent even if the concourse area is far too narrow for the number of people inside.

So there you have it, my 23 trips to Villa Park. I have not seen us win there since April 1995 and not even seen us score there for over 10 years, but it is a wonderful football arena and I look forward to visiting again soon.

Coming up next time, I look back on my visits to a ground no longer in existence, The Dell, Southampton.

Away grounds Part 1 - My Hillsborough jinx

I have been going to away matches for the best part of 30 years and seen Arsenal play in around 80 different stadiums, both at home and abroad. In this new series I look back at my visits to some of those grounds.

This first chapter is all about a stadium who's name resonates far further than the world of football. Hillsborough. Apart from being forever remembered for the awful disaster that killed 96 Liverpool fans in April 1989, the famous old stadium was also something of a jinx for me. In 9 visits between November 1984 and September 1999, I saw Arsenal lose 7 times and draw the other 2.

The famous facade to the Spoin Kop

Despite Sheffield Wednesday now languishing in the lower reaches of the Championship, Hillsborough is still one of the great British football stadiums. Before the days of Wembley being used for everything, FA Cup semi finals were often played there and it was a ground I had always wanted to visit. Thankfully the opportunity arrived after The Owls were promoted to the First Division in 1984, so my first visit was that November.

Under Don Howe, Arsenal had recently topped the table so our trip to Wednesday was selected for live TV coverage on the Sunday, a real rarity at the time. I was certainly not disappointed by the stadium, although it had clearly seen better days. I stood on the Leppings Lane Terrace that afternoon and noticed how the perimeter fence obscured the view. Of course we were spoilt at Highbury, one of the few grounds not to have fencing in those days. As for the game itself, well it was far from memorable as our title challenge was already beginning to falter. In the event a first half goal from Tony Woodcock was not enough to prevent us slipping to a 2-1 defeat and although I didn't know it at the time, just seeing us score up there was about as good as it would ever get for me.

I did not make the trip in 1985-86 (a 2-0 defeat), 1986-87 (a 1-1 draw), or, regrettably, 1987-88 (an exciting 3-3 draw) so my next visit was not until September 1988. Under George Graham, Arsenal were destined to win their first league title in 18 years but inevitably we would lose at Hillsborough. I was on the Leppings Lane Terrace again as we had a first half goal disallowed for a very marginal offside decision, and a strike from Alan Smith was not enough to prevent another 2-1 defeat. Of course that was my last visit to Hillsborough before the disaster seven months later and I would never be able to look at the Leppings Lane End in quite the same way ever again.

The now infamous clock on top of the Main Stand

By the time of my next visit - February 1990 - our defence of the title was not going well. We were struggling to score goals, especially away from home, and his match summed up much of the season as a first minute own goal from Steve Bould saw us lose 1-0. I seem to recall the terrace was not open that day (perhaps they were fitting the seats) so we sat in the upper tier. It was a particularly bleak encounter on a cold and foggy winters afternoon that all but ended our title challenge.

Wednesday were relegated at the end of that season but they bounced straight back so my next trip, in November 1991, saw as arrive as defending champions once again. This game sticks in my mind for two reasons. One, I travelled up on the train alone as none of my usual away companions could make it, and two, I saw us score at the Leppings Lane end for the last time. In fact it would prove to be the last Arsenal goal I would ever see at Hillsborough. Despite going a goal down to a first half strike from David Hirst, Bould gained his own personal revenge with a second half equaliser that led to great celebrations in the upper tier seating and made the lonely journey home all the more bearable.

The first season of the Premier League would see us beat Wednesday twice at Wembley and our league visit to Hillsborough came in-between the two cup finals. Played on a Thursday evening in April 1993, and coming on the back on two 0-0 draws against Everton and QPR in the previous five days, it was a game neither side really wanted and ended in a drab 1-0 defeat. I remember sitting in the front row of the upper tier spending much of the match wondering why I had bothered.

Typically, I missed our only league victory at Hillsborough during this period, which occurred at the start of the following 1993-94 season - an Ian Wright goal giving us a 1-0 success - while I also missed the 3-1 defeat in March 1995. Therefore my next visit was not until Easter Monday 1996 and ended in another uneventful 1-0 defeat. This was one of the most frustrating matches I have ever been to. We needed a win to stay in the hunt for a European place but we did not even muster a single shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.

The following 1996-97 season saw the Wenger revolution in full swing and we travelled up to Yorkshire on Boxing Day sitting proudly on top of the league. Surely I would finally see us win at Hillsborough now. But again it was not to be as this live-on-TV teatime game ended in a tedious 0-0 draw - Dennis Bergkamp's first half effort coming back off the post being the only highlight.

View towards the Leppings Lane End

The 1997-98 season would end with Arsenal gloriously winning the Double but we still managed to lose at Hillsborough in the November, going down 2-0 during a run of only 2 wins from 8 matches that threatened our title challenge. Again we seemed to save our worst performance of the season for the trip to Wednesday and it was another occasion where we failed to create a single chance of note.

The last time I saw Arsenal play at Hillsborough was in September 1998. Again we were defending champions and arrived in West Yorkshire still unbeaten in the league. But this game proved to be memorable for non-football related reasons. Wednesday's Italian forward Paolo Di Canio was sent off in the second half and pushed referee Paul Alcock to the floor, earning himself an 11 match ban. Martin Keown was also sent off as Arsenal slipped to a late 1-0 defeat, meaning I had seen over 500 minutes of football at Hillsborough without seeing us score a solitary goal, a run stretching back nearly 7 years and 5 visits, to Bould's effort in November 1991.

Of course we scored there the following season in our first match of the new Millennium - Emmanual Petit finding the target in a 1-1 draw - but I missed that game too. Wednesday were relegated at the end of the season and are yet to return to the Premier League.

I have been to Hillsborough on one more occasion since. That was in August 2010 for Dagenham and Redbridge's first ever match in League One. I was not in the Leppings Lane End that day however, I was in the press box covering the game for the clubs website. I hoped my Arsenal jinx would not be carried over to the Daggers and we would start life in the third tier of English football with a win. But the score? 2-0 to Wednesday. So should the Owls ever return to the Premier League remind me not to bother going again...

Next time, I look back on my trips to Villa Park.

BAYERN CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AS LATE ROBBEN GOAL SEES OFF DORTMUND

BAYERN MUNICH 2 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1
By Ricky Butler at Wembley

 

ARJEN Robben scored a dramatic late winner as Jupp Heynckes' Bayern Munich lifted the Champions League for a fifth time in a thrilling all-German final at Wembley on Saturday night.

Robben, who had missed several earlier chances, made no mistake with a close range finish two minutes time as Bayern brandished the demons of defeat in their own back yard a year ago, making it the perfect send off for the retiring Heynckes.

"I can't put it into words," said the former Chelsea winger at the whistle." I have so many emotions. Last year was such a disappointment and in the last four years we've been to three finals - it needed to happen. But we still had to do it. My whole career went through my mind when I scored, it is such a special feeling you can't describe it.

"You don't want to be a loser every time, coming always in second place. We deserved to win it. I have dreamt about it many times. Everybody I spoke to before the game said it was our night and I had a great feeling.

"We knew after last season what needed to be done to improve and that is what we did. We are already going into the history books."

With the clock ticking down towards the 90 minute mark, Robben latched on to flick from Franck Ribery before beating Matt Hummels and rolling a shot past Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller from eight yards to give German champions Bayern the trophy for a fifth time.

An exciting final had sparked into life when Mario Mandzukic had given Bayern the lead on the hour after good work from Robben, but Dortmund were level soon after as Ilkay Gundogan scored from the spot. Then with extra time looming, Robben wrote his name into the history books.

Dortmund had started well with Bayern's Manuel Neuer the busier of the two goalkeepers in early stages. The German did well to tip a Robert Lewandoski effort from distance over the top before distinguishing himself again to deny Marco Reus, Jacab Blaszczykouski and Thomas Bender, all in the opening 20 minutes.

But Bayern finally began to settle and Weidenfeller was forced tip a header from Mandzukic onto the top of the crossbar after 27 minutes, before the 32 year-old was out smartly two minutes later to block a weak effort from Robben.

Lewandowski was left frustrated by Neuer again 10 minutes before the break after turning Jerome Boateng inside the penalty area, but it was Bayern who could have gone in at half time with a lead to defend.

Robben again saw the whites of Weidenfeller’s eyes following a long ball over the top by Bastian Schweinsteiger, but his shot from 12 yards smacked the Dortmund stopper full in the face and it remained goalless at the break.

However, Bayern did make the breakthrough on the hour. Robben was the creator, linking well with Ribery down the left, rounding Weidenfeller and squeezing the ball across for Mandzukic to tap home.

But the lead lasted barely six minutes. Brazilian defender Dante, who had been booked in the first half, impeded Reus in the penalty area and Gundogan coolly sent Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

The final really opened up after that as Dortmund's Croatian defender Nevan Subotic was forced into a terrific goal-line clearance from Thomas Muller with Robben waiting to pounce, while at the other end, Lewandowski was denied a wonder goal when his dipping 30 yard volley was ruled out for handball.

David Alaba then produced a fine save from Weidenfellar as Bayern finished strongly, while Schweinsteiger came close with a powerful drive from 25 yards that was pushed away by the outstanding Dortmund goalkeeper.

But Bayern won it two minutes from time. Robben burst into the area, skipped past Hummels and stabbed the ball past Weidenfellar from close range. A scruffy finish perhaps but a vital one nonetheless.

Delighted Bayern coach Heynckes said: "We didn't get into the game in the first half so I corrected a few things at the interval. There was pressure on both teams but we certainly felt the burden of being favourites in the first 20 minutes."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was more philosophical. "First of all congratulations to Bayern, as they won. After the game, you have to respect the result.

"I did not see the winning goal a second time, it was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation. It was late in the game, it was a really hard season for us and I saw that from 75 minutes on.

"We deserved to be in the final, we showed this tonight. That is not the most important thing, but it is important."

"People have climbed Mount Everest and had to turn around 10m from the top, but at least they've tried. And we've tried too," he said.

Bayern will now look to complete the treble when they face Stuttgart in the German cup final next weekend.

BAYERN MUNICH – Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Scweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Weidenfeller, Paszcek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmeizer, Bender, Gundogan, Blaszczykouski, Reus, Grobkreutz, Lewandowski.

1-0 to the Arsenal part 1,154

NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 1

IN these times of uncertainty it is reassuring to know there are still some things you can rely on. It will always rain on a Bank Holiday, you will always go overdrawn the week before pay day and Arsenal will always finish above Spurs.

This latest final day success at Newcastle meant it was a close run thing again but as has been the case so often down the years; 1-0 to the Arsenal is usually enough.



For the second year running, Laurent Koscielny scores the Champions League qualifying goal

Okay so it was not a cup final or a league decider but it certainly felt a bit like one. Fourth place was the prize, and the Champions League qualification that comes with it, but there was also the knowledge that a win at St. James's Park would deny Spurs that privilege. Again.

This was the third time in the last seven seasons that we had been battling it out with our neighbours on the final day for the last Champions League spot, and the third time we have come out on top. No wonder they hate us so much.

Back in 2006, Spurs began the day one point above us, but thanks to a dodgy lasagne they lost at West Ham while we beat Wigan in the last ever match at Highbury to sneak into 4th.

Then last season it was us who held the one point advantage going into the last day. And thanks to some comedy goalkeeping from West Bromwich Albion's former Spurs reject Marton Fulop, we managed to get the win we needed to finish 3rd. Spurs, who had to settle for 4th, then saw their Champions League dream shattered when Chelsea won the competition to take their place instead.

And so to St. James's for part 3. Again we held the one point advantage so again it was in our hands, and having missed the game at the Hawthorns last year, Emerson and I were determined to enjoy this one.

No trophy at the end of it perhaps, but no less important for all that. In fact I saw it as being like a Play-Off final. Win and you are guaranteed a cash windfall and the opportunity to play at a higher level. Lose, and you risk losing millions while potential transfer targets will look elsewhere.

In fact when you look at what is at stake for the winners of the League Cup and FA Cup these days, it could be argued that this game was more important than either. Plus it had the added bonus of pouring more misery on that sorry lot from N17. Bonus.

Emerson acquainting himself with Sir Bobby prior to kick off

Pre-match I was nervous. Very nervous. I knew Newcastle would not roll over for us as they had for Liverpool a few weeks earlier. Pardew and Wenger have history so there was no way he would want to hand us that Champions League spot. No way at all.

Plus rumours were abound that owner Mike Ashley, a Spurs fan, had offered his staff a £1million bonus to beat us. No, this was not going to be easy.

Anyone who has been to St. James's will know all about the ascent to the away end. All 144 steps of it. Like mountaineering without the safety rope. But Emerson and I were not finished there. Oh no. Our seats were in the very back row, so that involved another 26 steps before we could take our place up in the Gods, about 2 miles from the pitch.

Not that the view was bad, quite the opposite in fact. You could see the whole of Newcastle from up there, and I'm sure I could even see my flat in Darlington. Plus, the leg room and height between rows was great so Emerson was able to see all of the action even though everyone in front of him was standing throughout the match.

By 3.15 the atmosphere was building nicely and we were fortunate to be in the main singing section. Emerson turned to me and said with a smile: 'This is going to be good isn't it, dad?' I hoped he was right.

The team news saw one surprise. Arteta was fit to start having been a doubt all week with a calf injury, so it was same side that had beaten Wigan on Tuesday night. Newcastle were also at full strength.

And after a blast of the Blayden Races, the teams were out. Come on Arsenal, you simply have to do this.

Emerson soaking up the atmosphere

Changing ends, we attacked our end in the first half and I was hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves. But the players looked more nervous than me. Things did not look good when Cisse blasted over from a good position after 10 minutes, while Arteta was then forced off inside half an hour.

The game failed to spark and in fact we only created one chance in the opening period, Cazorla firing over after good work from Gibbs down the left.

The highlight therefore was the minutes applause for Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper on his final appearance for the club before retirement. Good to see the away fans joining in too. So emotional was it in fact, that it brought tears to his eyes. Shame that we were unable to give him a shot to save at that moment.

The only good news as we went down for a half time cuppa was that Spurs were also being held 0-0 so it was still in our hands. But we needed to show greater urgency in the second half.

We were almost gifted a goal within a minute of the restart when Harper's weak clearance fell to Ramsey who slipped in Theo, but the 'keeper redeemed himself with a fine save down to his right. Our first effort on target of the afternoon.

However, we did not have to wait long for the goal we had been praying for. Sagna was fouled by Cabaye out on the right and when Theo's free kick was flicked on by Podolski, Koscielny arrived to volley past Harper from close range.

He initially looked to be offside, although as it was at the other end, about 4 miles away, it was hard to tell, so my first glace was to the linesman. But when I realised his flag had stayed down the celebrations could begin. And what celebrations they were. In short we went mental.

Koscielny celebrates with Metersaker and Cazorla as we go mental at the other end of the stadium

Emerson had not realised we had scored at first as the ball had come straight back out of the net and Koscielny had picked it up. But when he saw the celebrations around him, he knew. And I cannot recall seeing him look so happy. He was jumping about almost crying with joy. Great times indeed.

Ironically it had been a goal early in the second half from the same player at West Brom a year ago that had sealed our Champions League place. An omen perhaps?

But rather than settle my nerves, the goal actually made them worse. With over half an hour still to play we could still blow this. My heart was in my mouth every time Newcastle crossed the halfway line. Yes, Spurs was still 0-0 but I knew they would win. I mean it was only Sunderland. So a Geordie goal would see us finish 5th as we were not playing well enough to score again.

The last fifteen minutes were as nervy as I can remember but through it all we were looking very solid. The only real scare came late on when Mertesaker had to be alert to make a great block to deny Campbell inside the six yard box, and that certainly did not make me feel any better.

Then, as the clock was ticking down towards the 90 minute mark, news came through that Bale FC had scored. Shit just got real. Four minutes of stoppage time remained, plenty of time for them to score.

But the nerves should have been eased. Giroud, who had replaced Podolski and was looking bang up for it, turned a hopeful clearance from Sagna into a great pass to send Theo away, and he raced past Coloccini for the first time all day. He took his time, beat Harper with a low shot but as we prepared to go mental again, the ball hit the inside of the post and came back into the grateful arms of the 'keeper.

Having seen so many incidents in recent weeks of teams missing a great late chance only to conceded soon after, I was convinced we were now about to throw it away.

But suddenly there was a lot of cheering to our right as rumours came through that Sunderland had equalised. Chants of 'Paolo Di Canio' were being sung and there was pandemonium in the away section.

If that were indeed true, a Newcastle goal now would be irrelevant and the celebrations began in earnest. But it was just as well the players had not got wind of this, as it turned out to be false and Spurs had in fact won 1-0. But it did not matter in the end as moments later Howard Webb finally brought the match to a close and we had done it. Relief and no little joy.

Giroud leads the celebrations in front of the away fans at the whistle

No cup to collect but that did not matter one bit. The celebrations were as good as anything I have witnessed and that has included winning many, many trophies over the years.

'Let's all laugh at Tottenham,' and 'It's happened again, Tottenham Hotspur it's happened again' were being sung and for a few minutes everything was right with the world.

The 144 steps do not seem quite so bad when you are singing and dancing and these are the moments that live with you forever. Was it as good as Anfield '89, Copenhagen '94, Wembley '98, Old Trafford '02 or White Hart Lane '04? No. But it was as much fun as I have had at football in along time and it was the first taste of anything worth celebrating for Emerson. Now of course he wants more.

But this could be the start of the rebirth of Arsenal as a force again. For me it had Wembley '87 written all over it. A good young side who are about to go on and achieve greatness. Qualifying for the Champions League was the first step just as that League Cup success had been for George Graham's side.

Our form over the last three months has been outstanding. We are not conceding goals and have returned to the days of 1-0 to the Arsenal. With 2-3 quality signings this summer I really believe this time next year we could be celebrating something big. The title perhaps?

But I will not get too carried away just yet. Overall it has not been a great away season for Emerson and I. This was our sixth away trip and we have seen Arsenal score just four times and concede one. So not even a goal a game. Not sure how much that equates to per goal but it will be a lot when you factor in ticket prices, travel and food.

Still, this has made it all worthwhile. That is the thing with away games. Most are unmemorable. But occasionally you will go to one which makes up for it all and this was one such occasion.

So no trophy in the cabinet but this was certainly the next best thing. Now what were Spurs saying after they beat us in March? Mind the gap boys. Happy holidays.

Emerson enjoying finishing 4th

Suarez. A personality-free version of Cantona or mis-understood genius?

 

LUIS Suarez has been in the news for all the wrong reason once again. While we should be talking about his injury time equaliser against Chelsea on Sunday, we are instead having to discuss his apparent bite on Blues defender Branislav Invanovic.

This is not the first time the Uruguayan has been involved in a biting incident either. Playing for Ajax in 2010, Suarez bit the shoulder of PSV's Otman Bakkal. It proved to be his last match for Ajax before joining Liverpool in January 2011.

The Dutch FA banned him for seven matches in the wake of that incident, but baring in mind his past record, Suarez will do well to escape a much longer punishment this time.

Having already been suspended for 9 matches by the FA following racist remarks towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra in 2011, this latest offence will surely have to be dealt with far more severely.

Liverpool have acted swiftly by fining the 30-goal striker but does that go far enough? Regardless of how important he is to the team, should the Merseysiders now cut their losses and offload the troublesome Uruguayan?

There is no doubting his talent on the field. He has become one of the best strikers in the Premier League over the last 18 months and has been short-listed for Player of the Year. But with all that talent comes a serious temperament problem which is slowly getting out of control.

Not a week seems to go by when we are not talking about one misdemeanour or another from Suarez and that cannot be good for the player, the club or the Premier League as a whole.

He is probably the most controversial character to play in this country since Eric Cantona. Even that strict disciplinarian Sir Alex Ferguson was unable to tame the Frenchman and he was banned for 9 months and sentenced to 120 hours community service in 1995 for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan who had given him some stick from the crowd.

But at least Cantona had charisma. Personality. For all his problems, it was difficult not to like the enigmatic Frenchman. But there are no seagulls and trawlers from Suarez. Instead we get a sly cheat who thinks nothing of diving, feigning injury and biting opponents. A spoil child who cannot get his own way.

Of course Liverpool fans, the same fans who were quick to condemn Cantona by the way, have jumped to the defence of their star player and you can see why. Without his 30 goals this season there is a very real possibility that Liverpool would now be embroiled in a relegation scrap.

They have cited the Jermaine Defoe incident against West Ham, where the Spurs striker appeared to bite Javier Mascherano in 2006 but escaped a ban, as a precedent. However, Defoe was booked at the time and did not have the same poor disciplinary record as Suarez.

I have heard many excuses for the Uruguayan; like how frustrated he is at the lack of talent around him and that he is from a different culture. But there can be no defence of such a cowardly action. Not when kids are watching. Kids who idolise him and want to be like him.

On the weekend where football paid its respects to the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough 24 years ago, Suarez's actions are inexcusable. The club needs to be strong and show they are not prepared to tolerate his behaviour any longer, no matter how important he is to the team. Players come and go but the reputation of the club has to remain intact.

Genius he may be, but Suarez has surely now out-stayed his welcome.

Late Vernon strike gives Richmond Shield again

WENSLEYDALE LEAGUE MEDALS SHIELD FINAL
RICHMOND TOWN ACADEMY 2 HAWES UNITED 1 (aet)
By Ricky Butler at the RGPS

A goal from Sam Vernon three minutes from the end of extra time at Northallerton Town last night saw Richmond Town Academy retain the Medals Shield for a third year in a row.

With a closely fought final seemingly heading for a penalty shoot out, Vernon's 117th minute shot on the turn from 12 yards left Hawes United heartbroken.

Town, who had lifted this trophy for the past two seasons, went close early on through Jonathan Kellett and Ben Holmes but it was Hawes who went in front after 14 minutes.

Steve Calvert broke from midfield and fed Jonathon Champion on the edge of the penalty area. He played a neat 1-2 with Darren Bell before smashing the ball past Town goalkeeper Karl Lathum from 16 yards.

But the lead lasted barely 10 minutes. Mark Cleminson whipped in a dangerous free kick from out on the left and Ross McGuigan flicked the ball past Hawes 'keeper Chris Harrison from six yards.

Richmond were the better side for the remainder of the first half and they should have gone in front after half an hour when Josh Wooff hit the crossbar from close range after a low cross from Dylan Wardale.

But Hawes got on top in the second period with Brett Calvert, Daniel Peacock and Bell all coming close to winning it. although it was Richmond who nearly snatched the trophy two minutes from time.

Vernon played in Wooff and he displayed a neat touch to round Harrison, but Brett Calvert got back to make a superb last-ditch challenge as he was about to roll the ball into the empty net.

Extra time was difficult as players from both sides went down with cramp and the final was heading for a penalty shoot-out when Richmond grabbed a dramatic winner.

Cleminson showed a cool head on the edge of the penalty area before slipping in Vernon whose shot on the turn beat Harrison to give Richmond the Shield again.

RICHMOND TOWN ACADEMY - Lathum, Simpson, Muirhead, McGuigan, Cleminson, Carruthers, Kellett, Wooff, Holmes, Vernon, Wardale. Subs - Donaldson, Soulsby, Metcalfe, Battersby.

HAWES UNITED - Harrison, Iveson(L), Calvert(B), Guy(S), Allen, Calvert(S), Iveson(J), Dinsdale, Champion, Peacock, Bell. Subs - Guy(J), Hulley, Richardson, Iveson(A).

REFEREE - S. Peake
ASSISTANTS - E. Morris, J. Shuker
FOURTH OFFICIAL - J. Stephenson

Time to scrap the away goals rule?

Laurent Koscielny heads Arsenal's second goal in Munich in March, but should that have led to extra time?

FOLLOWING Arsenal's heroic failure in the Champions League at Bayern Munich this season, surely it is time to review the ridiculous away goals rule?

I understand why it was introduced - to encourage more attacking football in the early days of European club competition. But has it really achieved that?

It is now accepted that a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg is a good result. In what way is this encouraging attacking football?

Also, if the away team score early in the first leg they are happy to sit back, knowing a 2-1 defeat is not a disaster as a 1-0 home win will take them through. Again, hardly encouraging teams to attack.

All that tends to happen is that the home team sets out to keep a clean sheet - the definition of negative football. That has become more important than actually winning the game.

Moreover, the whole idea of football is to score more goals than your opponent. Putting the ball in the net is the hardest thing in the game which is why good strikers cost the most money. Therefore why should a goal scored away from home be more valuable than one scored at home? A goal is a goal after all.

In no other competition is the away goal rule used. Imagine if it were in place in the FA Cup. The away team gets a 1-1 draw but goes through as their goal is worth more. No one would think that was fair.

If we accept that the away goals rule was brought in to encourage the away team to attack, rather than just sit back for a 0-0 draw or 1-0 defeat hoping to turn it around at home in the second leg, then surely it should be overruled by an away win?

Therefore, if both legs end in away wins (say, 1-2 and 0-1) how can one away win be more worthy than the other if the aggregate score is the same?

I cannot for the life of me understand how Arsenal's 2-0 win in the Allianz Arena was not as worthy as Bayern's 3-1 win at the Emirates three weeks earlier? Both are 2-goal away wins, one should cancel out the other.

Of course it is easy for people to think I am just a bitter Gooner who is unhappy that his team went out of the competition. Everyone knew the rules before the start. But I have no problem with going out if you actually lose the tie.

Last year, Arsenal lost 0-4 away in Milan and although they won the second leg 3-0, they were out on aggregate. Fair enough. The year before, Wenger's side lost 3-4 on aggregate to Barcelona. Again, no problem. But to win away from home, draw 3-3 on aggregate and still go out? No, I'm not having that.

And just because we all knew the rules does not make them right. The game has changed. The offside law, for example, has changed several times. Three points for a win was introduced back in 1982. Then we had the new back pass law ten years later. All were brought in to make the game more exciting.

As the game changes, the laws of the game need to change with it. The away goals rule is now out-dated. Unnecessary. Extra time and penalties were introduced to decide cup ties that finished level in every other competition. Why should Europe be any different?

1-0 to the Arsenal, part 2

SUNDERLAND 0 ARSENAL 1

HAVING finally broken our away-day duck this season at Wigan just before Christmas, Emerson and I made it two wins in a row with this exciting success at Sunderland on Saturday.

This Arsenal side have been accused of lacking heart and bottle this season, but after this performance they showed they have plenty of both.

In a first half display which was as good as anything we have produced all season, the lads dug in after Karl Jenkinson’s sending off early in the second half to ensure we left with the three points that were absolutely essential.

For reasons unbeknown to most Sunderland fans, the club have decided to move the away section to the opposite end of the stadium this season, above the traditional home end. Now while the view is undoubtedly better and the atmosphere superb, it did seem strange to see the team run out towards the opposite end to warm up before kick-off.

That warm up produced some drama as Laurent Koscielny, who had been named in the original starting XI, pulled up with a recurrence of his calf injury, so Jenkinson was brought into the side with Bacary Sagna switching to centre half.

I have to say I was not convinced about him playing there as he been poor in his natural right back role this season, but he was to prove me wrong with possibly his best performance in an Arsenal shirt.

The first half saw us attacking our end and we played some sublime football in between the Black Cats 'attempts to kick us off the park. Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere were both immense in midfield, while the movement of Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud up front meant the chances kept on coming.

We should have been 3 or 4 up in opening twenty-five minutes as we tore them apart again and again. Simon Mignolet, a goalkeeper who would be a great addition to our squad, produced heroics to deny Walcott and Cazorla, while Giroud and Aaron Ramsey also came close.

But the goal we had been threatening finally arrived, ten minutes before the break. Another sweeping move saw Walcott find Cazorla on the edge of the penalty and the little Spaniard thundered a shot through the crowded box to send the away end into raptures.

It should have been 2-0 just before the break when Ramsey was denied by Mignolet from close range when he really ought to have scored, and I hoped that would not come back to haunt us in the second half.

It appeared as though it might however, when Jenkinson was shown a second yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor for bringing down Sessengnon right in front of the away end. No complaints about that as it was clearly a bookable offence, as was his earlier challenge on Jack Colback, but the poor official looked way out of his depth for much of the afternoon.

In this situation most managers would have panicked and threw on another defender at the expense of a forward, but Wenger kept calm, slotted Ramsey in at right back and dropped Cazorla a little deeper.  

Now I have been one of Ramsey biggest critics in the past but his form in recent weeks has been superb and he did a great job in another unfamiliar role. Sessegnon is a tricky customer at the best of times but the Welshman handled him very well and even managed to get forward when the opportunity presented itself.

Of course with ten men we came under a lot of pressure in the final twenty minutes, more so after Wilshere had been forced to depart after one too many cynical challenges, this time from the truly abysmal Alfred N’Diaye. Quite how this guy has managed to steal a living as a professional footballer is beyond me and I was not surprised to see him depart for the far superior Danny Graham.

We could have sealed the points ten minutes from time when Walcott struck the post in a lightening quick counter attack, but that would have killed the game and denied us the exciting finale that unfolded. Sunderland threw everything at us but we put our bodies on the line to preserve the clean-sheet and the three points.

Of course we were thankful to Wojceich Szczsney in the end for a series of outstanding stops, some of which were almost Schmechiel-like. Good to see too as the Pole has looked a little shaky in recent weeks.

One save in particular, from Steven Fletcher’s close range header, defied belief and was easily one of the best I have ever seen. Last season on this ground, a late Thierry Henry goal saw us move into the top 4, a win that proved significant in the final reckoning, and the celebrations at the end here, both on the pitch and in the away end, showed this could be just as important came May.

In a way it was the perfect away performance. Electrifying in the first half and solid in the second. Strong at both ends of the pitch. This is clearly a team still in transition but as the season has gone on they have grown together.

With the young British lads like Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs all tied in to long term deals, the future looks bright.

I have been saying it for a while now and have been called a dreamer, but I really believe this team can win the Premier League within two years. The addition of one of two new recruits this summer could even make it happen next season.

Optimistic? Perhaps, but if Emerson and I can see two away wins in a row this season, then anything is possible.