21 May 2026 15:40:27
I've spent a few days coming down from Tuesday's news. It has been a wild ride and I've been thinking of all sorts of ups and downs. Mad Jens getting sent off in Paris, Arshavin's 4 goals at Anfield and us still drawing, Eboue being subbed on and off (I still love him) , the hopelessness of finishing second in 2016 and the doldrums that came after, Emery to Ljungberg to Arteta and a quiet feeling of hopefulness growing over the past few seasons.

Particularly, I remember on August 28, 2011, I had just moved to Hong Kong, and went to the pub to watch us play Man U. I wound up inadvertently at a Spurs supporters' pub. We lost 8-2. By the end of that game, the Spurs fans were actually comforting me, telling me it would be ok. We signed Arteta three days later, though things weren't ok for a long while after that. But it's great now.

It has been a wild ride, and I have been grateful to have been on it with you lot. I'm feeling confident ahead of Budapest. But mostly, I'm proud of the lads and just so, so happy.

COYG.

1.) 21 May 2026
21 May 2026 17:07:31
Wonderful post, Alex, just laying it out there, how you felt. Imo during them barren years we did come close on 2 or 3 occasions. I think the Birmingham game, when Eduardo broke his leg, convinced we would have won it that year. Then the season when we lost the first game of the season at home to Villa and everyone was screaming to sack Arsene, and we were top by Christmas, then Ramsey and Theo got injured and we faded away, but we did win FA Cup. Then the season Leicester won it, and I think that was Arsene's last chance to win it. I am nearly 70, so I have memories of Bertie Mee, Fairs Cup win and the double, then Terry Neil's Cup finals team, then George Graham, then the Wenger years, but a lot of young Gooners have not got them memories and they have taken a lot of stick from other teams' supporters and the media, but they have stayed loyal, especially the away support, which is magnificent, so I am so made up for them.


Like you, I am confident about CL in a strange and calm way. Mikel has had his detractors and I have rinsed him on a few occasions on this site, but he made a conscious decision imo this season to play like we have this season and not the free flowing football of previous seasons to make sure we get over the line, and that alone, to stick to that when the whole world and his dog was giving it to him big time, deserves to be rewarded. He clearly loves being manager of our club.
Anyway, take care Alex, mate, and everyone else also.
COYG. ❤️ ❤️
Any

2.) 21 May 2026
21 May 2026 17:41:34
Great post, both of you. I am a younger gooner, so I only know Wenger and the recent days. After we sacked Emery, I was convinced that we would fade away, and I was unsure how long it would take us to be back in the mix. In that period, Spurs were challenging for the title, went into the final of the Champions League, and suddenly it felt even darker and bleaker. We won the FA Cup with Arteta, but the last few seasons, when we were the 'nearly team', again dented the confidence.

But, what a turn around this season. Not only have we got the monkey off the back, but it has given us confidence that we can win the CL. Whatever the result next week, with continuity and a few additions, we can definitely dominate the near future. Up the Arsenal! COYG!