Yesterday’s post title was 7 reasons to be a Happy Gooner. Well today there’s an eighth reason, a massive 6 ft 7 German one.

We’re interviewing Arsenal centre half and all round good guy Per Mertesacker and thought we’d let you guys get in on the action too.

Just don't ask me what the weather is like up here.

So jot down what you’d like to ask Per and send it to us either on Facebook, to Mark, Andy or the new AFCBlog on Twitter, or pop it in the comments thread for this post and we’ll ask the best questions to the man himself.

What would you like to ask Per Mertesacker?

A very quick one today to say a belated ‘Merry Christmas!’ and an early ‘Happy New Year!’ for 2012.

You guys all know how much I appreciate you as a community, your comments and opinions and loyalty has been superb once again in 2011.

Rather than talk, talk, talk, I’d just like to wish you all the best and leave you with my favourite post of the year about my favourite Arsenal moment of the year: ‘A moment in time’.

Enjoy, and once again, all the best!

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After a five-day trip to London and a nasty bout of tonsillitis picked up on the flight home, I am finally back to blogging ways today.

I wouldn’t blame any of you for forgetting this after such a long absence, but the Blackburn game was my first ever taste of live Arsenal action.

This meant that despite the disappointment of the result — and I can’t put into words how frustrated I was with our failure to score a goal — this was still a game to remember for me.

I arrived in London on Thursday at around midday, met my brother Jon over a lovely fried tofu Vietnamese lunch. The following two nights were a blur of beer, tequila, a live UNKLE gig at the Brixton Academy and a truly bizarre night out in semi-gay club in Shoreditch.

Miraculously I dragged myself, hungover and with minimal sleep, to North London by noon for the Arseblog 6-a-side football tournament. It was a great day of football with many people I had spoken to online but never in person, including the great man himself, but ultimately my team’s title push was unhinged at the semi-final stage by a lack of fitness and an unfortunate piece of defending.

I dashed back from the fields to catch up with my brother back at his apartment before meeting up with the man/legend/god who so wonderfully provided the pair of us tickets to the game, Gary, for a couple of pints before the game.

I simply cannot thank Gary enough for hooking me up with tickets for the game, nor for telling us his fantastically hilarious story about a tribe of baboons that stole his clothes while on a trip to Kenya. The man was comedy gold and a fantastic host for the day.

I have to admit I was surprised with the energy and excitement that buzzed through the pubs and bars surrounding the stadium in the hours before the game kicked off. The spring sunshine brought a fantastic feel of warmth and celebration to the occasion, something I’ve desperately missed since relocating from Australia and suffering through a long, uncomfortable Berlin winter.

Despite Arsenal’s rather nasty reputation as a generic international club that had lost touch with its roots, I was delighted to see that everywhere we went was packed with localswho had been supporting the club for many years.

With about half an hour to go before kick-off Jon and I made the short walk from Seven Sisters Road to the stadium. We nipped through the high-security gates, raced up a few flights of stairs and took our place in the crowd. Seated towards the front of the third tier, just behind the goal, the view was fantastic.

The opening fifteen minutes of the game suggest Arsenal were desperate to put the game to bed early. They played with great energy and purpose and carved out a number of decent chances before the crowd could even settle in.

But the early momentum was literally knocked on the head as Samir Nasri, asked to play in central midfield to accommodate Theo Walcott’s return, was on the worse end of a nasty head clash. The physio was quicker to wrap up the grotesque, golf-ball sized lump on the side of his head than the rest of the team were to react to it. Indeed, from that point Nasri’s influence on the game dropped and we struggled to recreate the urgency of the early stages.

Never the same after his head clash

The rest of the game was hugely frustrating (see the video below, ha!). We had most of the ball yet failed to create enough clear-cut chances to demand the victory. Meanwhile two dodgy interventions from Manuel Almunia, the first a real wobbler, gave the impression that Blackburn might score at any moment the moved into our final third.

My brother cleverly observed that Blackburn had simply blocked up the middle of the pitch, urging us to move the ball wide, put crosses into the area and use their major strength — height and power in defence — to repel the danger. It thoroughly worked.

From our view it was unbelievable how much space the likes of Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna were given. In truth, their crossing was rather good but with Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh sitting on the bench for as long as they did, it was always going to be unlikely to see us break the stalemate playing this sort of game.

Gary mused after the game that Song’s presence was simply not required in the second half and an attacking substitution to add height and power should have come earlier, something that in hindsight was hard to disagree with.

The Emirates Stadium gets a bad rap for a lack of atmosphere at times but I have to admit being pleasantly surprised. There was discontentment and utter exasperation in the air at times, for sure, and very little choreographed singing, but the roars that went up when a meaningful Arsenal attack formed were spine-tingling. Say what you want about the corporate feel but the people in the stadium knew the importance of yesterday’s game and it was a moving experience to sit with so many others who cared just as much about the club as I did.

Cesc Fabregas’ introduction on the hour mark may have lifted the crowd, but it was Bendtner and Chamakh’s  troubled Blackburn the most. All of a sudden our crosses were finding targets, the Blackburn defenders were forced out of their comfort zone and we began to carve out some decent chances. Yet there was not enough time to make it count.

Everybody left the game thoroughly downbeat. After what had happened earlier in the day with Manchester United — do you need reminding that they came from two goals down to beat West Ham? — many people, Gary included, saw this as the definitive blow to our hopes of retaining the title. Even reflecting on the game a week later it is hard to conclude otherwise.

Without given much time to process the result, I was approached by one of the lads from WinkBall outside the stadium and asked to give my thoughts on the game:

Gary’s interview was even more concise:

Our original plans for some celebration drinks with some of the boys from the Arseblog tournament fell by the wayside as a sense of disappointment over the result and my desperate desire to get something, anything to eat took over. Jon and I met up with another fellow Australian, Jim (who snapped that lovely panoramic shot of us posing in front of the Arsenal letters) and nipped across to local fried chicken place (don’t worry, I got myself a vege burger) to stuff our faces.

We did make it to the Tollington a little later for a couple of pints but by that time most of the crowd had cleared out. We found a couple of local lads to talk football with — one Chelsea supporter from Ireland was particularly good fun — before heading off to a party on Brick Lane to have a few more drinks and, amongst others things, discuss who would win a fight between the four Ninja Turtles (Raphael, obviously). Please don’t ask me how it started.

Sunday, inevitably, was a bit of a rest day. Breakfast at an antiques shop in Bethnal Green was followed by a lovely afternoon in Hackney, enjoying various ales whilst sitting on the pavement in the sunshine. That session went into the night before I plonked myself down on a couch at my mate’s place and caught up on some valuable hours of sleep.

I left London on Monday exhausted and just a little bit sick but with my first live Arsenal experience packed neatly away for safe-keeping. The football may not have been spectacular, the result rather frustrating, but it was an experience I will always look back on fondly.

Going to a game and feeling the vibe in and around the ground on match day has helped me to understand what Arsenal means to the people who are at the heart and soul of the club, both from an emotional and historical point, in North London. It has allowed me to understand better some of the legitimate frustrations of the local supporters in a way that will make me a more thoughtful and informed writer about Arsenal going forward.

So once again, a big thank-you to Gary for making this happen and my brother Jon for being such a excellent companion on the day.

And thank-you to everybody who has been reading the blog over the past four years: without the connections I have made through the Arsenal FC Blog this experience simply would not have been possible.

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I’m taking a day to soak in the absolutely awesomeness of last night’s game to provide a report to do the moment justice.

I’m just too emotional and confused and excited and overwhelmed by what our boys managed to achieve and I wanted to enjoy that before I put my rational cap on. I’m sure you can bare with me!

In the meantime I’ve posted some photos to help you re-live the game over and over again.

Until tomorrow…

Thoughts?

Have your say on Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Barcelona by leaving a comment.

Have your say on Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea by leaving a comment.

“In my opinion, Arsenal is just an Academy. I watch their games, they’re a pleasure to watch, but will they win a title? That’s what people remember. In 10 years, nobody will remember them. Arsenal is a great Club, they didn’t win a trophy for 5 years, it’s a crisis in my opinion. People always think about the ‘Arsenal way of playing’, but at the end, there’s nothing. We can lose against them [on Monday], but at the end what will happen? Nothing. No trophy, no nothing.”

The divine words of Patrice Evra, a man who is clearly ignorant of Manchester United and Arsenal’s contrasting financial situations and the current league table. But really, what can you expect from a man who called our team a “bunch of babies” in 2007 before promptly losing to them 2-1 at The Emirates a month later?

“In 10 years, nobody will remember them”? What a ridiculous statement. A club with 125 years history, 13 league titles and the most secure environment to improve their trophy count over the next decade will be forgotten? For goodness sakes, even Nani’s not that stupid.

Seriously Arsene, put this on the dressing room wall before Monday.

Thoughts?

Have your say on Patrice Evra’s statement by leaving a comment.

“Here you go, mate.”

* hands over massive bottle of champagne *

Have your say on Bendtner and Walcott by leaving a comment.

Something extra (and a little bit different) for you today.

Before my move to Germany at the start of September, I spent a week or so with some friends in London. As part of that stay, I managed to persuade a couple of them – the lovely Amanda and the infamous Morgana Clarke – to join me on a trip to The Emirates to check out the stadium, the Arsenal Museum and of course, the Arsenal shop.

While I understand that London locals will probably shrug their shoulders and say “big deal”, I’ve decided to share my photos from the visit for the international readers on the blog.

It was the first time I have ever been to Emirates Stadium and although I did not get to see a game, it was a little surreal to actually check out the place where the magic happens.

I am planning to attend my first Arsenal game at Emirates in the early part of 2011 but in the meantime, enjoy these photos and please don’t be hard on me for being a little self-indulgent.

Cheers!

Have your say on the photo gallery from the Emirates by leaving a comment.

AFCB’s writer Fatema Farhat is back for her fortnightly “Arsenal for the Ladies” column…

B52 is bendting over backwards

Our Nicky has been keeping himself busy whilst on the road to recovery. The B52 himself has landed a cover with his beautiful fiancee on the ever so popular ELLE magazine. This time Nick has managed to take his top off which was a nice change considering we all have seen him with his pants down.

Bendtner poses for Elle

Bendtner is an interesting young man, and even his team mates have a thing or two to say about him. Andrey claims he’s “… Not one for singing around the campfire, that is more Nicklas Bendtner’s style…”

We have seen many different sides to Bendtner over the years, from pink boots to being smitten in love. My conclusion: off the pitch the boy is so damn likable.

Vela The Party Fella

Cheeky Carlos has been banned from playing for Mexico for 6 months over an alleged party in the team hotel. I’ve gotta admit I like his style and think it’s a win win situation for Arsenal and the ladies. More on the field action from him and additional Hugo Boss campaigns from him would be nice.

Vela v Cesc for Hugo Boss

Carlos looks quite impressive all suited up, he struts his stuff in a modern suit and carries his boyish looks and charm undeniably well.  I understand he is not to every females liking, so to keep everyone happy I’ve snuck in Cesc’s Hugo Boss Campaign shot as well.

Carlos or Cesc? You decide.

Chamakhed Up

It looks like Maroune has taken advice from team mates in posing for a magazine.

Red coat with cane and bowler hat: not a good look.

At first sighting, I was left speechless and speechless for the wrong reasons that is. I don’t think you would blame me when our in form striker is decked out in a red coat, gloves and posing with an umbrella.

Some players just belong on the field and that’s where I prefer seeing him.

Rosicky vs Wilshere: The Playlists

Arsenal have partnered up with youth homelessness charity centrepoint. Each home game, a playlist is revealed and I thought I’d share Rosicky v Wilshere with you.

Wilshere v Rosicky

Impressed or mortified? Let me know your thoughts.

PS. I’m on Jack’s side. (Ed: I’m on Rosicky’s)

Thoughts?

Have your say on this fortnight’s Arsenal for the Ladies by leaving a comment.

AFCB special columnist J’ammanuel Egnoue explains Arsene Wenger’s texting and why Almunia should take penalties…

This week was a week of ups and downs.

On Monday evening, my beloved panther Lauren passed away. It seems that he died of some kind of food poisoning related mishap. I guess thats the last time I feed my panthers cavier and truffles. Lauren’s brother Dixon looked lonely, so I went out and immediately got another Panther. I’ve called him Bergkamp.

You’ll know of my panthers – I had trained them since cubs to hunt down Christiano Ronaldo. I’ve got a bit of a job on my hand training  Bergkamp to hunt and injure Ronaldo, but thats the price you pay when you want well trained killer panthers. I’m determined to get Bergkamp an Arsenal jersey and get him out playing football like this adorable Arsenal dog.

Nothing on Bergkamp, but still...

Alex Song came round the night Lauren died, and we played some darts and did some freestyle rapping to help me deal with my grief.

On Tottenham…

The obvious up was our thrashing of Tottenham. 4-1! You don’t see that every day. Many people were wondering what Arsene was doing in the stands texting constantly, thinking he was sending instructions to Pat Rice. Well he might have been, but I think he went a bit mad on the texting, to be honest. When I checked my mobile phone at half-time, guess what the boss had sent me!

“Egnoue! U fune ba*d, do som fune schet, I nEd a Laff.”

He must have felt it necessary to talk about my couple of off target shots.

“Stop tkng shots @ goal U lamer. I put U on az a full bak!”

…and he doesn’t like Harry Redknapp…

“Harry Redknapp iz a l0s3r. U hav choice skiLz Egnoue. Talk to youz l8terz.”

Jack Wilshere Terrier And Keiran ‘Gibbo’ Gibbs had outstanding games. I definitely high fived both the guys in the shower later and gave them a bit of a towel whipping. I don’t think they appreciated it though – particularly the whipping part.

On Sunderland…

I was on the bench for the Sunderland match. I didn’t mind all that much. But I did get involved in a minor way that you may have missed during the live telecast. You see, despite his happy face, Darren Bent is a troubled man. He once confessed to me during a match that he always feels sad about scoring against Arsenal – he used to be a ticket holder at Highbury . I felt sad for Bent so I ran on the field and gave him a hug.

Me hugging Bent

The fourth official gave me a severe talking to for that piece of tomfoolery.

On the penalty miss…

I’ve demanded that, from now on, I take the penalties. Rosicky! What was Tomas thinking taking that penalty? Tomas is not the smartest footballer I’ve ever come across. He once suggested to the manager that we play “4-4-3”. What in the hell?

We should have got Manuel Almunia to step up. He’s a great penalty taker! I know this because I was playing Fifa 2010 at home and as a laugh I put Manuel in as our penalty taker, corner kick and free kick taker and he took the opposition apart with his most excellent ability to find the net from any dead ball situation. Surely, FIFA 2010 wouldn’t lie to me? Of course, we’d have to have a rock solid defense from these situations in case Manuel happened to miss – he’d have to run back to goal quick smart.

On West Brom…

We got to go to West Brom and literally hammer them into the ground, that’s what the manager wants, so I’m prepared. I’m stopping at the hardware on the way to the ground and buying a mallet. Watch out Baggies!

Ok, I gotta go run, I’m going on a date with Cheryl Cole tonight! Woohoo!

Love
J’ammanuel

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