Arsenal 4 Aston Villa 0
Giroud 5’
Giroud 78’
Giroud 80’
Arteta 90 +2’ (yes, I know it was strictly an OG)
Mikel Arteta interview
on his emotions of the day…
It’s a day I will never forget, I can only thank everyone for how you have all behaved with me and my family in those magnificent five years. When you leave the club is when you see what you mean to people and how you feel about the club. My emotions and the way I feel about the people cannot be any better. I was very scared about this day because 99 per cent, that was my last game as a professional footballer. I can’t even talk. I feel very honoured to play for this club and captain this place. This club is class and once you are here you never forget it. It’s going to be hard for me to move on, but I really enjoyed today.
on whether he will claim the last goal…
I don’t know. I couldn’t write a better script probably. The boys have been absolutely magnificent with me in the last two days. The things I’ve experienced will stay with me for the rest of my life. I always tried to look after them, to do my best. Even if we had some difficult moments, but at least we got this club back to winning ways again. We won some trophies. Also a big to thank you to the manager and the staff, for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to the football world as a player. The way the supporters and the fans behaved with me, it’s just how I feel. It’s a dream come true.
on the final whistle…
I love competing and I love this game. I wanted to decide when the time was to leave. I preferred to make that decision myself, and not the other away around. In my opinion, I’m leaving the best club in England for sure. I’m very happy because the people and the manager have been unbelievable for me these last few weeks. They have left the doors open for me at this club. That means a lot.
on his next step…
I have to take some time. I’m 99 per cent sure I will stop playing football. I have different options now to continue in relation to this magnificent sport. I need to sit down with my family and decide what is best for me and for football in general in the next chapter.
on clinching second…
I think as the last day it is very special, and very good as I know how important it was for the fans to finish above Spurs. We are disappointed, because this group of players have the ability to win the Premier League. We have not managed to do it and I have to say sorry as captain, not to be able to lead this club to what we wanted. But at the same time, I know the guts of this club and people can be very honoured and grateful for what people do inside, because it can’t get much better than that.
(courtesy AFC.com)
What a Cracking Day Out
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York;
And all the clouds that low’r’d upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
The train from Nottingham was early with it being a Sunday. All seats were reserved due to Leicester fans visiting Stamford Bridge. We were quite looking forward to joining in with their onboard party. Little did we know that it was to turn into a day with a glorious party of our own.
The Leicester couple sat opposite us were intelligent, knowledgeable and interesting to talk to. They were part-time Darlington supporters as well, so had interesting tales to tell about watching non-league football. They were also very polite about sharing the table with umpteen beer bottles.
Arriving at St Pancras, the weather was absolutely stunning, reminding us of brilliant days out at Wembley when the sun shines down on the righteous.
Beers at the pub were enlivened by Villa fans determined to have one last good day out in the Prem. Many were in fancy dress adding to the colour and spectacle of the day. Ginger Spice and her mates carried around by Teddy bears were absolutely plastered but happy.
The match would turn out to be one of my favourite games of all time. An early goal from Ollie’s super header got us off to a flyer. The second goal was a long time coming but The Toon made up for that with a string of goals to keep us entertained. The excited buzz around the stadium when Newcastle went 2 up was palpable. Could it be one of those amazing days when everything goes right? Were we not even going to need the intervention of some dodgy Lasagne?
Lamela getting one back for the spuds and Mitrovic’s dismissal dampened expectations for a few minutes, but then the whole Arsenal world was sent into a wonderful spin of goals and joy.
News of a 3rd goal for The Mags from a dubious pen followed by Giroud’s quickfire brace to secure his hat trick brought the whole stadium to a state of ecstatic fervour.
Mesut and Olivier going over to celebrate the 2nd goal with Tomas Rosicky was yet another moment of beauty in a day of extreme wonderfulness.
http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-aston-villa/goaal-olivier-giroud-2-0.html
By the time Newcastle completed the spuds’ humiliation with goals 4 and 5, the Emirates was a crazy jumping mass of delirious Goonerdom.
Mikel’s shot rebounded off the crossbar and into the net via the Villa keeper’s back and somehow the day was complete.
In a way I was dreading the lap of appreciation in case the banner boys had something to moan about. But as it turned out, it ended up being a perfect opportunity to thank the players for giving us such a great day out at the football.
I love football, I love Arsenal and in a peculiar way, I love Tottenham for bringing us such unexpected heights of unconfined joy. That might just carry me all the way through the summer.
Did you enjoy your day? Let us know in the comments.
Written by chas
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Well done Chas our travel correspondent.
Iam not sure if the way things unravelled yesterday at The Emirates and St James was more of a shock than Giroud scoring a hattrick 😉
Coming second just papered over the cracks, kelsey.
We all know we need at least half a dozen players of super super quality to win the title next season. 😆
Brilliant chas.
Great to see you and the clan for a beer before the game (I’m obliged to John for lending me the hat 🙂 )
It could not have been more perfect, I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
Arteta … what a great guy, I hope that if he wants it, the club can find a role for him in the future because he ‘gets’ Arsenal.
As you say, we can savour this feeling throughout the summer – thanks to Arsenal, thanks to the players and thanks to Arsene.
Certainly one of the best footie days of my life too, Chas. Good posting! Arteta, what a star! Giroud, what a player! Welcome back Santi. And boo, yah, hiss to Robbie Savage, Stan Collymore, Alan Shearer, Danny Whatshisname, and any wanker prepared to phone up after the game moaning! Cracks, what cracks!?
Certainly one of the best footie days of my life too, Chas. Good posting! Arteta, what a star! Giroud, what a player! Welcome ban Shearer, Danny Whatshisname, and any wanker prepared to ck Santi. And boo, yah, hiss to Robbie Savage, Stan Collymore, Alaphone up after the game moaning! Cracks, what cracks!? Oh and that West Ham plonker on the commentary…..
Ooops! Dont try to add to post after it’s posted!
lovely stuff, Chas. 🙂
I had gone out of blogging, because the negativity was getting to me, and I started feeling down. But what a brilliant day to bring me out of the abyss! 🙂
above all of Shitty, Chavs, ManUre and Scousers for the first time in donkeys ears. Thats progress for me!
St Totts day alive, forever!! Wow, what a feeling!
Now thats progress by me. Of course we know the team is not good enough. In particular, we know we need a striker who can score a guaranteed 30 goals a year, because a 24 goal a year striker is not good enough at this level.
We know we have a manager who is a specialist in failure. And all that.
We know all of that! And that is for another day. Right now, let us just celebrate the day that was! At the moment, my best day as a Gooner!! Ever!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Three cheers for Arteta, Flamster and Rosicky. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wow chas, thank you for the most perfect read on a day like today. I can’t stop smiling, it really did turn out to be an amazing day.
I’m blogging from my phone and am without glasses so I’ll be back later to read everyone else’s comments.
Love football, love Arsenal, Happy St Totteringhams Day all xx
fanChastic – you are the king of footie experience 🙂
That is a top read Chas……..respect.
Still laughing…………..
I’m still rolling on the ground! 🙂
Can someone tell me if Theo took part in the lap of gratitude yesterday?
Thanks Chas. I had a great day. Started at the FFB with a number of friends where Villa fans all in fancy dress turned up in their droves. They had obviously been on the sauce for some considerable time and were singing away but everything was in good spirits.
There was a great bit where they sang you’ll never sing that, you’ll never sing that, champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that.
After a bit the Arsenal fans sang we’ll never sing that, we’ll never sing that, sky bet championship, we’ll never sing that.
Also from the gooners….you’ll never drink here again, you’ll never drink here again…..e.t.c, e.t.c
I thought it might of got a bit hairy but each side took it in good spirits and they just enjoyed their day out.
After all this I watched it in the 12 pins where the atmosphere was electric. Nice to have some feel good factor right at the last knocking’s.
Don’t get excited LB – yes Theo was there 🙂
Apparently he’s carrying a slight injury 🙄
No surprises, he’s been left out of Hodgson’s squad for the Euros.
Hi GB, there were spare tickets around – why didn’t you go to the game? It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever known – but the best game is still the 2:1 v Barca 🙂
GB/ Chas, why the fancy dress by the Villans – any idea?
Rasp at 12.55 WOW that is some statement – really pleased to hear the atmosphere was that great! 🙂
Very nice chas
It was a bit of an anti climax for me. I celebrate St Totts day at the beginning of the season.
I hope this set back doesn’t push Pochitino over the edge? He looked distraught so may feel the need to start a new life. Possibly in Hastings?
I had a similar experience 10 years ago, so changing my name to Terry Somethingtohide, fled to the Northumberland coast were i used my savings to set myself up as the local towns shopkeeper.
However, tragedy struck. A local Lamb went missing and after an extensive search, some bloke was spotted wearing a sheepskin coat. This triggered a murder enquiry and it wasnt long before I had local plod knocking on the door.
I was the outsider, wore leather shoes and my computer showed that I had watched all episodes of Countryfile, The local press also had it in for me and after some digging found out my real name and that I had done six months for liaising with a fleece.
The next day the paper ran a front page headline “Somethingtohides secret woollen lover” so within hours a posse of angry town folk gathered outside my shop armed with sheep shearers. Some bloke managed to break through the police barrier and beat me with a wool spinner, yelling “You aint going no were near my Yaks mate”
Fortunately, the next day some bloke was spotted eating a Doner Kebab, so after arrest admitted everything. However, my reputation was finished and once again had to flee.
Hope this doesn’t happen to Pochitino?
GoonerB
Your matchday sounds pretty excellent as well. Good stuff.
The Villa fans and their poxy, flukey European Cup win make me laugh. I suppose they have to cling on to something.
They played 9 games to win the cup with opponents
Valur First round
Dynamo Berlin Second round
Dynamo Kyiv Quarter-finals
Anderlecht Semi-Finals
Bayern Munich Final
Saying they’re Champions of Europe is absurd; a bit like saying you’re Champions of England if you win the FA Cup.
I suppose if you win the Europa Cup you become Champions of Europe Second Division. 🙂
One of the things I did like that the Villa supporters do is cheering when winning a corner as if it was a goal.
I haven’t seen a decent clip from yesterday but this was them doing it at Watford.
Yesterday it looked even funnier because of all the wacky fancy dress.
TA
I think a few clubs have a tradition that the last away game will be fancy dress.
Here are a few photos I’ve found.
One including Ginger Spice and her teddy bear mate above.
Poor Agbonlahor!
Cheers for the pictures Chas. Also liked the corner is a goal video earlier…. desperate times for the Villans.
After all the pressure he was under it is time for the annual Arsene dancing – this video, probably known by all of you now, always puts a smile on my face:
http://fuldans.se/?v=tpoljgeecn
Chas
When someone who has been to as many games as you, including endless Cup Finals, says “The match would turn out to be one of my favourite games of all time”, then those of us who didn’t bother know we really cocked up.
It was all so perfect. The early goal from Ollie, then the goals in Newcastle also came early to help us all believe. Then things just got better and better.
Even from the old trusty armchair, I could sense the atmosphere was as good as it gets. Sixty odd thousand Gunners synching perfectly to the tune of “they’ve done it again” was wonderful.
A magical afternoon. Wish I’d been there.
Great write up, and love the pics. Thank you.
Rasp, I thought I may end up regretting not being at the game (been to the last 3-4 end of seasons ones) but the 12 pins was pretty decent. Actually I had a ticket offer from 1 week back but had certain friends that I wanted to catch up with that didn’t have tickets but were watching it at the pins.
I don’t think any of you were at the FFB were you Rasp?
TA, as Chas says it may be a tradition. I just thought it was more of a sod it we may as well just enjoy ourselves statement by the Villa fans. There were some really good costumes on some very drunk Midlanders.
Sorry GB, we hooked up with the Vines boys at The Kings Head – will make it up to you next season 🙂
HA HA HA love the Villa fans at Watford
“It’s happened again”
durr, didit 🙄
ha ha ha ha ha. lovely batner. cannot stop laughing! 🙂
I don’t normally watch Arsenal Fan Tv but the lap of appreciation video they put up is brilliant.
Awesome write up Chas!
Superior Post, Chas, many thanks.
Foolishly I read this afternoon’s LG Post to try and make sense of the headline they showed on NewsNow – whata-mistaka-to- Maka.
I do not know who writes their tripe and I do not want to know, but by jingo it provokes a flurry of one line, three word responses that are anal at the bottom of the scale, and laced with seriously mentally tortured stuff here and there – and there are so many of these guys.
Then a swift look at the rival clubs’ fan blogs and the jealousy reeking from their spoilt child logic would be funny if it did not also reflect on the empty vessel tendencies of their pickled brains.
Then on to master brain in his own bath tub, Shearer, with his incredibly gormless, deep thinking crud conjured up while playing with his minuscule dick – head.
I suppose it goes to show that in the great scheme of things even football has its boundaries, but the stupidity of some football fans and pundits is limitless.
If you are in the mood to continue laughing have a listen to today’s podcast from Arseblog. Very funny.
Cheers, LB, that’s fun to listen to.
Here’s that Lloris vine mentioned in the Arsecast.
😆
Guess who?
A team needs one win from their last four games to finish above their bitter rivals
They manage DDLL
ROLFing all day 🙂
Hi RA. I thought about visiting Lg as well out of curiosity and decided against it. I figured more than likely it’s the same as it always is, which I don’t enjoy, and even if by some miracle they are enjoying themselves as much as the rest of us, it would strike me as just a little two faced, even though I know that’s not very big of me.
The last time I went there the comments were all about free speech, oppression, and reverse brain washing with everyone shouting at everyone else.
Sounds like I made the right choice. Well done on making it back alive and in tact 🙂
I would add that the fans can be the 12h.man but it was the score at Newcastle that was driving them into a frenzy.At least it showed the players from abroad what it means, the rivalry between the two N.London clubs If our fans acted like this at home when we upped our game but preferably beforehand it would definitely be something The Emirates isn’t that is “intimidating”
Jeremy.
I have to be honest and say that I did not comment.
Reading the Post and the comments was more than enough. 🙂
Marvellous read Chas, the unique personal flavour makes me wish I was there.
I had a “I was there when Jensen scored t-shirt”. Perhaps we need “I was there when it happened again” one now.
I’m still letting my Spud mates wait for the text, I think it’s best to let them start their recovery process before I take them down a peg or two.
Still laughing.
http://player.arsenal.com/videos/7876/hat-tricks-landmarks-farewells
It’s happened again
The beauty of this season’s chase for St Totteringham’s day…………..
Still fuzzy
Have a good week everyone, I’m off to a sunny beach 😃😃😃
Still laughing 😂😂😂😂😂😂
The girl I’m travelling with had Giroud as her captain on Sunday in her fantasy football team – came third in her league!!!!
Liverpool supporter sadly
5-1 against relegated 10 man Newcastle 🙂 ROLF
Have a great time Peaches
Oh ho Ho Ho Ho go ho ho he he he he he he he he
One of my Spud supporting clients just had to ring me, this season he has often asked me “did you enjoy the football this weekend”…..after a good result for them and a poor result for us.
I let him go to voicemail so I could ring him back, and after the obligatory hello, I asked “did you enjoy the football this weekend”
The four letter laden tirade I received was probably one of the funniest things I’ve heard, and it has started my day even warmer and fuzzier than I thought possible after Sunday.
The general basis was “3 f’ing pints from 4 games, 1 f’ing point from a team relegated with ten men …… Blah blah ….. and you lot f’ing finished above us again, f’ing 100 pictures on Facebook of Arsenal crest shadowing the Spurs crest…..”
So for those who have only partaken in light hearted text, Facebook and Twitter abuse I can wholeheartedly recommend a phone conversation and that simple question. The result is golden.
Exile
Shadow. In. Always.
Done 🙂
GIE, I just pretend that I was out all day and haven’t seen MOTD or read the newspapers yet and just say with as genuinely serious face as I can muster “What happened, I haven’t seen it yet and don’t know the results?”.
It is very funny because some just go into one and swear at you and use terms like p–s taking barsteward knowing I am not serious, but the funnier ones are those that are caught between ranting and swearing at me or whether I really don’t know. The look of confusion mixed with deep anxiety is priceless.
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~mikepitt/totteringham.html
Lots of Rumours that AW has said that Giroud will be first choice striker next season. Not too sure I believe that he actually said exactly that as I haven’t seen the interview. I would have thought it more likely that he just said either Giroud will be with us next season, or he is in my plans for next season. Anyone know what was actually said?
I hope Arsene gets business done early this summer. I think it will be a tricky transfer window with lots more EPL clubs competing for players we are looking at and the likes of Citeh, Chavs and Utd prepared to spend to silly levels to secure their targets. I have a feeling we will end up needing to pay £20m-£30m over what Arsene considers the correct market value to secure the 3 quality players he is after this summer. I hope he is prepared to break the habit of a lifetime.
Also, again not sure if true, but Ozil has said that he will look at his Arsenal future after the Euros. This may be just that time is not on his side pre Euros or it could be he is waiting to see what our ambition is relative to other clubs in the TW.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/olivier-giroud-no-longer-arsenals-6493566
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10039651/theo-walcott-is-first-choice-arsenal-striker-says-arsene-wenger
Here it is. Usual media bullshit.
Here in Australia, its all been about Dami Im finishing second at Eurovision. A few hours later, Arsenal finish second in the EPL. Unfortunately the news headlines on Monday morning went with Dami Im instead of St Totteringhams day.
He does handle all these questions designed to trip him up with dignity Chas. If he is asked directly if Giroud will be first choice striker next year what is he supposed to say? If he says categorically yes then he is castigated for this but if he says no it is a slap in the face to the player. He did the best he could with that question by indicating he is in the market for another striker and then competition and form will dictate who is first choice.
Love that clip of Thomas and Arteta Jeremy.
It happened again 😀
I saw Pat Rice today. He’s looking really good and back to full health.
Obviously I asked him about Sunday – he couldn’t stop laughing 🙂 🙂 🙂
Cech has won the golden glove with 16 clean sheets in 34 games.
http://realsport101.com/cech-wins-golden-glove/
What a moron!!!!!
How was your St Totteringham’s Day experience, BR? 🙂
Just to let you know – I sent a post last week to Peaches for publications on Full Backs 🙂
In any case:
Xhaka is on his way to the EPL – ideally to us
Walcott is on his way out –
AW to buy a ST –
Arteta, Rosicky and Flamsters are all leaving
Debuchy will not come back
chas I will write about it in the early morn when I rejoin the morning crew.
I can see a career in acting à la Cantona for Harry Kane after this performance.
Cheers, BR.
I start some marking work tomorrow for 8 weeks – eek.
I’ll look forward to reading about it when I get home – unless you’re up at the crack, like me.
RC – sorry I’m out of the country atm but I’ll nudge one of the others to sort your post.
I’ll be up earlier than the crack chas/BR. It’s two hours ahead where I am 😃
http://www.tom-cox.com/2016/05/full-jackdaw-may-psychedelic-spring-and.html
hey peaches – no worries
hope you are enjoying yourself 🙂
Still celebrating with the spuds, Eddie?
6.59 😀 😀
Missed the marker, but some great morning visuals
Peaches
2 hrs ahead. Are you in a war zone? 🙂
chas. My Sunday…..
I was in Italy at a rural restaurant playing guitar at a 60th birthday party. Lots of folk had come over from UK and amongst them were some diehard Spurs fans. Mrs R. told me when we went one up and I introduced my next number as the PSB’s Go West then played and sang 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Then when she told me Spurs were 2 down I sang “it’s happened again”. Most of the audience didn’t have a clue what I was doing!
It was a brilliant afternoon made so much more enjoyable by the distress on the faces of the simpleton Spurs fans but I wish I had been at The Ems – it looked and sounded fantastic.
Erik
Sounds like you ran the Ems a close second he he he
Superb, BR.
Chas
Not for a free season ticket or anything remotely similar in terms of a bung, but is it technically possible for you to mark o level papers of friends children while never accepting favours of any description whatsoever because that would be unfair and shit like that?
Lets try another tack
Chas
Being a man of principle and stiff morals, would it be possible for you to put a chum in touch with another marker of o levels who is weak and persuadable?
Oooo look, I just found an envelope with two grand in it. Its not mine. Is it yours Chas?
Micky. It worked for me. The only way I could have passed my O levels was if my father had put in a “sweetener”.
I did – so he must have
Come on Chas.
There can’t be may papers with the surname Didit89
Erik
They say “you’re only cheating yourself”
Yeah right, so not the entrance board of your next educational establishment then
Must dash
There’s a New Post all the way from sunny Mykonos
Well Raddy, great story, my granddaughter thought I was nuts as I was singing ‘it’s happened again’ to her.