Away Daze – Sunderland

The final day of the season – a season of highs and lows, and one that seemed to go pretty quickly too saw us travel to the North East, the home of the Maccums!

Seeing as it was a near 300 mile journey, we decided to head north on the Saturday afternoon and checked into the Bowes Incline hotel in County Durham, owned as it happens by Gooner! A hotel with a decent bar and which serves very good food meant that we didn’t have to venture out and a very nice evening was had by all.

The final away game of the season has been designated ‘fancy dress’ for some years now so after breakfast yours truly had to wait for Baso to get changed into his clown outfit. Not sure what the hotel staff made of it, it needs to be remembered though that the hotel had CCTV and the owner may well be keeping the footage of us leaving for future reference.

I passed on the fancy dress this season myself. For 2 out of the last 3 seasons I have donned a Mick Jagger mask to go with my denim jacket and jeans with the same result both times – most gooners didn’t recognise who it was meant to be. Guesses have ranged from Rudd Van Nistelrooy (the most popular) to Prince Charles amongst others. The fact that the mask is very hot, that you can hardly see out of it and that you have to drink you beer through a straw were also factors that put me off!

A few did partake though and we had some schoolgirls (and boys), and someone dressed up as Baso too! The mood in the pub before the game was good, Sunderland were safe, we had finished 3rd, and this atmosphere was carried into the ground. Good Arsenal support with continuous singing and the Maccums doing the conga were the order of the day!

Sadly, one of my pet hates also took place – the Mexican wave! I know it’s only supposed to be a bit of fun, and I know that you’re seen as a killjoy if you don’t partake but as far as I’m concerned people only do a Mexican wave if they’re bored. You spend all your time watching the crowd rather than the game so I’m afraid that all I waved when the wave came round was 2 fingers in the air. Most Gooners joined in though – whatever floats your boat I guess!

Anyway, onto the game. Arsene rested some players again which saw Fabianski in goal with Song and Senderos being the centre back pairing. Fair play to Song too, after the mauling that he took at Craven Cottage last season, from the Fulham players and the Arsenal supporters, the boy has done really well to come back. Obviously a very strong character which bodes well and this writer can see a big future for him at the Arsenal.

Sunderland also rested some players, with Fulop(?) in goal instead of Craig Gordon. A full house saw the home team nearly take the lead within the opening minute with a dipping drive from Carlos Edwards forcing Fabianski into a fine save.

Yorke also went close but Arsenal slowly worked there way into the game and young Theo put us one up after he cooly slotted the ball past Fulop. The goal looked simple and was set up by a fine pass from Gilberto. Arsenal retained their lead into the second half, rarely being threatened and and Adebayor nearly made it two, just failing to connect from a Walcott cut back following a fine run!

Sunderland had a little flourish late on with a series of corners but Arsenal held out for the win. A pretty healthy points total of 83 and 4 points behind the eventual champions was a lot better than many had predicted at the start of the season. Having been 5 points clear at one stage though, you did watch the game thinking what could have been……………………

Anyway, mystic Slip has a good feeling about next season and can’t wait for the footy to start again – until next August my friends, cheers!!