17th of Aug, 2019. A month prior, I had bought the Arsenal Red Membership with no hope of ever getting a chance to watch a match. It didn’t arrive for 2 weeks. I reached out to Arsenal support and they sent a copy of the membership card; it came with an Arsenal book, a red and white Arsenal muffler, and a woven winter cap. I was delighted after receiving the package and next thing was to try and get a ticket somehow.
Searched through reddit about how to get one, realised it’s almost impossible to get a ticket on Red Membership but I can buy one from the ticket exchange. So, I did exactly that. I didn’t realise how big the stadium is, at that time… and booked the cheapest one which was at the top.
And, the biggest mistake was, reaching 2 hours before the game. It was sort of empty outside, with mostly families lining up for pictures for their kids. No queues, and not much people once I went IN. An hour later, stadium was packed with 60k+ fans, players warming up. It was ecstatic.
It was the game against Burnley, under Unai Emery. Dani Ceballos started his first game for us on loan, we had David Luiz too starting his first game in Red and White after a move from Chelsea. We went ahead in 13th minute from a Lacazette’s goal, assisted by Dani boy. Happiness didn’t last long when Burnley scored one just before the half time. It was in the 64th minute when Auba scored the winning goal for us, stadium was buzzing, people were singing and I was on my arse for the rest of the game.
Wonderful experience. Brilliant atmosphere. Dream to watch Arsenal at Emirates was done. I managed to watch few more games before returning from UK, but the first game was special, even though I couldn’t see the players’ faces from up top.
The featured image on this post was the first pic I took of Emirates.
In this 4 years, my love and passion towards AFC has increased – so yeah, it affects my mood even more now. This love made me start a blog, which has 168 articles, 7,599 approved and genuine comments, and 91,500 unique readers. Things have gotten better, both at the club level where we are competing with Man City for the title, having one of the youngest and best group of players playing for us; and for LiR where the traffic is increasing as day passes.
Thank you, for all your support. LiR wouldn’t be anything without the readers.
Cheers.
TRVL,
While you’re there,question for you, your previous thoughts on films showed you to have good taste,I’ve watched a couple of your recommendations since and enjoyed them. KP,Tony etc are also excellent go-to’s when looking for advice but I’d say Tony is asleep now and KP resting his weary bones.
I was just searching for a film to watch and realised I hadn’t watched a good Western in an age. So there’s my question to all, top 5 westerns ever,in order. I’ll tell you mine before I hit the hay tonight.
What an awful story about Spain’s goalscorer Carmona. Her dad died on Friday but she wasn’t told until after today’s game. The poor girl, my heart goes out to her. A timely reminder before we all lose our minds again this season that football is just a sport after all (sorry Shanks).
sorry for the delay Almunia, I just slipped out for a quick 9 before dinner…here goesmy top 5, in no specific order
(1) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
(2) Hell or High Water
(3) True Grit (remake 2010)
(4) No Country for Old Men
(5) Django Unchained
not a huge fan of the genre, from an old school perspective, but you can’t go wrong with any of these masterpieces…Cheers
Almunia,
It’s disheartening. I don’t know what to say except to repeat – sports are not bigger than livee and families.
two very watch-worthy sporting events yesterday that I would recommend to one and all:
(1) the third and deciding set between the Joker and the new and emerging phenom Alcaraz
(2) the round of 61 by Hovland at the BMW Championship-he was 4 back at the turn until he shot a 28 on the back 9
have a good one
Almuhnia-that’s some bat shit crazy nonsense, although it seems somewhat par for the course considering the internal shit show within the Spanish women’s footballing hierarchy…heads should roll
Morning all
Almunia
I slept through the 2nd half and missed the Chaves getting handed their arse on a plate.
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Good westerns are few & far between these days, but I’d agree with TRVL’s choices and add this page for you for future reference.
https://horseyhooves.com/best-modern-western-movies/
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Seen most and have the others waiting to watch.
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However, Hollywood is churning out some brilliant westerns in series form:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4236770/ Yellowstone is excellent as are the prequels:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18335752/ Prequel in reverse order 1923
Almunia continued
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13991232/ The earliest prequel of Yellowstone 1883
Those are all brilliantly written, acted and scenery. 10/10 for all 3 series
You can add the Deadwood series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/ with Ian Mcshane & Timothy Olyplant + a worthy 8/10
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Finally, if you’re a Sly fan Tulsa King is Stallone showing he’s still got it more than Arne 9/10https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16358384/
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That should keep you busy for whenever you get a modern or old style western urge my friend. 🙂
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LIR
Some strange results over the weekend not least Chelsea & Manure losing and some of the newer relations to the top 5 (5 CL places this season), such as the really fun to watch Brighton and Emery’s Aston Villa. Forest will get a few scalps as will the Hammers, Palace, Brentford and I hate to say but Spuds, too
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Manure and the Chaves will be tough to beat, but won’t be challenging for the title, which I see between City, Pool, Us and Newcastle at the moment. I say us because we should be strongly challenging, but reading again that Spuds and Chavs want Bolagun, and yet for some reason Arteta doesn’t. Why? Because Bolagun broke the cardinal rule; he asked for some guaranteed playing time, so Arteta deems that as being disrespectful in his warped mind and sets a fee for Bolagun to be sold. Partey is also up for sale as is KT all red flags if we don’t replace, as we’ll fall again at the end of the season as the last 2 times. The press is saying our buying is being reviewed? Whether that’s a positive or negative we’ll see soon enough.
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This is from a guy who has won nothing in 4 years. It’s funny, but Arteta wanted to do the same with Saliba and aren’t we lucky someone stopped the idiot, mistake ridden manager. Arteta’s Palace war cry is to ‘impose yourselves’ in the press.
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Woy’s pwess is always tight and defending from pwessing in our final third. All joking aside, Roy, is not only a gentleman, but still a top manager even though he’s 76. He has my full respect.
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If we want to be lifting the Title trophy at the end of the season, we have to go toe to toe with City and Klopp’s Pool. The only difference is when they drops the odd point we have to be winning and also our head to heads.
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When you look at the simple maths there at 8 teams to fit into 5 CL places, the rest will fall into the Europa and conference Euro cups. I’m sure they find a way to add another Euro cup soon and devalue a Euro cup win in the process.
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I think back in the 80s you couldn’t lose more than 3 games if you wanted to win the league. It was an unwritten statement, such as a top rugby union team will generally lose if they give away more than 13 penalties. I think the leagues will be similarly tight this season where every hard fought point gained is really going to make the difference. Every week we need to be making statements of our intent to win the league.
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I think that’s a fair statement we all are invested in being Gooners, right?
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So far Arteta has fucked Timber in the various ways he wanted a RB to play, but Arteta is a specialist in breaking players: Partey, Tomi, ESR, Saliba, Saka almost, KT, Zinchenko and Jesus with more to follow this season when he does his usual selection farce, as seen last week, and continuing indecision with his in-game management. He never understands why the negatives happen in games, as he feels he’s too good for that to happen to him. After all they don’t happen to Pep, so why me Arteta asks himself no doubt? It’s simple, we all can see that Arteta if is a far cry from Pep the cheque-book manager.
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Arteta is still there rookie 1.0 of himself going into his 5th year.
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KP
Rested up and ready for the week? I won’t wait up until 2am because it’s not the waiting up or going to bed at 4am, it’s the adrenaline that takes time to calm down even when it’s heavily herboxulated. 1 to 2 hours to find sleep is no fun, so I’ll find a repeat time on the Thai satellite.
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How about LIR readers? Any thoughts on the season or tonight’s game?
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Have a good one LIR.
Hola muchachos
I’m behind (English) enemy lines in Bristol seeing my mates off back to Catalunya so I’ll be brief (for a change!).
Western themed films? The Outlaw Josey Wales is terrific. The best and funniest spitting I’ve seen in any film bar none. Eastwood’s best in my view. And you can’t beat Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for the sheer 3-way chemistry between Newman, Redford and Katherine Ross.
Hoping to be back in time for Woy and the Lego Toy Boy ce soir. Palace, Palace Who the fuck are Palace – as the old song goes!
Tony – I’m feeling knackered mate. After today I’m going to limit my time spent on motorways in little cars! I’ll catch up later. Went to a brilliant Northern Soul event yesterday. But no talcum powder and gyrating – just cider. Ouch!