The Goon Show

After Champions League heartbreak and a media storm about Drogba’s use of the f-word, the prospect of a visit to the Emirates seemed as welcome as a visit to the dentist. Little did we know the dentist would be using laughing gas!

And boy did we laugh. Marooned in the Upper Tier of the new North Bank amongst thousands of Goons, the first fifteen minutes were painful as shot after shot rained in on our goal. Then, in the blink of an eye – bang, Alex – bang, Anelka. Cue nitrous oxide.

Strangely at half time the Arsenal concourse bar area was upbeat. Perhaps it was the sunshine and balmy weather? Or is that Arsenal have a different breed of supporter? Certainly at Stamford Bridge if we were two-nil down there would be concentrated analysis of the half followed by stormy debate. At the Emirates, conversation wandered between stock options, women and the quality of the beer amidst weak smiles.

Still, it didn’t take long before the Goons were choking on their pies. Bang, Toure - and after Bendtner’s lame effort - Bang, Malouda. That’s the biggest defeat Arsenal have suffered at the Emirates and the first points dropped at home since December. It couldn’t happen to a nicer Club.

The Chelsea end were in good voice particularly as the goals started flowing. Top chant: “We’re staying at home, we’re staying at hoooommme, f**k UEFA we’re staying at home”. The bouncy chant looked particularly impressive but not everybody joined in. Come on chaps, if 4-1 away at Arsenal won’t make us bounce, what will?

Funniest sight of the day had to be Jim, who had steadfastly remained rooted to his seat all game, jump up when Malouda put away the fourth. On realising what he’d done amongst a seething cauldron of angry Goons, Jim shouted “what a load of bollocks, what utter rubbish, guys I’m off home I can’t watch any more of this crap” before throwing his programme angrily on the floor! A quicker exit I’ve yet to see as Jim hastily walked to the exits before sprinting down the stairs. Top sight!

We then popped into the Wig and Gown, Arsenal’s version of the SO bar to enjoy a pint deep into enemy territory and casually agree with everyone there that Arsenal were the Top 4’s equivalent of Newcastle United. One wag even suggested that perhaps that Wenger song had some grain of truth buried within it, after all, the team keep on getting younger and younger! Mischievous to say the least and one we seriously disagree with ;-).

In all seriousness, this was a top display. Professional to the core with the ironic chants of ‘boring, boring Chelsea’ not being lost on the attendant 55,000 Goons.