Hello world!
I’m James ‘Raul’ Stokes. That’s me looking pleased with myself in the picture. If you’ve clicked onto this page, you’re probably pondering to yourself, “Who on Earth is responsible for this?”. Well… That would be me. I’m just a simple soul who loves the Arsenal. By now, you may even be asking yourself, “Why does he do this?”. Well… That’s actually very simple: It’s something I absolutely adore doing.
Hello!
Writing has long been a passion of mine. What I may lack in correct structuring and grammatical prudence, I attempt to make up for with enthusiasm, humour and a touch of the surreal.The Armchair Gooner merges my two greatest loves, and represents my first marginally successful blog. Over time I aim to grow a readership and further exposure to the masses. Who knows… I might just become an internet sensation…
Most importantly, I’m doing this blog for you people, the delicious readers. Hopefully, you will be able to glean as much enjoyment from reading as I will from writing. Or perhaps we’ll all end up bickering and part on bad terms. We shall have to see.
As an Arsenal fan of some 25+ years now, I thought the most suitable way to get the ball rolling would be to highlight a few of the key moments during my tenure as a fan. Below are some of my favourite moments over the years as a staunch Gooner:
- Patrick Vieira’s goal at White Hart Lane against Spurs when we clinched the league title there – still my favourite goal of all time from an Arsenal player. The speed of the break and the precision of passes from Henry and Bergkamp still blows me away when I see it
- The ‘Untouchables’ season of 2003/2004
- Alan Smith’s volleyed winner against Parma in the Cup Winners Cup of 1994
- The day we signed Dennis Bergkamp and the huge leap forward it represented. Only a year previously we’d bought Chris Kiwomya
- Thierry Henry making an absolute mug out of Danny Mills
- Patrick Vieira returning to Highbury a Juventus player. The goal scored by Cesc Fabregas was brilliant, but the tackle on Vieira from Robert Pires – of all people – made it that little bit sweeter
- Anders Limpar’s goal from the halfway line against Liverpool (I think it was)
- Micheal Thomas in 89; the best end to a season you’ll ever see
- David Seaman’s astonishing save in a F.A Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. Seaman had been subjected to all sorts of derogatory remarks in the press and answered his critics with a save which even one-time rival and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel described as “The best save I’ve ever seen”
- The battles between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira
- Winning the title at Old Trafford
- Kanu’s hat-trick against Chelsea
- Tony Adams’ goal against Everton when we’d sealed the league title in 1998
- Every moment of ‘Mad’ Jens Lehmann’s Arsenal career – he was so entertaining
- Emmanuel Eboue
- Bergkamp’s hat-trick at Leicester City
- Andrey Arshavin’s 4 goals at Liverpool
- Thierry Henry’s endless list of world-class goals and approach play
- John Terry’s face-planting antics in the 5-3 defeat of Chelsea
- Coming from 2 down to wallop Spurs for 5
- Pires’ chip over Schmeichel at Villa Park
There are so many more, far too many to mention, but I’m sure you get the idea. Here’s hoping they’ll be a few more recent ones for me to add.
Man, that goal RvP scored was something else. I’d forgotten about that until you mentioned it.
As far as great moments go – The goals Freddie and Ray Parlour scored against Chelsea in the cup final. I was at the Millenium Stadium for that game, it was such an incredible atmosphere that day.
You’re right; there are way too many to mention!
I remember the goal that Michael bloody Thomas scored in 1989 to deny Liverpool the double.
No1 son had just been born, and it was his and my wife’s first night back at home from hospital. Is at on the settee, with the 3 day old Sam in my arms and we settled down for me to introduce him to another great night for Liverpool Football Club.
Huh!
A few nights later, he again lay in my arms as Lancashire lost out to some other less worthy county in a one day cricket final.
Luckily, he’s taken no interest in either football or cricket ever since.
What’s all this about Arsene Wenger* being arrested?
Something to do with causing major disruption to European air travel with a large cloud of dust.
Apparently, he opened the door to the Arsenal** trophy cabinet.
(If preferred, insert Roberto Mancini at *, and Manchester City at **)
You bitch…
Are you trying to be funny, nobbly san?
He has to try.
Liverpool fans need a sense of humour at the moment.
I’ve already got the sense of humour, now we just need a few decent players….six or seven would do for a start.
Good to see you building a new readership JayJay! I may not be a gooner, but I’ll always try to drop in with a smartarse comment or six.
Dude, it wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t.
hhhh yeah
sooner or later liverpool will have to slash the ‘n’ from anfield
I really like you’re site! Just thought I’d let you know
I agree. With time you should get a big following
Try getting a link from the big sites.
That could help a lot.
Nice read Jay keep up the good work.
Good blog.
just read your blog for the first time i am 76 living in france i get to watch all arsenal matches followed arsenal all my life but am very sad in what is now happening cannot see any hope of improvement unless we stop buying average players gerviho squillace pod cham park remember slyvestre always arsenal had great keepers and defenders where have they all gone i dream berkamp henry pires overmars petit adams mclintock why has the management not continued in this type of players shame on them all
AT 7 MIL A YEAR WHAT IS THIS MAN DOING TO US IT IS JUST DEPRESSING .SAD TO SEE TIME FOR CHANGE NEVER MORE EVIDENT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM .