A guest post by Georgaki and Sensational Arsenal.Thanks boys.
In Chesterfield (GP):
When I was at university I enjoyed switching the radio on at midnight after a period of study to listen to the jingle for a Greek station. Barely discernable above the crackle of the interference I would hear the gentle, distant sound of goat bells followed by the smooth sound of a shepherd’s flute. I found that tune particularly intriguing. I was transported to another world, a distant place, somewhere in the ether yet I was still in my room. In my mind’s eye I could not discern the face of the shepherd although I knew he had a sheepskin capote draped over his shoulders. He was standing on a rocky outcrop on a mountain somewhere in Hellas as he was rounding up his flock. I found that to be a particularly beautiful image.
Then a voice would announce the name of the station, the time and the reach of the radio service. I was excited at the thought that folk in ‘Panama’ might well be listening and having similar thoughts to mine. To be somehow in contact, at that instant, with people on the other side of the earth was such an exciting concept. I had not yet heard the term ‘global village’, this was afterall the early eighties; the age of the World Wide Web was a least and decade and some, years away.
So, it was entirely understandable that my sense of excitement was rekindled when Sensational Arsenal decided to encourage and develop my idea of a ‘virtual Emirates’. This idea, in turn, was stimulated by Arsenal Andrew’s inspiring post about the beauty of Arsenal’s global fan base. For me that was a seminal post which underlined the global appeal of Arsenal which, in my opinion, is overwhelmingly due to the wonderful football played and therefore ultimately because of Arsene Wenger.
So we decided to install the google hangouts app, exchange gmail addresses and watch a game together. That first game we watched was the first leg against Fenerbahce. It was a very exciting event. I placed my iPad on a stand and set it up on a coffee table facing me as I sat on my sofa to watch the game on the TV. The idea was that SA could see me as I watched the game and hopefully see me scream with joy when we scored. And that is how it happened. The handset icon appeared on my iPad monitor as SA was dialling in. I accepted the call and after a second or two, there he was, SA smiling at me whilst sitting in his home in Chennai, India. The marvels of technology indeed!
We had a brief chat, I introduced my wife, son and one of my daughters and we sat down for the game. It was a great game too. We played well and SA had to contend with a 10 second delay on his TV. I made all sorts of noise in response to incidents in the game that he would see 10 seconds later. At least he would be relieved that the biggest noise was because we scored.
We managed to persuade Pedantic George to join us for a game, I believe it was the away game at Fulham. PG’s computer must be a relic because he could see us but we couldn’t see him, only hear him. Maybe we should have a wip round and get him an iPad!
Watching games in our ‘virtual Ashburton Grove’ is a wonderful experience. Others have expressed an interest to join us. We hope they do soon. Come on you Gunners!
In Chennai (SA):
One of the first things I think about after waking up in the morning is, “Match day!” There is a small nice feeling associated with that thought.
Then, as I have my breakfast, I read the comments posted overnight on Positively Arsenal. Then it is down to doing my day, doing things I should do and doing things I shouldnt do.
Sometimes when I go out to do some chores on a matchday, I see some football shirts. The common ones here are Manure’s picnic blankets with Rooney, Barcelona’s with Song (hehe. Just kidding) and some Chelsea shirts with Hazard. Occasionally I see our shirt. Surprisingly, the most popular one is Arshavin, followed by Wilshere. Yet to see a Rosicky shirt. Idiots.
Since this is India, you see all sorts of fakes that are dirt cheap. Artistic license is also freely used. I have seen our club crest on all sorts of colourful designs. Did you know that we have a red shirt with two white and purple diagonal stripes?
Personally, I dont like wearing our club shirt because I dont want to go around advertising “Fly Emirates”. So hopefully, one day when I attend my first game at the Arsene Wenger Stadium/Ashburton Grove, I will be wearing that 1970’s red and white shirt (cotton please, no synthetic shit) with just a cannon above my heart.
If the match is at 3 PM, it is at 8.30 PM my time. Then I time my chores such that I am sitting on my sofa comfortably at 8.30. I consciously avoid being early to avoid the bullshit spouted in the match preview on TV. Of course the best laid plans have a way of blowing up in your face. Right at 8.30, someone in the family will decide that they want something from the shop round the corner.
On champions league nights, the match starts at 1.15 AM my time and ends at 3.15 AM. If I stay up, I start getting sleepy right before kickoff. So I go to bed at 11 and set the alarm for 1.05 AM. I freshen up and sit in front of the TV at 1.15AM. Usually Georgaki joins me on Google Hangouts. We discuss recent Arsenal results and then it is onto the match. It is great watching the match with a fellow supporter who is of a similar mindset. Sharing the oohs and the aahhs makes the game all the more enjoyable.
There is an unique aspect to our online video call. My TV has a 10+ second delay over Georgaki’s TV because he is in the UK. So initially, when we started this, there were moments Arsenal were defending and Georgaki would be shouting and celebrating our goal. Nowadays, I am happy to hear his shouting. Then, I mentally block everything from his side (sorry mate) and focus on our play. 10 seconds later, we are celebrating together, high-fiving the air and saying a lot of “YEAH!!!” and “YESSSS!!!”.
A goal conceded sees our spirits dampened. A loss sees the both of us flopped on our sofas with folded arms. Victory sees us with permanent fixed smiles.
After the final whistle, we discuss the game a little and then I go and resume my sleep.
I understand how you would want to watch each second of the game as it happens. I like that too. However, do join us on times when you are in the mood to watch a game with us for company
Positively Arsenal 
Most games I watch on a broadcast I watch with friends but I’d love to join you guys one day. Tonight I’ll be braving a spectacle which will hopefully be beyond the control of Micky D.
UTA
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Lovely stuff! I hope you 2 are high fiving tonight boys!
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I am struggling to hold it together here.
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PG
Are you nervous? You’re not the only one….
It’s pretty quiet around here lately?????
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My Prediction has been consistent! 5 – 0 to the Arsenal. Giroud Hattrick; Theo and Poldi! The more the merrier though cos goal diff may yet come in handy! Chelsea more than any other team deserve a drubbing! Plus we need to improve our goal diff, so why not
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Could someone please offer Glen hoddle a job . He is going to hurt himself bending over backwards kissing spudnik a•$ for the head coaching job. Anywho, I read a long time ago that he was some kind of cultist a few years ago. Good luck with levy with that. One more rash appointment from him and he will be looking for his next position.
Getting ready To head out to the pub for the game soon. We are expecting around fifty GOONERS today. Should be more than enough to hold our own against five to ten glory hunting chavskis.
UP WITH THE GUNNERS OF ARSENAL!!!!!
lets get Moe sacked. What better gift for new years. Enjoy the game everyone….
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TEAM SPIRIT
why not indeed… lol
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Excellent writing guys. I’ve been at work today and just heading off through wind and rain and storm to do my bit for the boys. Speak to you later.
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good line up for tonight, nervous but quietly confident COYG
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Fascinating insight into how two other Gooners watch the game using current modern technology.
I would be hopeless at that as I become totally absorbed in the game and scream at the TV when there is a refereeing indiscretion; a missed goal chance; a goal for us; a despairing groan if we concede; etc.etc.
Not a nice sight at the best of times, and worse on game nights – but well done lads – I wish I was more like you two. 🙂
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Yes, must admit I’m in the Henry B mould of observer, get way too absorbed in the games and struggle with interruption …
We’re good enough to beat this lot – here goes!
Good luck everybody.
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Here we go now. Its kick ass time. Run them jerks out of here…..
COYG… ARSENAL .ARSENAL.ARSENAL..
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To hell with the referee. blast them..
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What’s up y’all!
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That was close!
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We are playing very well considering the weather conditions and the parked bus…. basterd. Something’s never change……
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Come on boys, settle down.
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Riley is a boob…. that was clearly a pen.
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Looked so to me g’kam.
Mikel got away with that tackle too.
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Hay PAULEE..
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What’s up bruh!
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He is fast losing control that idiot. Chelski is fouling indiscriminately. Fat frank has four fouls already.
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Does Ramsey look tired, or is it just me?
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That is the idea when playing Arsenal, no? Foul to stop the play.
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I hate Mike Dean. I really do. What does he have against us? every bloody time we have him referee one of our games, he looks out of his depth and never, ever gives us anything. Mikel should be off, Theo should’ve had a penalty.
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Hey Paul
When are you going to join us?
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He has given the chavs cartablanch. One pay back by ROSICKY and he gets a warning. I just hope we don’t lose anyone important on the cusp of getting our injured back now. Being full strength gives us so many more options we are going to need.
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Hey Pedantic
Are you coping?
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Shoot.
I meant dean. Baste••• look so much alike and act the same.
COYG. show me steel…
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Watch the counter
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I just want to see JT fall flat on his face again and the three points. Is that asking too much???
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G-p, when is the next match online meet up?
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I have a feeling Arteta is going to come up big in this game.
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If he makes it through the game
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Come on boys!
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At least we didn’t lose.
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Paul
I’m certainly up for the Newcastle v Arsenal on Sunday
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Man, the opportunities were there but our passing and movement was off a bit.
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Very tricky match because of the rain and slippery pitch and ball, Arsenal cautious as a result and not in top gear, Aaron a little subdued, Jack missing really as this type of game and pitch suits his dribbling style, Chelsea predictably physical, Mikel, Terry and Ramirez especially and defensive shape all night; a fair result for us. Either side, one lucky shot or deflection would have done it, and would have been a travesty had we lost like that. Not a classic but a bit of a battle out there.
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Ok, let me see if that is on on nbcsports.
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Well, that was a very frustrating game to watch. Conditions didn’t help us, but our passing seemed somewhat off especially in the first half. Second half, I felt we did better and had a couple of good chances but it just wasn’t enough. Anyway, Mourinho got his tactics spot-on. Spend trillions of dollars on attacking talent and come to our stadium to park the bus. It’s just so annoying that with any other referee we probably would’ve won this game because Chelsea would have been a man down for 60+ minutes (or at the very least we would’ve gotten a deserved penalty ). A clear example where referee incompetence has had an influence on the match.
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I would like to see some shots from distance to be honest. You cannot tell if there was space but it seems there were a few.
No subs at all from AW.
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So more Arsenal players were booked in that game than Chelsea players.
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ZP is correct, we played cautiously. I though we were going to come on strong after the OG chance but we slowed it right back down.
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That Is nuts Evil.
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It was one of those, important to win, crucial not to lose; and Arsenal put the brakes on in terms, especially not to concede fouls in the middle with the slippery pitch. Same with Chelsea, 4 at the back 5 across the middle and noose around Theo. I thought we created 2 excellent chances, possible penalty, and Mikel should have been sent off; they had a very decent chance, a couple of long rangers. It’s what you expect with two top teams in these conditions, a tactical, cautious, cagey game of few chances. Chelsea decided not to play football, and not lose. I felt Santi might have come on for Tomas and done a job.
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so frustrating. Dean is a useless bas••••.
Should have given them so pain back at the very least. Lampard, Ramirez and a few more punks.we had them by the b••ls. Watch and hear AW s talk after. Defense was amazing. Very proud.
Romanyst be so happy with his teams performance after all that expenditure. You can’t BUY CLASS & HISTORY.
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I am optimistic. We are second only on goal difference. Liverpool play Chelski and ManShitty next…points will be dropped by them and we benefit from that. We must win against West Ham and Newcastle….
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Sadly it looks like the crowd is going to be seriously depleted thanks to the weather!
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Sorry my last post is out of sync as I composed it before the game but couldn’t get a signal. Turned out to be a better crowd than it looked 30 minutes before kick off.
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