Horizon 22…

Psst! Want a fabulous view of London? For free. Head up to the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate. 

At 254m it’s the tallest free viewing platform in Europe. 

Amazing views. Jaw-dropping. 

(Only the Eiffel Tower and the Ostankino Tower in Moscow are higher, but both charge entry. As does The Shard - £32 if you turn up on the day. And is lower!)

@horizon22b 

Brentford 0 - 1 Arsenal…

It was a cliched ‘Wet Wednesday’ fixture as the Gunners travelled to Brentford in the Carabao Cup third round last night. 

Luckily there was nothing hackneyed about Aaron Ramsdale’s exceptional return to the team though. 

His performance proved pivotal in ensuring Arteta's side booked a fourth-round meeting at West Ham.

Yes, Reiss Nelson scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute after a mistake in defence by the hosts, but it’s Ramsdale who quite literally saved the day. 

@Arsenal #BREARS #CaraboaCup #COYG @aaronramsdale 

Beautiful Thing @ Stratford East Theatre…

Last Friday night, Stuart and I went to see a fresh production of Beautiful Thing at the Stratford East Theatre in London glitzy Stratford.

We’re both massive fans of Jonathan Harvey’s seminal play of course and go and see pretty much every production we can. This 30th anniversary reimagining of the play through a black queer lens was excellent.  

We know the play almost backwards but laugh along to every line like it’s the first time we’ve heard it. Which of course is the genius of the writing.

We had a great night and would definitely recommend it. 

Happy Birthday to Me…

Myrtle treated me to lunch yesterday. Just the two of us. 

“You arrived at 7:30pm on the Tuesday night. Born at home. 7lb 4oz. With those big blue eyes you were such a beautiful baby. So well behaved. You were a joy.”

“Ha ha. Downhill after that I bet! Hope I wasn't a disappointment to you.”

“No. Not at all. Never. You have always been a joy to both your father and me. We were both so happy that you are happy. With your life. It’s all we ever wanted for you. To be happy.”

Aww. (I know what she’s really talking about.) ❤️ 🏳️‍🌈

Arsenal 2 - 2 Spurs…

The North London Derby yesterday was a captivating game, it ebbed and flowed, but ultimately must feel like a disappointment for the mighty Arsenal. 

Tottenham twice came from behind after Arsenal had led through a Cristian Romero own goal and a Bukayo Saka penalty. Son Heung-min twice equalised for Spurs to keep both teams unbeaten this season.

Great atmosphere at the GG pre-match meet-up, in the stadium of course, and at the pub afterwards. 

Points dropped but we go again next week. COYG. 

#ARSTOT @Arsenal 

It’s Headed Straight Towards Us @ Park Theatre…

Last night Stuart and I went to see Adrian Edmundson and Nigel Planer’s comic three-hander It’s Headed Straight Towards Us at the Park Theatre in London’s glitzy… Finsbury Park. 

Superbly performed by Rufus Hound as washed-up bad boy actor Gary, and Samuel West as prissy self-doubting thespian Hugh the action takes place in a film trailer in Iceland. Trying to keep the bickering duo in line is show runner Leela played beautifully by Nenda Neururer. Rachel Kavanaugh direction is assured as the action unfurls. 

We got snowed on, the earth (and ice) moved, and we laughed a lot. Good fun. 

Arsenal 4 - 0 PSV Eindhoven…

As that Champions League music started up I confess I had a tear or two of emotion in my eye. By the end of the match, those tears were tears of utter joy. 

Was it raining? Gee, I hadn’t noticed. 

Yes, Arsenal returned to the Champions League in emphatic style last night as we thundered into our first campaign in six years with an impressive win over PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.  

Our opening Group B game saw a thrilling first half display - much like the weather, the goals were simply raining down. Bukayo Saka’s stunning opener scoring after eight minutes, Leandro Trossard's wonderful smooth low finish twelve minutes later, and Jesus’s thoroughly deserved third just seven minutes before half-time. 

Although Mikel Arteta made a bunch of changes in the second half - no doubt with Sunday's North London derby in mind (Smith-Rowe’s arrival being of particular note) - we stayed in command up until the end. Martin Odegaard made it four - a gloriously powerful strike with 20 minutes left.

So it was a euphoric night, a stupendous result, and all so richly deserved. 

#COYG #ARSPSV @Arsenal

Hurkle-durkle…

Today I am hurkle-durkling. 🛌 

Hurkle-durkle (v.) to lay around in bed long after you should have got up [Scots].

Everton 0 - 1 Arsenal…

Arsenal’s 74% possession said it all. We dominated for much of the game last night at Goodison Park. If Martinelli’s disallowed first-halfer seemed rather harsh, it meant Trossard’s second-half winner was all the sweeter. 

#EVEARS @Arsenal #awayday #COYG