Arsenal 1 - 0 (2 - 1 agg.) Atlético de Madrid…

The Emirates Stadium was jumping last night. Europe had been quietly conquered while everyone else watched the league table. Semi sorted. The final beckons in Budapest. One game from history, Arsenal want it, Arsenal are Hungary.

Yes, Arsenal brushed aside Atlético de Madrid with the calm of a side that now expects these nights. Bayern, Inter, Sporting all filed in the bin already.

Mikel Arteta kept faith with youth & was rewarded. Myles Lewis-Skelly played like this was all perfectly normal. Declan Rice did the heavy lifting with elegance. Ben White remembered he is quite good at football. Viktor Gyokeres caused chaos, Bukayo Saka finished it.

Onwards & upwards, my friends. 

@Arsenal ⚽️  #COYG 🔴⚪️ #ARSATM 🥅 #Arsenal #Atleti #Saka #Rice

Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn (EBTG)…

Last night, Darren Stuart and I went to see Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn (aka Everything but the Girl) at the Union Chapel in London’s glitzy Islington. 

Drawing on their own back catalogues as well as the band’s, the night was quite mesmerising. They steered clear of a few of the more obvious choices (Missing, I Don’t Want to Talk About It, Each and Every One), but it was none the worst for that.

Thorn’s vocals have lost none of their seductive power.  The crowd was captivated. 

Set 1:

Night & Day (Cole Porter cover)

Run a Red Light

Mine

Hendra (Ben Watt song)

English Rose (The Jam cover)

anything (Adrianne Lenker cover)

Smoke (Tracey Thorn song)

Winter's Eve (Ben Watt song)

Single

Walking Wounded

Set 2:

Two Star

Where Are We Now? (David Bowie cover)

Frost & Fire

North Marine Drive (Ben Watt song)

Small Town Girl (Tracey Thorn song)

Three Moon Trail (Family Stereo cover)

Irene (Ben Watt song)

Downhill Racer

Mirrorball

Encore:

Nothing Left to Lose

25th December

You Are Here…

On Sunday Stuart & I headed to London’s glitzy Southbank to help them celebrate their 75th birthday celebrated in fine style with Danny Boyle's culture and history extravaganza You Are Here.  It was (mostly) quite good. 

@southbank_london

The Devil Wears Prada 2…

Went to see The Devil Wears Prada 2.  It reminded me of the Absolutely Fabulous movie. Entertaining enough for two hours with lots of cameos. More of a chuckle than a laughter sort of film. Lots of Easter eggs for fans of the first film. I’m sure they’ll be making a third one. 

Valencia…

Darce & I had a lovely stopover in Valencia yesterday on our way back home; tacos, cocktails, and Spanish sunshine. 🌮🍸🌞🇪🇸

Atlético de Madrid 1 - 1 Arsenal…

Another fab away trip with the @gaygooners

And who doesn’t like an exciting semi in Spain? 

On the pitch, the team did hard bits properly, but forgot to win. Viktor Gyokeres looked part menace, part folding chair, but buried his penalty like a man who had already decided on the ending.

David Raya kept things respectable with saves that suggested he quite enjoys being busy, while Ben White was penalised for grave crime of having arms.

Eberechi Eze nearly delivered late drama but found no sympathy from the referee, who remained unmoved by clear contact. 

Mikel Arteta will note this as a job half done. Level score, home leg to come. 

Onwards & upwards, my friends. 

@Arsenal ⚽️ @Regenersaurus 🦖 @gaygooners 🌈 #COYG 🔴⚪️ #ATMARS 🥅 #AtleticoMadrid #Gyokeres #Eze #Raya #Arteta