Old Gunners and Gooners : Next Generation Emerges.

Today is the 5,000th day since the team from the Lane, last won a trophy.

Raise a glass.

England Legend from a Previous Generation.

Arsenal offered a Blank Cheque to Blackpool for him in 1954. They refused it.

The Next Generation of Gooners, Emerges.

My Grandson, Guy, in his Lazio kit.

My Granddaughter, Hollie.

Tommo’s son, Dan, in Spain.

Alan’s son, Calan, in Spain.

The tribe of John C.

On a visit to Barcelona, Charlie Mc introduced me to Jose Bakero, who was their captain when they won their first European Cup at Wembley against Sampdoria.

Jose Bakero.

I guess his name is the Spanish version of Joe Baker, my old Arsenal hero.

Summer 2000.

In the summer of 2000, the revolving doors at the Marble Halls were spinning even faster than the previous year.

Out went - Marc Overmars - Emmanuel Petit - Stephen Hughes - Davor Suker & another great servant, Nigel Winterburn.

In came - Lauren - Robert Pires - Sylvain Wiltord - Edu - Igor Stepanovs and youth team protège, Ashley Cole.

Allegedly, Arsene Wenger was prepared to sell Ashley Cole to Crystal Palace, but Don Howe and Liam Brady threatened to resign in protest if he did.

Despite moving to Chelsea later, in my opinion, he’s still the best left back I’ve ever seen play for Arsenal.

Season 2000-2001.

Arsenal took part in a pre season 4 team Tournament in Amsterdam.

They came bottom behind Lazio after losing 2-1 to Barcelona and 2-0 to Ajax.

Ian Wright had moved to Glasgow Celtic and scored on his debut as usual.

League.

Arsenal lost the first game 1-0 at Sunderland, Niall Quinn scoring the only goal, Patrick Vieira was sent off.

Lauren scored on his debut in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Liverpool in the first home game.

In October, Thierry Henry scored a wonderful winning, goal with a 30 yard chip, against Man Utd, to put Arsenal joint top of the table.

In November, Ray Parlour scored a hat trick against Newcastle in a 5-0 victory at Highbury.

In February, Arsenal suffered their heaviest Premier League defeat, 6-1, at Old Trafford.

In March, David “Rocky” Rocastle tragically died of cancer, aged 33.

In April, Matt LeTissier, scored a last minute winner for Southampton in a 3-2 victory against Arsenal, in the last ever game at the Dell.

League Cup.

In the 3rd round, Arsenal lost at Highbury 1-0 against Ipswich.

Champions League.

Arsenal beat Sparta Prague 1-0 away.

Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 at Highbury.

Lazio 2-0 at Highbury.

Then Arsenal drew 1-1 with Lazio in Rome.

Beat Sparta 4-2 at Highbury.

Lost 3-0 to Shakhtar away.

I took my wife for a 5 day holiday to Rome to coincide with the Lazio game.

As you can see, it poured with rain.

Outside the Olympic stadium Rome.

Inside the very wet Olympic stadium.

Lazio Match ticket.

Diego Simeone ain’t happy.

Mihajlovic and Vieira square up.

Some great players there.

We shared a taxi back to the City centre with an American couple afterwards.

They were amazed at the aggressive behaviour of both sets of fans in the ground.

Apparently, in the USA, everyone takes a picnic to there football games.

I said that if it had been the Final, another 25,000 would be here, definitely no picnic.

In the next Group Phase Arsenal lost the first game away at Spartak Moscow 4-1.

Then drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich at Highbury.

Next, Arsenal beat Lyon in France 1-0.

In the return games, Arsenal drew with Lyon 1-1.

Beat Spartak 1-0.

Lost 1-0 to Bayern in Munich.

Arsenal were then drawn against Valencia, but despite winning 2-1 at Highbury, went out on away goals after losing 1-0 in Spain.

3 Original North Bank boys.

FA Cup.

In the 3rd round, Arsenal beat Carlisle 1-0 at Highbury.

In the 4th round, Arsenal beat QPR 6-0 at Loftus Road.

In the 5th round, Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 at Highbury.

In the 6th round, Arsenal beat Blackburn 3-0 at Highbury.

In the semifinal, Arsenal beat the team from the Lane 2-1 at, the ridiculously chosen venue of, Old Trafford.

Patrick Vieira is happy at Old Trafford.

Cardiff.

After dominating for most of the game and missing some great opportunities to score, Arsenal lost the FA Cup Final 2-1 against Liverpool.

The day was also memorable for a certain North Bank Legend, leaving, both, shoppers and football fans alike, gagging for air, after using the public toilet, in a Cardiff City Shopping Centre.