Meet the Gooner Family [Kurtis, New York City]

Meet Kurtis Powers, host for the NYC segment of Gooner On The Road and probably better known as  co-founder of the NYC Arsenal Supporters club. Kurt is a great friend of mine, and I have to say that if I hadn't met the guy back in 2010 I probably wouldn't have come up with the idea for the Gooner On The Road adventure.

Gooner On The Road and Kurtis Powers

Kurtis Powers

Q. Why Arsenal?

My family supported either West Ham or Arsenal, so I had a choice to make and I guess I picked the right one, - there's no going back, that's for sure. Aside from football and the history I guess the global fanbase is second-to-none. The family aspect that it represents to me is unrivalled. I go over to the UK and spend Christmas with friends met through Arsenal, the Gooner Family. Even if we dropped to the 3^rd division I'd never stop supporting Arsenal.

Q. Started Supporting Arsenal?

Losely in the early nineties, but I became serious 1997-1998.

Q. Favourite Player?

Bergkamp, I know everybody else says the same and I'd like to come up with a more creative answer, but for me it's Bergkamp, and a very close second would be Wrighty, who he used to link up with on a regular basis. To me, Bergkamp was like Iceman from topman, slick and cool. Wright was like the Mick Jagger of football, he had that amazing presence. 

Of course I also appreciate Henry because of the relationship we have through the NYC Arsenal Supporters and that we recognise each other.

Q. Favourite current Player?

Jack Wilshere because he grew up through the Arsenal and he went from a boy to a man with the club, he represents the badge. A close second would be Koscielny, he's humble in his approach and he puts his heart (sometimes before his head) into every performance.

Q. Favourite Arsenal moment?

Of recent, I haven't had as much of a buzz as when Arshavin scored the winner against Barcelona at The Emirates. My second choice would be the Fabregas goal against Tottenham where he went on a run and scored whilst everybody was still celebrating the Van Persie goal and the TV was still catching up. The fact that initially nobody watching the game on TV had any idea what was happening made it all the more entertaining.

Q.Where do you watch Arsenal in NYC?

Blind Pig and O'Hanlons.

Q. Emirates or Highbury?

Emirates. I have more of a personal connection with The Emirates and I've never seen us lose at The Emirates whilst I've attended in person. Highbury is good but once more people accept the fact that we've moved to The Emirates for a positive reason, the better the Emirates will become. The Arsenalisation has made the Emirates feel like it's becoming our true home, but of course we have no history there yet which is why Highbury will stick out in most Arsenal fan's memories. For me, history will be made at the Emirates.

Q. League Prediction?

I think we're going to finish 1^st or 2^nd. I think top 4 will be Arsenal City Liverpool Chelsea, United finishing out the top 4.

Q. Who will be Arsenal's player to watch this season?

Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil. Ramsey is getting better and better every week, I think he could score 20-25 goals this season. Ozil brings something special that will help the other players around him get better. He's a real positive influence.