Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city, and my final stop in the country before heading back to Sydney for a few days. Then, Asia!
The venue of choice for the Arsenal games is usually The Fox pub on the Viaduct, where a small amount of Arsenal fans usually congregate. We managed to get around about 20 people for the 8:45am kickoff against Coventry City, which isn't a bad amount considering there's no active supporters club. In fact, it's something that the local Gooners are trying to resurrect, and based on the turnout I think it's safe to say there's some real potential to get a decent number of people involved, because there's a good number around. In fact, it doesn't matter what city, country, continent I'm in, I just can't stop bumping into Arsenal fans. I even went into a butcher to get some sausages for a BBQ, and I bumped into a Gooner working there, who was proud to show off his memorabilia.
A butcher in Auckland. Also a Gooner. |
So, we're through to the next round of the FA Cup, where we'll be meeting Liverpool at home. I have one last game in Auckland, the Premier League tie in Southampton, before bidding farewell to this utterly beautiful country.
Until then.
COYG