A proper football match by Gavin

After going sight seeing most of the day, only three out of the whole group went to a Barclays Premier League football (soccer) game. The game was outstanding! The two teams were Arsenal and Wigan Athletic. As soon as I stepped onto the stadium grounds I had the biggest smile EVER on my face. Arsenal had home advantage and were favored to win the match. As soon as the game began, just about every seat in the stadium (which can hold over 60,000 people) filled up. The game started slowly. The defense for Arsenal were not paying attention and let the Wigan Athletic forwards slip past at lightning speed. They left their goalie alone and Wigan scored their first goal. 1-0 Wigan. About five minutes later the same thing happened? 2-0 Wigan! Arsenal was getting "bloody" mad at this point (particularly the goalie) and they were in need of two goals! As a defenseman myself, I couldn't help but think how important my position is, even though sometimes I forget. Being in the crowd was like being at a concert where everyone knew all of the words. It was interesting to hear thousands of people singing various songs to the tunes of familiar songs. It felt a lot different from games in the US. At about the 23 minute mark, Arsenal scored and the crowd went ridiculous. Proud English soccer fans held their scarfs over their heads, photos were snapped, songs were sung, and we went into halftime, 2-1.

As the second half began, Arsenal and their fans were hungry for that second goal, necessary to tie the game. The Arsenal played some amazing soccer, sorry, football, in the second half but couldn't find the goal to tie the game. The game ended 2-1 Wigan. What I enjoyed most about the game was the crowd. Leaving the stadium to the entrance of the Tube was unreal. People were packed together like sardines slowly passing police on horses and people asking for money for charities for about 30-45 minutes before we finally boarded the tube home. The difference between the fans here and the fans back home is huge, and I would love to go to another game some day.

The first day in England was priceless, despite spending a lot of money, and falling asleep on the Tube on the way home from the game.

-Gavin
Grade 9