Champions League: Dynamo Kyiv at Arsenal

In the first Champions League match I have attended since 2001, Arsenal defeated Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 on a late goal by Nicklas Bendtner. Once again, I attended the match with “Hospitality Jim” who started to think I was an Arsenal jinx since Arsenal had played 177 minutes without scoring a goal with me in attendance. Instead, with a free kick from beyond the mid field line, Cesc Fabregas launched a pass to Nicklas Bendtner who put the ball in the net for the only goal of the game.

Pre and Post Game Dining
Before the match, we ate at Pinchito Tapas at 322 Featherstone Street, a Basque tapas bar in Islington. If going from the Old Street tube station to Arsenal remember to take the Northern City Line, which is part of the network rail line rather than the Northern Line. This train will go directly to Drayton Park – a short walk to Emirates Stadium.

After the match, we went to a bar around the corner from the restaurant we dined at before the Aston Villa match - 25 Canonbury Lane. However, instead of ordering beer, the “Arsenal boys” were buying bottles of champagne just as they had 10 days prior. Maybe the Ultimate Sports Wife and I will need to adopt a “champagne only” mentality before Bears games rather than drinking cheap beer.

Emirates Stadium
In my two Arsenal matches at Emirates Stadium, I have not been impressed with the Arsenal faithful. Emirates Stadium, nicknamed the Library for the supporters subdued attitude, has been relatively quiet compared to the other matches I have attended in Europe. Also, the stadium has taken on more of an NFL stadium feel, rather than the old stadium feel of other European soccer stadiums.