"You've only had one shot, you've only had one shot"
My son and I met Northy at the train station 
to catch the 9:00am train. As we had been let down by SoccerAM (were they REALLY Baggies fans they had on!), first stop in the Smoke was a good breakfast and a taxi ride to the Albion Pub in Shoreditch which turned out to be the highlight of the day. Soon after downing the first one and having a good chat with Dave the landlord in walked our new friends from Sweden followed by Dave67, Ardbaggie and co. The Albion pub is a MUST for any Baggie visiting London, it's full of Albion memorabilia and the landlord and staff are very friendly.
The Emirates is an absolutely beautiful stadium and another great reason to do this fixture. In we went with the other miserly 1,400 Baggies (come on Albion we could have easily sold 2500 to 3000 for this one!). Our seats were right down the front where I found it quite hard to watch the match (along with the alcohol) because we were way too low.
Starting line-up
I thought straight away the line up was wrong. 
Although it was good to see Gera back in the stripes, where was our holding midfielders? With Scharner out surely Mulumbu would be first on the team sheet. Coxy upfront on his own had disaster written all over it too I feared.
First half
It didn't take Arsenal long to take control of the game, after a poor pass from Gera to Coxy the unmarked Walcott drilled a shot that Foster could only force back to the feet to the one Arsenal player you didn't want to get it: Van Persie. 1-0. It's going to be along afternoon this one.
With the quick feet of Morrison the ball was passed across the box to Thomas, “SHOOT!” we cried, but Thomas had other ideas and put his acting skills into faking a foul for a pen that ref Oliver was never going to give. Soon after Arsenal had another corner which was poorly cleared and that man Van Persie drilled the ball back across the box for Vermaelen to blast it home, 2-0. At the break it's time for a quick beer to try and calm the nerves but the watered down Carlsberg failed.
Second half
Even though we came to the Emirates not expecting to get much from the game I was hoping to see more than a one sided match. Arsenal’s third goal was just brilliant football. That pain in the neck Van Persie played a beautiful ball to Rosicky who found Arteta to hit what looked from where we were sat a stunning goal. Game over, if it wasn't beforehand. I felt we used this game purely to try some different formations out, which obviously didn't work.
On reflection
To be honest I felt let down yesterday, I didn't expect to win but I did expect us to have a go!
You know you've been poor when the home fans start chanting "you've only had one shot, you've only had one shot". Soon after hearing this Reidy had a half decent header on goal so a few of us at the front stood up and gave them some back with "We've only had two shots. We've only had two shots!" Pathetic I know.
Sorry if this match report has been vague but it was a game I’d be happy to forget very quickly. We did have a good laugh all day though with the other folks from this board which always makes the misery of a defeat more bearable.
Anyhow, onwards and upwards as they say. Let's use the international break to regroup, get the injured players back and get all 3 points off Bolton.
Have your say on Albion's defeat at Baggies Banter.