Looking for the perfect gift for an Arsenal-mad friend, relative or colleague?
The Gooner Fanzine has got you covered.
Read on for our Christmas List as well as Arsenal Christmas book reviews and recommendations for the loyal Gooner in your life.
Apart from taking out a subscription to the Gooner Fanzine here and buying Gooner merch (see our current back cover and online shop here for more) here are a few festive Arsenal-related ideas that make ideal Christmas presents that the Gooner heartily recommends.
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This Sporting Life – Gerry Cranham photographer, created by Mark Leech: If you don’t know the work of legendary sports photographer Gerry Cranham, then we humbly suggest you should. This outstanding book curated by Mark Leech - a big friend of the Gooner and superb photographer in his own right – is utterly marvellous.
We’re proud to say we were part of many likeminded fans and stumped up early doors for their Kickstarter campaign which funded the publication of this masterpiece. Quite simply, if you love sports photography, you have to buy this book.
Featuring anyone who is anyone in the world of sport, but it’s so much more than that as Gerry’s unique eye captures the essence of sport in his unique and mesmerising way.
Buy as many copies as you can of this book and give them to all your friends. They will thank you for sharing such an incredible publication.
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She Wore:
Gav over at She Wore has always been a staunch supporter of the Gooner Fanzine.
We think they’re great too.
They've been selling polo shirts and badgepins since 2010 and their online shop has been set up due to the growing demand for the merchandise they've been producing.
Their aim is to give you the best possible quality for the lowest possible price and deliver it to you as soon as possible.
If you have any questions on the products, wish to bulk buy or you are wholesaling a product you think our customers might like please contact [email protected]
They ship worldwide unless stated below the product
So, why not take a look at their extensive website www.sheworeshop.com for a raft of Arsenal related goodies guaranteed to delight the Gooner in your life.
You can also find a sample of She Wore’s offering on our weekly Friday newsletter.
(Sign up if you haven't already. Every story on here has a box for you to enter your email address to receive your weekly Gooner fix - and She Wore's latest offering.)
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All Roads Lead To The Arsenal by Chris Athanasi.
With more than 165 official fan clubs and many hundreds more unofficial supporters’ clubs, Arsenal is a global institution that has more than 100 million fans worldwide.
No longer the domain of fans from Islington this book warmly shares the experiences of being an Arsenal supporter from all four corners of the globe, staying up or waking up at ungodly hours to watch the heroes from afar, including the one and only Micky Brock from Sydney who we know and love.
Stories of passion, dedication and devotion of a common cause that unites us all.
As author Chris rightly says: “Someone in a faraway land has the same feelings as you when we win, suffers in silence when we lose, and is a kindred spirit for the love of Arsenal Football Club.”
The book can be purchased by emailing [email protected] via Twitter @Teabag61 or through Chris’ Facebook page
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Caviar and Sausages: Arsenal in the time of Wenger by Tony Kokkinos.
‘If you eat caviar every day, it’s difficult to return to sausages,’ said Arsene Wenger famously after an uninspiring draw at Highbury in 1998 against Middlesbrough.
This book takes football fans from Arsene Who to Wenger Out and covers a unique era for our club and English football as author Tony separates Wenger’s rule into three distinct phases: Glory, Austerity and Stagnating.
This book is a narrative and visual analysis of the Caviar - the Invincibles, three titles including two doubles and seven FA Cups and purest Wengerball – and the Sausages: Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal, that nine year trophy drought, those humiliating 5-1 hammerings by Bayern Munich.
On a completely separate note the current Gooner editor was so furious with Wenger’s lame excuses after a 5-1 thrashing in Munich when covering Wenger’s post-match press conference at the Allianz he stayed to file another story and missed his plane home.
This book is a must-read for fans who witnessed some of the best football and players the game has ever seen.
Buy it here
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Over Land and Sea and Lockdown: Arsenal 2020/21 The Corona Diaries by Darren Berry.
We’re big fans of cheeky chappie Darren and this book should be in every Gooner’s Christmas stocking.
A unique account of an unprecedented and at times traumatic year for the Arsenal on and off the pitch, as seen through the eyes of a loyal Arsenal supporter of more than four decades.
Set against the backdrop of a global pandemic that had threatened to change our lives for good, at a time we needed football more than ever to escape the dreadful reality.
Occasionally serious, often lighthearted, always passionate and honest, Darren’s book is an insight into the rollercoaster of emotions experienced during a season like no other.
Buy it here
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We've Only Got One Song: Arsenal Terrace Songs & Chants
There are so many things to recommend this book, not least the brilliant authors Matthew Bazell (Author), Mark Andrews and Paine Proffit (Illustrator).
This book tells the stories behind the songs that have been sung on the terraces at Arsenal throughout its history.
A must read for any true Gooner fan. Over the years Arsenal fans have created incredible atmospheres in football grounds around Europe and come up with some of the funniest and creative chants and songs, the very best of which are featured in this book, along with plenty of fantastic fan memories.
Highly acclaimed artist, Paine Proffit, provides several of his award-winning illustrations, along with evocative photos and memorabilia to accompany the chapters.
We've Only Got One Song is a celebration of supporting Arsenal Football Club, and this book honours every single Arsenal fan who has ever sung in support for the team throughout its proud history. This book is dedicated to them.
Buy it here
Watch author Matthew speak with Gooner Fanzine editor Layth here
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Highbury Memories:
Arsenal supporters share their views from one of football's greatest homes. A warm book full of unashamed nostalgia about oour much-loved and much-missed Highbury home.
Buy it here
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Ruth Beck Art and Christmas cards:
We absolutely love Ruth’s work here at the Gooner.
Why not visit her website www.ruthbeckart.com for her evocative images, prints and cards of all things Arsenal and North London. You won’t be disappointed.
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Arsenal Editor:
We happen to think Nils Ekenberg is great.
Take a look at his shop highburysq.com to find more stylish prints, t-shirts, posters, mugs and more. He’s a great guy too, whose work has featured in the hallowed pages of the Gooner Fanzine.
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Arsenal Wenger: 50 Defining Fixtures by Layth Yousif. This hardy perennial is still selling well. Buy it here and recall the highs and lows of Wenger’s time at Arsenal. The author will happily sign it for you if that’s your thing.
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Arsene Wenger: Invincible: We’re still waiting for the publishers to send us the DVD to review, and for a Gooner competition. Until then, we were at White Hart Lane on April 25, 2004 if that helps.
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While we’re at it, why not take out membership for Dial Square, as well as the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST). Happy Christmas from all at the Gooner Fanzine