A recovery post from a most excellent family celebration involving all the aforementioned food, wine and swimming. Australian summer Xmas celebrations – nothing quite like it!

There is some stuff out about Arsenal contesting the charge following the fracas with some Hull cloggers, and Arshavin reckons our game in hand (at home to Bolton) is a must-win to stay in title contention.

All well and good, but today, even before the Villa game tomorrow, there’s only one thing I care about.

And that’s what my readers got from Santa.

Last year I received a most excellent cross-stitched Arsenal badge (viewable in the background of the pic below – near my shapely nose) and years before I’ve gotten the customary calendars, shirts and posters.

This year, my other half was so kind to find a favourite book of mine – one many, many Gooners know all to well.

If you haven’t read it, Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch is simply essential reading for life-long Gooner fans. For those that were mere pipsqueaks still sucking on their toes at age 2 at the time, it is even more important to get the thrill, the verve, the sheer ecstasy of the 1988/89 title season, with THAT Thomas goal, THAT night at Anfield, THAT title-winning season.

So – what Arsenal-related gifts were you fortunate to receive this year? Let us know in the comments!

Filed under: Arsenal, Blogging