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So Paddy Got Up: An Arsenal Anthology
So Paddy Got Up is a unique collection of writing about Arsenal Football Club. Edited by Andrew Mangan, founder of Arseblog, it features bloggers, writers and journalists reminiscing, eulogising, analysing and waxing lyrical about everything from the club’s humble origins to where it finds itself now, from great players to great managers, from tactics to fans to stadia to kits, amongst many other things.Contributors include Amy Lawrence, Paolo Bandini, Philippe Auclair, Gunnerblog, Goonerholic, East Lower, Michael Cox and many more.It’s by far the greatest Arsenal anthology the world has ever seen.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2011
24 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 25, 2025
I’m not an Arsenal fan, but I’m married to one. He made me read this as part of our Family Book Club (currently consisting of just the two of us, since our daughter is still firmly stuck on The Gruffalo).
It’s not that I support a different team—or even a different sport. I just don’t really understand emotional attachment to something like a football club. I’ve never quite grasped how the outcome of a game can affect the mood of someone who isn’t even playing, just watching, and who happens to have pledged loyalty to one specific team—seemingly at random.
Comparisons to celebrity fandom don’t work either, because I’ve never cared much about celebrities—I don’t know these people!
Anyway, the idea behind reading this book was to help me understand that kind of devotion. I’m not sure it worked. It was interesting, and I genuinely enjoyed reading about Arsenal and the fan experience from a sociological point of view. But I still don’t fully understand why anyone would care so much that their world could revolve around it. (It’s worth noting that my husband isn’t a particularly ardent fan—Arsenal’s fortunes don’t impact our household emotionally or financially.)
The closest analogy I can think of is reading fiction and getting upset over how it ends—or something like that.
That’s not to say I don’t enjoy watching the occasional football match. The game can be beautiful and fun, and the players are often easy on the eye, too. But I tend to pick who I root for at random, and I’m not especially invested in the outcome.
Back to the book: I must say that, aside from one or two pieces, it was quite well written, which made it an easy and engaging read. My favourite piece was the one analysing Arsenal’s financial statements—it was surprisingly interesting. But then again, I am an accountant.
It’s not that I support a different team—or even a different sport. I just don’t really understand emotional attachment to something like a football club. I’ve never quite grasped how the outcome of a game can affect the mood of someone who isn’t even playing, just watching, and who happens to have pledged loyalty to one specific team—seemingly at random.
Comparisons to celebrity fandom don’t work either, because I’ve never cared much about celebrities—I don’t know these people!
Anyway, the idea behind reading this book was to help me understand that kind of devotion. I’m not sure it worked. It was interesting, and I genuinely enjoyed reading about Arsenal and the fan experience from a sociological point of view. But I still don’t fully understand why anyone would care so much that their world could revolve around it. (It’s worth noting that my husband isn’t a particularly ardent fan—Arsenal’s fortunes don’t impact our household emotionally or financially.)
The closest analogy I can think of is reading fiction and getting upset over how it ends—or something like that.
That’s not to say I don’t enjoy watching the occasional football match. The game can be beautiful and fun, and the players are often easy on the eye, too. But I tend to pick who I root for at random, and I’m not especially invested in the outcome.
Back to the book: I must say that, aside from one or two pieces, it was quite well written, which made it an easy and engaging read. My favourite piece was the one analysing Arsenal’s financial statements—it was surprisingly interesting. But then again, I am an accountant.
January 25, 2012
An anthology of short pieces about Arsenal, the English footballing giants that play in North London. My favorite English soccer team is Sheffield Wednesday, but they are currently in the third tier of the sport, thanks to some horrible financial and strategic mismanagement, so I follow Arsenal. Yes, despite the 1993 FA Cup final. I'm still bitter about that, thank you very much. Reading Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby got me interested in Arsenal, and Alan Davies' hysterical Arsenal podcast keeps me following along. Mr. Davies is best known as Stephen Fry's constant foil on QI.
Anyway, this is a book written by journalists, authors and bloggers. About Arsenal. If you like Arsenal, it is quite good. If you don't, I wouldn't suggest it.
Anyway, this is a book written by journalists, authors and bloggers. About Arsenal. If you like Arsenal, it is quite good. If you don't, I wouldn't suggest it.
April 5, 2013
An excellent collection of essays about Arsenal from various bloggers and some journalists. In its own way, the book covers the entire history of the club. But the parts that are amazing are the individual experiences of the writers as they witness the main events and the progression of the club. Highly recommended for all Arsenal fans. By the way, the piece on Dennis Bergkamp deserves a special mention.
December 27, 2011
Overall this is a fantastic collection of writings about The Arsenal from bloggers, journalists and fans. I thoroughly enjoyed the personal stories of growing up watching Arsenal and what the club has meant to the lives of so many. A tad long perhaps but nonetheless very enjoyable read that any Gooner should enjoy.
October 21, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology that brought back so many memories for an old Gooner like me.
By the very fact that there are chapters written by different people with differing styles it kept me fascinated all the way. My favourites were the Arseblogger himself who I have been following daily for years, Amy Lawrence and the interview with Ken Friar.
By the very fact that there are chapters written by different people with differing styles it kept me fascinated all the way. My favourites were the Arseblogger himself who I have been following daily for years, Amy Lawrence and the interview with Ken Friar.
February 2, 2024
I received this book with my Arsenal membership pack in 2012, so it’s taken quite some time to actually read it. It’s a shortened version of the original publication made especially for the membership pack.
This version consists of an introduction and eight articles by various different writers on topics in Arsenal’s history. All the writers are Arsenal fans so it’s as much an ode to the club they love as an historical record. There are articles on Herbert Chapman, Dennis Bergkamp, the Invincibles and the 2006 Champion’s League run, amongst other topics.
I’m not going to analyse it great detail, so all I’ll say is it’s a very easy and enjoyable read. It has a warm sense of sentimentality and nostalgia that gives voice to that feeling of being part of a global community when you support the club. This taster version is certainly enough to encourage me to read the full version.
Up the Gunners!
This version consists of an introduction and eight articles by various different writers on topics in Arsenal’s history. All the writers are Arsenal fans so it’s as much an ode to the club they love as an historical record. There are articles on Herbert Chapman, Dennis Bergkamp, the Invincibles and the 2006 Champion’s League run, amongst other topics.
I’m not going to analyse it great detail, so all I’ll say is it’s a very easy and enjoyable read. It has a warm sense of sentimentality and nostalgia that gives voice to that feeling of being part of a global community when you support the club. This taster version is certainly enough to encourage me to read the full version.
Up the Gunners!
September 1, 2017
A Great Compendium of Arsenal Stories Brought together by The Most Excellent Andrew Mangan from the Even more Excellent Arseblog! COYG!
August 18, 2018
Super Gunners
So much to bring the memories and pride out in not just the writers, but also the readers.
Forever a Gooner
So much to bring the memories and pride out in not just the writers, but also the readers.
Forever a Gooner
October 25, 2018
A varied collection of essays about Arsenal. Some great pieces in there. A few are a bit odd considering changes in the club's management structure since the book was written.
October 31, 2022
Abridged version, issued as part of the Arsenal membership pack 2011-12?
Very enjoyable read, bringing back happy memories and some a little less so. Sheer indulgence!
Very enjoyable read, bringing back happy memories and some a little less so. Sheer indulgence!
December 28, 2020
“We can be proud... We can be so proud.”
— Thierry Henry, 17 May 2006, Paris
— Thierry Henry, 17 May 2006, Paris
January 27, 2015
A decent collection of articles on wide range of topics about Arsenal Football Club, past and present. As with most books of that type, the essays here vary much in quality, and while some of them are merely a waste of printing space, others were very well-written and quite informative and insightful for an Arsenal fan or even a general follower of the game, these include articles on the often-understated era of George Graham, the innovative and visionary Herbert Chapman (South stand clock in Highbury, numbered shirts, white footballs, naming the tube station 'Arsenal' - were all his ideas), a brief history of the club by Tim Stillman (the best article in the book), the revolution brought on by Arsene Wenger, a look at Arsenal's modern finances in the age of football financial doping, a look at Arsenal's tactics in the Wenger era, a nostalgic look at the overlooked 90/91 league-winning team (only one defeat short of becoming invincibles and scoring more than the boasted 03/04 invincibles side), and a discussion with Mr Ken Friar OBE who has been on Arsenal's working staff for over 60 years.
November 20, 2015
Some absolute gems here.
In fact, a passage from one of the stories I read in this book sums up my review, and my thoughts about the Arsenal:
I have one mum, one dad, and one sister. And then I have the Arsenal. I only became aware I had him at the age of six or seven. He’s a total problem child, who gives me sleepless nights and lost voices and stress headaches. Other people really dislike him, and really enjoy kicking him when he’s down. I can complain about him as much as I like, but anyone else trying it will get an earful at best, and a bruise at worst. When he’s bad he’s annoying, but when he’s good he makes the world the best it can possibly be. Friends, jobs, girlfriends and homes will come and go, but the Arsenal will always be there, whether he’s being mean or magnificent.
And that, I think, is family.
In fact, a passage from one of the stories I read in this book sums up my review, and my thoughts about the Arsenal:
I have one mum, one dad, and one sister. And then I have the Arsenal. I only became aware I had him at the age of six or seven. He’s a total problem child, who gives me sleepless nights and lost voices and stress headaches. Other people really dislike him, and really enjoy kicking him when he’s down. I can complain about him as much as I like, but anyone else trying it will get an earful at best, and a bruise at worst. When he’s bad he’s annoying, but when he’s good he makes the world the best it can possibly be. Friends, jobs, girlfriends and homes will come and go, but the Arsenal will always be there, whether he’s being mean or magnificent.
And that, I think, is family.
January 1, 2014
It's very different becoming a fan of a sports team and not knowing any of the history. I experienced this for the first time when I became a student at Maryland. About 2 years ago, I had no knowledge of Arsenal's tradition or history. I picked them as the team I'd root for mainly because they weren't Manchester United and hadn't won a title in a few years. The writers in this book made me feel the passion and drama that only sports can provide. I look forward to many years of Arsenal drama.
My favorite quotes:
1. "It is not what you are made of that counts, it is how it all comes together."
2. "Arsenal, irrespective of the team's up and downs, gives all of us [hope]."
3. "I threw my program onto the pitch and got so drunk on the train I ended up in Cardiff."
My favorite quotes:
1. "It is not what you are made of that counts, it is how it all comes together."
2. "Arsenal, irrespective of the team's up and downs, gives all of us [hope]."
3. "I threw my program onto the pitch and got so drunk on the train I ended up in Cardiff."
April 12, 2014
This book is great for any Gooner. It doesn't profess to define your relationship with the Arsenal; it doesn't give the impression that it's telling you about all the most important moments in Arsenal history that trump any previous emotional connections of your own that you had with the club. Instead, through a well-chosen selection of articles and reflections written by other Gooners, you get a sense of what it's like for those people to support by far the greatest team the world has ever seen. You learn a little bit about the days of Herbert Chapman; you hear a little bit about what it was like to support an Arsenal under someone other than Arsène Wenger. And at the end of the day, you realize that the Arsenal family is truly like no other, and you're damn lucky to be part of it.
February 6, 2017
Come On You Gunners!
May 3, 2013
A must read book if you are a Gooner & love knowing what ArsenalFC has been in the 125+ year history. The book is a collection of essays from various Gooners across time who have witnessed the transformation from rich loyal tradition to a modern footballing club.
Each author has a different perspective about the club but the common denominator being ArsenalFC. The love for a good game is what most Gooners look froward. Even though we have been going through a silverware drought the club's motto remains high - Victoria Concordia Crescit (Latin: Victory through harmony)
Each author has a different perspective about the club but the common denominator being ArsenalFC. The love for a good game is what most Gooners look froward. Even though we have been going through a silverware drought the club's motto remains high - Victoria Concordia Crescit (Latin: Victory through harmony)
May 22, 2015
An interesting book for both the new and not-so-new Arsenal fan. Each of these contributors have a journalistic connection to Arsenal over the years (either as a member or the press or from the numerous blogs that cover the team), which provides an interesting take on the inner workings. If you're an Arsenal fan, enjoy. If you're a fan on English soccer (football), enjoy. Otherwise, I'm not really sure how much anyone else would enjoy this. (Warning: strong language interspersed with about a half dozen obscenities, which I never find necessary.)
July 28, 2013
A collection of writings from bloggers and journalists about Arsenal Football Club. Arseblog, along with all the other writers, has poured his passion for the club onto the printed page, a deviation from his electronic blog on the same subject. A beautiful volume that is wonderfully tactile with a cover design that is already bordering on iconic. If you like Arsenal, you'll love this.
February 6, 2013
I liked it. But I'm an Arsenal fan and I was always going to like it. It is done in an interesting way, many differant fans/ writers each penning a chapter about their Arsenal. I was hoping for more or even just better, a bit like supporting the team really....
May 26, 2024
Thought Arsenal a bit mean with a third of a book this year
October 23, 2012
An excellent collection of anecdotes from Arsenal employees, life-long fans and members of the press.
June 8, 2013
I read the Arseblog everyday! I really enjoyed this book, especially because it's about the Greatest Football Club EVER.
August 3, 2013
This is a must read for all Gooners!
August 24, 2014
An Arsenal fans must have!
January 19, 2015
fun book of blogs about arsenal.
January 17, 2014
This was an interesting view on everything Arsenal.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews