Tim Stillman (@Stillmanator) is one of the best Arsenal writers in the UK and beyond, contributing to Arseblog and the Arsenal Vision podcast amongst others..
When did you start supporting Arsenal and why?
I started supporting Arsenal in around 1990 but I think the 1991-92 season was the first one where I really started to pay attention and by 1992-93 I had a season ticket.
My family was a split between Arsenal and Spurs at the time and Spurs did tempt me because they had Paul Gascoigne, who every kid my age loved.
But Arsenal had Anders Limpar, David Rocastle and Paul Merson so, believe it or not, I chose George Graham’s Arsenal over Terry Venables’ Spurs because they had more flair players.
It was also almost certain that Gascoigne and Gary Lineker were leaving Spurs at that time and that steered me towards Arsenal.
Had Gazza not been heavily linked to Serie A who knows how my decision might have held up!
What was your first Arsenal match?
It was March 1992, a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Highbury.
Paul Merson equalised after Lee Chapman opened the scoring.
I was taught a valuable lesson at this game, with Chapman booed throughout because he had a terrible spell at Arsenal in the 80s and, of course, he scored!
Who was your first Arsenal hero and why?
Limpar, Rocky and Merson.
When I started playing I was always a winger and so I loved those three players.
It’s not clear in my mind whether I became a winger because of them or whether I liked them because I was already playing on the wing.
I loved Limpar the most though, he played with his socks down and his shirt out and you just knew it made George furious. He had that sense of rebellion about him.
Who is your favourite ever Arsenal player and why?
It’s probably Limpar so for variety, I will say Gilberto Silva.
He was a fabulous player but it’s mainly sentimental.
He came from Atletico Mineiro, my wife’s local team who I would later take as a second team.
He finished his career with Atletico and I saw him win the Copa Libertadores in his last season as a professional in 2013.
What is your biggest Arsenal regret/disappointment?
I hope nothing ever tops Nayim from the halfway line for disappointment!
I have seen cup final defeats; I was there when we drew 2-2 at Bolton and blew the title in 2003.
But that 95 Cup Winners Cup Final was something else.
It was a dreadful season overall and it really looked like we would still get something out of it. To lose to a 45-yard lob in the last minute to a former Spurs player is untenable really.
I wasn’t at the game but I remember sitting there readying myself for penalties- we had David Seaman which made you feel really confident of winning on spot-kicks.
I remember the goal vividly, I just sat in my chair not saying anything for what felt like ages.
I stared at the TV screen blankly for about 30 minutes then just went to bed without saying anything. It really stung.
What is your favourite Arsenal memory and why?
I’ve been fortunate, I was at Old Trafford 02, White Hart Lane 04, any number of Cup Final wins, I was at Highbury for the Everton game in 98 and that Tony Adams goal comes very close.
But for an isolated moment, I am going to opt for Jens Lehmann’s last minute penalty save at Villarreal.
Arsenal were so poor in that game but it really looked like we had held on to get to the final and the penalty decision was such a nonsense.
I was in the ground and the thought that Lehmann might save it just didn’t occur to me.
I had already fast forwarded to extra time, with Villarreal at home and in the ascendancy. I had accepted the equaliser and started to accept that we were now going to lose.
I have never experienced a commotion in a football stadium like the moment he saved it. It was all such a blur, the game finished about a minute later and the celebration just bled over.
I just remember everyone literally dancing away from the stadium and, to their credit, the Villarreal fans applauded us as we celebrated in the street.
It’s the closest I have ever come to feeling like a player!
What is your favourite ever Arsenal match?
I will perhaps separate the league title wins at Old Trafford and WHL here and opt for Arsenal 5 – 3 Middlesbrough.
It was the peak performance for possibly the greatest ever Arsenal team operating at the peak of its powers.
I sat in the Clock End and usually we didn’t get the action at our end in the second half, so it felt extra special.
The (Robert) Pires equaliser and (Jose Antonio) Reyes scoring seconds later just melded two massive celebrations together in one.
The memory is, of course, more poignant now due to the tragic death of Jose Reyes.
The Martin Tyler commentary when the Reyes shot hits the net gives me goosebumps too - I think it produces that reaction in all Gooners.
It was just a lovely sunny day at Highbury and it’s easy to become inured in the good times.
This was just a lovely reminder of the magnitude of the team we were watching - it slapped you in the face that afternoon.