Groove Armada: Up The Arsenal

Image: Groove Armada

Groove Armada are one of those rare beasts that manage to achieve commercial success but still retain the respect of the underground.

Having had massive success with the likes of 'At The River' (above) and the Grammy nominated 'Superstylin'', they're still popping up all over the place at clubs and festivals up and down the country, and are due to play a DJ set in Brighton this Valentines Day at Inspired Presents: Danse Club showcase at Coliseum.

In such a long career they would have done countless interviews, so we thought we'd pull them up about one their loves in life beyond music, Arsenal FC. We spoke to Tom Findlay about, among other things, the future of manager Arsene Wenger, that disgusting away strip from 1990, and the disappointment of Mesut Ozil... 

How did you get in to watching Arsenal, and what was the first game you saw at Highbury?

Well when Arsenal were playing at Highbury I was more a Cambridge United fan (my home town club), so the only time I went to Highbury was to see Cambridge get beat 2-1... I've come late to Arsenal through living in the area, and from taking my son, who's more of a real Gooner then I'll ever be.

Arsenal Cambridge... that was that crazy cup run wasn't it? Talk us through what you remember of the run - that was the big story of the cup that season.

Ah well at the time Cambridge were flying, under John Beck we were playing some serious anti football back then!

John Beck - what a character. Growing the grass long in the corners, cold showers, substituting Steve Claridge after five minutes of a game because he went against his tactics and dribbled past a man towards goal… just nuts.

We were more like Wimbledon really. Good times but bloody awful to watch!

Speaking of which, could you understand why most of the country hated Arsenal when George Graham was the manager?

Yes, though I think it might have had something to do with that away kit they wore around then also. They weren't pretty...

When Arsenal appointed Arsene Wenger, what was your initial reaction?

Arsene who? was my reaction!

In the modern era of Arsenal at The Emirates, does it still feel like a 'proper' club in terms of atmosphere etc.? Or has it lost some of its soul?

I think Arsenal is a great club. It's totally got a soul, it's not sold up to a foreign owner. When it comes to taking a stand on issues that matter in the community, or nationally, Arsenal are always on it. Check this out:

And in terms of the make up of the crowd, at least where I'm sat, it feels like a proper London club, really representative of the area and the city.

Do you have a particular matchday routine? Like going to the same pub, lucky underwear etc.

There's a nice boozer we always have a pint it, and I have a favourite scarf, but that's about the rub of it.

Who are the other music scene-sters that follow The Gunners?

Tayo, Gilles Peterson, first two that come to mind, but there's plenty.

What is the most unusual place in the world you have tried to find an Arsenal score, or watch a game?

I watched a pretty piss poor Champions League game in San Antonio this summer, luckily we had somewhere decent to go out after as the game was shocking.

Do you think that Arsene Wenger's time has come as manager?

I think he should see out his contract, and then retire with the thanks of every Arsenal fan. He has rebuilt the club, I really hope it all ends the way it deserves to.

Wojciech Szczęsny, discuss…

Brilliant keeper, a real part of the Arsenal family, prone to occasional lapses of concentration, but I think he's having a great season so far.

Have you been disappointed in Mesut Ozil?

Massively yeah. I think he's a subtle sort of player in many ways, and maybe the fact we're looking so disjointed of late since he's been out the side says it all, but I can't quite fathom why he finds it so hard to impose himself on a game of football really.

What do you think Wenger should do to strengthen the current team?

Centre half, centre midfield. It's so palpably obvious now, I want to howl in frustration at the injustice of it all.

Do you think you can win the title this year?

Nope!

Are you pleased with the signing of Danny Welbeck?

It's a solid signing, but at the same time you know Chelsea wouldn't do it. He seems like a lovely fella, and he runs around a lot, so you can't blame his effort at all.

What is your all-time favourite Arsenal goal?

The winner in the FA Cup final last year (below) - I sort of knew we were going to get it, but when it ultimately came it felt like destiny.

Do you think Wenger would have walked if Arsenal had lost the cup final to Hull? The way they started, he looked a beaten man…

Yes, and to be honest, I think he's on the verge of it now - he needs to have an amazing nailed-on January transfer window, which let's be honest, he rarely does.

I think it's pretty desperate that he'd already conceded the title to Chelsea in November - it's massively disrespectful to all the fans who come to support the club.

So if he does, who would you like to be the next Arsenal manager?

Got to be Jurgen Klopp.

Other than Groove Armada, if Arsenal was a DJ or musical collective, who would it be?

Norman Jay (MBE). He'll hate me for saying it because he's a Spurs fan!

Catch GA at the Inspired presents Danse Club Sweat party at the Coliseum in Brighton on Saturday 14th February - head here for tickets or via the box below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event