Dexters have recently supported The Enemy and The View as well as releasing their debut single “Recover”, and tomorrow the East London rockers will headline the Queen of Hoxton (click here for tickets). To mark the occasion, Football Burp caught up with the band’s front man and Arsenal season ticket holder Tom Rowlett for a quick natter about his beloved Gunners in the wake of last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Everton, and before the weekend’s 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea City…
What’s the minimum expectation for Arsenal this season? Is it top four or bust?
There are a lot of people saying that it would be good if some people didn’t moan at the board for not spending money, stuff like that, but I’m worried that if we don’t get in the top four then they’ll come up with another excuse. So we’ve got to finish top four, maybe get an FA Cup run on the go. We’ve got to go for the cups a bit more this time. We need something, trophy-wise.
Which areas of the side would you like to see improved?
Well, we just lost the best striker in Europe. I’d’ve said, “You’re staying, you can go for nothing next year if you like,” because if we had him now then I think we’d be doing alright at the moment. Him and Cazorla would’ve been awesome together. So we need a top-class striker, and I think we need someone a bit more intelligent on the wing, someone like Mario Götze from Dortmund, because Gervinho and that isn’t doing it for me. I think the defence is alright, although I’d buy another left-back; I like Gibbs, but I’m never at ease when Santos is playing.
Would you be able to name the first, best and worst games you’ve ever been to?
The worst probably the FA Cup semi-final replay at Villa Park in 1999 when Ryan Giggs scored that goal, and Bergkamp missed a last minute penalty. I’ve never wanted to go back to Villa Park since!
The best game might be Tottenham last year – to be 2-0 down and beat them 5-2, that’s one of the best games in recent memory. Other than that, it would be something like winning the league at United.
The first was when we lost 2-1 to Norwich or something when I was really young. I don’t really remember the game well at all. The first game I can really remember being at Highbury for was when Dennis Bergkamp scored his first two goals against Southampton.
Finally, if you had to select a five-a-side team out of all the Arsenal players you’ve ever seen, who would you pick?
Seaman, Adams, Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Pires. Very attacking!
Tom Rowlett, thank you.
“Recover”, the debut single by Dexters, is out now. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dextersband
The band will play at the Queen of Hoxton of Wednesday – click here for tickets.