Love Is All You Need here in Malta basking in Bukayo's blinder on my birthday weekend

As the great English poet Samuel Coleridge who once lived in Malta said: 'To be loved is all I need, And whom I love, I love indeed'

Hello, Happy Monday after the most wonderful birthday weekend here in Malta.

Life can be tough sometimes but I’ve always lived by the maxim that you’ve got to live life  to the full, and enjoy it, and be positive - even on the worst of days - so when you have the best of days it’s even more enjoyable. 

So, firstly, I have to say a massive, massive thank you to the most incredible person, with the biggest, kindest, most loving heart there is, my wonderful Faye.

The view of evocative Valletta. CREDIT:

Layth (@laythy29)

We’ve had such a ball here on this beguiling sunny island. 

Life is so busy at times, so spending precious time together with your loved one is so important, even though it doesn’t happen as much as it should due to, well, life getting in the way.

So the fact we’ve had such a brilliant time in each other’s company, laughing, having fun, making new memories, eating wonderful food, and discovering sunny new places has been, ‘simply wonderful.’

And of course, as Faye joked knowing how much I live for sport, ‘if Carlsberg made birthday weekends…’ - because as if my birthday couldn’t get any better, we watched England beat Switzerland to set up a seismic semi-final clash with the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday. Not to mention learning that Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix. And of course as a lifelong Labour voter, for me it was hugely satisfying to see the Tories unceremoniously out. Not a bad weekend.

Now for Dortmund to cover England vs The Netherlands as this incredible summer keeps on keeping on.

All You Need Is Love - Bukayo Saka

It was also wonderful to see the redemption of Bukayo Saka.

Well, from an Arsenal point of view we love him, we’ve always loved him, and always will do, so he’ll never, ever, need to apologise to Gooners for anything he does, certainly not on England duty.

But to the watching world his goal, and his superbly taken penalty in the shootout vs Switzerland, to send England into the semi-finals, was redemptive, cathartic proof of his character, his mental strength and temperament - to go with his world class talent and technique.

I was at the final of Euro 2020 that miserable evening at Wembley, and it was testament to the love that ‘B’ generates, that, apart from racist scumbags, the majority of the country showed their support and love for him after his missed penalty at Wembley vs Italy three summers ago.

I’ve covered Saka’s career from the Arsenal academy to England duty - via long trips to places such as Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town to chart his progress during the Papa John’s Trophy, where seasoned pro’s fight against talented but raw, gilded youngsters from Premier League clubs.

In October 2018, I covered Saka struggling - as did the whole team - during a particularly troublesome 6-2 shellacking at Whaddon Road. I remember asking Freddie Ljungberg pitchside after the match, what he thought of Saka’s display.

‘He’ll learn from this, and be a become a better footballer for it,’ was Freddie’s emphatic reply.

Two weeks later, a Saka inspired Arsenal U21 side - bear in mind he had just turned 17 - beat Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in Nailsworth, to qualify for the next round of that tournament.

A few weeks after that I saw him score at Fratton Park against Portsmouth. And despite the Young Guns losing 2-1 on the night to an experienced Pompey side, Saka shone out.

Six weeks after that, Unai Emery handed him his league debut during the 4-1 victory over Fulham on New Years Day, 2019. And he’s never looked back.

So, it was no wonder I leapt up and shouted so loudly in relief as much as delight when he equalised, and when his spot kick went in - because ‘B’ is a Gooner.

And like so many Gooners, we’ve charted his career from day one, and feel so proprietorial over him.

Because, not only is he a world class footballer. He’s a lovely guy. And one of us.

……….

Wonderful Malta

I have to say Malta is a wonderful place. 300 days of sun a year, with a mesmerisingly evocative capital (Valletta is the second smallest European capital city - your starter for ten is name the smallest). 

We strolled around the cobbled streets flanked by endless honey and sandstone buildings after getting a ferry across the harbour as the dome of St Paul’s honed into view. 

Queen Victoria looks on in the centre of Valletta. CREDIT:

Layth (@laythy29)

I was horrendously hungover after drinking all day on Saturday, before, during, and after England’s gripping victory over Switzerland on penalties - I think I shocked half the bar by my quite ‘vehement’ celebrations but why not, I’ve spent plenty of my life following England around the world as a fan and latterly as a journalist, why shouldn’t I celebrate wildly at such deep joy.

Despite feeling so rough, we did a tour of Valletta in one of those buggy’s. Which for me was perfect as the heat and my hangover meant I really didn’t fancy climbing 300 steps in the midday sun.

We ended up in a lovely restaurant.

Where, because it was my birthday I was allowed to have anything I wanted.

So, naturally I chose a Knickerbocker Glory and a Pina Colada. As you do.

The restaurant was opposite the building where Samuel Coleridge once worked. 

The notion that the great Coleridge would have strolled these self same streets and alleyways was thrilling, even if, I had to concede, he probably wouldn’t have ordered what I did. 

Not with the loss of appetite during to his opium addiction at any rate.

Being there, with my wonderful partner, in a stunning setting, as content as I have ever been, on my birthday after an England win, well, life was sweet.

And it brought to mind a line by one of England’s greatest ever poets

To be loved is all I need, 
And whom I love, I love indeed

Daily List

I) I’m writing this around our rooftop pool, the dome of St Paul’s and Valletta harbour behind us, a stark blue, refreshing pool in front and the love of my life next to me. What more does anyone need today. Carpe Diem

II) Plan how to get to Dortmund to cover England vs The Netherlands on Wednesday after getting accreditation from UEFA 

But also work out how to get back to London for Friday as a mate of mine from my City days has got me a (gold dust) ticket for Jimmy Anderson’s farewell - aka day three of the first Test between England and the West Indies at Lord’s.