Well it was my first experience of the Emirates last night, coming along as a complete neutral. The sad fact is that I am one of those anoraks who is trying to tick off all 91 league grounds (Franchise FC don’t count), in case you’re wondering (or maybe not) you were number 38 on the grand tour. But I digress.
Anyway, after each such visit to a new place I like to make a few observations so here goes……
First and foremost what glorious football to watch! There were occasional moments of naivity from some young players but what cracking entertainment. Newcastle were made to look pretty ordinary. The defence sometimes looked bothered by Martins pace but Newcastle were pretty one dimensional. If these are the kids coming through then it certainly bodes well for the future.
Second, is it always such a pain trying to get away from the place? I’ve been to Wembley, Old Trafford, St James’s all sold out but none of them were such utter mayhem trying to get on a train!
Third, food cues were long (as at any big ground) but worth it! Pies are fantastic! In my league of pies you are only behind Wembley , QPR and er…. Darlington. (seriously, their pies are AMAZING!)
Finally, the fans…… It struck me at times that you could do with getting behind the team a bit more. Most of the fans around me (I was in the upper tier, just above the Newcastle fans) only appeared to sing up to chant ‘o are yah at Newcastle. Yes a bit of goading has its place in the repertoire of any self respecting fan but come on, a bit of encouragement of your team wouldn’t go amiss! Yes I know it’s the Carling and probably 4th on your list of priorities but footy is meant to be about having some fun!
Anyway, I may be back one day (although Leyton Orient are next on the grand tour, Johnston’s paint trophy V Dagenham and Redbridge, ooh the glamour!), until then best of luck for the rest of the season
Edd
The Barnet fan on tour
A complete neutral writes......
-
gunners-need-steel
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:25 pm
- Location: england
-
All_Arsenal_1886
- Posts: 1785
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: South London/Benalmadena
- Contact:
Ooh! Responses! Fanatstict stuff!
Anyway, comparing it Wembley......
The facilities at Wembley are far better, I've been there twice now (FA Trophy final and England V Russia) and there is far less cueing for toilets, food etc at Wembley. Its also a lot easier to get to and away from than Arsenal by a very long way.
Similarly for someone that is not an Arsenal fan it is never going to be possible to get past the history of Wembley compared to Arsenal in terms of the experience meaning something. So Wembley will always have that x factor over Arsenal for the rest of the world in the same way that say going to Man City wouldn't do much for you in that respect!
However there was a feeling to your place in that it seemed to have more soul than Wembley. I think that this is because of it being a club ground with regulars and groups who all sit in the same place each time and so generate a fan culture.
So is it better than Wembley? Probably not but in terms of club grounds it's pretty good (I wont even try and compare it to Underhill!).
Anyway, comparing it Wembley......
The facilities at Wembley are far better, I've been there twice now (FA Trophy final and England V Russia) and there is far less cueing for toilets, food etc at Wembley. Its also a lot easier to get to and away from than Arsenal by a very long way.
Similarly for someone that is not an Arsenal fan it is never going to be possible to get past the history of Wembley compared to Arsenal in terms of the experience meaning something. So Wembley will always have that x factor over Arsenal for the rest of the world in the same way that say going to Man City wouldn't do much for you in that respect!
However there was a feeling to your place in that it seemed to have more soul than Wembley. I think that this is because of it being a club ground with regulars and groups who all sit in the same place each time and so generate a fan culture.
So is it better than Wembley? Probably not but in terms of club grounds it's pretty good (I wont even try and compare it to Underhill!).
no offense mate and its great that we have alot of neutrals wanting to watch us over say.... i dont know.. chelsea.
But i think the crowd after for the tube was definately the worst. alot of people in my block were turning up throughout the game and scratchin there heads looking for the hidden seat numbers (which i still cant understand, maybe its to encourage people to crawl on the ground like a snake looking for their seat number as to not disturb fellow gooners? anybody know? haha)
Anyways my point was that because of the amount of newbies last night, the swift walking of regular gooners was missing and the cues seemd double. It actually felt like they let in another 10,000.
Also when theyshut the bars in the ground after people dont have a reason to hang back.
also i believe there was a gentlemen stuck under a train at oxford circus, which slowed down the tube cue even more.
game always makes up for it though, ey?
But i think the crowd after for the tube was definately the worst. alot of people in my block were turning up throughout the game and scratchin there heads looking for the hidden seat numbers (which i still cant understand, maybe its to encourage people to crawl on the ground like a snake looking for their seat number as to not disturb fellow gooners? anybody know? haha)
Anyways my point was that because of the amount of newbies last night, the swift walking of regular gooners was missing and the cues seemd double. It actually felt like they let in another 10,000.
Also when theyshut the bars in the ground after people dont have a reason to hang back.
also i believe there was a gentlemen stuck under a train at oxford circus, which slowed down the tube cue even more.
game always makes up for it though, ey?
-
highburyJD
- Posts: 4982
- Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:36 pm
- Location: Highbury
leahy wrote:no offense mate and its great that we have alot of neutrals wanting to watch us over say.... i dont know.. chelsea.
But i think the crowd after for the tube was definately the worst. alot of people in my block were turning up throughout the game and scratchin there heads looking for the hidden seat numbers (which i still cant understand, maybe its to encourage people to crawl on the ground like a snake looking for their seat number as to not disturb fellow gooners? anybody know? haha)
Anyways my point was that because of the amount of newbies last night, the swift walking of regular gooners was missing and the cues seemd double. It actually felt like they let in another 10,000.
Also when theyshut the bars in the ground after people dont have a reason to hang back.
also i believe there was a gentlemen stuck under a train at oxford circus, which slowed down the tube cue even more.
game always makes up for it though, ey?
getting there yday was a nightmare i missed the entire firsthalf its my 5th game there but on yestadays account the tube was an absolute nightmare my train was in a tunnel for 15mins imagine the anguish of me and other gooners as the clock just ticked away. Journey back was even worse for the non regulars it must not have been pleasant. hate to say it but those people who leave early may have a point.
-
EdgeOfTown
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:13 am
good report Ed..Its usually not as bad getting back actually..There was some sort of incident and it was a nightmare the other day..
Understand about the atmosphere..it wasn't bad overall but you could tell with all the Emirates Virgins its hard to get fluid singing like on a league or CL game, but a good read.
Understand about the atmosphere..it wasn't bad overall but you could tell with all the Emirates Virgins its hard to get fluid singing like on a league or CL game, but a good read.
-
Hagbard 23
- Posts: 649
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:19 am
- Location: Agog in the æther.
- Contact:
Please don't bring London Underground or the Buses into the equation of whether it was an enjoyable experience of going to the Arse'
Shit, do you know how long it used to take me to get from Arsenal to Turnpike Lane ? Its only two stops, and it took forever.
I reckon its all part of the matchday experience.
You sound like a bunch of spoilt fcukin CHAVS.
You're lucky to have the Arsenal on your doorstep.
Shit, do you know how long it used to take me to get from Arsenal to Turnpike Lane ? Its only two stops, and it took forever.
I reckon its all part of the matchday experience.
You sound like a bunch of spoilt fcukin CHAVS.
You're lucky to have the Arsenal on your doorstep.
-
Hagbard 23
- Posts: 649
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:19 am
- Location: Agog in the æther.
- Contact:
damn lucky,,Hagbard 23 wrote:Please don't bring London Underground or the Buses into the equation of whether it was an enjoyable experience of going to the Arse'
You sound like a bunch of spoilt fcukin CHAVS.
You're lucky to have the Arsenal on your doorstep.
ye want to know how long it takes me to get home from a match
