An old mate from VUWAFC, Glenn Phillips offerred me tickets to Arsenal vs Dinamo Kiev in a Champions League Group game. His company is able to get numerous tickets to Arsenal games, so before he took his long trip home I thought I would get in on the gig.
Having previously gone to Highbury in the mid-90's, it was quite a difference going to the new stadium. Highbury felt more impressive with Emirates being more of an open, corporate feel with less of the close packed crowd atmosphere. Being a Champions League match there were no alcoholic beverages on sale, which was puzzling and even more puzzling was the huge queues for food and tea and coffee at half time.
At the game, I was struck by the nature of the crowd. It seemed that there were a lot of people more interested in being there for being there's sake, rather than there for the football. Our seats were right down behind the goal, almost at pitch level and whenever there was a corner, or a deadball situation near the goal, the masses would get out their cellphones/cameras and click away rather than focus on the action. However at least there was a few real fans who would sing along with the chants, probably the most limited so far with only two discernible different ones.
Clearing the stadium was pretty good, and easy to get to the tube then home inside an hour. Pretty good really for being on the other side of London.
That makes the grounds attended: Millwall, Charlton, Fulham and Arsenal. Remaining are: Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Watford, Queens Park Rangers, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge.
Having previously gone to Highbury in the mid-90's, it was quite a difference going to the new stadium. Highbury felt more impressive with Emirates being more of an open, corporate feel with less of the close packed crowd atmosphere. Being a Champions League match there were no alcoholic beverages on sale, which was puzzling and even more puzzling was the huge queues for food and tea and coffee at half time.
At the game, I was struck by the nature of the crowd. It seemed that there were a lot of people more interested in being there for being there's sake, rather than there for the football. Our seats were right down behind the goal, almost at pitch level and whenever there was a corner, or a deadball situation near the goal, the masses would get out their cellphones/cameras and click away rather than focus on the action. However at least there was a few real fans who would sing along with the chants, probably the most limited so far with only two discernible different ones.
Clearing the stadium was pretty good, and easy to get to the tube then home inside an hour. Pretty good really for being on the other side of London.
That makes the grounds attended: Millwall, Charlton, Fulham and Arsenal. Remaining are: Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Watford, Queens Park Rangers, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge.
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