Just in case any Gooners missed the news, there will be no away fans when Bayern Munich visit Arsenal in April.
That was because a minority of Bayern fans threw fireworks onto the pitch in Rome earlier this month, having been given a suspended one match ban on selling away tickets after a similar offence in Copenhagen.
There will be Germans who live in London who will no doubt test the ground’s security by trying to sneak into the home end, but even so that won’t generate the vocal backing that Germany’s champions would normally receive.
In 2017, Frankfurt was in a similar position forcing Arsenal in the build up to a UEFA CUP tie to ban their ticket exchange options on their website while putting a freeze on anyone signing up to become a member.
Thousands of Frankfurt supporters were not subtle about their intentions, rocking up in North London to cause safety concerns for the police.
Arsenal will be under pressure to avoid a similar repeat.
To win any cup, you need an element of luck you can’t control. For the majority of its existence, I wouldn’t credit the atmosphere at the Emirates for being able to dictate a result. Yet in the last couple of years Mikel Arteta has fixed the relationship between Gooners and Gunners with our stadium louder than ever.
With the prospect of extra time and/or penalties, it’s a shame the 2nd leg wasn’t in the Capital of England. Imagine Harry Kane and friends having to take spot kicks in front of 60,000 red and white shirts.
Arsenal has permission to fill the section of the venue normally allocated for away fans. In other words, the chance of me and you getting a ticket increases. This is welcome news to anyone who hasn’t been successful since the club adopted a controversial ballot system.
I question the data that has been reported claiming the majority of customers who have applied for each game have been successful at least once.
I haven’t!
Which means essentially, I’m paying once a year for me and my friend to have our names put on a hat. That wasn’t what I was promised a decade ago when I set up my Direct Debit.
In 2014, Wigan sent back tickets when they couldn’t sell all of their tickets for their cup semi-Final at Wembley. The FA offered more tickets to Arsenal who in turn made the extra seats exclusive to red members only. Hopefully the same might happen again.
What do you think peeps?
Will the ban impact the result of the 1st leg?
Dan
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With a reported 90,000 on the waiting list Dan, there is bound to be fans who will miss out.
If anyone is to blame for fans being unable to get tickets, blame Islington Council who have said they will not allow the Emirates to increase the capacity and /or the club for not being one of the clubs piloting standing areas – although I’m not sure how much the latter would improve that.
Before Ballot Ken I was always getting tickets 😔
Price of success ?
Probably Dan, as fans with season tickets were actually attending, rather than putting their tickets up for sale.
I couldn’t make the Brentford game, put it in for sale and the club sold it within hours.
At least, using this way, true fans who are on the waiting list, get the opportunity to see a game.
I do understand your frustration though Dan and hope you’re back to full health?
Need to no why sites are offering tickets already. £400 + club must cack down on this. Who owns these tickets ?
Have to say after being to the last match and having been at grounds in the 90s where standing areas where , it’s much better standing to watch the match.
Would love to see that back.
Tickets or no tickets what we need is a gift of 3 goals minimum if we are to avoid heartache in Munich. Every game for us from now on be it the premier league or ucl is a final.
I don’t think we are making it to the CL final this season. nothing to do with our players’ abilities though, just preparing for next season’s proper challenge and many more years to come, but till then let’s conquer England. COYG!!!
Absolutely hate this new ballot system. Before I could regularly attend ganes to watch the boys. I never had the opportunity to attend the bigger games against say maybe utd or spurs. But I was always able to get my hands on cup games and some of the smaller games. Heck sometimes I could even bring friends who wanted to attend also.
I think maybe balloting for the bigger games and putting the smaller games on general sale would be better.
I’m 30,000 plus on the waiting list for s season ticket and am starting to feel a fair bit disheartened. Not being able to even see cup games or have a look in. What’s the point.
Then it’s extortion if I do manage to get a ticket.
Went to West ham vs Villa yesterday on a mates season ticket. £350 they pay.
Arsenal man sort it out
Over sixty thousand strong can never go wrong.