You're not singing anymore...
Well the day arrived... my first ever trip to the new Emirates stadium as Arsenal faced Bolton which I mentioned here a few days ago. My LJ post to describe it seems fated never to go live so fingers crossed this time works.
The journey across London was fine - although all the other gooners seemed to be going for every other route except the one I was taking. Despite clubbing last night I managed to meet up with Phil and catch up, god it's been ages. He was a bit shocked to get my text out of the blue saying I bought a ticket. A swift couple of drinks later and we walked up to the new Emirates stadium. God it's impressive. I'm there in a couple of weeks for a conference with work so hopefully I'll have a chance for a more leisurely look round.
Leaving behind Phil I walked my way round the stadium looking for my gate. They've done away with normal printed tickets and gone for an Oyster style thing so my ticket was electronically credited to my membership card - which had only taken a days searching to find. Having got through the barrier (held my breath for a minute that it would all work) I found my way to my seat. It was a great view, excuse the crappy photo (right) put this was the best pic I could get.
The first half was a bit of a non-event but anyone who's been following Arsenal lately (or just reading my blog) will know that lately our first half performance isn't the best. I must admit with the lack of action on the pitch my mind was wandering and I started to feel the cold - remembering how cold you can get while watching a footie match in a stadium. I tried to join in with some of the chants "We love you Arsenal, we do" was the easiest one but I didn't get some of the others... definately homework for the next visit.
Tactically, I decided there wasn't gonna be a goal and a quick exit five minutes before the end of the first half would enable me a quick loo stop with mimimal queuing. Brilliant timing as in seconds the queue was going on for miles. Strange observation: men chatting in toilets. Who would have thought it? I thought the British rule was never to speak. I was asked about the first half and managed to cobble together a response. Back to my seat but a thing I had to remember was just not to look at any of the cute totty that were in the crowd too long - it wasn't an all gay attendance. But some very cute people were there - okay some absolute mingers too.
Second half was a lot better - well apart from Bolton scoring that is. As the second half went on, Arsenals performance just got better. Thankfully Kolo Toure got an equalizer, and by that stage the team were in their stride and just kept coming. I did join in the chorus of "Your not signing anymore" to the now slight less jubilant Bolton fans. It was an amazing experience to be in the crowd when that goal was scored - truly amazing. Four minutes were added onto the game and in that time Bolton had to make about four saves. It wasn't our best performance of the season, but it was a great finish. On that alone I think we should have won.
The match attendance was 59,778 which is an amazing number of people to be in one place. Leaving the stadium I just let myself get carried along with the crowd back to Highbury & Islington and a rather uncrowded tube journey home. More cute totty on the tube to keep me company and a rather stunning guy in a yellow Arsenal top and a Ben Sherman jacket on who sat opposite me who had his flies undone. Not that I tried to look too much... but sad to see him get off at Stockwell.
Will definately have to get another ticket soon....