Arsenal

NOTE: Wednesday 20th April 2011-

I HAVE JUST REALISED THAT A LOT OF THE PHOTOS I PUBLISHED HERE ARE NOT SHOWING. I HAVE 'TEST REPLACED' ONE OF THEM, & THAT HAS WORKED OK. I HOPE TO RECTIFY WHATEVER HAS GONE WRONG SOON, BUT TO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO SO AT THIS VERY MOMENT, SO PLEASE LOOK BACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THANK YOU.

The Emirates Stadium home of Arsenal was my first ever posting on this blog. I returned in May 2009, for the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Final versus Liverpool to add some more, as when I took the first few, I wasn't really in 'groundblogging' mode!



It really is a magnificent stadium, for a brand new one. But then Arsenal have always been one of those clubs that I perceive as having a 'natural touch of class' about them.



I'm not sure who this unofficial memorial is to, but it is one of the old 'main faces' from the North Bank, if my memory is correct.




These replica guns are not just for show. They were deliberately designed into the new stadium to help thwart possible terrorist attacks.



Though you've got be be a brave bomber to take on a whole armoury! ;-)



The modern facade looms over you.



Not the best snap of the map of the stadium, but there you go...



Another look at the outer walls of the stadium.



Look up and you see the actual clock from the old 'Clock End'.



More ascetically pleasing 'street art' outside; again 'inivisible tank traps' tp deter suicide bombers.



As I was fairly early I decided to stroll round to the old Highbury. On the way I passed this building. Ian Wright, despite the myth, was NOT signed for Crystal Palace from Greenwich Borough. He had actually played pre-season for Dulwich Hamlet, when Billy Smith was manager, at the start of the 1984/85 season. He wasn't under contract, but they made of 'goodwill gesture' of giving the Club a set of weights worth £250.



On the way round we pass an Arsenal club shop.



This is the Arsenal underground station.



Previously known as Gillespie Road, and changed after Herbert Chapman petitioned London Transport in the 1930's.



Here we see the listed facade of the old Highbury Stadium, currently being converted into luxury flats.



The modern block, on the right, is where the old North Bank was.



The famous cannon logo is preserved.



From the far corner, the Clock End, would be on the left, we can see over to where the pitch used to be. This is going to be a private communal garden for the residents.



This is a plan of the new development.



An old Arsenal crest, preserved on the exterior.



An artists impression on show, as to how it will look, when complete. not the best copy of it, but you can see the gardens in the middle.



Time to head back to the Emirates, and here we are on the concourses, inside, looking at one of the many food and drink outlets.



There are lots of club related hoardings inside too.




Inside the stadium itself, my ticket was for an upper section of the Clock End,behind the goal.



Here I'm climbing up to the seats at the back. And belive me, it WAS a climb!



This is the main stand to our left, where you can see the players' tunnel in the middle.



Here we look across the pitch.



and again. The lower tier, fae end to the left, was roughlt where I was sat when I took my previous set of snaps, when I was supporting Paris Saint Germain.



This is the view, behind my end, from the back row!



A snapshot across the pitch, I have no idea about the funny colour, but the flash must have caused it somehow.



This was the view from my seat.



One of the Arsenal goals...from the penalty spot.



Final score...4-1.



Outside once more, this time in the evening dark.



And that was the end of my May 2009 trip. Below is my orignal posting:

This was a visit for the first day of the Emirates Cup, a pre-season competition, on Saturday 28th July 2007.
A few of us went from Dulwich Hamlet, missing out on an equally 'glamourous' pre-season match away to East Thurrock United. We were going to support Paris Saint Germain, with our Belgian friends Nicolas & Danuta.

The two games on the day were Inter Milan 0 Valencia 2;
and Arsenal 2, Paris Saint Germain 1.




This is our friend Danuta.







At the front, in the cap, is James, an Arsenal & Dulwich
Hamlet fan. The pink in front of him is from our
Dulwich Hamlet flag.
I don't think he even realised he was on the big screen!



This is my brother Ferenc. Leeds United; Dulwich Hamlet...
and now a Paris Saint Germain fan-in that order!



A 'tourist' fan! I think she was supporting Arsenal.



Allez PSG!