Never Been To The Emirates? Don’t Worry, This Should Help!
Posted on March 17th, 2011 | by Just Arsenal Blogs in 11gunners,Arsenal,Arsenal News,The Emirates
Every Gooner dreams of this day..
Hi all, 11Gunners have asked me to explain the match-day experience at the Emirates, how everything goes on in the lead up and after a match and also about how life inside the club works. I however, am just another supporter like the millions all over the world, however I have done some media work and will try and share any knowledge I have.
Also View:
The Emirates(Part 1): We Were There!
The Emirates(Part 2): Quotable Quotes!
The Emirates(Part 3): Trophies!
The preparation for a match day starts with a pre-match press conference usually the day before the game (sometimes two days if the game is away from home). The Press conference is split up into two parts. The TV part (what you see on AVTO) and the newspaper part where the papers get to quiz the boss (we do not see this, only get to read it). The Press conference is exactly how you see it online, having been present at a few, journalists gather usually around half an hour before the press conference is scheduled. Then do their write ups straight after the press conference and before they leave the training ground. When I have been present, the atmosphere has always been quite relaxed. In one particular one, the boss came out a few minutes early and said ‘you’re in shock because I am early’ which was greeted with laughs and everyone rushing to their seats!
The boss also does an interview with AVTO and this is usually on Thursday. The injury news you get from the press conference is what you would tend to go by as this is done a day later. I even saw the room where the interview is done and where the players sometimes give interviews (used to be called Spotlight on Friday nights) and I can tell you, this room is tiny!
The night before a home game, the team spends at a hotel where they can focus for the game in hand. Away games are trickier because it depends on distance if they go the night before or on the day itself.
The team then come to the ground and what happens then is quite obvious as they prepare and go out and win (most the time) the game.
In Arsene's hot-seat!
After the match, post match interviews take place and the post match press conference etc. The players do whatever they do after games then go and meet any family members who were present at the game. Some players do other stuff which the club organises for people in boxes who have paid top dollar.
Players then go to their cars and leave the ground, sometimes stopping along the way where supporters have gathered.
That is the general way match day is for the staff of the club but for the fans and supporters it’s slightly different! Many like to go and have a pre-match beer and a chat with fellow followers and some prefer to go and get a burger. Some like to get in early and watch the warm ups and others may just turn up before kick off.
Sometimes there are activities going around outside the ground, for example sometimes, EA sports have a spot where they have activates going on. Sometimes the charity of the season is also raising money and lemons like me are just walking around singing Arsenal songs.
The club shops on match days are always busy, there is two located at the ground and one not to far next to Finsbury park station.
Match days for me are special, I feel like a kid at Christmas and have a buzz every time I go to an Arsenal game (home or away).
Arshavin – Never short of words!
A few asked what the interaction with players is like. There are two Members’ Days where every player is involved and there is question and answer sessions and also signing sessions. There are other QnA’s during the season where supporters get the chance to meet the players. There are often signing sessions in the club shop too.
Footballers in general are quite free spirits living in London. My cousin saw Abou Diaby in Brent Cross shopping centre (a shopping complex in North West London) and a friend saw Bac Sagna in a restaurant in Kensington, so I am sure players are spotted everywhere which shows they have freedom.
That is as much information I can give you on general match days and other things that supporters abroad may not know.
Hope this has been useful.
One thing I can assure you off is ARSENAL IS THE GREATEST PLACE TO BE ON MATCH DAYS!
by -
Akhil Vyas (Follow me on Twitter and also check my blog!)
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