Right my brother and I have flights booked for Saturday from Belfast to London day return as we had the intention of going to the Arsenal match. I'm not on to whine about the ticket system or loyalty points scheme or anything like that, but we are still going over for the day so I was looking for a bit of advice on a few things so we can still make a really good day of it. I might have been a bit fractious on here when the tickets sold out but it was only because I had flights booked, I've learnt a lesson anyway! So apologies... I was wondering where the best place would be to watch the match. I've been to Finsbury before when I went to the Placebo concert in Brixton Academy so I know the area ok. Are there going to be Southampton fans in the same/similar boat who will be near the ground but don't have tickets? I would be happy watching the match in a bar with a group of our own fans though I'm not sure how realistic that is with it being in London. I was also wondering would you advise against wearing our Southampton shirts as it might impact where we can go, drink or eat or watch the match? Seeing as we won't be in the stadium would it be worth the hassle? I'm sure we would be fine but I figured I'd ask anyway. Would there be any point whatsoever in hanging around the stadium for a bit looking for tickets? Even to sit amongst the home fans...I wouldn't want to pay a whole lot over the odds and I wouldn't want to be separated from my brother or anything like that. Finally good luck to all the fans heading, hope we can get a result. Even if you are going to the match let me know where the majority of supporters will be before the match and we'll come round and say hello. COYR
The Drayton Arms near Arsenal tube station and Drayton Park railway station is apparently a good pub for away supporters. ----- I was also wondering would you advise against wearing our Southampton shirts as it might impact where we can go, drink or eat or watch the match? Seeing as we won't be in the stadium would it be worth the hassle? I'm sure we would be fine but I figured I'd ask anyway.* ------ Why don't you wear a saints shirt with a fleece/top that you can do up if there's a risk of not getting in?
Hi - Used to live in Bryantwood road so know the Arsenal quite well. The Drayton Arms is a tiny little Sh+t hole pub and only attracts trouble and is a real dump inside. Generally the Gunners fans are a friendly sort of bunch and rarely saw any aggro - wouldn't think wearing a Saints shirt would attract problems. Holloway rd has many pubs but my pick would be the Columbian restaurant 50 yards down from the tube station (going towards Angel) always play large screen matches and the food is great, ask for George. Any touts were usually at the bottom end of Hornsey road near the roundabout or sometimes further up just after the railway bridge. Hope this is of some help.
Agree about the Drayton. Don't know the Columbian restaurant but make sure you save some room for some jerk chicken at one of the many Caribbean cafes. Been to the Emirates a few times to see Saints and a few other clubs (free corporate tickets) and never seen any trouble, but my golden rule is never wear colours away from home - you just have to walk in to the wrong pub on the wrong day and there are some loons about. Have a great day anyway!
Can't give advice on pubs and such but I've been to the Emirates a couple of times (once vs Sunderland, once vs Spurs, what a day), the fans are a good bunch for the most part. When I went to Sunderland there was a man in a Sunderland sat near me who got no trouble at all, if you don't get trouble in the home part of the Emirates it's doubtful you will in any non-****hole pub. Follow the general rule of "don't be an idiot" and you'll be fine
On behalf of my Jamaican wife ..... It's Curried Goat! I'm forever getting a rollicking as apparently it's important to say it the correct way round.
Well we're in Finsbury now having breakfast. Going to start milling about looking for tickets in a bit, where are the Saints fans? Let me know when the pints are being sunk
Anybody notice anyone selling tickets let me ASAP, desperately looking for a pair! Over from Belfast so really want to get inside. Any advice on where to go to try would be appreciated. Cheers
