Mixed Feelings About Wembley
Apr 20th, 2017 by 'holic
“My memories are the old Wembley because it’s the first time I played in 98 I think against Newcastle in the Final. When I was a kid I watched the games at Wembley on television so that (98 Final) was the first time for me to reach Wembley. Now we have been a bit more used to it and the new Wembley is like a stadium you meet everywhere, but it’s still massive. You see your fans coming in and it’s a unique experience for them and their children in life and they never forget. I feel happy to be there. We have played a few games there now.”
Whilst Arsene may not agree with much I write these days he made a very good stab at what I feel about Wembley at his pre-match press conference today (Thursday). On that basis I should really go back to the days when the ends of the stadium were uncovered. Apparently my first game at the stadium was England versus Russia in 1958. Forgive me for not remembering it. I was only eighteen months old!
So I share Arsene’s attachment to the old stadium after it was completely re-roofed in 1963. I missed Arsenal’s first Wembley of my lifetime in 1968 as we were moving house. Terry Cooper won it for dirty Leeds after Jack Charlton left goalkeeper Jim Furnell on the deck at a corner. I made two trips there in 1969, first to see John Radford’s England debut, a 1-1 draw with Romania. The second I remember rather more but sadly defeat to Third Division Swindon is a match I am reminded of to this day.
My love affair with the old girl took flight in the seventies with two remarkable FA Cup triumphs. We came from behind to defeat Liverpool in extra-time to complete the double in 1971. Behind the goal where Charlie George smashed in the winner a huge swaying mass of Gooners made a tremendous atmosphere. Eight years later Alan Sunderland won the ‘five minute Final’ and we were behind the goal at the tunnel end where he struck the last-gasp winner.
There were to be other great days there. A first League Cup triumph in 1987 thanks to champagne Charlie, the Cup double in 93, and the second double winning Final against Newcastle that provided Arsene with his first experience of the national stadium. Those two in the seventies however burned the iconic twin towers into my heart. I know the facilities underneath the stadium were tired by the time the wrecking ball moved in, but I cannot help but believe that a massive mistake was made in not incorporating the twin towers into the new design.
It also doesn’t help that my first trip to the ‘new’ Wembley was for a semi-final defeat against the bus stop in Fulham. Perhaps the memory is playing tricks, but these days getting away from the new stadium by public transport is a drawn-out chore. Added to that with one exception I have always ended up in that oxygen-starved tier five. Fine if you only have a couple of steps to climb to get to your row, but a nightmare when further back.
Obviously we have now had some wonderful wins there, and I will never forget the triumphs of 2014 and 2015, but with a loud PA system drowning out any pre-match atmosphere, expensive food and drink, and the lack of soul that is shared with so many other new stadia I just cannot love the current incarnation. That will be an age-related thing you may think, and you might be right. The analogy with my feelings about Highbury and the Grove is not lost on me.
Give us a couple of reasons to feel more positive about the place this year please, Arsene and the Arsenal.
54 Responses to “Mixed Feelings About Wembley”
Past is a different country, ‘Holic.
Fine post H
But methinks that like me,you will be hard pressed to remember a Cup semi final appearance by our boys when their confidence has been so low,and the Club ridden with division at all levels.
So for me it would be a mighty upset if we can knock over a very good City side whose defensive frailties will be reduced significantly now Kompany is back in the centre of it.
With the attacking options available to them,we will have to be at our best defensively to keep them at bay.
Given our recent record in that regard,it could be a very difficult afternoon.
So it is down to Arsene to get the tactics and the formation right,and for the players to implement it.
Keep it tight early doors,and make sure you don’t concede.
Take the sting out of their attack and see where we go from there.
Win or lose,as long as they give 110% for the Shirt and make the Supporters proud,then i can live with either scenario.
You beat me to Wembley by a couple of years. Amateur Cup Final of 1960 was my first game at the old stadium. Then school trips to watch schoolboy internationals. And more Amateur Cup finals. But I did make it to the 1968 League Cup Final.
“Keep it tight early doors,and make sure you don’t concede”
Amen to that, Clive. Can’t see it happening, but if the bounce of the ball goes our way who know?
*knows
Nice piece H. Agree totally. I’m obviously a lot younger but Wembley has changed massively. It was always reserved as a special place to be. Now, with such frequent use it has now become just a ball ache to get to. The fact that The Grove is a better stadium does not help.
I have also been fortunate to have enjoyed many special days there over the years. Not least the Villa final when I got to take Ben. That was very special.
The semi final does not excite me one bit. So much so that I have given my ticket to a friend.
For those going, enjoy.
Talking of tickets, apparently Citeh have not sold all of their allocation.
Holic
We beat Russia 5-0 with Yashin in goal and Johnny Haynes scored a hat- truck. My first trip was for Hendon v Kingstonian possibly the same game Ned saw. Every defeat there is awful but the Swindon defeat was the worst of all although Birmingham was pretty awful. I’m not there on Sunday but don’t think we have much chance sadly
RIP Ugo Ehiogu
Chins up everyone!
It’s not as if Man City have exactly been tearing up trees this season, is it?
Two decent efforts, and we can spoil the spuds’ wonder season!
I met Ugo in a bar in Marbella as 30 or so mates from Uni were out there for a wedding.He bought us all a beer & chatted about football for what seemed like hours.An absolute gentleman & spoke in glowing terms about the Arsenal & our quality football.Will be missed.
Detecting signs of a thatch on Arseblogger, he’s going the full Nesbitt but doing it the cheap way. Growing his own!
Fine preview Guvna. Unsurprisingly I share your feelings about Wembley. The old place had much more charisma. Our place is also far better than the new one.
As to the game, I travel in hope rather than expectation. We need to be lucky Arsenal again to lift the pot this year.
RIP Ugo. No age at all.
If they cover the landscape with newly poured concrete does it erase the history of the ground?
Nice summary, Holic.
Despite attending many finals at the old Wembley, I never saw us win there. The only ones I missed in that era, before knee operations got the better of my old North Bank standing season ticket, were the ’71 final against Liverpool and the 5 minute final vs Man Utd – the two we “should have lost”.
I couldn’t get a ticket for ’71 and was abroad for Man Utd.
So, no happy memories of the “old girl” for me and everything I’ve heard about the new Wembley has put me off going.
Hard to see us winning on Sunday but I’ll be glued to the telly as per.
Afraid the pessimism has the better of me at the moment. Good luck to the team and all Gooners who are going.
Yes, sad for Ehiougu.
One of the nice guys by all accounts.
I’ll be there and I’m looking forward to it. I share all your misgivings about the new Stadium (especially that f##king music) but we’re lower tier behind the goal which is a pretty good place to be.
I’m played six won five in this stadium (just Birmingham on the negative side) but this has to be the toughest yet.
Come on you Gunners!
#7
I was at the Ethihad last Monday (long story cut short – flying visit to the city for a family event and my daughter wanted to see one of the Manc club stadiums – the lesser of two evils was more easily accesible on the city’s tram system!) and Citeh were selling tickets for the semi final in their club shop on genral sale.
Wembley was special once, because there we so few games there. The Cup Final, the Amateur Cup Final, the Varsity Match, a couple of home internationals, an international friendly or two and a couple of schoolboy internationals and that was about it. And that made it special for the players, too, because so few got to play there, and so for the fans as well. Now you can’t move for play-offs for leagues you’ve never heard of.
It was indeed, Ttg@8, though I think we established we were both there some many drinks back.
‘hol
i can say nowt but sorry
my Scottish “rant”
though
squaddies ?
roulette
fear and relief
stopped
at night
on a country road
UDR dreaded
Scottish – unknown
was my point
cos ye didn’t know if they had a dog in the race ?
i don’t recall
.
.
anyhoo
i think i have “the big i am”-ed
round here long enough
so cheers holic
and fuck off the rest o ye !
BUNCH O PANSIES !
?
watch
Aidan Moffat’s documentary
ya precious kilt worriers !
and
the rest o you English fuckers
.
GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY !!!!!!!
.
.
?
that smiley face
should put you on high alert
.
i’m watching you !
fuckin joyless cunts
Evening CBA, yer big Jessie.
Man up.
?
cba back in again. Excellent. Makes the bar feel comfortably normal, although it may be an unconventional definition of normal.
Interesting stats from Semi finalists this w/end.
Spuds have lost their last 6 semi appearances.
Last semi win was in 91 against,you guessed it,The Arse.
That was the one we were so confident of winning,we had already printed the Cup Final T/shirts.!!
Hubris indeed.
City by contrast have won their last 8 semi appearances,and their last defeat in a semi was 1932,against,you guessed it,The Arse.
Having said that,we have also won our last 6 semi finals,so something has to give on Sunday.
Underdogs do have their day,let’s hope we can have ours on Sunday.
R.I.P. Cuba Gooding, Sr., the lead singer of Main Ingredient whose smash hit, Everybody Plays the Fool, was the bees knees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gdqj0V231E
Cheers H! Big up all those going on Sunday. Have it large whatever people.
And Big Up Cba! Good to see you alive and kicking mate.
There is some black and white Pathe News footage of that 1932 semi-final:
https://youtu.be/tMaxCBMWsIo
And here are some evocative old photos of Highbury.
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/arsenal/169285/the-black-and-white-years-30-marvelous-vintage-photos-of-arsenals-highbury-stadium-between-1931-1967.html
I have no idea what game this is but I like this shot. I believe that’s Tommy Caton and the early tie shown on the clock suggests an Easter game.
Everton 1985 maybe?
https://www.indehekken.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/A38sGRLCUAArvW7.jpg
Deffo Eveton’s socks anyway!
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Everton/images/everton_1983-1985_c.gif
Yesterday’s Arsenal Gent, Saint Shitfloats, is a definite must read.
I saw Muse play at the new Wembley in what was I think the second ever gig there. I believe George Michael was first. Could be wrong about both those thongs mind. (Spill chucker just changed ‘things’ to ‘thongs’, which amused me, so, for once, I have no interest in removing thongs ?)
Dunno if anyone had played footy there by then or not. Muse were great. A mate offered me a ticket on the day after someone else dropped out and I was very glad I went. They really know how to play to a stadium. Huge energy. They were all over the stage, doing a ‘reverse Arsenal’- making 3 blokes seem like 11.
I’m not sure if we will beat City or not. Then again I’m not sure if we would beat Muse or not.
Anything could happen. But, as Matt Bellamy sang, “Our time is running out.”
Drinks all round, if you don’t mind Guvnor? I hope everyone is well, the trauma of being Gooners aside.
UTA
Never mind the twin towers, Holic – the thing I hate about the new Wembley is that it’s much more difficult to get on the field to break the crossbar and take away a wee souvenir of the pitch.
“So it is down to Arsene to 1) get the tactics and 2) the formation right,and 3) for the players to implement it.” I think asking for all three is two too many at the moment, Sweeper. I see a red door and I want it painted black 🙁
I take t you’ll be back with the preview tonight/tomorrow. maestro? A Holic pound prediction of 2-1 to the good guys is often therapeutic. Just saying.
1 from Willian free kick, 1 for the window licker, early on.
Our usual rule of thumb that our second favorite premiership side is whoever’s playing Spurs is severely tested when it’s the bus stop boys. Like trying to choose between having syphillis or gonorrhea.
I’m watching the other semi. It’s a terrific game and frankly I’d hate to play either side at the moment . And the Derby is next week
Rubbish spurs
A non-penalty – zero contact (great dive) followed quickly by a keeper handling outside the box without impunity. Both would have been corrected in a rugby game by the video ref. Football in the dark ages.
Atkinson very poor quality.
In those two big decisions, that is.
I have to say am really terrified facing the spurs next week. They are looking really really good. I hate to admit it, but they are pretty decent.
Wanyama and Kante could have been ours for about £25m. We paid £35m for Xhaka who is nowhere near them. The Totts midfield two are colossal.
The Chavs are leading again but Tottenham have battered them
SAG
I shall be in your country next week and flying over as the Derby is played . I think it may be sensible to be as far away as possible.
Chelsea 4-2- daylight robbery
Cesc’s intro changed the outcome. Good man.
@TTG.. Which state are you going to be at?
Best TV shot of the semifinal: Spurs’ supporters fleeing to the underground at 87 minutes.
Am shocked seeing Spurs lose. They have definitely been the better team but that’s football for ya. Hopefully we win tomorrow, ( not betting on it) but if we do I rather lose to Chelsea than Spurs that’s for sure. COYG….
Nice to see the sorry spuds slink away from the stadium but have to admit they have improved so much under Poch.
I hope we are up for the challenge tomorrow.
I wonder if they had a fairy handshake routine worked out for getting drubbed in a semi final. If so, I missed it.
Sort your life out, Hector
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/hector-bellerin-arsenal-new-hairstyle-10274396
Bellerin should be working on getting his fitness and game back instead of worrying about his hairstyle. Some players worry about all the wrong things.
Tomorrow’s game will be intense and hope we prevail by the traditional scoreline of 1-0.
SAG
A fair way from you …in Portland Maine
Great to see you back, cba. Sorry never necessary. You know why. 😉
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>