PSG
Parc dec Princes
Expected allocation: 2,000
The French are cowards.
Do nothing all day, but after the game they like to pick off fans walking home in smaller groups. And Paris is one of my least favourite cities.
The area around the Gare du Nord is alongside Brussels-Midi/Zuid for undesirables. But at least with Brussels there are some half decent pubs in the very near vicinity of the station.
Paris’s only saving grace is that it is very accesible with multiple flights and the Eurostar.
There are better trips available.
Inter Milan
San Siro
Expected allocation: 4,500
The San Siro is one of the worst stadiums I have been too – and I will not be disappointed if it is demolished.
I was there back in 2011 when we lost 4-0 (I think?) to AC Milan. It was a half decent city to drink in – just avoid the main square as that is where all the divvy Arsenal fans will go to chuck beer.
Like anywhere in Italy, the police are aggressive and will very quickly be battering you no matter if you are doing nothing wrong. Just one of the downsides of being an English fan abroad.
The San Siro is a bit like Newcastle’s ground. A long old walk up to be miles away from the pitch. The only difference is you get to sit behing a perspex screen covered in bird shit.
Inter are currently top of Serie A, so based on the chances of us going through, that we have recently played there, and my dislike for the stadium, Inter Milan is one to avoid.
Napoli
Stadio Diege Armando Maradona
Expected allocation: 2,736
There are two sides of Naples.
On a “normal day” it is a great city to visit. Lot’s to see and do and the locals are welcoming. Very little tourist crime as they need the income.
But on a football day it becomes a completely different city, and the dark side of the locals quickly appears. The result is a small away allocation in comparison to the 80,000 seater stadium.
I would advise anyone to visit Naples, but as a city break, not for football.
Lazio
Stadio Olimpico
Expected allocation: 9,000
“Naples light” is the best way I can describe Rome. I was there when we played Roma and, like Naples, the city has two sides.
During the day, it was completely harmless. Locals and Arsenal fans mingling happily together. Then as darkness fell across the city, the trouble began.
We were advised to get a huge park about 2 or 3 hours before kick off. That park was then surrounded by police to stop Roman’s getting in. Eventually we were bussed to the stadium – do not take any loose change as the stewards will rob you confiscate it. Although oddly the bars give you change! They even tried to take my dad’s walking sticks off him.
Beware of oranges thrown into the away end. They usually have razor blades in them.
I was there for Roma, and apparantly Lazio fans are more vile. When we went through (on penalties), the Roma fans then tried to set alight their own stadium. Many of the locals than rush back to the main station (where you get dropped off in the coaches), so that they can take you back to your hotel in an overpriced cab.
No thanks.
FC Porto
Estadio do Dragao
Expected allocation: 3,200
It felt like we played Porto every year during the late 00s with 3 trips in around 4-years.
Cracking city, and Super Bock is probably my favourite beer (still do not understand why it is not easily available in the UK). It will still be chilly in late February, but warmer than the UK.
13-years since we have been there so would not be upset if we had to go back! Decent allocation.
RB Leipzig
Red Bull Arena
Expected allocation: 2,261
The only city on this list that I have not visited, and for that reason it is a “yes” straight off the bat.
A small allocation is not great, and as it is a new city tickets will quickly sell. Another tick in the “I am going” box is that the ground is in the city centre (unlike many German grounds which, like many new English ones are built on the fringes of the city). The ground is around a half hour walk from the main station.
Germany is always a decent trip. The German’s have pretty much the same mentality as the English – drink beer, watch football, drink more beer.
A downside alongside the small allocation is that from the looks of things there are no direct mid-flights from a London airpoty on Sky Scanner and Google Flights right now for February / March.
It is on the list, but those lack of flights are concerning.
FC Copenhagen
Parken Stadium
Expected allocation: 3,856
Spent a bit of time in Copenhagen this year and it is easily one of the best cities I have been to, and less than a 2 hour flight from London.
Hotels are a bit pricey, but beer is cheap if you head to one of the pubs in Vesterbro. I can highly recommend McKluud and Freddys Bar. Bottles of Carlsberg (it is 4.5% over there!) and Tuborg will set you back €2.50.
Arsenal will have good memories (1994) and bad memories (2000) of the city.
Considering the flight time, decent city, allocation and odds of us going through, Copenhagen is the trip I would want most.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Interesting article
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