Tag Archives: She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

The Final Countdown

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European finals do not come around often for The Arsenal.

If there is one part of our trophy laden history that is disappointing, it is success on the continent. Still yet to win a European Cup, we have only been in 6 European finals in our history – winning just two.

That is why, regardless of whether it is a Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Cup of European Cup Winners Cup final, it is something to be treasured.

It is also why the decision by UEFA to host the final in Baku is such a frustrating one.

Baku is simply an unsuitable venue. From it’s airport, the lack of flights and lack of hotels, it was always going to be unable to take thousands of travelling supporters no matter which 2 teams qualified. You have to wonder how exactly they won the bid to host the final.

UEFA will celebrate that hosting the final in Baku has enabled fans from around the globe who usually would have been unable to go to such a game attend. They will say that the decision has to host in Baku is justified as it is football for all.

The issue with hosting it in Baku has meant that fans who go week in, week out are unable to go. Finals are the reward for fans who go every week, maybe for years, without seeing success. That is why Arsenal prioritise season ticket holders when it comes to the allocation of tickets.

In future, UEFA need to ensure that host cities are accessible from throughout Europe regardless of which country they are travelling from. They must have an airport to cope with the capacity of thousands of travelling fans, have enough hotels and not restrict people from certain nations.

Even in UEFA’s own bid documents, they admitted that Baku was an unsuitable venue

But the decision has been made, and fans are making their way to Baku as we speak. Whether it be direct flights, via Riga, Istanbul or Tbilisi, there are a few thousand making their way out there. Fair play to them all.

For those going out there, our friends Arsenal Azerbaijan Supporters Club have put together a guide to Baku.

Anyone looking to watch the final in Islington, we have put together a comprehensive pub guide. Our advice; aim to wherever you want to watch it early and be prepared for your 1st choice pub to already be full.

We have lost our last 3 European finals in a row. Hopefully tomorrow night we put an end to that run and finish the season on a high.

Keenos

Emiliano Martinez or the goalkeeper who has over 300 top flight games & 93 caps?

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Yesterday I blogged about how David Ospina was set to return to Arsenal following his loan spell at Napoli. A lot of people responded on social media saying that Emiliano Martinez should be Arsenal #2 next season and not Ospina.

This baffles me.

Some have claimed that Martinez has been “immense at Reading”, that he has “great potential” and is better than Ospina.

This baffles me.

Last summer, Carlo Ancelotti took Ospina on loan to Napoli to replace long term injured Alex Meret as #1. He felt Ospina was good enough to play week in, week out, for the 2nd best team in Italy. What he did not do is take Martinez on loan – who was also available.

So Carlo Ancelotti literally believed Ospina was a better goal keeper than Martinez.

If I said that this summer, Arsenal were interested in signing an international #1 with nearly 100 caps for his country. A 30-year-old goal keeper with nearly 400 appearances and has played in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Italy – with over 330 top flight starts.

A goal keeper that started 16 times in Serie A last season for the team that finished 2nd, making 6 starts in the Champions League. And he was a free transfer.

If this was given as a profile for Petr Cech’s replacement the response would be “sounds ideal”. Yet for some reason people are turning their nose up at Ospina and are favouring Martinez.

There is a reason why last season Ospina was playing week in, week our for Napoli in Seria A and the Champions League’ and Martinez was at Reading who finished 20th in the Championship.

Martinez is 26-years-old. He has been at Arsenal for 8 years. He has played just 14 games.

In that time he has been on loan to Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Getafe and Reading.

In the time Martinez has been at Arsenal Wojciech Szczęsny, Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone, David Ospina, Petr Cech and Bernd Leno were all picked ahead of him at some point or another.

Up to this point he has not exactly had a stellar career. He is now 26-years-old so talk of him having “potential” are way off the mark.

When you compare the careers of Ospina and Martinez up to this point, it is clear and obvious that one is a top class goal keeper, the other is not.

It baffles me that people are putting Martinez ahead of Ospina.

If one was to create a list of potential #2 keepers, you would want them to be an experienced international. Two names that spring to mind are Guillermo Ochoa and Keylor Navas. Ospina is in their class.

So why sell Ospina for ÂŁ5million to then buy on of those for ÂŁ10-15million. Might as well stick with Ospina.

When it comes down to Ospina v Martinez, there is one who is an experienced campaigner with nearly 100 caps, and another who is 26-years-old and has not even played 100 games.

Keenos

Arsenal Azerbaijan Supporters Club guide to Baku

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Arsenal Azerbaijan Supporters Club (AASC) is welcoming Gooners traveling to Baku for UEL 2019 Final.

Here you will find basic information for frequently asked questions (content will be continuously updated).

Is AASC organizing a meeting point where Gooners coming for The Final will have chance to meet and spend some time together before the game?

Yes. AASC has agreed with one of the best and largest brewery restaurants in Baku City to host us on 29th of May. Restaurant will be serving Arsenal supporters from 2pm in the afternoon (kitchen will be open after 3pm). It is easy to reach the brewery from any part of Baku City. As well, it is easy to reach The Stadium from this restaurant (see Transportation section below)

Address: Baku, Khatai district, Khagani Rustamov Street, Paulaner Baku (behind Amay Shopping Center)

Location (coordinates): Lat: 40.380853, Long: 49.879196, https://goo.gl/maps/Mq2JVLiQTfyfDpPZ7

Transportation to The Stadium

We agreed with two taxi companies to support us with transportation to The Stadium from our meeting point.  See the route here https://goo.gl/maps/bTCeJ8kBDqkydBF27

Taxi Option 1 is provided by The Brewery (Paulaner). There will two car types:

  1. a) AZN7 with maximum four (4) passenger sits,
  2. b) AZN14 with maximum eight (8) passenger sits.

Indicated prices are for the car, so if you share a car you will divide price by number of travelers (e.g. 7:4=1.75AZN per person).

Taxi Option 2 is provided by the biggest taxi company in the City “189 Taxi”.

You may purchase your transportation via whatsapp number +994 (55) 225-0-189 or just dial 189 via local mobile number. There is free WiFi Network in the restaurant. Operator will answer you in English, Russian, and Azeri (Turkish) with assigned car details and price after your confirmation. A regular sedan car will cost you around AZN6 if regular route is open, or around AZN15 if main road is closed and alternative routes are used.

Make sure that you have some cash and order taxi in prior.

Attention for the Gooners travelling in groups. If you need to reserve a bus type transport for travel (8, 18, 40 sits) from the meeting place, please inform till 26th of May, so that we could align with the service providers and make reservations for you!

!!Please keep in mind that AASC has no commercial interest in any of the planned events. Our intention is to ensure that Gooners will have a smooth and joyful stay at our beautiful city. We hope that our positive mood and energy will help The Team to win!!

When shall we leave the bar and head to The Stadium?

The Gates are open at 8pm local time. Opening ceremony will start around 10:30 pm.

Game starts at 11pm local time.

We expect that traffic on the roads around the stadium will be congested (or limited by local authorities) after 9pm.

We highly recommend starting your travel to the Stadium at 8pm and earlier, no later than 8:30pm (from the meeting place). Otherwise, you may face traffic jams, congestion on the entrance to The Stadium, etc.

Stadium Amenities, Food, Drinks

Food and drinks (including beer) are available inside the stadium (prices in the fan zones may be higher than in general zones).

There is no free WiFi.

There are many rest rooms inside the stadium.

Mobile / Cellular Network (Roaming?)

You may buy SIM cars from local mobile operators in The Airport for the prices starting around 15azn including several gigabytes data bundles.

For those who prefer to roam, all 3 mobile operators operate modern LTE networks, so there is not big difference among them, check the prices with your home provider.

Transportation from The Stadium

It is not yet clear what will be transportation options from The Stadium, but usually there free public buses parked close to the stadium that will go to various city points, underground Koroglu station is close to the stadium (congestion is expected during 1st hour in all directions).

After-party. Shall we have a meeting place after the game is over?

No matter what results is, we believe this a big achievement for The Club and great event for every Gooner coming to Baku. AASC may organize after-party event in the same brewery or somewhere in the city center if we receive fair number of requests by 26th of May.

Looking for support or have any other questions?

AASC is open to support you. Please address your queries to the FaceBook group. Someone will always answer.

Should you have any urgent or important issues please contact below numbers via whatsapp (preferable) or voice calls in English, Russian, and Turkish:

+994552324411

+994502850117

+994555901827

Best regards,

Elshan
Arsenal Azerbaijan Supporters Club Administration Member