Arsenal America

Jeff Lancaster, known to many of you as the greatest guy in the world, went to our midweek Champs League match. Here’s his report on the trip…

Wednesday morning began with a flight from London to Brussels, Belgium for $3 return, plus taxes, making about $30 in all! 45 minutes after take off we arrived, and then hired a car to drive up to Amsterdam. An uneventful journey with not a lot to see on the way, and after arriving in the city and getting a hotel, it was straight down to the Amsterdam Arena to “check it out”. The stadium is situated on the outskirts of the city, and upon first sight it does look impressive. It’s very much, in my opinion, an “Americanised” stadium, purpose built, with good approach roads and parking facilities, and although not having been to any U.S. stadiums, it gives the impression of a “Kingdome” and similiar stadia.

After parking under the shopping Mall, as around the stadium are office blocks and the shopping centre, we crossed the road, to be greeted by a few touts trying to sell tickets, (as I was wearing my Arsenal shirt), but went straight into the club shop. It’s very good, bigger than the “Arsenal World of Sport”, but smaller than Man. Utd.’s but with all the various merchandise that the modern club must now sell. Within this complex is the “Ajax Museum” which I will refer to later. After walking around the outside of the ground, the training complex is also situated on the same site, it was back to the centre of Amsterdam for a couple of pre-match beers.

Amsterdam is not particularly “driver friendly” with trams, bikes, and pedestrians all a major factor, not taking into account narrow streets. Upon driving into a pedestrianised area (by error!) came across a bar with about 200 Ajax supporters in and around the “Hof van Holland” bar, which is better placed than “The Gunners” from a less congested traffic point of view, although a long way from the ground, but inside it only had one Ajax flag, and two scarves, one Ajax and one Holland adourning the interior. For those of you that have visited it, it’s not exactly “The Gunners”!

We eventually found a bar just off the main shopping street, the “Cafe Belgique” which was very small, but sold good Belgian beers. A few other Arsenal supporters we in there, and then joined by a couple of Ajax fans. A quiet and cordial atmosphere, and then made our way to the stadium. The subsequent report from Arsenal fans going into their section was that they were poorly treated by the police and delayed getting in, up to 30 minutes.

The stadium is very nice and holding just over 50,000. If the new Arsenal stadium can be a bigger version of this, then it would certainly be worth having. The down side of this, as compared to the “Millenium Stadium” is that it is too far away from local amenities.

The seat I had was in the second row from the back about 10 yards inside the half way line, and about 8 rows behind the press section. After the game and making my way out passed by our former Highbury hero Alan Smith, sitting on the end section, and a chat about the game afterwards did not bring out too many praiseworthy comments on the performance. Unfortunately I didn’t get back home in time to buy the paper that he writes for!

The view from within the stadium is good all round, and certainly rates highly amongst other European grounds that I have visited. “State of the Art” is certainly a good description.

The game itself is not really worthy of mention, other than both teams seemed to be pleased with the result, especially with the half time announcement from Valencia coming through. The Ajax fans gave Dennis Bergkamp a good reception, and also appaulded Henry’s “magic turn” just before half time. (About the only thing he did!!). Other than the “F Side”, the Ajax fans were courteous and friendly, but one wouldn’t expect anything else from the “F Side” or any other home based section.

Leaving the ground, despite numerous parking places was a bit of a problem, with traffic not clearing for at least an hour after the game.

Then it was back to the hotel, changed, and out for the night!

The next morning was a return visit to the stadium for a tour of the museum and the ground, but as a training session was about to start at midday, we stayed to watch that. The training area is about 50 yards from the stadium and very “fan friendly” with lots of people watching, and children getting autographs and photos taken with the players. When Ronald Koeman came out he was swamped!

It seems to be a “European thing”, and certainly not at Arsenal where the players seem to go out of their way to involve the fans. I know that it’s easier getting into Fort Knox than the Arsenal training ground!

After watching the practice session for about 20 minutes, it was back inside. The museum costs about $3.50 and with the stadium tour included about $8.50. The museum is pretty good, dealing with the formation of the club, and working it’s way through its history, but mainly concentrating on the European Cup triumphs and “famous players”, notably Cruyff and van Basten, although there is also a “Wall of Fame” for all the Holland international players. Obviously the location of Bergkamp and Overmars were the first to be explored!

The tour of the stadium was interesting, but no access to the dressing rooms. Visits to the police control room, a photograph taken by the pitch included, and the player’s lounge and a few other “behind the scenes” locations added to the 90 minute visit. Certainly the museum is a must.

After that it was the drive back to Brussels and the plane home.

This being my second visit to Amsterdam, I must admit I am not a great fan of the place in comparison to other European cities. It still seemed “dirty” and too much catering to the tourist “sex and drugs” scene, and I am certain that Amsterdam has far more to offer than that.

Overall it was a good couple of days away, which could have been improved by a better display by the team, and the “golden days” of Ajax’ “total football” seem as far removed as Hollands’ “Golden Age” of centuries past.