It was an incredible Wednesday night, both at the Emirates and at Borehamwood. It was tight at the end of both games, with Crystal Palace looking dangerous courtesy of one from the past (Eddie, Eddie, anyone?!), while Bayern might have earned a draw but for a late penalty. But at the final whistle, all in red went home happy – although more than a few were also soaked through. That’s December for you!
But this blog page wouldn’t be complete without a moan. And it’s about time travel again. This writer is not only a season ticket holder to both men’s and women’s games, I’m also very much closer to the Emirates than I am to Meadow Park, so when there’s a fixture clash, without access to a time machine, I have to make a choice – and that choice is the men’s. Rather than fight against the tide of supporters on their way to the men’s match to reach St Pancras and then on to Elstree, I join them on the walk up the steps and over the bridge. And I’m home and dry in a few minutes rather than arriving back, wet and windswept, an hour or more later. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! But it means when there’s a fixture clash, I miss out on the women’s games.
And that brings me back to my rant. Fixture clashes. The FA Cup ties for both teams being played on the same day is the newest. I remember the late, lamented Maria leaving Borehamwood at half time to get a taxi to N5, arriving some way through the first half. I couldn’t do that. If I’m missing a game, I’ll shut it out while I’m watching the one in front of me (despite what other supporters might do – scroll to my previous blog, What’s Going On!), then look forward to a good result and the highlights from the one I’ve missed.
But the FA Cup is now the third time we’ve had to make a choice – men vs women. We know it’s the broadcasters who dictate dates and times, with a little help (or indeed, little help) from the fixture planners. But who is it that suffers? It’s us. The supporters. I suppose with a clash it opens up a seat to someone who might not otherwise get into either one of the grounds, assuming I’ve navigated the single sign on and other Arsenal website traps and managed to transfer or exchange my ticket. But it does rather undermine the reason for investing in a season ticket in the first place. I want to go to every game. And as much as I enjoyed the Jesus hat trick, I would have enjoyed equally the joy only a late, winning goal can bring.
So how can I wrap this up? I can’t. There is no happy ending. Just the risk that, with more matches, with continuation in the Carabao Cup and Women’s Champions League matches secured, there’ll be opportunities for more clashes and missed games.
At least there’s a break when there are no matches to miss. And I hate that, too. A weekend or Boxing Day with no games! There’s no pleasing some!
Happy Christmas to you all.
Richard Smith December 19 2024