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Let’s wave those carrier bags as if we were Greek!

Get in early to help the team against Barcelona this evening

23 February, 2016 9:00 62 comments
Let’s wave those carrier bags as if we were Greek!

What the display will look like if we can get to our seats by 7.40

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We all know what these midweek evening matches are like at the start. The stadium a little over half full as the sheer mass of late arrivals at the turnstile delay fans getting in and to their seats. With the prospect of watching Arsenal take on the admittedly very watchable Barcelona side this evening, let’s hope we have a full house with everyone in their seats by 7.40 this evening before the teams come out.

Another colour-coordinated carrier bag display is planned – and if it looks anything like the simulation sent to us by the club in the photo on this page, it will look very impressive. Then again, if the usual 20,000 straggle in late, it might not.

The club are also keen for fans to imitate Olympiacos fans once the initial display is done by waving the bags over their heads in a frantic manner. If one supporter does this, they will in all likelihood look like a nutter. If everyone in the stadium does it, then it will most likely look as equally impressive as the initial display.

So if you are going to the game this evening, do your bit and get behind the team by getting in early and doing the necessary with those red and white carrier bags.

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62
comments

  1. mbg

    Feb 24, 2016, 12:34 #84385

    MARCUS, yes, did you ever see such a hypocrite, Bard, he has no class. wenger out.

  2. mbg

    Feb 24, 2016, 12:24 #84383

    ArseneKnewBest, good one.

  3. Tony Evans

    Feb 24, 2016, 9:15 #84345

    Bard - Even the perennially deluded Wenger appears to have accepted it is all over again as far as the CL is concerned. Thank God for that and now perhaps he will prioritise the FA Cup. A double is still on the cards and winning the cup 3 times on the bounce would be great.

  4. Bard

    Feb 24, 2016, 8:49 #84341

    Tony Evans; I agree mate. We had enough chances to have bloodied Barca's nose but the familiar failings up front and our lack of discipline cost us once again. I thought Wenger's post match 'it was nothing to do with me' response showed a lack of class. He bought them and he coaches them. At least it stops the away game being anything other than a formality.

  5. Babu

    Feb 24, 2016, 8:48 #84340

    naive adjective 1(Of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement: 1.1(Of a person) natural and unaffected; innocent: 1.2Of or denoting art produced in a style which deliberately rejects sophisticated artistic techniques and has a bold directness resembling a child’s work, typically in bright colours with little or no perspective.

  6. Tony Evans

    Feb 24, 2016, 8:34 #84339

    WABATTD - ditto Mr Wallace Walcott!

  7. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Feb 24, 2016, 8:21 #84338

    Question: Oxlaide-Chamberlain: what is the point?

  8. Tony Evans

    Feb 24, 2016, 8:15 #84337

    Considering the relatives merits of the two sides we did OK; whether our 'merits' are good enough for a club with our resources is another matter entirely. Had the Ox showed more composure we could have actually gone in 1-0 to the good but let's not forget Suarez missed an absolute sitter and hit the post so we could have been trounced 4-1. Would anyone be able to explain to me why Wenger thought it a good idea to bring on Flamini with 7 minutes to go? No, thought not! Where was our mysterious January signing deemed only good enough for the poor old FA Cup and not fit to lace Flamini's boots apparently?

  9. WENGER MUST GO ASAP(MARCUS)

    Feb 24, 2016, 6:34 #84336

    Wow did any if you see what wenger said lool?? He called the players technical average and naive looool!! Wow is he finally admitting he has an awful team?? It who buys and picks these average and naive players?? Oh yeah the great one himself lool!! YOU COULD NOT MAKE IT UP!! Look I knew we were going to lose last night. But Barcelona where not at their best we had a chance.

  10. Arseneknewbest

    Feb 24, 2016, 0:15 #84335

    MBG - That's what OGL gets for dyson with defeat and for no longer having a Henry (boom boom). Apart from that, we sucked big time to use the common vernacular...I would not fancy changing weng's dust bag when he gets home tonight!

  11. mbg

    Feb 24, 2016, 0:00 #84334

    Word has it OGL was busy hovering out the Bara team bus when they came out after the game, pleading take it easy on us in the return leg, apparently Messi dropped a chocolate digestive and stood on it.

  12. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:50 #84333

    Just got in - what was the score. Joking - I was getting updates from a spud mate and his two gooner nephews. 0-2 at the costliest vacuous bowl in modern football sounds like Barca thought oh well if we must I suppose we may as well wrap this up tonight. A clean sheet for seventy minutes has to be worth a trophy on here ..... Silly little club Arsene FC and don't Barca know it. Good post there Jeff - like your passion and looks like Baddie/Westie have finally given up too so just remains for Wenger to call it a day - yesterday .... Still - there is always chasing foxes and cockerels ....

  13. Ron

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:45 #84332

    It was a good effort. They kept it respectable and oddly enough ought to have had 2 goals as Wenger said, which was some performance playing with 10 men. Ozil - the supposed hub that all of AFCs play goes through according to some on here was his usual invisible self. The Flam, for all of his limitations would have been better employed for 90 mins than him. Hes a disgrace in every big game the Club plays.

  14. Cyril

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:44 #84331

    We got sucked in too many times. The width was a good idea. The width was a good idea, or did I say that again. Ran out of puff and then sat deep and played 4 4 2 second half. Er , that's a great idea. Barca play inside. Not only were we sucked in but when we had 4 at the back or when they fu**ed off up the pitch and couldn't get back in time, it was going to end in dred. totally unbalanced. Left side was a poor show. Went looking for a goal and forget defence. Where was the def mid player. Vieira and petit would not have stood for this **** show. Apart from that all good!! By the way, love u Wenger cos u looked u cared tonight !!!

  15. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:40 #84330

    jw, the reason he was ranting at our players (and why does he not do it every game ? or was this just for show ?)is so it takes away from his own incompetence and places it on others, we all know how he likes to blame everyone else.

  16. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:25 #84329

    BigDave, it doesn't matter what this excuse for a manager does this season he won't walk away with his head held high, it's to late for that now.

  17. jeff wright

    Feb 23, 2016, 23:20 #84328

    Brilliant substitution bringing on booked in every game Flim Flam by old Inspector Clueless .I don't know why he was ranting at our players - he signed them all played them and worked out the tactics. These were the same that he got away with at home to Bayern Munich -defending in depth with every player in our half most of the time with long-balls hoofed up to players who possess all the deft first touch of amateur pick-pockets .Messi and co on the other-hand were like a gang of pro's who picked our ones with expertise. Another no-show from the thumb sucking little play-boy .There was an idiot on here the other day who claimed that Barcelona wanted to sign him ! You couldn't make it up. He is a ****ing show-pony who is only fit for playing against rubbish teams. Once again the lack of a class striker was painfully obvious. As was the fact that plodding Per is well past his best and even that was not really so great anyway. Good old Arsene.

  18. Arseneknewbest

    Feb 23, 2016, 22:46 #84327

    Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? No. Changing the subject slightly, Barcelona are a stain on the crusty underpants of world football. Diving, cheating, waving cards, getting booked on purpose and conning the ref. As arguably the world's best team, they set no moral lead whatsoever. Another example of where they're just that bit more snidey/cute than teams like AFC. The embodiment of a corrupt and increasingly nasty game. And I really thought our name was on the CL trophy this year - ho ho...

  19. BigDaveTheGooner

    Feb 23, 2016, 22:34 #84326

    Same old really,expected to get beat and we got beat,the 2nd leg is a formality,nuff said. Drop Giroud,bring in Welbeck(he looks fired up) and let's win the league,do the double and Arsene can walk away with his head held high and then raid Southampton again for their manager,then start again,but this time make inroads into Europe with a manager who just might make us competitive.

  20. Man United Killer

    Feb 23, 2016, 22:15 #84324

    Normal services resumed.1.Fail to strengthen the team 2.Capitulate under pressure 3. Win nothing..Press Replay.Roll on next season!Let's do this again

  21. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 22:09 #84323

    Apparently there's a Queue stretching onto Holloway Rd from the Armoury wanting to fill their plastic bags, mission accomplished then.

  22. Paulo75

    Feb 23, 2016, 21:45 #84322

    Fair enough, we have smaller fish to fry.. I'll never knock an Arsenal team who give 100% which they did. Under investment means we bring on Flamini when chasing the game at 1-0. Brings you back to transfer policy... Let's put it behind us and go to Old Trafford and get 3 points.

  23. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 21:45 #84321

    There you have it the only surprise is it wasn't 4. wenger out.

  24. Smithy

    Feb 23, 2016, 21:41 #84320

    Good effort but the tie is dead put the reserves in for the second leg. What we could do with a world class forward at the club!

  25. Martyn

    Feb 23, 2016, 21:39 #84319

    As soon as we thought we were Barcelona they hit us on the break. Tie over. Play the reserves at their place!

  26. You get what you pay for

    Feb 23, 2016, 21:29 #84318

    I felt Merteseker mada a number of errors all evening. ducked a few times; didnt go through with a header the way a centre half should. created the penalty with his pathetic clearance. its the small things that add up when you play the big boys. we were 80% not bad but the bits and pieces add up and thats why you can never compete with the best if you have tried to build a side on the cheap.

  27. Westlower

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:53 #84311

    Arsenal have been backed at 4/1, best price now 7/2. Barcelona on the drift to 5/6.

  28. Jamerson

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:47 #84310

    Arsene on the radio saying 'GG's belong on the racetrack.He also asked if AKbest,jj and Ron had finished hoovering his car.

  29. Badarse

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:34 #84308

    Cor, sicker! jj why are you so pent up and anxious? I know why Ron is, it's that belly button fluff he keeps winkling out-it's now grey, but you? You are the man who walks the walk-ever been to Lambeth? I lived up the road from there and practising it helped as my knees aged-they are currently 18 months older than my elbows. Did you know that a section of the brain when not engaging means that individual will always lack empathy, look for a stronger personality to speak for him, and be obsessed with a vicarious existence. They may also find themselves in a Tory heartland and suffer a kind of strangulated angst culminating in political confusion. They may also develop a liking for winkle pizzas.

  30. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:25 #84307

    GG on the radio saying Arsene's defence is pants .... Nice stuff George.

  31. Radfordkennedy

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:23 #84306

    Dartford Gooner......I agree with you mate,I can't stand all this hand shaking and kissing before the game,plenty of shouting in the tunnel and intimidation is what's required,each Arsenal man should be allotted a face to get into. If they get even a sniff were not up for this they'll destroy us. I also agree mate when you say bypass their midfield get the crosses in and set about them in the air, unfortunately I can't think who apart from maybe Bellerin who could get down the sides , but his crossing can let him down and we don't really have anyone who can head the ball with conviction. To be honest I'm very nervous of us losing the ball on the half-way line only to find the three musketeers bearing down on milk float mert and ripping him to shreds......Ron...I'm with you mate I reckon between the 10th to the 20th minute before the cry goes up from kalamity kos " I'm a coward get me out of here" .....would bite yer hand off for a nils each but can't help but feel they'll score a couple at least.

  32. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 16:10 #84305

    Messi, Neymar and Suarez to start on the bench as they have decided to put the academy out to see how they cope. That sounds pretty fair and we may yet see Per out on the wing and Theo playing deep in the middle ..... Cech will need to stay alert and watch out for bags blowing in the wind .... any truth in the rumour that Sanogo is on the bench too ... This game could anywhere ....

  33. Jamerson

    Feb 23, 2016, 15:29 #84303

    I hope the WOR don't start lobbing coins at the players if the result doesn't go as they had planned.1970's cavemen rushing towards each other on open terraces may seem fun to you,yet to us with higher callings it's all very base.

  34. Arseneknewbest

    Feb 23, 2016, 15:12 #84302

    Jamee - U r fick i fink; they're not slaves if you're giving them gifts, albeit the type of corporate tat that a classy person like you would buy. I'm going to keep my bag handy in case of second-half biliousness and/or vomitation brought on by excessive diving, ref baiting or managerial arm-waving (by either or both sides of course). May the biggest corporation win! Qatar vs Emirates. Now Jamee: pick up that brush and carry on - you've got the whole of the Cally Road to sweep before you knock off.

  35. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 14:49 #84301

    That Jamerson has to publicise his universal contentment on here by saying that social fulfillment is achieved with an underling who no doubt has ulterior motives and a bottle of piss stuffed up his parka tells me he is not really enjoying the experience and wondering if he ever has. If going to the Emirates is a highlight of your month then I fear for you. Better off a trip to The Old Vic or the South Bank ..... Now that's what you call theatre.

  36. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 14:17 #84300

    So Suarez replaced Sanchez at Barca and Suarez was never coming to Arsene FC because 'he wanted to win and not just compete.' Sanchez came to Arsene FC because 'he wanted to compete and win an FA Cup medal.' WEStIE - what I remember of that match at Wembley was a nervous, overawed Arsene best eleven being given a football lesson by some high level journeymen. Nice piss-up in a jazz bar afterwards near the ground and a race to the tube during a blinding storm! Not much to say about Arsene at Wembley or Highbury in the CL except the poor performances just became the numbing norm. saw all of those games and very few abiding memories though remember most impressions were made by the respective visitors. Roma, Deportivo, Bayern and such were a joy to watch. Looking at tit all I am sure DB10, Pires and the like would have done more with a more confident and knowledgeable coach. Wenger has been the weak link for so long and now he has his perfect players in the guise of Theo and the generally missing in action Ozil. Of course as qualification is all this regime is about and feathering selective nests then it has all been a resounding success. Plastic bags all around. Some loaded with Wonga ....

  37. Jamerson

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:59 #84299

    I shall certainly be getting down to the ground early as I always like to visit the Armoury and see what latest goods they have up for sale,I fancy some new Arsenal watches which I like to give out for high performing workers.I'm bringing one of my slaves (I mean employees) with me tonight as I hate carrying stuff around plus a bottle of Remy Martin Black Pearl Louis XIII which I love to sup on matchdays,no other days mind you as I'm no bibber. Life's great if you're one of the elect,if you're not it's probably bloody awful.4-2 to the Arse.

  38. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:51 #84298

    60,000 nutters.

  39. Ron

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:29 #84296

    Good summary Bard, but you missed vital references to Wilsheres absence, rotational 'ankle tapping', Koschielnys forced departure, hes sure to walk off again (injured of course) and the game being badly scheduled due to 'fixture congestion' as contributory factors. JJ - Westie and Badarse are both over a cliff edge in Corsica it seems so they wont be there tonight. If you get a minute can you throw a life jacket over. Just the one for Westie will do.

  40. Westlower

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:25 #84295

    @JJ, I was also at Wembley in 99 for the 2-4 defeat, after the first leg finished 1-1. Playing at Wembley was unhelpful, compared to the tighter restraints of Highbury. Massively impressed with Guardiola & Kluivert that night. AFC had DB10 & Kanu playing as strikers. Thierry Henry was a relatively weak left winger & it looked doubtful if he would progress at that time. Patience & perseverance are virtues. Teams: Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown (Upson), Adams, Parlour, Vieira, Ljungberg (Suker), Overmars, DB10, Kanu (Henry). BFC: Arnau, Reiziger, Aberlardo, Bogarde, Sergi, Cocu, Guardiola (Dehu), Enrique (Gabri), Figo, Kluivert, Rivaldo. Scorers - DB10 & Overmars; Rivalsdo (pen), Enrique, Figo, Cocu.

  41. Mark

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:14 #84294

    So the 16/17 season line up will see Pep V Jose V Simeone V Poch V klopp V Martinez with Slav, Pardy and Hughes following. Young energy, innovative ideas. Then old Mr Wenger who's done the shareholders absolutely proud and made £100m for himself in the process. I cant think who Arsenal can turn to post Wenger as almost all other Managers put Sport before profitability.

  42. David

    Feb 23, 2016, 13:11 #84293

    Arsenal have about as much chance as Walsall in 1933.

  43. Bard

    Feb 23, 2016, 12:36 #84291

    Im going to put a plastic bag over my head just before kick off that should confuse the Barca players. I am fairly busy tomorrow so thought I would post my reaction to the game now. First two goals were off side and the pen was never a pen. The referee was bent and the sending off was harsh as the Barca player made a meal of it. Have I covered all the AKB bases ?

  44. jjetplane

    Feb 23, 2016, 12:31 #84290

    Wonder if Westie and Baddie will be there early. They seem to be the most passionate true fans on here? Poor old Colsey will have to make a right dash from the Pins but whatever happens at full time - pass the sick bag ...... Westie you may try to joke about the Barca midgets but they are the best football has ever seen. With your wide knowledge of football culled online and expect you reserve your admiration for the likes of little Jack .... Last time I saw Barca batter Arsene was Wembley and they had an aging team then and we had a fairly good domestic side who were possibly also told to apply the brakes and throw games as the money was already banked. No wonder this regime has been here so long. Simeone on his way to Chelski so Arsene will really need to start thinking Europa for a coming decade. Perhaps Poch can give him a heads up. Plastic bags and Arsene Fc - if Barca can stop laughing in the dressing room before the game they may just get a result. Bet Theo's is thinking 'I'll show Suarez whose the Daddy ... yeah' yagunnersya?

  45. Tony Evans

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:41 #84286

    The carrier bag thing may be a bit too contrived for my liking really but if it gets the atmosphere up a notch or two it's fine by me. Shouldn't be necessary really should it but where The Emirates is concerned....

  46. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:37 #84285

    RedPig, another good post, yes you'd think we were in a final, (is there a trophy for tonight)all blown out of proportion but typical wenger and his Arsenal regime nowadays, any chance to big things up and make us look good is never missed, if we were as good and the players as good as we keep been spun/told we/they are we wouldn't need this circus act, but as we all know that's what we've become thanks to wenger a Circus.

  47. Red Member

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:32 #84283

    I dont think I can ever remember a game like this. Most of the people going tonight expect us to lose, but yet...are quite content about this and willing to pay the highest prices in Europe to watch us do this. Toinght we let ourselves become like Shrewsbury Town supporters when they hosted Man United yesterday

  48. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:24 #84282

    Now this IS a game where we'd take a draw before the off.

  49. mbg

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:13 #84281

    But the most important thing of all is to fill them up after the game.

  50. RedPig

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:09 #84280

    Ken - The best atmospheres I've ever experienced have never involved flags or anything premeditated. British stadiums have never been about this type of thing. Personally I find the Greek / Turksih type atmosphere monotonous. They do not react to what they're seeing on the pitch and do not influence what happens on the pitch. They do the same thing from hours before the kick off and right through 90mins even if they're losing 4-0. Its just noise for the sake of it. Tonights game is a big game so the atmosphere will take care of itself. I very much doubt plastic flags will influence the result one way or the other.

  51. Ron

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:04 #84279

    Irrelevant game really. Stan's money is in the bag. Top 4 all done and dusted ready for next years exit at this stage. Usual knock out time tonight. Just need to keep the score down. Much depends on whether Barca want to finish it tonight or play it out over 2 legs. For the title push, a beating tonight would benefit AFC and render leg 2 as academic. Shame a real tourny like the FAC is demeaned for hyped up rubbish like the CL that the Club have not the remotest interest or ability in trying to win. The prescribed bag waving is hilarious. The plastic flags were bad enough a few years back when they visited. All good PR for the TV paymasters though.

  52. Ken

    Feb 23, 2016, 11:02 #84278

    Redpig It doesnt matter if last 16 or semi final its knockout stages and its Barcelona. Coordination and a bit of effort makes you cringe? do you think olympiakos just spontaneously all turned up with matching flags? How dull

  53. Charles

    Feb 23, 2016, 10:35 #84276

    I would get in early but the OTT security measures of every supporter being frisked like they are the Yorkshire Ripper makes it increasingly difficult.

  54. RedPig

    Feb 23, 2016, 10:31 #84275

    What is this nonsense? We are so small time. This is only a last 16 game not the semi final for goodness sake. Didn’t we move stadiums to compete with the likes of Barcelona rather than making ourselves look so inferior by turning this game into such a big deal for us? Obviously we all know it’s our last home game in this years competition but this sort of contrived co-ordinated drivel makes me cringe. Atmosphere is supposed to be spontaneous surely? Oh and how long are Arsenal going to persist with this 'get in early' nonsense? Is this really in our interests and for our own security? Or so they can sell more food and more merchandise? Like the purpose of the Emirates itself, it is greed dressed up as something noble.

  55. Westlower

    Feb 23, 2016, 10:31 #84274

    What can go wrong? Barcelona are not the best of travellers & have only 3 tiny technicians masquerading as strikers. We've got Wally & Giroud. Providing we avoid the obligatory penalty against us, we can blow them away. The brave mans bet is 0-0 at 14/1.

  56. Nick

    Feb 23, 2016, 10:20 #84273

    Wont be attending tonight hospital appointment prevents it but I will be watching on tv, everyone including Barcelona I suspect will be thinking that well play it defensively and hope to counter, maybe though we could surprise them with a manure red type at the emirates early season type of start, go at them with pace and purpose for the first ten to twenty minutes who knows we could real a similar reward as against Utd,yes such an approach is fraught with danger but personally id rather go down all guns blazing in this fixture than like sacrificial lambs, we know this team has it in them to do this its just a matter of whether their up for it or not. Over two legs I think were going to go out but for our confidence and self belief a stirring victory or hard fought draw tonight would do a double diamond and work wonders, on the.other hand a cautious and nervy approach could see us hammered and our morale dealt a serious blow,of course all this could have been avoided by taking our early group games seriously but yet again Wenger impacted on that with his ridiculous team selections.

  57. Dartford gooner

    Feb 23, 2016, 10:18 #84272

    It might help if our ex Barca players don't kiss and cuddle their opponents before the game like Fab did. Show them no respect, pump high balls into the box. If they have one weakness its at the back in the air. No good trying to out pass them, balls up to Giroud and people running onto his layoffs, one more thing pray.

  58. Made Up Stat

    Feb 23, 2016, 9:58 #84271

    Waving something white above our heads right at the start? Blimey, that doesnt sound very confident.

  59. Red Member

    Feb 23, 2016, 9:57 #84270

    why can't supporters just get in for the start of the match for every game? I am actually getting sick of the poor atmosphere as games kick off these days, and as a result going to less and less matches

  60. Tony Evans

    Feb 23, 2016, 9:34 #84268

    Hi Kevin - would be great if it all goes to plan. Sadly I will only be watching on the TV, cushion to hide behind at the ready if it all gets too much! Seriously though I think we may make a decent fist of the first leg but probably not by enough to secure a result over both legs.

  61. potter

    Feb 23, 2016, 9:27 #84267

    You are asking people to leave the pub earlier than usual with no alcohol on sale in the ground.

  62. Billy's Boots

    Feb 23, 2016, 9:00 #84266

    Please be aware that, in accordance with the law, a 5p surcharge will be added to the price of season ticket renewals for these carrier bags.