2003/4 Schedule starting to come out

Rangers & Celtic Pre-Season Friendlies!!!

Here ya go peoples! what do you reckon on that?!

http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3888098

I cant wait already!!

 

Humm...

Over the summer United will do a whirl-wind tour of the US(thereby exposing themselves to a new market) playing 2 top clubs, a debatably local club (America de Mexico in LA) and Celtic.

Meanwhile, Arsenal play Ranger and Celtic in Scotland.

Not to beat a dead hoarse, but does anyone see a problem with this?

 

...

nah, high profile doesn't win titles. Here, if anyone knows of a way to get tickets for the Arsenal end for the game (I can get tickets if i want for the Celtic end) let me know.

 

The problem is that ManUre don't have the decency to play the top clubs in their host nation, whereas that is precisely what the Gunners are doing. With Sunday's thrilling wrap-up of the SPL, many are desperate to see how these two sides would fare in the EPL, so this provides a great test for all three sides. Hopefully, the two matches will be played with more verve than the money grubbing marketing scrimmages Champions World have scheduled across North America.

Here's a question: if Arsenal played an exhibition match vs. Juventus, and held it at Ibrox, don't you think Rangers supporters would be angered? I'd expect those Arsenal vs. Scottish sides matches to be hard fought, regardless of the players put on the pitch. Neither Rangers nor Celtic want to lose to an EPL side on home turf, and even if Wenger puts reserves on the pitch, you know they'll play like mad.

As an American Gooner, of course I wish Arsenal were coming over this - or any and every - summer. With both Tottenscum and ManUre making trips this year, it feels especially frustrating. And living in NY, I never heard of the double trophies coming my way a few months ago (was it just California?). But I'm sure sometime in the future, Arsenal will visit these shores. When they do, I hope they have the respect to play vs. MLS teams.

Another way of looking at this is to remember that the true thrill of supporting Arsenal live is in a match that means something. Do you think Rangers fans weren't disappointed to see their side, wearing not blue but orange jerseys, at Giants Stadium in front of 15,000 at best (I'm talking stayed after the Metros match to watch)? They want/need to see them at Ibrox. And how happy were Spurs fans to see their side kick in the match's only goal - an own goal - at RFK a few weeks ago? Now, of course, Arsenal wouldn't put in that weak of a performance (if the last match of the EPL season gives an indication of how the Gunners can play in a noncompetitive match, show me more!), but the real way to see Arsenal is in a league or cup match, preferably at Highbury. What makes international friendlies interesting for me is when a foreign side comes into my team's park - honor is at stake.

A few years ago, when Charlie Stillitano still ran the show in NY/NJ, I sat through two doubleheaders of Ajax, Fiorentina, Aston Villa and Panathinaikos. Well, now I can say I've seen these fabled sides live, and I can say I've seen a Batigoal, but it was a massive bummer not to see the MetroStars play a single one of these teams. Those "Gotham Cup" matches can't be compared to the excitement when the Metros beat Bayern München, just days after Bayern had won the Champions League and without Kahn.

From a marketing perspective, it isn't only in tickets sold that ManUre benefit from playing the likes of Juve on American soil. By not playing the home side in any building they'll play in (if there is one), they can pretend to be every US city's home team. If you are Goliath coming in to play the local David, you won't sell nearly as many shirts as you would pretending to be "America's team."

 

At least it's better than last summer . Didn't they play a couple of Austrian Second Division sides? At least w/ Rangers and Celtic AW can get a better idea of what his players will do in the EPL.

And it shows a lot of class that Arsenal is going to Scotland to play these games. Both matches will be huge draws for the home fans, and the Arsenal supporters get to have a little fun in Scotland.

 

Re: ...

True true, however, high profile brings in money which affords you to buy and retain the best which enables you to win titles!

 

I've just booked my flight to Glasgow. I will now make enquiries about getting tickets for both games. As soon as I get some information I will pass it on, and if needs be collect tickets from Highbury for anyone who requires some, providing we get some, which I imagine we will. I expect a lot will go to these games. Still in the school holidays; two games in 4 days in the same city,etc.