Impressive, and not so (Emirates Stadium (Arsenal))

Member Name: GeordieNick

Product:	Emirates Stadium (Arsenal)
Date:	01/07/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very big, good facilities

Disadvantages: Lack of atmosphere

The Emirates stadium is a fantastic structure and i'm sure the designers have been given a lot of well deserved credit. However, in my opinion this sort of stadium isn't for football but unfortunately a lot of modern day football grounds are going to be reminiscent on this bowl shaped style.

I went to the Emirates as an away fan for an FA Cup game. I have never had the privilege of visiting Highbury which is a great shame as Highbury is my preferred style of ground. With three tube stations a close distance from the Emirates, all that can be done has been done to ease congestion at such a large seater. There are long waits trying to get out the ground but I won't let that affect my judgement for a stadium as big as this in one of the biggest cities in the world.

From the outside, the ground is an incredible structure and it is pretty over whelming seeing the massive Arsenal sign and walk to the ground. Everything looks so modern, strong and sleek and it is one of those stadiums that you will be saying 'I've been there' in years to come.

For me though, the greatness of the stadiums ends outside the ground. After finding my seat and seeing it was padded, very spaced out and a fair distance away from the pitch I thought to myself, 'have I come to the theatre or to the football?' It is difficult to generate a good atmosphere in a stadium like this and you could see that from how quiet the home fans were. Even the away fans struggled to get a brilliant atmosphere going with pockets of people trying to big it up. The atmosphere was a far cry from Portsmouth or Stoke.

What can not be denied though is the Emirates is a very impressive structure with plenty of swanky facilities which is very suited to Arsenal. But my team were recently relegated, and I will be just as happy visiting Scunthorpe as I am Arsenal. Souless bowls are not my cup of tea.

Summary: A great piece of design but not for English football