As is the new custom in Australia, an English heavyweight is coming to our shores next winter, 2017. Last time it was Chelsea, this time it’s Arsenal, who will put on a two-game feast for Sydney football fans for the first time in 40 years.
That’s right, it’s been 40 years since Arsenal last stepped on our shores, and it’s lucky Sydney that gets the opportunity to see them. So if you’re in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or anywhere else in Australia, you might want to start oiling your engine or booking your flights.
Australia is home to some of the most devoted EPL fans in the world. Liverpool are a particular favourite Down Under if you go by the numbers, but Arsenal are in the top three of teams that have earned the support of the nation, even from half the world away.
And in 2017, in what we hope will become an annual tradition in our sport-loving nation, Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers will have the chance to face up to one of the world’s great sporting clubs this time around. Sydney FC will battle Arsenal on Thursday the 13th of July, with the Western Sydney Wanderers taking their shot two days later on Saturday the 15th of July.
Chelsea packed out ANZ Stadium last year for their game against Sydney FC, and there’s little doubt they’ll do it again for Arsenal. Charismatic (now fired) manager Jose Mourinho started Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Loic Remy as his front three 12 months ago, and there’s no reason why Arsene Wenger wouldn’t do the same with his stars in an effort to get match time into his superstars before the EPL kicks off in August.
Over 80,000 watched Sydney FC put up a valiant fight, to nearly equalise on a couple of occasions, just going down 1-0. This time, we’ll get to see both the glamour club in sky blue, Sydney FC, and the A-League runners up, Western Sydney Wanderers, front up against the red of Arsenal.
But things have changed since then. Jose Mourinho is now managing Manchester United. Chelsea aren’t the champions – far from it. Leicester City completed one of the most storied wins in the history of football, and Arsenal fell just short, in second.
With one of the best rosters in the league, and a big shout to take home the EPL trophy in the near future, $39 to see them (the ticket price starting point) is a bit of a steal.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10am on the 19 July, 2016, via Arsenalinsydney.com.au. Make sure you get in early, or just like for Chelsea last year, you might be one of the many who were disappointed to miss out!
Mark
Guest
There's interest in them because they're reasonably new here but you have to wonder how long the interest will last. I went to Real Madrid's ICC matches last year. I only went because of Real Madrid's participation. I enjoyed the matches because I knew exactly what I was seeing - a preseason friendly. I enjoyed seeing the team I support in the flesh, and it didn't overly concern me that the quality of play was far below what we would usually see from them, that they were fielding a number of players who had no hope of getting any game time in competitive fixtures, and that the atmosphere at the stadium was totally sterile. However, most of the people that attended the ICC matches were 'neutrals'. Some I know who went were mostly disappointed with the experience. At the Madrid vs Roma match, fans were so totally bored by action on the field that by the 70th minute they started throwing paper aeroplanes. That generated more atmosphere among the crowd than anything that had happened on the field up to that point. The other matches were a little bit, but not much, better. You have to wonder how many of these neutrals will keep going to similar matches in future. I would not be surprised if ICC attendances in Australia this year are significantly down on last year, without the Real Madrid factor and with people having a better idea of what to expect. The local fans of the touring teams will go, and Melbourne Victory fans will go, but far fewer neutrals will go. I'm only going because Victory are playing.
Midfielder
Guest
Agree theres now a thread on him on the Roar
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Good on you Fad. I don't care about the dollars so much, nor how many turn up for the friendly warm up games heading to the start of the season. These matches against HAL clubs a crucial to building strong professional teams in Australian Football. And when we can kick ass against the top teams of Europe (Brexit) the Br-sobs will start to find local teams to support in Australia and attend matches.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Fantastic appointment. At last a football person!
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Why all the barbs and prevarications? Its a night of entertainment for true football lovers, no trophy at the end of it, just a chance to see your favourite football teams in action. The atmosphere is always good and party-like, the match played in good spirits. I still remember as a young kid Charlie Goerge, when he scored a cracker to win Arsenal the 1971 FA Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so_QY7IkYFc
Josh
Guest
There's no such thing as a friendly.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Why all the eggbaII lovers' barbs and prevarications? Its a night of entertainment for true football lovers, no trophy at the end of it, just a chance to see your favourite football teams in action. The atmosphere is always good and party-like, the match played in good spirits. I still remember as a young kid Charlie Goerge, when he scored a cracker to win Arsenal the 1971 FA Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so_QY7IkYFc Sometimes I despair at the agendas of some of the posters on here who have turned this football tab into a shame file, really.
Fadida
Guest
Agree Qantas. There is nothing to lose and plenty$ to gain as long as the visitors are treated like visiting teams ie made to wear away kits, kicked off the pitch. Our sides can't be secondary in all of this, no cultural cringe
Midfielder
Guest
BREAKING NEWS FFA ANNOUNCE THE NEW HEAD OF THE A_LEAGUE. Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced the appointment of Greg O’Rourke as the new Head of Hyundai A-League. After reading the link he seems an excellent choice .... waiting for some to find a problem with em ... http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/ffa-appoints-greg-orourke-as-new-head-of-hyundai-a-league/wl2m247ldtfr1bdxgi5ibwuw3
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Good call Chris. Some posters here can't see the forest for the trees.
Mark
Guest
These friendlies are not until next year!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I should say, MF, you are correct in that the JFA will not allow any club friendly that does not involve a Japanese side as one of the participants.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I am not sure on that as I seem to recall Arsenal at Saitama against Urawa two or three years ago. The main thing for Japan is that their season runs through the calendar year so clubs are in the middle of competition during the EPL pre-season and hence are less willing to play host.
Josh
Guest
No such thing as a friendly.
imissedtraining
Guest
aus devoted epl fans what rubbish u cooking weirdo....USA has a better following they tv rights worth billions? they have decent hours what do we get...Liverpool is an exception even port Adelaide losers copied Liverpool scrafe holding theme song before kickoff..sad bunch of toassas..I havnt seen many commercials for optus prem league only on bus stops?? call that advertising..maybe don't want people knowin you have to sign up before 31 july so they can get the money
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Lol Marron, and these same posters tell us how wonderful it is to see AFL teams organise matches in China... (when and if they take place).
David
Guest
Wow! Such hostile. Very atmosphere. It's a friendly. Surely people cannot be bothered to get fired up over this?
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
I welcome these EPL teams to face our best Australian football club sides in Australia. It gives our Australian Football clubs, managers and players to test themselves against revered overseas opposition. It builds confidence and professionalism in our Australian football teams---especially when it goes right down to the wire.
marron
Guest
Applaud the popularity? Get your hand off it MF. Some posters might use its popularity to point out there is much love for football in this country but most comments I see about the popularity of the epl are either negative in tone or at most hopeful that some of these eyeballs can be converted to watchers of the local product.
Bondy
Guest
I agree RF . I'd suggest these exhibition matches will be thrown out soon or they will feature less and less over the coming years they do nothing for Australian Football .