In today’s installment of Arsenal news: Champions League play-off round information, the growth of Arsenal’s popularity in the States, and a Gunner travel guide to NY/NJ.
Champions League picture starting to take shape
UEFA has released more information on the latter stages of Champions League qualification. Arsenal, after finishing fourth last season, enter the play-off, or fourth, round of qualifying and are one of 10 teams in the “non-champions” section of the draw. The Gunners are, however, seeded, which eliminates FC Porto, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and either Athletic Bilbao or Zenit St. Petersburg (depending on if Zenit make it through to the round).
Arsenal.com previews all team-related events this week in and around NYC
Right HERE is where you’ll find a breakdown of all Gunners-related events and activities this week leading up to the big game. Kevin Mooney writes that it all begins on Thursday night with the Arsenal Fan Party at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ. However, this event is for members only.
The rise in popularity of Arsenal in the United States
Andrew Mangan, of Arseblog, previews his club’s trip to the United States while also musing about the elevated fandom of the Gunners since his last trip across the pond. When he last travelled to Los Angeles, he watched an Arsenal game at a bar with just a handful of people, but has found out that there are now well over a hundred who regularly show up to watch the games. Mangan is very impressed with the rise of the beautiful game in America and doesn’t hint that it’s only because of the World Cup, either.
A Gooner’s travel guide to NY/NJ
SBNation’s Arsenal blog, The Short Fuse, has provided Gunners fans with a very insightful guide to the metropolitan area’s public transportation systems to those that are new to the area or, at least, aren’t used mass transit. As anyone who lives in the area knows, there are a plethora of options. The Short Fuse breaks down these options as well as the best ways to travel to and from the stadium.
