Hi, I'm Tim Stillman.
Lifelong Arsenal fan and your tour guide for today.
From where to get the best pre-match pie to the best pre-match pint to soaking up a
bit of the history, I'm going to show you how to get the best out of your Emirates match day experience.
Now there are many ways to get to the stadium, but for me you have to come to Arsenal Station.
Now this was known as Gillespie Road Station until 1932 when then-manager Herbert Chapman
persuaded London Underground to change the name to Arsenal Station, making it the only station
in the world named after a football team.
Before we go to the game, there's a few places I want to show you including one place that's
especially close to my heart.
Let's go.
Arsenal fan old or new, you can't come to the Emirates Stadium without checking out
a bit of Arsenal's history.
Behind me, Highbury Stadium where Arsenal played from 1913 to 2006.
You can see from this entrance here, this is where the players used to enter the marbled
halls and the commissionaire used to doff his hat to them as they entered the stadium.
Just up here are the old dressing room windows and when Arsenal had a good result, the fans
would gather out here and sing the players' names and they'd all hang out of the window
and acknowledge the celebrating fans.
Anyway, enough of the history lesson, let's go and soak up some of the atmosphere, shall we?
So, I've been coming to Arsenal for 25 years now and I've always come to the Bank Of Friendship pub.
Now, I like to get here nice and early, get a few pints in before it gets too busy.
So, what do you say we go in and get a pint?
Pint of London Pride, please.
If you're really lucky and it's not raining which it usually does in London, the Bank
Of Friendship garden is the place to be.
But, if like it usually is, it is raining, you can go inside and there's some lovely
memorabilia all over the walls and you can really soak up the pre-match atmosphere.
Out here you're going to rub shoulders with real Arsenal fans and if you're lucky, some
Arsenal legends too.
The likes of Charlie George, Liam Brady, Niall Quinn are known to drink in this pub.
You might even recognise this garden from the movie Fever Pitch where scenes from the
film were filmed in here.
Now, that's gone straight to my head... what do you say we go and get a pie?
Apart from the game, this is my favourite part of the day.
For five pounds, you're not going to get a better pie than the one from Piebury Corner
on Holloway Road.
So, while you're at the stadium you're probably going to want to get yourself a shirt, scarf
or some merchandise.
You can either go to one of the stalls around the stadium or right here, The Armoury which
is the official club shop.
While you're here you can pay your respects to another Arsenal legend.
It's not a player, it's a fan called Denton Connell - otherwise known as The Bear.
In the 70s and 80s when away games were a little bit rougher than they are nowadays,
Denton provided "private security" for Arsenal fans travelling to rough away games.
The Bear went on to provide private security for the Pet Shop Boys on tour, but when he
died in 2007, this roundabout was dedicated in his honour.
These cannons out side The Armoury - they look very nice but they serve more than just
a decorative purpose.
These along with the Arsenal lettering at the foot of the Clock End Bridge are actually
an anti-terror measure.
These cannons along with that lettering can withstand the impact of a seven tonne lorry.
That's to cut off the access point to the stadium to all vehicles.
[BANG!]
"MATCHDAY PROGRAMMES! £3.50!"
Obviously, you'd never catch me in here, but if you are an away fan, the Drayton Arms at
the end of the Clock End Bridge is your pub.
There are loads of places around to buy an official matchday programme, but me I like
to buy a fanzine and ever since I've been coming to Arsenal, I've bought it from this
gentleman here, just outside Arsenal Station as you got to the stadium – Lofty.
One Gooner, please.
Nice one. Cheers, Lofty.
"LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOONER! FREE SANCHEZ POSTER! GET YOUR GOONER!"
Got my ticket.
Sunk a few pints.
Had a pie.
Desperate to go in now.
Massive London derby today vs Chelsea. Come on you Gunners!
Awesome result.
Just won 3-0, lovely stuff.
I hope you've enjoyed this guide and it's been of use to you.
We welcome any feedback in the comments section below
and I hope you come to see my beloved Arsenal sometime.