Manchester United fans could be set to occupy over a third of the Emirates Stadium lower tier for their FA Cup match against Arsenal in January.
arsenal fc v everton fc premier league 4
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Arsenal are set to face Manchester United in an FA Cup match on January 12th, but the two clubs are already clashing over ticketing issues for the contest.
Manchester United complained to the FA last week to raise concerns that they were only set to receive 8,000 tickets for the match, despite being entitled to 15% of the Emirates Stadium’s capacity.
Given the Emirates is a 60,000-seat ground, that would mean 9,000 tickets for United fans.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Officially, the issue still hasn’t been resolved, with Manchester United’s website stating: “Despite chasing, unfortunately Arsenal have still not provided us with the allocation information for our fixture.”
Yet there have been worrying early signs that United could be set to receive their full allocation entirely in the lower tier of the stadium.
Usually, away fans sit in the Clock End, but Arsenal have emailed fans in blocks as far away as the one above the away dugout to confirm that their seat will be utilised by away supporters.
That suggests the away fans are set to get the entirety of the Clock End lower tier and as much as half of the West Stand lower tier as well. If they get the full 9,000 tickets in the lower tier, that would be well over a third of the entire tier.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
In the past, Arsenal have opted to give away fans sections of the Clock End upper tier when the lower tier isn’t enough to fulfill their allocation requirements.
But Arsenal Fixture News suggests the problem for this fixture is likely that United fans are known for persistently standing, even for home games.
As a result, it’s unlikely a safety certificate would be issued for the game if United fans were set to be located in the upper tier.
With United complaining to the FA, Arsenal appear to have been forced into giving up a huge portion of the pitchside seats for the match instead. It’s certainly looking like the game will have a unique atmosphere.
Related Posts