Living and working near the ground meant that I never expected the game to go ahead as the temperature had dropped and snow was expected. The Home Counties got the worst of it, and trains into London were seriously disrupted this morning.

 However in Holloway it was a light covering of snow and the main roads were clear of snow due to overnight gritting. Buses and trains were mainly running ok, apart from some from the Home Counties.

Wenger was desperate for the match to go ahead, and got the staff to clear the snow from all the surrounding steps and approaches to the stadium. By lunchtime the area was deemed safe for the spectators. Only 500 Bolton fans had bought tickets and they had already set out. Indeed by 3:30 pm I saw then in the vicinity of the stadium.

The pitch was perfect and the referee declared it all safe for spectators and players alike. The only problem that remained was a snow storm predicted for 3 pm, but it had been thought that this might miss London. Therefore Arsenal were given permission to go ahead with the game.

At about 2:00pm a heavy snowstorm started earlier than expected and quickly settled. All the good work the Arsenal staff had done was undone literally in minutes. The surrounding streets and roads became treacherous as the snow settled on already wet streets, and the temperature continued to drop. By the time I got to the stadium at about 3:30pm the approaches were covered in snow.

Sometime about then the decision was taken to call the game off. Firstly they had no idea of when the snow would stop; secondly the transport system began to experience difficulties. Sections of the underground were shut, and commuter trains cancelled.

With the temperature still dropping, it's below freezing as I write; impacted snow would become an ice rink as spectators left.

All the major rail stations were experiencing severe delays and disruption, the police and local authority no longer had the confidence that they could get 55,000 people home safely. Indeed many fans no longer believed they would be able to get home either, and instead left work early to go home whilst they still could. It was they that counseled Arsenal to call it off.

Wenger Begged

I am told that Wenger was deeply upset that his attempts to keep the game on had failed. He begged in the morning that everything be done to keep the game on. The staff had responded by creating snow ploughs, using shovels, brushes and grit to clear the area.

Snow Joke 

The decision to cancel was not taken lightly, but in the end the safety of thousands of fans became paramount. Some people really need to grow up. At the end of the day it is a game, it's not worth risking one life for it.

It would probably have been better to take the decision earlier, that was always my feeling, that's not hindsight it's on record, but I do understand that Wenger almost succeeded in keeping the game on.

The souvenir shops were all shut early to allow staff to get home safely and in time. On match days they stay open late.

Off the record I was told it is hoped the game will go ahead next Wednesday. Three games in a week, oh well at least they have had a rest.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 06/01/2010 21:15

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:08:21:42:21 by Padre Pio.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: Bee#4 (IP Logged)

Date: 06/01/2010 22:59

On the news there are people saying that they have been out on the motorway for the past 17 odd hours, slept overnight in below freezing conditions! Kinda puts things into perspective when you see things like that. People like Adrian Durham need to consider these things before they start chatting @#$%& on radio...

Dunno bout you guys but it would have been a nightmare for me to have travelled back to West London from the game

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)

Date: 06/01/2010 23:19

Lot of fans live in Welwyn and Hatfield, Grays etc, they had a nightmare getting in, and they were leaving for home early.

I live between the city and the ground and its -3 here that means its minus 5 next to ground and - 7 out in the sticks.
At those temperatures even grit freezes.

---

The game is about Glory. It is about doing things in style with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom".
Danny Blanchflower

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: eduardo (IP Logged)

Date: 07/01/2010 00:53

IS it possible for the game to be refixed for next tuesday or Wednesday or is it true that the police have to get at least 10 days notice of any game

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: SaltnPeppah (IP Logged)

Date: 07/01/2010 06:08

"Arsenal's fixture programme has become so congested after the snow-enforced postponement of last night's Premier League game against Bolton Wanderers that even league officials cannot pinpoint a date when the game will be played – and admit that scheduling it will be dependent on the club's Champions League progress.

Arsène Wenger's team are not likely to be able to fit in the game against Bolton until the end of March or possibly early April, by which time they may yet be in the latter stages of the Champions League. Sources at the league said yesterday that Arsenal's game-in-hand would have to be played in the last six weeks of the season.

If Arsenal progress to the Champions League quarter-finals then the week starting Monday 22 March will be the only real option. If they were to play Bolton in that week it would mean playing three games in eight days before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final match

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: Bee#4 (IP Logged)

Date: 07/01/2010 13:46

^^^

I don't really know what to say to that tbh! I don't like the idea of having this game in hand all the way up to the end of the season, but on the other hand a lot of pressure would now get put on Chelsea and Man U to not drop any points, cos of our game in hand etc etc.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Why decision to cancel was late, but correct

Posted by: eduardo (IP Logged)

Date: 07/01/2010 23:14

is there not dates set aside for FAC replays, can we not play bolton on one of those dates if neither club has a replay

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Goto Thread: Previous•Next

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Log In

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search•Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net