Arsenal Women have issued a statement in response to a large number of supporters stranded outside the Emirates Stadium at the start of the Gunner’s WSL clash against title rivals Chelsea due to overwhelmed turnstiles.
Nearly 47,000 tickets were sold for Sunday’s London derby, marking the third time this season more than 40,000 supporters had come to watch the women’s team in the WSL.
But the occasion risked being overshadowed as just before kick-off, swathes of fans were still queuing for entry into their respective turnstiles at the Emirates Stadium, with many missing the beginning of the match.
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And Arsenal Women have released a statement citing the increased numbers of new supporters and an early kick-off time for the overcrowded turnstiles, while encouraging supporters to arrive at matches well in advance and with only the absolute necessary baggage to avoid repeat episodes of overcrowding.
Arsenal’s statement in full reads: "Our matchday operation was the same as every other fixture and event at the Emirates Stadium. An early kick-off combined with a number of new supporters to our stadium, coupled with 50 per cent of supporters arriving in the last 20 minutes before kick-off resulted in busy turnstile areas.
"We will continue to educate our supporters on arriving early to the stadium for necessary security and bag checks and continue to discourage supporters bringing any unnecessary luggage and large bags."
A dramatic 89th-minute header from Chelsea's Sam Kerr ensured that the spoils were shared in the London derby after Kim Little's second-half penalty sent the home side into the ascendency.
Arsenal's front three of Caitlin Foord, Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius, along with midfielder Frida Maanum, continued to harass Chelsea's backline throughout the match, but their tame efforts hardly gave Chelsea keeper Zecira Musovic much worry and their profligacy ultimately left them ruing their missed opportunities as Chelsea seized their late leveller.
The draw sees Arsenal drop to third in the WSL table, with Manchester United's 6-0 rout of Liverpool firing the Red Devils ahead of the Gunners to blow open the title race.
Arsenal return to WSL action on 22 January when they travel to league strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion.
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