News for fans of Arsenal and Liverpool this morning as rumours increase about a fixture between the two sides during pre-season. It’s been whispered about for some time but it appears as if this is now more likely than ever.
It’s rumoured, though not quite official yet, that we’ll play the Mugsmashers in Dublin on August 1st. The venue is not yet listed, but it’ll almost certainly be at Lansdowne Road (the Aviva Stadium).
Arsenal are scheduled to play in Singapore in the International Champions Cup, but a game in Ireland is sure to be a sell out. Liverpool have a massive Irish fanbase, and there’s no shortage of Arsenal fans too, so it’d be a real occasion.
The last time the Gunners played in Ireland was some time in the mid-80s when we played Shamrock Rovers. I went. It was the first time I’d ever seen Arsenal play live.
We lost.
Anyway, more on this as and when we get it, but it might be worth making a note in your diary.
Update: More on the Irish Arsenal history here
Arsenal played in Waterford in 1986. 1-1 with Martin Hayes getting the opener and Paul Cashin equalising from the spot for Waterford. Charlie Nicholas had just signed but wasn't there. Quinn was sub. Years later (late 80s/early 90s) AFC played Bohs in Dalymount.
— Ger Scully (@gscully) April 15, 2018
i remember going to the arsenal v shamrock rovers game also. it was at milltown, rovers home ground til they did a west ham and lost their soul (@ least for a long time). rovers beat us. we were shite that night. i think don howe might have been in charge?
I believe the last time we played in Ireland was in ’89, against Bohemians in Dalymount Park. We won 2-1, coming from one-nil down and scoring a last minute winner. I remember George Graham dragging the players back out of the dressing room a couple of times to sign autographs for all the unwashed scamps like myself, agog at seeing Perry Groves in the flesh for the first time.
Good times.
Arsenal last played in Ireland on the 5th of March 1992 against Shelborne. If I’m correct, it was 1-1, with Alan Smith scoring.
Arsenal also played Bohemians at Dalymount Park in 1989, and, I assume, Shelbourne at Tolka Park in 1991.
I didn’t just imagine it. Think the game finished 1-1?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHELBOURNE-V-ARSENAL-5-3-1992-FRIENDLY/263510484803?hash=item3d5a72e743:g:K3sAAOSws5pZIJsF
I’ve just recently moved to dublin ? hope this is true!
Might be subject to where we finish and what euro comp we qualify for. If we win the europa and qualify for the Champions league then there is no issue. However if we finish 6th and don’t win the europa, and if one of Chelsea, United or Spurs win the FA Cup and finish above us, we would be starting Europa league qualifying on the 26th July! The 2nd August would be the 2nd leg of that tie.
Just noticed one of the Arsenal ITKs has tweeted that it’s us against City in Dublin on 1st August.