ARSENAL fans raged on social media this morning after the club’s ticket website crashed under the weight of demand.
Gunners supporters were desperate to secure one of just 2,000 tickets for Thursday’s clash against Rapid Vienna.
Arsenal supporters haven’t seen their club in action since March but will be allowed up to 2,000 fans per match from Wednesday as part of London’s Tier 2 restrictions.
But eager Gunners were left frustrated as Arsenal’s website went down.
One fan said: “So gutted – I’ve waited 9 months to watch Arsenal at the Emirates – I get my chance to get tickets and the website crashes so I can’t get in. Finally get in and all tickets gone.”
Another wrote: “Hey Arsenal, TicketmasterUK got to the front of the queue for tickets and then the system crashed multiple times and booted me out of the queue…what do I do now?”
And even ITV political editor Robert Peston tweeted: “Trying to buy Arsenal tickets this morning was an especially maddening experience.
“This is a club that specialises in undermining the good will of fans.”
Arsenal announced earlier this week that there would be no fan ballot and that the Rapid Vienna tickets would only be available to top members.
But the system still meant a mad scramble among desperate Gooners.
A statement read: “We will not be running a ticketing ballot for the match against Rapid Vienna.
“For this match only, we will be running a ‘first come, first served’ priority sale to gold and premium Members who made their initial payment and registered for the ballot in September.”
Fans are able to return to stadiums from Wednesday under new government guidelines.
Up to 4,000 can attend in Tier 1 areas – but there are none in the country – and 2,000 in Tier 2 regions.
Clubs located in Tier 3 places, like Manchester United, will still be forced to play behind closed doors.
Arsenal are preparing to travel to north London rivals Tottenham next weekend in a game that will be played in front of 2,000 Spurs fans.
Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
